Goodness, right now I may be shivering in front of the fire, but my mind is a glow with the events of this afternoon. As you know, I was struggling with the Joy remedy, and what I hoped to be a sweet gift for my new friends was turning into an utter trial. Everything I did ended in failure. So, to clear my mind and calm my nerves, I decided to take a walk in the forest. “Who knows?” I thought, perhaps I’d find what I was missing in the woods.
So out I went, bundled up in my warmest, and the weather seemed gentle enough, but then a great wind began to howl. It pushed me this way and that, blowing up snow and leaves into my face. I braced myself against a tree, and for a moment I feared I might be caught in some oncoming storm. It seemed to go on so long, but then… it stilled, a moment’s peace. I let out a sigh in relief, only to have the snow from the branches above me come rushing down on my head. Oh goodness…well, there I stood, near soaked by the slush; my socks squelching in my boots and my hair dripping wet. It was the furthest thing from joy I could think of. I shook about, trying to rid myself of the few bits of snow still melting on my head, when I saw something in front of me.
It was a deer, blue as ice and with antlers like crystal. It pawed the snow around its feet with slim, delicate legs, then turned as though to walk away. I stared after it, silent and still. It glanced back at me, tossed its head, and took a few more graceful steps forward. My mind was spinning. In awe, I moved to follow. The deer walked on slowly, now and then looking back through the trees, as though to see if I was still there, and I continued, amazed by the strange creature. Its gentle stroll turned to a saunter, and then to a gallop. I ran after it, wet clothes all but forgotten, branches flying passed me, my heart pounding, and then… it was gone.
I stood in a clearing, and panting, I looked about; there was no sign of the deer’s hoof prints. As the joy and wonder I had felt began to sink away, I looked up at the trees around me. All, though bare and dead on the outside, had a hollow, and froze within each space were flowers! Beautiful flowers, of pink and orange and crimson, all perfectly preserved beneath a layer of ice. Oh, it was remarkable, dear reader! I moved from tree to tree, beholding each with renewed wonder; every blossom bright and vivid, every one seeming lovelier than the last. In a moment I thought of the Joy remedy. Certainly this was what I had been missing. I made to pull a vial from my bandolier when once again the wind began to howl. It blew and blew. I closed my eyes tight.
After a moment, all was calm; I opened my eyes again. But the hollows and the flowers were gone. Only the rough bark of the trees was left. Oh dear reader, it didn’t seem fair. I had been so close to what I needed. But in the middle of my thoughts and on the edge of sorrow, I stopped, struck by something. Seemingly led here by the animal, the flowers had come and gone, but maybe…maybe they weren’t really gone. Yes, the trees seemed dead. They had grown pale and thin under Old Man Frost’s cold hand, but maybe inside they still held their bright secret. I was cold, and wet, and I could feel my toes growing numb, but deep in my heart I could still reach a warmth and a light. Not just from the magical things I had seen, but from somewhere within me. I placed my hand upon the tree, smiling and closing my eyes once more, to draw the Impression. It was a strange color, not at all what I had expected; rosy, almost as if it were glowing.
The vial is on my desk right now, gently shining, as I sit close to the fire. My body feels near frozen through, even with new dry clothes and swathed in every blanket I possess. I’m sure I’ll catch cold. But still, I feel surprisingly happy…oh goodness, I…I don’t know. The unusual deer, the living flowers within the dead trees…dear reader, I cannot put it into words just yet, but whatever enchantment the forest wove today…I think I understand, and I think it was just the thing.