16 THE ENCOUNTER

My fears and anxieties is stirring inside me.

The cubs and the mama bear is getting so close, nearly approaching our position.

I felt the tremor all over my body.

I felt stucked.

This is my first time I encountered with bears.

Since, I'm no hiker and never wished to meet them in person even if they're cute.

That's what Nana and Leonid, keeps holding me from the woods.

But... this is such a coincidence!

O God! Please keep us safe and protect us. I silently prayed.

Then..Stefan move closer to me and hold my hands and raise them up!

My eyes widened. I'm stunned.

He started yelling.

He said " RAISE YOUR arms above your head!!?!! And YELL!! We need to make sounds to SCARE THEM OFF!!"

Then, I yelled back " YES, I WILL! I'M FRIGHTENED YOUR HIGHNESS! IT'S MY FIRST TIME, MEETING BLACK BEARS! YES! NEVER SEEN BEARS IN MY LIFE!!!

Then, I SHRIEK while waving my arms high.

The mama bear was able to see us and got distracted .. and shove off her cubs to a different direction and they started to run.

And we are relieved.

My throat is a little bit strained from yelling but I'm happy we are safe!

I thank God for his mercy!

The sun is setting... without us, noticed it.

And the temperature started to drop.

I couldn't feel my face.

Stefan try to find a place to set our camp.

And luckily, he found a big rock for the perfect site.

I tried to help him searching and picking up some cedar wood for campfire and put up the easy pop up tent from the camping bag.

Stefan was able to build a fire quickly in a ring of stones.

I should guess, he's a gold medalist camper.

He unpacked everything from the camping bag that Olivia prepared for us.

There's some cows milk cheese, cheddar cheese, blue berries and raspberries that he picked earlier, sourdough pancakes and bread, canned sausages and canned soups, sleeping bag and my leather hand bag?!?

He hand over the bag to me while I'm surprised!

"Your highness! Why do you have my handbag?" I asked in curiosity.

Instead of answering my question.

He opened the canned soup and heated on the fire with a the smallest iron cookware that I have ever seen.

He is truely a well-versed camper!

I'll asked him again about the hand bag later.

But I'm so glad that I happened to insert my journal notebook and pen inside the hand bag last night, along with the pistol.

I'm very happy even if they took my bag without permission.

It's a life saver.

Now, I wear my hand bag in a cross body position to move easily.

I took the picnic blanket and set up the cheese, fruits and breads and Stefan shared the picnic with the iron cookware with him.

He served me with some soup in the thermo flask cover.

And we started to eat our dinner.

It's the most romantic and harmonious meal ever!

I feel fully satiated.

And darkness started to envelope the skies.

The wood fire makes crackling sounds and dancing in the melody of the burning woods.

A beautiful full moon and stars shed light upon us, promising us a wonderful night.

"My Lady, I'm sorry if we haven't returned home on time. And about your leather hand bag, I give my instructions to Olivia to get it, because I think it's valuable to you. I apologise for not asking permission" he solemnly said.

"Your Highness, no worries, apologies accepted! I'm grateful that you brought it with you! It's a life saver. Thank you.. I truly appreciate it." I flashed my best and genuine smile.

Stefan move closer, he seated next to me.

And we silently enjoyed the scenery of the ice field.

Then, we cleaned up our picnic blanket as we completed our dinner.

He gives me the foldable camping mat.

Then, I set up my mat at the right side of the tent.

And took my journal notebook out and my pen then started to write.

December 23, 1980

Exit Glacier, Seward

Harding Icefield Trail

My beloved,

The beauty of the fire..ignites my fiery heart.

The glaciers reflection like crystals, mirrored my eyes as it shone.

The fireflies flying around..like gemstones at night.

And the sounds of the crickets and flowing waters melted from the ice crystals, drown my soul to the river of a new world.

It's mesmerising!

The harmony of nature's beauty at its best!

And a wonderful memory to cherish.

It's a beautiful gift for an additional year of my existence.

O God..Thank you for this moment.

Beatrix

The moon and stars shining brightly with promises to fulfill our wishes.

We are dancing gracefully.. in the melody of our hearts.

Fireflies flying around us majestically.

Humming sounds of the ice crystals are divine in our ears.

Then, you hold me tightly in your arms.

When....

The place light up, we are in a Banquet hall, dancing.

There are many people.

Then, commotions started to break us.

Shooting sounds of firearms..

Flying bullets all around...

Smoke every where..

Blood.

Blood splattered everywhere.

And I saw your face.

The blood dripping..

"STEFAN!?!?!"

I'm awakened from my nightmare, breathless.

Why is Stefan always in my dreams?

And his face....always dripping with blood.

It's terrifying!

And I'm gasping for air.

Breath Beatrix..

I breath in and breath out until my senses calm down.

I'm always used to have nightmares every time I fall asleep. But having Stefan included in my nightmare is different.

Then, I surveyed inside the tent.

I found Stefan, sleeping in a reclined position, using the camping bag for support on the other side of the camping tent.

That's quite a bad sleeping position!

How could a Prince sleeping as such?

He's genuinely a great nobleman.

Maybe, there are times he is annoying and arrogant but he is still a wonderful Prince with beautiful soul, I could feel it.

He is suddenly awakened from his sleep.

His eyes are teasing and suspicious.

"Is there something wrong, My Lady? " he is asking in a hoarse voice.

Hesitation filled my heart.

But my soul and mind told me to do this.

I break the silence.

"Your highness, the sleeping mat is too big for me, you might want to share it?" I shyly asked.