The Snow Maiden

Go Away

Link made it back from the church in a flurry of snow. He shut the winter out behind him, knocked the snow from his boots, and hung up his cloak by the door. Kane along with two young women sat by the fire as Carrol knitted a scarf.

"Is there a blizzard every night?" he asked.

"Oh, depends," said Kane's sister, who sat beside Kane. She had a round face smothered with freckles and her mother's warm brown eyes.

"Depends on what?"

"The day. Sometimes we get a whole week without a single snow shower."

"It's amazing that our village hasn't been completely snowed under." said Kane, a piece of wood and knife in his hand. Wood shavings powdered his slippers.

Link slipped out of his boots and into his own slippers lent to him from Carrol, who hated snow being tracked into her house. As he blew onto his hands, he collapsed on the rug in front of the fire. The storm moaned around the cabin, which held firm. It gave Link the cozy sense of security.

A shy, sweet girl that also sat on the rug smiled as he joined her through her waist long, dark brown hair. No one knew what her real name was, but the Mayor and his wife had taken her as a child and she was more or less adopted into the family. Kane said he considered her as good as his real sister, though it was only his sister, Jewels, that seemed to be able to get her to talk.

"Hey, Nani."

She brushed her hair behind her ears and her smile widened. She was quite pretty, with bright eyes and a smile that promised something sweet he couldn't place. He found himself growing warm instantly and returned her smile.

"How did it go with Shadow?" asked Carrol. "Is he doing all right?"

"Well, he's not coughing much, so I think he just got a bad cold. Your soup should do wonders, though."

She nodded. "Thank you for the sentiment. I hope that boy gets better, might help with that grouchy look he carries around."

"Oh, he always has that." said Link.

Kane set aside his carving and blew off his hands. "Can I talk to you, Link?"

"Sure."

"In private?"

Carrol eyed her son suspiciously. "Don't you leave without cleaning up that wood fluff."

"I promise I'll clean it when I'm done, okay? I just want to talk to him for a moment."

"Bout what?" asked Jewels, eyes sparkling.

Kane scowled. "Man stuff."

"Ooo! Does Linky have a crush?"

"Don't call him Linky, you're nineteen, not two, and what kind of grown man gets a crush?"

She rolled her eyes. "Little brother, you know nothing."

Ignoring her, Kane led Link to the back of the house. On reaching the cellar he opened the door and drew him in. He checked the landing before closing it behind them, leaving a crack open for light.

"Now would be a good time," he said.

"Now? In this weather?"

"Best time, brother. It's when she feels the most secure, I think, cause who'd go looking for her in a blizzard? She is the reason it's there anyways."

Link frowned. "Do you have a way I can get back? It's easy to get lost out there, and you could have told me before I took off my boots."

"Sorry. And I have a rope out back you can tie to your waist. I'll tie the other end to one of porch posts while you're getting ready."