On the far side of the lake Pleasant had heard the gunshot. As she stood at the edge of the woods next to Polaris she saw the two figures emerge on the opposite bank. "Baldwin..." The roar of the bear shook her to the core as it emerged behind them.

Baldwin fell flat at the lakeshore. Unable to get back to his feet he crawled, leaving a bloody trail behind him. His hands worked through the snow until he eventually felt the hard ice beneath him. Rolling over he watched the bear set two paws on the ice only for one to break through. The animal paused looking him dead in the eyes, with almost mistaken recognition, then turned its head at the sound of the other man retreating through the snow back into the forest. Baldwin watched as the black beast backed away from the ice and gave chase to Cedric instead.

With all his might he rolled over on his knees and tried to stand only to hear a loud crack beneath him. The spilt shot from his hands and spread out all around him.

"Baldwin!" Pleasant shouted as she ran towards the lake.

Baldwin fell into a sitting position as the ice broke around him. He could see Pleasant nearing and held his hand up for her to stop before he fell through

As soon as one of her boots hit the ice Pleasant fell down hard. She kept her eyes on the hole in the ice as she struggled to stand. A whinny made her look over her shoulder as Polaris came charging to her rescue.

The world around them seemed to have fallen completely silent as she climbed into the saddle and the horse charged forward without her direction. The ice split and shattered just behind them and she tightened her grip around his neck as they neared the hole then they were engulfed in cold darkness.

The cold water hit Pleasant like a train. She immediately wanted to breathe out but held her breath as her skirt and petticoats floated around her like a Spanish dancer. She could feel the cold shaking every bone in her body but she held tight to Polaris as the horse paddled downward through the water in the sparkling sunlight.

In the dancing rays she found Baldwin drifting slowly to the bottom of the lake. He didn't even appear to be trying as he listlessly drifted toward death. Kicking her legs she swarm toward him and took hold of his body as the surface grew higher above them. Kicking with all her might she sought to fight against the pull and hold Baldwin at the same time but she could feel them sinking deeper still and she could no longer hold her breath.

A nudge came from behind her and turning around she took hold of Polaris bridle as the horse paddled to the surface. As the light descended on them, she was forced to breathe out just seconds before breaking through. Though the cold air stung like daggers she welcomed it into her lungs. She held on to Baldwin with one hand and Polaris with the other as the horse swam toward the shore only letting go when they reached land. Laying Baldwin down, she watched him spew water and blood then take in big gasp of air.

"Pleasant," he shivered.

Pleasant nodded her head before collapsing next to him in the snow. Frost had formed in their hair and their whole bodies where numb with cold.

Turning his head Baldwin looked into her eyes as her life escaped from her in struggling white plumes. Rolling onto his side he lifted her head so that it rested on his arm and placed kisses across her forehead. He watched her lips draw into a smile as she reached out her hand and took his.

"Forgive me," Baldwin whispered as he watched her eyes slowly closing. "Forgive me." Her eyes shut slowly and Baldwin felt a pain stronger than any he had ever felt before slash his heart. Lowering his head he rolled over and looked at the sky. The sun, trapped behind the clouds suddenly seemed reasonably attainable. He could feel the slow turn of the earth and the clock suddenly seemed to have no bearing on him. Slowly he felt himself sinking and he drew one haggard breath before his eyes shut.

/

Havelock jumped down from his horse, not even bothering to tie it. Straying from the drive he cut across the snow covered lawn and ran straight into his mother's house startling the maid who was in the foyer.

"Mr. Havelock?"

Havelock kept running with the bundle in his arms and barged into the parlor where his mother was comforting a weeping Alice.

"Havelock?" Mrs. Monhollen said as he son rushed in.

"It's Maurice!" Havelock said going over to the roaring fire with the infant.

Alice was quickly at his side taking the baby from him and hugging him to her warm body by the fire. "What happened?" she asked kissing the child.

Havelock didn't think he could rightly explain and the swiftness of his ride was starting to take a toll on him. Getting up from the floor he turned to the door.

"Where are you going," Mrs. Monhollen asked as she hung her shawl by the fire.

"I have to go help, Baldwin," Havelock said. "There was a shot." He didn't give his mother a chance to ask any more questions and ran from the room back to his horse. Snow-on-Her received him as he swung himself up into the saddle and road back towards the lake.

As he neared the lake he looked around for signs of his brother. He saw the fresh break in the ice then his eyes found two figures lying in the snow. Pushing his mare into a gallop he rushed towards them dismounting before the horse could even stop and falling at their sides. Blood stained the snow around Baldwin frozen body so he quickly went over to Pleasant. Pressing his ear to her narrow chest he then lifted her from her icy coffin and carried her cold damp form over to his horse.

Laying her first across the horse he climbed on then took her up in his arms like a child. Turning his head he looked back at Baldwin still lying in the snow and was pained that he couldn't carry both of them.

"Havelock!"

Havelock turned to the woods as Espen emerged with a sled. He had never been happier to see that particular brother. "Espen..."

Espen didn't ask any questions. All of that could be done later. "Take care of her," he instructed Havelock. "I'll look after him."

Havelock nodded and rode off with Pleasant while Espen tended to Baldwin. Laying his brother out on the sled he dragged it back through the snow. So much had happened but nothing had prepared him for this. It had been a beautiful morning and he had decided to invite Alice and the children for a sled ride but halfway there he had heard the shot. The land was too still and bare to tell where it had come from. It was when he saw Havelock riding back at full speed that he knew something terrible had happened and turned back to the lake. "Good thing too," he said to himself then looked back the sled. Baldwin was as still and pale as the world around them.

/

Margaret-Gay looked across the snow as Pleasant came their way leading Polaris on a rope. She tied the horse to the back of the sleigh and climbed on.

"He looks better," Margaret said. "Stronger than ever almost."

Henry looked back at the women. "Are you sure you want to do this, Pleasant?"

"Yes," Pleasant said firmly. "He asked for us."

"I know," Henry said. "But it can't be a pretty sight."

"I know," Pleasant said. "Please."

Henry nodded his head and started the sleigh into the hills. They rode past all the wealthy houses with their long drives that couldn't be seen from the road. Children waved in greeting as they set out with their sleds for Moon Thread Hill.

They rode through the gates of Middlemist and stopped outside the house where Henry helped the ladies down.

Mrs. Monhollen welcomed them with a smile but her face still was gloomy. "I some glad you have come," she said. She smiled at Pleasant who had Polaris on the rope. "And you've brought him." Stepping aside she let them all in making the eyes of her maid grow wide at the sight of the horse in the foyer.

"Are you certain about this, Mrs. Monhollen?" Pleasant asked.

Mrs. Monhollen nodded. "You should go right up," she said to Pleasant. "He's with Espen in his old room."

Pleasant looked at her cousin and Henry who nodded, urging her on. Turning to the stairs she climbed them, leading Polaris behind her, and walked down the hall stopping at a bedroom door slightly open. Peeking in she could see Espen seated by a bed in the sunlight. Knocking lightly she waited to be invited then went in.

"You're here," Espen said standing. "I'm glad you are here." Meeting her halfway across the floor he took her hands. "He asked for you last night. Both of you."

Pleasant turned to the figure in the bed. A blanket was spread across his legs and his waist had been bandaged. His eyes stayed closed as his chest rose and fell.

"If it makes you uncomfortable you don't have to," Espen said.

Pleasant gently touched his shoulder. "I'll be fine," she said then approached the bed with Polaris. Lowering herself into the chair she let the sunlight warm her as she looked out the window. She looked at Espen standing by the bedroom door. It was strange to see him broken down so far. Turning back to Baldwin she placed her hand over his and his eyes opened.

"You came."

"Of course I came," Pleasant said.

"I wouldn't forgive me."

"It is not your place to," Pleasant said.

Baldwin drew a difficult breath. "I am dying?"

"Don't give up so quickly," Pleasant said.

Baldwin swallowed. "I can see it in everyone's face," he said. "Even yours."

Pleasant shook her head. "Baldwin, I must tell you," she said quickly. "Johann is alive. I've seen him. He wants to see you again but it is a lot to take at once. You must see him. It will make you so happy." She looked into his eyes, wondering if he understood her.

A smile slowly came to his face. "Someone once told me that knowledge is a great satisfaction," he said.

Pleasant smiled softly.

"Espen, the letter," he called to his brother who came over and took a letter from the stand on the opposite side of the bed and gave it to him. Baldwin in turn gave it to Pleasant. "You'll find Mamie at this address. Bring her home. I'm sorry, Pleasant. I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you."

"I have forgiven you," Pleasant said. "None of that matters anymore. I'm no longer afraid."

"I am glad," Baldwin said as tears came to his eyes. "You can't possibly know how glad I am."

Pleasant bowed her head. "Thank you for all you did for May," she said.

Baldwin nodded and his eyes went up to Polaris. "Hey, boy," he said holding out his hand and touching the tip of his snout. "You saved us." He smiled as the horse nuzzled him. "That day in the water I couldn't see anything. All I can remember is dark and cold. But one thing I remember clearer than that is that star descending." He coughed. "That's when I knew...you had come in after me." His eyelids suddenly grew heavy and he drifted off.

Espen quickly came to Pleasant's side. "He's resting," he said. "It takes all his energy to talk."

Pleasant stood from the chair. "Might I keep coming back?"

Espen adjusted Baldwin's pillow. "Come as often as you like." He watched the woman and horse go then turned back to his brother. He would stay at his side until he no longer could.