An Unusual Gift

[Tammi]

This is a closed thread for cgraven and Tammi. Hope you read and enjoy though.

OCC:

Misty is a drifter who travels alone in search of new people, new places and new adventures. She has had various relationships with men; some lasted for along time while other’s were just a fleeting pleasurable moment in time. She has been to places many people have never been and has done things that other people wouldn’t even let themselves imagine. But that is because Misty has a gift that so far, no one else has and she has searched endlessly to find someone else that has this gift and is like her. She is a petite blonde haired, deep blue-eyed woman who looks to be much younger than her age and most find it hard to believe she is well over thirty. Although she never has revealed her age to anyone they would never believe her anyway, but this is also do to the gift she has.

IC:
It was a beautiful summer night, a full moon, the stars were bright and there was a cool gentle breeze in the air that played with the hem of my white cotton dress, lifting it up to dance with the wind. I inhaled deeply, always enjoying the smell of the salty air and hearing the sound of the waves as they crashed along the beach. Barefooted, I walked slowly, running my toes through the sand, kicking into the air now and again, enjoying the feeling this simple act could bring. I smiled, noticing a couple walking hand in hand down by the water; it definitely was a romantic night.

Before long I heard the voice, angry swearing with frustration. I couldn’t make out the words he spoke and I couldn’t see him, he was too far away. It had been awhile since I had heard someone crying out in pain, fear, frustration or need and it was rare that I even heard anyone at all. There had been a young boy at one time, lost and afraid, crying and after listening I had searched him out and found him, helping him. There were several times in the years, a cry of pain after a bad accident, deep frustration and sadness from the loss of a loved one, this time someone was very angry, very alone. I stopped walking and closed my eyes, listening very hard and I tried searching for him.

Finally after much time, I found myself in a wooded area, amongst the trees. It was very dark out, a cold wind was blowing and not a star in the sky. Every thing around was soaked and the rain had finally slowed to just a cool drizzle. I wrapped the raincoat around me tighter feeling the chill in the air and I heard his swearing again. I glanced around and saw the movement in a small clearing ahead of me. Walking closer, but staying out of view, I noticed the man hurl the unlit flashlight into the air, swearing as he did.

I saw that the rain had put out his campfire and I assumed the batteries had gone dead in his flashlight. I stood behind a tree, peeking at him, understanding his frustration, yet his anger was what struck me, being very intense, making me wonder if it stemmed from something other than an extinguished fire and dead batteries.

 

[cgraven]

John Cloud Dancer

My life had been a series of disasters one after another. As A child I was a dreamer, a loner. At age six my mother died, who my father was, well that was any ones guess. Some said a soldier station at Moose Bay during the war others a drifter. It made little difference in the long run for he had left before I was born. We had lived with Grand father, he was gifted he could see things or so the old ones said. I was just getting to know him when the government man came to take me to the Indian school in Churchill Ontario. That was the last I had seen of my home, of my grandfather, of the Cree nation.

At school I would day dream, after school I would drift, hold a job for awhile then, and drift again.

I had gone to Monkton to get supplies and the townies had torn apart my camp and shot my dog they even stolid the batteries from my flashlight, and dumped my dog body in the camp fire pit. I was filled with a rage and the sky thundered, lighting flashed, and the sky poured forth the tears I could not shed.

There was a presence in the woods now moving up from the shore, It was close now, very close.

“What do you want?”

Ther was anger in my voice.

“Have you done enough”

The sky echoed my frustration in blinding light.

And there she stood a woman or was it a girl she was very beautiful, her face puzzled, as she watched me.

“Either come in or go away but make up your mind.”

 

[Tammi]

Misty

As I moved closer, I began to see how someone had torn apart his camp and upon the quick flash of lightening I saw his dog in the camp fire pit and I understood his anger much better. I walked closer while he stood staring at me and as I moved past him, I saw his angry eyes watching me and could almost feel the pain hiding behind them.

As it was very dark other than the flash of lightening now and then and it had begun to rain harder. I knelt on the ground near the dog and reached my hand to touch him. I was relieved to feel a very slow heart beat, but he was still alive. I turned to the man and held out my hand to him.

“Here go find your flashlight and put these batteries in it and get some water. Your animal is not dead, I can help.”

He looked at me and then at the batteries in my hand, his eyes still angry. I then showed him the small knife in my other hand.

“I really don’t think you want to watch this, but I think your dog will be fine.”

 

[cgraven]

She is like a mist in the rain as she floats into the remains of my camp. She is so young and yet still there is an aged quality of knowledge that I sense in her.. my anger is still hot but her presence calms it a bit as the storm seems to ease in response to her presence.

She huddles over “Wolf” a delicate hand resting over his heart, her hand extended to me open, inviting, yet I shy away as “Wolf would always uneasy in the presence of others.

“Here go find your flashlight and put these batteries in it and get some water. Your animal is not dead, I can help.”

Her voice soft yet compelling, she holds batteries in her hand like a wolf I approach her wearily, not fully trusting her my anger flares with in and the thunder roars, the lighting flashes in response .

“I really don’t think you want to watch this, but I think your dog will be fine.”

My eyes are dark and intense as I search her eyes and soul.

“I will stay. I will watch.”

My manner and voice left no room for argument.

“He is “Wolf” he is not a dog…………………..He is my friend.”

I watch her as she bends to “Wolf”

 

[Tammi]

I looked at him, seeing a look of determination on his face along with that of concern for his friend. A large gust of wind blew and I reached down laying the batteries next to the flash light now beside my feet. I bent down close to Wolf’s ear, my voice just a whisper barely heard, saying soothing and comforting words to this man’s friend. With the small knife in one hand, I went to the wound on the side of Wolf’s body, turning my back on the strange man, shielding him from what I was about to do.

Lightening flashes and thunder claps louder and the sound of a breaking tree limb distracts him and he turns watching where the tree limb falls. By the time he turns back he sees the white cloth that was possibly torn from beneath my raincoat and I’m wrapping it around Wolf’s side as best I can.

My hands are blood stained and I set the bullet down, my hands rinse in the puddle of water near me.

“You can take him now, he is too heavy for me to lift. I’m sure he’ll be alright if you take care of that wound.” I said looking directly into his eyes. My head twitched for just a second and my eyes blinked, a strange feeling yet somehow familiar, came over me, but then it was gone as quickly as it happened.

 

[cgraven]

I look away as I hear the tree limb snap the sound clear and crisp as a rifle shot. Then the second sight is on me I see the knife in her hand, I hear a voice soft and gentle telling me not to be afraid,………. I feel the bight of the knife in my side,…….. I wince as it probes for the bullet, … a low growl escapes my lips I bear my teeth but do not bite.


The moment passes as her voice reaches me from far away.

“You can take him now, he is too heavy for me to lift. I’m sure he’ll be alright if you take care of that wound.”

Her eyes are focused on mine and for a moment I feel her touch my soul then I close it off from her.

“Yes I will”

My voice is sluggish as I bend down to pick up “Wolf" there is a sharp pain in my side. I feel the warm liquid soaking through my shirt. I smell the blood I am dizzy then all is black as I fall head long into the dark abyss that holds only terror for me My last conscious though is.

“Must stop the bleeding.”


I know the wound is already beginning to close and it fills me with fear.

 

[Tammi]

Misty

The lightening flashed brightly at the same time the intense feeling of fear seemed to be all around me. I immediately looked at him, my eyes wide as I watch him fall to the ground and I sense he is in the same darkness as Wolf, both needing my help.

My mind searches, asking for what is needed and within seconds the strange man and Wolf are inside a small tent, the bleeding has stopped, the mans clothes are dry and he is covered with blankets to help warm him. Wolf is not far from him wrapped in blankets and there is a dim light glowing from the lantern.

I sit cross-legged near the opening of the tent, watching both, and I feel a strong need to stay, making sure they are taken care of. It is stronger than I have ever felt before, as if something else is reaching out to me, holding me there.

For the next two days I watch over them, helping them drink the warm liquid I have in a cup for them as they drift in an out of consciousness. I am amazed and curious as I watch the man improve as Wolf does and have a strong sense of something different here that I have never seen before.

The rain has stopped; the fire is lit and burning radiating a warm heat. I sit weary near it, listening and watching the tent, knowing that I must leave soon to rest and they will recover soon.

 

[cgraven]

We run through the woods it is spring, then the warm brown summer grass caresses our feet, the autumn color dazzles our eyes, the snow is cold the wind bite at us tiring to penetrate the warm gray fur. We are one yet separate at times then one again . I see what Wolf see, feels what he feels, and he does the same. It is as if we where once one then some how split, separated, but always together, then again the horror of the dark abyss, sifting images, men coming hatred in their eyes fear, and something more something they can feel from a long forgotten past some that scares them a fear that reaches to their very core. The flash of a rifle . Our body thrown into the fire pit.

I see the sun shinning on white canvas the blanket is war. And thee she is sitting cross legged by the entrance, then the dark abyss again finally my head clears and she is still there. I feel a strong pull to this woman child youth in appearance yet with an aged and wise soul.

My voice is hoarse and thick..

“I am John Cloud Dancer……… Please do not leave ……..I think I need you.”

I am dizzy and dare not move still weak from my ordeal.

 

[Tammi]

Misty

“I am Misty. I will not leave just yet.”

I reach for the cup beside me, moving closer to him, my eyes curiously taking him in as he speaks. My eyes searching his, but only seeing his need, I cannot see past sensing he is preventing that.

“Here let me help you sit up a bit and drink some of this. It is warm and will help you.”

I speak softly and my arm reaches behind him, helping him to lean up my other hand bringing the cup to his mouth. I look away from John, and look at Wolf who has begun to move now, slowly slurping up the liquid from the bowl in front of him. I look back at John with a smile.

“You will be fine soon, Wolf is much better.”

 

[cgraven]

“I am Misty. I will not leave just yet.”

I rest in the sanctuary of her arms, Misty fragrance intoxicating as I sip from the cup that she offers. Her eyes search mine looking for what is hidden with in, I blush as I know some how she can tell I have place a barrier in the way. She looks away then her soft voice reaches me again, a tender smile, a soft hand.


“You will be fine soon, Wolf is much better.”


The voices suddenly come again not the angry ones of the evil ones, but the soft caring ones of the guardians. Trust her, let her see, let her see the truth.

Slowly as I drink from the cup, I let the veil fall, I hide nothing from Misty slowly my form shimmers and shifts, as does “Wolf’s”. the meld into one. No longer does a man lay in her arms but a creature half man half wolf. The body of a man, the head and senses of a Wolf, the body covered with fine gray fur.

My eyes find Misty’s

“This is what I am. If you mean o leave then leave now knowing the truth.”


There is a long silence.

“I wish you would stay for I am lonely.”

 

[Tammi]

Misty

I stare into his eyes sensing a new or a trust within him. And then I feel him changing in my arms yet I am unafraid, sensing no fear now. My head tilts and my eyes gaze in awe watching him, my voice sounds soft and fascinated as I speak to him.

“John, you are magnificent, and so soft.”

I run my hand slowly across his chest, it tickles my fingers and I giggle, and then smile at him.

“I can only stay a little while longer, until you are not so weak. Then I must go, but I will come back after I rest and regain my strength.”

I notice that his cup is empty of the liquid. I don’t move, I just look up at him and his eyes meet mine, I know he needs more liquid. A wide playful grin comes across my face as the cup is suddenly full. My eyebrows raise and I look at him waiting for his reaction.

 

[cgraven]

Her hand is so small and delicate I smile as she runs it through my fur.

“John, you are magnificent, and so soft.”

Misty’s voice is soft gentle and alive, there is no fear in her. I look deeply into her eyes, searching this soul that does not fear a beast man. She speaks again

“I can only stay a little while longer, until you are not so weak. Then I must go, but I will come back after I rest and regain my strength.”

The cup suddenly fills , a smile so soft and gentle , an arched eyebrow as she watches for my reaction. It is in that moment that I catch a glimpse of her inner spirit. It is old, much older than her body would lead the ideal observer to believe. My features are calm, my eyes steady unblinking.

“Misty your are a “Wise Woman”………… Thank you ……….. Go rest I will be all right now I am one with wolf, and he is one with me ………..we will heal quickly now.”

A tear of joy slides down my cheek for Misty’s kindness, the 1st drops of an evening shower spatter on the tent.

 

[Tammi]

Misty

“Thank you John, now you rest and get strong. If you need me just think of me.”

I gently brush away the tear from his cheek and then turn away to leave. As I near the opening of the tent I look back at him with a smile and I point to the empty corner of the tent behind him.

“The barrel is full of the warm liquid that will help you. It will stay warm and I will return before it empties.”

A barrel now stands in the empty corner and there is bread on a small table beside it.

He watches as I walk out of the tent, disappearing into a mist.

I return to my place of rest nearly drained; yet a warm feeling goes through me as I drift off to sleep thinking about the strange new friend I have made and I wonder of him.

After two days, I wake; there is silence. It is a beautiful sunny day and I feel refreshed, vibrant and happy. I wear a soft yellow dress that is light and cool. Soon I am standing in the trees hiding and keeping my distance. I watch him chopping the wood for the fire as his woodpile is very low and he seems much stronger now.

When he goes to throw the wood to the stack, he turns seeing that his woodpile has instantly grown as tall as him. I giggle softly, letting him hear me, but he cannot see me.

 

[cgraven]

Misty had left me well provided for and soon I was on my feet again. There was still a dull ache in my side the humans the normal ones where always weary of me and wolf I always had to split my nature when they where about, for the “Beast Man" would only bring out their fears reflected in the legends of the wear wolf. There was no point in trying to talk with them for fear of the unknown, the different was strong in them and only brought attack or offers to star in some cheap freak show. All my life I had hidden from them haunted the lonely places, the wild places they shun.

It has been two days and still there is no sign of the “Wise Woman” Misty. The sun is hot on my gray fur, the forest alive with the sounds of life. Squirrels chatter and chase each other through the forest canopy, the brides call out their warnings to stay clear, and the insects sing their songs. I slow there is a faint sent on the wind, her sent, my ears perk for the sound of her movement, I slow in my work the ax stilled fro a moment I wipe my brow and scan the area a patch of yellow by a tree, but she does not call out. I go to retur to my work and the pile of wood has grown to all that I could possibly neeed..

Without turning I speak softly yet I know my voice carries to her.

“Misty thank you “Wise Woman” come share a meal with me and we shall talk..”

I walk over to the fire where a simple beef stew is simmering and wait for her.

“I will not harm you….I think you know that.”

I pause as I stir the stew.

“Come eat ……Join me.”

 

[Tammi]

Misty

“You look very well John. I’m glad.”

I stepped out from the trees, smiling as I walked up to him and leaned down breathing in the aroma of what he was cooking.

“Now how could I resist something that smells this delicious?”

I look up, smiling, watching the blanket slowly dance through the air and gracefully spread out on the ground. I look back at him with a bright grin.

“We can sit there while we eat and talk if you like. I would enjoy talking to you.”

 

[cgraven]

‘Misty I would like that very much for you interest me. You are not like the other humans I have met here.”

I watched her carefully for any reaction to what I had said. It was a double edge sword that statement truth on the surface she was not like the others I had met who had seen my true nature,. That edge a statement the other a question as to her true nature for she was as the Cree would say a “Wise Woman”, a person that could control and shape nature to her will, at least to some extent. The question though was she of the good spirits or of the evil ones . Her voice and eyes where soft and gentle, but she hid part of her spirit even as I did. I wished to no more about her and her ways.


I put these thought aside for the moment as I severed up the stew in a simple wooden bowl I had made, from the clay pot it was cooked in, the spoons where of wood. There was no iron in the camp, even my ax was made of bronze.

“Misty tell me about yourself and your powers?’

The question was simple and direct.

 

[Tammi]

I search his eyes for trust, wondering how much to tell him, how much he needs to know. I know he is different than any other I have met and feel his distrust in humans the same as my own. I sense he still hides himself from me but there is a feeling that he can sense things within me that not many have been able to do. I sense his interest in me like my own curiosity of him.

I take a spoonful of the stew as I ponder his question, allowing time for the answers to his questions to come to me.

“This is very good, John. Thank you.”

I look at him again, my expression soft, yet serious.

“I have been around possibly forever, I do not know. Yet as old as I may be, my powers are actually very young and developing. I travel as the winds do going places I wish to see or places that I need to help someone. You sense when someone is near without seeing them whereas the wind carries the sounds of those that need help to me. Very few times have I actually heard voices in that wind, just the echoes of their cries for help. Your voice I heard from very far away and that is why I came.”

I pause, looking for signs of understanding in his eyes and then I continue.

“I do not have the power to give or take life. I do not have the power of nature, as I cannot produce a hurricane, tornado or storm. But I have the power to use those forces with nature such as that, to do something good or help someone in need. Although there are times when the emotions I am feeling, strengthen a storm for example or weakens one. My other powers are just simple ones right now, such as the blanket falling, yet they will grow. These things I know in my heart, yet no one has ever told me of them, but I do not question that. I do know that I cannot use these powers to bring harm or to hurt, for something bad would happen if I did that. Again this is just something that exists within me and I do not question where it comes from.”

I look at him waiting for his reaction.

 

[cgraven]

Misty approaches the fire her body silhouette through her yellow dress. There is a natural grace and flow to her movement that is so different then the other humans I have met. She seems at ease in my company. She taste the soup blowing on it her lips parsed.

“This is very good, John. Thank you.”

There is a pause , her voice soft gentle like a breeze in summer she begins to speak.

“I have been around possibly forever, I do not know. Yet as old as I may be, my powers are actually very young and developing………………….Very few times have I actually heard voices in that wind, just the echoes of their cries for help. Your voice I heard from very far away and that is why I came.”………………………………… “I do not have the power to give or take life. I do not have the power of nature,…………….. I do know that I cannot use these powers to bring harm or to hurt, for something bad would happen if I did that. Again this is just something that exists within me and I do not question where it comes from.”


I listen to her my eyes watch her eyes, her body movements I observer all to see if there is any signs of deceit in her and I find none.


“You are a “Wind Walker” among the Cree such things are still known but are never spoken of.”

There is no surprise or shock in my voice just simple acceptance of a fact, a fact that should be well known. I look deep into her eyes before I let the last barriers to my spirit, the last veil slip so that she may see the truth that lays behind what I am and who I am.”

“ Among the Cree it is told that long ago before the coming of the French and the English when the world was new that the tribes of man and of the animals lived as men do today, in villages. They each could take the shape of the other, be it deer, rabbit, lynx, man, or Wolf.”

I pause, eat more of the stew, again search her eyes then continue.

“ Jealousy arose between the tribes and they each begin to keep to themselves holding their own form. They no longer hunted together but warred and Man won. The others scattered deep in the forest. It is said that some in each tribe retained the knowledge of the old ways. My Father was one. My Mother and Grand father met him deep in the forest, I was born. My grand father was mad and killed my father, my mother died when I was young. I see both worlds I see the threads that bind nature and the power that flows along those threads, and I can shift my shape, to become any living thing of the forest.”

I know that she must think me mad, all have in the past. But maybe this time it will be different. There is loneliness in me that aches.

 

[Tammi]

Misty

I continue to eat the stew he has made and listen carefully, hearing the truth in his words as he tells his story. I am in awe at what he tells me, never having met anyone before that walked the earth differently like I have done for so long. I smile at him, fascinated with his tale, yet I sense the sadness in him as he tells it.

“……I see both worlds I see the threads that bind nature and the power that flows along those threads, and I can shift my shape, to become any living thing of the forest.”

My eyes brighten, wondering what it must be like to be able to change like that, to be any creature you wanted to be.

“John your story intrigues me. There are many things I can do, but I cannot be a rabbit bouncing happily, or a bird soaring through the skies, not even a butterfly resting on all the beautiful flowers they find.”

I take another spoonful of the stew, finishing it and see that he is looking at me curiously. I sense he is trying to figure out my acceptance of what he is. In the blink of an eye, he sees before him, me as a young child wide eyed and I giggle. And with another blink of an eye, there is an old woman, with black scraggly hair and toothless.

“Oops, sorry if that one scared you!” I burst out laughing and change back to myself. “As you can see, I can change but only my appearance not my form as you can.”

 

[cgraven]

I smile as the innocent child giggles and awed by the wisdom in the toothless hags eyes. Neither scares me for they are Misty the quite gentleness of her eyes the same the soul that wanders this world the same. I remain calm, then a shy smile creeps across my face.

“Misty you do not scare me, no matter the face the spirit is the same.”

I slowly take her small delicate hands in mine.

“Relax close your eyes.”

I search the area around my camp, then I spy a small red squirrel eating a pine cone for his noon day meal slowly I let my spirit reach out, I seek the unseen, threads that flow through nature like stream I wrap my spirit around Misty’s then slowly around my tiny red brother. We see through his eyes the forest sent sweet, the seed of the pine cone a nutty flavor that dances on our pallets. Slowly I ease back he is free of our intrusion she is aging herself as my hands slip from hers.

My eyes are sad for I have seen a fleeting glance of what she was lived and hang my head in shame for the intrusion meant only to be an innocent gift.

“I am sorry I should not have intruded Misty.”

 

[Tammi]

I close my eyes as he takes my hand and I am filled with joy and wonder. To feel like such a small creature among such a vast forest, without fear, yet aware of every noise, every movement. The very sent of the forest so pronounced that I breath in deeply, the fragrance is so enchanting and the taste of the nut, delightful, fulfilling. I have never felt so touched and moved by something so simple as I have now.

With our spirit within the creature, I also see some of the things that John spoke of in his life and I feel glimpses of my own life opened. It is such a strange feeling to have someone that close, and at first I am frightened by what he may see.

As quickly as I felt that, I felt John pulling us away and I know that he does this out of respect for the creature as well as myself. I sense the shame in him and yet I am confused at why, for he has not done this to harm nor hurt.

“I am sorry I should not have intruded Misty.”

“John please do not be ashamed, I have never experienced such a simple, but wonderful thing before and I thank you.”

I brush my hand lightly across his face and then raise his chin so that he can look into my eyes and see that I am truly happy with his gift.

“I know that by doing this you have seen things inside me, my only fear is that they may be harmful to you as you may not understand them.”

My voice is soft and sincere as I speak. I wish to show him that there is nothing wrong in what he has done, for he has done it with a pure heart. I take his hand, squeezing it and within a blink of an eye there is a soft breeze and a comforting warmth surrounding us.

The air is cold, there is snow all around, the campfire is burning brightly and you can hear the crackling of the wood as it burns. We are up high in the mountains where you can almost touch the clouds. I have a white coat on, along with a hat, gloves and boots and I kneel by the fire to warm myself against the chilling air.

“It was much to warm for you where you were. This should better for now unless you would prefer to go back.”

 

[cgraven]

With great respect I listen to Misty’s words and my heart is at peace. Then in the twinkling of an eye we are high in the mountains the snow firm, the air brisk, the wind mild as it dies away. “Wind Walking” I know the legends but never did I imagine that I would have the opportunity to experience it. A broad smile of pure pleasure creases my gray muzzle.

“It was much to warm for you where you were. This should better for now unless you would prefer to go back.”

“No I love the snow the clod the white chirpiness of the winter…. This is wonderful Misty”

In her white coat my heart skips a beat she look so like an artic wolf I let the human form slip and I am De Loupe frolicking in the snow bouncing jumping leaping turning summer salts in my joy of it all. Slowly I regain my normal countenance.

“Thank you so much for this gift Misty”

 

[Tammi]

Misty

I see his smile and the look of pleasure in his eyes at the snow around us and my heart is filled with joy seeing the happiness that this has brought him. I laugh and giggle as he changes form and watching him frolic and bounce in the snow.

“Thank you so much for this gift Misty”

“You are most welcome. My goodness John, can you change into any form or appearance you want? How wonderful to have such a gift.”

I smile brightly at him, I cannot remember when my heart has felt so light and happy. A smile comes across his face as he looks in my eyes and I sense he knows the wonderful feeling it is to be oneself with another as he can see that in mine also. It feels as if I am young again, my spirit rejuvenated by his presence, his joy and his happiness.

I know that it will be getting dark soon, and will get much colder, yet there are thousands of things I would like to do at this moment, having not felt this energy and excitement in such a long time. An idea bursts in my head.

“John, let’s go for a sleigh ride before it gets too dark. Have you ever done that before? I have never. We won’t go far and there is no else around. It will be fun.”

My excitement is heard in my voice as my words flow quickly and I reach over and take his hand, it warms mine even through my gloves.

“Picture the sleigh John and what should pull it.”

I look deep into his eyes, searching for what he sees, as it begins to appear before us.

 

[cgraven]

John Cloud Dancer

“You are most welcome. My goodness John, can you change into any form or appearance you want? How wonderful to have such a gift.”

Our eyes meet and for the 1st time all the barriers all the little masks that we place around our spirits to protect them are gone. Yes all the guardian “False Faces” gone and the joy I feel I also see in Misty’s eyes, there is now a lightness of spirit that manifests it self in her physically no longer is hers the appearance of a young woman in her mid twenties but a young girl no more than 22 the first kiss of womanhood fresh on her cheeks.

“John, let’s go for a sleigh ride before it gets too dark. Have you ever done that before? I have never. We won’t go far and there is no else around. It will be fun.”

There is a girlish excitement in her voice, her words come rushing, singing like a mountain stream ,laughing, playing, and running down from the snowfield on its long journey to the sea. A joy and happiness barely contained by its banks.

“Picture the sleigh John and what should pull it.”

My mind starts to draw a picture, first of the toboggan and sled dogs of my youth in the lad of the Cree, but I let it slip. Then of the rustic French Canadian sleigh of my days at the Indian school that to I leave unfinished and it to fades. Finally with a mischievous smile in my eyes, I reach back far into my distant memories of childhood, to the tales the old ones told around the fires, on the long cold winters of the north, to the Chenoo and his wondrous log sleigh, its ice runners, pulled by the great “White Bear” of the north. This is the image I complete for Misty, an image of magic and folk tales.

 

[Tammi]

I giggle softly, squeezing his hand tightly as he pictures several different sleighs before imagining the log sleigh with its ice runners and the white bear. There is a feeling of magic in the air as his vision appears before us. My eyes widen, my face beaming with excitement and joy, at the delightful sleigh and the beautiful white bear.

“Perfect John, perfect.”

Still holding his hand I pull him along with me and get into the sleigh. I sit close, leaning against him when he gets in, enjoying the warmth of his body next to me. Blankets cover us and I giggle anxiously with excitement, my heart feeling young and I can hear it pounding with the thrill of this new adventure at hand.

“Okay, let’s go!”

Our ride begins, both of us laughing and giggling like children as we enjoy the leisurely ride up and down the snow covered hills in the mountains. Now and then we spot a stray deer or rabbit, which glance at us and I sense a smile on even their faces as they watch us. I lay my head against him, caught up in the moment wanting to cherish every minute of it.

Dusk is just beginning and there is a biting chill in the air as the wind picks up. I cuddle closer to him and hug the blankets around me, I know that we should get back but I am reluctant to let go of this magic moment. As we descend down a steep cliff, I look at him, mischief in my eyes and wish on the wind to carry us back.

“I couldn’t resist John. This is just so magical and beautiful, it made me want to see it from above.”

I laugh softly and look down, seeing the tops of the trees and the snow covered ground.