She did not want to hear him speak of leaving. She wanted to stay here with him in this grove of ancient trees forever. When she had spoken to him of going off and being alone together, this was what she imagined it would be like. But then a dark thought crossed her mind.
"White Bear, they might send people looking for us. They might catch us together like this." Anxiously she started to pull her clothing together.
He sat up beside her and put his hand over hers. "I do not think anyone is coming." He sounded so sure that she thought he must be speaking as a shaman.
"They know I will come back to the village," he added. "They saw me smoke the calumet. And in a few days I will leave with Star Arrow."
He said it with such finality that the sun seemed to go out.
"And so there is time," he said, "If you want ..." and guided her hand to touch him. To her joy she felt him strong in his readiness to be within her again. This time, she was sure, it would not hurt. She would know the full delight that Sun Woman had told her of. The afternoon sunlight slanting through the budding branches was warm again, bathing her and making her feel joyful and free.
Their flowing together lasted longer this time, and gave her all the happiness she had hoped for.
And it came to her, as they lay peacefully side by side afterward, that this might have happened someday, but it would not have happened today if Star Arrow had not come to claim his son.