Dawn's Fire, book 2 of the Dawn Fire trilogy

Chapter 15; New Homes, New Families

Chapter 15

New Homes, New Families

    Lion Claw and his chief walked to the start of the line of seated captives and started with the golden haired woman at Swift Arrow’s feet. “Swift Arrow asked for this woman to be his wife and she was granted him. He has named her Golden Lily.” Surprised, Iron Fist looked up into Swift Arrow’s stern face. The young brave was evidently determined to defend his choice of wife, even to his own chief. After a moment more Swift Arrow slid a hand under the slender graceful beauty sitting in front of him and helped her to her feet. Seeing his chief’s gaze come to rest on the two feathers which were still bound to the left side of Swift Arrow’s head, Lion Claw quietly explained how the brave had decided to show his wife honor by not being together with her as man and wife while they had been out in the open. 

   Chief Iron Fist saw the slight rise of color in Swift Arrow’s face as he looked abruptly down to the ground, suddenly insecure and unsure as to why his long time friend had brought up such a private subject before their chief. A small smile touched the elderly chief’s lips as he recalled what it had been like to be as young as this brave in front of him. He looked once more at the delicate woman standing tightly pressed into Swift Arrow’s side and understood that both man and woman suffered from newly born love. Suddenly an overwhelming need to be generous towards this young brave who had been deprived of his family at such a young age rose up in Iron Fist’s heart.   

   Uncertain of the stern man who studied her so acutely, Golden Lily lowered her gaze and slid her arm around Swift Arrow’s waist and buried herself deeper into the protection of her husband’s embrace. Deep love softened Swift Arrow’s eyes as he looked down at the woman in his arms, but Iron Fist could also read the barely contained craving in the brave’s taught features which caused his lithe body to tremble slightly. “Swift Arrow, you and your wife have both my blessing and my best wishes for a happy life together. This is your wedding night and not a night of mourning for both of you. You have done enough in helping to return Raven Wing to us so I excuse you both from his song of mourning.” 

   Swift Arrow looked wide eyed into his chief’s steady knowing gaze as gratitude lit up his face. He nodded his head in acknowledgement, unable to speak a word. So full did his heart suddenly feel!

    Chief Iron Fist then scanned the rest of the row of ragged weary captives briefly before he declared in a voice loud enough for all to hear, “That goes for the rest of these prisoners as well. Also let one person from each family who takes in a captive remain to watch over them.”

   Lion Claw led Chief Iron Fist on down the line. He told his chief that little Robert, now Curving Branch, had been claimed by Deer Pacer as an adopted son, and his older brother Olav, now Rising Sun, had been claimed by Hunting Wolf as an adopted son for his widowed mother. They then came next to Laughing Bear who stood arm in arm with his very pregnant wife, Morning Doe, both of which stood behind Merethe. Lion Claw looked questioningly into his friend’s eyes and at his slight nod he understood that Morning Doe had agreed to Laughing Bear’s wish to adopt Merethe. “Laughing Bear and his wife have laid first claim on this girl, Merethe, as adopted daughter.” 

   At Lion Claw’s mention of her name, Merethe looked up, first at his gently smiling face and then around towards Laughing Bear who was grinning proudly as he considered his newly adopted daughter. At her inquisitive look Laughing Bear kneeled down beside the silent little girl and laid a gentle hand onto her shoulder. “Both me and Morning Doe have asked for you to be our daughter. What do you say, will you let us be parents for you?” 

   With a mew of happiness and a sudden flood of tears, Merethe threw herself into the kind hearted man’s arms and whispered tremblingly into his shoulder, “Oh, yes. Thank you so much, yes!” Tears filled Laughing Bear’s eyes as he gathered the delicate little girl child into his arms and with ease he stood to his feet again. With a snuffle, Merethe straightened herself and looked shyly over at the lovely Morning Doe. A warm smile lit up her face as she cried out softly, “Mother,” and gave the woman with long raven black hair a big hug of acceptance which was returned in full. Lion Claw swallowed at the lump in his throat hard, deeply moved over his good friend’s happiness as he and his chief walked on to the young man named Jens, sitting beside the empty place where his little sister Merethe had occupied just a moment before. With trepidation Jens looked up at Lion Claw and his chief, who glanced down at him before looking over at Laughing Bear again. At the young brave’s lifted eye brow, Laughing Bear called out, “Thii´okuut Hohoot!”