They were grateful that they had come in beneath the trees. The cold wind was starting to pick up, and they could hear it buffeting against the trees. Bullroarer built up the fire a little, and brought the companions in close around its light and warmth for sleep.
*******
The moon was just past full, shining with a bright silvered light on the crust of snow that lay covering the ground. Celandine was restless, unable to sleep. She had seen, on their way into the clearing, a small patch of Snowdrop flowers in the tangle of a tree's roots.
It had been so long since she'd seen such pretty flowers. She thought of her grandma's house and the riot of flowers that used to grow there, before the weather had turned cold for so long. 'If I can just see them, I can go to sleep and dream about them.' she thought to herself.
She pulled her cloak about her, waiting for the opportunity to get away for just a few moments. Bullroarer had called the companion's attention and was listing off who would stand guard, and where they planned to travel to tomorrow.
No one noticed her as she slipped quietly from the edge of the group, walking in the shadows, and made her way quickly beneath the trees to where she thought she had seen the flowers . . .
__________________
Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.
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