Magical Ties 105 Uktena

" I brought you here because you need to see yourself only then can you return my crystal. "

Aisling looks at him confused. Not knowing what he is asking.

"You have amazing power and a kind heart. You have done some great things in your short life . The one thing you have not done is accept yourself. Others cannot accept you if you do not accept yourself. I want you to look at the pool and truly see who you are. Tell me who you see?"

Aisling looks into the pool there she sees her parents and her ancestors behind them. Looking at him

" I see my parents and the rest of my ancestors. I see my face but not just my face. I already know that I am all of these. So what am I missing?"

He looks at her and smiles .

"You have always been afraid to show people who you truly are because of you limiting beliefs. I want you to tell me who you see that is only you. Now look again."

She looks again she sees the child crying because of being hurt by people not accepting her.

" I see myself as a child crying from neglect and not being accepted."

"The crystal is a very powerful object when we are done you will need to bury it under the tree that was struck earlier. For now I need you to hold it. It will take you to a place that can help you become who you are. It will help you to become whole."

Taking the crystal from the pouch he places it on her forehead. The moment it touches her head she is deep inside a forest. She hears the child crying. Walking to her she pulls her into her arms.

"Why do you cry?" She rocks the child softly.

"Only ghost want to play or talk to me. Everyone calls me a witch. I don't like being who I am."

Aisling closes her eyes and cries for all the years she felt this way.

"You know I grow to cherish the ghost who stays by us. He is someone who always protects us. You know we come from a long strong line of witches and shamans. Their blood runs through us. It's ok to be proud of who you are. You also come from a family with strong faith in G.o.d. These three live happily inside of you. You know because you embrace your magic you save a wonderful person. You also get the chance to save the man of your dreams with the knowledge you learn from the shaman blood in you. Since you have such a strong faith in G.o.d you are able to endure a lot of things that would break most but not you. You are unique and gifted. You are exactly what G.o.d intended for you to be. Now that does not mean we can go and just show off our power. To do so would lead us down a path of becoming someone who will abuse the gift . then all of our work would be for nothing. Your kindness will be a reward in its self. So what do you think can we put our insecurities aside and become one. " the child embraces her and she is standing in front of Uktena once more.

"You were able to calm the child within you and show her the good of each part of you. Now you need to remember what you said in times of doubt and sorrow. I know you mostly only identify with your mothers family but don't forget your fathers side. I know you don't know them except for his mother family. You don't need to know except that if they gave themselves the chance they would love you . Don't let fear of not be accepted stop you from doing what you want. " he takes crystal and places it in the pool. Waving his hand it splits into three pieces. One he places back in its place on his forehead. The second he hands to her and the third he places in the leather pouch.

"The one is yours to keep it will keep us connected so that when needed I will come. The other you will take back and bury . It will protect the tribe. "Taking her hand he walks her back out when they reach the clearing they are back at the ceremony of stories. Just after he took her. Turning to him

"Why didn't you take me back to before so that they would not be panicking?"

"Because of your both you are of both spirit and physical this family will understand and accept you. Take the pouch and you with the medicine man will bury it where I told you. Then they will see you as who you are." They walk towards Onacona. He nods to him and disappears into the air. Aisling takes Onacona's hand and they walk hand in hand to the tree struck by lightning and yet still lives. Taking a flat rock they dig a whole and place the pouch inside . When it's covered the tree begins to change. It grows back as it was before being struck . They see a small golden line move up through the tree. When it's done they turn to see the rest of the tribe. They are standing there as if it's something that happens everyday.

Astila walks over and hugs his wife wondering what did he do to deserve such an amazing woman. Yona and the Chief look at her in awe. The old auntie just smiles she was told she would get to meet the G.o.ddess that saved their line and she did. The future looks very bright .