The two women are enjoying a comfortable night in their shelter and discussing how much they miss The People. Their bitterness has dissipated, but they still look at each other in fear when they hear Daagoo call their names from a distance. The women decide to reveal themselves immediately. Sa’ tells Ch’idzigyaak to “be prepared for anything […] [e]ven death” (98). Sa’ calls out in the dark to Daagoo. When Daagoo and the search party approach, the two women are brandishing spears and scowls. Daagoo assures them they will be protected as he admires their newfound strength. The women notice how gaunt the men are and invite them in for “dried fish” and “boiled rabbit broth” (102). The men are thankful and amazed at how much healthier the old women are.  Ch’idzigyaak is unforgiving and does nothing but stare angrily and “grunt” (103) at the unwanted visitors. Sa’, on the other hand, reacts much more peacefully to their presence. Daagoo apologizes for the way they were treated, but the women are not so easily coddled. They demand to know what will prevent the same scenario from reoccurring. Daagoo promises them that if The Chief were to make a similar decision in the future, he would “protect [them] with my own life as long as I live” (105). He feels a surge of hope seeing the women’s resilience and knows that he will be able to face the next winter with more strength than the last. Much to everyone’s surprise, one of the young men says he will lay his life down for the women as well. By the end of the conversation, all four men have vowed their service to the women. The two women discuss the matter privately. Ch’idzigyaak is still unconvinced that the men’s intentions are genuine; she is concerned that The People will take their hard-earned food. Sa’ responds that this is true but that they should help them. She points out that children are starving, including Ch’idzigyaak’s grandson. At the mention of her relative, Ch’idzigyaak starts to agree. Sa’ explains that even if they are abandoned again, they know they can survive. Ch’idzigyaak is comforted and looks at Sa’ “with great fondness” (108). As the night wears on, Daagoo and the old women swap stories. He explains that after The People abandoned them, the group lost several members, mostly children. The women cry in response. Sa’ then describes her and Ch’idzigyaak’s adventures over the past year. The men listen incredulously but have no choice but to believe them because the evidence is clear. Sa’ reveals that they have several food caches. She explains that they are willing to share but not entirely forfeit their supply. She demands that only the four men and The Chief know of their location and warns that they will “fight to our deaths for what is ours” (110). The men promise to relay their message to The Chief the next day. The women offer the men a place to sleep and fall asleep feeling “relax[ed]” (110).

Back at the camp, The Chief starts to grow nervous when the search party does not return. Before he can become too worried, the men show up bearing gifts of dried fish from the women. They relate the women’s tale and explain that the women do not trust The People. Daagoo explains the women’s terms for helping The People survive, and The Chief responds that they will do as the women ask. He announces that anyone who disagrees with this decision can “fight me” (112). 

The People—quickly convinced of their previous folly—agree to support the women and pack up to travel to them. Ozhii Nelii and Shruh Zhu are especially excited, although Ozhii Nelii is apprehensive. When the band arrives, The Chief and Daagoo separate to meet with Sa’ and Ch’idzigyaak. The Chief is bursting with joy at the sight of them, but the women remain full of “distrust” (113). Sa’ says they will provide food and several handwoven garments to The People. 

For a while, the arrangement holds good. The Chief and Daagoo visit the women on alternating days, and the band remains satisfied with their donated portion. As time goes on, however, both the women and the band yearn for contact with each other. Eventually, the Chief asks permission to send other visitors to them. They hesitate initially but then agree to the company. The visits start out “timid” (115) but quickly become places of laughter and joy. The visitors bring gifts to the old women and ask for their now-lauded advice. 

After several of these visits, Ch’idzigyaak worries about her family because they have not come to see her yet. One day while gathering wood, she hears “a young voice” (116) ask her to return the hatchet she had borrowed. Ch’idzigyaak turns around and sees Shruh Zhuu staring up at her; they happily cry and hug. Shruh Zhuu continues to visit Ch’idzigyaak without his mother. Sa’ can tell this is bothering Ch’idzigyaak and assures her “[s]he will come” (118). Spring comes, and Ozhii Nelii still makes no attempt to visit her mother. Pressed to her limits, Ch’idzigyaak finally questions her grandson about Ozhii Nelii’s whereabouts. He reveals that she is “in shame” (118); he worries about her because her sadness appears to be aging her prematurely. Ch’idzigyaak and Ozhii Nelii eventually reunite; they joyfully embrace, and Ch’idzigyaak returns to her the babiche that helped the two women survive. The women are then given “honorary roles” (123) in the band and treated with respect and reverence until they die “happy” (123).