Day 11 prompt - Sight: Landscape (500 words)


Bismarck wrapped the coat closer around her as they continued to trek across the vast expanse. There were no roads, no trails, no signs—only grass and dirt and that lake stretching far and wide. In the distance, the flickering lights from the base camp grew dimmer, and she wondered how far did the Commander intend to take her away from there.

"Are we there yet?" she asked, begrudging the fact that it did sound like a petulant kid pestering their father during a particularly dull trip. Their hike across the Torngat Mountains National Park earlier had been tiring, though she would admit that it was worth it when she got to see with her own eyes the many wonders hidden within. The towering, behemoth-like icebergs. Seeing a whale jumping into the air by chance and the nostalgia it brought. Watching polar bears frolicking from a distance after they stumbled upon bear tracks. The defiant rock spires, pointing at the sky. The old tall trees.

But as he said before, there's only one thing left for her to see. And despite having only a little time to rest after their excursion, she obliged.

The Commander eventually stopped. Bismarck gave the area a once-over. There was nothing remarkable about the wilderness. It was as empty as the ones she had passed and seen during their walk there. When she turned to the Commander to question it, she noticed him looking up and telling her to do the same.

She had no idea how she could miss that before. That must be the reason why he seemed so glad and eager to be there.

The night sky was clear and bright. She could see the shining, wispy clouds and the stars—and the northern lights of green and blue, undulating and swaying like celestial dancers.

Without shifting his attention from the wondrous sight, the Commander sat down on the grass and gestured for her to do the same.

"You haven't been to Labrador yet without seeing this at least once," the Commander remarked.

"This is…indeed beautiful. I…I love this."

"Glad you like them. I'm bringing you here so we can see them, just the two of us."

"Thank you. I like that, too."

As she said that, the Commander felt something on his shoulder; Bismarck was leaning on it. She briefly nuzzled on it before looking at the dawn-like sky once more. She was beginning to feel drowsy, but she fought and resisted it so she could forever engrave the wonder into her heart and mind.

"You're welcome," replied the Commander. He allowed a comfortable silence to settle in as his gaze lingered on her face. There have been many interpretations of the northern lights throughout many cultures. Omens, spirits, and auspicious signs—to him, they might as well be signs of joy. After all, looking at how Bismarck's face lit up under the northern lights and realizing how delighted he was that she could show them that openly, he couldn't see them in any other way.

Afterword

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