Winter Kills

There were two little orphaned girls living in a rundown cottage at the very edge of the Western Woods in view of the town, she discovered on one of her walks through the forest. She took care, of course, that they didn’t see her that day or any other day… they had each other for company, at least. She had noticed, however, that their dresses were rather threadbare and growing too small. That was something she could fix, as she still had all of the clothing she had worn as a child growing up here in the woods. She gathered it all up; the dresses, stockings, cloaks and boots, and set them in a bundle before the girls’ home one evening. She also took some of her store of herbs, seeds, nuts, mushrooms and fruit she had gathered for the winter and left it with the bundle of clothing for them. ‘Let them think the Faeries are looking after them, if they are fortunate enough to know of the Otherkin.’ She thought to herself. ‘Perhaps they’ll learn to identify for themselves what can be eaten in the forest as well…’ She felt slightly guilty about still keeping hidden, but knew for some reason she should not make her presence known to the girls. It was more than likely a kind person from the town would take them in and adopt them, and she herself still wished to keep herself unknown to all but Albrecht, her love. Therefore they couldn’t know of her presence in the woods, or her anonymity would be lost.

She was so happy that she was lonely no more. Albrecht came to visit her regularly when he wasn’t out on some battle or another. He delighted in bringing back small gifts for her. Mostly supplies from the camps of the Revolutionary soldiers they had raided. The biggest gift was a length of rich emerald green silk fabric for her ‘wedding dress’ as he called it. He said it reminded him of her eyes, and that she needed it far more than the previous owner. She didn’t really want to know who the previous owner was, or how he had come to give it up, so she thanked Albrecht and put it up until she could begin working on a dress. She wondered how on earth he had managed to justify that to his squadron, and then realized they probably wouldn’t have the courage to ask him about any of the ‘spoils of war’ that he acquired… or his disposal of them. Sometimes he would catch fish from the river that she would cook for their meals. He realized that she wasn’t much inclined to meat, so he didn’t hunt any game.

When the first snowfall came to the woods in early December, she decided it was time for some outdoor fun. She heard Albrecht approaching her home and hid behind a large tree in the woods, scooping up a large handful of snow and making it into a snowball. As he walked through the woods looking for her, she snuck up behind him and let the snowball fly. It splattered against the back of his cloak, getting into his incurably wild hair and leaking quickly down the back of his neck. He turned in surprise and she laughed and launched another one at him that dusted the front of his cloak white. They spent the next hour engaged in a free for all snowball fight. And while he was good at strategy and warfare, she had the Faerie knack for ‘disappearing’ and pelting him with a merciless barrage from a safe hiding place. Daredevil always knew where she was hiding, but wouldn’t betray her location to Albrecht, who swore loudly that she had bewitched the horse as well. Finally they declared a truce with a great big hug and passionate kiss. “Is there any ground left unsullied after this battle?” She asked with a grin. “I would make snow faeries today too!” She found a pure drift of snow-covered earth untouched by footprints and flopped down on her back in the snow, swiping her arms to make the snow faerie’s ‘wings’. They were well and truly chilled, and exhausted from their mêlée, and decided snuggling with a hot cup of tea by the fire would be the best way to unwind. They found some forage for Daredevil, then dusted all the snow from their clothes and went inside. Albrecht had managed to acquire a few bottles of wine as well as some brandy, and he bestowed them upon her to keep for their later enjoyment. They sat by the fire, drowsy from the warmth and the tea, and fell asleep in each other’s arms. Later that night she played the harp for him and sang some ballads of the legends of Ireland. He particularly liked the story of Cu Chulainn the great warrior. They walked outside when he had to go back, gazing in wonder at how the moonlight made the ice on the branches glow. He gave her a long passionate kiss before mounting Daredevil. “Be safe, my love.” She said as he prepared to ride away. He smiled and said of course, as long as she was there for him to come back to… and started back to his legion’s camp.

One evening shortly before the Solstice celebration of Yule, Albrecht staggered into the cave, not more than half conscious. He was very warm, feverish, she discovered as she led him to her bed. Worried, she asked him if he had been wounded. He told her no, but that he was feeling a chill. “You’re burning up, love.” She said, “you need to lie down, and I’ll make you some tea.” Luckily she had learned from her mother which herbs to use for various ailments. She made a medicinal tea for him and laced it with a tot of brandy. “Here darling, drink this then rest. It’ll help you to feel better.” He murmured something about Daredevil and she told him not to worry, she’d take care of Daredevil. “But first, I want to see you drink that down!” she said in a voice that brooked no argument. He managed to stay awake long enough to take off his armor and drink the tea, then laid back and closed his eyes. She piled blankets on him and went out to give some feed and water to Daredevil. “Don’t worry, friend, I’ll look after him and he’ll be fine!” She told the horse, stroking his head lightly. She went back into the cave, concerned for Albrecht. His fever was quite high. She knew there was no danger of his illness being fatal, but still she worried. He should rest for a few days, which was longer than he had ever stayed before. He had to stay though, so she could look after him, and not go charging back into battle or whatever the next morning. When she went in to check on him again she found he had kicked off all the blankets. She put them over him again, whispering softly to him that he had to sweat out the fever, and lay down next to him. It was a wakeful night for her, he was frequently hot then cold, and when he was halfway conscious she had him drink more tea.

Morning finally came and he woke, still slightly feverish and groggy but much improved. He stumbled outside for a few minutes, and she worried until she realized his armor and cloak were still on the chair by the bed. She made more tea laced with brandy for him, and prepared some soup and bread for their breakfast. When he came back inside, she bade him sit at the table and eat. “I have to get back to camp soon. We’re traveling downstate a ways this afternoon.” He said. She wondered how she was going to persuade him to stay here with her. “I wish you wouldn’t go, love. You should really rest a few more days and get over that fever for good and all.” He smiled and took her hand. “As much as I’d love to stay here and have you take care of me, orders are orders. But don’t worry, I feel better already!” He saw the concern in her eyes and leaned across the table to kiss her on the forehead. “Besides, I’ll not let anything happen… I want to see you in that beautiful green dress you’re making!” She knew it was useless to try to argue with him. Orders were orders, as he had said. She just wished he didn’t have to leave her again. She put on a smile and ‘ordered’ him to finish his breakfast and have more tea. “You’ll need your strength for combat… and I still don’t think you’re completely over this fever yet.” He grinned roguishly, and said he’d have more tea if she continued to put the brandy in it! At which point she declared with a smile that he was a disgrace and he’d better not turn lush on her. He grinned again. “I’ll bring some fish back with me, and whatever supplies I can acquire, and we’ll open one of those bottles of wine and have a feast when I return!” All too soon it was time for him to go back. He swept her into his arms in a warm embrace and told her not to worry, he’d be back in a few days. “It’ll be between your Solstice and Christmas, so we should have a good celebration!” And with a kiss and a wave, he was off.