Before the Council actually convened, Akonha spoke briefly with Chief Innowe, who was always rather surprised to hear the Silent Hawk say anything. After his brief requests and a respectful bow, the two men shared a smile, then Akonha went in search of Wahrune, Enonai's father. He rerouted him from the Council meeting, with sufficient look and tone to his voice to make the man know that this was an important matter. A look, passed between Wahrune and the chief, sanctioned it as well.

As the two men entered Enonai's family lodge, she suddenly got nervous. She tried to concentrate on the cooking and not listen to the greetings more than acknowledging them. She was afraid to let Akonha's eyes catch hers, fearing she would burst into an excited giggle and maybe throw him off his mission.

Wahrune sat comfortably on the packed dirt floor with his legs crossed and gestured for Akonha to do the same. He did so, seeming to take great care in getting situated and putting on the appearance of the same comfortable ease. Without being asked, Amonee joined them and sat on her feet, just behind and to the side of her husband. He narrowed his eyes at her over his shoulder then looked across to Enonai who seemed to be working awfully hard at a simple meal. He tried not to let his amusement show when his gaze returned to the young hunter seated before him. Of course he had a hint of what the hunter wanted. His wife had been quietly speaking her hopes of it for many days.

Akonha didn't want to but had to clear his throat before speaking. "First, of Kai... He is an excellent scout. Very useful on the journey to the Flats and back." It's not at all what he wanted to blurt out but he thought it best to work into the larger matter. Kai was a year younger than Akonha, as he had discovered, and he had indeed been impressed with him.

There was a nod and proud smile from the father. "Yes, he is easily distracted in other things but when on duty, he seems to be at one with his skills." He gauged this young hunter and his nervousness but was impressed by how well he controlled it. He also remembered being in this situation, asking for Amonee to come to his lodge and be his wife. Again he had to flex his jaw to suppress a grin. "You are skilled as well, so I hear from others, of course. You say very little in Council."

Akonha nodded and smiled. "I learned that most of hunting is listening, whether for prey or solutions."

Good answer, Wahrune thought, but his only reaction was an arched brow.

"I also trust my elders to have more knowledge in most things than I have myself."

Wahrune had to smile at this. The hunter seemed sincere enough, even if he was only speaking what a father might want to hear. "With your skills and such wisdom, you have gained much respect, Silent Hawk."

Akonha hesitated then looked quite pointedly into Wahrune's eyes. "I had hoped you would feel I had earned enough respect..."

This was it. Did any of the four of them dare breathe as he wound around to the question?

"That is, I would ask, respectfully, for your daughter..."

He hesitated long enough that one could almost hear mental voices shouting her name, in case he'd nervously forgotten it.

"Enonai... to come live in my lodge after a joining ceremony this night."

The room seemed to exhale as Akonha hastily added. "I spoke with Chief Innowe earlier." He wanted the father to know that the ceremony had been approved.

Enonai nearly dropped a bowl of meal. Bad enough that it clanked against another bowl as she chased to save it. Only Amonee looked over at her though. Akonha was more concerned about whether her father's unerring gaze had seen his chest thump at the unexpected reminder of her presence. He dared not look to see if the strands of hide on his shirt were shaking or if he was drenched in nervous sweat.

Wahrune arched a brow. "Hmmm... rather sudden and hurried, I think." He seemed to be prepared for taking great pleasure in pondering this, slowly, then suddenly he grunted. Amonee had poked him in the back. She knew this was not precisely a surprise to him. She had been discussing her suspicions about Enonai and the hunter all along. Akonha clenched his jaws but there was still a hint of humor on his face. He was no longer worried that his request would be refused. It appeared that Amonee was behind the decision, literally.

Without looking back at his wife, Wahrune posed an angle he was sure she would not dispute. "I am concerned that my daughter will have no support at your lodge, Akonha. You've no mother, no sisters, none to help her." Amonee made a rather disgruntled sound. She recognized this trick from her sly fox husband and knew it had nothing to do with her daughter or this fine young hunter. It was just his way of getting her back for the poke.

Akonha had his suspicions about this point too but kept calm and looked past Wahrune to Amonee with all sincerity. "It is true. My mother was returned to the earth some time ago and I have no sisters." He then glanced aside to Enonai who was frozen in her duties of preparing the food and watching the prospects of her future being played out. Akonha smiled softly to his love and kept the smile as he looked back to Amonee. "...but I thought perhaps, there was room in this mother's heart for another son and a wish to keep her daughter close."

He was sure he saw a teardrop form in the corner of Amonee's eye but he drew his gaze back to Wahrune, who half expected his wife to give him a serious shove this time.

"It is your decision, of course, but I love Enonai and will care for her as best I can, until the earth reclaims me." Akonha relaxed then. He'd said all he knew to say. Now he could only wait to hear the father's response.

Wahrune put his hand to his chin thoughtfully as he half-glanced back at his wife, daring her to touch him. He then turned to look across at his daughter. It had been too long since he'd seen such wide-eyed hope in her face. He could look at her this way forever. It so reminded him of his little girl but now she was asked for and he had to answer. He pretended not to hear Amonee's quiet clearing of her throat as he extended his hand toward Enonai. "Come, daughter."

Enonai released her white knuckled grasp on the meal bowl and scrambled to sit on her feet, between her father and Akonha. The three of them regarded each other as Enonai blushed at such attention and the situation.

"What say you, Catkins?" Wahrune already knew from her behavior but could not help teasing. "Do you have wish to tend this hunter's home and live so close to your mother and--" Amonee poked him in the back again before he got himself into too much trouble with her. He grunted and redirected his comments. "You are a beautiful young woman and there are many hunters and warriors you might chose from."

Enonai looked at her father, blushing more deeply now. She shook her head then turned to catch Akonha's gaze. Her voice was choked and quiet. "No, father... None could mean as much to me as this hunter, this warrior." Akonha swallowed hard at her profession before her parents.

Wahrune leaned to kiss the side of his daughter's head then rose to his feet and patted his stomach. "Well then, that seems settled and I hear the feasting beginning outside. Let us eat our fill with the others then we have a joining ceremony to attend."

Amonee sat firm, extending her hand up for Wahrune's help in rising. He grinned and flashed his eyes at her. When at last she smiled back to him, he offered his hand and his help. They exchanged amused whispers as they picked up two of the food bowls and left to join the celebration outside.

Akonha and Enonai were still gazing at each other. He raised up to kneel before her on one knee. She looked up into his face. She could hardly believe that this night had come. His hand slipped into her hair, fingertips brushing the nape of her neck as he found the button braid. Enonai rose to her knees and slid her hand over his shoulder and beneath his hair to do the same. They soon folded together in a kiss.

Again their deep kiss was interrupted as Kai burst into the lodge. "Hurry up! Mother wants you to bring the other food!" He was there and gone again, before either of them registered his presence. Reluctantly, their lips parted. They gathered up the rest of the food, at least as much as Enonai had finished preparing. She emerged from the lodge giggling at Akonha's parting comment, "Please tell me you have not learned your mother's prodding?" Just as he came out, Enonai playfully poked him in the ribs with her elbow, then they proceeded to the feasting.

( Continued Page 10 or back)