Melodis Tune

by Melodi's Tune (NCP) (lit)

  "There's not a breath of a breeze," she said by way of explanation. "It's more comfortable without that dress on."

  The way she put her head down, almost as if she were shy, tugged at Darien's heart. After draping his wet loincloth over a branch to dry, he sat next to her. An apology was needed. She was right about his reasons for wanting to stay.

  "Melodi, I…"

  "Darien, you…"

  They laughed.

  "I'd like to start," he said. She nodded her head and moved closer until her silky thigh touched his. "First of all, you were right. I didn't realize how much I hated what my life had become until I came here and found another way to live. I feel alive like I never thought possible. I could stay here forever and be happy, but I won't. It's time to stop taking the easy way. There are things left undone in the future. I need you to help me keep some perspective."

  When she opened her mouth to speak, he stopped her with a kiss. He meant it to be quick, but her mouth was so inviting. It was long moments later before he pulled away. He had to finish saying this, and then he would make love to her.

  "Secondly, it would be worse than selfish to not see the end of this mission through. The lives and myths of Joe's and Grandfather's people are caught up in what we do now. It's important to them to finish, though I can't see the end from here."

  "You're the bravest man I know." Melodi took one of his hands in both of hers. "If my words yesterday hurt you, I am sorry."

  A single ray of sunshine slanted through the woven branches at that moment. Darien felt they had somehow been blessed, by who or what he didn't know.

  "So, when do you think that fish will be ready?" He enjoyed the look of confusion his change of subject brought.

  "Soon. Are you very hungry?"

  "Yes. Come here and feed me."

  Melodi's confusion turned to answering hunger in the intimate boudoir. Nothing but a golden afterglow remained of the sunset by the time all their appetites were sated.

  Traveling through the night, holing up in the heat of the day, making love during hazy, drowsy afternoons and into the tinged atmosphere of early evening was the pattern they followed for the next three days. Only the shy forest creatures heard them pass, no humans were in this land this time of year. Most fled to the seacoast, as Little Raccoon's people did, to escape both the humid heat and the irritating clouds of black flies.

  These pests were absent most of the time, a gentle though steady breeze kept them at bay. For the other times, Melodi found the sap of a certain tree and plastered it over their exposed body parts. It smelled awful, but it kept them from being eaten alive by the tiny insects.

  At last the day came when the insects were at their worst. It was late afternoon and no breeze stirred the heavy air.

  "This is driving me crazy." Darien rose from where he was trying to sleep. A steady sense of doom had been growing on him ever since they halted their march at first light. Something was brewing and it didn't feel right.

  "I'm going to find some water, I'll be back soon." He grabbed a leather pouch on his way out of their hiding place. Darien's words made Melodi's ripple of unease form into the shadow of uncertain destiny. She lay in the secluded bower, head pillowed on her arms, and looked at the darkening sky. Above her, gray clouds swirled relentlessly though no breeze blew. In her imagination she saw a hole open in the clouds. A different world waited there, much like Alice might have glimpsed before going through her looking glass.

  If magic could have a scent then this tangy, electrical texture that tickled her nose and made the hair on her arms stand on end was it. An implacable force pushed on her will. They had to go on, soon. The threads of time were weaving together. Unfinished work lay ahead, yet not too far into the future. She packed their meager belongs and awaited Darien's return. She'd need to convince him that they had to go now.

  "Melodi, hurry." Darien appeared in the thicket. His chest trickled with sweat and mud; his breath came short and fast.

  Thunder rumbled overhead as they raced through the darkening forest. It was the middle of the day, but a dusk-like gloom fell over the land. The wind kicked up. In the sky, clouds swirled in green malevolence, chasing them.

  Melodi ran. Terror stalked her though she didn't know its source. She only knew she had to keep hold of Darien's hand no matter what.

  A branch fell across their path. Darien leaped over it, Melodi followed without a thought.

  Lightning stabbed at the ground on either side of them; the wind screamed. With a sickening crash and a blinding flash, a sap-heavy pine tree exploded into flames as a bolt of electricity found its mark.

  Like her dream, a lot like it. Melodi fought against remembered terror and tried to think. They were in the land of Little Raccoon's people now. They had to find shelter. As their feet raced over ground that pitched and rolled under them, she scanned her memories.

  There. She tugged at Darien's hand and pointed to a rock wall. She pulled him in that direction. They made it into the entrance of the cave the as rain fell in a primeval deluge.

  The storm reverberated off the walls around them, but they were safe. Through the entry they saw the burning tree as it was first consumed by flame, then quenched by the rain.

  "I didn't know I could run that fast," Melodi gasped when she had enough breath again to speak. "I had a premonition of danger when you left. I was going to convince you that we had to find shelter as soon as you returned."

  Darien nodded. "I felt it too, though I didn't know why until the thunder started. Did you see those clouds?"

  "The last time I saw a sky like that was driving across a Kansas prairie. The funnel cloud was awesome, though not as close as this storm. Thank Glooskap that Little Raccoon remembered this place."

  "That must mean that we're close to the lake, and the end of our journey. How much further?" Darien asked.

  "Just half a day's travel, and Darien, I don't know why but I have the feeling we should hurry. Something awful will happen if we don't get there in time."

  "Yes, fate tells me the same thing. We'll leave as soon as the storm passes. We'll make better time in daylight."

  "We'll make better time, but we must be wary. Young Buck and his gang could be waiting ahead of us. Do you think they figured out where we’re going? I hope they're not waiting for my people to travel back this way. Darien, they could be ambushed."

  "No, that's why I sent Tall Cedar to your father. Look, the sun is coming out. The storm has nearly stopped."

  They stepped out into the rain-washed forest. This time Melodi took the lead. Her memories set her feet on a path without hesitation. By the time darkness came, they would be near the lakeshore -- and whatever awaited them there.

  The sun had traveled until it was just a hand’s width above the western horizon by the time they stopped again. The forced march exhausted them, but they couldn't ignore the irresistible drive to reach their destination.

  "I haven't seen the eagle for a while," Melodi mentioned while Darien bent for a drink from a cool brook.

  At her words, Darien looked up and shaded his eyes with a hand. No regal bird flew patterns in the sky.

  "He's probably way ahead of us, fishing at the lake already."

  Melodi heard the worry in his words and led the way again. This was the time of greatest danger. In their approach to the lake they must take the greatest care. Her neck hairs twitched at the thought that enemy eyes might have spied them.

  The sun sank in a flaming cauldron of clouds that turned the unruffled waters of the lake into a blood-red bathtub from shore to shore. A loon called its achingly haunting tune to the sky.

  A dense thicket of rushes hid Darien and Melodi from prying eyes. Just around the bend of the shore, they could see the flames from a campfire. Someone was there.

  "I'll look closer," Darien whispered. He drifted away in silence, leaving Melodi with only the night sounds for company.

  Suddenly, a voice called out, "Who is there? Show yourself."

&n
bsp; Darien's voice split the darkness. "It is I, Walks With The Wind. Fleet of Foot, how did you come here before us?"

  "Us? Then Little Raccoon is with you?"

  "Here I am father." Melodi came into the firelight to stand next to Darien.

  The glare confused her. When she could see properly, she was amazed at the sight of the entire village set up as if it had never left. Everyone was here, not safely at the seashore. "Father, our people are in terrible danger. We must leave at once."

  Chapter Twenty-three

  "Didn't Tall Cedar warn you?" Darien asked.

  A group of curious villagers wandered towards them. Shining Rock slid beside Melodi and hugged her. Her face grew concerned at Darien's words.

  "Warn us? No, isn't he with you?" Fleet of Foot said.

  "After we rescued Little Raccoon from Young Buck, Tall Cedar was to catch up with you at the Big Salty Water and warn you. Young Buck was adopted by the Iroquois after he left here. He travels with a war party. He is intent on revenge."

  Darien's words brought gasps of disbelief from the crowd. Some were related to Young Buck, others had known him since he was a child. Why would he turn on his own people?

  The strong voice of the shaman rose over the others. "Didn't I say this one would bring grief to all? Now he has returned to put proof to my words."

  The crowd parted to let the old man through. He stopped in front of Darien. "I say he lies. We are Young Buck's people. We must welcome him back."

  "You old fool." Plant Growing Woman appeared beside Melodi. "When we drove your nephew out of our village two years ago it was because he had become a wart on the smooth skins of our lives. His mind is flawed, old friend. If he is allied with our enemies, then revenge is truly his motive."

  "Never. Only from his own lips will I believe this." Talks Much's voice quavered. "When I return with him, it will be your turn to leave," he spat at Darien, then turned onto a faint path that would take him into the darkening forest.

  Plant Growing Woman called after him, "At least wait for morning."

  The shaman ignored her. He made his steady way into the darkness until it swallowed him.

  "I'm sorry to bring this bad news to you," Darien said. "I didn't know Young Buck's true nature until Tall Cedar told me of it after we left you." His voice carried to the edges of the crowd. "This is true. Young Buck has returned to take your hunting lands from you and kill any of you that he cannot use. You must prepare for a battle."

  "Come to the counsel fire, Walks With The Wind. We will make plans. First, you and you," Fleet of Foot called to two young men, "go and scout around our camp. Find the enemy. Watch him. Return at first light."

  The young men melted into the forest. With a lingering look at Melodi, Darien followed Fleet of Foot and the other elders to the large wigwam that served as the meeting place for the counsel of elders. Shining Rock pulled Melodi to the wigwam they shared with their father.

  "Tell me what happened. Are you unhurt? You must be hungry, here eat." Shining Rock's constant chatter was out of character.

  "I didn't realize that Young Buck had been driven away until now. I'm the reason for his anger. He's learned much in the way of cruelty from his new family," Melodi said. At her sister's gasp, she hastened to reassure her. "I am well."

  "Yes," Shining Rock agreed. "You do look well. As a matter of fact, you look wonderful. There is something more that surrounds you, strength, a confidence that you didn't possess before. What happened to you?"

  "I found out what true love is."

  "That explains the glow. It's Walks With The Wind, isn't it?"

  Melodi hesitated, then nodded.

  "I'm happy for you, sister. No matter what the shaman says, Walks With The Wind is a good man. He will give you many children."

  Melodi blushed and changed the subject. "Tell me why you're here. We thought you'd be at the seashore. That's where we sent Tall Cedar."

  "After the storm let up, the counsel met. They decided we should return here. The shaman had a vision that our fate was anchored in this place. We sent a messenger to the shore to give news to Walks With The Wind's family. Our canoes had all been damaged. We spent several days on repair. The trip back was uneventful but took longer than the way down river. We arrived two days ago. Talks Much has been watching the sky daily. He says he is awaiting a messenger, but will not say of whom. No one wishes to anger the holy man by asking too many questions. Now tell me, was Tall Cedar well when you last saw him?"

  "Yes, sister. He was on his way with a happy heart since he presumed to find you at the end of his journey. Tall Cedar is a brave and resourceful man." Melodi went on to tell of her rescue, making Shining Rock laugh at the image of Tall Cedar covered with mud and leaves.

  As she spoke, Melodi had the impression that this was the kind of story from which myths were made. Perhaps she and Darien were unwitting characters of Penobscot legend. She'd have to look it up when they returned to their own time.

  A stab of pain surprised her at the thought of leaving these people, this family she loved. Shining Rock was truly her sister. She didn't have one in her own time. She'd always wished for a one. As for Fleet of Foot and Plant Growing Woman, her heart performed a curious series of flips as she realized that she would leave them. She'd never know how many children Shining Rock and Tall Cedar would have. Never know if her father was chosen as Sagamore when the current Sachem stepped down.

  Tears sprang to her eyes; she let them fall freely. In Shining Rock's presence there could be no barriers. A piece of the truth was needed.

  "Sister, when Walks With The Wind returns to his own people, I will go with him."

  Shining Rock hugged her. "I wondered about that. I shall miss you, but we'll visit, won't we? And every summer at the shore we will catch up on news and brag about our husbands and children."

  Melodi sniffed. If Shining Rock knew of the true gulf that would separate them she wouldn't view it with such nonchalance. "I'll miss you and father."

  "You'll be much too busy trying to make your new mother-in-law happy to miss us much. I'm sure Walks With The Wind will keep you busy making babies. There will be little time for you to be lonesome."

  "Babies, yes I would like some." Melodi's voice turned wistful. Little Raccoon's marriage to Young Buck had been bereft of even the solace of children.

  "Lots of babies. Come, the moon is high. Tomorrow we will be busy. Let us sleep."

  The fire burned down to glowing embers. Shining Rock's breathing slowed and deepened into true sleep. Fleet of Foot hadn't returned. Melodi couldn't relax until she knew what steps were decided on for the tribe's safety. At last, a rustling movement at the doorway. Fleet of Foot's shadowy form silhouetted against the night sky before the flap closed.

  Instead of lying on his pallet, Fleet of Foot came to Melodi's side.

  "I know you are awake, Daughter," he whispered. "I have thanked Walks With The Wind for your safety. Go to him now. No formal ceremony is needed for what you already share."

  "Thank you, Father." Melodi rose and kissed him on the cheek. He held her briefly, tightly, then released her.

  A light breeze ruffled the smooth surface of the lake as Melodi stood outside her father's wigwam. She had the darndest notion that he had just said good-bye to her. No matter what happened next, she knew Little Raccoon would always have her father's love.

  An owl hooted off to her left, a signal that all was well from one of the sentries. She sensed a warm presence just seconds before Darien touched her shoulder.

  "I was just thinking about how much I will miss Shining Rock and Fleet of Foot, and all of my family here," she said without turning around. "I hope I can hang on to the memories of the life I had here. It's become part of me."

  "I've wondered about that myself. Will we remember what we've done here? Will we remember how we feel about each other?"

  "I don't know, but somehow I think our hearts will recognize each other, even if our eyes won't own up to the truth," Melodi sa
id, reassuring herself as much Darien. Her time here was rushing to an end. She wanted to hold onto every piece that she could.

  Darien changed the subject. "I'm worried about Grandfather. We haven't seen his spirit since before the storm this morning."

  "You're right. I expected him to shadow our path. What do you want to do?"

  "After the sentries have reported on Young Buck's movements in the morning, I'll search for the eagle."

  Melodi turned into his arms. "I know where they nest. I'll go with you. Perhaps he's just resting after the grueling flying of the past several days."

  "I hope so. Come. I have a place ready for us." He led her away from the small huddle of dwellings until he reached a cozy lean-to hidden under a spreading maple tree. "Your father invited me to sit by the fire this night. As far as he is concerned, we are husband and wife."

  "Yes, he indicated the same to me. He thinks very highly of you. He did, even before you rescued me from Young Buck. I sensed sadness in him tonight under his happiness for me. He knows that when you leave, I'll go too."

  Again, Melodi fought the hazy tears that threatened to fall. Her family here was just as much in her heart as her family in the future. But she couldn't stay; it was no more right than if Darien did. Rationalizing didn't help. Only time and perspective would do that. Right now she hurt with missing people who might never have existed to her if it weren't for an ancient tune and the presence of this man in a magical place and time.

  "I'm convinced that we were sent here to right a wrong done to this village. It will be all right." Darien comforted her. He drew her to the pallet of fur covered pine needles. "Time, the future, everything is in disarray except you and me and this moment. Come here, wife. Your husband needs you."

  Melodi's mood brightened. "'Wife', 'husband', I like the sounds of those words. How do you feel about the words 'children' and 'family'?" She asked as she lay down beside him. His warm hands found the hem of her dress. She melted a little at the touch.