Chapter Text
“How much longer?”
Vilhelm wonders aloud.
The grass prick on his back and the warmth of the sun feels foreign on his skin but Vilhelm is unbothered. The slight pain and the heat are just a few of the many treasures that come along with the season of spring. So, he basks under the light and remains lying on the ground.
He opens his eyes and the vast, blue sky greets him. The white clouds bring neither ice nor snow, only floating above to accompany the sun. Flowers of every kind greets his eyes as they sway lazily with the wind. Trees stand tall and surround the meadow he is in. The smell of rich earth and the fragrance of flowers eases his nerves and the deep sigh that escapes him releases his worries.
How peaceful.
Everything here is what he seeks after so long.
The utopia he cannot wait to share with his people.
Vilhelm turns his head to look at his companion. A lady clad in a white dress stands with her back turned to him. Auburn hair sways with the wind like a curtain as her hands busy themselves fondling the plants before her. Bracelets of gold adorn her wrists and twinkle when a ray of light hits its surface. The woman’s form radiates with a soft, golden glow — the warmth of its light could be felt even when he is a distance away from her. The sun upon the sky cannot compare to the brilliance of the woman before him. Amidst the sea of blooming flowers, she is the sun that shines upon them.
“How much longer do we need to endure?” He presses.
The woman was quiet. Her movements froze and everything was still. It is as if his words stopped time. A few moments more pass by before she straightens her back and everything is set into motion once again. She reaches for one of the plants deep in the bushes. At her touch, the bud blooms into a flower of purple. She picks the flower with a quiet murmur of apology then turns to face him.
Green marks like vines trail from her arms up to her neck. An image of a rose sits at the middle of her chest, beautiful and red. Her eyes are obscured by her bangs but her smile is gentle and kind.
Her bare feet are light against the grass, taking her to him with little to no sound. Vilhelm moves to stand up to meet her halfway.
When she stops in front of him, the lady in white presents him the flower and asks. “Do you know what this is?”
Vilhelm feels a sense of familiarity as he gazes upon the purple flower before him. All his life, he has seen only a handful of different flowers in person. This one is not among them. His mind is like a lake with murky waters; no matter how deep he dives, he cannot see a single thing.
Where was it again?
He has seen this one in portraits before.
It is a…
“Borage flower.” She speaks. “The symbol of strength and resilience. Knights from other countries carry this flower into battle for they believe that it gives them not only strength but also courage and bravery.”
He reaches out to receive the flower. When their hands meet, her skin is almost hot to the touch. The cold he felt in all of his life instantly melted away and all he could feel was gentle warmth.
“Take it and keep it close. This is my blessing to you. May you have the courage and strength to face the new era of Svart.”
Vilhelm freezes at her words. “A new era?”
“Yes.” Her voice grows lighter and softer. “A new era is upon the Kingdom of Svart. The everlasting winter will finally end and the first spring will come.”
Suddenly, the air stills — as if a storm is about to come. The calm only lasts a few seconds before the wind noticeably picks up and grows stronger in a matter of seconds. Their clothes, previously dancing, now harshly whip around.
The instant change alarms Vilhelm.
The woman loses her ever-present smile and her tone becomes grave with warning. “But, be warned. This change will also bring great dangers. Chaos will ensue and the people dear to you will face obstacles as their greatest fears. One must endure the freezing winter to appreciate the warmth of spring.”
Petals are now being carried over by the wind. Vilhelm crosses his arms to protect his eyes yet he still tries to keep his gaze on the woman before him. The mysterious lady seems unbothered by the strong winds and merely flashes him a wry smile.
“There are a lot of challenges ahead of you. So…”
In a flurry of petals, she disappears with her words echoing across the vast space.
Rest for now, my dear.