[23]
Grey Wolf announced in mid-March that they would move the camp. The last snowfall had been almost a month passed, and the snow that had been on the ground melted more each day until it was almost gone. The night before the big move, Stands was trying to get comfortable in her pallet on the ground, but it was not easy. She dreaded the job of taking down the tipi in the morning and even more, the long ride on horseback to the Summer camp. Normally riding is not a problem, but Stands was now well into her pregnancy. She no longer felt sick to her stomach, but her body ached all over from the cold and the hard ground.
Beside her, Thunder Horse shifted restlessly.
"Stands, you must stop fidgeting and try to get some rest. Tomorrow is a busy day."
"I know. I'm sorry. I just ache all over, and I'm worried about tomorrow." She admitted. Thunder inched up next to her back and spooned her. He gently massaged her bare back, starting with her shoulders and working his way down her spine.
"Does that help?" He asked.
"Yes, thank you." She answered.
"I will help you with the tipi tomorrow." He stated. Stands was relieved but rolled her eyes, hidden from his view.
"I don't want to be a burden on you." She said.
"I said I would HELP you, not do it for you." He clarified and she nodded, relieved. Thunder reached around Stands and placed his palm on her bulging stomach. As soon as he did, the baby inside moved against his hand. Startled, he pulled back his hand and gasped. Stands was very still.
"Was that…?" He asked in a whisper.
"I think so." She said equally as soft. He put his hand back slowly and they waited quietly together for the baby to move again. Nothing happened at first, but then it happened again and they both were overjoyed.
"My son is strong." Thunder finally boasted.
"What if it is a girl?" Stands asked, concerned.
"Then she will be beautiful, like her mother." Stands placed her hand over his hand on her stomach.
After nearly an hour had passed, the two of them still lay awake, marveling at the miracle that their love had created. Thunder was growing drowsy and he yawned loudly.
"Tell the child to be still now so we can sleep." He said.
"You don't really think that is possible do you?" Stands laughed. Thunder moved down until his face was even with her expanding middle. Stands watched him curiously, and then smiled as he began to sing a soft lullaby while tenderly massaging her belly. Whatever he was doing, it was working. The baby moved less and less until eventually it was still. Thunder climbed back up beside Stands with a finger over his lips, indicating that she should be quiet. It was all Stands could do not to laugh. She thought her husband was both sweet and silly. Again he pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck.
"Close your eyes and sleep." He whispered into her ear, and then he sang her to sleep as well.
[24]
By mid-morning the camp was packed up. True to his word, Thunder had not embarrassed Stands by doing all the work himself. He did do the heavy lifting though, and she was guiltily grateful for his assistance. Everyone had begun mounting up to move out. Stands looked around for her husband, but he was nowhere to be found. She assumed that he was off somewhere with Wind in His Hair and some of the other warriors. His pony was missing, leaving only three other horses. Two were loaded down with their belongings, and the third would be her mount for the journey. Not wanting to be left to the back of the tribe, Stands decided to mount up on her own. She approached the side of the horse and reached up to grab two fists full of mane. Just as she would have pulled herself up onto the back of the animal she realized the likelihood of disaster. She was raised riding bareback, but had never mounted a horse in her condition and she felt awkward and clumsy.
"What are you doing?" She let go of the horse and turned to look up at her husband who sat astride his pony looking at her as if she had lost her mind.
"I'm trying not to get left behind." She admitted sheepishly. Thunder dismounted and walked over to her. He carefully picked her up and sat her on the horse.
"As if I would ever leave you." He mumbled and shook his head, walking back to his horse. After he mounted, he pulled up alongside her.
"If it becomes difficult to ride, let me know and we will walk a while, or you can ride with me." She nodded to indicate that she understood.
"How is my little one?" He placed his hand on her stomach.
"Pretty active this morning, but not so much right now." Just then the pack began to move forward.
"I will stay with you as much as I can, but the men will expect me to help protect the tribe and scout the trail. If I have to leave you, I want you to stay with Black Shawl. Don't fall behind. I'm trusting that you will let someone know if you are in distress." He urged.
"I will be fine." She promised. They began to move ahead.
[25]
For the first several miles, Stands rode between her husband and Black Shawl. She was enjoying the day. The sky was clear and bright blue with only a few thin clouds scattered about. When Wind in His Hair rode up and engaged Thunder Horse in a conversation, Stands began to think about the wonder of the life growing inside her. It seemed to her as if something had happened overnight. That beautiful moment when she first felt the baby move was like an awakening. She felt it all the time now, and she could finally understand the reality of what was happening. She was going to be a mother! She placed her hand on her own stomach and smiled.
"Are you alright?" Thunder Horse asked suddenly. She looked at him and smiled.
"We are fine! Don't worry so much." She scolded him. He smiled back and nodded. Just then Dove Feather rode up alongside Stands and greeted the couple.
"I must leave you for a while." He announced.
"Dove Feather, will you ride with my wife until I return?" He asked.
"Yes, of course." She answered. Thunder and Wind rode ahead to take their turn scouting the trail and left the two women behind.
[26]
"Thunder Horse is very happy since your wedding. I hope to find a husband who loves me like he loves you." Dove said.
"I am very lucky. Do you have any prospects?" Stands asked. She smiled when Dove blushed.
"I am quite fond of Red Elk, but he doesn't seem interested in me. He is not looking for a wife."
"May I give you some advice?" Stands asked.
"Yes, please."
"You know that Kicking Bird is a wise and holy man." Dove nodded in agreement.
"He gave me advice once, and because I followed it, Thunder Horse chose me for his wife. Perhaps you could try it and it will work the same for you with Red Elk."
"What should I do?" She asked, eager to learn. Stands told her the story of how she won Thunder's heart and Dove was encouraged. The two women bonded over conversations about courtship, marriage and babies. Dove promised to come spend time with Stands once they reached camp, to help make clothes for the baby. Stands was excited to have made a friend, and to have been able to share her wisdom with the younger woman. She only wished her back did not ache so.
[27]
"Are you feeling alright?" Dove asked when she noticed Stands massaging her back.
"Yes, my back just aches from riding." Stands answered. Black Shawl came alongside.
"We have several miles to go yet. I found it sometimes easier to walk when the back begins to ache." Black Shawl added.
"Yes, I think that would feel better." Stands agreed. The three women stopped and Dove and Black Shawl dismounted to help Stands down from her horse. The three women walked together. Riders moved to go around them. Not everyone had a horse to ride, so they were not the only people walking. Walkers usually ended up in the rear of the pack.
[28]
Thunder rode backwards through the pack, thinking about the information he had just received. The scouting party encountered a small group of Sioux from a different tribe who told them about a recent raid on their people by white men. There were many people dead because of the white man's gun, and the few whites who had lived among the people were rounded up and taken away. This made Thunder Horse fearful. It did not help matters when he encountered his wife's horse without its rider. He kept moving against the tide until he caught sight of the three women walking and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Stands, are you alright?" He asked when he reached them.
"Yes. My back hurt." She explained.
"Thank you both for staying with her. Can you ride now?" Stands shielded her eyes while looking up at him.
"Yes, I think so." Thunder hopped down and then lifted her up on his horse. He mounted behind her and waited until Black Shawl and Dove were back on their horses before he moved on.
"You need to stay in the middle of the pack. Do not wander off alone for a while." He said.
"Why? What is wrong?" She asked, seeing his concern.
"We met a group of our Sioux brothers on the prairie. Their tribe has suffered great losses at the hands of white men. If the white men find you living with the people, they will try to take you from me as they took away the whites who lived with our brothers." He was serious and very somber which only added to the feeling of panic that Stands felt welling up inside.
"Don't worry. I will not let that happen, but you must be careful not to wander off alone. Promise me."
"I promise. " After a moment, the seriousness passed and Thunder began to relax. She enjoyed riding with him and felt safe with his strong arms to protect her.
[29]
The tribe arrived at their summer home in the early evening and everyone immediately got busy setting up camp. Stands dug holes for the tipi poles and Thunder put them in place. Together, they covered it and began carrying in their belongings. Stands laid out their pallet, and took the bladders and wood sling to go get supplies for a fire. Thunder stopped her and took them from her.
"You have done enough today. Rest now and I will fetch the water and wood." He pointed to their bed.
"But I can…" She protested, refusing to let go of the bladders.
"I know you can, but I will." He said. Finally she gave in and let go.
"Tomorrow I will ask Dove Feather if she will go with you to the woods and to the river. I will feel better if you are not alone. For now though, I will do this. Remember what I told you." He warned. She nodded and he kissed her on the forehead.
"I love you." He said, and then he was gone.
Stands didn't want to admit it to her husband, but she was so glad to be able to lie down. It had been a long, exhausting day. She was asleep long before he returned.