Winter Orchid

The Strange Conflict

One night later, everyone awoke to the grey and snowy valley yet again. The creeps had decided to stay for one more night, since the next day would be the day of the midwinter bonfire. Too Ticky told them that after breakfast they should start gathering the firewood that they would want to bring to the bonfire. Right afterwards, Little My suddenly decided to go for a very long walk.
"She's just left us!" Snarled Moomintroll.
"She'll be back after the hard work has been done," Said Snufkin. The little creeps were in charge of taking out the smaller sticks, while everyone else got the logs and planks. Too Ticky said they had to prepare a day beforehand because they had to separate the good wood from the bad. This bonfire was very important, after all. After an hour, Too Ticky finally informed them they could be finished.
"I can't believe we'll have to carry all that wood tomorrow!" Sighed Snorkmaiden, "Little My had better assist us with that. Now, what should we do? Play a game?"
"We should throw snowballs again," Suggested Snufkin. They all decided to start another snowball fight, Little My suddenly returned, then her and Too Ticky began instructing the creeps on how to play. It was quite fun. Afterwards, Snufkin noticed that Moomintroll wasn't as cheery as usual.
"Anything the matter?" Asked Snufkin.
"Well.." Began Moomintroll, "No! It's nothing. I'm going to get out more wood."
"What? Why?" Snufkin questioned, very confused, "Just a moment ago you complained about your back aching. What's going on?"
"Go back inside," Demanded Moomintroll, "I'll do this myself."
"Are you trying to rid of me?" Asked Snufkin, who was now a bit worried.
"No! The opposite!" Yelled Moomintroll, "Just go inside."
"Tell me what's wrong, please," Said Snufkin.
"Just one more day..." Muttered Moomintroll, "Then you'll be gone. I'll have to get through the rest of winter without you. I don't want to do that. I don't want it! I keep regretting asking you to stay until tomorrow. I feel like if I had asked for a later date.. you would've still said yes..." And tears began to well up in his eyes. Snufkin wasn't sure of what to say.
"Don't cry," He whispered, approaching Moomintroll, "don't you remember what I had told you a few days ago?"
"I do," Said Moomintroll, "but I can't help but be sad. I miss you so much. And I know I can't show it because then I make you sad, but that just makes me sadder! I don't understand it! I just.." Snufkin grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug.
"I'll always come back," He said, "always." Moomintroll didn't say anything. He just experienced the moment. Snufkin had never hugged him before. And then, he wanted to say it. He wanted to say it so terribly, but he felt like he couldn't. Moomintroll began attempting to imagine what it would be like if he was Snufkin. But he couldn't imagine what it was like to need freedom, so he imagined that him and Snufkin lived alone and his family was across the country. Every winter Moomintroll had to leave because he missed his family, but Snufkin always told him to stay. He loved his family and Snufkin so much, and if Snufkin begged him to stay.. Moomintroll felt like he finally understood how Snufkin felt, and he stopped crying.