Chapter 1:

I wake up in the morning to the rustling of footsteps outside my home. I jump up, remembering what day it is. Bonding Ceremony! I dress quickly in a warm polar bear dress and leggings, and rabbit shoes and coat. I start towards the door, when my brother comes in.

"Ekki?" He smiles, using the nickname I like despite my father's constant urging to use my full name, Vetur Er Ekki.

I nod and walk silently through the entryway, pausing to briefly hug him and trace the spot where his polar bear, Klaki, lies dormant. Turning, I crouch and push off from the igloo, sliding on the smooth ice. I smile at the cold it brings through my uncovered gloves, and flick my ankle to bring me more speed. As I sight the center of camp, I slow, not wanting to ruin the preparations for the ceremony. Twisting, I manage to stop before I run into Vee, who snickers.

I turn and smile sarcastically. "Vetur Bloma," I say, using her full name. "How nice of you to notice me. I'm just practicing for the IceGrow Ceremony. You know, the one where I was chosen to lead the Ice Dance?" I grin at her jealous face, then turn around to see Jokki.

"Friend!" I yell. She slides over to me, her grace shocking me though I have seen her skate many times before.

"Snjokorn Bokki!" Jokki skids to a stop, hearing her full name. He feet touch mine for an instant, and I wobble despite years of practice.

"Father?" She asks, and an arctic fox bounds towards her. Jokki searches the horizon, and, sure enough, her father appears. The skill of his fox gives him speed, and he carries over the ice like a falcon in the sky.

"My daughter," Is Hradi tousles her sun-colored hair and smiles.

I turn away, wishing my father were like that. Veidimadurinn never laughs or plays with me. He barely acknowledged the fact that I had gotten the starring role in the Ice Dance. I know he wishes for a boy, someone who can help hunt and support the family. Well, when I bond with an ísbjõrn, or polar bear, I will be able to hunt better than anyone else!

I smile at the thought, and slide away from camp, towards the Snow Peaks. As I reach the base of the tallest, called Jump Peak, I stop and pull out a tiny square from the pocket of my jacket. I unfold it into a spear, and ready myself into fighting stance, facing the base of the mountain. I exhale and watch my breath crystallize before falling to the ground. Holding my spear in my right hand, I focus on the center of the target I had put onto the mountain when I was young. I ready my hand, tense my muscles and-

"Hey! Vetur Er Ekki!"

I jump and spin around to see Myndarlegur, accidentally releasing the spear, nicking his right ear.

He bats the spear away, smiling. "Better, sure, sætur einn, but don't you think a boy like me could do better?"

I growl, stepping up to him. "If you went home with a black eye, your parents would have to rename you. Eh, the original name didn't suit you, anyways."

"Aww, does the little girl want to fight a muscular man?"

I shrug. "Sure."

Within a second, I have punched him in the nose and whisked him of his feet, placing a fur-enclosed foot on his chest. "Do you want me to do more?" I ask, still feeling adrenaline.

"No," he concedes after a while.

"Good." I pick up my spear and slide away, leaving him on the cold ice.