Chapter Twenty-five
The next morning, Buck woke slowly – the effects of the willow bark tea making it difficult for him to bring the world into focus. At first, he wasn’t even sure where he was. When he remembered, he was surprised to find Little Fawn lying next to him.

Little Fawn awoke when she felt Buck stir beside her. She knew he would be groggy due to the tea he had consumed the evening before. Before moving, she offered a quick prayer that he would not be angry.

She sat up and smiled. “Did you sleep well?”

Buck fought through the fog that hovered over his brain. He turned to face Little Fawn. When he saw her, the haze quickly left him. “Why are you here, and undressed?” he asked quickly checking on his own state of clothing.

Little Fawn kept her eyes on his face. She shook her head at his unease, but did not move to cover herself. Instead she leaned in and kissed his cheek. She explained the decisions that had been made the previous evening. “Do you wish me to tell them you do not approve?” she asked as she moved to stir the fire to life.

Buck watched her as she started her task. He marveled at how at ease she was in front of him despite her nakedness. He took in the beauty of her form before answering her question. “I do not disapprove,” he said. “I am just surprised.”

She turned and smiled at him. “I am glad you approve,” she said. “I would not like having to return to my parents’ home.”

Buck watched her as she continued to prepare a meal for them. “Are you disappointed that we did not have the normal ceremony?” he asked as he moved so he could see her better as she worked.

Little Fawn shrugged. “Not really,” she replied as she placed the food on the fire and turned to face Buck. “Besides,” she said, “I think we will have to have a ceremony once we return to your home.”

“What do you mean?”

Little Fawn moved and sat next to him. She moved a piece of his hair and placed it behind his ear. “After last evening and the incident with Laughing Crow, it was decided that the two of us should go live with your white family where we will be in less danger.” She dropped her gaze and sat quietly waiting for Buck’s response.

“You agreed to this?”

She nodded. “I have no wish to stay here and live in fear of Laughing Crow trying to hurt one or both of us again.” She raised her eyes to meet Buck’s. “I also have no desire to stay here without you.”

Buck reached up and placed his hand on her cheek. “I am glad,” he said. “I don’t think I could stand leaving you here, but I have always known that I could never come back and stay.” He pulled her to him and covered her lips in a tender kiss.

Little Fawn savored the feel of his lips on hers. She started to deepen the kiss, but realized that Buck was trying to hide the pain his back was in. She leaned into him, and gently pushed him back to the ground. “You need to rest,” she said as she broke the kiss. She smiled at him, kissed him quickly on the nose, and then turned her attention back to their meal.

After they finished eating, Little Fawn got dressed and went to find Sky Chaser so she would know it was safe to check on Buck. As the two girls walked back to the teepee, Little Fawn asked, “When you finish checking Running Buck, could you please let me know how active he can be?” She blushed a little as she added, “We have yet to be together, but I do not wish to rush things if he is not able.”

Sky Chaser smiled at her friend. “I will let you know,” she said.

As they passed the dwelling where Ike was now staying, he joined them. *Would it be alright if I talked to Running Buck?* he asked. *I know it is your wedding day, but I need to know that he is not angry with me.*

Little Fawn nodded. *I think he would like to talk to you,* she said. She then spoke quietly to Sky Chaser in Kiowa and moved ahead of the couple.

Ike watched her hurry away. *Did I upset her?* he asked.

Sky Chaser shook her head. “She told me she wanted to give us some time alone.” She reached over and took Ike’s hand in hers.

When they reached Buck’s dwelling, Sky Chaser released Ike’s hand. *Do you wish to speak to him first?*

Ike shook his head. *Will he be able to talk after you finish?*

Sky Chaser shrugged. *I am not sure,* she said. *He is strong, but I do not know how much pain he is in, or how he is recovering from the willow bark tea. It used to take him most of the day for the after effects to wear off.*

*Then I would like to talk to him first, just in case.*

Sky Chaser nodded. *I will wait here.*

Ike shook his head. *No, you should go in and visit with Little Fawn; I’m sure she would rather not just sit there by herself.*

Sky Chaser smiled at Ike’s thoughtfulness. She felt lucky that he would even consider staying here with her instead of returning to his own world; especially now that Running Buck was going back. As he held the flap covering the opening to the teepee back for her, Sky Chaser offered a quick prayer of thanks to the gods for placing this man in her life.

After a quick conversation between Buck and Ike, Sky Chaser examined Buck’s back. It was healing nicely and he did not seem to be in too much pain. “Would you like something to ease the pain?” she asked.

Buck shook his head. “I’m still trying to get the haze from the willow bark to go away,” he said. “I don’t want to take anything to make it come back. I want to be able to enjoy the day.” He glanced at Little Fawn and smiled.

Sky Chaser nodded. “I will leave some salve that Little Fawn can put on your back if it starts to pain you too much.” She dropped her gaze as she added, “You should be able to complete your marriage if you are careful.” She raised her eyes to meet Buck’s gaze. “Perhaps it would be best to let Little Fawn do most of the work at first, just to be safe.”

Buck nodded. “I will keep that in mind,” he said. He hesitated before asking the question he really wanted answered. “How long before I can travel?”

Sky Chaser noticed that both Little Fawn and Ike were watching them. She took a deep breath. “It will depend,” she said.

“On what?” asked Buck.

“On whether or not you wish to ride unassisted.”

Buck indicated that she should explain further.

“If you wish to ride on your own, you will have to wait a week or more,” Sky Chaser said. “If you do not mind having someone such as Silent Wolf and myself take you, we could go tomorrow.”

Buck nodded. He glanced at where Little Fawn sat looking at him. “I will discuss it with my wife and let you know,” he said. “Would you and Silent Wolf do us the honor of returning to partake of this evening’s meal with us?”

Sky Chaser glanced at Ike who nodded.

She nodded to let Buck know they would be back. As she turned to leave, Buck touched her arm. “Could you ask Red Bear, Silver Fox, and Smiling Dove to join us also?”

She nodded. “I will ask,” she said, “but I cannot promise they will come.”

“I know they are busy,” Buck said. “I just thought it would be nice if all of those who might make this trip were able to plan together.”

Sky Chaser nodded once more. Ike moved to join her. *I will try to convince them that they need to be here - if not for the meal, then shortly afterwards.*