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| Epilogue It was mid morning when the caravan of wagons, carrying the people most dear to Buck and Camille left Rock Creek. They decided against inviting the citizens of Rock Creek to a church wedding in town. Instead, they’d asked only their closest family and friends to join them in the country as they made the most sacred of promises to each other. Buck led the convoy from atop his dark brown stallion and riding proudly beside him was his Kiowa half-brother Red Bear. The only thing Buck wanted more than to marry Camille was to have his brother standing along side him this day. Red Bear felt great joy when he learned that Little Bird was to be his brother’s bride. He’d watched the two as young children and the undeniable connection between them. Aside from Buck and Camille, Red Bear was the only other person that could fully understand the significance of their union. In the wagon just behind them rode Sam, Emma and their two boys. Everyone had enjoyed having them here for the last few days. They hadn’t been able to make it to Lou and Kid’s wedding since Emma was about to give birth to their youngest son William. Too much time had passed since their last visit and it was with great joy that they came, not only for the wedding, but to see their old friends. All would agree that the most delightful group of travelers was Kid and Lou in their buckboard, with Jimmy riding along side them. Jimmy had arrived in Rock Creek the day before and remained true to his promise to make Rock Creek his first stop after leaving Cedar Falls. Time was a great healer for Kid and Jimmy, after an initial period of awkwardness the old friends recognized the value of burying their past differences. The two men rode along in casual conversation as they had so many times in the past. Jimmy came to Rock Creek with a surprise for Camille. It was a surprise in the form of Mrs. Eulala Brennan. Camille wrote Eulala to share the good news of her marriage to Buck, but hadn’t imagined it possible for her friend to attend. The two of them rode in the final wagon driven by Teaspoon along side Rachel with Becky in her arms. Upon arrival the picturesque destination, the wedding guests gathered around the bride and groom as they stood in the center of the group next to Teaspoon and Red Bear. They faced each other, hand in hand as the tall grass swayed around their ankles. Camille took a deep breath; her eyes danced with anticipation as she looked at Buck’s handsome form. He wore his only suit and despite her best efforts to restrain herself, she couldn’t help but smile as he tugged at the tightly buttoned neck of his shirt. Also around his neck hung his medicine pouch, it was as much a part of him as an arm or a leg and she was pleased he hadn’t felt the need to remove it for the wedding. As a fresh breeze blew past them, a lock of Buck’s hair broke free from the leather strap that held it. Strangely enough, it bothered Camille to see him with his hair pulled tightly back behind his head. It didn’t seem right. Impulsively she reached up and removed the restrains from his long hair and watched with pleasure as it began to blow freely in the breeze. Buck flashed her a look of surprise. "Better?" she whispered. He offered her no response, at least no audible response, but the smile on his face was proof that he was pleased. Everything about him today, including his hair bound in a strap, was a reflection of their white culture. There wasn’t necessarily anything wrong with that, after all, Buck was a white man. But he was also an Indian. It was the Indian man that Camille knew since childhood. And it was the young Indian boy on the verge of manhood that stole her heart as a girl. She knew it was those memories that prompted her to such an impulsive deed. Most of Buck’s life had been a lesson in control, the command of his actions and the ability to hide his feelings came to him as naturally as breathing. But the sight of Camille left him exposed and vulnerable, tearing away every shred of control he’d ever known as his heart thumped wildly in his chest. She seemed to him a goddess in white with her long curls of chestnut hair falling over her neck and shoulders to frame the ivory countenance of her face. A band of tiny pink and white flowers encircled the crown of her head and reminded him of the ones she would pick by the pond when they were children. The longing he’d felt for her then was much different than what he felt now as he admired his bride. The friendship of their youth had been replaced by a deep and abiding connection of their hearts. Their wedding ceremony was a mixture of Indian and Christian traditions. It was unconventional, but so were Buck and Camille. It was a reflection of who they were and what they held dear to them. Their Indian heritage was very important to them, even though they choose to live in a white society and they embraced both cultures with understanding and pride. Their wedding was a reflection of those beliefs. "It’s a beautiful day, and a might pretty spot I might add. We’ve come to witness the union of Buck and Camille," Teaspoon said as he began the proceedings, "Before I start, I want you two to know how happy we all are for you. I think I speak for all of us here, when I say that we are honored to share this day with you." Teaspoon turned his attention to Buck, "Now Buck, I love ya like a son. All I’ve ever wanted for you was some happiness and a little peace in your soul. I think ya just might have found that here in your pretty young bride," He winked at Camille. Then he directed his comments to her, "Camille, Darlin’, I never thought I’d meet a woman so perfectly suited for this fella. If ya wasn’t so pretty, I’d a thought you was his twin," Every one laughed at the last comment that was a typical Teaspoon remark. He continued, "There’s some things in this world you can’t explain, ya can’t prove they exists or even know where they come from. You just know it’s there and believe it always will be. It’s like the wind, you can’t see or hold it in your hand, but you can feel it and it’s force effects everything it touches. I’m tellin’ ya, the bond between the two of you is like that. It’s as mysterious as the wind and as sure as the next gust to rustle the leaves in the tree. It’s a mighty beautiful thing to behold." Teaspoon led them through the traditional Christian wedding vows as each took their turn repeating after him their promises of love and commitment. For the exchanging of rings, Buck pulled two bands of braided silver from his pocket. He held Camille’s ring between them, "Little Bird, I’m asking you to wear this ring. It represents my love for you, it’s a symbol of what I hold most valuable and what I would give my life to protect" The truth of his statement was evidenced by the fresh memories of the past months. In accordance with the Kiowa belief that anything worth dying for should be presented to the Six Powers of the World, Buck lifted the offering straight up, then to the right, the left and then again to each side ending in the center again. He took Camille’s hand in his and placed the silver band on her finger. He welled with pride at the ring slid naturally into place. "Running Buck," she began as she held Buck’s ring before them, "I ask you to wear this ring. It represents my undying love for you and the pledge of my body and soul to you. You are as much a part of me as the air in my lungs, without you I die and with you I live." She also presented this token of their love in the beloved Kiowa tradition and then took his dark hand in hers and slid the ring on his finger. Once in place, she looked at him with eyes that danced with delight. We’ve done it, she said without speaking. Yes, we have he responded with a squeeze of her hand. Buck tore his gaze from Camille to look at his brother Red Bear. He’d asked him to perform the "triumphal binding", a Kiowa wedding ritual. Red Bear stepped forward placing each of his hands on the shoulders of the bride and groom. The fine buckskins he wore reflected his position as chief of his tribe. An array of feathers adorned his ebony hair. Taking hold of their arms, he instructed them to grasp each other’s wrist in an interlocking fashion. Then he tied their hands with a section of buckskin from around his neck. "Your hands have been bound. This is the joining of your earthly bodies before the God of our Kiowa ancestors." He then knelt down and scooped up a handful of dirt. Red Bear then held it above their hands and explained, "Just as our bodies spring from our mothers. Our spirits are brought forth from the earth. The earth is eternal, as is your spirits." He then allowed the dirt to flow over their bound hands. "The spirits of Running Buck and Little Bear are now united with their earthly bodies. You are now one body. You are now one spirit." Red Bear raised his hands high above his head and spoke a ceremonial prayer in his Kiowa tongue. When he’d finished he turned to Buck, "My brother, you have done well. Little Bird will make you a fine wife." Red Bear’s approval meant very much to Buck and he acknowledged it with a hearty embrace. Red Bear leaned toward Camille and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Little Bird, you have grown to be more beautiful than the morning rays. You were once my sister, too. I am pleased you are back with our family." Camille felt tears of joy well within her eyes as she hugged Red Bear. He was right, she’d been part of their family and he was a brother she’d dearly loved. Teaspoon broke the silence when he cleared his throat, "Ahummmmm?" He was wearing a huge smile that filled his face and caused the lid of his bad eye to completely close. "I do believe, that makes you man and wife," he said to Buck and Camille bringing a roar of approval from the wedding guest. Teaspoon looked at Buck and gave him a wink, "Go ahead, Son. Kiss her!" Buck took Camille’s face in his hands, admiring her for the first time as his wedded wife. He marveled at her ability to display her feeling for him so clearly through her eyes. He paused for a moment to relish the astounding love and devotion he had for this woman. Then slowly and deliberately he bent to kiss her. As their lips touched, an infusion of their souls consummated their spiritual union. Buck gently caressed her lips and he felt no urgency to end their wedding kiss. Camille was also lost in the moment, as her body melted into his, enjoying the pleasure of his closeness. When they finally parted, they smiled at the fulfillment of their long awaited dream, and their faces displayed the contentment and joy of promises kept. It was done! It was over! Not the wedding ceremony, but… the years of searching…the days of loneliness… and the endless hours… of wanting nothing more than to belong, to be accepted and to be loved. THE END….of the beginning! Author’s Note: I must thank two people because in many ways this is their story too. First, my friend Sue, who was the first person to know about my desire to write and was my editor, cheerleader and extra brain when I needed one. And my thanks also to Mary, she has been a dedicated writing coach and challenged my imagination. Thank you, both! Feedback is always appreciated! Email the author at InkRbr4fun@aol.com Copyright 2000 – This is the sole property of the author and may not be reproduced without her permission |
| Promises Kept By Rae |
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