Can you keep a secret?

Lucie was eager to help her friend settle down, rushing behind his back to help him take off the heavy cloak which draped around his shoulders. With a pointed sigh, she let it cascade to the ground, before gathering it to the best of her ability and pretending to fold it. Then, hastily pushing it to the side in hopes Málmr wouldn’t notice her poor job, she sat back by his side, knowing she was in on a good tale. She faked a pout as she batted her lashes at him with humor, much like her mother would: “Really, you can’t tell me?” she whined, barely holding a giggle back. “Well, it’s alright. I guess Mom wouldn’t want me to have nightmares tonight – or ever for that matter.” She mused, gazing up to the sky thoughtfully. Her eyes perked up towards him as she smiled softly, holding one of his rugged fingers in her tiny hand “You always make the right choice – I know that about you for sure.”

The little girl’s legs swung back and forth excitedly as bright pink eyes didn’t let Málmr out of her sight. She nodded along as he spoke, babbling happily between each tale, a gasp meeting his mention of the forest witch. “I remember! You told me she was beautiful.” She exclaims, head tilting to the side. “I hope I meet her one day. There’s a ton of questions I’d like to ask her.” She added, bringing a thoughtful finger to her lips. It struck her fast how this question could come out wrong – to her at least, especially now of all times. “A-about the forest I mean! She must know everything there is to know about snails!” she giggled nervously, eyes drifting away from the comforting face for a moment. She drank his words as he explained all about honoring her – she made a good note that someday, she would visit her and pay her respects.

                His question took her by surprise – she was happy to listen to his tales, happy to pretend she was the same as always. She sighed lightly, looking up to him with a meek smile. She stood up, silently inviting him to follow her as she tugged at his shirt.

They walked in silence for a little while, Lucie shushing the man when he tried to ask anything. They walked into the forest, where the shade of the trees grew darker the deeper they went. Lucie stopped, suddenly, by a little murmuring brook, and let go of Málmr’s hand.

“Málmr… Can you keep a secret?”

She turned around, looking at him with eyes reflecting the light like two clear mirrors, hair glimmering softly as if stardust had rained on her. There was a tragic, sorry expression on her face, a distant smile, knowing she would never smile the same again.