Through the distance so far
Above the clouds so white
Across the fields resting calm in snow
Beneath a fallen star
In the shadow of frozen night
Rivers of memory will flow

Door to your dark room
Fears are gone on dawn
Nightmares faded in deep blue
Vanishing they’re all gone

Take my hand through the miles
Reading letters through past times
Keep my heart beating
Keep my eyes brightly shining
Keep a memory of me alive

You held my hand when I was alone
You dried my tears when I cried
You fell asleep with me on dawn
You are the one for whom I’d give my life

Through the distance so far
Above the clouds so white
Across the fields resting calm in snow
Beneath a fallen star
In the shadow of frozen night
Rivers of memory will flow

‘— You’re another. You should stay away from me. I’m a beast, monster. Go! — yelled he.’

…Soon December is coming. Dreamy leaves are still holding at frozen trees and trying to survive these cold days, last days of November.

Sun doesn’t shine as bright and warm as it used to be in October. Winter is coming. You can feel it in the air, in every single breath of wind on dawn, on dark path running away from home through the forest… You can feel it everywhere.

Kaija yawned and got up. She looks at sleeping Haave near the fireplace. He decided to stay at Teller’s place for a couple of days or “till the end of days” as he said.
Teller is still sleeping near. He is calm and peaceful like an angel so innocent, closed eyes with long dark eyelashes silently trembling. She feels his touch on her hand (he always holds her hand in a sleep), his silent breath, his soft warmth…
She put her hand on his shoulder and slowly stroked his hair. She kissed his forehead. He opened his eyes and now he’s looking at her.

— Good morning. — whispered she. — Slept well?
— Good morning. Fine, thanks. And you? — asked he with a smile.
— Pretty much…

She sighed and looked in the window. Teller embraced her without any questions. She needs his warmth, he knows it.

‘In your mind you keep this thought
I’m the one for you in this world
In your mind you hold me dear
I’m a dream you wrote once real
In your mind I’m always near
In your smile and in your tear…’

— Did you know that? About unicorns’ blood. — asked she suddenly.
— That it can cure? Yes. — said he never understanding what she meant.
— It gives immortality to the one who drinks it. Or ever tried it.

Teller looked at her. He is shocked, but still he knew that it can heal. Kaija smiles at him and looks in his eyes trying to see dreamlight deep inside.
But only she could see is deep anger. He is angry with himself.

— Please, go. — told he and his voice was cold. — Just go. You shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t do that…
— Teller, I won’t leave you. I’ve promised….
— Just  GO! Stay away from me! I’m a monster… immortal beast.
— But I need you… — wept Kaija.
— Go! — roared Teller and she saw his wolf eyes.

‘None will go away. Susi, we’ll have a conversation, now. Kaija, sleep for a while.’
Haave woke up when Teller told Kaija to leave him and was listening to them. Now as Kaija fell asleep (Haave’s magic always worked fine) he’s looking at Teller in silence.

— What are you doing? What the hell are you doing? — asked he calmly.
— She deserves better life…
— She deserves that life she has and wants to have. Don’t make any decision for her. — Haave’s voice dwelt with cold ice. — She chose her path. She tied her life with you. She combined these tiny paths of you and her. Don’t break her, don’t tear it all.

Teller thought in silence. Then he looked at Haave and asked:
— Am I immortal?
— Not yet. You have to drink her blood thrice. And she has to drink yours. And then, to end this ritual, you both should…
— Mh? Is that..
— Exactly. — nodded Haave. — I don’t think it’s a great problem for you, my little friend. And also it should be done in a night of fullmoon. Silver eclipse of your burning desire… — grinned Haave at Teller.

Kaija sat near crystal water of the lake. She was walking deep through the thoughts of her own and didn’t notice Haave sitting behind her back.

She didn’t want to talk to anyone. Such dream moment of silence were the greatest pleasure, especially on sundown. Kaija looked at the setting sun. Red rays painted white clouds with blood of dying horizon.
Silence covered the wood and the lake. Sometimes they could hear evening songs of the birds far away. Calm wind whispered to her with its frozen melody of coming night. Last days of November were short and faded so fast…

— Don’t you want to know about your shadow? — asked he looking at the horizon.
— Why? Is there anything special about it? — replied she still thinking about things of her own.
— Some very special points, yes. You would like to know them all, I assume.

She slowly turned her head and looked at him. His eyes were burning with curiosity and desire to share precious information with her.

— Go ahead. — sighed she understanding that anyway she would hear that.
— You are the purest creature in Shadow world. And your blood is very precious for the lowest creatures like Dreamcatchers and Soulhaunters. But they are not the greatest danger for you while you have your dear friend-wolf by your side.
— I know this, he told me that. Is there anything.. hm, more serious about being the purest shade creature? — asked she looking in his eyes. — Remember I can read your thoughts. Much deeper than you think. I train all the time.
— Don’t worry. I know. You’re growing.I remember you since you were a little girl. You’re getting stronger, I feel this. You are right, there is one thing you should know. The Unicorns are very special creatures. They can give immortality to other creatures. Through their blood. Let one drink it and he/she will be immortal. Exactly like you. 

Don’t draw a path for dreams so blind
Make a wish under a fallen star
Fade in the dark shadow of the night
While purity holds still your hand
In the sundown so pale, in the dawn so bright

Follow the dream while your heart leads you astray
While road goes on, while memories are still alive
Run faraway to catch the end of a dying day

Sand on a shore forlorn
White lands of snow
River flowing through
Heart memory’s dew
Dreamshade, tear-shaped feel
Pale touch of belief

Don’t close the door through the time
Make a wish under a fallen star
Don’t erase every memory of mine
While innocence holds still your hand
Don’t give up a dream while it’s not the end

Follow the dream while your heart leads you astray
While road goes on, while memories are still alive
Run faraway to catch the end of a dying day

Sand on a shore forlorn
White lands of snow
River flowing through
Heart memory’s dew
Dreamshade, tear-shaped feel
Pale touch of belief

My heart-shaped belief
Sweet dream of memory’s feel
For a teary dew on my bare feet
I bear my frozen March dream

Dawn.

‘Kaija, don’t let him fool himself again. He’s made so many stupids in his life, don’t let him be blinded again. Keep his mind clear and make him smile in the darkest moments of his life. You  can do this. I know you can.’

Kaija heard the thoughts of a stranger in her mind and woke up immediately. She knew that was their midnight guest and she wondered if Teller could hear them.
She opened her eyes and noticed that Haave was looking at her.

‘No, he cannot. I blocked him for our private conversation. He wishes only the best for you, it’s truth, but he has his own long and hard ways… I don’t like them and I don’t understand his ideas.’

‘Well, I’ve tried to understand… but.. it’s hard to explain, it’s that kind of thing that you should feel before judge someone. He’s afraid… it’s hard for him to trust someone, I guess. Or he doesn’t want to… For all those years I know him, I …’

‘I know him all my life. He’s a traveller, wonderer… dreamer searching for truth in faraway places. He has been searching for someone like him. One winter night he found you in that forest not far from his home. He saved you from Dark Ones. They were haunting then and found such a treasure.
You remember that night, Kaija.’ He saw that she slowly nodded. ‘He told me about you. He told a lot about you…’ He looked at the silver moonlit path going through the open window.

‘Why did you call him Tumma Susi then?’ She kept this question since their night talk when they were sitting near fireplace.

‘Don’t you know? It’s his Shadow Form. Oh, you haven’t seen him yet. Soon you will see, my dear. He has beautiful eyes when he is a wolf. Deeper than usually. You’ll love this form.’ Haave grinned.

‘Shadow Form? And who am I then? How can I see this?’

‘We’ll pass Boarder tom.. today and you’ll see. You both will see eachother from inside.’ Haave looked at her and smiled with a kind and warm smile. ‘Now we should wait for the dawn in a peaceful dreambound. Magic dreams to you.’

‘Magic…’

After the breakfast made by Haave (none still knows where he got it) they went through the forest. Haave went first, then Teller with Kaija. She noticed that in pale grey light the forest is exactly like that forest where she got lost once.

— It looks different now… Everything: the trees, the path, the lake. It became warmer and lighter. — said Kaija looking around.
— We’re getting closer to Boarder. This part of this Ice World is more like our world. Your world. — answered Haave.
Kaija eyed Teller. He was silent lost deeply in his thoughts.

— Are you alright? Teller..?
— Mh? Ah, yes. I’m okay. Just.. thinking about the crossing it.It’s always… not very nice for me. — smiled he at her with a shy and tired smile.
— Is there anything… special? — asked Kaija.
— I change my form. We call this condition our Shadow Form.

He thought about his words and something confused and surprised him.
— You’ll change your form too. For the first time… I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you that.. It’s nothing special, doesn’t hurt or something… Just it’s a very unusual feeling. You’ll see. Don’t be afraid when you see me. I’m kind as well….

They came to Boarder. It looked like a huge portal sparkling like stars at night. Kaija looked at Teller and saw a wolf. Dark wolf standing by her side looked at her with blue-and-green eyes. They were really deep and beautiful. His eyes were glittering in Boarder’s light.
She stroked his fur and he closed his eyes licking her hand.

— He is like a puppy. So warm and kind. Just don’t hurt his tail, he hates that. — said Haave grinning. Susi pretended he heard nothing.
Kaija smiled and took a step ahead. She changed her form… When Teller-Susi opened his eyes he was amazed. He never thought that Kaija would turn her form to this.

…Before you enter this door, the door leading to another world bright and full of hope you should think if nothing holds you here. Family, friends.. we aren’t talking about them now. Something deep, strong feeling that ties you, holding you and doesn’t let you go.
Like feeling of freedom, that feeling that you have when you run across the field and breathe deep fresh air of morn. Dew grass in your bare feet, whisper of wind on sundown. Yes, sundown. Eternity before the dark shadow of the night covering everything around you with dark veil of silence.

Pale red sky like a young virgin’s cheeks, setting sun in calm waters of the lake deep and blue like the eyes of an angel who’s watching you while you sleep and watch your beautiful dreams. Innocent dreams… Pure and white like first snow in November. And this moment of silence when you sit on the shore and look at the horizon where this day is slowly dying. It dies to come back once again. It dies for tomorrow. It dies because it should die now to rise from the ashes on dawn…
This moment is eternity peaceful and magnificent. Moment of innocent sacrifice and beauty. Dreambound of sundown…

…She opened her eyes when she heard the noise behind the door.
— Teller.. I’m scared. — whispered she holding his hand tight.
— Don’t be. It’s just the wind. Bad storm, I assume.

She looked at him and he noticed that she felt something.

‘Try to calm down and look through the door. Through the door.’ His thoughts had a very special effect.
She closed her eyes and breathed deep.
Slowly shadows became lighter and when they found their shapes she recognized a little creature standing before the door. It was tiny and had wide-open eyes full of fear. It knocked again.

— Oh it’s only him… — sighed Teller watching her thought-images. — Please, come in. — told he loudly. — It’s okay. He isn’t scary, even cute and scared even more than you. — told he to Kaija.

He opened the door and came in. Little and fluffy he was like Kaija’s cat, but much smaller.
White fur was wet that made their little friend tremble and he came to the fireplace. He looked at Kaija with his big deep-green eyes and put his paws on her kneels.

— Hei hei, I’m sorry that I scared you. I’m Haave. And you’re Kaija. You’re very beautiful, Kaija. — said he looking deep in her eyes. His voice was soft and kind. Kaija felt much better while he talked to her and she slowly stroked his wet fur.
— You should take care of her, Tumma Susi. She is the One. The only to see the End of All, to take care of us all. Honestly saying she is your light in the darkness. Hold her tight and never let her go. — said he to Teller lying on Kaija’s kneels. He was talking their own language, but Kaija understood every word he said.
— She understand you so no secrets and mysteries. — smiled Teller.

Haave looked at Kaija with surprise and great pleasure. She even could see that he was smiling for a second.
— So well.. I’m amazed. She is much stronger than we could imagine. Tomorrow I’ll take you both to the Temple. And now let’s dream about the field and the lake before the sundown is gone..

Dead trees whispering to eachother haunted Teller and Kaija with their shadows. Like gigantic monsters they  spied from the darkness. 

Tell me that you’re still here
Tell me that we have one path
Tell me that you’re always near
Tell me that we still have one heart
Tell me that we walk under the same star
Tell me about white snowy innocent tomorrow
Tell me that nothing’s lost
Tell me that you need me

I have dark days now, forgive me for all
Just I need to know you’re fine, you’re still here
Losing all cold pride I still try to call
Never I was too proud to say what I feel
Tell me that you remember me
I need to know that truth

Tell me that you can still hear me
Tell me that you read the lines I wrote
Tell me that there is the story to hope
Tell me that your heart believes
Tell me that you will hold me tight
Tell me that you won’t leave me in the night
Tell me that nothing’s lost
Tell me that you need me

Without you by my side I feel pale cold and dead
Every night haunts me with nightmares
Chased by fears I try to hide in my shell
Closing all windows, locking the doors
Running away from this imperfect world

Tell me that you’re still here, for me
Tell me that you’re still near, with me
Tell me that you’ll heal my broken heart
Tell me that you hold my hand under lost northern star
Tell me that you need me in your life