The sound of feet on hard floor made Baldwin's eyes open. He turned his head just as his brother stepped into the light.

"Espen," he said. "Let me guess, you've come to tell me I told you so."

Espen smirked. "No, I've come to carry you to Valhalla."

Baldwin smiled. "Shut up."

"Aunt Maude is here to see you," Espen said.

As Mrs. Cronwinshield approached the bed Espen left the room. The woman took a seat and smiled at her nephew. "You look stronger every day," she said touching his face. "We thought we would lose you."

"I feel terrible," Baldwin said.

"Just give it time," Mrs. Crowninshield said.

Baldwin looked into her eyes. His aunt had always been such a kind and gentle woman. "I don't deserve to get up," he said. "I should be punished for what I have done."

"It can't be that bad," Mrs. Crowninshield said.

"I killed a man, Aunt Maude," Baldwin said feeling crushed at the look on her face. "I killed a man."

"Baldwin darling you don't make sense," Mrs. Crowninshield said.

"I killed my own uncle," Baldwin confessed. "I killed your husband." He closed his eyes as the pain of his error overtook him. When he felt his aunt's gentle hand touch his he opened them again.

"Allow me to put you at ease," she said. "You did not kill Elias Crowninshield."

Baldwin shook his head. "I struck him down with a hatchet!" Baldwin said. "Then Dick and I buried him in Collect Lake."

Maude Crowninshield was surprised at first then she patted his hand. "I am sorry you have had to believe this for so long," she said and now it was Baldwin's turn to look surprised. "But I repeat, you did not kill him."

"But, Auntie—"

"Your uncle was with me when he died," Mrs. Crowninshield said. Leaning back in the chair she sighed. "It was late at night when he returned home bloodied and dripping wet. He looked like a man possessed. He demanded to know where Dicky was."

"He was at our house that night," Baldwin said and his aunt nodded.

"He tried to go for him," Mrs. Crowninshield said. "He was in a rage and I didn't know what to do so I ran ahead to my brother; the head wound slowed your uncle down. Maurice was always there for me and when I told him what was happening I saw him change." She closed her eyes for a moment then opened them. "I was the idiot. I ran back out to stop your uncle and naturally your father followed." She shook her head. "Elias had reached the yard but before I could get to him he was down." Aunt and nephew met eyes. "Shot dead by your father."

"My God!"

"You never told us about the hatchet, Baldwin so none of us ever knew what you were going through. No one would miss old Elias so we promptly buried him. I've just let everyone believe he abandoned us and I let myself believe it too."

"I didn't kill him."

"And your father has paid for his sins," Mrs. Crowninshield said.

"And Dick?"

"Dick is dead," Mrs. Crowninshield said causally. "No one has told me but I know."

"How do you know?"

"A mother just knows. He couldn't be saved. His father ruined lives and Cedric was one of them. I used to pray and wish, Baldwin that my son was as fine as you."

Baldwin scoffed. "I am not a good person."

"We all make mistakes," Mrs. Crowninshield said. "Your father regretted shooting your uncle, and I regret not trying harder with Dicky. Maybe I could have saved him long ago. But your mistakes, Baldwin... they are not as grave as ours."

"I can hardly look at her."

"But what matters is that she can look at you," Mrs. Cronwinshield said. "Accept the forgiveness of others. Not everyone is willing to give it." Leaning over the bed she placed a kiss on his forehead then turned to the window. "You should see the lake now," she said. "They've been skating every day since it hardened."

Baldwin sighed pleasantly as his aunt turned, distracted by the door opening. "How grand it would be to be up again," he said. "I miss the lake. When I am well again I shall go."

"We shall all go together."

Baldwin frowned at the sound of the strange voice and raised his head slightly requiring assistance from his aunt. His mother had come into the room and tears flooded from her eyes. Next to her stood a thick haired man in wool. "Heaven is kind," Baldwin said. "Johann."

Addison all but ran across the room and threw his arms around his brother. Baldwin slowly wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tight. He felt as though an angel had been watching very closely and God had asked it that since he was now forgiven what would the angel like for him and the angel had replied "give him back his brother, oh my God".

/

"Checkmate!" Mamie declared as she defeated Baldwin.

Leaning forward in his wheelchair Baldwin studied the board. "Well, I'll be..." he looked to Pleasant seated on the parlor sofa with Addison. "Who taught her how to play?"

"Henry did," Pleasant said. "He is quite the master of it."

"Another round," Mamie said setting up the pieces.

"Mamie we should be going," Pleasant said. "We have school tomorrow and we still must do our evening chores. May will need help with supper."

"Can't you stay a few more minutes?" Baldwin asked. "I have something I want to give to you."

Pleasant nodded as he turned his chair away from the table and left the room. She looked to Addison who shrugged. When Baldwin returned he had a box in his lap with a ribbon wrapped around it.

"I hope you like them," he said offering her the box.

"Them?" Addison asked. "It's not kittens is it?"

Pleasant laughed then sat back on the couch to open the box. Pulling the ribbon loose she took of the lid and a smile spread across her face. "Ice-skates," she said. "Oh I can't take these."

"Of course you can," Baldwin said. "I am giving them to you."

"You don't understand," Pleasant said looking down. "I don't think I remember how."

"I see," Baldwin said. "But take them anyways, please."

"Of course. Thank you," Pleasant said. "Mamie, are you ready to go?"

"One more game, Miss Day, please?" Mamie begged.

"She can stay and I could bring her home later," Addison said. "I wouldn't mind."

Pleasant looked to Mamie. "Very well," she said making the girl smile. "But mind your manners and don't make Mr. Monhollen exhausted he still needs his rest."

"Yes, ma'am," Mamie said as she finished setting up. "You can be black this time, Mr. Monhollen."

Pleasant had to smile at the sight of them concentrating over the board. As Addison showed her out she took a deep breath of the cold air. "Pity I didn't get to see Florence," she said.

Addison laughed. "Florence is off with my mother. Says she missed the feeling," he said holding Polaris and the box while Pleasant climbed on.

"How much longer will the two of you stay in Natt Fristad?" she asked taking the box and reins.

"Well, Florence can make choices on her own," Addison said. "I found out that my uncle travels and with him gone Minas handles the entire town so there isn't really anyone to help my mother with Baldwin. Perhaps I'll stay here a while. It will give me the chance to meet the family again."

"That will be nice," Pleasant said.

" I don't remember much of my life before," Addison said. "My mother and brothers all talk about the times we spent together but... It's scary...knowing you were someone else once. Shall you teach me now what it means to be fearless?"

"I have much to learn myself," Pleasant said. "I'll see you Sunday. " Clicking to Polaris she turned him away as Addison waved. Slowly they left Middlemist behind them and came toward the road where Moon Thread Hill rose up to the right looking down on Collect Lake surrounded by Amber Forest.

Pleasant moved Polaris around the hill and down to the lake. Her mind couldn't help but go back to the life passed that she had led. Overall it had been a good life despite the bumps and displeasure. They after all hadn't kept her down forever nor taken away her faith in God and His Word or taken her integrity. She realized that at her lowest point she could only go up from there. It was in the stark darkness that she had seen the perfect creation of the Master Worker of Heaven. She had seen the stars.

At the lakeshore she dismounted Polaris, patting him on the withers when he nickered. Taking the box in hand she went over to a stump and sat. Taking the blades from the box she strapped them to her boots then looked out across the frozen lake.

Standing up she took slow steps toward the lake. Thoughts of the day in March came flooding back to her all at once making her pause at the shore. She could feel the cold water's embrace and see the face of the person who had pulled her out.

Something warm drifted across her face and she turned to find herself looking into a pair of big brown eyes. Gazing at Polaris she could see what so many people already had. She could see an understanding; a comprehension that was almost human. In everything he had never once given up on her. Taking his face in her hands she placed a kiss on his star.

"All right, Polaris," she said. "Let's see if I can remember how this is done." She wobbled out onto the ice and gasped when she took a slip. Turning around she smiled at Polaris who had his ears perked. Closing her eyes she drew the cold inside of her and moved one leg forward. The other followed and soon she was moving away from the shore. The naked trees rubbed their branches together in applause as she picked up speed. Opening her eyes she turned with the shape of the lake gliding over the gleaming surface. A smile crested her face as the wind fluttered her clothes, making her scarf wave like a flag. Gliding slower now she brought her arms into her as she spun in a circle before going fast again, racing the cold breeze. She would make up double for that March day.

Skating to the far end of the lake she drifted around gracefully in circles and tilting her head back she let the breaking sun rays touch her face. The ice reflected the colors of the hallowed day sky as she glided over its surface weightless as a feather in an angel's wing. A shooting star perhaps? Viewed from heaven.

END