AN: I've been obsessed with writing this story since I finished Eclipse last year. I was so intrigued by the story of the 3rd wife and her sacrifice, and I was actually pretty mad that she was never named. I mean, this woman saved the Quileutes.. The least they could do was remember her name. Lol. So, here it is. Oh, and I did my best with names, descriptions, and dialogue. :3 This is my first Twilgiht fic. Read. Review, & Enjoy!
Summary: We all have heard the legend of the third wife's sacrifice, now hear the true story from her own voice... Who knew that one girl could save an entire village, but have her name lost in the voices of history. This is the story of Onida, the 3rd wife.
Disclaimer: I do not, or will ever, own Twilight or Jacob (sigh). I don't even own the Quileute legend. I just took from it and gave Onida a voice, a name, and a life. I do own, however, Kwaiya, most parts of Onida, and whoever else you don't recognize from the legend in Eclipse.
I could tell you of my life before stumbling into the Quileute village, deathly ill and exhausted from travelling under my failing health. Really, though, there's nothing to tell. My life didn't begin until I was sixteen winters, until I passed out in that village.
I don't know how it happened. After some time had passed--a moon, maybe less--I was beginning to come around again. Death had decided not to claim my life. The healer told me in hushed whispers that my spirit was too strong to let my life fade away. I clung to those words.
I did not feel that it was time to move on just yet.
I lay in a fevered state for many days after the first true signs of my recovery. I could begin to see the world around me, though images were blurry still. However, to me, sight was sight, and I thanked every god I could for even the miracle of my breath.
While in the early stages of recovery, I always assumed I was just not meant to leave my world that I had been on in such a short time. That all changed the morning he came in to check on me.
"How is the girl?"
I was still partially sleeping when I heard that voice. It was deep and rumbly, like the beautiful music of the wolves I heard in the nearby forest. It was a beautiful voice that sounded of power and kindness.
My head moved to the side. My cheek pressed softly into the deer hide beneath me. It was warm and soft, cushioning me as I desperately tried to see this man clearly.
"She is healing quite well," the woman who cared for me replied. I could hear the smile in her voice. I liked this woman; besides her words of encouragement, she spoke of her life as well, and that kept me grounded to reality in my graver moments. Her name was Kwaiya, the Quileute word for water, she said. She lived alone, having never a husband or children. Her life was served best by healing the sick or wounded, and she was quite gifted at her trade.
"I am happy to hear that," the voice said. "Have you learned anything from her?"
Kwaiya laughed as she moved closer to me. "She is not a threat, Taha Aki, if that is what you are asking. Neither physically or to your immune system. As I doubt you could get sick, my chief, that should never be a worry."
His name was Taha Aki. He was the chief. And his deep, responding laughter was the best thing I have ever heard!
"What did the girl have?" Taha Aki inquired.
Kwaiya sighed loudly. "She must have had such a rough time getting here. Poor child. She had some infected wounds I am unable to explain. That is the cause of illness."
"Her name?"
"Ask her yourself, Taha Aki. Our guest is awake." Kwaiya moved away from me. I listened closely as her steps--soft but distinct--moved to the other side of the hut.
He sat down beside me. His presence was overwhelming, but not in a disagreeable way. It wrapped me up and whispered of safety and security. His hand reached out, and my eyes searched over his blurry digits. His hand was more like a paw, it was so big! Yet gentle. So gentle. I could feel his utter strength burning off of him, but his gentlennes took me by surprise. He touched my crazy mess of hair, softly stroking it.
"My little friend," Taha Aki whispered, and I shivered at his address.
I turned my head to stare at him head on. I wanted to see exactly what he looked like. Did he look like his voice? Suddenly, the moment my eyes skimmed his face, my vision cleared. To me, it was like being exposed to sunlight after living in a cave for a moon. As I gasped, it sounded louder and deeper than my voice. I realized his gasp had echoed my own. Lightning coursed through my body the moment our eyes met: black searching mahogany.
Taha Aki was handsome, to me in any case. He had a fierce face, kind of square and intense, but his eyes were incredibly kind in his face, incredibly soft. He had a large nose that I found so attractive, though I was sure that I would not have if it wasn't Taha Aki's. His hair, soft and blue-black, was cut a little shorter than I have ever seen on a man. And this was a man, a huge man that had already entered my heart forever as his large hand was frozen against my cheek and his brown eyes became so large on his face.
"Taha Aki." My voice was too soft, and talking actually hurt my unused vocal cords, but I had to speak his name. It nagged me until it was out of my mouth, passing my cracked lips.
His breath came out as a sigh, and his hand came to cup my cheek, his thumb unconsciously tracing circles on my skin. I noticed, with the thin shaft of light pouring in, that his skin was beautiful, as dark as his eyes. It was amazing how wonderfully made he was, his big and long body, his lean muscular structure. I wanted to be held by him, to feel that body against my tiny one.
"Say my name again," he commanded, and I too happily obliged him his wish.
"Taha Aki."
His eyes crinkled as the corners of his mouth lifted. What a smile. "Beautiful."
I didn't know what he meant, but I smiled as best I could, hoping it looked like a smile.
I couldn't manage more. I was still sick. My eyelids fluttered shut, and slep took me calmly into its arms.
WhenI next woke, I could automatically feel that Taha Aki was not nearby. Instead it was Kwaiya who pressed a cool, damp cloth to my forehead. I felt completely elated, thinking of Taha Aki, or maybe that was the fever again.
"Taha Aki seems to be really taken with you," Kwaiya said conversationally, a smile flaring in her eyes as I watched my older caretaker. "I had to force him out of here physically."
I smiled. I wondered if he felt what I did.
"You are a special girl, my little one. The Quileutes are a special tribe, and Taha Aki an amazing chief. I wonder, little one, if you would be interested in hearing a story of your tribe's history." She smiled at me, taking my hand in hers.
"My tribe?" I found myself asking.
"Yes. I have a feeling that Taha Aki will not let you go. So, I will suppose that this is your new home. Would you like to hear its tale?"
I nodded eagerly, overjoyed by Kwaiya's words. Home, what a lovely word, and what a lovelier feeling that word had.
So began the story of the Spirit Warriors in Kwaiya's soothing voice. I was enthralled by the magic of the Quileutes. Their gift was something I had never heard of before. I listened intently as Kwaiya began talking of Taha Aki, of his story of betrayal and magic and strength. Some, if they had heard the story of man who became wolf and never aged, would have felt fear and unease.
I, on the other hand, marveled at the strength of his gift and that of his sons. Even knowing he was much older than me and he had sons older than me did not put me off.
There was no two ways about the predicament between Taha Aki and myself.
Kwaiya squeezed my hand when the tale of the Quileutes was done. "He has been searching for you."
I sighed. Yes, there was denying that I, Onida--the one searched for--loved Taha Aki the Great Wolf. Somehow, we were meant to be. Somehow, we would be together.
AN: So, here's the first chapter of Sacrifice. I didn't want to beat around the bush with this. I know that Taha Aki imprinted on her, so her feelings--and his--are immediate. But don't fret, readers. I have plenty in store for my gracious heroine.
