11 #11 Greeting of the Elder

Sun Dog ran up to the peak as fast as he could. Falling flat at the Elders step. Hearing an odd noise the Elder, who is the oldest member of the clan and the father of Snow Owl and Snow Fox, steps out of his home, which is a small cave at the mountain peak. Holding back a hide door he looks down.

"Boy what brings you here?," he asks in a brisk voice.

"Elder, Sir, huff huff, your eldest son, our Chief, huff huff, has sent me to come and see you," he gasps, "His wife has had triplets on this day."

"Oh, that is auspicious then, isn't it. I haven't been down the mountain since my other sons child was born. Come inside and have a drink of water, then we will head down. Mind you I can only walk slowly, so it will be easier going down than how you came up." Soon they head down to the village.

"Greetings Elder!" call the clansmen as he reaches the edge of the village. With a rye smile he nodded to them and made his way to greet his new grandchildren. Upon coming up to his sons lodge he hears tiny cries coming from inside. Silently a little boy peaks from behind his legs. Looking down, the Elder spy's him. "What is your name boy? Are you trying to sneak a peak at the new ones?"

Looking up he responds, "I am Atsila Tsu La ( Fire Fox), this is my Uncle's home, and I told him the babies were coming. Are you my Papaw, Sir? I was scared by Aunt's sounds earlier so hid. Then Uncle told me to run to find Papa and the others. Then I hid again. But I really want to see the babies."

"I see young one. Yes, I am your Grandfather, now stay quiet and you can come with me.," saying as he winked.

Walking inside quiet as a mouse, the two looked longingly at the scene before them. Snow Owl, along with Snow Fox, was bundling pelts up behind his wife to support her in a comfortable sitting position. Mean while she held her two sons feeding them, as her sister held her sleeping daughter. The sight warmed the Elders heart, while it poked the curiosity of the boy.

"They're so small," whispered Fire Fox, "Why are their eyes closed? Can they eat and sleep at the same time?"

"No child, they will open them in about a week or so. You were the only one of our clan to be born with eyes open. They will grow a little every day. Now hush and go to your father." Obediently he did as told.

Peaking at the babies as he went, his mind filled with so many questions. Sitting next to his father and second mother he looked up at her holding his new cousin, as he fidgeted. "If you want to hold her you may, but you must listen to all that I tell you and stay very still. Can you do that?," she whispered. He nodded and went up to her lap. Holding up his chubby arms, she placed the baby in his arms. Excitement was written all over his face, yet he stayed still. " Now support her head in the bend of your arm and place your other arm over her legs a belly very lightly. Good just right. Now don't drop her. If your arms tire then let me know and I will take her back. Look how good you're doing.," she said.

Whispering and looking down at the baby, he smiled brightly. "You are so soft and warm. I will protect you always. Welcome to our family little cousin."

Smiling Eternal Blossom asked him, "Would you like to be a big brother one day?"

"Yes very much so. Especially if my baby sister or brother is as soft and warm as she is."

"Well Husband, your son had issued your marching orders. I suppose we should begin working on that, huh?," she said with a bright smile on her face.

Dumbfounded Snow Fox looked at his wife and then at everyone else in the room, an audible gulp was heard, right after everyone broke into hearty laughter. 'Babies truly get all of the other women craving to have their own,' he thought, 'Well not like I'm complaining about the making part." A cheesy smile broke free on his face. Everyone else, except for the child, knew exactly what he was pondering. "What?," he blurted out. "Brother your face gives you away Everytime.," Snow Owl chided.

Eventually Fire Fox gave his little cousin over to his Uncle as he was take home and his Aunt and the babies needed to rest. So many big things were happening in his little piece of the world. His Grandfather, the Elder, followed along with the family. It was getting late and it was decided that he would stay the night in the village as it was too dangerous to go up the mountain after sunset. A bed was made up for him to sleep in. Through the night he told stories to Fire Fox and taught him about the stars. Tonight's star alignment was especially beautiful and prominent for the births of his cousins. Along with their birth order. The Elder did a painting on a buckskin to commemorate it and devine their future.

"Tonight's stars say that your male cousins will be leaders that will carry our clan into the future with good prospects. With the order of boy, girl, boy; your little female cousin will always be shielded by her brothers. With her white coloring she will receive the Moon's blessings. You will be her Sun warrior. She is a reincarnation of your birth Mothers spirit so, protect her well my boy. Her destined one will be blessed by the water that reflects the Moon. There is another beyond the vast lands who is to be your true mate. She has the blessings of the falling stars and the foxtail of the sky's." The Elder spoke.

"Papaw how do you know so much from stars? Does Great Spirit talk to you with them?," asked Fire Fox, "Do they give warning too? Can you teach me how to also?"

"So many questions," laughed Elder, " Yes one day I'll teach you. Now off to sleep you little scamp." Looking up again after his grandsons questions he called for his son. "My son tell me what you see in the sky as my aged eyes may be playing tricks on me. Tell me lest the Coyote trick me out of them."

"Father I see that the red star and the blue star are very close to the moon. Uncomfortably close. Also I see clouds like giant canoes chasing closer and closer to the direction of the moon and the two stars. Is this also what you are seeing?" Snow Fox answered in a worried tone.

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