Caution readers... Implied violance in this chapter. I will try my best to keep it as PG as possible.
After some time, Eternal Blossom and Snow Fox went before the Chief and her parents with the customary dowry and request marriage rights. Her parents agreed. Before taking her to prepare for the wedding, being superstitious by nature, they also warned him of the possibility of a curse that her former husband had claimed. Snow Fox stated that if she was then it should have affected him by now.
Yet the Former husband was the only one who was having misfortune. He had been out hunting with other warriors and had fallen from a ridge after being chased by a bear on one instance. Another time he had been gathering wood just to have a hive fall on his back getting stung mercilessly. If not for Snow Fox putting medicines on him to extract the bee venom and reduce the swelling, while chanting healing prayers, he would have died. Yet another day he was sprayed by skunks when gathering berries. His new wife was ashamed and refused to let him enter their lodge for a week. He was made to sleep in a leaky lean-to. Needless to say both large and small episodes kept happening to him. He could not think of why Great Spirit was punishing him. He never once thought it was his own doing. All he could think to do was blame Blossom for his misfortune thinking that she had been the cause.
The next morning Eternal Blossom was brought back by her family and had prepared her for the union. Her hair was twined into two long braids, then were encased in white rabbit fur and leather strips. A feathered and beaded crown was placed upon her head. Long strings of beads adorned her neck. She was wearing a soft, long fringed, light Doe skin dress that had been passed from her sister to her. White rabbit skin moccasins gently wrapped her feet. Her hand clutched an Eagle feather fan. Lastly her face was painted with pale blue stirpes made from ground minerals and oils, a sight to behold, she was lovely.
Her Father, with puffed up chest presented her to the Chief. "I, Eternal Thorn, and my wife Summer Wind, do here by present our youngest daughter, Eternal Blossom for marriage rights to Snow Fox. May Great Spirit bless this union."
"I, Snow Fox, wish to take Eternal Blossom as my bride. How say you brother?"
"As Chief of our clan, I, Snow Owl grant this union. May no one other than our Grandfather, Great Spirit, part this union, lest death be their consequences. Grandfather bless this couple for all of their days to come. Step forth Atsila Tsi La and place the binding pelt over the hands of your Father's and new Mother's to conclude the ceremony."
Atsila (Fire Fox) tip toes up and places the pelt and then tugs his father's shirt. "Father don't forget to lick her face," he whispers in a mischievous little voice, as he turns bright red, and runs away laughing.
Taken aback by the little devil, Snow Fox laughed. Then he turned and leaned in to kiss his scarlet faced bride. As the kiss brings her out of her shock, Eternal Blossom faints. Just before she hits the ground Snow Fox scoops her up and carries her back to their lodge. After the sun reached the center of the sky above (noon), Eternal Blossom regained consciousness, looking up she sees Snow Fox and his son watching over her and putting wet cool cloths on her head and chest. Relieved to see her awakened, Snow Fox sends word out to everyone waiting that she is alright. Everyone then goes to prepare the wedding feast. The rest of the day on into the late night the entire clan, except for Eternal Blossom's ex-husband, sings, dances, and feasts. His current wife brings him food and water but he refuses to join the festivities. He silently grumbles to himself cursing the newly wed couple. He knows that he owes Snow Fox his life, but he also has the blame and sourness in his heart against Eternal Blossom.
Returning to his lodge conflicts rage through his mind and heart. Once his wife returns to their lodge in the night he tears apart her hide dress, throws her to their pelt bedding, and ravages her forcefully to vent his rage and internal conflict. Once morning comes she is huddled in a corner of the lodge unable to move and shaking. He on the other hand is shocked at how she looks. Aggrieved he reaches for her just to see her shirk away from his hands. Lifting her up he carries her to the steam to clean her up. Placing her in the water he sees her bruised body and the fear in her eyes. Remorse washes over his face. He cleans her gently and wrapped her up in a soft woven blanket. Once he returns her to their lodge he promises her to never treat her in such a way again. Holding her tightly he feels her body shivering. Swallowing his pride he leaves and walks to Snow Fox's lodge and awakens him by pounding his fist against the entryway. Snow Fox Wraps a loincloth upon himself quickly and comes out. As the only Medicine man of the clan he follows the remorseful man to his lodge. On entry he sees a frightened, shaking woman. Directly he advises the man to fetch the midwife of the clan to assist with checking her over. As he does this, the woman tells Snow Fox the events of the night as she cries painfully. As the midwife comes in she instructs the man to wait outside. Once they are through with checking her over and bandaging her wounds, the midwife notices a deep cut on her genital region and sews it with sinnue and a porcupine quill needle, as Snow Fox holds her still.
Exiting the lodge Snow Fox lands a punch to the man's jaw with such force that the man crumbles to the ground then turns to walk away. Stopping he speaks without facing him, "If this is the way you treat your women it is no wonder your first child did not make it into this world. Do not let me find out that history repeats itself with your current wife or I will personally tear your arms off." Leaving he does not turn back. The man slumps upon the ground trying to take in all that has been said and all that has happened. The midwife then comes to stand in front of him. She explains to him that she has lost a lot of blood and the extent of her injuries, next she hits him with the biggest bombshell.
"You should never treat a woman who is with child in such a manner, I do not care what is going on with you, but if you wish to see your child enter this world safely you had better become this poor creatures slave until she gives birth. Shame on you for treating her so roughly. Take these next days to pray to Great Spirit and repent in every way possible to your wife. For now she needs rest and care. I will return in a couple of days time to check back on her."
In his shocked state he stares at the midwife as she scolds him. 'With Child! She's with child?', he has reverberating through his head.
"Are you even listening to me?," the midwife yells. Clearing his muddled mind he nods profusely. "Good!," she states, "Then go in and start tending to her then! And for all that is Holy if she starts to have a fever, chills, or anything unusual come and get me or Snow Fox immediately!"