Music and laughter filled the air. It was the summer solstice, the one celebration on par with the great winter feast. The sun had just set, and in every village and town lanterns and flower garlands adorned the streets. Behind every door was an excited bustling as everyone hurried to get ready for the great dance. Shirts were buttoned, ribbons tied neatly into intricate hair styles and smiles plastered onto every face. Soon men, women and children were spilling out from every door. It was the sort of evening when the air is so sweet you swear you can taste honey as you breath, the kind of evening everything seems perfect.
In the small village of Ashpann the festivities were already in full flair. The town square had been lit with candles and lanterns, casting a warm light as the people of the village danced in time with the flames. The sound of flute, fiddle and stomping feet traveled between the houses, cheerful and inviting as more and more people joined the dancing pairs in the square. Asta pushed a sweaty stray lock of hair away from her face, laughing as she made sure to keep up with the young man in front of her guided her through the steps. Twirling around and around at a dizzying speed they danced. Light on her feet she landed back down on the ground after every jump, heels digging into the cobblestone with each sharp turn. She grinned as the music sped up, nearing it's climax. Skirts whipped and hair swiveled in a blur of colour as the tapping of feet grew more and more rapid until the song finally came to an end. Squealing in delight as she once again was swept off her feet, Asta shook her head teasingly at the young man, Mikkel, who grinned as he put her down and led her to the edge of the square.
"Someone's been practicing." Asta said with a smug grin. "I can remember last year when you could barely even avoid stepping on your own toes, let alone mine."
"Well that was only a problem because of your abnormally large feet. Any other partner and I would have been good enough to dance with royalty." He replied with a cheeky smile, earning a slap on the shoulder in return. The pair stayed quiet for a while, watching the people dancing and savoring the moment. Mikkel was the one to interrupt the comfortable silence between them.
"You know," He said with a small smile. "I can still remember when you were so small you could barely climb onto the chairs at home. Although I suppose not that much has changed on that front." Asta shot him a glare making him raise his hands in mock surrender. Smiling at Mikkel, Asta let herself get lost in thought. Ever since her arrival to the village many years ago, Mikkel had always been there to support her, always the first to try to cheer her up with well meant jokes and always willing to teach her things about the world. She had never been an easy student though, constantly wandering off and getting lost in the forest. He would always come searching, she recalled as she smiled to herself. Although he was barely two years older than herself he always took care of her.
"Lost in thought again, are we?" Mikkel interrupted her thoughts. "Be careful not to think too hard, bless that little head of yours." He said with feigned sweetness, which soon changed into shock as Asta stomped down hard on his foot. "Shit!" He exclaimed. "What was that for?"
"There was a bug." Asta replied sweetly, putting on the most innocent face she could muster.
"Mhm..." Mikkel muttered grudgingly from where he was sat dramatically cradling his foot. "Sure there was."
Asta extended a hand to help him up, almost falling over herself in the process. "How about another dance? Or will you be needing that seen to?" She teased and pointed at his foot.
"I think I'll live, thankfully you aren't as strong as you are aggressive." He smiled charmingly and extended his arm. Linking her arm in his Asta let him lead her to an empty spot at the square and slowly they fell into rhythm with the other dancers. As they danced and talked Asta allowed herself to wish that the moment would never end, that they could just keep dancing like this forever, her hand on his shoulder and his on her waist. She hadn't lied when she said that Mikkel had improved a lot over the last year. It hadn't only been at dancing though. She could feel that a lot had changed over the last year. They had both grown up a lot. She remembered the times as a kid when she had wished for nothing more than to grow up, but now when adulthood was just in front of her she wished she could turn back. She smiled up at Mikkel, suddenly set at enjoying the moment as much as she could so that she would never ever forget it. And as the evening passed into night they danced and talked and laughed until their feet were sore and their cheeks hurt. By the time came that they were getting ready to leave the festivities both were filled with the warmth of spiced cider and the happiness of hours spent in the best of company. Mikkel lead her home, his hand still resting on her waist and by the time they arrived at her door neither of them wanted to part. They had always been close, but tonight was special. Tonight something was different.
"I'll see you again tomorrow, love." Mikkel chuckled, reading the unwillingness on her face. "After all, I doubt I could get rid off you even in the next world over." He murmured with tender humor as he leaned in. Asta felt herself growing dizzier as he extended a hand to her face, gently touching her cheek. His expression turned playful as he grabbed onto one of the dark green ribbons weaved into her blond locks. With a gentle pull it came loose. Asta didn't even think about scolding him for ruining her hair, like she normally would. Dumbfounded she could only watch as he brought his hand up, gently kissing the silky, green material before pulling back. Once again able to breath Asta could only watch as he turned around, face beaming of happiness.
"I'll be keeping this for now. Sweet dreams Asta." Was the last thing he said before walking away into the darkness.
Asta stood still for a few more minutes, trying to make sense of what had just happened. The warmth of him next to her seemed to linger, and her brain couldn't seem to get a grip. Slowly she stepped inside the little cottage, closing the door behind her. Leaning back against the sturdy wooden door for support she lifted a hand up to touch the piece of hair, now hanging haphazardly in its lack of ribbon. Slowly a smile crept onto her face. As confused as she had felt, now only sheer joy remained. She locked the door and made her way to the bedroom, where she slowly sank onto the bed, laying back until her head hit the pillow.
"Asta, is that you?" A voice questioned. "How was your evening? Fun I'll take it since you've been out for so many hours."
Asta sat up as the older lady to whom the voice belonged entered the room. Still smiling she sighed as the woman sat down next to her. "It was amazing."
The older lady chuckled, her round face showing nothing but love for the young woman. "And I bet every boy had their eyes on you!" She exclaimed, making Asta blush and shake her head in embarrassed amusement. "Oh, but I did tell you that that dark green is lovely on you. It brings out your eyes." The woman continued proudly. Asta shook her head.
"Really Oda, they didn't, and you know I prefer it that way." Asta chastised the older woman. "But the ribbons were very nice. Thank you." Asta added shyly, giving Oda a gentle kiss on the cheek. Oda smiled softly, reaching out and stroking Asta's hair tenderly.
"It's nothing my dear." The old woman smiled softly before continuing. "You're like the daughter I was never able to have. I'm very thankful that the fates allowed me to find you and raise you into such a splendid young woman, but you grow up so quickly." The old woman sighed softly. " I guess I'm just worried that you will soon leave to start a family of your own."
Ada quickly embraced the woman into a warm hug. "I won't leave you Oda. You have done so much for me. You took me in, fed me, clothed me, raised me, loved me. You've done so much more for me than a lot of parents do for their children. I promise, no matter what happens, I'll never abandon you."
The two women stayed like that for a while, simply enjoying each others company, before they both decided to get to bed. When finally alone in her room Asta took the last ribbons out of her hair, letting them fall into a green pool on her bedside table. taking the last one she slowly brought it up to her mouth, feeling the fabric tickle her lips. Still clutching onto the ribbon she sank down in her bed, and soon fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
The next day was started with a good mood following Asta around everywhere she went. The daily chores seemed easier, and as the morning turned into early noon Asta was excited to go into the village, hoping to get a chance to see Mikkel again. Normally he would be at home helping his dad in the carpentry workshop at this time, but when Asta knocked on the door the the shop there was no answer. She grumbled a bit in disappointment, but was interrupted by Mikkel's mother appearing, carrying her youngest son on her hip as she walked down the street. She stopped as she saw Asta outside of the shop. "Are you by any chance looking for Mikkel?" She asked with a smile, hoisting the little boy higher up on her hip. Asta offered her an embarrassed smile, nodding in reply. She woman furrowed her brows, shaking her head. "I'm afraid you won't have any look here right now. Mikkel and his father went into the woods earlier this morning to collect wood for a new order they got. They shouldn't have gone far, and they should be back soon, so if you have the time you could always stay here and wait and help me look after Oscar for me?" She smiled and motioned towards the young boy. Ada offered a smile in return, declining but thanking for the offer. Saying goodbye to the woman and her child Asta walked back through the by now bustling streets. She knew the place Mikkel's dad used to go to collect good wood, just beyond the village, next to a bustling stream. Seeing as she had to go collect firewood either way, she decided that she might as well head in their direction.
As the cobblestone streets turned into dirt paths beneath her she feet, and she started to feet the usual calm that always surrounded her in the forest. Above her the leaves cast cool shadows onto the damp grass, and birds chirped between the dwindling branches. She pulled on her sleeves, covering the goosebumps on her arms, contentedly feeling the cool breeze against her face. She knew that the stream was no more than half an hours walk away from the village, and as time passed she started to grow weary. The path narrowed and the trees passed in unfamiliar clusters. Mulling over the possibility that she once again had gotten lost she stopped, trying to figure out where she had taken a wrong turn. She turned back, trying to follow the path back, but sighed in frustration as she came to yet another unfamiliar junction. Puffing out an annoyed breath she dragged her hand through her hair, trying to recall which way she had came from, but ending up none the wiser. Deciding that any way was as good as the other she turned onto the left road, trying to remember what way she had went from the village. She was fairly certain she had left the village from the east side, so if only she could go back west she should find her way home. Or at least make it easier for Mikkel to find her. She smiled wryly to herself, scolding herself for wanting to rely on his help. Craning her neck she tried to get a glimpse of the sun. It was starting to set. Asta remembered the scolding she had gotten last time she got lost in the forest, a far too common occurrence. Mikkel had came to find her, and when he did he had given her a long lecture on how to find her way if lost. Asta remembered him saying that if she was unsure of what direction she was heading, to look at the sun. The sun rises in the east, he said, and sets in the west, so if you need direction you can always use that as your guide.
Trying to decide from what direction the sun was shining, Asta grinned at herself, proud of being able to remember the lecture and happy that she would be able to manage without Mikkel's help this time. Letting her feet leave the path she ventured in between the trees, following the beams of light that seeped through the canopy. Branches tugged on her hair and grazed her arms as she veered between the trunks and bushes. Sweat was starting to build up on her forehead, but she wiped it away, hoping she'd be home soon. Her throat was dry as parchment, and she knew for a fact that Oda would scold her for missing dinner. Looking up towards the darkening sky she could see that the tight grip of the forest was starting to give way. Leaves and branches were replaced for a clear evening sky above her, the sunset making it glow with purples, reds and oranges. Asta stopped for a moment, just admiring the beauty of it all. As she turned her gaze forward however, she realized that the sky was not the only thing painted in fire. As she reached the forest edge her nose was assaulted by the smell of smoke and fire. Her eyes widened in panic, her feet frozen onto the ground at the sight in front. The small village of Ashpann was in flames. Fire licked the houses, in some places spewing out from windows like greedy tongues. Asta let out a horrified scream, seeing her own home being engulfed. But except for the flames there was nothing. No people running around trying to put out the fires, no mother keeping their children save outside of the village, no screams. No sound could be heard except for the roaring of the flames.