Prairie Flower

Chapter Three

I have witnessed the twins' birth when I was seven or eight, I could not remember. Although I was there when Milla was born, not a single thread of memory from that day I recollect.

It was a very stormy that day, my mother was making dinner when she started having stomach cramps, she told me to go fetch father from Chief Lesharo's house. When father and I arrived, the midwife was already at our house and the twins were being born. That was the only day I ever remember my mother and father to be very happy and loving.

"L-e.. argh!", I run towards the direction of the agonizing scream and I knew what was happening, my mother is giving birth.

I hurriedly helped my mother up and tried keeping her up so we can arrive to the wagon safely. I laid her head on a sack of clothing and tried making her comfortable. Milla and I helped with the childbirth, although we have never done anything like this, or similar to this before we tried and managed. Yana and Leah helped and made mother comfortable and tried making her feel more relaxed.

Half a day has passed and it was the final push, I can see the head of our baby brother or sister. We struggled but we pulled through, our baby brother was born. A boy, father would be so proud of mother if only he was here. Finally, a man to watch over us, to be the new male figure of our family. He is the yearning wish my father has been waiting for, for years, he had daughters and now finally, a son.

"Gunnar. Gunnar Hagan, named after my father. A name fit for a bold warrior with great defense." My mother said as she holds him.

"It's a beautiful name." That is the only thing I managed to say. I love my brother of course, but to have a name of my grandfather, that is' an honor in our tradition. I have to admit I am jealous. I thought to myself, why couldn't I be named after my grandmother, Harriot, I love that name.

Gunnar's eyes looks like someone's eyes, its on the tip of my head but I cannot seem to put my head on to it. His hair is of my mom's, the ashy brown hair all my sisters have except for me. I can tell he will be of a strong and bold man, my mother was right. He will be our rock, our motivation to move on and never look back.

"Gunnar Abelard Hagan" my mother whispered while a tear rolls down her eyes looking over my brother.

Watching my mother cry was one of the saddest sight I have ever witnessed. I miss her laughs and the glistening glow to her eyes. I miss my family altogether, along with my father.

We decided it would be a good idea to rest one more night before we continue on to our journey, with a baby and all that now. That day no one said a single word with exception to the periods of disturbance here or there from Gunnar's cries.

The next morning we continue to travel, the twins were helping mother with Gunnar in the wagon while I continue to travel on foot with Milla.

Milla looks at me like she has something to say, but hesitates, then she whispered, "Do you think that where we're going is where mother came from? We are going to the direction of the mountains anyways, its like the elders said."

"I believe so, maybe we're visiting Kasa's side of the family." I replied.

"Kasa? Leo! That is very disrespectful. We call her mother."

I felt the rush of blood pass through my body and lingered around my head, I was embarrassed, I did not even notice I called my mother by her first name.

"I'm sorry Milla, I did not even—"

We were startled by the sound of horses and hollering of warriors from up ahead, even the mules were startled which caused them to yield. My mother quickly came out of the wagon and looked around.

My mother was about to say something when we were circled by the horsemen. The leader seems to be wearing some sort of emblem that belongs to the mountain tribe.

"What are you doing entering our territory?" questioned the leader while he examines our wagon.

"We- we are on our way to visit family." Replies my mother with confidence.

"Family huh? Canyon tribes do not have families in the mountains. Turn around and go back to your village." The leader said sternly while he spat on the ground.

Two of the leader's warrior directed me and my sisters towards the direction we came from, when my mother panicked and shouted, "Gunnar Hagan! Hagan!"

"What did you say?" said the bold warrior while looked down at my mother with one eyebrow raised up with a confused look on his face.

"My father, Gunnar. He is expecting us." My mother replied.

The leader and his warriors handed each other a confused look, but I can see they had an expression of bewilderedness. I can hear them whispering, in their own language though, so I could not understand.

My sister touched me on my back and pointed towards mother, I can see what she is showing me. My mother is having an anxiety attack once again, she starts shaking like having mild seizures. It gets very bad when she is taken by surprise or if she does not feel safe at all. My mother's anxiety attacks only get ceased if she is comforted either by myself or Milla. I walk towards my mother and hug her, I hold her hand and start humming to her until she calmed down.

After such an amount of waiting the leader walked towards us and tells us to board on our wagon and they will be taking us to their tribe deep in the mountains.