A Promise in the Frost

Dawn's rosy fingers crept across the cottage interior, infusing worn wood and stone with hopeful light. Isolde gazed out her frosty window, heart lighter than she could recall in recent memory.

For once the winter chill outside did not perfectly mirror the permafrost encasing her battered spirit these long years. Dim recollections of warmth and joy seemed to be kindling deep within, sparked by Aiden's steadfast devotion through her shadowed confessions.

She marveled again that this patient, perceptive man had weathered her stormy revelations with calm grace. Nor had he pressed for further details or demonstrated suspicion afterward. He accepted her concealed pain as water accepts the river stones - allowing it to smooth away harsh edges over time.

Her breath misted the weathered glass as she contemplated this welcome dawn. Perhaps the ice entombing her wild spirit might finally be thawing, coaxed by kindness and care beyond any she thought possible again...

A brisk knock roused her from musings. Hastening to the door she discovered Aiden himself awaiting her welcome, dancing from foot to foot in the frosty morning.

"Well met this brisk morn!" He grinned broadly, the rising sun etching his handsome features in gold as he stamped feeling back into numb toes. Laughing, she drew him swiftly over the threshold into molten warmth within.

He chafed her hands gently in his. "When I awoke to ice limning the windows, I simply had to see you straight away and propose an adventure." Mischief lit his eyes. "How do you fancy a walk through frosted forest and perhaps a magical experiment atop some lonely hill?"

Isolde's unrestrained smile would be answer enough for any question he posed just then. "That sounds perfect," she enthused. After bundling into woolen cloaks, they struck out toward a favorite secluded meadow encircled by snow-dusted firs.

Booted feet crunching on frozen earth, they wandered beneath ice-lacquered boughs ephemeral as faerie castles in that crystalline light. Breath pluming frostily, they conversed easily about various magical theories, plants lying dormant beneath the drifts and the beauty of forest in its winter repose.

Eventually they crested a hill where the trees drew back, exposing broad vistas across rolling woodlands to distant lost in pearly mist. Here they halted, embraced by icy solitude.

Aiden turned to Isolde, cheeks ruddy and eyes sparkling like cobalt sea glass. Impulsively he captured her gloved hands and drew her playfully into an impromptu dance across the glittering meadow.

Laughing gaily she let him spin her around powdery oakleaf drifts beneath boundless azure sky. Even through their gloves the sure warmth of his grip grounded her happier than she had felt in years. When at last they collapsed side by side upon the frosted meadow, breathless and flushed, she wondered that her heart did not crack wide open from sheer fullness.

Propping on one elbow, Aiden regarded her tenderly. "What magic you work on me, Isolde, drawing me out to dance like a fool with no music." His eyes crinkled merrily. "I must ensure Brevan never catches me thus, lest I never live it down."

She chuckled. "This can remain our frosty little secret." Playfully she traced icy whorls on his chest just visible through his tunic laces. Aiden sucked in an abrupt breath at her chill touch then captured her hand firmly in rebuke.

"Now see here, woman, just because I endure your icy defenses thus far gives you no right to assault me outright with frozen fingers!" But his mock indignation quickly dissolved into easy laughter again.

Heart brimming, Isolde impetuously leaned over to plant a frosty kiss upon his wind-nipped cheek. Drawing back she suddenly felt uncharacteristically shy. Ducking her head she focused intently on readjusting her rumpled cloak across knees drawn up against the cold.

Aiden gently raised her chin until reluctant eyes met his sparkling gaze again. Face solemn now despite smiling eyes he asked gently, "Isolde, are you well and truly willing to explore what deeper affection lies between us now?"

He cradled her cold cheek tenderly. "I would never nudge you faster or farther than your spirit can safely venture after past injuries. You must set the pace here."

Isolde covered his hand with hers, offering a tremulous but authentic smile. "Thanks to your stalwart friendship, I find my battered spirit thawing toward possibilities too long frozen away. My residual fear no longer outweighs fondness gained...or hope kindled anew."

Her smile turned brittle, old grief shadowing emerald eyes. "The past will probably haunt forever these battle-scarred plains." She pressed his palm firmly over her heart in pledge. "But I am willing to forge new trails beside one so patient and caring as you - if you yet desire such an erratic explorer for company?"

Joy crinkled Aiden's handsome face. He cradled her cool cheeks between his palms now.

"My dearest Isolde, of course I desire your companionship beyond assurance! Should you entrust me your tender heart, I vow to guard it now and all our days."

He smoothed back wind-tumbled sable waves from her brow with infinite tenderness. "You and only you shall determine how and when we take each next step together along this winding trail, according to your comfort."

Moisture glimmered in Isolde's eyes, turning them luminous as moonlit fjords. But her voice remained steady. "Then here in this fair winter haven, I do pledge you my growing affection and trust, Aiden." Impulsively she pulled a silver charm from her wrist - a bejeweled amulet given by her order when initiated.

Pressing the meaningful keepsake into his palm, she folded his fingers over it. "Please shelter this small token...as you have sheltered my battered heart amidst its winter landscapes. I can offer no finer pledge of my earnest intent to explore attachment unfettered by past bonds."

Aiden stared at the intricate amulet in awe before meeting her hopeful gaze. Carefully he strung the chain about his own neck, hands trembling at the honor granted him. Clearing his throat gruffly he managed unevenly, "Then I solemnly accept guardianship of this, your most sacred trust. By this frost-kissed morn I vow to build between us such abiding affection that wildernesses within and without shall flourish together."

He raised her knuckles to his lips in homage. Isolde's breath caught at the solemn promise shining in his wintry eyes. For endless moments they lingered embracing without need for further words, the icy meadow singing back the chorus of their hearts.

Eventually they continued wandering the glittering woodland paths, hands clasped warmly between them. The future remained obscured by mist and shadow, but side by side they would welcome whatever trials emerged along their shared journey - across both frost rimed valleys and verdant meadows yet to come. This morning's promise sealed a covenant of courage that would guide them faithfully through all seasons yet to unfold.