Running Elk

by Elizabeth Anne Porter

  Running Elk spoke calmly, but his heart was racing. He knew in a short time he would once again hold the woman he loved in his arms. The decision to give Two Fires and the warrior’s family time to mourn Standing Bear was not an easy one. But after enduring all the obstacles placed in the way of their union, he felt a renewed optimism. After leaving the Kiowa elder, he went in search of Kicking Bird. He found himself excited about sharing his news with his brother.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Alexandria hadn’t been able to think of anything but Standing Bear since his departure. Her mind was not on her work, and she knew Abigail could sense she was worried as they sat grinding corn to powder.

  “Are you well?” she asked.

  “I have a bad feeling. I had a terrible dream last night. Standing Bear was killed. I know it’s silly, but I can’t seem to force the vision from my mind,” Alexandria answered, looking from her work to her sleeping son who was laying on a robe next to her.

  “The Kiowa claim dreams are visions. We can only pray your dream wasn’t one. Did you tell Standing Bear of your dream before he left?”

  “No. But I did ask him to stay. He said he had to go, but he has been so strange lately. I know he still loves me, but something seems to be weighing heavy on his mind,” Alexandria answered, wiping the powder from the stone before adding a new handful of dry corn.

  Abigail listened to her friend’s concerns and nodded her agreement before speaking. “He had a lot on his mind. I am sure he will be fine in time. War parties tend to color warriors’ moods. But I can tell you Standing Bear does not seek death like he once did.”

  “If you would have said that to me when I first arrived, I would have called you crazy. I know he is the same man who killed my husband, but at the same time, he has changed. It is almost like he is two different men.”

  “You have changed him. He loves you, there is no question about that.”

  “I do know I will be pleased to see him return.”

  “I believe he was right when he said that you would learn to love him,” Abigail said, smiling.

  “I do care a great deal for him. And I am so very grateful that he loves my son. Little Eagle is the most important person in my life.”

  Abigail was noticeably surprised by the absence of Running Elk’s name but said nothing. Alexandria figured her silence was out of fear that if she brought him up, the two would talk of nothing else.

  “Will you watch Little Eagle? I think I will go sit by the water for a bit.”

  Abigail didn’t stop working but smiled and nodded her head.

  While Alexandria slowly walked to the water’s edge, she again attempted to shake the feeling of doom. By the time she sat at the bank, she was covered with sweat. The day was hot and muggy. The sun unsuccessfully attempted to break through the thick gray and black clouds. Thunder booms could be heard in the distance. The absence of wind made the heat almost unbearable. She wiped her sweaty brow and walked into the water, fully clothed. The temperature was closer to bathwater than cooling, but she dipped her body underwater anyway, hoping the change would clear her mind. It didn’t. Her mood seemed to mirror the weather.

  As she was walking from the water, the wind began gusting, but it brought little relief. She stood dripping wet on the banks of the tranquil river and let the wind dry her hair and clothing. Before returning to her work, she prayed the sun would be shining when Standing Bear returned home.

  The threatening rain held off until late in the night. From inside the tipi, it sounded like buckets were falling from the sky. The noise was so loud that Little Eagle woke and immediately demanded his mother’s attention.

  Alexandria was sitting by the fire, feeding her son, when Abigail burst through the closed flap.

  From the look on Abigail’s face, Alexandria immediately knew something was terribly wrong. Abigail’s eyes were red and swollen and the young woman was shaking uncontrollably.

  “What’s the matter?” Alexandria asked, placing Little Eagle on the fur nearby the fire before pulling her friend into an embrace.

  Abigail pulled out of her friend’s grip and covered her mouth with her hand.

  “Abigail, if you don’t tell me what’s wrong, I can’t help.”

  Abigail shut her eyes tightly and shook her head.

  Alexandria was quickly learning she could no longer speak calmly to her friend. “Tell me!” she yelled.

  Little Eagle cried out when his mother raised her voice. Alexandria went to pick her son up and while comforting him, she tried to calm her raw nerves so that she wouldn’t yell at Abigail again.

  When she returned her attention to her friend, she realized Abigail had left.

  Alexandria knew she couldn’t go out into the downpour with Little Eagle in her arms, so she was forced to stay inside and pace as she lulled her son back to sleep.

  She had just laid her son on the bed when Abigail returned.

  Abigail was still in the same state of mind as she had been moments earlier. The only change Alexandria could see was that now Abigail was shaking uncontrollably.

  “Abigail. Sit by the fire and calm yourself. Tell me what has happened,” she said softly as she gently guided her friend to the center of the tipi.

  Abigail allowed Alexandria to pull her into a seated position but her hand remained firmly affixed over her mouth.

  “Breathe,” Alexandria suggested as she pulled a robe over her friend’s shaking shoulders.

  “He is … gone. They are preparing his burial scaffold. Oh, Alexandria … our people … white men … killed him,” Abigail blurted before collapsing into Alexandria’s arms.

  Alexandria thought for sure her heart stopped beating when Abigail’s words sank in. She had tried to convince herself that the wind and rain had been the source of the noises she’d heard. When she heard her friend’s, declaration she wondered if it hadn’t been the women of the village, wailing when Standing Bear returned. “Are you telling me Standing Bear is gone?” she asked quietly, not wanting to hear the answer.

  Abigail nodded and once again fell into hysterics.

  “Oh my God,” Alexandria breathed.

  She pulled away from Abigail, stood, and walked to the bed she shared with Standing Bear. She fell to her knees and picked up the roll Standing Bear had rested his head on. Her emotions were running amuck. She was sad, hurt, angry, and scared. She had no idea how Standing Bear’s death would affect her but knew whatever her future held, she first had to say goodbye to the man who had loved and protected her. After breathing in his scent for what she knew would be the last time, she walked outside into the rain.

  Abigail followed, “Where are you going?”

  “To be with him. Watch my son, please. Is he in White Buffalo’s tipi?” Alexandria asked in a calm voice. Her exterior was calm, but her mind was going a hundred miles an hour. She hadn’t felt these exact feelings since Standing Bear and his friends attacked her friends and family. Accepting that her actions were a good sign she was in shock, she was grateful for any buffer.

  “I will stay. Yes, he is with his father,” Abigail said, backing into the tipi.

  Alexandria began walking in the thunderstorm. It didn’t matter that she was getting drenched. She didn’t care about being wet. The only thing she cared about was finding a way to protect her son. Nothing but him mattered anymore. She was relieved to see Standing Bear’s father’s tipi flap was open. Standing Bear had kept her segregated from his family and friends for the most part, but Alexandria had always thought White Buffalo was a fair and caring man. Her hope was that the people gathered didn’t view her as an intruder.

  After taking several deep breaths in order to calm herself, she entered the tipi.

  There were others gathered in the dwelling, but she only saw Standing Bear. He was lying near the fire at the center of the dwelling. The warrior’s face had been painted for battle. Seeing his face covered with white paint made it hard for her to breathe. It was the way he’d looked when the
y had first met, but he hadn’t allowed her to him that way since. The clothes he was wearing were exquisite. The shirt and pants were made of white leather. He wore a bone-chest plate over his shirt and beautifully beaded moccasins.

  Even in death, he was an extremely handsome man. Swallowing back tears, Alexandria quickly scanned the home, looking for a friendly face. When she made eye contact with Standing Bear’s father, the man walked towards her.

  “My son’s last thoughts were of you,” the elder said, attempting to comfort her.

  Hearing the words made it impossible for her to keep the ever-threatening tears from flowing.

  “I am sorry,” she said between sobs. “Was he in much pain?”

  “No. He was shot twice. But he died in peace. Now come and say your farewells. My son holds something in his hands that he wanted you to have,” his father said gently as he guided her in the direction of Standing Bear’s body.

  Alexandria could see the pain etched into White Buffalo’s face. The man was a well-respected elder, but Alexandria knew losing his son would have lasting effects.

  “I am so sorry the white man took him. I will miss him greatly. He took good care of me and my son,” she murmured through tears.

  “My son loved you. But love can blind a person to many things. Now say your goodbyes,” the old man said as he backed away.

  Alexandria knelt down and laid her hand on top of Standing Bear’s. As soon as she felt the cold, she pulled her hands away. While she was moving away, she felt something sharp poking out from in between his fingers. She cautiously lifted his interlaced fingers and saw Running Elk’s necklace. She was sure Standing Bear had thrown the jewelry into a river when he had taken it from her. Tears flowed down her face unchecked as she carefully removed the necklace from Standing Bear’s hands.

  Before standing, she placed a kiss on his cold lips. “I am sorry that I couldn’t tell you I loved you. I would have if I could. But know you took good care of me, and I will never forget you.” She spoke to him as she wiped the tears away with the back of her hand.

  Alexandria said goodbye to the warrior’s father and walked back to the tipi she shared with the man they were preparing the scaffolding for.

  Her heart hurt. But she didn’t want Little Eagle to feed off her grief. So she slowly walked back to her home. White Buffalo’s actions hadn’t led her to believe she and her son wouldn’t be cared for by the Kiowa people, and that was calming. But knowing she still had a home didn’t stop her from feeling terribly alone.

  When Alexandria returned to the tipi, she saw Abigail was still crying. “I know you’re upset,” she said, walking to her friend, “but you have to stop crying. It will not bring him back. If crying would bring him back, I would gladly join you. He is gone, and we must accept it.”

  Abigail looked at Alexandria and suddenly stopped crying. “Did you see him?” she asked, wiping her eyes with her hand.

  “I did. He looked like the great warrior he was. White Buffalo promised me Standing Bear wasn’t in pain when he passed. I find comfort knowing that. Look what he was holding this in his hands.” Alexandria began talking, doing her best to heed her own advice and stay strong. It wasn’t easy; tears were pooling in her eyes. But because of Abigail’s distress, Alexandria found her grief a little easier to deal with. While she was trying to comfort Abigail, Alexandria placed the necklace around her neck.

  “What is that?”

  “It was the necklace Running Elk gifted me. He told me it would protect me. And I thought I lost it when Standing Bear took me. But White Buffalo just told me Standing Bear wanted me to have it. He also said I was the last thing he thought of … before … he died,” Alexandria explained, holding the tears back for as long as she could.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Running Elk found Kicking Bird and Gray Eagle together. They seemed subdued as they prepared to ride back to their camp. Running Elk knew the battle hadn’t gone as well as they hoped, but he had heard news that made it impossible not to smile.

  “Kicking Bird, wait. I have something to talk to you about,” Running Elk said, attempting to stop the men from mounting their ponies.

  Kicking Bird looked towards his brother. “I heard the Kiowa warrior, Little Eagle, was killed. I am sorry for his loss. We lost ten warriors ourselves. So I have to ask, why are you smiling?”

  “I am sorry for those who have passed over,” Running Elk said as he dismounted from his horse. “But Little Eagle was not the Kiowa’s true name. Little Eagle is what they call my son. He was named after you, Gray Eagle,” Running Elk explained, keeping most of his excitement to himself.

  “Where did you hear these things?” Gray Eagle asked, making himself part of the conversation while he laid his back on his horse. “Have you heard more of Two Fires?”

  “The Kiowa who saved my life was in fact Standing Bear. He confessed everything to me while he lay dying. Two Fires stayed with him, but her heart still belongs to me. And I will go retrieve her soon. I have instructed the Kiowa to say nothing to her so I can explain what has happened for myself. Kicking Bird, I have a son,” Running Elk explained.

  Kicking Bird hugged his brother. “I will ride into the Kiowa camp with you when you go,” he said, sounding genuinely pleased at his brother’s turn of fortune.

  “I would like that. Gray Eagle, would you like to join us?” Running Elk offered.

  “Nothing could stop me. I will be well pleased to see Two Fires again. She named the baby after me, uncle. Maybe I hold a special piece of her heart,” Gray Eagle teased.

  Running Elk smiled. “You do not need to worry. Her heart is mine. I have loved that woman since the first moment I laid eyes on her. Now, time is the only thing that keeps us apart. So let’s go home and say goodbye to our brother warriors and celebrate my private victory,” he said as he mounted his ride.

  Running Elk’s mood remained elevated after he returned to his camp. He immediately began preparing for his reunion with Two Fires and his son. He felt so good about his sudden fortune that he even decided talking to White Wolf and Morning Star wouldn’t try his patience. He found Morning Star first.

  While he was shaking his extra furs out, he saw her walking back towards the camp with water bladders in both her hands. The woman looked as if she’d lost weight and appeared to be humming to herself. Running Elk was pleased she was happy.

  He quickened his pace and took the containers from her grip.

  She stopped walking and humming before casting her eyes downward.

  “Morning Star, how have you been?” he asked, gently guiding her face upwards so he could look her in the eye.

  He desperately needed to know he was right when he assumed living with White Wolf made her happy, and her eyes never lied.

  When she looked at him, he knew Morning Star was happier than she’d been in years, and also that his presence still affected her.

  He smiled and put some distance between them. “I have sought you out to tell you I am happy you found love with my brother. You do love him, don’t you?”

  “I do,” she answered quietly. “I am pleased that you are no longer angry with me. It has been too long since we have spoken,” she added, holding his gaze.

  “I have not been much for talking lately. But I want you to know that soon, Kicking Bird, Gray Eagle, and myself are going to the Kiowa camp to bring Two Fires here. I … you were a good wife, Morning Star. I was not a good husband,” Running Elk explained, finding it hard to express his true emotions, but he felt the woman who was once his wife deserved his best attempt.

  “Marriage takes two people being in love, Running Elk. Thank you for telling me these things. If I can be of any help when your Two Fires returns, let me know.”

  “I thank you. Now, have you seen White Wolf? I need to speak to him as well.”

  Running Elk walked beside her towards his brother’s home.

  “He was here when I left. But he seems to be gone. I know he didn’t sleep well again last night,
” she explained, taking the water container back from Running Elk. “But knowing you have found a way to be with Two Fires again will please him.”

  “I will search for him elsewhere. And I am pleased we finally spoke,” he said, turning from his brother’s home.

  “What about the child?” Morning Star asked from inside the tipi.

  Running Elk stuck his head back through the entrance. “I have a son. He is called Little Eagle,” he informed her proudly.

  “Little Eagle,” Morning Star repeated. “White Wolf said she had a son. I am happy for you.”

  “I know when she is safely in my arms again, I will believe it,” he said before realizing his words could very easily hurt Morning Star. “I will go find my brother,” he said, leaving. He had searched the woman out to ease her mind, not cause her undo pain.

  Running Elk located his brother walking the outskirts of the camp with Quanah and immediately realized the two shared the same expression: worry. He considered turning around for half a second. Even though he wanted nothing more than to hold onto his good mood, he slowly walked towards the two anyway.

  “Quanah, White Wolf,” he greeted.

  “Is this the first time you are seeing White Wolf since we returned?” Quanah asked.

  “No. That is what I am doing now. That is if your business is concluded.”

  Quanah nodded his head. “It is, at least for now. After you and White Wolf are finished speaking, I would like to see you,” the war chief expressed as he began walking away from the brothers without a parting word for White Wolf.

  “So, what have you to say? Did you speak to the Kiowas while you were away?” White Wolf asked.

  “Come with me to my tipi,” Running Elk suggested. “The story is much better if you are sitting down.”

  After Running Elk told his brother about the events that had happened since he left for the battle, he waited for his brother to speak.

  “I am well pleased that events are going so well. I knew the boy was yours,” White Wolf said after a long silence.