Chapter 14 — Time for a rest


    <strong><span ss="userText">[Nivalis Silverfrost]</strong>


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis had been pulling the sled through the snowy wilderness for hours, and with each step, a sharp burst of pain shot through her weary body. Her muscles screamed in agony, and with each breath she exhaled, it formed frosty clouds in the icy air. The snow beneath her boots was deep, which made the journey incredibly challenging. The cold seemed to numb her sense of time, and the winter morning felt like it would never end, but eventually, the afternoon arrived.


    <span ss="userText">Every time she looked back at the sled, at her precious children, her heart was filled with love. They were bundled up tightly, nestled in warm woolen nkets. However, it was impossible not to notice her daughter''s dark circles under her eyes and her pale skin. Even the baby, who had been peacefully sleeping throughout, looked weary. Nivalis couldn''t help but think, "I''m so sorry, my sweet little ones," as she looked at them with love and regret in her eyes.


    <span ss="userText">As Nivalis struggled onward, the thought weighed heavily on her: "We need to rest." Everything in her body was crying out for a break, and her mind was as tired as much. She got closer to the sled and whispered to her daughter, "Silvia, my love, are you feeling hungry?" Her fingers gently caressed Silvia''s silvery hair.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia, with a faint and tired voice, replied, "A little bit."


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis reassured her.—"It''s time for a rest, then," her voice filled with soothing kindness. "Let''s stop beneath that tree." She pointed to a majestic ancient oak tree standing proudly in the center of a small clearing.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia nodded, a sigh of relief escaping her.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis, with remarkable efficiency, began to unload their sled, her every movement deliberate. She handled their supplies with care and tenderness, determined to provide for her beloved children in this unforgiving world.


    <span ss="userText">Then, with gentle hands, Nivalis helped her children out of the sled and guided them toward the ancient oak tree, standing tall at the center of the clearing. The snowy soft and inviting, while the crisp air invigorated their senses.— "Take a seat here," Nivalis whispered, gesturing toward the fallen tree trunk.


    <span ss="userText">—"Here, my love, have some bread," Nivalis offered, cing the food in her daughter''s delicate hands. Silvia''s eyes brightened with joy as she epted the nourishment from her mother''s loving hands.


    <span ss="userText">"Thank you, Mommy," Silvia expressed her gratitude, her voice filled with warmth and relief.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis continued,— "Now, let me hold your little brother while you eat, my love." Her voice was tender, as well as her touch. She cradled her son with great care, her fingers gently caressing his soft skin.


    <span ss="userText">— "Come on, sweetie. It''s time to feed you as well," she whispered, adjusting her clothing to reveal her breasts. The cold air brushed against her exposed skin, sending a shiver down her spine. She nestled the baby inside her clothing, guiding him to her breast. The baby quicklytched onto her nipple, eagerly suckling.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis let out a contented sigh, her body rxing as she nourished her son. She whispered,— "That''s a good boy," with a warm smile as her baby boy fed.


    <span ss="userText">Sitting on the snow with her legs tucked under her and her baby suckling eagerly, Nivalis watched her children. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity and innocence. A warm, protective feeling swelled in her chest, making her heart fill with love. She couldn''t help but think that, despite the harsh journey, moments like these made it all worthwhile.


    <span ss="userText">— "Thank you, Silvia. You did great," Nivalis praised her daughter, her voice full of admiration and pride. She took a moment to brush a strand of Silvia''s silvery hair away from her tired eyes, a gentle, motherly gesture that conveyed her love.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s golden eyes sparkled with happiness as she basked in her mother''s praise. Her cheeks flushed with a mix of delight and exhaustion. "Really?"


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis nodded, her gaze softening with affection.— "Yes, my dear. You were a tremendous help." She couldn''t help but feel a surge of pride as she looked at her resilient daughter.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s shoulders visibly rxed, and a grateful smile spread across her face. The weight of their journey had felt overwhelming, but her mother''s appreciation was like a soothing balm for her tired soul. "I''m d, Mommy," Silvia replied, her shoulders visibly rxing.


    <span ss="userText">— "You both were so brave," Nivalis continued, her voice filled with maternal warmth, "and you did an amazing job in keeping your little brother warm and safe." She gestured towards the tiny bundle nursing at her breast. The baby''s tiny fingers, still clutching at the warmth of Nivalis''s chest, made her words all the more meaningful.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s gaze shifted to her brother, her eyes filled with affection, his mouth still wrapped around her mother''s nipple. "He''s just so adorable."


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis chuckled, a sound filled with love and amusement.— "Yes, he is. But he''s also a lot of work." Her fingers gently brushed the baby''s soft hair as he fed, their connection deep and reassuring.


    <span ss="userText">"I bet! He''s a baby," Silvia giggled, herughter like a ray of sunshine cutting through the snowyndscape. It was a fleeting moment of joy in their arduous journey.


    <span ss="userText">— "Indeed," Nivalis joined in theughter, a soft, pleasant sound that seemed to chase away the chill of the winter day and the weight of their situation for just a moment.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s curiosity got the best of her as she nced around their snowy surroundings. "How long have we been walking?" Her eyebrows furrowed as she tried to gauge the passage of time.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis let out a weary sigh, and as she did, her breath turned into misty clouds that hung in the frosty air.— "It''s been around 5 or 6 hours, my dear," she said, her voice marked by exhaustion. The memory of the long, tiring walk hung heavily in her thoughts.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s face disyed a mixture of realization and exhaustion. "So long..." she mumbled.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis nodded, her expression growing darker.— "Yes, my love, but we must keep walking even further." The urgency in her voice was impossible to miss.


    <span ss="userText">"Is it because Dad will look for us?" Silvia''s voice quivered with a hint of fear, and her worry mirrored in her wide, golden eyes.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis nodded, her eyes clouding over with worry.— "Yes, my sweet. We have to make sure we''re far away from him for our safety."


    <span ss="userText">"I''m sorry, Mommy. I shouldn''t have brought it up," Silvia apologized, her voiceced with guilt. She looked down at the snow, avoiding her mother''s gaze.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis gently lifted Silvia''s chin, making her daughter meet her eyes.— "It''s alright, my love. I understand you''re worried," she reassured, her smile gentle andforting.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s eyes sparkled with hope as she looked at her mother. "Can you tell me a story while I eat, Mommy?" she requested, her voice brimming with anticipation. She clutched a piece of bread in her small hands, her fingers as delicate as snowkes.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis chuckled softly, her fingers tenderly stroking her baby''s head as he continued to nurse.— "I think I can," she replied, her voice filled with a deep well of love and a burning desire to bring a moment of happiness to her children.


    <span ss="userText">— "Do you remember the story of the princess and the dragon?" Nivalis asked, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Her eyes, like precious gems in the wintryndscape, held a twinkle of anticipation.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia stammered, her cheeks flushed crimson, and her eyes danced with yful guilt. "Yeah, I... um... I mean, no, I don''t remember it." She moved her leg a bit in the snow, unable to meet her mother''s gaze.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis couldn''t help butugh, her eyes sparkling with amusement.— "My darling, you''re a terrible liar," she teased, the musical quality of herughter filling the air with warmth.


    <span ss="userText">— "Once upon a time, in a world far from here," Nivalis began, her voice soft and gentle like a luby, "there was a dragon. This dragon lived in a vast cave, deep within the towering mountains, far away from any trace of civilization." Her words painted a vivid picture, bringing the story to life for Silvia, who listened with wide eyes, captivated by the tale.


    <span ss="userText">— "One day, the dragon''s heart ached with a longing he couldn''t quite exin," Nivalis continued, her voice a soothing melody amidst the wintry surroundings. Silvia clutched her bread, the taste of her simple meal mixed with the enchantment of the story. "And so, he embarked on an extraordinary adventure, searching for something more valuable than all the treasures he had ever collected, even more, precious than an entire mountain of gold. He wasn''t sure what it was, but he knew he''d recognize it when he saw it."


    <span ss="userText">— "He flew through the sky with his huge wings spread wide. He traveled to the edges of the world, over the mountains and through dense forests, his sharp eyes<span ss="aiText"> always searching for the thing that could ease his heart''s ache. He visited vast cities and bustling towns, and still, his search yielded nothing.<span ss="userText">"


    <span ss="userText">Silvia furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and, with genuine curiosity, asked, "Why do dragons like gold and other valuables? It''s not like they can spend it." She tilted her head, her face a canvas of youthful wonder.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis paused, her eyes<span ss="aiText"> twinkling with delight at her daughter''s curiosity.<span ss="userText">— "Well, my love, it''s just part of their nature. They are naturally drawn to beautiful, shiny things, and gold is a symbol of wealth and power," she exined, her voice gentle and patient.


    <span ss="aiText">Silvia nodded, her expression disying that she understood.


    <span ss="aiText"><span ss="userText">— "Where was I? Ah, yes," Nivalis picked up where she had left off.


    <span ss="aiText"><span ss="userText">— "After many<span ss="editText"> long<span ss="aiText"> years of searching,<span ss="userText">" Nivalis continued, her voice a soothing melody that kept Silvia enchanted, "the dragon finally found what he was looking for."


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s curiosity was piqued, and she leaned in closer. "What did he find, Mommy?" Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis''s smile brightened.— "Not what, my dear, but who! He found an elven girl who lived in a simple, ordinary vige," she said, her tone filled with delight.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s forehead wrinkled with further curiosity. "Why would a dragon care about an elven girl?" She looked up at her mother, eager to learn more.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis''s expression softened as she wove the tale.— "Well, this elven girl was very beautiful and truly unique. She had silver hair that shone like the moonlight, and her eyes were the color of pure gold. The dragon fell in love with her the very moment he saw her."


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s eyes widened with excitement as she realized the connection. "She had silver hair and golden eyes, just like me, Mommy!" Her voice brimmed with joy and wonder, her features mirroring the elven girl from the story.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis couldn''t help but giggle, a tender and affectionate sound. She ced a gentle kiss on the top of her daughter''s head, her fingers gently stroking her hair.— "Yes, my darling. Just like you, beautiful and unique. The handsome dragon couldn''t help but fall in love with her beauty and kindness." She was delighted that her daughter had found herself within the story, even though it was entirely make-believe.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s cheeks flushed with pride, and her golden eyes sparkled with delight. "So, what happened next, Mommy?" she asked, her eagerness for more details palpable.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis continued with the story, her voice lulling like a gentle luby.— "The dragon fell in love with the elven girl, but she was frightened and ran away. The dragon followed her, doing his best to persuade her to stay with him. He disyed his powerful teeth, let out a deafening roar, and showed his mighty wings, but she still was afraid of him," Nivalis paused, her voice trailing off.


    <span ss="userText">— "Perhaps," Nivalis added with a chuckle, "she couldn''t understand that the dragon had fallen in love with her. She thought he was chasing her to make a meal of her."


    <span ss="userText">Silvia nodded in agreement, her lips forming a little pout. "I suppose I''d be terrified too if I were that elven girl."


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis continued, her voice weaving a tapestry of imagery and emotions as she delved deeper into the story of the dragon and the elf. It was a tale she had crafted, a fusion of pieces of old fairy tales and legends she had heard and read throughout the years. Her words transported Silvia to a world of love, courage, and wonder, where a dragon and an elf shared an extraordinary connection, defying all odds.


    <span ss="userText">— "As they faced the challenges together, the dragon and the elf discovered a love so powerful that it transformed the dragon into an elf," Nivalis narrated, her voice soft and gentle. Silvia listened with great attention, her imagination painting vivid scenes of the epic journey.


    <span ss="userText">— "This is it, my love," Nivalis ended her tale, her voice brimming with warmth. "They lived happily ever after." The words hung in the air like a gentle melody<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">Silvia sighed with delight, the sound a mix of contentment and excitement. "That was such a lovely story, Mommy," she said, her eyes gleaming with admiration and gratitude.


    <span ss="aiText">Nivalis gazed at her daughter, her smile as bright as the rays of the sun that peeked through the trees.<span ss="userText"> She gazed at her mother with the kind of admiration only a child can give. Nivalis returned her daughter''s affectionate look with a smile as radiant as the sun peeking through the branches above.


    <span ss="userText">— "Now, my love, why don''t you finish your food?" Nivalis suggested, her tone filled with maternal concern, like a warm hug for her child''s well-being. She nodded towards the piece of bread in Silvia''s small hands, still partially untouched.


    <span ss="userText">"Okay, Mommy," Silvia obliged, her voice a soft, obedient murmur. She took another bite of her simple meal, her appetite renewed after the enchanting story that had transported her to a world of wonder and dreams.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis nced at her daughter, finding her happily munching on her bread, the weariness, and fear from earlierpletely gone. "Thank goodness," she thought, a wave of relief washing over her.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis shifted her gaze to her son, a tiny, delicate bundle curled up against her. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was slow and steady. He was asleep, but even in slumber, he continued to nurse from her swollen breast,pletely enveloping her nipple with his saliva.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis chuckled softly, her voice a whisper of maternal amusement. She was thankful that her baby had been so calm during their journey. "He must be truly exhausted. Babies this old usually cry days and nights," she thought, her heart filling with love for her little one.


    <span ss="userText">As her baby slept with her nipple in his mouth, sucking it only from time to time, Nivalis couldn''t help but notice how weak she still felt, drained from the long and arduous journey through the snowy wilderness. She sighed and looked around the endless forest around her. The ancient trees stood tall; the snowy heavy on their branches, covering them in a nket of white. The silence was eerie and oppressive, only broken by the asional rustling of leaves.


    <span ss="userText">"I needed this break. I am exhausted," she thought as she stroked her baby''s head, her touch gentle and loving.


    <span ss="userText">"And I need to eat something, too," she mused as she reached for a piece of bread, her movements slow and deliberate.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis took a bite of the bread, savoring its earthy, hearty vor. The food seemed to nourish her, bringing her body and spirit back to life.


    <span ss="userText">After her meal, Nivalis took a moment to rest, allowing her body and mind to recover from the ordeal. She closed her eyes, savoring the tranquility of the moment. The sound of her son''s contented suckling was like a luby, soothing her frayed nerves and fears.


    <span ss="userText">...


    <span ss="userText">After their well-deserved rest, Nivalis stood up carefully, feeling the twinge of her tired muscles and the aches in her joints. The weight of their journey bore down on her, but she knew they couldn''t linger for long. The ever-present fear of being pursued weighed on her like a heavy cloak.


    <span ss="userText">— "Let''s go. We need to keep moving, honey," she whispered to her daughter, her voice brimming with determination. Each step they took was a step farther away from the past they so desperately wished to escape.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia nodded in agreement and rose to her feet, her eyes reflecting the same sense of resolve that burned within her mother.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis carefully handed her tiny, fragile baby to her daughter, Silvia. She looked into Silvia''s eyes and said,— "Please take care of him, my love," her eyes filled with unspoken worry.


    <span ss="userText">"I will, Mommy. Don''t worry," Silvia reassured her, her golden eyes burning with determination. She cradled her baby brother with a tenderness beyond her years, a reflection of the love and responsibility she felt.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis couldn''t help but smile, her heart swelling with pride at her daughter''s courage and her willingness to help shoulder the burden of their journey.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia settled onto the sled, her baby brother now sleeping soundly in her arms. The small family, bound by love and shared hardship, was ready to face the world once more.


    <span ss="userText">— "Ready, sweetie?" Nivalis whispered, her voice warm and tender, a mother''s voice filled with love.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia nodded. Her expression was a mixture of seriousness and unwavering determination.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis picked up the sled''s rope once more and began to pull it. Her steps were firm and steady, her body filled with a renewed sense of strength and purpose. Nivalis''s pace quickenedpared to the slow, methodical steps from before.


    <span ss="userText">"Mommy, you look much better!" Silvia eximed, her face lighting up with an infectious smile that radiated pure joy.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis looked back and couldn''t help but smile in return.— "I do feel much better, my love. I''m full of energy!" she replied, her voice<span ss="aiText"> brimming with positivity.


    <span ss="userText">As they continued their journey, the chill of winter seemed to retreat, reced by a growing warmth that filled the air. The sun shone brightly, casting its golden rays upon the snowyndscape. The forest seemed to wee them, its ancient trees standing tall and proud as if weing the brave travelers into its protective embrace.


    <span ss="userText">The sun''s rays were indeed warm andforting, casting a soothing glow on Nivalis and Silvia as they ventured forth.— "The weather is getting better," she let out a soft sigh of contentment, savoring the gentle caress of the sun on her skin.


    <span ss="userText">"Mommy, look! A rabbit!" Silvia''s voice rang out with excitement, and she eagerly pointed at a small, white creature as it hopped along the forest floor, seemingly untouched by the cold.


    <span ss="userText">— "Where?", Nivalis followed her daughter''s gaze and spotted the rabbit, too. "Oh, yes. Isn''t it cute?" Nivalis smiled, amused by her daughter''s childlike wonder and enthusiasm.


    <span ss="userText">The sight of the rabbit had made her heart light. Even though Nivalis couldn''t stop right now, it was a good sign. If they are low on supplies, she may try to catch something with her bow.


    <span ss="userText">"Now I understand truly why our ancestors preferred to live in forests like this." Nivalis thought as she admired the beauty of the surroundings.


    <span ss="userText">As the tiny family journeyed deeper into the winter forest, Nivalis gazed ahead, her eyes fixed on the path thaty before her. The determination to keep moving, to press forward through the challenges and the unknown, burned brightly within her.