“You have river water,” Pale Moon answered. “That is enough.”
They now shared the easy companionship of sisters, a bond that had been tested and found true. Violet noticed how often Pale Moon’s eyes drifted toward the trees, where Tall Elk worked with Grey Horse, shaping new arrow shafts.
Finally, Violet said, “He looks at you the way Grey Horse looks at me.”
Pale Moon startled. “Who does? You mean Tall Elk?”
“Yes. And if I’m not mistaken, he means to speak soon.”
Pale Moon’s face softened with something like wonder. “He has walked beside me for years and never said more than greetings. I thought his silence was his answer.”
“Maybe it was patience,” Violet said. “Maybe he was waiting for your heart to have room.”
Before Pale Moon could answer, a shadow fell across them. They looked up to find Tall Elk standing there, his expression solemn.
“Pale Moon,” he said, his voice low but steady, “when I was young, I followed you to the river every day, though you never looked back. When Grey Horse’s wife died, I thought you would go to him. You did not. When the white woman came, I thoughtyou would hate her forever. You did not. I have waited for the river to turn, and now I think it has.”
Pale Moon’s lips parted, her breath catching.
“I would walk beside you,” he continued. “Not behind, not before. If your heart will allow it, I would make you my wife.” He offered her a silver ring set with a purple stone.
The stillness that followed was broken only by the wind moving through grass. Then Pale Moon smiled, shy and certain at once, taking the ring from his hand. “The river has spoken,” she said. “Yes, Tall Elk. I will walk beside you and be your wife.”
From her seat nearby, Violet clapped her hands together, laughing aloud. “Then it shall be a double wedding!”
Red Willow’s voice rose from behind them, triumphant. “Two rivers joining! The spirits will dance for this!”
?
The joining ceremony took place at twilight, when the sky burned gold over the prairie. The camp gathered by the river, fires flickering like small suns along the bank.
Red Willow led the rites, her voice strong as she blessed the couples. “You will not promise what you cannot keep,” she told them. “You will promise only to wake beside one another each day with truth in your mouths.”
Violet and Grey Horse stood together, hands joined over a strip of buffalo hide. Beside them, Pale Moon and Tall Elk did the same. The air shimmered with the scent of sweetgrass and cedar.
Grey Horse placed his palm against Violet’s. “Fate carried you to me,” he said. “I will walk beside you forever.”
Violet’s voice trembled but did not break. “You found me in fear and gave me peace. I will walk beside you wherever the river runs.”
Red Willow nodded approvingly. “Words worth keeping.” She motioned to the fire, where two small bowls of water had been set to warm. “Drink, both of you, so that your spirits will remember thirst and what it means to be filled.”
They drank. Then Grey Horse drew her into his arms and kissed her before all the people, gentle but certain, sealing the vow.
Cheers rose around them—laughter, song, the beating of drums.
Pale Moon and Tall Elk followed, repeating the same ceremony. They smiled shyly as the people danced in celebration, feet drumming the earth. The night turned bright with music and joy, the stars wheeling overhead like guests who had come a long way to witness.
?
The celebration lasted deep into the night. Violet lost count of how many hands pressed hers, how many children brought gifts: a feather, a stone, a scrap of ribbon. Pale Moon’s laughter rang like chimes in the wind, Tall Elk never far from her side.
When the fires burned low and the dancers drifted away, Grey Horse took Violet’s hand and led her down to the riverbank. The moon was full, laying a path of light across the water.
“Do you know what this night means?” he asked softly.
She smiled, her eyes glowing. “Everything that’s come before led to this.”
He brushed his thumb along her cheek. “Then let it all go. Tonight we begin again.”
