A/N In my research, I found several references that the Quileute tribe underwent Vision Quests, similarly to other tribes. A boy reaching puberty would go out into the wilderness alone, with little food and water, seeking a vision of a spiritual nature or of their future, etc.

Chapter 25

BPOV

My breather from reality came to a halt the next day. I was completely healed, and the tribal council agreed to meet that night. I went home. After speaking with Charlie for longer than I could remember, I went to my room to prepare. I sat cross legged on my bed and closed my eyes. I reached a meditative state as I considered what to say, letting the words and thoughts flow freely in my mind. I decided I would use the old story telling method of the tribe, knowing this would resonant the deepest. Something else came to mind, and I called Jasper.

Satisfied that I was a prepared as possible, I spent the rest of the day listening to music and drawing.

I decided to wear jeans, boots and a short sleeved shirt. I wore a woven band of leather just below my birth mark, which drew attention to it, something I had never down before. I also strapped a large knife to my outer thigh, a symbolic reminder of my warrior status among other things. I gently smoothed the long leather fringe that decorated the butt of the knife. Uncle Billy had given me this knife after he brought me home from running away. It was one of my most treasured possessions.

I gave a quick, somewhat stilted prayer to the Great Spirit before climbing out of my window. I met the Cullens just inside the woods and gave them a quick rundown of where to stand and what to expect. I asked if they were prepared for what I had planned. They nodded as one, and hugs and shoulder pats were shared with each member.

Edward kissed me and whispered, "Good luck, love."

Emmett squeezed me tight and yelled, "Go kick ass!"

The elders sat cross legged with their Pendleton blankets draped over their backs and shoulders, the warriors stood at attention in human form, on both sides. I led the Cullens to their spot before coming forward to stand before the elders. All we needed was a longhouse in the middle of the woods to make this a true tribal meeting.

"My mother was killed by a Red Eye, bringing sorrow to our people."

I paused and let these heavy words sink in. I saw the brief head nods and tightening faces.

"Soon after, I went through the change. It was a difficult time, and I lost my way. After causing destruction across three counties and totaling a police car, I ran away."

I heard Emmett snicker at the destruction part, but he quickly quieted as I continued.

"I ran for many days without food and barely any water. I was delirious from lack of sleep. Among other things, I dreamed of Carlisle Cullen. He was telling his son, Edward, that his family would be waiting for him when he was ready to return."

"I had fully intended to give up my humanity when I ran away, to roam the world only as a mountain lion." There were a few muffled exclamations and movement from the warriors at this confession, "But I listened to this dream, and returned. I realized that my running away caused an unexpected Vision Quest, which showed me that I needed to stand up and face my destiny."

There were somber murmurs of approval from Uncle Billy and Harry Clearwater at my words.

"So I stand before you today, pledging my life to the tribe as a warrior and the thunderbird mark barer."

As I said this, I pulled the knife from its sheath and bent down on one knee. I rested my forearm on my knee, and slowly drew the knife vertically down my forearm.

There were sharp intakes of breath from the tribe as I deliberately cut myself. I calmly wiped my knife on the ground, and resheathed it. I stood up and held up my arm in solemn oath to my people and as proof that I trusted the Cullens.

The tribe quickly looked up from my arm at the Cullens, who stood quietly at the back of the clearing.

"I will bleed for my tribe, but I will not go out without doing everything I can to protect our people. We will soon be facing vampires with strength and numbers that we have never witnessed before. Despite our differences, the Cullens have accepted me and the tribe. They are willing to train us. Without this training, our tribe faces complete annihilation."

By the time I finished these words, the cut on my arm had completely healed, and the elders were regarding me with a mix of respect and admonishment for my bold, possibly deadly action.

I stepped back and nodded my head to Sam. The warriors took my place, and Sam and Jacob took turns stating that the warriors had seen first hand how I had been cared for by the Cullens, and that they agreed with the need of their assistance.

Carlisle then stepped forward, "Thank you for allowing me to speak on behalf of my family today. Our history with the Quileute tribe had been strained at best, until we met Bella. She has been a good friend to my family, and we would do anything to help her and the tribe, even if it means fighting our own kind."

I felt chills hearing Carlisle commit his family to that. It was much more than I had imagined.

Carlisle returned to stand with the rest of the Cullens, and the elders conferred quietly. I heard phrases like "not like us" and "not a part of the tribe" mixed in with words of approval. My heart sank. The elders were still divided. I fold my arms across my chest as I paced on the sidelines. Gah, stubborn elders!

I became conscious of the long leather fringe from my knife as it swished and smacked against my leg as I paced. I looked down, staring at the leather. One last possibility to unite the tribe and the Cullens came to mind. It was time to kick it old school.

I walked up to Edward and held out my hand. "Edward, do you trust me?" I asked.

He looked at me with sharp attention as he reached out and grasped my offered hand, "With my very existence."

I pulled him toward the elders, "Good because I aim to misbehave."

Emmett cheered, as he knew from the movie Serenity, I was heading in for a desperate battle that I planned to win.

As we walked forward, I untied a long piece of leather from my knife.

"I have one more thing to say." I said and cleared my throat as it closed up on me. I was about to do something huge.

I raised my hand which grasped Edward's tightly and held up the leather in my other one. "I bind myself to Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, for the rest of my life and beyond, if he will have me."

Many of the elders gaped at me, as others watched this new situation with interest. Uncle Billy and Harry Clearwater were clearly pleased. Many of the warriors chuckled.

Uncle Billy stood and approached, "Edward, do you accept binding with Bella?"

Edward replied without pause, "I do."

Uncle Billy took the leather from my hand and tied it tightly around Edward's and my wrists, joining them together.

Emmett breathed, "Bondage, sweet!" and then yelped when someone hit him in the back of the head.

Uncle Billy removed his blanket and placed it around our shoulders. He led the blessing that the elders chanted back.

Harry Clearwater stood and proclaimed. "Edward Cullen is now part of the Quileute tribe, and by law so is his family. The treaty is no more. We will meet on the reservation tomorrow to celebrate the joining of our people."

With that, the meeting was over, the elders began to leave. Uncle Billy hugged us both. "I am so proud and happy this day." He whispered.

Jacob and the other warriors surrounded us and cheered. There was a lot of teasing and laughing. Jacob smirked, "See, I told ya she wanted to marry him."

I looked at Edward. The serene smile on his face told me he wasn't pissed. I breathed a sigh of relief. That had been a gamble.

The Cullens joined in and Alice squeaked, "Bella, I can't believe you got married in jeans!"

I laughed, "Tomorrow's the big night. There's going to be a big celebration and gift exchange."

"A potlatch?" Carlisle asked, with a gleam in his eyes.

I nodded.

Emmett cheered, "A party, score!"

Edward looked at the blanket surrounding us, and his brows pressed together.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I've seen this blanket before." He said quietly.

"It was Ephraim Black's. Uncle Billy honored us by giving us his prayer blanket as a wedding gift."

"Yes, he did." He looked over at Alice and shared some communication. Both looked resigned.

But their expressions changed as when they caught me looking at them. I bit my lip from asking what was going on, and said instead, "I will see you at the reservation tomorrow at twilight. I can't see my husband again until he brings righteous gifts to honor my family, me, and the tribe."

Rosalie grinned, "Sounds like my kind of tradition."

I kissed Edward good bye, already planning a convincing illness story for Charlie, since I wouldn't be at school the next day.

A/N Binding and blanket prayers/blessings (blanket bundling) are Native traditions. They weren't likely Quileute traditions, but I don't think you'll mind a bit of creative license. Potlatches were a part of Quileute practices.