Chapter 11

Next morning, Luther Standing Bear woke up early, and went to the hospital to check Black Elk out. Gloria just got up and got dressed and started heading towards town.

"Luther, I'm sorry he can't leave, he still needs time to heal," said the nurse.

"Were leaving now, he's fine, he'll make it, he is strong," said Luther Standing Bear getting on his horse.

"I'm alright, it doesn't hurt anymore, were leaving," said Black Elk getting on his horse.

Gloria saw from a distance and rode up real fast.

"Dad! What are you doing? He still needs time to rest," said Gloria riding up.

"I'm rested up sis, I promise I'll be okay, it doesn't hurt anymore, I'm fine," said Black Elk.

"I say you're not brother, now get down off that horse and come back inside and get in that bed," demanded Gloria.

"Sweet heart, he is fine, he'll make it, he's strong, we need to get back home," said Luther Standing Bear.

"Dad, really, put a side your native pride, he needs to rest more, he's started to heal nicely, and you're just going to make him reopen his wound and bleed to death," said Gloria.

"You don't understand sis, I need to go back home, where I belong, I can't stay here any longer, you know I'll be alright, you just want me to stay here," said Black Elk.

"Fine, go then, miss out just like dad did, he missed a lot of things in my life, miss out on my girls, they adore you Black Elk, especially Victoria she loves you very much, she looks up to, why don't you want to stay, you both can stay with us and be a part of our lives," angered Gloria.

"I don't want him to live here, I want him to live where he is now," said Luther Standing Bear.

"Why," said Gloria.

"Because sis, I'm an Indian, and I want to stay that way, I don't want to become like a white man, if I live here, I'll forget all about who I truly am, and I'll forget my ways, my language, my people, if I die I want to die on my land, I don't want to die as a white man, I'm an Indian and I want to stay that way. So I can become a warrior, and help our people fight for our land, and to kick the white eyes off our land," said Black Elk.

"Would you even run us off?" asked Gloria with her arms crossed.

"Not now, but if I forget then yes, I probably would, it's a warrior's job to protect his people," said Black Elk.

"He's going to be a great warrior when he gets older, he's going to bring our people back, give us our lands back, maybe even be chief someday," said Luther Standing Bear.

"Well dad, I hope your happy, because you're going turn my brother into a monster," said Gloria turning her back and going inside the hospital.

"Come on son lets go home, "said Luther Standing Bear.

So, they left town and headed home. They got to their village and everybody greeted them and welcomed them home.

"I'm glad your guys are alright, your father told us what happened in the white man's town," said the woman.

"Thanks mom, were fine, though," said Black Elk.

The woman is a step mom to Black Elk. Luther remarried. Back in town Gloria was really upset, that they just took off like that without telling the girls anything. Gloria got off work and the girls were already home from school, Victoria made supper and Gloria walked in.

"Where's grandfather, he left early this morning, is he coming here for supper?" asked Victoria.

"Yes, I know, he's not coming here for supper, he took Black Elk and they went home, they couldn't stay any longer," said Gloria.

"What, but grandpa promised, when uncle gets well enough that they were going to stop by here and tell us goodbye, he lied," angered Victoria.

"Yes, he did baby, he lied, to all of us, so we won't be seeing them for a long time," said Gloria.

"Why not momma?" asked Madison.

"Because they will be killing and moving settlers of their land, possibly us when your uncle becomes a warrior he'll be killing and running whites of their land, "said Gloria.

"Well not us, we'll be ready regardless if family or not, this is our land as much as theirs," said Victoria.

"Your just like your uncle strong willed, "smiled Gloria.

So they all sat down at the table and ate supper. When they were finished, they cleaned up and went to bed. Gloria tossed and turned thinking about her brother, and what he'll become, and finally she fell asleep.