It was nearly morning, the storm was growing stronger and Urim was getting heavier. Plum was freezing and she was tried. She wouldn't be able to support Urim much longer. 

She had been wondering all night, it would be morning soon. But she had to protect Urim, she was sure Gor'lok had the horde already searching for them.

     Finally though the fog and snowfall, she made out an open and small hidden cave. She hurried in and prayed there were no wild animals or orcs inside. 

Upon entering the cave Plum collapsed dropping Urim and then falling on top of him and past out. She was exhausted.

      Urim's shivering woke Plum up, she hadn't even realized she had fallen asleep. She looked around the cave for kindling, she needed to make a fire. She didn't do all this just to have Urim freeze to death.

     The cave was small and well hidden, the entrance was covered with vines and tree roots. She would need to find something to disguise the cave entrance. But first, she needed to tend to Urim.

Plum was able to light a fire but she needed more supplies. She left in such a hurry taking nothing with her except Urim and her bow.

It was already morning and not a good idea to go out looking for supplies with Gor'lok and possibly the rest of the horde searching for them. For the moment they were safe.

She would wait for nightfall and gather whatever supplies she could steal from any nearby farmhouse. 

     Urim was beginning to warm up and he wasn't shivering anymore. The small cave was warm now too. Plum was beginning to warm up,  but now she was hungry. She had been so worried about Urim, she hadn't even thought of food.

     The air was cold and crisp outside the cave. The sun had set hours ago. Plum kissed Urim on the cheek and grabbed her bow praying she didn't have to use it.

"I'll be back," she whispered in his ear.

She tended to the fire one last time before leaving.

 It was freezing outside and the snow was ankle deep and still falling. She kept her arms wrapped around her trying to stay warm.

She walked about a mile or so and came to a lone farmhouse. She was able to quietly sneak into the barn where she found plenty of supplies.

Luckily find, she thought.

Plum didn't fancy stealing but she had no choice. They would have to stay hidden and possibly ride out the winter in that cave.

She took as much as she could carry. Potatoes carrots, radishes, lettuce, garlic, even a few animal skins and furs, and cooking utensils. When she couldn't carry any more she returned to the cave.

     The fire had dim and the Urim was shivering again. Plum dropped everything, she stroked the fire and the flames grew. She broke off a few tree roots from the entrance and threw them in the fire. It was the driest wood available.

She looked around outside the cave and found a few branches and a thick piece of bark that would fit the cave entrance perfectly as a door.

She made a bed out of the animal skins and furs she took. She removed all Urim's clothes and laid him on top of the skins and covered him animal furs.

Once she had Urim settled she filled a pot with clean snow made a tripod out of tree branches and steadied the pot over the fire. She cleaned the vegetables as best she could cut them up and put them in the now boiling water and made vegetable stew.

     With her belly full, she took off her damp clothes and laid on top of Urim. She would have to keep him warm through the night.

She laid her head on his chest and listened to his soft heartbeat. Her body yearned to feel his touch one more time. 

She closed her eyes and could feel his arms wrap around her and squeeze her tight. He kissed her lips and it was the sweetest kiss she'd ever taste it. But it was all in her mind.

     Plum just wanted Urim to wake up, she felt lost without him. She realized she had never even told him she loved him. She blushed at the thought but promised herself when he woke up, she would tell him every day. She would tell him so much he'd get sick of hearing it.