The shelters of stone - Jean M. Auel [372]
“Do you want to become unmated, Ayla? Jondalar?” she asked.
“No, I don’t,” Ayla said, smiling at Jondalar. “Do you?”
“Not for a heartbeat, woman,” he said. “I waited long enough, I’m not about to end it now.”
“Then you are released from the prohibition against talking to others and you can declare to all that Jondalar and Ayla of the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii are mated. Ayla, any children born to you are born to the hearth of Jondalar. It will be the responsibility of both of you to care for them until they are grown. Do you have your leather thong?” While they retrieved the long strip of leather, Zelandoni got two necklaces from a nearby table. She took back the thong and tied a simple necklace around each of their necks. “I wish you both a long and happy life together,” the One Who Was First Among Those Who Served The Great Earth Mother concluded.
They slipped out the back entrance and hurried around the back way. Some people saw them leaving and called after them, but they kept on going. When they reached the spring-fed pool, Ayla walked into the water fully dressed. Jondalar followed her in. Once Zelandoni had brought it to their attention, they could feel and smell the blood on them, and they wanted to get it off. If the bloodstains were going to come out at all, Ayla thought, it would have to be in cold water. If not, she would probably just dispose of the clothing and make herself some new. After the major hunts, she now owned several hides and various other parts of animals that she ought to be able to use.
They left the horses at the pasture near the Ninth Cave’s camp on their way to the zelandonia lodge, and the animals found their own way to their enclosure. The smell of blood was always a little unsettling for them, and both the rhinoceros and the young man had bled profusely. The fenced-in place had a feeling of security to it. Jondalar had wrapped his wet clothing back around him and ran toward the camp, hoping he would find the horses and extra clothing from the pack baskets.
He was surprised to see Lanidar there comforting the horses, but the boy seemed upset and said he wanted to talk to Ayla. Jondalar told him as soon as he brought her some clothes, she would come. He did take the time to take the baskets and blankets and bridles off the horses. He told Ayla about Lanidar, and when she saw him, she could tell from his posture, even from a distance, that he was very unhappy. She wondered if for some reason his mother had forbidden him to care for the horses anymore.
“What’s wrong, Lanidar?” she asked as soon as she reached him.
“It’s Lanoga,” he said. “She’s been crying all day.”
“But why?” Ayla said.
“The baby. They are taking Lorala away from her.”
34
Who is going to take the baby away from her?” Ayla asked.
“Proleva, and some women,” he said. “They say they have found a mother for Lorala, someone who can nurse her all the time.”
“Let’s go see what this is all about,” Ayla said. “We’ll come back and take care of the horses later.”
When they got to the camp, Ayla was glad to see Proleva there. She saw them coming and smiled. “Well, is it affirmed? Are you mated? Can we have the feast and get out the gifts? You don’t have to answer. I see your necklaces.”
Ayla had to smile back. “Yes, we are mated,” she said.
“Zelandoni just affirmed it,” Jondalar said.
“I need to talk to you about something else, Proleva,” Ayla said with a serious frown.
“What?” The woman knew from Ayla’s expression that she was concerned about something.
“Lanidar said that you are taking the baby away from Lanoga,” Ayla said.
“I wouldn’t put it that way. I thought you would be pleased that we had found a home for Lorala. A woman from the Twenty-fourth Cave lost her baby. He was born with a serious deformity and died. She’s full of milk, and said she’d be willing to take Lorala, even if she is older. She really wants a child, and I get the impression she has miscarried before. I thought it would be a perfect match,” Proleva said.
“It does seem like it ought to be. Do the women who are