Fork in the Snow

Every night since she had left my life, I found myself on the coldest of night’s wandering to the first place we met. Feeling the snow beneath my feet melt and crunch with each step. I’d all but forgotten how long it had been since I last saw her face. Finding myself here was the closest I could come to reaching her again. As if there was a part of her imprinted in the snow, that would fade with the coming of spring. Our memories wrapped around my mind, like a snowstorm, it was winter that made my heart ache even more. Breathing in I sighed, taking in the silence that surrounded me, if you listened you could faintly hear the jingle of the bells on her dress dance in the wind.

Opening my eyes, I looked around, but it was no longer night, the snow still there, but the rays of the sun shining down, on something sparkling in the snow. Stepping forward my heart skipped a beat as I saw the silhouette of a silver antique fork just barely visible in the slowly melting snow. It couldn’t be, could it. I questioned myself, knowing all to well, that even as I was hopeful this was still just a memory, that I relived each time I came here. Still, I let myself give in to the memory, replaying it over and over unable to let go.

Squatting down I reached out to pull the fork out of the snow. My warm touch seemed to bring the fork to life, an ever-growing glow getting brighter. Holding it palm side up in my hand snowflakes began to swirl. Blinking in surprise I waited to see what would happen next, knowing in only a few moments I would be able to see her smiling back at me once more.

A gentle flurry twisted and turned, snowflakes sparkling in the sunshine, as a pair of crystal clear blue eyes, almost as if made of ice stared back at me. The sight of her took my breath away, as she gently landed in front of me, the silver bells tied to the ribbons on her dress ringing in my ear as she settled in the snow. Tilting her head at first to the side she smiled, and I knew from this moment on my life was going to change. “Thank you for awakening me, it’s been ages since I’ve felt the sun’s warmth.” She said gracefully bowing, slowly she rose to meet my gaze.

“Wait, are you telling me, that you were the fork, here stuck in the snow?” Confused, but curiosity taking the best of me I stepped closer to her, taking her in. Smiling she nodded. “It’s such a long story. Even I don’t know all the details, but here I am.” Her gaze never leaving mine, she turned to follow my steps as if mirroring me. Remembering this was all just a memory, my voice hesitated to speak for fear that this moment would be over too soon, and I would have to wait another winter to see her again.

“What were you doing out here in the snow?” I questioned, her smile widening at the question. “To be quite honest, I’m not exactly sure how I came to be here. For as you know even the simplest house fork does not travel.” She giggled lightly, as the breath I had no idea I had been holding released as I relaxed. “It’s a pleasure to meet my rescuer, my name is Asina, and you are?” Reaching out her small hand to me, the smile she had first greeted me with never leaving her face.

“Felix,” Speaking lightly as I took her hand gently, it was cool to the touch, unlike mine that held the heat, hot like a volcano. I was never cold, it was one thing that never changed for dragon kind, we may be cold blooded, but being warm even during winter was something I had always harbored, even during the change of the seasons. Surprisingly she pulled her hand back quickly, as I realized there was a dampness lingering on my fingertips. “I’m sorry, it’s just you are so warm, that it seems to have made me melt from even the slightest touch.” The look of concern on her face was slowly fading, but I could tell she was still worried. “No offense taken, though I am curious as to why.” I said taking a step back trying to set her mind at ease, even if just a little bit. Even the smallest distance may settle her worries.

“Ever since I can remember, I’ve been this way. One day I found myself in a locked room, filled with different towering items, all of which were cursed like me.” Asina paused and looked around, before sitting in the snow, her fingers gliding across the cold earth, sighing in relief as the cold contacted with her skin. Before she continued, the look in her eyes far off as if she was remembering something that had long passed. “From what I had learned, each and every item in this room including myself had come to be this way, one way or another, the only trouble is we weren’t sure who had made us this way, and how it had all happened, even now it’s a mystery.” Slowly, being careful not to frighten her, I kneeled to sit near her in the snow, as it melted to the shape of my body, my tail wrapping around into my lap. “All I can think is that I must have done something to be cursed like this. Because all that remains is my name, no memories, no family. It has been so long since I’ve even been able to speak, so I am truly grateful to you.” Her gaze connected with mine, though she was cold, the warmth of her smile, and the way her eyes looked back at mine, was enough to warm anyone’s heart.

“No need to thank me, I just wish there was a way to break your curse, to set you free.”

“There is only one way that I know this curse will end, and I’m not ready to leave this beautiful world just yet. I may be cursed, but I’ve found beauty in the smallest of things. Those are the things worth living for.” She whispered, though the look in her eyes told me she wished for more.

For fear of bringing more sadness to her situation, the conversation ended there, I was afraid to ask what she meant by those words, but I imagined that it was something far worse than I could imagine in this moment. Our eyes connected then, and a smile crossed her face, the light dancing in her eyes. I couldn’t suppress the smile that found it’s way slowly creeping up on my face. Just as I would never forget the way she lit up my life in the simplest of ways.

And so, this is where our story began, but it all but ended far too soon. I would never give up the time that we shared. The impact she had on my life, the changes she brought out in me, was something more precious than all the glittering gold and jewels in the world. It was the memories I cherished and would hang onto for the rest of my life. Keeping her memory alive, was what kept me going day in and day out. Feeling myself slip back into reality, I looked around me as night had shifted into day, the light barely touching the tip of the trees as the sun rose in the west. The snow had slightly melted beneath my feet, stepping forward, toward the dock just a few feet away, my heart looked out over the lake in longing. Swallowing back the pain, looking into the sky I placed my hand over my heart, breathing in and out focusing on my breathing. Taking the next step, I felt the slick wood plank under my foot as another wave of a memory started to wash over me, bringing me to my knees. No matter how I tried the wrenching pain that racked my body still clung to my chest like it had the night she faded away. Our moment beautiful and tragic as one.

Asina held the end of my scarf gently, her arm swinging back and forth as we stepped onto the dock, the sun was just setting in the sky, but the light still clung to the last few moments that remained of the day. “It’s funny to think that after all this time we always come back here.” She spoke softly, as I could hear the smile in her voice. I wanted nothing more than to tell her how I felt, each day it was getting harder and harder to contain. In a way I knew that she knew, but it was still unspoken between us. As we reached the end of the dock, I sat down with her, slowly turning to meet her piercing yet gentle gaze.

“Asina, there’s been something I’ve wanted to say for a while now.” Pausing I hesitated; I could feel the pounding in my chest growing with each word. Still, she listened patiently waiting as she always did when I couldn’t find the right words. Her eyes seemed to tell me she knew, but I couldn’t bring myself to back out now. “From the moment I met you, you captured my heart, I didn’t realize it then, but I do now.” Swallowing nervously, I could feel the lump in my throat, looking down embarrassed, I felt the gentle icy touch of her hand graze mine, droplets of ice melting on my skin, disappearing completely from the heat radiating off me. Shocked I brought my gaze up, to find myself a few inches from her face, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“I know.” She whispered, leaning in even closer now, I could feel her melting as the dripping of ice-cold water would dissipate on my skin instantaneously. Reeling back slightly holding her gaze, she looked happier than I had ever seen her, she almost glowed. Nodding at me she leaned in again, as our lips collided, ice and fire, cold and hot steaming as we embraced each other deeply. My hands were shaky as I held her, the more my skin connected with hers the more she seemed to melt away, fear washing over me, but she didn’t let me go, she held on even tighter.

“It’s ok, I’ve always known this would be my end. I love you; I will always love you even when I’m gone. I’m always right here.” She whispered in my ear. Her hand placed gently on my chest. The smile on her lips touching my ear, cold, but comforting. Wrapping my arms around her tighter, I pulled her completely into my lap, holding onto the last moments I could with her, for even though one should not be able to love one another we did.

Opposites attracted, bringing us together. Fire and ice, as light and dark never collided, but only met as one ended and the other came anew. Tears welled up in my eyes as she melted away in my arms, her smile brighter than ever, as she washed to nothing more than a puddle at my feet, as the fork she once had been tied to landed in my lap. The curse had lifted, but only the item remained. Reaching down I picked up the fork, balancing it in my hand, looking for any sign of her, but I knew she was gone. Just as winter faded, and spring began, so did the memories we shared of our love that had been too short. Waiting seasons to see her face again was worth the wait, but I longed for a day when they would no longer just be a memory. Dreams don’t always come true, no matter how hard you wish it. Our story had ended, but our love, would last until the end of time.