#yule time

Yule was coming to a close for another year, with both visitors and residents of the Hidden Valley still enjoying themselves for now. Away from the festivities though, a quiet shadow slipped down a darkened hallway and into a office.

"Mama! Snow!"

Moments later, a little boy came skidding around the corner and ran straight into the young woman who was stood there. She scanned the clothes he had put on haphazardly and simply smiled, amusement lighting up dark eyes.

"I saw. Going somewhere, kiddo?"

He peered up and tried to frown at her but failed because he was almost dancing with both excitement and impatience. "Outside! There's snow, Mama!" Theo hadn't even noticed the odd clothing that he had put on in a hurry to get outside but his mother's raised eyebrow made him look down and grin. He darted back inside to change into some clothing more appropriate for the weather conditions.

Hal just laughed softly, waiting at the front door for him. She was already dressed for going outside in light but warm clothing, having expected this reaction. It only took the little boy nano seconds to change and return to the door, before shooting outside to play in the snow.

The former Ranger followed with a soft but sad smile, wishing that his father could be there as well. Yet she knew it wasn't going to happen, since he wasn't even aware of Theo's existence. A giggle quickly distracted her from those thoughts and soon a snowball fight ensued.

Only neither of them knew that he had found the small holding and was approaching. But that was about to be rectified as an awkwardly thrown snowball missed her and hit the newly arrived man. Hal spun around and came to a dead stop, one hand on Theo's shoulder and the other on the sword she permanently carried.

❄

~~~~~

Cold, snowy and beautiful.

  The white landscape, glittering under the light of the wintry sun, stirred memories of another place much like this. Of snowball fights with her twin and best friend; of drafty old castles filled with laughter and mischief; of racing each-other outside in the air, before heading inside for hot chocolate by a roaring fire. The better times at Hogwarts; before life intervened and eventually sent the young woman tumbling into another world.

  A flicker of a small, if slightly sad, smile crossed her features as she wandered through the snow, reminiscing yet still alert. Although it would have been warmer to remain in her other form, that of a black Shadow Panther, it wasn’t safe to. Not as she approached the frozen lake and the town built upon it. Nor did she want to accidentally worry any of the residents, since it was hard enough already for them.

  Years of living and growing up in the Scottish Highlands had made Skiâ used to the bitter chill and unpredictable weather that came with being around mountains. Magic had helped prevent the Black Lake from freezing but that was not the case here. Grey eyes had studied the ice as she walked alongside the frozen lake, noticing the thinness of it in places further away from the shoreline.

  Graced with both the eerily sharp senses of her panther Animagus form and the early warnings of her magic, the quiet redhead had already started running. She reached the young girl and moved her to safety, not letting the worried yell distract her. It came just seconds before the thin ice cracked completely and she fell into the icy water below.

  Because of her tolerance to much colder temperatures than the mountain chill, Skiâ had only been wearing a tunic, trousers and a thin but warm jacket. She’d left her jacket covering Tilda as the little girl hadn’t wanted to let go, so she was soaked through. Not that she cared as long as everyone else was safe.

  It took a moment for her to remember how to speak, as she was normally on her own. “No thanks n..needed…” She answered softly, beginning to shiver as she was freezing from the sudden dip and the worsening chill in the air wasn’t helping. Although his coat did help a bit as it was dry and she wasn’t.

❄

~~~~~

There was a little Yule-time mischief and playfulness at hand. Not that Almáriel was aware of it at first, due to being distracted by a Rangers vs Soldiers snowball fight. Her attention however was soon yanked away by footsteps and the sudden cold feeling of snow being put in her jacket.

❄

~~~~~

A delayed arrival meant that Hal had gotten there just moments before the blizzard started to really pick up outside. She had quickly changed into dry clothing and joined Éomer in front of the fire, relieved to stay inside for a while.

A small flicker of wariness could be felt coming from her side of the bond as he whipped around with that blazing look in his eyes. Although hidden mostly by her playfulness, it didn’t completely fade until the younger Ranger returned the playful look.

Hal grinned at his question, a bit more relaxed now that she knew her Sentinel wasn’t upset. “You’re allowed one free shot.” She answered, a teasing glint in dark eyes.