[au] an early snow

[the_seafarer]

It's only mid-autumn, as the Bar-year reckons, but one morning Caspian wakes early to find that the light coming through his window has that particular muted quality to it that only comes from sifting through clouds and a veil of snow.

And snow it is indeed, when he comes outside: it crunches pleasantly beneath his boots as his breath freezes in the air and his cheeks turn pink with the cold. Snow; and still it falls, silent and light.

He heads to the stables with the intention of finishing his chores quickly so he can let the horses out to frolic in it, whistling as he goes.

Comments

[sai_delgado]

"Oh, he's that pleased to be out and moving at all," she laughs, "but thee has the right of it, he's more playful than usual."

It's clear she doesn't mind, as she pats his neck before guiding him to the next twist of the trail.

[the_seafarer]

Corella is less enthused, but she goes anyway, Caspian holding her back to follow Susan along the narrower path until they reach the fork and the trail that leads to the garden.

[sai_delgado]

The path is familiar now, and Ghost takes it with ease and boundless energy. Susan promises him a full-out run later, and keeps him from bolting now as they come through the shifting forest.

“It feels warmer.” She glances at Caspian. “Do’ee think they keep the weather at bay?”

[the_seafarer]

He shakes his head, uncertain. "Who can say what they can do? I imagine they might want to settle for a winter's nap at some point, but as you said, it's not even harvest-time yet – if such things matter in this place."

He's not at all sure they do, and is even less sure as they follow the path, which steadily clears before them.

[sai_delgado]

As they reach the edge of the tree-sisters' garden, Susan catches her breath in surprise and reins Ghost to a halt.

"Look! Oh, Caspian, do'ee see?"

Snow is falling on part of the garden, the part that had shown autumn gourds and plants before, while other sections are still spring and summer.

"They've all the seasons at once!"

[the_seafarer]

His delight is just as immediate as hers as they come into the garden, as they see the miracle the tree-sisters had wrought. "By the Lion," Caspian says, astonished.

"I've never seen aught like it, Su, never."

[sai_delgado]

“It’s a wonder for certain.” She dismounts Ghost and leads him further in, walking carefully to stay to the cleared areas.

[the_seafarer]

Caspian follows suit, dismounting and leading Corella to a cleared space full of tender spring grass. The mare, pleased with this development, happily allows herself to be tethered and begins cropping at the shoots. "And look – "

He nods to the birch-woman, whose head is full now of bright yellow leaves instead of summer-green.

[sai_delgado]

She tethers Ghost in a grazing space of his own and turns to drop a curtsey to the birch woman, following it with a bright smile.

“Long days and pleasant nights, Lady Birch,” she calls.

[the_seafarer]

The tree-woman turns, slowly, and now Caspian is astonished there was ever a time when he didn't see a face in her branches and bark. A faint breeze rustles her leaves as she solemnly bows in return.

Welcome, comes her voice on the air. Welcome.

[sai_delgado]

“Yer gardens are lovely in the snow, say true,” Susan tells her. “And so clever to have them all year round at once!”

[the_seafarer]

Pleasure from the tree-woman. It is not time to sleep, she tells them. Not yet.

Caspian smiles at her. "We'll have a bit more warmth yet, I wager," he says. "Is it difficult, to keep this enchantment going?"

Amusement. Saplings, the birch-woman says, fond. This is my work.

[sai_delgado]

“When it is, we’ll be sure to see ye in the spring to follow,” Susan tells her. “Do ye and yer sisters sleep all at once?”

[the_seafarer]

Not all, the tree-woman whispers. There are those who prefer the deep woods, who stay awake in the cold. Pine, cedar, spruce, holly.

[sai_delgado]

“Then we’ll come see them too.”

Susan looks to Caspian. “Won’t we?”

[the_seafarer]

"We certainly shall," he promises, and reaches to lace his fingers with Susan's. "May we walk in your garden a little while, lady?"

[sai_delgado]

Enjoy, saplings, she tells them. We enjoy having you here.

Susan beams at her and squeezes Caspian’s hand. “Thankee-sai.”

[the_seafarer]

You are always welcome, the birch-lady tells them, and rustles her leaves, pleased, before gracefully gliding towards another part of the garden.

[sai_delgado]

She turns to Caspian, smiling. “Do’ee want to walk in the snow here? Or in another season?”

[the_seafarer]

"You might be dressed too warmly now for spring or summer," he laughs, reaching with his free hand to adjust her scarf. "We'll need to bundle you back up again."

[sai_delgado]

She leans into his touch, smiling at him. “Easy enough.”

[the_seafarer]

He smiles back and leans in to kiss her gently. "Very well, then," he says, and tugs gently at her hand, coaxing her towards one of the warmer parts of the garden, unwinding the scarf from around his own neck as they go.

"This must be the opposite of how Lucy felt when she first came to Narnia," he muses. "Have you heard that story?"

[sai_delgado]

She shakes her head, sending her braid swinging against her back. As if reminded, she pulls off her hat and stuffs it in a pocket. “I’ve not, not yet. Will thee tell it?”

[the_seafarer]

"If you like."

He lets go of her hand only long enough to take his gloves off and unbutton his coat, then takes it again. "Lucy was the first of the Pevensies to find Narnia. They were playing a game, a hiding game, on a stormy day in the house where they were staying, and she hid inside a large old wardrobe. But it was the strangest thing; there didn't seem to be a back to the wardrobe at all. She pushed the coats and furs aside and kept moving back, looking for the end to the wardrobe, but instead, she stepped into Narnia."

[sai_delgado]

She uses the opportunity to do the same, as well to unwrap her scarf, then gives him a puzzled look.

“It were - there were a secret door? Or passage, somehow?”