Bear Warriors
Renesmee's POV
Thank goodness Mom and Dad were back. And Grandpa was with them. I loved Granddad to pieces but he always got so excited when there was a "mystery" to solve. Apparently, lucky me, I was that mystery now. He came home from the hospital an hour ago and he began having me try so many things. It was exhausting.
"I'm sorry, Nessie" Granddad said, "I have been monopolizing your time since I got home. Haven't I?"
Whoops! I had to get a handle on this. It would drive me mad if everyone ALWAYS heard everything I said from now on. "Sorry Granddad, I know you're only trying to help and the sooner we figure this out, the sooner I can have a private head again." I looked up at dad as he came in through the back door and then amended, "Well, almost a private head." I jumped up in my Mom's arms and whispered with pleading in my voice, Please shield me Mom!
"Of course sweetie," She said. I immediately heard Dad sigh so I knew it was working.
Grandpa was next to her and he shook his head a little. An amazed smile made an appearance on his face. I wondered what was up with Grandpa. His eyes seemed to be a little wider. He looked, I didn't know. Wondering, amazed, confused? It was hard to put my finger on it. I looked up at my Mom. I knew she could hear my thoughts. I was under her shield and she was holding me anyway. What's wrong with Grandpa? I ask her silently.
"Oh, he's just dealing with learning more about you, and me and your daddy." I look over at him sympathetically.
"Hmm, is that your shield working now?" Grandpa asked in a quiet voice. Mom nodded. "Interesting. I heard her thoughts as she jumped into your arms. She asked you to shield her and now I don't hear anything in my head but myself." He was shaking his head. Then he held out his good arm for me. He seems different somehow. But when I looked in his eyes I knew he loved me no matter what. I went to him. It wasn't so easy for Grandpa to carry me anymore. I was pretty big and now he only had one arm available. He immediately went to the couch and sat down with me in his lap. Everyone else followed. Mom and Dad seemed very peaceful and also quiet somehow. They sat close by us. Mom, please leave that shield up for a while okay? She nodded once at me and smiled.
Grandpa hugged me to him. "You know Nessie, You are a very special little girl to me. You know I love you and I would do anything in the world for you right?"
I just nodded and smiled. I wasn't sure what he was going to say. He seemed so serious.
"Well, I understand better now about your special gifts. Jacob had told me once that you were more special than everyone else put together. He was right, of course. I want you to know two things."
"First, thank you for saving my life today. You were amazing kiddo! You scared that bear half to death. That was really something."
"It was the most fun I've ever had Grandpa. If you want, we can go hiking tomorrow and try to find another one!" Wow, it almost sounded like I was getting a green light here to find me another one. And I thought I was going to get in trouble. Hah! Mom looked down at me. Oops, she just gave me 'the look'; maybe not then.
Emmitt who was out front came in during our conversation. He laughed and said in his booming voice, "Not to worry Charlie, It's kind of a family tradition now!" Charlie looked up at Emmet in confusion. "Cullens Family Rescue Service—swooping in to save a Swan." He guffawed loudly and shot an evil smirk at my mom before laughing again. He dropped into a chair. One of the springs make a squeaky sound before it broke. "Oops. Great now I sound like Bella!" This time Mom gave Emmitt 'the look'.
"Well, I guess there's some truth to that." Grandpa said somewhat shakily as he turned and nodded towards Daddy. "Anyway, the second thing that I want you to know is that somehow I am going to help you get this figured out before you leaves to go to New Hampshire. I don't like seeing you so distressed." Oh, my sweet grandpa. He was worried about me. I was so lucky. I hugged him tightly.
"I love you Grandpa."
Dad patted my head as I was still hugging Grandpa and said, "Nessie we're all going to help you. I know all of this is overwhelming to you and a little scary too, but it is just going to take you a little bit of time to practice with it and it will get better."
I looked up at him. I wanted so much for his words to be true and I knew that he'd never lie to me. "I'm positive." He continued in his most assuring voice. "I had to learn how to deal with my mind-reading. At first it was VERY noisy in my head. I had to learn how to control and channel it to keep from going crazy. Your Mom had to practice with her shield before she was able to get it to work correctly. You'll see." I felt better at once. Daddy would know. I saw him look at Carlisle for a minute.
Yes," Daddy said. "Charlie knows about my mind-reading and Bella's shield and how Nessie has reversed them."
Carlisle nodded thoughtfully. "Are you okay with all this Charlie?" He asked with quiet concern in his voice.
"Well, it explains a lot. I am kind of freaking out inside a little. But well, I wouldn't be alive to freak out if it wasn't for our little Nessie here now would I?" Grandpa said a little shakily. "I mean my girls have joined a family of X-men. I'll get use to it" At this there was quiet laughter from everyone.
"Well, I guess X-men is close enough." Emmitt added. "It is a DNA mutation." He laughed again. Everyone but Grandpa gave him a warning look. Grandpa just looked away out the window.
Just then Jacob came up the front porch stairs and through the front door. He was carrying "Uncle" Billy and Seth was behind him with Billy's wheelchair. They got him all set up. I could hear more people outside. Jacob looked very excited. He came over to me right away.
"I'm going to leave you here with your Grandpa, your Mom and Billy. I need everyone else to come outside for a minute." I looked over to my daddy. He had a big grin on his face. Whatever had Jacob excited, apparently also had my dad's stamp of approval.
Before I could count to two, everyone had abandoned us in the living room and there was a lot of noise outside. What is going on? I thought at my mom. She just shrugged her shoulders.
Grandpa looked over at Billy with apologies in his eyes.
"Billy," he stammered. He seemed a little uncomfortable. "I'm sorry about the things I said to you in the ER today. I didn't understand about Nessie and I was a little freaked out."
"Not to worry Charlie, I've got tougher skin than that—as you well know." He simply smiled and Grandpa visibly relaxed. I wondered what that was about. I hoped he didn't get mad at 'Uncle' Billy for giving me permission to get the bear.
Suddenly, out the front window, I saw a fire start. Right out in the front yard. There were lots of noises--different kinds of noises: drums, some kind of whistle instrument, and something else.
After a few minutes Jacob came in and I giggled. He had painted his face and there were three feathers in his hair held in place by a bandana. He wore about four bead necklaces and under them, I could just make out a t-shirt with a grizzly bear on it. He took my hand. I slid off Grandpa's lap and he led me outside. Seth came in and got Billy. When I got outside, I was amazed. It was unbelievable. All of the wolves from both packs were there. Some of them, Leah, Embry, Sam and Paul were dressed in garb like my Jacob was. The rest of them were around the campfire with an assortment of drums and Emily and Kim were even there with little pan flutes. Then I saw the other side of the circle and I had to hide my giggle. My daddy, Granddad, Aunt Rose, Aunt Alice, Uncle Jasper and Grandma were also dressed like Jacob. The paint stood out on their pale faces but they still looked perfect as always. I took all of this in quickly because the funniest one of all was my Uncle Emmet. Uncle Emmett was wearing a full Indian headdress that went clear down to the middle of his back. He was shirtless but had some elaborate bead necklace that covered the bulk of his massive chest. He had smeared red paint all over his face, arms and chest. He had even more intricate paint patterns on his face then everyone else. At his throat was a chocker collar with a huge bear claw on it. I had to hold my breath to keep from busting out giggling.
As Jacob brought us forward, Uncle Emmett arose and indicated two seats on either side of him. He directed me to one and Grandpa to the other. "Welcome," He said in a strange monotone voice. It seemed like he was trying for some weird Indian accent. I saw Sam kind of roll his eyes and shake his head. At least he had a big grin on his face. I wasn't the only one finding Uncle Emmett hilarious. "Welcome honored guests. I am the Chief Emmett of the Bear Warriors. We are here tonight to honor the Bear Gods and present two new Bear Warriors for their Rite of Passage." He indicated Grandpa and me at the last comment. Everyone in the circle who was all dressed up started giving some funny Indian woops. It was so funny I had to hide my giggle again. I looked over at Grandpa and he looked embarrassed. Then he saw me winked and smiled sheepishly.
"Oh great Bear Gods hear us." He threw some magic powder into the flames and sparks shot up into the sky. "We give the Bear Gods thanks for our victorious battle over the big mean nasty grizzly bear." He threw something else into the fire and lots of purple smoke came out of the flames. Paul started laughing. Emmett stopped his whole performance to stare Paul down. It almost looked like Paul was going to get up and challenge him but Seth threw a rock at him from across the fire. Paul caught it just as it was about to hit him. He dropped it. Emmet cleared his throat very loudly and continued. "Oh mighty Bear Gods we are thankful that flying rocks did not bash out our fearless warrior Paul's brains for irreverence on this most special of nights. He put something else in the fire and this time green smoke came out of the flames. It immediately smelled like rotten eggs and everyone groaned. "We must make the stinky clouds to applaud the Bear Gods for making us victorious over the big mean nasty grizzly bear."
"We present our new fearless Bear Warriors for their initiation rites of passage. First we present Chief Charles Swan. Not to be confused with Chief Emmet of the Bear Warriors. Come forward Charles." Grandpa looked around as every eye was upon him. The drums started booming in a fast beat until Grandpa stood up next to Uncle...I mean Chief Emmet of the Bear Warriors.
"First we paint you our fellow warrior. Warrior Alice, who has fought at last count a modest 72 big mean nasty grizzly bears will bestow our bear warrior paint on your face."
Aunt Alice came forward with slow measured steps. She carried with her a painter's pallet loaded with many colored paints. She spoke up in her clear musical voice painting up Grandpa's face as she spoke. "We paint you red for the blood of the bear. We paint you blue for the Bear Gods. We paint you green for the forest home and we paint you yellow because I like yellow." She stepped back and everyone gave an Indian yelp of approval. Emmet motioned for Charlie to remain standing.
"We also present to you tonight another fearless new Bear Warrior Princess, Renesmee Carlie Cullen. Come forward Nessie." I was trying so hard not to laugh. The drums were beating louder and louder. I guessed Uncle Emmet decided I wasn't getting up fast enough because he yanked me up swiftly to his side. "We must not try the Bear Warrior Gods patience little Princess Mini Haha."
What! Uncle Emmet was such a goof ball! I thought as I rolled my eyes.
"We must never call Chief Emmet of the Bear Warriors a goof ball little Princess Pint-Size" I glance over at Mom mortified. She'd unshielded me. She mouthed 'sorry' and then nodded to me so I knew it is back up. Daddy laughed. Bear Warrior Alice who has fought at last count a modest 63 big me…"
Uncle Emmet broke off as Aunt Alice whispered to him, "Seventy Two."
"Oh Warrior Alice who has fought at last count a modest 72…" He turned towards Alice and stage whispered, "You have been very busy tonight Warrior Alice! Seventy two big mean nasty grizzly bears will bestow our bear warrior paint on your face."
Aunt Alice came over to me now and winked at me before going back into character. "We paint you orange for the golden sun." She started smearing paint on my face. I tried not to laugh. "We paint you white for the snow of hibernation and we paint you purple because I say so." She walked very slowly back to her place around the campfire stomped her foot once and sat down. There was a loud whoop from all of the warriors around the circle.
Uncle Emmet continued, "Now our new warriors we will present you each with your bear claw and tooth necklace made from the very bear that had the nerve to cross your path this day."
"Bear Warrior Sam will please come forward and present our newest clan members with their trophies." The drums started their measured pace again as Sam came forward with two rather large necklaces with claws and teeth all over it. As he approached, Uncle Emmet said, "Bear Warrior Sam has only fought at last count two modest grizzly bears but we do not hold it against him as there is a golden arches down the road from his house."
Sam was truly holding back a fit of laughter now. He reached us and placed the necklaces over our heads. Then he gave us a strange salute taking his left hand and running it from the top of his head, down his face and out in front of him. He then held it out to us palm up.
He waited for a minute then looked at Emmet who added. "Our new Bear warriors will give Bear Warrior Sam the traditional Bear salute or risk being scalped." He waited until Grandpa and I followed Sam's example. I was starting to feel a little foolish. When we were done, Sam went back to his place at the campfire and stomping his foot sat down. Again there was a loud chorus of Indian whoops.
"Now our New Bear Warriors will join us in the dance of the big mean nasty grizzly bear. All warriors please arise." Everyone wearing the funny costumes got up. The drums started beating faster and faster. The pan flutes joined in and there was a sound like maracas as well. Grandpa looked like he wanted to go watch a ball game on TV.
I grabbed his hand laughing. "Sorry Grandpa, We're in this together." Everyone started doing a made up dance around the fire. After a few minutes Emmet and Jacob really got into the spirit and were trying to outdo each other with their antics.
Then Uncle Emmet got to close to the bonfire and caught the back of his headdress on fire. He immediately rolled in the dirt and said still in his fake accent, "Good thing Chief Emmet of the Bear Warriors knows how to stop, drop and roll." Everyone laughed. Then Emmet called out, "Okay, everyone dance." At that everyone who was not already at the circle which amounted to a few pack brothers, Mom and Billy came out. 'Uncle' Billy did pretty good cutting a rug with his wheel chair there.
After about ten minutes of this Uncle Emmet brought the ridiculous ceremony to a close by announcing, "We have been pronounced Hot Dogs by the Bear Gods tonight and in honor of this fitting title we will be blessed to dine on them." Grandma brought out hotdogs and everyone roasted some. I noticed my family quietly handed their roasted dogs to the Quileutes when Grandpa wasn't watching who gladly scarfed them down.
Everyone had fun fun talking and eating. I was so happy I sort of forgot how upset I had been all day. Grandpa asked Uncle Emmet what brought on the bear theatrics. Emmet just laughed and said, "Jacob wanted to do something nice for Nessie in honor of her rescue today and also to cheer her up. He made the mistake of mentioning it to Alice."
It made me so happy to think that Jacob would do all of this for me. All of a sudden Aunt Alice got a glazed look in her eyes for just a second.
"Oh, excellent" She said. "Okay, this Saturday, there is going to be a real thunderstorm. Is anyone up to a game of baseball?"
Emmet got very excited. "Alright come on everybody. This should be really fun. We could have huge teams! The Cullens and the Quileutes divided right down the middle. Split teams."
All of the Quileutes looked at Sam who in turn looked at Billy. Billy got a gleam in his eye and nodded vigorously. There was a loud roar of approval.
Grandpa turned to Alice and said, "Why do we have to wait for a thunderstorm to play?"
Billy laughed at him and said, "I guess you'll just have to wait till Saturday to find out. You'll probably be the umpire."
I looked up at my mom who had an anxious look on her face. My dad rubbed her shoulder and told her it would be okay. I wondered what Mom is was worried about.
"Grandpa leaned over to her and said, "Bella you never cease to amaze me. When you lived with me you never liked sports. Now here you are playing football and baseball too."
"Dad, why do you keep saying I play football? I don't even know how to throw a football."
Grandpa looked confused. "Emmet said you and Edward were out in the woods playing football when I got here this afternoon and asked him what all the racket was I heard."
As grandpa spoke everyone got quiet and mom's expression turned to mortification. Before I could process her mood, she growled incoherently at Emmet, who said, "Oops" and ran in the house. Mom was right behind him. Grandpa and I looked at each other in confusion. Then Grandpa shrugged his shoulders. He didn't get what the big deal was either.
Grandpa went on speaking to me now, "Well, he said, "It sounded to me like your Dad was winning. Maybe your Mom is a sore loser." At this everyone else started laughing except my dad who quietly went inside the house to find my mom.
[A/N: Please know that I meant no disrespect for native Americans in this chapter. I grew up in Phoenix with an Indian sister and know that they refer to themselves as Indians. Also, I realize that the Quileute Indians do not have feathered headdresses that being often associated with the plains Indian Tribes. This was not meant to represent any actual Indian tribe either. It was just a made up ceremony who Jacob, an Indian, devised to cheer up Nessie. Thank you, Tami]