Chapter Text
Snufkin had been wandering for as long as he could remember. The world was wide and beautiful and each new place he visited was a wonderful display of sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences.
While passing through a town to gather some needed supplies of things nature just couldn’t provide, he had overheard talk of a magnificent valley beyond the mountains.
Never having been the most social nomad, he had merely listened, gathering what he could without being caught eavesdropping. The description of the peaceful area and beautiful plant life had certainly caught Snufkin’s curiosity and wonder. He hadn’t wanted to appear rude, however, and continued on his way as the conversation had turned to the residents of the valley, catching only the name ‘Moomins’.
Snufkin knew how to get to the Lonely Mountains. They were easy to see rising over the world, it had just never piqued his interest to go beyond them until that day. With the thrill of a new destination ahead of him, Snufkin made his way across the land.
It was about a week before he found himself in the forest on the other side of the mountain. He had been lucky that the thaw had occurred just the week before. He would have new spring growth to gaze upon by time he arrived, and he hadn't been impeded by harsh weather or lingering snow.
The forests surrounding the valley were already quite spectacular. He had taken notice of many plants he recognized, already starting to repopulate the forest floor, as well as some he had never seen in his life. Birds had come back to greet the Spring too, and Snufkin listened carefully to their song. He considered staying until the end of the season, or maybe even a bit later into Summer, just to see the valley at the height of its beauty.
By sunset, he had reached the peak of the hills in the forest and could see a tall blue and red house sitting down in the valley. It was large like a tower but grand and inviting. Snufkin had never liked houses. His tent was the most separation from the outside world he would like to feel and if the weather would permit it, he’d even forgo that.
With a soup made and eaten Snufkin sat at his fire for a while, gazing with his night eyes upon the valley, excited for the morning when he could truly take everything in.
The next morning, Snufkin woke from his sleep. It had been a pleasant rest, the soft sounds of the valley forest soothing him and the vibrant, lively energy of the area swelling in his heart to greet the day.
He placed his hat on his head and adjusted his scarf, made a quick breakfast, and worked briskly to pack up his things and be on his way.
He took a slow pace once he began his walk into the valley, wanting nothing more than to gaze upon everything and give every inch of it the attention it deserved. He heard the approach of a bird, both from its song and the flutter of its wings. It sang to him and he smiled before pulling out his harmonica to join it.
Across the valley, in the towering blue house, it was early in the morning. While the downstairs was awake with the calm activity of breakfast preparations, the residence's youngest occupant remained asleep. He dreamed of what he might do or find today out in the valley, things like frogs in the stream or flowers in the field, things he had come to expect from his beautiful home.
What he did not expect, however, was the sound of a harmonica intruding on his dreamy experiences. Moomintroll’s ears twitched as they focused in on the sound, and not too long after, the pleasant tones had roused him from his sleep.
He made his way downstairs to see his parents, Moominpapa was sitting in his chair reading the paper while Moominmamma was setting the table.
“Mamma! Papa!” Moomintroll exclaimed excitedly. “Did you hear that music?”
His parents focused a moment and were faintly able to hear the notes. The sound carried much better from Moomintroll’s upstairs window than it did down in their dining room.
“Yes I do,” Moominmamma confirmed. “It’s quite lovely. I suppose we have a visitor here in the valley.”
Moomintroll bounced with excitement. “I hope I get to be the first one to say hi to them! In fact, I’ll go right now!” he declared.
“Make sure you’re back soon, dear. You wouldn’t want your breakfast getting cold.” Moominmamma said with a small smile.
“Okay, Mamma! Oh! Do you think I could invite them to join us?”
Moominmamma nodded. “It would be very nice to meet them. So very few people pass through the valley after all.”
Moomintroll nodded and gave a wave. “I’ll be back soon! I love you both!” he called, already stepping out the door and into the open air where he could better hear the harmonica’s sound riding the wind.
He hurried off the veranda and gazed out into the distance where he could see the faint shape of the traveller’s approach.