Third Step

He listened with twitching ears, tilting his head curiously as she told of peace and fireflies. “Hmm,” he hummed pleasantly in thought, wondering at the notion of watching every rotation of the sun and every living thing that passed by. He thought he’d much prefer to be put away, where he wouldn’t be tormented by the notion of living and doing, while only being able to see. Although, her notions seemed pleasant enough. “Perhaps, maiden, your light is never meant to be kept in the dark. Frozen in shimmers. Fire and glass. Waking every new day with the sun”. Yes, perhaps she would fare better in the ice than he would himself.

With their attentions climbing up the ice, away from laws and burials, the doe agreed to his suggestion for a pathway to the top of the glaciers. In doing so, she seemed to attempt to mimic the rhythm of his speech. She seemed to stumble a bit over the words, even so, the boy wiggled happily and let out a short yip of approval. “Indeed, maiden. Help I shall call. Help I shall be if your light should fall”.

Arató followed behind the deer as she began the ascent up the glacier, stepping slightly closer each time she seemed to falter. He kept his own stance wide, digging his claws into the ice for support. His forever antsy body grew still as he concentrated on his footing. By the time they climbed what he presumed to be halfway up, the pale lass paused as if questioning their efforts. When she did, he made to close the gap between them and touch his nose to the side of her flank. He meant it to be a gentle touch, as not to disturb her balance, but enough to reassure her. “Do not worry so, my maiden of light. Nose before tail. The climb is halfway through”. Before them, he could see the rising sun just barely cresting overtop of the path before them, casting the ice with an array of glittering rays. “Up the ice, just follow the sun,” he would hum as they went.