Dear child, lost and alone,
Where do you come from?
Why do you roam?

No, no, no, no! The word resounded in my head as I sprinted down the street. My little brown boots echoed off cold grey buildings as they pounded on the cobblestone floor. They felt as though they would tear with how fast I was running, but I could not care about that. Not now. I had to return home. I had to return before the darkness crept in.

Before the Night King came.

I ran. Faster than I thought I could. Faster than I ever had. My heart was pumping hard. My breath was ragged. I struggled to pull cold air into my lungs. My dress fluttered and clammed up around me, drenched in sweat and snow. I needed to get home. I needed to be with my mother. I needed to be there before the king came. I needed to shut the door on the rest of the world. I needed to hide.

I had never been late before. I was always home before the darkness hit the town. But I had never met another person awake. He had such nice hair and interesting eyes. Who was he? I wished to see him again and yet hated that I did meet him. Why did he run? Why did I run after him? I should have known it was nearly time to go home. I should have known.

Why didn’t I check the time?

In the distance, I heard the sound of hooves. The sound bounced off the walls, up through the street. They were coming. They were coming up this path. They would be here soon.

I hurled myself into the closest alleyway and flattened myself against the icy wall. I shivered and covered my mouth, attempting to stifle a shocked scream. I focused on being quiet. I focused on being nothing. I held my breath.

Three figures on fine big black horses thundered past. They went too fast for me to see much, but I could tell though, that the man riding at the very back was the king.

He was clothed in a fine cloak of black with fine shining silver dots, as though the stars were sewn into them. It was bright and spectacular. I had never been so close to him before. The cloak fluttered behind him, as though he was dragging the night sky through the street. The crown on his head was a radiant silver white. It shone like it was made out of the moon.

I waited until they were out of earshot and then then let go of the breath I was holding. I gulped air in with frightened gulps. Then I tipped toed out of the alleyway to check if it was all clear. My heart was still pounding. I wondered if it would burst through my chest. It was so loud. Did they not hear it as well?

Luckily there was no one around. I raced down the street, darting into alleyways ever so often, pausing there for a while, to make sure that they were not around. Sometimes I could hear hooves. When I did I hid for longer, praying that they would not find me.

I breathed in relief when I saw the alleyway that lead to my home.

I felt so relieved, until I saw that the door to my house was ajar.

I was mortified.

Did I not close the door? Did I forget? How could I have forgotten to do something so simple! But, I saw the king… didn’t I? He was far from here? Wasn’t he?

With a panicked heart, I gently pushed the door open and looked into the house. Then I screamed.

Standing by the fire place with my mother in his arms was a tall man.