Moving Forward

Time passes, the seasons change. Summer fades to fall, chilling winds then bring winter.

The once green forest is now a glistening white, empty, nothing but the sound of wind and branches creaking under the weight of ice and snow. In the small clearing where Lunetta and Fenris met, now stands a long house. Smoke gently rising from a chimney, the pond nearby frozen over. Its Just after dawn, Lunetta and Fenris Lay in bed wrapped in each other's embrace. Blissful and warm Lunetta nestles closely to his chest. It had been a few months since Fenris began making this wonderful home for them. Fenris worked tirelessly day after day, working himself to exhaustion to complete this safe haven by winter. Occasionally Astrid and Halvor would visit and bring food for Lunetta to try while sharing stories. Halvor and Lunetta had even made amends and all four became close friends.

Fenris begins to wake and looks down to see Lunetta curled up next to him. Lifting his head, he places gentle kisses on her forehead. Lunetta smiles and pulls herself up to lay on his shoulder while wrapping her arm across his chest. They sit in silence breathing slowly in synch.

"Lunetta…I want to ask you something." Fenris says in a serious tone playing with her hair. Lunetta nervously looks into his eyes. "I love you, you know this. I want… I want to introduce you to my family, my people. No more hiding. They do not need to know full details of what you are and where you are from. In order for me to avoid an arranged marriage my father needs to know…that I …am spoken for." Lunetta blushes and hides her face in the covers. The idea was terrifying exposing herself to more humans. Sure, she could trust Fenris, but what if the others didn't take to kindly to her. Another issue was her appearance, Lunetta didn't look like the others. Fenris Halvor and Astrid all had Dark brown hair with skin that glowed from healthy sun exposure. While Lunetta's hair was a mixture of lavender, pastel blue, grey and a streak of green, her skin pale like the light of the moon. Would his people accept her as she is? Lunetta gets out of bed and walks over to the window watching the snow fall gently, silently to the ground.

"I'm scared" she says bring her hands close to her chest. Fenris rises from the bed walking over to comfort her. Wrapping his arms around her he says in a hushed tone "I know, I am too. I do not want to put you in any danger, but I have been thinking about this a lot lately and I think its time. I swear I will be by your side, and if anything were to go wrong well leave and never come back." Lunetta turns to face him "I don't want you to abandon your people" she says. Fenris shakes his head "I don't think it will come to that. What do you think, shall we go into town today… Together?". Lunetta looks away then back to Fenris and nods silently. Elated he lifts her and spins around "I know my family will love you once they get to know you." Fenris says eyes beaming. Lunetta smiles meekly, hiding how terrified she truly was.

Together they ate breakfast and bathed. Lunetta heads towards a wardrobe that Astrid had been Kind enough to fill with clothing that women wore in Fenris's village. Slowly she thumbed through the chemises and strap dress's until she stopped on a familiar piece. A white chemise with a black strap dress, the one Fenris gave her on the beach months ago. Lunetta smiles from the memory of their first day here in the clearing. Gently she puts on the outfit and puts on the necklace Fenris gave her with the rune. Looking herself over in the mirror she grabs her hair that hung in loose waves. Astrid had worn so many different styles on her visits, Lunetta wondered if she should try. Fenris walks in behind her and leans against the wall. "what are you doing" he asks tilting his head to the side. Lunetta pouts letting her hair fall around her. "I was hoping to make myself presentable, but alas this is what they will get" she says disappointed. Fenris walks over to the wardrobe pulls out a cloak and wraps it around her shoulders. "What they will get is a maiden who shines with the radiance of the moon itself. You need not worry yourself with fitting in, I think they shall love you." He says then lightly kisses her forehead.

Together they walk out of the long house and head towards the village. Lunetta glances back at the long house and feels nothing but regret. As they get closer and closer to the village her grip becomes tighter and tighter. Finally, they reach the outskirts, Fenris pulls her hand up and kisses the back of it. "Let's do this" he says. Taking a deep breath in Lunetta takes the first step forward. They round a corner and end up on a main road that leads to the great hall. Lunetta can see some villagers wondering the town, kids playing in the snow, some doing their work. A group of kids run through the snow towards them and stop short of a collision. "Fenris come play with us! We want to play war!" a small boy says beaming up at Fenris with a toothy smile. "I can't today lad, Important mission today" Fenris says winking at him. The boy looks over at Lunetta and gasps eyes going wide. "who are you" the boy says in wonder. Lunetta smiles softly, but Fenris interrupts "This is Lady Lunetta she's important, I have to get her to the great hall. I promise well play soon ok." The boy nods and smiles. Fenris begins to walk but Lunetta stops him and turns to the children "It was lovely to meet you" she says bowing her head to them. The children wave goodbye and run off pushing each other and laughing. Fenris smiles and looks down at Lunetta as they walk through town. "I knew you could do this" he says giving her hand a squeeze. Lunetta was proud that she could make him happy, but she could still feel other eyes on her, hear the whispers and wonderings of her presence. They were close to the great hall when Astrid and Halvor appeared. Astrid runs to Lunetta and hugs her. "Looks who washed ashore huh" Astrid says excitedly. Fenris gives her a look of disapproval. "Don't worry everything will be ok, she will be ok" Astrid says giving a warm smile. Halvor and Fenris lock forearms greeting each other. "Good luck Brother" Halvor says nodding his head. Fenris nods and lets go of Halvor's forearm. Astrid and Halvor take off, leaving Fenris and Lunetta alone. The two share a moment of silence, hold each other's hands. "Are you ready" Fenris says giving her hand a squeeze. Lunetta looks down at the ground, takes a deep breath then raises her head. "Lets do this".