Page 47 of Choctaw Sun
“Oh you fool! You have always had it all. You were lucky to grow up as the son of the Chief’s best friend! You never carried my children along despite your status.”
“I was a child who kept to himself but you were too hateful to see that,” Running Wolf shook his head with pity.
The hate-filled Kahona continued, ignoring Running Wolf and to the listening of everyone, “You grew up beside the Chief, you trained beside him, and even after your father died, the Chief loved you more! He made you head warrior!”
“Your coward of a son could never suffice...” came comments from the crowd.
And as before, Kahona ignored them all, “I thought I could marry my daughter off to you but you despised her! How can I let you have it all? The people’s love and to be head warrior? How can I let you become Chief? My children deserve to be powerful too!”
“What are you talking about? What Chief?”
“You fool!” Kahona hissed. “With the Chief childless, do you not know you will be Chief after him?”
Running Wolf’s eyes darted around. No one looked surprised. Apparently, everyone had expected this. His eyes fell on the Chief who motioned that he come forward. In that moment, Running Wolf realized the meaning of the Chief’s words about responsibility. He had never wanted to be Chief and now… He looked at Elaina who was smiling proudly at him.
“I love you,” she mouthed.
The Chief hugged Running Wolf and then, hugged Elaina as everyone cheered.
“Welcome to the family,” he said.
Elaina blinked back tears. She had her beautiful daughter, a man who was absolutely in love with her. She had her family,and her tribe. She had not felt that happy in a long time.
“What will they do to them?” Elaina asked Running Wolf later that night when they were cuddling in one of the tepee’s that the Chief pervaded for them. The Chief and his wife had all their attention on Jessica.
“They will be burned on the fire.” She gasped and Running Wolf pulled her closer, “I am sorry, my love. I know it’s all been a lot for you, from Grimsson to this. I am sorry you have to go through all these.”
She nodded, “Yes, it’s a whole lot. But I will be fine. I will get through this. I have survived worse.”
“I love you so much, Elaina. I want us to unite and be a family.”
She kissed his cheek, “I want nothing else, Running Wolf.”
The couple settled down to sleep in each other’s arms, smiles of contentment on their faces.
