*Eleanor*
It’s snowing again. I have always loved the snow, but now, I dread it. I started a Yule celebration many winters ago, but Erik is not here to bring in the trees. I know that someone else can select it, but it is not the same. The tradition came from him dragging those trees in, and I tried to make it fun so the children would not think we would freeze to death.
“Food is stored, and we have plenty,” Thora tells me. “It snowed later, so perhaps it will not be so bad this year.”
“Good,” I tell her. “I need this winter to go well.”
Hvitserk pats my shoulder. “It will. The village likes you. They will not turn.”
I nod and walk away. I know they mean well, but the nerves are getting to me. I cross through the barn and to the stall where we keep firewood. We have a lot
