Ahuahu returns to the village (Part 11)

Ahuahu set off to return to the village by Gannet Island as he had been told that Ahu had returned there with Tangaroa. This time accompanied by a group of interested children he took the coastal route which meant climbing over a hill that overlooked the sea. The children soon tired by Ahuahu's fast pace, bid him farewell and told him to bring back Ahu, who they had made friends with. One little girl who had been silent all the while, suddenly blurted out, “Bring back Tangaroa too.” looking at him with her dark pleading eyes. He nodded and touched her shoulder. He thought that it would be good to have a daughter too.

As Ahuahu climbed the hill he could see the extent of the sea to his right, stretching out to the horizon. Far to the north east he could see the tip of Gannet Island where he and Hi’ilei did most of their fishing. It was early spring and far in the distance he could see signs of whales making their way north to the calving grounds. Whale hunting was dangerous and needed many men to catch and beach the beasts, but if successful there was food and oil and bone to use for many months.

He met no one as he made his way north. As he slowly made his way down to the coastal plain the vegetation grew more dense and at times he had to make his way to the beach to avoid the undergrowth and rocky terrain that had a number of small streams making their way to the sea, spilling over the rocks and forming tidal lagoons filled with wading water birds. They bade no mind to him as they were too busy feeding before dusk to care about one human.

By the time Ahuahu reached the beach a short way from his village he was exhausted by his speed of travel as well as the anticipation of seeing Ahu again. It was dark by the time he reached his hut. He entered and sensed another person’s presence. “Ahu, is that you?” He whispered.

Ahu did not answer, however Tangaroa gave a sniffily whimper and Ahuahu knew that they were both there.

He felt Ahu touch him on the arm, as she said “Sit down husband, you are weary from walking and you burn from exhaustion. I will find a little food for you.”

“Ahu, before the food, hold me.” Now in the darkened room he could just make out her form as she placed Tangaroa down and murmured some words to the sleepy baby. She then turned and placed her hands on his chest and moved them up, over his shoulders and held his face in her hands.

“Ahuahu” she said as he in his turn placed his hands on her hips then held her buttocks and pulled her close to him, placing his face close to hers and rubbing his nose gently over hers. “Ahuahu, do you know why I went away and hid when you were at the Rocky Outcrop?”

“No, why did you do that?” he asked in return.

“It is because neither you nor I are valued here. We should find somewhere else to raise our family.”

Ahuahu considered the words, shook his head sadly and said, “But I fish here, I fish well. Do they not value that?”

“We are used and people eat the fish you catch, but it is Hi’ilei’s boat even though you are a better fisherman. If you had died at the Rocky Outcrop, what would have happened to me? They may have traded me away to atone for the attack. Luckily the council of chiefs have agreed the Gannet Island fishing spot is the property of our village. That is why they did not attack us.”

Ahuahu looked shocked. “How could you know this? It cannot be true we would know of it.”

“The Black Sands village knew of it, even our chiefs knew of it but you have not been told. They do not think it necessary to tell you. You have been used. I was lucky that I went away and heard of the truth from that village.” Ahu responded.

Ahuahu was silent for a moment. “Why did you come back then?”

“You are my husband, I bore your son. We belong together and we should live at Black Sands. I am sure they will welcome us.”

“I cannot leave as Hi’ilei was injured in the fighting,” said Ahuahu. “They will need me to fish.”

Ahu shook her head sadly, took his head in her hands and said, “They need fishermen at Black Sands too. Eat up now and then get some rest for we should be travelling before dawn.”

Ahuahu was not happy; he needed to tell Hi’ilei but knew that it would not be wise. He trusted Ahu but he felt more afraid than if he was in a boat in a raging sea. Ahu could sense this and after he had finished eating pulled him down to lie with her. She undid his clothes and rubbed his body with oil and sang her song of love to him. She told him how strong he was, and how many sons he would have and how her body ached for him. He burned with desire for her and as he clasped her to him nuzzling her body with his nose and face and pretending to bite her with his lips he murmured “I want daughters too, Ahu.”

Ahu shook with the thrill of his lovemaking. Then as she pushed him on his back and bent over him with her body responding to his touch. “When shall we go?” she asked.

“Tomorrow” he replied.