Yenaldlooshi

Grey Wolf was of the Navajo tribe. He had been a mighty warrior since the age of sixteen. The members of his tribe looked up to him and admired him, but also feared him. He was strong and knew many things. His grandfather had been a powerful medicine man with many powers. The tribe had admired him, but also feared him. They said Brave Wolf had the power of the Skinwalker.  He was a Navajo Witch or Yenaldlooshi.1

It was rumored that he had killed his own father many years before. Killing a member of your own family was one of the requirements to join the ranks of the Skinwalkers.2

No one in the tribe had actually ever seen a Skinwalker, but they believed. The stories had been passed down from generation to generation. The entire tribe knew that such things existed. They realized a lot of things in this world existed that they had never lain eyes on, and didn't really want to. Every one in the tribe cut a wide berth around the old Medicine man and his grandson, Grey Wolf. He was feared by most of the tribe and did not have friendly ways. 3

Grey Wolf was a powerful man and used to getting his way. He had fallen in love with Hidden Dove, but she had eyes only for his older brother, Black Raven. He was so jealous, that his heart was filled with hatred for his brother. He plotted to have him taken far away, so he could win the heart of Hidden Dove. His brother heard of the plot and approached his brother, saying, “How could you plot against me? I am your brother, and Hidden Dove loves only me. Even if I am gone, she will not love you."4

That infuriated Grey Wolf, and he attacked his brother with his knife. He drove the knife into his throat and Black Raven died of a fatal wound. The entire tribe gathered around. This just didn't happen in their culture. A brave did not attack his own brother. He would be ostracized and cast out from the tribe, never to return. They feared him more than ever now. They feared that he would take on the ways of Brave Wolf and return with revenge in his heart.5

Grey Wolf begged Hidden Dove to go with him. He promised he would watch out for her and make a home for her forever. She would not even look at him. Her heart would always belong to Black Raven. 6

He vowed to get even with her and with the tribe as he packed his few belongings and rode off. Just as the tribe feared, he rode in the direction of his Grandfather's lodge. They all sat around the fire that night and discussed the possibility of Grey Wolf returning as a Skinwalker and they were frightened. They had all heard the old legends and believed.7

The legend of the Skinwalker, also known as a Shapeshifter had always been a part of the Navajo culture. The Skinwalker was a fierce warrior who was known to possess powerful magic, and had killed a member of his own family. A Skinwalker could don the pelt of an animal, most often the skin of a coyote or a wolf and possess the spirit and the power of that animal. They could also turn into an Eagle or a Hawk and then resume the shape of a man.It was also said that a Skinwalker could mimic the voice of a family member or friend to call their victims.8

Many had heard of their fathers and grandfathers following the tracks of a coyote or a wolf and have the tracks either turn into the tracks of a man or disappear completely. The tribe was frightened and vowed to be on the lookout for any sign of a Skinwalker in their midst.9

Time went by and the tribe started to relax. Maybe they had worried for nothing and Grey wolf had really left and would not return. The whole tribe had been looking out for Hidden Dove, knowing she would be a likely victim for the Skinwalker, if indeed, Grey Wolf made the change. She never left the safety of the village alone. Life in the village returned to normal.10

Hidden Dove never got over Black Raven. She would not accept another man and went about her life, the best she could. One day, as she was walking on the edge of the camp, she heard a familiar voice call her name. She stopped and listened. It was the voice of Black Raven, but she knew he was dead. She stood there like a statue, trying to figure what to do. She knew she should turn and run back into the village, but it was the voice of her love! Could it be possible? 11

She heard the voice again, “Hidden Dove, Hidden Dove, come to me. We belong together.” 12

She still hesitated, frightened, but finally could not resist. Maybe it was her love. She had missed him so terribly. She knew she had to go check.13

Hidden Dove slowly moved toward the direction of the voice. She heard her name called again, and realized it was coming from a nearby wooded area. She called out, “Black Raven?”14

The voice answered, “I'm here, Hidden Dove.”15

Hidden Dove picked up her pace. She had to see Black Raven again. She walked into the woods and was met by a snarling wolf. The wolf stared at her with glowing amber eyes. She realized she had been tricked. It was a Skinwalker calling with Black Raven's voice.16

She stood, as though frozen in place, and the wolf slowly approached. His enormous sharp teeth were bared and saliva dripped from the frightening jaws. She just stood there as the gray colored wolf approached. It walked up to her, and before she could move, the wolf stood up on it's hind legs and started changing into a man. She realized it was Grey Wolf, wearing a large wolf skin and he was laughing an evil laugh.17

Grey Wolf picked Hidden Dove up and carried her to his waiting horse, put her on its back and jumped up behind her. “You belong to me now,” he laughed, as he quickly rode towards his grandfathers lodge. 18

Hidden Dove was terrified. He was a Skinwalker. The old legends were true. What could she do? How could she get away? She was more afraid of the man than the wolf. 19

Brave Wolf approached her and looked her over. This is the one you've been pining for?” he asked. “This is the one you killed your brother for?”20

“Yes,” answered Grey Wolf. “She belongs to me. She is worth it.”21

Brave Wolf shook his head, “Foolish boy, for this , you became a shapeshifter? Do you think you can ever make her love you now?”22

“She will love me, or she will die.”23

“That should assure that she will love you,” the Old man said. “Foolish boy. You might just as well kill her now and save yourself the trouble,” Brave Wolf said as he turned and walked to the back part of the lodge. Grey Wolf insisted that Hidden Dove sit before the fire. She obeyed.24

Hidden Dove looked at Grey Wolf. He didn't look much different than before, he just looked wilder, more powerful, and he wore the skin of a large gray wolf over his shoulders with the fierce head still attached and it's amber eyes staring into hers. She turned away and looked around the lodge. The walls of the lodge were covered with different animal skins hanging on hooks. He had wolf, coyote, hawk, eagle and even bear. They all looked ferocious with their heads preserved and still attached.25

Hidden Dove sat and thought about all she had heard about the Skinwalkers. She knew it had always been told that they could only be killed while in their human form. She must find a weapon. She knew she would soon be expected to share his sleeping mat, and she must be prepared. She could not allow that to happen. She must find a knife and hide it. She would kill him just as he had killed Black Raven, a knife right in the neck. It sickened her to think of getting close enough to him to use a knife, but she would have to to kill him. She knew that when she killed Grey Wolf, Brave Wolf would end her life, but she didn't care. She would rather be dead than to lie with Grey Wolf.26

Hidden Dove stayed where she sat, being watched by Brave Wolf, as Grey Wolf once more donned the wolf skin. She watched as he dropped to all fours, his ears, jaws and teeth started to get larger and he now had a tail. As his feet and hands changed to the furry, clawed feet of a wolf, he let out a howl and ran out the door. He had done this deliberately to frighten her and convince her there was no way she could escape him. He would go hunting and bring home meat for her to cook over the fire.27

Tonight, she would finally be his woman, but he would make her do a woman's work first. She would clean and cook whatever he brought home to her. Two hours later, Grey Wolf walked in, dropped four rabbits at her feet and ordered her to clean and cook them and turned and walked out. Hidden Dove turned to Brave Wolf and asked, “Where can I find a sharp knife?”28

Brave Wolf pulled a knife from a pouch at his waist and handed it to Hidden Dove and walked outside. She had a knife now, but needed to quickly look around for another while they were both outside. She knew Brave Wolf would be demanding his back when she finished. She did a quick search and found a short, sharp knife hidden among some furs lying on the ground. She quickly hid it in her high laced moccasins and went back to cleaning the rabbits. She carried them out to wash thoroughly and lay them in a basket while she started the cook fire. After it had burnt down to where it was perfect for cooking, she tied the rabbits to a spit over the fire and occasionally turned them.29

As the night started to descend, she heard the howling of wolves, circling the Lodge. They seemed to be moving in closer, but she did not fear them as she feared the two in the camp. 30

Hidden Dove removed the cooked meat from the spit and delivered it to the two men. She then took hers and leaned against the Lodge, enjoying what she considered her last meal. It was comforting to know that when morning came, it would all be over for her and she would be able to join Black Raven in the Spirit world. The thought made her smile.31

As the men joked and howled like animals and danced drunkenly around the fire, Hidden Dove finished her meal and went inside the Lodge. She unlaced her moccasins and hid the knife under the edge of her sleeping mat. She knelt by the mat and implored the Spirits to give her the bravery and strength to do what she must do. She prayed to the Spirit of Black Raven for the courage and speed she would need. 32

Hidden Dove lay down and put her hand over the spot she had hid the knife, closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. By morning, it would be over and she would join Black Raven in the Spirit World. The thought made her smile for the first time since his death.33

About an hour later, she heard Grey Wolf stagger through the entrance, bumping into everything as he made his way to her sleeping mat. She heard him scream,34

“Get out of those clothes and let me see my prize.”35

She just lay there, pretending to be asleep. He drunkenly kicked at her back and fell to his butt, just grazing her shoulder. She rolled over and sat up, pretending he had just awakened her. She saw the glowing amber eyes glaring at her, but was not afraid. He was drunk and it would be much easier than she planned. He was furious for his clumsiness, and got on his knees in front of her, and started tearing at her clothes. Her right hand snaked slowly out to her side and she felt for the knife and closed her hand around it. He was snarling as he pushed her back to the mat and dropped on top of her. 36

As he lowered his head to her mouth, she brought her right hand up and plunged the knife into the side of his neck as he howled and she pushed him aside. She had hit the exact right spot and could see his life's blood pumping from his body as he collapsed. 37

She rolled to the side and quickly got up, pulling the rest of what remained of her clothing around her. 38

She knew she needed to give Brave Wolf what he was waiting to hear and she shrieked and screamed as loud as she could. She then gathered all the animal skins from the walls and the one Grey Wolf had worn and piled them in the middle of the Lodge and took the torch affixed to the side of the lodge for light and set them on fire. She then hurried over to stand beside the entrance to the lodge, waiting for Brave Wolf to come in checking on the smell of the burnt fur. It wouldn't be long. If she could not get him, she would at least end her own life before he could. She could hear the sound of a wolf growling just outside the opening. He had made the change. She would not be able to kill him. She needed to lure him to the fire. 39

Hidden Dove dashed to the back side of the fire and grabbed up a burning branch. She held the knife to her throat as she waited for the black wolf who was approaching slowly and cautiously. She would try to lure him closer to the fire, but she would cut her own throat before she let him reach her.40

As the wolf cautiously crept around the fire towards her, she took the burning branch and flipped one of the burning furs onto the wolf's back. As he started to burn, he howled in pain and jumped for Hidden Dove's throat. She dodged to the side and he landed at the edge of the fire. As his fur started to burn away, he started to stand and she could see him turning back into a man. He screamed in pain as he started around the fire after her. He was now a man and she could kill him. She had the knife ready and as he jumped on her, she plunged the knife into his neck. As his life's blood spurted out, she opened her vein to join him.41

As she felt her life slipping away, she could see through half closed eyes, the smiling face of Black Raven waiting for her in a beautiful green meadow surrounded by trees.42

She gladly joined him as he held out his hands to her. They were together again and the Yenaldlooshi was no more.