Dreams Under the Winter’s Solstice Moon
Winter transformed the Jeweled Woods on the Selandis continent into an otherworldly realm. Its canopy – a vibrant tapestry of green, blue, orange, red, and amethyst, held its colors against the winter chill. Casting shorter golden rays, the sun left a lingering warmth in the crisp air.
Each winter, the woods experienced several snowfalls. These snowflakes, adorning the leaves, contributed to the forest’s mystical aura. Light filtering through the multicolored foliage cast a kaleidoscope of soft hues upon the snow, painting the land in a whisper of color.
As night fell, the forest floor transformed into an incredible scene. Jeweled mushrooms, retaining much of their summer luminescence, cast faintly glowing circles amidst the snow, creating a spectacle light under the moonlit sky.
On the darkest night of the year, Niv’leana and her best friend Frasie, made a tradition of walking to the creek, lighting a campfire, and spending all night making plans for the new year. With their parents’ permission, they stayed out until dawn, drinking Elvemon tea to keep warm through the chilly night.
“Any plans for your nineteenth birthday, Nivvy?” The warm light from the fire brightened her curious green eyes. “It’s coming up soon.”
She chuckled. “You know, whenever someone asks me that, there’s usually a hidden question about why I’m not married yet.” Frasie started to protest, but she extended her hand to pause her train of thought. “I know you didn’t mean it that way.”
“Of course not.” Frasie gave a reassuring smile. “If it’s any consolation, my mom wonders the same thing about me. They’re afraid I’ll be an old maid soon or something. It’s ridiculous.”
“They are right about one thing, though—I need to think more about my future. And I don’t mean about who I’m going to marry. I want to travel first.” She looked up to the sky, acknowledging the growing pull she felt to leave her childhood home. “As beautiful as these woods are, I’d like to see the rest of the continent.”
Frasie scoffed. “Most of the boys here have no intention of leaving Brenloh, let alone the woods.”
She took a sip of tea. “The thought of staying here the rest of my life is terrifying.”
“You’re destined for so much more,” Frasie declared with confidence.
She cocked her head to the side. “And how do you know that?”
“I just know. You’re too smart, too talented to just stay here forever. Me, on the other hand—”
“Come on now, Frasie, there isn’t a better archer in Brenloh—perhaps the entire Jeweled Woods. You can run circles around me, and are a lot funnier and easy going than I am. You don’t know a stranger. And with your hunting skills, you’ll never go hungry.”
“Maybe I’m a good huntress, but you’ve got book smarts.” Frasie offered a half shrug as she tossed a twig into the fire. “You could have any job you want in one of the bigger cities, maybe even Selandis!” Frasie’s hands swept out from her head as though pulling thoughts right out of thin air. “You’ve got big-brained ideas, and those interesting dreams and visions give you all sorts of notions about the future. You always know what to say. I just end up rambling on until people want to stuff their ears with moss. You can write anything, and it sounds beautiful. And by the stars, Nivvy, you’re insanely gorgeous.”
She blushed. “You’re kind, Frasie. But a lot of that was just a nice way to say I’d starve if providing food was left up to me.” She touched her friend’s chin. “And I’m insanely jealous of those freckles.”
Frasie rolled her eyes. “They’re ugly. Ugh, you know I hate them. Anyway, maybe we’re both being too hard on ourselves.”
“Probably so.” She looked to the east. “It will be sunrise soon. And we haven’t made any serious progress on our new year’s plans.”
Frasie put another log on the fire. “No, we mostly just talked.”
She held her mug in her hands, soaking in the last bit of warmth from her cooling tea. “Whatever happens, I have a feeling we won’t be doing this tradition forever.” Her voice waivered slightly. “This could even be our last year.”
Frasie’s smile faded and her eyes lost their usual spark. “Is this one of your predictions?”
She took a deep breath, her eyes lingering on the glow of the embers. “One of my worries.”
“Don’t talk like that.” Frasie grinned. “I plan on dragging you out here for years to come.”
“I don’t think these woods will hold us forever, Frasie.”
She stared into her friend’s eyes, hoping for some form of protest. But a subtle shift of her gaze told her Frasie knew she may be right.
“Maybe it’s not about making plans. Maybe it’s about the tradition.”
Frasie nodded. “About spending the time together out here. Freezing our butts off, waterlogging ourselves on tea.”
“Blessed Winter’s Solstice, Frasie.”
Frasie took Niv’s cold hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. “Blessed Winter’s Solstice, Nivvy.”