Harvest Flower

His Bride

The sun was just touching the horizon throwing pinks and purples into the dawn light. Birds singing their morning songs mixed with the sounds of the village coming life. Harvest Flower sat with her mother. A white beaded doe skin dress laid across her lap, the matching moccasins held in Moon Stream's weathered hands.

Moon Stream looked older to Harvest Flower, her wrinkles looked deeper and her hair more silver. Her salt and pepper hair hung loose around her shoulders. Harvest Flower worried about her adopted parents, they seemed tired more often. She didn't want to leave them. Her heart felt like it was breaking.

Shouts echoed outside as a horse approached. It's hooves dancing on the hard packed earth. Red Feather nodded at Moon Stream before exiting the lodge to greet Running Wolf. The pink lights faded as the bright sun rose over the horizon. The splashes of color around them looked brighter to Red Feather. The trees glowed with a healthy green and flowers of all colors scattered about the edge of the village.

Red Feather smiled at the sky. The proud young Chief was a good match, mother earth approved.

Harvest Flower dressed quickly. The white doe skin dress fit her body perfectly. Her mother braided her hair with skilled fingers. This was the last time her mother would weave her hair. Running Wolf would be her husband soon and she would be leaving with him.

Moon Stream added small yellow flowers to the braid. "Smile daughter. You are beautiful and you should be happy." She tied a white beaded headband around Harvest Flower's forehead.

"Mother I don't want to leave you." Her voice shook with unshed tears.

Moon Stream patted Harvest Flower's shoulder. "He is young, handsome, and will give you many children. This makes me proud. Do not worry over this old woman. I have had my time. Now it is yours."

Harvest Flower wrapped her arms around her mother holding back the tears. The sound of horses outside made her heart beat faster. Soon she would leave with Running Wolf. One night in his lodge would make her his wife. She would not return unless he brought her back to visit.

"Harvest Flower your father calls. It's time." Moon Stream said with a soft voice.

Harvest Flower's honey brown eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "I love you mother."

"As I love you my daughter. Now go, he is waiting." Moon Stream pushed her out the door with shaking hands.

Red Feather turned to Harvest Flower. His old eyes brightened and glowed with pride. He placed a hand on her shoulder, and her horses reins in her hand. He said nothing and just nodded, once to her and once to Running Wolf.

Running Wolf was stunned. She is beautiful. His expression remained blank and his back straight.

A dark shadow watched them, and Running Wolf wanted to put distance between the dark shadow and his bride. The quicker the better. He could not show any weakness.

Harvest Flower's horse nudged her shoulder when Running Wolf walked up behind her. His hands grasped her waist. She jumped at his touch, but he ignored it, and picked her up in one smooth movement, set her on her horse. Her glare cut him, but he kept his face blank.

"We go." His voice was harder than he intended, and her glare turned into large doe eyes. The thought of her being afraid of him pulled at his heart.

He mounted his horse in one leap. Harvest Flower smiled at her parents one last time before riding away through the village. The people gathered along the edge waving and watching her leave. A few warriors hooted and raised their bows in the air.

Running Wolf felt the shadow following them. He kicked his mount up to a canter. Harvest Flower followed his lead with one last glance over her shoulder. Rising Bear didn't come to say goodbye. They were soon away from the village view. The sound of her waterfall passing by made her heart drop. Her special place was no longer hers to run to. She is losing everything she loves.

The sun was now high in the sky and the horses walked on. The sound of their hooves on soft soil sounded loud and uncomfortable to them. The awkward silence was making Harvest Flower nervous.

Running Wolf suddenly pulled their horses to a halt. He turned to look at her, his eyes searching hers for something.

His voice softened, "We will rest here."

A small stream trickled just ahead of them. Harvest Flower dismounted and led her horse the cool water. It dropped it's head taking long gulps. Harvest Flower ran her hands through it's mane and down it's shoulder. The horse raised its head and smacked it's lips in response.

"I didn't want to marry you. I was forced into this. Don't expect much from me I am not skilled in wifely duties." Harvest Flower talked more to the horse than to Running Wolf, but her point was clear.

He walked up beside her letting his horse drink from the stream. "I won't hurt you. I don't plan on taking any other wives and this I promise you. All my son's will be of our blood only. You will truly be my wife soon."

His voice was distant and commanding. It made her temper rise, making her face heat and turn pink.

"I will not share your blankets." She hissed at him angrily.

He dropped his reins and grabbed her shoulders spinning her around to face him. The pink in her cheeks darkened, and he pulled her against his chest. Her head snapped back and her eyes met his in a defiant stare. He struggled not to just kiss her. He held her to him with one strong arm. His muscles like iron wouldn't give no matter how hard she pushed at his chest.

"I will have sons from you, and only you." His free hand loosened her hair from it's braid. His fingers ran through it's golden red waves. The flowers fell to the ground.

She could feel her body betray her. She was melting in his arms. His smell, the way he was holding her. Her breath caught in her throat when his lips met hers. She meant to push away but instead she felt herself return the kiss. It was soft and her hands relaxed on his chest his buckskin shirt soft on her palms.

He deepened the kiss running his tongue over her lips. She gasped and he took his cue, sliding his tongue inside her mouth to stroke her tongue gently. He felt her legs give way as she slowly copied him. He picked her up crushing her to his chest as he walked to a nearby moss covered patch.

He gently lay her down. He pulled back from her breaking the kiss. Her eyes glazed over and a look of confusion crossed her face. He kissed her once more trailing his hand down her side to her hip. She moved rocking her hips. His knee parted her legs, as he pulled her skirt up.

She flinched and jerked her mouth away. "No! Let go." Her voice broke and she scrambled away from him.

His eyes flashed with pride. "You want me as bad as I want you. Soon you will not be afraid of me. I will not hurt you. This I promise" Running Wolf stood and held out his hand for her. "We must go."

Harvest Flower stood up and brushed her dress down. She looked at his hand and walked by him trying to ignore him. He was the reason her heart was breaking, why was her body betraying her. Running Wolf followed her closely. She stopped by her horse and turned to look at him.

Thundering hooves echoed in the distance. Pulling her attention away from him. Running Wolf grabbed her and set her on her horse. "Ride!" He commanded, and slapped her horses hip sending her into a hard canter across the stream.

His horse caught up quickly and they rode at a fast pace. The trees blurred by and started thin, as the sandy canyons came into view ahead of them. His village was not far away now, and who ever followed would soon stop.

They slowed their pace as they entered the mouth of a small red canyon. He led her through it, almost to the end they turned sharply up a step trail leading to a grassy mesa at the top. A few small sheep grazed, while a young brave watched over them. Lodges larger than her father's dotted the far side and a small trail led to a clear spring fed pool.

The largest lodge sat in the middle of them all, and an old woman stood waiting at the skin covered door. Her broken tooth smile shone bright. Her silver hair braided into a long plat hung almost to her knees from her bent frail shoulders.

Running Wolf nodded to the old lady, and in a clam voice told Harvest Flower. "My grandmother, Sun Dove. She is very anxious to meet you."

Harvest Flower nodded and smiled at the old lady. She didn't have it in her to be cold to the people here. The village was beautiful and large, and her fear hit her once again. She could never be a good wife. These people looked at Running Wolf with admiration and love. She would never be able to claim that as her own. Her heart dropped, as the horses halted in front of his lodge. A young brave waited to take the horses away at Running Wolf's signal.

The old woman grinned at Harvest Flower. "Welcome home my children. Come in and rest."