Epilogue

There is no place to be saved except in the sky.

A song sung by Okinai in the legend “The Seven Brothers (Great Bear)” or the Big Dipper

—The Old North Trail, Walter McClintock

 

The two lovers slowly made their way back down the mountain, having circled around the bear without fear, as though the creature were now a long-lost friend.

They had gone back to their home, back to their reservation, back to start their lives together. But another one still remained. And gradually, as slowly as the world spins on its axis, the bear was changing its form too, becoming Gilda.

Tears streamed down her face as she gazed up into the sky. “Hear me, my mother, my father. I have accomplished it at last.” She spoke in Blackfeet, and watched as the two heavenly bodies began to separate. “That which I began in adversity, I have finished in love. My work here is done. Please, Mother, Father, may I come home?”

For answer, the sun bathed her in golden, ethereal beams. And as a large eagle drifted slowly to the earth, coming to land beside her, Gilda laughed, climbing slowly onto its back. Powerfully, with a vigorous kickoff, it lifted up, soaring into the air, carrying Gilda up high, high, higher, until finally it reached the home of Sun.

It is said that it was on this day that a new star was born. And as the legend goes, if you look very closely at night, you can see Gilda there in the sky, looking down upon the earth, shining brightly and lighting the way for her sister, the Star Bride, and her sister’s dearest, truest love…

Ah, at last. They had all come home…