The wind, a howling beast of winter, assaulted her. It buffeted her head with icy force, spun snow into a blinding vortex, and pressed its frigid fingers through into thin coat. Huddling against the onslaught, she tucked her chin towards her knees. Then, a figure materialized from the swirling white, resolving into the familiar, handsome features of Emhyr. A surprise bloom of warmth quickened her pulse. "Oh," she breathed, startled by his sudden appearance, her ears flicking back and her eyes widening momentarily as she nearly collided with him. You're here. there was a hint of disbelief as if he had not been expecting her.

She had abandoned their son, vanished without a word. What reason would he have to expect her return, least of all to this place? Swallowing the familiar knot of fear, she braced herself.

To what do I owe the pleasure? he asked, settling nearby with a formality that felt both studied and strained. "I came to see our son," she managed, the statement tasting peculiar on her tongue. She'd never envisioned motherhood, never imagined abandoning a child – especially to, well, a stranger.

She risked a glance past Emhyr, peering into the darkness that concealed Tinuvel, straining to catch a glimpse of him. Disappointed, she turned back to Emhyr as another icy gust slammed into her, rattling her teeth."A-a-are you going to m-m-make me beg?" she stammered, fighting the shivers that wracked her body.