"Jack, look!"
Her older brother's large brown eyes turned skywards, the reflection of a hawk soaring over the icy lake they sat near. Its wings were spread wide, feathers curving with the gusts of wind. Jack looked down towards Emma, who's eyes were glowing with fascination.
"Just how does that feel?" She wondered out loud, her cheeks tinted pink with wonder. "To fly, so easily..." She turned, a big grin spreading on her face, toes wiggling in enjoyment. "Jack, have you flown before?"
Jack quirked up an eyebrow. Jack made up all sorts of fantasy-tales about his life, all the amazing battles he's had, just to amuse his siblings. He told the story of beating a large, man-like monster with horns around the campfire, imitating the way it walked before he had slain it with his magical stick, which could freeze anything he wanted it to. He have a bemused smile to Emma, who's gaze was brimming with anticipation for his story.
"I can fly only when the wind allows me to," Jack spoke with a mystical tone, as if he was a wizard with the wisdom of many years. "The wind speaks to me, and I..." Jack crouched on his knees, then leaped high in the air, making Emma gasp. "Leap into the sky!"
He fell back with a gentle thump, and looked down to her with a grin. "The wind won't let me fly tonight, but it's fun to get the sensation for just a moment. Emma, try it!"
Emma laughed, crouching before springing into the air, spreading her fingers as she felt the wind whisk through her hair. She landed gently, giggling a fit. Jack leapt again, and they jumped around the lake, until Jack caught a tree branch and swung himself up with ease.
"When I need to take a rest, I land on a tree, just like a hawk!" He declared proudly, and held out his staff, which he last left leaning against the tree he was in. He pointed it to the sky, where they hawk cried out and made Emma shiver with awe.
"Did you ever fly with the hawk?" She asked breathlessly, watching the mighty predator circle around a spot in the forest. Jack gave her a wicked, mischievous expression.
"I didn't fly with a hawk..." he spread his arms out as wide as he could, skillfully balancing on the sturdy branch of the tree. "I rode a hawk, like a mule, this wide!" He emphasized his point by spreading his fingers as well, and Emma's eyes went round with wonder. "It was the biggest hawk I had ever seen. I tamed it after a long and deadly battle with it, for I almost scared away its prey... but alas! I killed the rabbit for him, and he appreciated that. And so I leapt onto his back and he took off, flying higher than the clouds, so I could see the entire world!"
"Wow!" Emma gasped, a big grin stretching her cheeks. "Is it pretty up there?"
"Outstanding," he breathed, becoming calmer and squatting on the branch, looking up to the shining moon. "It was so calm up there, like the troubles of the world were so petty compared to the peace out there..."
Jack glanced down at her, then leaned down, extending his arm. "Come up here with me." She smiled in gratitude and grabbed his wrist, allowing him to pull her up and hoist her onto the branch next to him. They watched as the stars began to twinkle above the new-spring forest.
"Jack?"
"Yes, Emma?" Jack glanced out of the corner of his eye. She swung her frail legs back and forth.
"We should go ice skating in the winter," she suggested, a light tone to her voice. Jack felt his heart warm, glad to have such a carefree, curious little sister.
"We will," he leaned back on the branch, "And I'll tell you all about my winter battle with the giant polar bear..."
His stories trailed off into the night, his sister laughing beside him, as the moon sunk behind the trees and the sun rose to start another day filled with adventure.