Warmth in winter

"We can't do it. It would be inapproptiate and against every oath we've ever taken."
"Is that so? Cause I don't remember anything of the sort."
"That's enough! We've had this conversation a hundred times already and the answer stays no. Captain's orders."
"Sir, yes, Sir." With a murderous look, Lona turned from her father and headed to her room.

He was no longer the captain, but he still had the last word with that sentence. And he was right, of course, an imperial guard requesting the presence of their emperor to their table would probably be inappropriate, not to mention degrading for him if he decided to induldge them. He was right, for every other guard and emperor, maybe even every other day. But Lona and Owin are more than just responsibilities, they are friends.

In the hardest of times, friends take care of each other. That's what Lona believes in. In a few days, Owin will need her. He already does, but the strongest blow has not hit yet, for he found himself an orphan almost a full year ago. He is going to be alone that day, when he truly sould not be.

During the last meeting Owin had with his advisors, they told him to requisition the food and drinks the inhabitants of Ymeiradd had produced to throw a banquet in his parents' honor for all nobles, but Owin refused.
"In honor of my parents", he had answered, "I shall leave my subjects in peace, let them enjoy what they have worked so hard to create. My parents did not sacrifice the many for the comfort of the few, and I do not intend on disrespecting their wishes."

In Lona's knowledge, it was the first time an emperor would not have any kind of celebration, for a lack of a better word, for the first anniversary of such an event. Most court members did not like it, which caused some conflicts, yet Owin maintained his position, reminding them of the revolution greed had caused, from which humans had not yet recovered and that brought the city to its knees in a matter of minutes.

Most other people had forgotten a year already went by, since they were too busy with their own problems. For some, even the revolt felt like a distant memory. They would never see the difference from any other day, but they would not have yet another trouble to add to the pile. Should the opposite happen, they would probably lose both money and food, and nobody needed this.

Thinking about it all, Lona felt more enraged than ever for her friend, willing to spend the worst time of his year alone, and because of her father, not even allowed to spend it with a friend. He could obviously ask her to join him instead of the opposite, but it was not in his nature. Imposing his own suffering to another was beyond his abilities.

The evening was tense that day. Lona and her father ate silently, until Agatha stood up.

"If the both of you are going to act like you're alone at this table, I don't see why you bothered coming at all."
"But mom-"
"No no, mom doesn't have anything to do with the issue here, since none of you thought to even include me in the decision process anyway. You two just go on and handle that like adults, I'm going to make a snow family to eat with." The door slams as Agatha makes her way out.
"That wouldn't happen if you were willing to just listen." Lona smirks.
"You don't want me to listen, you want me to agree with you."
"Well, you don't even want me to agree with you, you just want me to shut it."
"I want you to realize there are things we can't do, as protectors of the emperor."
"And I want you to see there are things I must do, as his friend! You're not even part of the guard anymore, and you know what? It shows. You don't know what he needs."
"Because you think you do?" Fergus raised his eyebrow.
"Yes! He lost his only family, doesn't have friends except from me, sacrifices himself over and over again for his people to a point he's going to be all alone on the day his parents died, it doesn't take a genius to see he needs a nice break! He's my friend, dad, and I know him. All the shit he's going through, he deserves to get away from it, in a friendly environment, even just for a few hours."
"Mind your language when you're with us."
"Us? In case you haven't noticed, mom just left, and if the only thing you retain from all this is one word you didn't like, you can stop pretending you care about the emperor's safety or whatever. I'm not talking to you until you've at least considered I might be right. And anyway, no matter what you or mom say, I'll be bringing him here. Speaking of, I'm gonna go get her before she catches a cold."

Tossing her cape over her shoulder, Lona headed out. Snow was gently falling from the sky, making the palace, its gardens and the whole town, an immaculate white. The thick layer of snow muffled all sounds, and without wind, the chill air was almost sweet.

To Lona, it was like a comfort bubble, something she inhereted from her mother. Following her footsteps, it was easy to know where she'd gone. Walking slowly, enjoying the peace and quiet of the moment, she finally reached her.

In the middle of the snowy gardens, busy molding snow into huge balls, she'd left so angry she'd forgotten her own cloak. As Lona stepped towards her, Agatha flipped and threw a snowball towards her daughter's chest, a malicious smile on her face.

Smiling in return, Lona dropped to the ground and quickly made a snowball herself. She got hit in the shoulder as she was trying to aim, and threw hers randomly, hoping to hit her mother, and ran behind a tree to take cover. She just had enough time to glance over before she had to dodge yet another snowball. Agatha was not much of a fighter, but with snowballs, it was a completely different story.

"Come on mom! You're gonna freeze out there!"
"You guys should have thought of that before I went out!"
"Please, drop the snowball!"
"Afraid you're gonna lose to mommy again?"
"Not this time." she whispered as she took off her cape, before rushing out towards her mother.
As she got to her, she wrapped her in and hugged her as tight as she could without hurting her.
"We can play or fight all you want, but please do take care of yourself."
A sudden trail of cold slid down her back.
"I win." Agatha smiled.
"Mom!"
"You knew what would happen. Look, sweetie, you and your dad have different opinions on certain subjects, and you're both stubborn as mules. But there's one thing you both need to remember: I'm here too."
"Are you scolding me after dropping snow on my back?"
"Why not? Seems like good a time as any."
"Alright mom, I get it. It was shitty of us to argue when we didn't even consult you."
"Thank you. Also, language please."
"What is it with the both of you? Anyway, you're not gonna be happy, because I decided to bring Owin, no matter what any of you says. He's my friend, and I don't want to leave him alone on such a difficult day."
"You're right, I'm not happy." Agatha smiled again. "I'm proud. You have a big heart Lona, same as your father. I'm proud we raised you like we did, and that you're willing to fight for your friend."
"Wait, so you're not mad?"
"Of course I'm mad! But I'm way prouder than I could ever be mad. Just try to include me next time."
"Dad didn't either."
"And he'll get the same remarks you did, trust me. But it doesn't erase your part in it."
"You're right. I'm sorry."
"I'm always right. Come on, let's get back inside before you get a cold."
"I wonder whose fault that would be!"

When finally the day came, Owin nervously followed Lona with a package and a bottle of wine in hands. He was greeted by her parents, whom he had never met in such context.

"Greetings, Mr and Mrs Pryde. Thank you for inviting me today, I brought you a gift." He handed out the bottle of wine with an uneased smile. "My father kept a large amount of wine in his caves, although it has been gathering dust for a year now. I hope it will be to your liking."

Lona's parents took the bottle with a benevolent smile, not knowing how to answer properly. Then, Owin turned to Lona herself, presenting his package.

"And this is for you Lona, as you have been nothing but kind to me. Even though I know not how to repay you, perhaps this might be a start."
"You shouldn't have, Owin." As she pronounced his name, Lona sensed her father clench his jaw. "We're friends, that's just what friends do! I'll be there for you whenever you need me."
"Take it still, it is yours!"

Under the curious looks of her parents, Lona accepted and opened Owin's gift. She carefully took out the dress he offered her. The light weight and thinness of the fabric let her guess it was of elven origin, meaning it was also quite resistant. Bringing it to her shoulders, it seemed to fit perfectly, flowing in the air, and surprizingly for fabric this thin, was completely opaque. The only exception was the back, from the neck to just below the shoulder blades, where it looked like there was nothing. The long sleeves started in small puffs and ended in rounded gauntlets attached to rings, to be put around her middle fingers. The large and fluffy underskirt gave the whole dress more volume, and a golden line crossed the dress from her right armpit to the bottom her left hip, separating the imperial ice blue on top of it, from the white below it. Upon closer inspection, the simple line was actually a very detailed and complex embroidery.

"I know how much you like bals and putting on fancy dresses. You had no occasion of doing so today because of me, so I wished for you to feel like there was one anyway."
"Owin, it's magnificent! Thank you so much! I'm really sorry, I don't have anything to give you in return."
"Your invitation was enough of a gift itself."
"Thanks. You know, there might not be a big party at the palace, but we can make one here if you want. We've prepared quite the meal, mom, dad and I know some songs, and we can even play some snow games!"
"Your Highness" Fergus bowed, "we do in fact have something for you."
"Please, I know how much of an effort it might be, but tonight at least, call me Owin."
"As you wish, Owin."

Much to Lona's incomprehension, they all headed out in the snowy gardens, watching at the faint lights of the town. Fergus lit up a torch, and after a few movements from his arm, the whole town started to light up. Townsfolks everywhere put candles to their windows and in the streets. Owin was subjugated, not knowing what was happening.

"After the talk we had with Lona, we decided to take a walk in town. We speaked with some people, and as it turns out, they are very grateful for what you do for them. They understand today is painful for you, and wanted to show you support. This is what they came up with."
"Dad, it's simply incredible."

Owin's face was distorted as he started silently crying. Lona was the only one to notice, and put her arm on his shoulder with a gentle smile. This evening, unlike what Owin had been expecting for a year, was good. With Lona's family, he sung, danced, laughed, and even shared anecdotes about his own parents. He cried too, and it was alright. Lona was there, as she promised. Still, for the evening, he forgot most of his pain, and he looked happy.

Following that night, every year at the same date, the human empire celebrates generosity and altruism during Bonding Day. They help out each other, give each other presents and spend time with friends and family. In the palace, Owin and Lona often spend this day together, and Owin is glad to see happiness throughout his empire.