The Saga of White Bull the Fullest Extent of His Love

By Gordon Roe

A Chief of a village named Black Elk goes in search of a child out in
the wilderness when the childs well being would not let him rest during
a cold and harsh winter. He rescues the little brave from his abusive
parents who had nearly killed him then he and his wife adopted him and
raised him as their own son. The little long haired brave grew up with an
enormous amount of love for his new parents that treated him so kindly
and for the entire tribe he now called his family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 3, 2010
• ISBN: 9781462814923

Book preview

Chapter 1

Embracing the Seed of Love

White Bull was headed for a favorite place of his for some peace and quiet where he would surrender his troublesome thoughts and feelings to Ina Makaw-Mother Earth. The vast wealth of her beauty always seemed to make his worries look so small and trivial.

When he got to the old weathered stump on the ledge he sat down and leaned back against it as he pulled his bear skin a little snugger around his shoulders. The rest of the tree laid on the ground off to his left where it had fell many years ago. The tree was weakened because its roots could not reach any nourishing soil through the rocky surface where it was growing at so it eventually died at an early age. It stood alone on the rock out cropping so it was also vulnerable to the strong winds of winter and it ultimately fell victim to a strong storm that had toppled it. The lifeless tree had not given up its usefulness though because it was now the habitat of a smaller world. He had spent many peace seeking moments watching a shrew or a prairie mouse seeking a grub worm to dig out of the rotten remains of the tree.

It was always comforting for him to look out over his homeland and see everything in its own natural state. Nothing was ever out of place and it was always so beautiful to look at no matter what season it was just as Mother Earth had intended. He had often sat on his fathers lap at this very spot snuggled under their bearskin robe as he taught him the ways of their people and command rules of the wilderness. As the Chief of their tribe now he often wondered at times if he were strong enough to lead his people but after fallowing his father’s footstep like he was doing now he always felt more confident about doing it. When he was young he had spent a lot of time setting on his fathers lap at their counsel fires while they discussed the welfare of their people. Once he outgrew his fathers lap he sat respectfully at the fire as he listened and learnt how they resolved a crisis or made plans for an upcoming hunt or preparing the village for the winter months. He had a love for his people even as a small young brave that his father and the elders of the tribe had noticed and they did not take that for granted. They saw in him the potential of a tireless leader that they knew would serve their people well and the strong interested he had for their well-being was what had finally led him to be their leader. They had many private counsels concerning White Bull and about him being elected as the Chief of the village while he was not present. Those counsels were always hidden from him while he was off looking after the people in some way. When the time came Black Elk was still considered to be very young when he passed on the responsibility of leading their people to White Bull. After he had stepped down he still acted as his advisor along with the elders. At first it was pretty awkward for him as he stepped out from under his fathers wings but his father and the elders helped him through it.

As he gazed up into the sky he spotted two frequently seen wanblis’-eagles soaring in circles over head. He knew they were searching the foothills for a rabbit or a slow moving snake due to the cold morning air that they would feed on for the day. If they didn’t have any luck with either of the two they would head for one of the lakes in the area where they would be guaranteed a meal of fresh fish. They were a beautiful animal that he admired very much. His father once told him a heart warming story about them and how they mated for life. He said he was on a pleasure seeking ride one day when he came up on a female eagle that was acting particular. She dove from a tree she was perched in several times while he was watching her. She didn’t have a nest in the tree and it was hard for him to believe she would have missed her prey so many times. He told him he rode his horse over to the foot of the tree and found her dead mate lying on the ground beneath it. He said he then realized she had been driving off the scavengers that were trying to make a meal of his body. He said he admired how devoted she was to him because she even swooped down on him while she tried to drive him away too. He said he didn’t want to disturb her anymore then she already was so he rode off and left her be. He told him he had ridden back out to check on her a few days later but he didn’t see her. He said after he rode to the foot of the tree again he found her body lying a short distance away from his. His father told him he couldn’t just ride off and let the scavengers desecrate their bodies after he had witnessed her praiseworthy act of devotion so he honored them by providing them with a fitting burial fire. When his father told him she loved her mate so much that she died of grief he had a deeper respect for them. He knew there was a uncanny mystery about the magnificent birds that didn’t exist in any other animal he knew of. They were a formidable foe as well. He learnt how formidable they really were one day while he was out on a leisurely ride himself. He was crossing a small meadow when out of know where a young doe sprang past him. He stopped to watch her then a dark shadow engulfed him for a moment as it passed over his head. When he looked upwards he saw an eagle swooping low and it was bearing down on the deer. The doe was springing across the meadow with all the speed she could muster but she wasn’t near fast enough. The eagle dropped into a dive with its talons stretching forwards then at the last moment he fanned his wings out to slow himself down as he made his strike. The doe and eagle tumbled across the ground for several feet as the eagles wings flailed about. It was a powerful event for him to witness but he knew the eagle could have easily broken a wing by attacking game that was so large. If he had it would have cut the eagles life short because he would not have been able to fend for itself any longer.

He was staring off across the stream that was directly below him when he caught some moment on the opposite mountain side. He was sure it was a deer heading to the stream below him for water. But then the towering old snag caught his attention. It stood well above any of the other trees that were on the hillside and it was no doubt the father of most of them. He knew at one time it was a majestic tree covered with healthy green limbs. It still was even though it only had a few bare limbs on it now. He smiled warmly as he thought of the tree as a grand old father standing guard over his own offspring. As he scanned the base of the mountain he finally spotted the deer walking down a visible part of the game trail he was on. He watched him for a few minutes then he looked upwards again and saw one of the eagles was in a steep dive. He knew he would soon be carrying his kill off to his nest where he and his mate would be feasting on their morning meal.

He pulled away from watching the eagle when he heard the bushes rustling and looked down stream to where he thought he heard the noise was coming from. Then he was surprised to see the beautiful young squaw step out of the bushes instead of the deer he was expecting to see. He knew her well her name was Hinzi Hanhepi-Yellow Moon, her father was an elder of their tribe and he was a good friend of his. Her brother was too, his name was Standing Tall. He had grew up with Standing Tall and they were often known to be involved in some sort of mischief together.

Yellow Moon walked over to the edge of the stream and dropped a bundle she was carrying to the ground. She bent over and pulled her moccasins off then she stretched her foot out and tested the water with her toe.

White Bull chuckled under his breath as soon as he realized what she was going to do. He knew how cold that water was because it was still early spring and it would be a couple of months before anyone could take a comfortable bath in the stream. But he asked himself why was she bathing here of all places. Normally the squaws bathed in their tipis this time of year or down stream when it was warmer in a secluded area where they had plenty of privacy. He watched her untie her dress at her neckline before she slipped out of it and let it drop to the ground where it gathered at her feet. White Bull smiled mischievously as he abandoned his seat and slid down on his belly for a better view. He had some reservations of doing so because his father taught him he should respect his people. It wasn’t enough to stop him and he ignored his thoughts. He had a couple of quick defensive excuses that come to his mind that he willing let overpower his previous thoughts. First she was an wiwasteka-beautiful woman far to beautiful to turn away from. Second she had invaded his privacy so it wasn’t like he went out looking for it and he was just doing what came natural for a man. He unconsciously picked up a small branch and started tearing the bark from it as he watched her. She made a couple of steps into the stream before she stopped and clenched her hands together as she stared at the water. White Bull could tell even from that distance she was shivering and wondered if she was having second thoughts about taking her bath. She looked beautiful standing there with her long black hair flowing down her back, he thought she had a nice looking butt too! He couldn’t help himself from wondering what her naked body would feel like beneath his hands. Now he was aware of what his brothers were always teasing him about when they said he didn’t know what he was missing out on.

He chuckled quietly as he watched her reach down to cup a handful of water before she drew it up between her legs. When she stood up and squealed he laughed louder then he expected to and he broke the branch he was fidgeting with a loud snap. He ducked his head quickly as she looked about, she was careful not to look directly at him though. She knew he was there, she knew it all along too because she followed him there. She was smiling to herself when she said under her breath nimitawa ktelo-you will be mine now Honey Bear. She boldly resumed her ritual of self torment until she couldn’t take it any longer then she stepped back out of the stream and put her dress back on. She spread her robe out and sat down on before she began brushing her hair out. When she was done she leant back on her outstretched arms to bask in the warmth of the sum for a moment. He questioned why he never noticed her before out of all of the available squaws that were in the village and more so when he acknowledged how often he was at her own tipi when he was visiting her father or brother. He always remembered her to be Standing Tall’s little sister but now she was all grown up. He was disappointed as he watched her get to her feet then gather her robe up before she disappeared back into the bushes. He made his mind up on the spot that he was going to get to know this beautiful squaw more, yes he thought to himself he would go visit Buffalo Walker more often to do it.

He was startled when he heard the soft voice say you have a wonderful view from up here did you like what you saw. White Bull scrambled to his feet blushing as soon as he saw her standing behind him, he’d been caught and he knew it. He started stuttering well I uh, I uh, well I was, but she cut him off and said oh that’s OK I guess I should have been more careful about where I took my bath at huh. She said can I set with you and talk for awhile as she was laying her robe out. After she sat down on it she patted a place beside her and said come set down with me. He was still staring at her with a dumbfounded look on his face when she said oh don’t worry you can pay me back the next time you take a bath. He unenthusiastically chuckled and said I don’t think so I got enough to live down as it is. But he couldn’t help himself from noticing how her child like innocence was setting him at ease so he accepted her offer and sat down beside her. She said that water is very cold but I’m glad I got my bath done. He chuckled a little more boldly as he said yes I am sure it is.

It wasn’t long and they were both talking about anything in general but after their conversation began slowing down she got up and made a crude basket with some small limbs that she stripped from a bush. She then layered some leaves on the inside of it and a few minutes later she was setting with him again with the basket full of early spring berries. Many thought they were the best tasting of all of the berries. He caught himself staring at her as she was putting one in her mouth then she caught him staring at her. She smiled as she reached over to put one in his mouth and their eyes locked together. Then they both found themselves embracing the seed of love that had mysteriously sprouted within them. Neither of them wanted to move but their spell was broken as he took the berry into his mouth.

White Bull was realizing there was definitely something different about having a relationship with a squaw that he wasn’t used to. He was also beginning to understand the complexity of the relationships that his brothers had with their wives. It wasn’t bad it just wasn’t like the normal no holds bare relationship he had with a brother. He chuckled within as he acknowledged he probably had a lot to learn about catering to the needs of a squaw on a more personal level. He was a bit careless with his words when he said so how many of our brothers’ have caught you taking a bath before? He didn’t see the quick movement of her hand but he did feel the lighting quick crack of her brush on his head. He flinched and said I’m sorry I was just teasing. She smiled and said I was too. Then she said no one has seen me that way but my mother and now you, she smiled even more and said hey that almost makes you part of the family doesn’t it. He chuckled at her quick wit but he also found himself fascinated with her and her ability to set him at ease so easily. He was intrigued by her fearless nature and good humor, he was glad they had met and had this time to spend together.

The time had passed by so quickly they hadn’t noticed they’d spent the entire day together. Yellow Moon was getting to her feet when she said come we must go back to the village and get you a descent meal before you pass out from hunger. He chuckled as he got to his feet then they began walking down the peaceful trail together feeling very good about the wonderful day they’d spent together. Three squaws’ were watching them as they entered the village. They all stopped and stared for a moment then they were smiling as they began talking amongst themselves. Yellow Moon said I bet our sisters are anxious to spread some news about us. White Bull said well lets steal that news away from them then. As they walked by his tipi he dropped his robe at the foot of a tree that was close to it then they headed off across the village hand in hand. All of their brothers’ and sisters’ were turning their heads as they passed them by, they were all smiling suspiciously too.

Buffalo walker had a big grin on his face when he called out to White Feather and said come mother come see who our daughter is bringing to our fire this evening. When she stepped out of the tipi she began smiling as soon as she saw them. She had been expecting the day to come when her daughter would find herself a husband but she was truly surprised to see her walking towards their fire with the Chief of their village. She knew it was a bit to early to be making any predictions about their intentions but it was quite obvious to her they both had some special feelings towards one another. After Buffalo Walker and White Bull were setting at the fire White Feather turned to Yellow Moon and said come help me my daughter and we will make our wicas’-men something good to eat. Yellow Moon blushed as she turned her head but then she found she was facing her grinning father. She smiled as she turned with her arms folded across her midsection and humbly said yes mother.

White Bull and Buffalo Walker were talking about a recent raid on their horses when White Bull said did you see Standing Bear and Sewati chasing after those horse thieves too? He said yes I did and they sure surprised several of our younger braves when they jumped over that fence. White Bull said yes I know and they sure looked like they were enjoying themselves. Buffalo Walker changed their conversation when he said I’m looking forward to seeing our new ponies after they are born. Yes I am to I’m really interested in seeing the ones Wind Stalker has sired. I can imagine you are, I’m sure they will be some fine looking ponies too and if they are anything like their father is they will be good ponies for some of our brothers’ or sisters’.

White Bull grunted and said if they are anything like their father is our brothers’ and sisters’ will probably be giving them back. Buffalo Walker chuckled and said yes you probably wore out a few pairs of moccasins because of that tashunke-horse didn’t you. White Bull grunted again and said you didn’t have to remind me about those days.

After they ate Buffalo Walker stepped into the tipi then a moment later he stepped back out with his Chanunpa-Peace Pipe. As Buffalo Walker was packing the pipe he said this is some fresh chanshasha-red willow bark we mixed some mullein leaf in it, it is some good smoke. Silver Eagle and I went out to our favorite tree and got it recently. White Bull said so did he make you climb the tree. Buffalo Walker grunted as he drew deeply while he was lighting the pipe. After he blew out a lung full of smoke he said do you really think that old coyote would do anything to get his buckskins dirty or break one of his feathers. White Bull chuckled as he took the pipe from his hand and re-lit it as he took a puff himself. After he exhaled the smoke he said yes this is good smoke. Buffalo Walker said well Silver Eagle did help a little bit he did do a pretty good job of shredding the bark.

All of them were soon setting around the fire relaxing while the two squaws’ leant against their wica-man. Then White Feather said I forgot to put some more wood on the fire. She started to get up but Buffalo Walker put his hand on her leg as he stopped her then he got up himself. He was slyly looking out the corner of his eye at Yellow Moon as he put the two pieces of wood on the fire, one of them was a piece of cedar. Yellow Moon was still talking to White Bull when he sat back down and White Feather hadn’t noticed anything. He said aaah now we can relax and wait for the coyotes to start singing. The first few pops went by unnoticed but when the dry piece of cedar started burning good it began popping and crackling pretty good. White Feather was smiling into the fire as she patted his leg fondly. Yellow Moon began smiling too as soon as she heard it then she saw her father grinning at her. But White Bull hadn’t noticed the lover’s fire singing to them.

It was getting late when White Bull said I better leave now so we can all get some sleep. Yellow Moon followed him to the perimeter of the fire to see him off. After they stopped she said I had a very nice day today and he replied so did I. She asked him would you like to see me again? But then she laughed when she acknowledged she had used a poor choice of words considering what led up to their evening together. She was smiling playfully when she said I mean would you like to spend some more time with me? He saw his opportunity to make her squirm a little too so he said yes I would like to spend some more time seeing you. She laughed at his equally quick wit but then he said would you like to go for a horse back ride with me tomorrow. She was taken by surprise because she was trying to come up with an idea of her own so they would have the opportunity to spend some more time together. It was the last thing she was expecting to hear him say. She was elated, yes I would like that very much. Two young braves were running blindly through the village after they heard their mothers’ calling for them. They were interrupted when one of them ran headlong into White Bull. He caught him before he fell and he growled playfully at the startled brave as he let him go. The laughing braves continued running as one of them called out to the other one do you know who you just ran into? No! That was White Bull, then they were laughing again as they headed for their tipi’s. Two squaws’ stopped in a dark shadow of the village to watch them for a moment before they headed for their beds. When they spotted them all they could see was their silhouettes standing in front of the firelight. While they were watching them Yellow Moon reached up and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek before she darted into her tipi. Both squaws’ knew they were witnessing the birth of love between them so they respectfully turned and headed for their tipi’s.

Yellow Moon was peeking out of the doorway as she watched him walking towards his own tipi. He wasn’t expecting the kiss but he was feeling pretty good about it as he was walking away. He was smiling as he thought to himself yes we will have a very nice day tomorrow.

Chapter 2

The Agony of Love

Yellow Moon was setting at her fire by herself after her parents had gone to bed for the night. She was dwelling on the day she had spent with White Bull and everything that had led up to their meeting. She had fallen in love with White Bull a long time ago and all she could really tell herself now was she didn’t ever remember a time that she didn’t love him.

She was gazing across the village at his tipi while she waited for sleep to come and for the hours to pass so she could be with him again. His tipi glowed in the light of his own fire and it seemed to tower taller then any of the other tipi’s that were close to his. She stared at his fire until she finally lay down on her bed that she had made next to her own fire. She wanted to be as close to him as possible even if it was only a few more feet closer and with him in sight it was that much better. After a brief moment she raised herself up on her elbow as she watched a shower of sparks spread out above his fire then that one was followed by another one. She knew he was putting more wood on it but it did seem odd to her that there was a much larger shower of sparks rising from it then normal. She decided he was probably getting ready to turn in for the night and he was putting larger pieces of wood on it so it would last all night. As she lay back down she began dwelling on White Bull’s appearance. He had a scar that ran from the bridge of his nose and downward across his cheek that he had endured a great deal of pain from when he got it. She remembered the day well enough too because Black Elk had ran past her with him in his arms and she got one fleeting look at his face as he passed her by. It was a horrible sight to see, his head was hanging over his fathers arm and she didn’t know if he was dead or alive. She frantically followed everyone else to Yellow Bear’s tipi crying and waited there with her own father until they were told he would be OK. She was inspired by his words when he spoke about the scar he had ended up with because he would laugh it off and say you know I think I still might eat that horse. He was of medium height and stocky but he had unusually wide shoulders. She smiled when she remembered how he reminded her of a bear strolling through their village when he wore his robe during the colder winter months.

Every one loved him they were all drawn to him because of the unfailing love he had for his people, and he had no boundaries set for any of them, if they needed him he was always there for them. He was not just any leader he was an active leader that was always involved with his people on a personal level just like his father was. The children were forever seeking his attention. He would set with them for hours at times while he told them stories or at other times he could be seen making some young girl or boy a flute or a hoop that they would roll across the village while they guided them with their sticks. It was also a common occurrence to see him pick up a child as he roamed through their village and carry him or her with him on one of his customary walks. He always spent a lot of time with the elderly as well. He would be seen intercepting a young fishermen or hunter who would be returning to the village with their stringers of fresh trout rabbits or game birds. They would always eagerly give him what he wanted to take to his chosen ones for that day. White Bull always delivered his gifts to the smiling faces of the elderly squaws’ and elders’ who looked forward too their time with him. He loved to sit with them and listen to them tell him stories about his people that lived long before his time. They were always proud and pleased when he showed up at their fires with his gifts that always made them feel so important but they loved the time he spent with them the most.

White Bull spent so much time with his people it was hard to believe he had that much time to give. As that thought came to her mind it occurred to her that was probably the very reason he had not taken himself a wife. She never really found herself searching for a man and she wasn’t attracted to White Bull for his position as they’re Chief he had simply grew on her from her childhood. He had the same loving qualities about him back then when he was a young brave too but that was long before she was of age to take on a husband or even think about one. She did remember making up her mind when she was young that she was going to marry him when she was older. She smiled to herself when she realized that moment was at hand and that was what she was intending to do now.

She remembered he was a rascal when he was younger too. He always seemed to have a trail of mishaps behind him and never far from the next one that lay in his path that always seemed to get every ones attention. He was a brave defiant young brave that walked proudly through their village many of times bloodied wearing ripped and tattered buckskins that were often hanging from him and sporting as many cuts as he had bruises. He was always ready for any challenge in life and he was eager to help anyone who needed the help no matter what it involved.

She could still see him in the distant standing near his fire. She wished she could be the one putting the wood on it or better yet there with him while he held her in his arms. She closed her eyes longing to be with him again then started dreaming of snuggling against his chest at night while they listened to the coyotes sing them to sleep.

White Bull stood staring down into the burning embers of his fire after beating it into submission with a stout branch for devouring the late meal that he was trying to cook for himself. He growled and cursed the two burnt carcasses of what were previously two fine looking prized trout. They were given to him by two young fishermen who were returning late and were thoughtful enough to bring them to him as late as they had. They were proud of their catch and he surely didn’t want them to know of his dire attempt at cooking their prideful bounty. He already had a long history of destroying many intended meals with his previous attempts of cooking and it was the very reason he chose the safety of the night to practice what he considered to be an impossible art. He covered their remains with some wood to hide his cooking skills or lack of then cursed himself as he said you did it again.

He spread a buffalo robe out with one end of it draped over the log he normally sat on during the day for his bed. He then sat down on it and took a bite of the dried meat he had to resort to for a snack and started thinking about his day with Yellow Moon. It had been an exciting day for him, one that he would remember forever he was sure of it. He stared into the fire while he listened to it start to crackle, he had thrown on a piece of cedar with out any thought of it. He remembered then it was said that burning cedar was the fire built for romance. That was because of its noisy characteristics and many thought of it as the fire that sung. He smiled warmly when he remembered his mother looking down at him with that cheerful look on her face she always had and told him it was the fire that sang for those who were in love. He shook his head with annoyance when he remembered his own childhood ignorance and his foolishness. One day he had put some cedar on the fire and sat down between his parents so they could all enjoy loving each other. But then he smiled fondly when he remembered how his parents were laughing about the incident as they snuggled closer together while they pinned him between them. He sorrowfully stared into the crackling fire as their absence cut into his heart, how he wished they were there with him now to share his happiness of falling in love with Yellow Moon. As he watched the dancing flames the fire came to life as it began popping here and there spewing out small showers of sparks and embers as it did. It was always entertaining for him to watch but occasionally a small ember would sail through the air and land on his bed that he would snuff out. There were several small burn spots on his buffalo hide but it was a small price to pay for the pleasure it gave him. But there were those moments that weren’t as forgiving, that was when he was driven from his sleep abruptly by a burning ember that was burrowing its way into his skin somewhere. That’s when he would be jumping from his bed as he swatted at the hot spot. It was a pretty command occurrence to happen and everybody in their village was fair game for the evil searing hosts.

He decided to remain where he was at and sleep under the stars that night. He laid back and closed his eyes and Yellow Moon came to his mind again and with her she brought contentment to him once again. He felt warm inside with the memory of her kissing him before she dashed into her tipi. He was glad they had met that day and was even more excited about their planned day ahead of them when they would have the whole day to spend together again. He wished she was with him right now though lying beside him in front of the fire. He felt lonely now and it had never seemed to have bothered him to much before but now that he knew what he was missing it was worse and he didn’t like it.

The picture of her at the stream came to his mind and so did his previous question and that was what would her naked body feel like then he felt the tight sensations in his loins so he quickly decided to dwell on something else. He felt uncomfortable with his daring thoughts and sudden sexual desires for this woman that he had spent so little time with. His father always taught him to respect their people and he lived by his words. He knew he wasn’t deliberately disrespecting her in any way but it didn’t seem right either. One thing was for certain she definitely excited him in more ways then one.

He decided to search the wooded areas that surrounded their village for the perfect place to take her for their horseback ride he also looked for the best trails to take. He finally decided he would take her north of the village to a favorite lake he knew of then they would return to the village by fallowing the river back. It would be a beautiful ride with lots of scenery to enjoy and there should be plenty of animals for them to see as well. As he was thinking about their ride he drifted into a light slumber and began dreaming about her, in his dream she was smiling down at him from the top of her horse.

She was resting her head on her crossed arms while she stared at his fire. She smiled to herself when she remembered the bold move she made by bathing in front of him earlier that day. She felt a little uneasy with herself because she had openly showed a man her naked body but then it did seem right because it was him. She felt like he deserved to be able to admire her body in a respectable way and her motives of having a life time relationship with him out weighted everything else. Doing so had led to so much more then she had ever expected and they did have a wonderful time together as a result of it so she let it go at that. She was excited about the chance of them being married and living in their own tipi. But then it came to her mind that they would be sleeping together and it occurred to her she would be laying next to him naked. They would be making love physically something she knew little of and that was only what her mother had told her about it. Her mother never went into detail with the subject and she never had any reason to and she didn’t have a cause to push the issue either but now she only hoped she would be pleasing to him if their relationship grew as much as she intended it to.

She wanted to go to him right then and there but she didn’t want anything ruining their relationship. She wasn’t going to make any mistakes not now not when she was so close to having him for her own and. She rolled onto her side and felt the warmth of the fire on her back and the drowsiness it brought her. It had been a long day and she was tired but she fought back the sleep. She didn’t want to take her eyes off of his fire even if it was only for a moment longer. She snuggled tighter beneath her favorite blanket she had pulled up over her shoulders and began dreaming of the time they would spending together the fallowing day. Slumber finally took her over and not long after it had beads of sweat broke out on her cheeks as a much more passionate look took over her face. She rolled onto her back in her sleep as her arm fell out to her side. She had thrown her blanket off at the same time. Her hair splayed out on both sides of her head but a wisp of it still covered one side of her face. Her beauty was enhanced as her face and neck glistened in the firelight with a thin film of sweat covering her golden brown skin. She rolled her head from one side to the other as she reached over her midsection for an invisible body. Then she began breathing heavily as she parted her legs and moaned softly.

Instantly she was up and leaning against one arm that was stretched out to one side, she had a stunned look on her face. She lazily shook her sleep off then she was startled when the dream came to her mind. She was embarrassed as she pulled her hair back out of her face before she slowly looked about. She was frightened that she might have exposed the nature of her dream to her parents that might have been awake and had been near. She sighed a sigh of relief to see that her mother and father were still asleep in their tipi. She had never dreamt a more intense sensuous dream in her life, actually she had never had a sensuous dream ever. She saw her feelings towards White Bull were changing quickly now and they were becoming much more serious. But she reasoned it was a good dream it was the most beautiful dream she had ever had. She felt as if something had been lifted off of her in it too and she felt complete about herself in a strange but wonderful way. She knew she had accomplished something in her dream that had made her feel more confidant and her petty fears of not being able to please him seemed to be unimportant to her now.

She rolled over and picked up a piece of firewood and stirred the coals and watched as several partially un burnt pieces of hot wood that were laying at the perimeter of the fire ready to re ignite again instantly burst into flames as she shoved them deeper into the hot coals. Then she put on several more pieces of firewood to keep the fire going until her mother got up.

She lay back down on her side and looked to White Bull’s fire again. It was barely visible now and she toyed with the thought of sneaking over and adding some wood to it but thought better of it. She let her mind wander to the future and her responsibilities and the joy she would have while she prepared his meals and made him the best clothing she could. She smiled when she imagined herself giving him sensuous massages then dreamt of a romantic bath together in a warm pool under the moonlight. She saw there would be so much they would be doing together once they were married as a normal way of life but then it struck her he would have to be in love with her if all of these dreams were to come true and become a reality. That stirred the question and the fear of it never happening. The fear struck at her like the fangs of a snake and her eyes got moist at the painful thought. She told herself she was getting to emotional over negative thoughts. Get up and do something shake it off she told herself and she anxiously got to her feet and pulled her blanket over her shoulders and decided to go for a walk to calm herself. Oh she thought to herself the Agony of Love words taught to her by her mother.

She remembered her mother telling her one day when she was younger that there would always be some agony attached to love but never give in to it because love was worth anything and true love would survive everything. She started to relax when her assurance was restored after she confessed to herself that she had simply let her mind run free in the wrong direction. She reasoned their horseback ride was reassuring enough to move on with the more positive thoughts to dwell on. She reassured herself that she had set her sights on White Bull because she was attracted to his pure heart. She knew true love would only come once in a lifetime and she would have no regrets having him as her husband.

As she was strolling through the village she became excited when she saw a smaller shower of sparks spread out above the dim bed of coals at his fire. Then small flickering flames danced to life and she saw him in the firelight again. Regardless of any previous thoughts she had before she decided she wasn’t going to avoid any opportune moment to be with him either. Smiling to herself she boldly pulled her blanket a little tighter around her shoulders then headed for his fire.

White Bull looked up to her and saw her same playful smile on her face as she reached down for his hand and said get on. After he leapt up behind her he felt awkward because he had never ridden on a horse with a squaw before and he didn’t know where to put his hands so he placed them on his own thighs. She immediately reached back and pulled his hands up to her waist and held them against her stomach with her hand as she pulled the horses nose around with the reins in her other hand. White Bull raised his eyebrows up and down a couple of times and grinned down at the giggling children who were there watching them preparing to leave. He told himself he was going to enjoy this ride a lot more than he had imagined.

She heeled her horse and they left village behind as they rode down the trail headed for the open wilderness. Once they were well away from the village they took an innocent looking trail that led them deeper into the wooded area where the birch alder and popular trees were plentiful. It was a beautiful setting for a quiet peaceful ride, the birch and alder limbs thick with leaves swayed in the breeze and the taller popular trees reached higher into the sky. Just the right amount of sunlight filtered down through the trees, there wasn’t any harsh direct sunlight and it wasn’t dark like it was in the forest either. The ground was covered with low lush undergrowth mostly ferns with a variety of other wild plants or bushes. Clusters of purple and white lilies were scattered here and there and the ground was carpeted in many places with thick heavy moss. It was a perfect place for a romantic ride together.

Yellow Moon stopped their horse from time to time to so they could watch the birds’ squirrels or anything of interest. It felt good to be out in the wilderness with her like this but he was distracted from everything else by the soft rolls of her skin beneath her dress. Her stomach felt good beneath his hands and he had a sudden urge to grip her tighter when he felt the folds of her flesh pressing between his fingers. But then he noticed her butt was pressing back against his loins too and he could smell her pleasant women scent. It was all intoxicating to him and with out any warning he felt his erection growing quickly and pressing against her body. He was embarrassed when he realized that she could probably feel it too and why not after all if he could feel her against him why couldn’t she feel him. He decided they should walk for a while so he could walk it off but before another thought could enter his mind she guided their horse closer to a rotten stump that had an ample amount of foliage growing from it. She said hang onto me don’t let me fall then she leaned forward and stretched low to pick some lily’s growing from the base of it. When she did her dress clung to her body and her naked butt was fully exposed as she grasped at the lily’s. It was more then he could bare he gripped her hip with one hand while he pulled his draw string free with the other! But then he saw himself standing on the ground looking up to Yellow Moon and himself while he and she were on the horses back. But then he was devastated when he saw it wasn’t them at all and he found himself staring up at his real blood parents while they jeered down at him.

White Bull was shaken from his sleep by his dream, he was angered as soon as he remembered seeing his blood parents in it. Frustrated he got up and threw a few pieces of wood on the fire before he walked to the stream. When he got there he squatted and cupped some water in his hands and washed his face. Still fuming inside he stood up and took his buckskins off before he walked out into the stream and without any hesitation he ducked under the frigid waters surface. A second later his head popped back up out of the water and he snapped his head back and threw his hair back over his shoulders. When he got back to his fire he huddled over it to warm the front part of his body then he stood and turned his back to it. After he was warm enough he sat down deep in thought and stared into the flames while they grew larger. They were the last two people he expected to see in a dream and he was trying to shut them out of his mind again.

Hello can I set with you? White Bull turned quickly to see Yellow Moon standing in the firelight behind him. He froze he was having a hard time believing she was really there. Yellow Moon teasingly started to pout because he hadn’t replied. Yes, yes please he quickly got to his feet and said I’m sorry of course sit here as he motioned for a place on his bed. She said I didn’t mean for you to get up. Are you all right he asked? She smiled warmly at him and said yes I am fine I was just having trouble staying asleep so I decided to walk it off then I saw you putting some more wood on your fire so here I am. After she sat down she patted the robe and beckoned him to set next to her, I didn’t come here to steal your place to sit from you lets share. White Bull sat down and said OK just don’t crack me with your brush again. She laughed and playfully slapped him on his leg as she said I think you are safe. Then she noticed that his hair was wet, with a peculiar look on her face she asked why is your hair wet? She drawled out playfully did you take a bath? He grinned and said well you know it’s my guarantee I won’t get caught myself. She said well at least you didn’t have to worry about any prying eyes this late at night.

Yellow Moon folded her arms over her chest and pulled her blanket tighter as she leaned back against his log and crossed one leg over the other one. She looked over to him and said I had a wonderful time today it was nice being with you, it was different to be with someone else other then another squaw or my parents for a change. White Bull felt nervous after violating her to some degree in his dream and her innocence of not knowing about his secret he had about her only made matters worse for him. He tried to resolve in his mind it was only a dream and it wasn’t really him and her. He firmly told himself to Drop it! He said yes me to I haven’t had that good of a time in a long time and it felt good to laugh so much for a change. She had mysteriously put him at ease again with the gentle manner she had that made him feel so comfortable. Did you eat this evening? White Bull suppressed his frown when her question brought to his mind the image of his charred meal as it was sizzling in the hot coals. He saw the tail of one of his victims had survived the fiery event and it was still taunting him as it lay against one of the rocks that circled his fire. Yes I did I wasn’t too hungry though after the good meal you fed me but I had a piece of dried meat at bedtime. The happiness she felt inside was starting to overwhelm her, she wanted to let go of all of her feelings she was holding back. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him and how long she had loved him she also wanted to tell him she wanted to be his wife and be with him forever.

White Bull leaned forward and stirred the fire and shoved the last of the remains of his cremated meal deeper into the fire forever hidden and gone. He threw two more pieces of wood on the fire and smiled when he deliberately chose a piece of cedar as one of them and in no time the fire was popping and crackling to life again. Yellow Moon smiled she knew all about the custom of burning cedar too and her father reminded her of it when he was