Snow fell down gently in the clearing, covering the trees around it with a soft white layer like a sprinkling of icing. The snow lay still on the ground, perfect and pure.

The tranquility was broken by a rustling in the forest. From the trees emerged two figures on horses as white as the snow, as they rode they spoke quietly.

"I love the winter, everything seems so fragile and elegant"

"You are always elegant, Lalaithwen, whether it be winter or any other season"

She slid gracefully off her horse.

"It seems such a shame to spoil the umblemished snow with hoof and footprints, but I do delight in walking through the snow"

Legolas landed neatly on the ground beside his sweetheart, picked up a handful of snow and let it run through his fingers as a powdery dust.

"Snow would be wonderful if it weren't so cold, wouldn't it be lovely is snow was warm?"

"You do come up with some strange ideas Legolas"

"It's not strange, it's quite sensible actually. All the fun without getting cold"

"Legolas! Look over there, quick!"

"What?"

Legolas turned away and felt something cold hit him hard on the back of the neck.

"Lalaithwen!"

As he turned round he saw her with a smile on her face and her hands behind her back trying to look innocent.

"What?"

He paused.

"I'll get you for that!"

Soon the air was full of snow and the sounds of laughter. When the light dimmed the snowballs thinned out and two very cold elves headed back home.