Disclaimer: Krabat, all characters, places, and related terms belong to Otfried Preußler.

Author's Note: Italics is the singer's point of view; plain text is Krabat's.


Within the Light of an Easter Candle

The singer appears like an angel in the candle's glow.

The miller is pale as a ghost in the waning moonlight.

She walks away from the village lads, paying them no mind as she continues singing.

He almost floats toward her, drawn by her soaring song.

Dawn is nearly here; the girl senses a strange anticipation in the air.

Dawn's fast approaching; the boy cannot leave yet, overwhelmed with longing.

She resists the temptation to glance about.

If only he could gaze once into her eyes.

The candle flickers (though there's no wind), drawing her attention, and goosebumps spread up her arms.

He sighs deeply as he becomes one with the flame (feeling none of its warmth), then looks up eagerly.

Her heart races.

His breath catches in his throat.

There's a face in the flame: young, kind, melancholy.

Ah! Her eyes: so large, bright, soft.

The youth's face is unfamiliar, yet she feels like she's suddenly found something very important.

Her face is lovely, and it is as though he is falling into a sweet abyss as he gazes deep into her eyes.

The wondrous moment lasts for an instant.

The magical encounter stretches on forever.

And before the singer blinks against the smoke, and there's nothing but the orange fire of her plain Easter candle…

And before the miller boy is snatched away by pain, then finds himself beside Juro with Easter morning breaking…

They solemnly promise: I shall not forget you.

THE END