Page 40 of Shoshone Sun

The ceremony began with a Shoshone elder, Deer Mother, a woman whose face was as weathered as the land itself, leading them in a quiet, solemn chant. The people gathered in a circle around Jane and Flying Arrow, their voices rising in unison, a prayer to the spirits of the earth, the sky, and the ancestors who had walked before them.

Flying Arrow took Jane’s hands, his fingers warm and steady against her own. His gaze never wavered from hers as the elder spoke words of blessing, of unity, and of the sacredness of their bond.

“I give you my heart, Jane,” Flying Arrow said, his voice a whisper only for her ears, “and I ask you to share yours with me, forever.”

“I do,” she replied, her voice strong despite the quiet flutter of nerves in her chest. She felt the truth of her words in every part of her being. She would stand with him, always.

Deer Mother then placed a Shoshone bridal dress over Jane’s head and shoulders. The soft tanned deerskin of the dress flowed around her like the very earth itself, its fringed sleeves rippling gently as Jane moved. The beadwork that adorned the dress appeared painstakingly crafted and shimmered in the sun, forming intricate geometric patterns—symbols of the tribe, the spirits, and the sacred land. The beads, vibrant and alive with color, were scattered across the dress’s neckline, sleeves, and hem, their presence almost ghostly, as though they were whispering stories of ancestors long past. Jane felt the dress settle softly against her skin, a symbol of the commitment she had made, the bond she had forged with the land, the people, and the man who had captured her heart.

A cheer rose up from those gathered, a celebration of the union, of the love that had been shared and the new life they would build together.

Later, as the fire burned low and the stars glittered above like a blanket of diamonds, Flying Arrow and Jane stood together outside the circle of tepees, away from the voices of the celebration that was still going on. His arm draped protectively around her shoulders, she rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

“We are now one,” he said softly, his lips brushing the top of her head.

“Yes,” she whispered back, “We are.”

And there, under the wide sky of the Shoshone, with the firelight dancing in their eyes, Jane and Flying Arrow sealed their vows, bound not only by love but by the promise of a shared life, a shared future.

In the distance, the soft sounds of drums and singing floated on the evening air, a beautiful reminder that their journey had only just begun.

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Path Forward

- Shoshone Village, Fall 1867

Two hundred miles west of Fort Laramie -

A gentle breeze swept across the open plains, stirring the long grasses that bordered the village. In the early morning light, the Shoshone village seemed to hum with the quiet rhythm of life, the soft murmur of voices, the clink of tools, and the occasional call of a bird high above in the sky. Jane stirred awake in the warmth of Flying Arrow’s embrace, nestled beside him in the comfort of their tepee. The air was thick with the smell of sage and cedar wood from the fire that had burned low through the night, and the warmth of the blankets wrapped around them added to the feeling of peace that infused the space.

The days and weeks had passed swiftly since their wedding ceremony as Jane had settled into her new life in the village. The initial days had been filled with excitement, with laughter, and with the bond of the community growing stronger as she shared time with Flying Arrow’s family and the other villagers. But now, as she woke to the soft morning light filtering through the entrance of their tepee, she was reminded of her old family—the family she had left behind.

Flying Arrow shifted beside her and stretched, his long frame moving with quiet grace. His hair, dark and thick, was untangled from the slumber of the night, and his broad chest rose and fell in steady rhythm as he exhaled a deep breath. The steady, calm presence of him beside her was both a comfort and a reminder of how much her life had changed in just a few short months.

“Good morning,” he murmured, his voice low and warm, the sound of it hit her soul.

“Good morning,” Jane replied, leaning into him for a moment, her cheek pressed against his shoulder. She breathed in the familiar scent of him—earth, leather, and the woodsy aroma of their surroundings.

After a few more minutes, Jane broke the stillness. “I was thinking about Peter, Susan, and Petey. I haven’t seen them in so long.” Her voice carried a note of longing. “Before the baby arrives, I want to visit. Just to be with my sister and her family for a little while.”

Flying Arrow nodded thoughtfully, his hand brushing her blonde hair back from her face with tenderness. His deep brown eyes, filled with understanding, studied her for a moment before he spoke.

“I know it is important to you,” he said quietly, his voice steady and kind. “But with your time so close, it may not be wise for you to go alone. The journey will be long, and the weather ... it can change quickly.”

“I know, but my heart tells me I need to go,” she said softly, her voice filled with a quiet determination. “It’s important to me, Flying Arrow. I miss them. I need to see them before...” She trailed off, the thought of the baby suddenly making her heart swell with both joy and anxiety.

Flying Arrow smiled faintly, his gaze never leaving hers. He lifted his hand to gently cup her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. “It is your choice, Jane,” he said, his voice a gentle whisper. “But I cannot go with you. There are whispers of danger. It has been rumored that the Blackfoot may raid the village soon. I must prepare to defend it with the other warriors.”

Her heart sank slightly at the thought of going without him, but she knew the Shoshone way. Duty to the tribe came first. She loved him with all of her heart, yet a part of her felt a pull toward her family, the warmth of her sister’s arms. “I understand that you must stay here,” Jane said, her voice thick with emotion. “But I still want to go. I will be careful. And the Blackfoot are not headed in that direction, are they?”

“No, they are not,” Flying Arrow agreed, his eyes dark with the weight of the situation. “Nonetheless, you will be traveling through untamed and dangerous land. The journey will take three days. I will not feel at ease until I know you are safe.”

“I’ll be fine,” she reassured him, her tone firm. “I will travel with caution and keep my wits about me.”

He regarded her quietly for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded. “If you must go, I will not stop you. But I will send a warrior with you for protection.”

Jane shook her head. “No!” she said firmly. “I do not want anyone else to come with me. I need to do this on my own.” She felt a strange strength rising within her, a sense of independence she hadn’t expected. “I need to see Peter and Susan, Flying Arrow. I need to hold Petey in my arms again before our baby comes.”

His gaze softened, and after a moment of silence, he sighed deeply and gave her a reluctant nod. “Very well. But promise me you will not take any risks. The land is wild, and the wolf packs have been more aggressive as of late.”

---