Weak in Body, Strong in Mind and Spirit
Chapter 18: Diamonds

We didn’t move fast traveling back from the Five Brothers. Kathryn was enjoying the ride, as were Dick, Kimberly, and Pamela.

“This is just too freaking awesome!” projected Kathryn to no one in particular.

“It is just a saying, Madu. It means she likes it,” said Pamela.

But we soon reached Kathryn’s conveyance. Ouragan gently set Kathryn down.

“Thank you, Madu and Puyallup,” said Kathryn. “But especially you, Ouragan.”

Ouragan was visibly moved by her words.

“I didn’t do anything but carry you,” he answered quietly.

“No, thank you for being my friend,” said Kathryn.

Now Ouragan was really moved. Tears welled up in his eyes.

“I’m so sorry Aurora couldn’t help you,” he said softly, “and I pray I didn’t get your hopes up and that you were disappointed.”

“No,” said Kathryn, “But I know what I’m dealing with. Some people deal with worse.”

Ouragan managed a weak smile.

“Kathryn, your chariot awaits!” said Dick.

“Conveyance, Madu,” said Pamela as she shot me the look.

“Will this mindspeak thing work between Dick and me once we’re home?” asked Kathryn.

“I don’t know, Kathryn,” replied Pamela. “At first David and I couldn’t and had to mindspeak through Madu, but now we can. I can’t explain it.”

“OK. I hope so,” she said.

“Me too,” said Dick with a big grin.

“Are you going to visit us again, Kathryn?” asked Ouragan.

“Abso-freakin-lutely!” said Kathryn.

“That means yes,” said Pamela.

Dick loaded Kathryn in her chariot and it took them away. We watched until they were out of sight and then turned and walked slowly back towards Chase Lake. The sun was setting behind the mountains to the west. I picked up Pamela and Puyallup Kimberly.

“I see your special attraction to Pamela, Madu,” said Ouragan. “And yours to Kimberly, Puyallup.”

“I know. It is hard to explain. There is something about Female Little People that is warm and comforting,” I answered. “I don’t understand why they seem fond of their Males though. Puzzling.”

“Their Males are easy to kill, though,” said Ouragan. “Not that I like killing them. Just that it’s easy.”

“Let’s hope we don’t feel a need to kill anymore,” said Puyallup. “I don’t think the Earth Mother approves.”

“No, probably not,” I answered.

We were soon at Chase Lake and headed towards the Five Brothers. As we crested a hill and could see the Five Brothers off in the distance, Ouragan stopped.

“This is, indeed, a beautiful view,” said Ouragan. “I didn’t really notice before until Kathryn made me stop to admire it.”

Puyallup and I smiled at each other.

“Welcome to the world of Female Little People,” I said.

We then continued, and were soon stopped by a sentry. It was Gilyuk.

“Welcome home,” said Gilyuk.

“Thank you,” said Ouragan.

“Hello Pamela and Kimberly,” said Gilyuk.

“Hi Gilyuk!” said Pamela and Kimberly in unison.

“Please wait,” said Gilyuk.

“We know the routine,” said Ouragan.

We moved off to the side and sat as Gilyuk listened intently. After a short time, he said “You may proceed.”

We were stopped two more times. This is only a minor inconvenience, I thought, for the safety of the Tribes. But in short order we arrived at the camp. We walked over to the Circle of Elders, but nothing was being discussed.

“The People are arising,” said Ouragan. “But I think I need a nap.”

Ouragan turned and walked away.

“How about you, Puyallup and Madu?” asked Kimberly.

“I’m not really tired,” said Puyallup.

“Nor am I,” I answered.

“Let’s take a walk to your peaceful place at Fisher Lake,” said Kimberly.

“Good idea,” said Pamela. “I can call David.”

We slowly made our way to Fisher Lake and the ledge overlooking it. We sat quietly and admired the view. The sun was setting in the western sky. It was very peaceful.

“Let’s call David,” said Pamela.

We all nodded.

“David? Can you hear me? It’s me,” she channeled through Madu.

“Hi me,” said David.

“How is everything in Florida?”

“The usual,” he replied. “The dogs are making me nuts, and the goats are almost out of hay. So when are you coming home?”

“Soon, I think,” replied Pamela.

“How is Kimberly?” asked David.

“I’m doing great,” said Kimberly.

“Hi Kim!” said David.

“I’m here with Madu and Puyallup too,” said Pamela.

“Hi guys,” said David.

Madu and Puyallup looked at me questioningly.

“It means ‘males’,” said Pamela.

“Hi Males?” asked Puyallup, looking confused. “What an odd greeting.”

Pamela and Kimberly giggled.

“Guess who visited the Five Brothers?” asked Pamela.

“Someone visited? With permission?” asked David.

“Yep. Dick and Kathryn,” said Pamela. “We all met them at the end of Pinnacle Road and Ouragan carried Kathryn, wheelchair and all, to the camp to have Aurora examine her.”

“Could Aurora help Kathryn?” asked David.

“Not with the MS. Aurora said that she has no cure for that,” said Pamela. “But she was helped in another way.”

“That’s too bad that Aurora couldn’t treat her MS,” said David. “Kathryn must have been disappointed.”

“If she was, she didn’t show it,” answered Pamela.

“How was Kathryn helped?” asked David.

“As you know, Kathryn can’t speak much anymore,” said Pamela.

“I know. She’s a real pistol too. She used to come into my store and give me hell because of the lip at the front door that made it hard to get her wheelchair in.”

“That would be Kathryn!” laughed Pamela.

“So how was she helped?”

“Well, mindspeak,” said Pamela. “She connected to Ouragan and Aurora right away, and now we’re all connected,” said Pamela. “She can now talk to Dick again, and Dick with her.”

“Dick too?”

“Yep. They’re life partners and deeply connected,” said Pamela.

Pamela glanced at Puyallup and me and noticed that we were struggling to understand what was being said.

“Later, Madu and Puyallup,” said Pamela.

“That’s awesome,” said David.

“Yes it is. Kathryn’s MS couldn’t be cured, but her spirits were boosted immensely,” said Pamela. “She got to go on a Sasquatch ride, meet Sasquatch face to face, and to even address the Elders. Everyone was very kind to her. And to Dick too, sort of.”

“I know the feeling,” laughed David. “They love you, but only tolerate me.”

Pamela and Kimberly giggled some more.

“The Elders invited Kathryn back to visit anytime she wants,” said Pamela. “They were very taken with her.”

“Will she, do you suppose?” asked David.

“Yes, no doubt,” she replied.

“I think we’re done here,” said Pamela, “but would you mind if I stayed a bit longer? I’m really enjoying time with Kimberly, and my big friends.”

“Sure,” said David. “I know how much you miss all of them. We’re fine. Although I think the dogs are worried that you won’t come back and they’ll be stuck with just me.”

Pamela smiled.

“OK, I’ll check in with you later,” she answered. “Bye, I love you.”

“Bye, I love you too,” said David.

“You talk funny,” said Puyallup. “Although I understand your words, I don’t know what many of them mean.”

“We often speak in idioms and phrases,” said Pamela. “We know what it means.”

“I hope so,” he answered.

We decided to sit awhile and enjoy the lake’s serenity.

“Oh, look!” said Kimberly pointing.

A full moon was just rising over the mountain.

“It’s beautiful,” she said.

“Yes it is,” said Pamela.

Puyallup and I nodded in agreement. It was indeed beautiful. After a short time, it was just high enough to cast reflections on the water, making it sparkle.

“It looks like diamonds,” said Kimberly wistfully.

“Yes, it does,” I said.

Pamela and Kimberly looked at me.

“You know of diamonds?” asked Pamela.

“Of course,” I replied. “I have some that I keep because they’re pretty and they sparkle, just like that.”

“Oh, he means Herkimer diamonds, Pam,” said Kimberly.

“I have those too,” I answered, “only those aren’t real diamonds. Herkimer diamonds are actually quartz crystals with points on both ends.”

Pamela and Kimberly looked astonished.

“We showed the Herkimer diamonds to our copper skinned Friends,” I explained. “They were very pleased to see them, and said they would call them Herkimer diamonds.”

“Yes, and you can still dig for Herkimer diamonds,” said Kimberly.

“But what are these other diamonds?” asked Pamela. “What are they exactly?”

“I’m not sure, but they are very sparkly and very, very hard. The hardest rock I know of,” I answered. “I have a small collection of unusual and pretty rocks. Herkimer diamonds, diamonds, garnet, things like that.”

Pamela and Kimberly looked at each other. They seemed shocked. Why, I do not know.

“Can you show us?” asked Pamela.

“Sure,” I replied, “follow me.”

We all arose and walked to my nest. Kamela was waiting for us.

“Madu, I was getting worried. You’re late for breakfast,” she scolded.

“Sorry,” I answered sheepishly. “We were all sitting by the lake. Pamela and Kimberly would like to see our diamonds.”

I entered the nest and came out with a diamond. Pamela held out her hand and I placed one in it. Kimberly shined her light tube on it.

“Whoa! That’s beautiful,” said Kimberly. “I wonder if it’s real?”

“I don’t know, but it certainly is big,” said Pamela.

“Do you like it, Pamela?” I asked. “Keep it.”

Pamela looked at me for a moment, but then handed it back.

“No,” she said flatly.

“Well, you like it,” I said. “Take it for a keepsake.”

“The only keepsakes I need are here,” she said, pointing to the place where her heart is. “Madu, look. Diamonds are extremely valuable in our world. If that diamond is indeed the same as the one humans value, this place would be overrun with Little People looking for diamonds. It would be very bad for the Forest People.”

“I see,” I answered. “But just don’t tell anyone where you got it.”

“I don’t know if I could keep a secret like that, Madu,” said Pamela.

“Pam is right, Madu. You want to live in peace, right?” said Kimberly.

“Yes, of course,” I answered.

“Then listen to Pamela,” added Kamela. “To us, it is a rare and pretty rock, but to Little People, it could be much more.”

“I understand,” I answered. “I think.”

“But thank you, Madu,” said Pamela. “That was very thoughtful.”

“I’m getting tired, Pam,” said Kimberly.

“Yeah, me too,” said Pamela. “Goodnight everyone.”

“Yes, goodnight,” said Kimberly.

They turned and walked to their tent abode. Waiting for them was Ady and a large group of Little Ones holding sticks.

“I know, marshmallows,” said Kimberly with a sigh.

Ady pointed to the circle of rocks. In it was a pile of sticks with dead leaves underneath. Kimberly smiled.

“If I didn’t think you’d burn the camp down, I’d just give you the lighter,” she said.

Soon the fire was burning merrily and the Little Ones were cheerily toasting marshmallows.

“Mine fell off the stick and into the fire,” said one, “but it’s OK because that happens to all of us.”

Pamela smiled and handed her another marshmallow.

“Maybe tomorrow we can take a hike,” said Kimberly. “I haven’t done much in the way of hiking, and now that I’m feeling great...”

“Sure, where to?” asked Pamela.

“I’m not sure. Let’s ask tomorrow.”

“OK. Now I’m turning in,” said Kimberly.

“I’m going to stay up just a little longer to watch the fire, and the kids,” said Pamela.

Pamela looked down and Ady was looking up at her with a big grin.

“Thank you, Miss Kimberly,” projected Ady. “You too, Miss Pamela.”

“You’re most welcome kiddo,” said Kimberly.

“Kiddo?” asked Ady.

“Well, in our language, Little Ones are sometimes called kids,” explained Pamela. “I guess ‘kiddo’ comes from that.”

“May I have another?” asked a Little One.

“Ady would you hand this to your friend?” asked Pamela, handing her a marshmallow.

“Here you go, kiddo,” said Ady, who passed the marshmallow and then looked up at Kimberly and Pamela and grinned broadly.