Firewood and Frost

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Frank was fetching water from a nearby well when he saw Hazel. She had been gone for a few days, but it felt longer. In her absence, the weather had grown colder, as if even the ground missed her presence.

The well had been built over thirty years ago by Frank's father and several families used it. It was made of stone and had remained sturdy throughout the years, though the edges of the rocks were smoother than Frank remembered them being as a child. He tied a rope to the bucket and let it down.

There wasn't a splash, but rather a loud thunk when the bucket got to the bottom. Frank frowned and peered inside the well. His eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness and he realized the water was frozen solid. Frank sighed and pulled the rope back up. With the well frozen through, he'd have to look elsewhere for water.

He untied the rope knotted around the bucket's handle and looked up to see Hazel and her family trudging through the snow. They all wore thick cloaks over their garments, but even those couldn't stop them from shivering. Hazel caught sight of Frank looking at her and began to walk faster, her feet crunching against the snow. "Frank!" Hazel said, standing a couple feet in front of him.

Their breaths billowed in the cold air, mingling into one cloud of condensation. "It's good to see you again," Frank said

He was acutely aware of the presence of her family. Though he dearly wanted to give her a bear hug and plant a kiss on her soft lips, he restrained himself. Her gaze, as soft as melted gold, told him she was thinking similar thoughts.

"The well is frozen, eh?" Hades asked, breaking the spell cast.

"Yes," Frank said, looking up. "I think I'm going to have to use an axe and cut away some ice from the stream today."

"That's a pity," Hades said, clutching his cloak. "It's going to be real cold in our house."

"Yes," Maria agreed. "We'll need to start s fire immediately. Come on, children."

"I can stay and fetch some firewood," Hazel offered.

"I can help you," Frank added.

They traded smiles. "Alright," Hades said. "See you two soon."

The di Angelo family trudged towards their house. Nico looked noticeably more somber than usual. "So, Bianca is a priestess now?" Frank asked.

Hazel nodded and explained what had happened as they trudged through the snow. They were heading towards the grove of trees, but they stopped to pick up any good piece of kindling they found, putting it in Frank's wooden bucket. "Athena's house was as huge as a temple," Hazel said, describing it. "The gardens were beautiful and the gems . . . My mother would've loved to see them."

Her shoulders dropped. All she had of her mother was the knowledge that Marie always longed for her daughter to live a comfortable life. Would she approve of Hazel's love for Frank? Somehow, Hazel didn't think so. "Hey," Frank said. "I'm here if you want to talk about it."

   Hazel blinked at him gratefully, but said nothing. Frank respected her silence as the two of them continued gathering kindling. Twin emotions burned in Hazel's heart: grief and joy. She wished she had been able to know her mother, but she was grateful that Frank comforted her in his quiet, gentle way.

     When they had gathered enough kindling, they headed to the di Angelo house. The snow was up to their ankles and walking through it made Hazel feel like an ungraceful deer. It made every step take more effort and Hazel's face was numb with cold by the time they entered the house.

      Frank set down the bundle he was carrying and quickly gave some to Maria. She was stoking the hearth with the kindling leftover from before their trip, but there wasn't much left and the fire sputtered. Once Frank set some fresh kindling down, however, the fire began to spring back to life.

   Hazel set down her burden next to Frank's and began stacking it. "It's chilly outside," Hades commented. "Why don't I go out and get some more firewood?"

     "Oh no," Hazel said. "I'd like to do it."

     Hades blinked. "Are you sure? I don.'this want you to strain yourself."

     Hazel smiled. "I like the weather," she confessed. "It's beautiful outside."

    That was true. When Hazel and Frank returned outside, he admired the way the sunlight made the snow glitter and how the bare trees we're adorned with icicles. This was normally Frank's favorite time of the year, resting and preparing for Kronia. His mother would cook up a scrumptious dinner and they'd all exchange little gifts. This year, however, he'd trade all the sweet food and gifts to be with Hazel.

     The two of them returned to the grove, chatting about their holiday plans. "Ir's going to be our first Kronia without Bianca," Hazel said. "I don't know how Nico will handle it."

    Frank gave her a smile as warm as porridge. "You are such a good sister," he commented.

    Hazel shrugged and sighed. "Not as good as Bianca."

     "You two are different," Frank said. "Not the same and you aren't supposed to be."

     Hazel stopped and stared at him. "Don't you see? Nico wishes I had left instead of Bianca. My whole family likes her better. I wish I could be like her. Then, maybe my mother would've had the strength to live."

She started crying, letting out pain she had held within herself for so long. Frank put an arm around her shoulder and when she buried her head in the folds of his tunic, he pulled her in for a hug. Seeing Hazel sad made Frank tear up and reminded him of his own sorrows. Crying together was somehow more intimate than any kiss. They spoke not with words, but with their hearts and when the hug finally ended, they both knew they were going to be okay because they had each other.

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