She had come from Hawaii seeking peace, and she found it beside a quiet lake deep in the American forest. Every day she returned—sometimes to think, sometimes simply to breathe—and over time a young Native man named Takoda began to notice. He was the Chief’s son, strong but gentle, and he admired the way she treated the land with respect. Eventually he introduced himself, and their easy conversations by the water slowly grew into something deeper. The tribe welcomed her warmly, and the lake became the place that belonged to both of them.

After several days away on a hunting trip, Takoda returned to the village. People greeted him with bows out of tradition, but the first thing he asked was, “Where is she?” Someone laughed softly and said she was probably at the lake again. Takoda shook his head with a smile.

When he found her sitting at the shore, he teased, “I wouldn’t be surprised if you moved the tent here at this point,” before settling beside her. She looked nervous, and after a quiet moment, she told him she was pregnant.

Takoda froze, then broke into a wide, joyful grin. He took her hands, voice full of fierce tenderness as he said, “As long as I breathe and walk this realm, no one will harm you. And our little one—heir to two worlds—will be protected. You reminded me how to be happy again.” He brushed his forehead against hers. “Shall we name the baby after your father or your grandmother, to honor their kindness—boy or girl?”

The lake shimmered softly behind them, as if blessing their future.