Page opened his book to a blank page, his thoughts spinning in his head like gears. I suppose I could always try it again he thought.

He closed his eyes and pictured Mistearia, saying her name lightly under his breath. Just as lightly her image formed in his mind, the young filly he loved. Will you sing for me, Tear?

The girl smiled, and began to sing sweetly, her voice drifting though his mind. Slowly, her song leading him, he began to draw to the song.

Toue Rei Zue Kuroa Ryuo Toue Zue

Kuroa Ryuo Zue Toue Ryuo Rei Neu Ryuo Zue

He drew on, the ink on the page seeming to change hues. The picture already looked beautiful, depicting a waterfall scene in the full moons light. Though the ink was black, he worked the shading to perfection, making the eyes deceive you into seeing all the colors needed.

Va Rei Zue Toue Neu Toue Ryuo Toue Kuroa

Ryuo Rei Kuroa Ryuo Zue Rei Va Zue Rei

He worked frantically, the drawing practically glowing in the magic he was creating. It seemed like the water from the falls actually moved on the picture, sparkling in the moonlight and rippling around the stones. He could almost hear the waterfall overlaying the song.

Va Neu Va Rei Va Neu Va Zue Rei

Kuroa Ryuo Kuroa Neu Toue Rei Kuroa Ryuo Zue Re-

He dropped the quill as the song ended abruptly. It never worked. Each and every time he tried to draw to her song, she could never finish the last 2 lines. She would stop on the second to last line, leaving him with an empty feeling inside. The drawing in front of him now looked bland and ordinary, not even something he would give a child to hold. He tore it out of his book, crumbled it up and threw it away angrily.

He sat for a moment, thinking, when he heard soft music upstairs, drifting down to him from Winters room. He could make out the light notes of a flute being played, and he smiled. She played wonderfully, and her song… it reminded him of how happy the past had been. It reminded him of that hope that used to fill him, years ago. He slowly began to draw on the fresh page, humming along with the music, his own melodic voice reaching the mare.

Together they made music, and the picture became beautiful along with the enticing music. Light danced to the magic across the page along with the ink. Their song sailed through the air at the inn, and Page smiled as he hummed, relaxing slightly from the peaceful yet somewhat sorrowful song.

Finally, the duet was complete along with the picture. He sighed somewhat sadly as the song ended, but smiled while looking at his picture. A blue tinted flower sat in a field of snow. It looked sad, seeming doomed to die in this cold wasteland. Yet, it was also a wonder, because it had somehow survived this long. Page saw the hope and beauty in the flower as it stood tall in the winter.

Still, something seemed to be missing from the picture. He looked it over, then smiled when he realized what was missing. Right at the bottom of the page, he wrote the words ‘For Winter’. Now the picture was complete.

He tore the picture out of his book, standing. He walked to the door and opened it, heading upstairs to Winters room. Reaching her room, he slid his picture under the door, smiling. Without stopping to see her reaction, he walked back downstairs, whistling.

He sat at his desk, drawing a series of random lines. After a few minutes, there was a burst of magic behind him, and there stood Winter, holding her picture close to her heart. He smiled, glancing over at the mare. “Do you like it?”

She nodded slightly, her eyes full of wonder. “I-I’ve never had somepony give me something before.”

He scooted over and let her sit next to him. She sat and glanced at the random lines he had been scratching on the paper. Smiling, he added a few more lines, creating a beautiful picture of a snowflake with a seeming golden shine.

Her eyes widened as she saw what he had drawn. “H-how did you…”

He smiled at her. “Do you like it,” he said, absently doodling on the page, making it grow in beauty without seemingly trying.

She nodded, looking at the beautiful picture. “I-It’s… gorgeous. How could I not like it?”

His smile brightened as he tore the page out of his book. “Then you should have it.”

Her eyes widened. “Y-you’re giving me this?”

He nodded, smiling brightly at her bewildered face. “Why, of course. Do you know why?” She shook her head slightly and he smiled, leaning down beside her ear, close to her icy blue mane. “Because, Winter, this snowflake is the you I see, and I hope to see you shine like this more often.” Gently he handed the stunned mare the beautiful picture, pausing only slightly as he saw her eyes sparkle in wonder.

Those eyes… He felt lost in their expanse. They were dark purple, nearly the same color as Tears had been. He saw the broken hope inside her, but he saw deeper than that, far deeper than any other had before. He saw the sparks of hope that still swirled in the mists of time. He saw the absolute beauty in those eyes, and in her very soul.

Slowly, he unconsciously leaned forward, something in his mind noting she was doing the same. T-those eyes were utterly gorgeous…

Page was scarcely aware of his own voice saying “I believe… we’re getting a bit too close…” Nor did he quite notice her nod of agreement.

He did, however, notice when he kissed her.

It was like a light went off in his head – no, not just a light, a flame. A blazing flame with icy edges sparked in his mind the moment his lips touched hers. The flame danced in his mind as they held the kiss and it steadily grew brighter and larger. Soon it felt his entire body was on fire, and he knew he had to stop, before this pure euphoria exploded like a dam.

Gingerly he broke the kiss, opening his timeless eyes and staring back at hers. Her eyes sparkled with light, and somehow Page knew she had felt that same icy hot flame inside her own body.

They sat in silence for what seemed an eternity, yet Page knew he could spend an eternity staring into those wondrous eyes and not have wasted a single moment. Finally, Winter broke the loving silence between the two. “P-perhaps… I should go b-back to my room,” she said haltingly.

Page swallowed once, scarcely hearing her over the slight ringing in his blush-burned ears. He made a small sound of agreement, turning back to his drawing to hide his blush. She lightly trotted upstairs, clutching  his drawings close to  heart, and Page knew they both were smiling.

Next Chapter: Prelude of the Past Estimated time remaining: 31 Minutes