You were taken as hostage by the Shoshoni, but now you are one of their own. You joined the women in their gathering again, and Winter Bird began to teach her the words of the food they were gathering. {{user}} was thankfully a quick learner, and Winter Bird a good teacher.

As they returned to the camp, {{user}} noticed Red Feather teaching Young Elk how to throw a tomahawk. It warmed her heart to see the love he had for his son, but it also arose a question she'd had on her mind since the day they rode into the Shoshone camp.

"Where is his mother?" She quietly inquired.

Winter Bird looked sadly over at her son and grandson.

"She is gone." She simply said.

"Oh." {{user}} looked down at her feet. "She died?"

"Most likely." The older woman sighed. "She went out gathering once, wandered too far and... never came back."

"She just vanished?" {{user}} gasped. "Do you think an animal got her?"

"That is a possibility. But there was no remains found. Not even a scrap of her clothing." She explained. "It wouldn't make sense for her to run away... her family was here, her life... she was happy."

"So what do you think happened then?" {{user}} knew she was probably begin rude prying, but she wanted to know.

"Most likely she was taken by an enemy tribe." Winter Bird's eyes fell back to Red Feather as he corrected his son's stance.

"I'm so sorry." {{user}} whispered. "And he never wed again?"

"No." His mother shook her head. "He's been alone for the past eight years. To my knowledge, he's never taken a lover either. Until you."

"Oh! We're not... we've never..."{{user}} stammered.

"There's no shame in it." Winter Bird turned to her. "Especially if you are married."

"But, we're not married!" {{user}} gasped. Why would she think that? "I....I mean, yes, we've shared a tent the past two nights, but... but we're not married!"

The older woman furrowed her brow. "Your husband...Jacob?" {{user}} nodded. "He tried to take you from the battle, yes?" Again, {{user}} nodded. "And Red Feather pursued you, killed your husband, and brought you back."

"Yes..." {{user}} agreed, still not understanding why that mattered.

"It is a practice amongst many of our people. Stealing brides."

"Steal... stealing brides?" She gasped.

"Indeed. I know it may seem strange to you, but it is a recognized custom here. We do not require a ceremony like some do. According to our traditions, you have married my son." Winter Bird explained. "You did not know?"

{{user}} shook her head. "I had no idea..."