The Northern Fields

As the snow melted, I focused on the sky and the path ahead. The white bear had said very little during the day, and blended in with the snow and ice. Now, he stood out among the shadows of distant mountains and the field of snow drops that surrounded us.
Without the familiar chill of my home, I couldn't pretend that I was just out for a walk, and Andrian would call for me, warning me that mother would only keep supper warm for so long. My only comfort was the lights dancing above us.
Would you like to walk?
I nodded, distracted from my thoughts, and then I remembered that the bear could not see me.
"I would. Are you tired?"
The bear laughed, a strange hum in my mind.
No. But I am bored.
This time, I laughed, easing the strange quiet around us. He stopped, and I slid off his back, gasping as I landed. The ground beneath me was soft, and I took several steps to confirm that it was not my imagination. The bear watched me as I walked, arriving at the edge of the largest body of water I had ever seen.
My brother talked of lakes, and I had read about them in the books my father brought from town. I stared at the lake, and followed the path of flowers and puddles while the bear walked beside me.
Are you having fun?
I smiled and nodded, staring at the reflection of the lights in the water. They seemed to surround me, guiding me to the next patch of grass and flowers. The bear walked behind me patiently as I explored. I jumped, skipped, slid and tested the edge of the grassy path. I must have looked like a kid with my eyes wide and a huge grin on my face. My mother's cloak slipped from my hair, but I pulled the hood around my ears each time it moved.
We're almost there.
I turned to look at the bear and he stood beside me, lifting his head. I followed his gaze, hands still on my hood and saw what he meant. Where the lake ended, a mountain began, and on the side of the mountain a gathering of pearl towers and walls gleamed in the distance. It was small from where we stood, but the lake was vast, stretching across the landscape for miles.
That is the palace. We will be safe there. 

Picture made by me using the following stock images:
Background: Aurora Borealis from Corepics: http://www.bigstockphoto.com/blog/tag/northern-lights/
Polar Bear: Polar Bear by *EnchantedWhispers: http://www.deviantart.com/morelikethis/326210925#/d4zjmxx
Princess: Cima123 by =FairieGoodMother: http://susieboo22.deviantart.com/favourites/45011805#/d392hyr

Snippet from A Winter Fairy Tale

 

           The sun was still in the sky when I stepped outside. My brother Andrian was waiting. 

         "Erena." My mother called as she grabbed my shoulder. "Wait. You must be patient." 

          Andrian bowed to the general and walked toward us. He carried an icy silver sword and his dark hair was covered by an iron helmet. 

          "Your highness, we have lowered the defense of the ice trolls, but there are rumors of reinforcements. The Troll Queen has started a storm in the east as a warning. 

          "I understand" Berend said, his white fur bristling. "We must prepare for a raid."

           The polar bear stepped forward and the army bowed before him. Berend's gold eyes watched the clouds as Andrian handed the sword to me. 

          "Are you sure about this?" Andrain asked. I could tell he was holding back. He usually spoke until he was interrupted by a laugh or a shout. 

          "We have no choice." I said, taking the sword. "If the story is true, this will be the last battle the ice trolls can fight. We have to hold out until sunrise."

          "How will you find the Troll Queen?" Berend asked, watching the sword.

         "I'll find a way." I strapped the sword to my belt and tied my hair up. 

         "You're not going alone." Berend said.

         "Be careful" Andrian whispered, pulling me in a hug. 

         "Wait," my mother said, pulling something out of her pocket. It was a comb.

         "You can't give me this." I said.

         " I can." My mother said putting the comb in my hair. "This comb was a gift from a powerful sorceress. It may protect you in the Ice Troll Realm."

          "We must go." Berend said. The army stepped aside to form a path.

            I looked at the clouds again. The sun was shining through the shadows. 

          " It is a sign." Berend said, stepping forward. 

            I kept my eyes on the white horizon, walking next to the great white bear. As I walked, I thought of my father, hopefully alive, and sitting in a cold cell somewhere in the Ice Troll Realm. This was the last time I would allow the Troll Queen to take something away from me.