Weeks flew by. Snow began to fall a week after Moritz and Elise's friendship mended. The children were released from their classes early because of the mounting snow. The girls squealed and shivered at the flakes. Elise wrapped her cloak around her shoulders and rushed out of the school building. The others stayed in doors watching the blonde twirl around in the falling flakes joyfully.
The boys all joined Hanschen and Ernst on the way to the girl's school to escort the girls home. "It was priority that the girls did not get caught in the cold," said Herr Sonnenstitch before releasing the boys. Hanschen glared at Moritz. The boy was being tutored by Elise whenever he came over the Rilow home to study. Elise always made sure to bring Melchior with her and Moritz to the library down the hall so the two could spend time together without Frau Rilow objecting. Of course, Frau Rilow had no knowing of her daughter spending time with Moritz. But Hanschen did. And he was furious about it.
Moritz avoided the stare. He twirled a piece of paper around on the desk. He knew Hanschen was not pleased that he was spending time with Elise. He tried to avoid the boy as much as possible after classes. Moritz did find that he was understanding the Latin better after his meetings with Elise. She, surprisingly, understood the language better than him. "It is because Hanschen always left his Latin books home when he first started school," Elise had sighed, amusing Melchior. "I was curious, so I read them." "H-How could you understand it?"
Elise had blushed. "I-It took a while."
Melchior tapped on Moritz's shoulder. "Come on. The girls will be waiting." Moritz smiled. Georg and Otto were the first out the door. Ernst led Hanschen out the door, despite Hanschen's visible desire to stay and confront Moritz. Moritz paled at this. "Do not worry about Hanschen," Melchior reassured him. Moritz grabbed his books and a small parcel. He neatly packed his books in the satchel. Melchior noticed the care his friend took in packing away the parcel. "What is that?" Moritz smiled in content. "You'll see," he said, happiness bubbling under his tone.
Hanschen scowled as the sound of crunching feet came towards Ernst and himself. Melchior and Moritz had caught up with the others. His fingers clenched into a fist. It took all his wilpower not to drive his fist straight into Moritz's face. Ernst saw his friend grow tense. "Hanschen," he said with an innocent curiosity. Hanschen took Ernst's wrist and quickened his pace. "H-Hanschen?" "I do not want to be near him," spat Hanschen.
Melchior noticed Moritz relax as Hanschen stalked off into the falling snow.
The two walked slower than Otto and Georg, who were catching up to Hanschen and Ernst. Melchior eyed Moritz's satchel. He was dreadfully curious as to what was inside the parcel. Moritz, meanwhile, had a pleasant expression on his face as the group walked quickly through the rapidly falling snow towards the girl's school. He was excited to see Elise again.
He had gotten over the nightmares, for the most part. On occasion the dreams plagued him. The essay and his talks with Melchior were starting to help him calm his hormones a little. His grades were improving in Latin. Why, just the other day he had recited an entire line from Virgil correcty! It greatly shocked everyone else. Ernst had nearly fainted out of his seat.
Things were looking up indeed.
Melchior's hand snaked towards the satchel. He gently and silently pulled the string loose on the satchel. Moritz was caught up in his thoughts and did not notice Melchior's pale hand reach into his bag. Melchior licked his cold lips trying not the poke the side of the bag. One wrong twitch of the finger could send Moritz into a panic attack. And that is exactly what happened.
Moritz felt something poke his hip from inside his satchel. He let out a loud gasp and jumped away. Melchior's fingers wrapped around the small parcel just in time, as the satchel was torn from his hand. "W-What are you doing, Melchi?" Melchior shook the parcel gently noticing the squeak of nervousness coming from Moritz's lips. "What is in here exactly? A present for the young Fraulein," asked Melchior, waggling his eyebrows playfully. Moritz's face burned. "G-Give it." "What is inside it, Moritz? It is not clothing, I can tell by the texture and size. It is small and beaded?"
Moritz desperately reached over. 'Give it, Melchior, please. D-Don't shake i-it!"
"Will it break?" Melchior stoked the small parcel again, feeling for the shape. "Is it a string?" The small, poorly wraped box was snatched out of Melchior's grip and returned to Moritz's possession. The Stefel boy slid it back into his bag. Melchior's amused smile faded at Moritz's paled face. 'Y-You could h-have broken it," he stammered, almost angerly. "I'm sorry, Moritz." The sleepy-head continued his steps forward, steps that crunched in the snow. "Moritz, I said I'm sorry," called Melchior.
Moritz bent down on one knee, face looking down to the snow. Melchior could not see what he was doing. He quickened his pace. "Moritz. Please, I'm sorry." Had shaking the present upset Moritz this much? "Moritz, I'm-"
A white mass of snow hit him square in the face. Melchior stumbled back in shock as Moritz erupted in laughter. He wiped the frozen liquid from his face and let out a booming laugh. He made a ball of snow and threw it to Moritz, who dodged it clumsily. The boys continued down the road, throwing snowballs back and forth drenching their clothes and bags. Moritz managed to keep the present dry. They caught up to Georg and Otto as the snowfight came to an end. Otto took one look at his classmates' soaking clothes and shook his head. "Do I need to know?" Melchior chuckled. "Let us hurry. The girls are probably freezing as Moritz and I are."
"You two are going to get ill." Melchior slapped a hand on Georg's shoulder. "All worth it, my friend," he replied. "Now, let us go to the girls. I'm sure Moritz is anxious to see Fraulien Rilow." The three boys chuckled at a reddening Moritz.
Elise rubbed her hands and blew on them. She was freezing. Perhaps running around in the snow was not one of her finest ideas. Thea giggled and wrapped her scarf around her friend's hands. "Cold out there?" Elise nodded then sneezed. "Oh, Hanschen is going to be so angry with me," she groaned pulling her cloak closer around her freezing body. "When are the boys getting here?" "The boys are coming?"
Anna jumped up and ran over to the window. She huffed in frustration at not being able to see her reflection clearly. "Is my braid okay?" Wendla giggled. "Of course," she replied. Martha smiled at the two girls and pulled on her black shawl. "The snow is falling more rapidly. Should we start to head out?" "Of course not, Lise. You're getting sicker and the snow will be pilling up. We'll get lost in the storm," said Thea.
Elise sneezed and coughed again. Her head pounded. She really was getting sick.
"Er, hallo?"
Wendla and Anna squealed in surprise. "Boys!" Melchior uttered a loud booming laugh. "We are quite welcomed here, boys! Hallo, Wendla." Wendla stood and curtsied. "Melchior! How are you?" "Well. You look well." Wendla blushed. Elise stood up. "I see four boys. Where are the other two?" Otto turned around. "Now that you mention it, where is your brother and Ernst?" Moritz licked his lips and glanced downwards. He looked back to Elise. "Well, it doesn't matter where he is. He is a nusience any- A-ACHOO!" Elise's sneeze echoed the room. She bent over holding her head as if in pain. Moritz went over to her. "You alright?" The girl moaned in reply. "I'm so ill." Her body shivered at Moritz's damp arms encircling her. "L-Let us get you home. Your head is burning up." He said under his breath," H-Hanschen truly is going to kill me."
Otto and Georg had decided to walk Anna, Thea, and Martha home while Melchior and Moritz walked Wendla and Elise home. "Your brother must have gotten lost or just went home if he hasn't caught up with us by now," Melchior told Elise. The blonde haired girl felt Moritz's arm around her shoulder bringing her closer to his body.
She was getting warmer, but her headache wasn't going away. She felt horrible. All Elise wanted to do was curl up in her bed and sleep the rest of the afternoon away.
"Goodbye, Wendla. Have a good Christmas," said Melchior as he walked Wendla to her door. Wendla smiled and nodded her head. "Shall I see you at church Christmas Eve and Day?" Melchior's smiled faded. He shook his head. Moritz watched the exchange with Elise as they stood underneath a large tree in front of Wendla's house. The snowfall had slowed, but it was still freezing. His fingers were growing numb and his body was shivering. But Elise was in a worse condition. She had been growing ill since their friendship mended.
"M-Melchior, we'd better go," called Moritz to his friend. Elise groaned and leaned her head into his neck. Melchior turned back to his friends. He nodded in goodbye to Wendla and hurried back. "Feel better, Lise," Wendla shouted before returning into her house.
They reached the Rilow household ten minutes after leaving Wendla.
"Let us help her inside. She'll probably pass out before she reaches her bed," said Melchior. Moritz looked at the delerious Elise with pity. "Poor Elise," he sighed. They opened the door and entered the warm household. "Fraulein Rilow? Is that you? Why is your brother not with yo-?"
Gretchen stopped at the sight of Elise being supported by Herr Gabor and Herr Stiefel. The young woman seemed completely exhausted. Her eyes were half-closed and nose was bright red. She was wrapped in her dark blue cloak, but was shivering. "Oh, Elise!" The mentioned girl looked up at her maid who was running to her. She took a weak step forward and fell into Gretchen's arms. Moritz could only stare on in shock at the condition of the girl he loved.
Loved?
Did he love her? Was this why he was dreaming about her so often?
He took an instinctive step forward. "L-Let me bring her to her r-room. I-I can get her upstairs." Gretchen furrowed her eyebrows. Melchior nodded in approval. "He's fine. I'll take my leave." "Danke," thanked Gretchen. Elise reached for Moritz. He took her in his arms and slowly lead her up the winding staircase "You have five minutes in there and then I am coming in," Gretchen informed him sharply. Moritz turned back at her. "I understand, Frau..?" "Gretchen. Just Gretchen." "Gretchen. I understand."
"I'm so tired," cried Elise. "I-I know, I know," Moritz told her in a low voice. "I want to sleep." "You will be in your bed soon." Elise smiled as Moritz laid her down in her bed. He took off the cloak, noting that she still wore his jacket. He didn't take it back. He didn't want her to freeze any more than she was already. "Cover me. I'm freezing." Moritz threw the bedcovers over her. Elise snuggled into her bed, smiling in gratitude. "Thank you, Moritz," she slurred. Moritz sat on her bedside and felt her forehead.
"How is she?"
Hanschen leaned in the doorway. He smirked when Moritz uttered a squeak of surprise. "How is my sister doing?" Moritz jumped up. "H-H-Hanschen, I-I'm not-" "Relax, Stiefel. I'm not going to kill you this time. Consider it a Christmas present."
Moritz folded his arms across his chest. "S-She's ill. Pr-Probably from the cold she's been developing." Hanschen nodded. "She has been out of it for a while now. Probably spending too much time frolicking in the cold December air." Moritz smiled at the sleeping Elise. "She does love the outdoors," he remarked admiringly.
Hanschen frowned at this. "Watch what you say about my sister, Stiefel. Just because I am holding a conversation with you does not mean I like you." Moritz frowned. "Hansi, leave." The two boys looked down. Elise was sitting up weakly. Moritz supported her up. "Elise." "Hansi, just go. I can't sleep with you two fighting." She leaned her head into Moritz's chest, infuriating Hanschen. "I know you don't like this. I don't care. Leave my room," Elise snapped. Moritz's face turned red. "I'll check back on you in an hour," Hanschen told her coldly as he left.
Elise shut her eyes again. "I just want to sleep," she complained. "I know, I know. H-Hanschen's gone." Elise smiled into his chest.
"You always stutter when you mention my bruder," she weakly teased. Moritz smiled sheepishly. "Well, his is intimidating." "Quite." Moritz laid her back down. "I'll take my leave." "No. Please, stay a little longer," begged Elise. "Stay?" Elise opened her eyes. Her hand grabbed his shirt. Moritz's heart jumped in surprise. He grew nervous. "I'm cold. Lie down next to me." Moritz's eyes widened. "Elise?" "You're warm. I'm not warm enough. Please, Moritz?"
He knew how wrong that was. If Gretchen or, God fobid, Hanschen saw this, he would be dead.
Elise coaxed him down beside her. "It's okay. Really," she informed him weakly."I'm so cold." Moritz sighed and laid down next to her. He put his arms around her and drew her close to his body. Elise held onto his hands. "Your hands are cold." Elise inwardly rolled her eyes. "Really?"
She giggled. Moritz's breath was tickling her neck. They laid there in silence for a long time. Moritz rubbed her hand with his thumb. "Elise?" "Hm?" Moritz reached down to his satchel and pulled out the small box. He slipped it into Elise's hands. "Don't open it until Christmas Eve," he whispered to her. "Promise me?" "Wha' is it," asked Elise tiredly. Moritz laughed quietly. "You'll see. I must go."
Moritz and his family arrived to the church on Christmas Eve four days later. Moritz was dressed in his best clothes. He was very excited to see hoped she had opened his present.
His face brightened when Elise and her family entered the church. They took their place at the pew two rows down from Moritz. The girl's eyes met Moritz's. They were sparkling and bright. She seemed much better than Tuesday. Her skin was stll pale, but healthy. Her nose was tinged pink. There was a fading hint of dark circles underneath her eyes. Elise held her breath. She put her hand on her neck and smiled.
The mass was long and agonizing for both Elise and Moritz. Hanschen noticed how jumpy she was. He lightly tapped on her thigh and gave her a look. Elise bit her lip and rolled her eyes at him. The priest gave everyone the Body of Christ and ended the servce. Elise jumped up and ran out of the pew. "Elise Elisabeth Rilow!" Elise ignored her mother and ran to Moritz. She grabbed onto his hand and dragged him out of the church. Moritz turned his head in time to see his father's stern expression and his mother's amused face.
The snow had started to fall once more as Elise and Moritz ran outside and around to the graveyard in the back. Moritz laughed grandly at Elise's excited behavior. "H-Hello Lise! Merry Christmas Eve." Elise giggled and threw her arms around Moritz. "Danke, danke, danke!"
"For what," he asked almost playfully.
Elise touched the silver cross on her neck. "For this." Her eyes welled with tears. "Oh Moitz, where did you get it?" Moritz held her waist with his hands. "My Mama was cleaning and found this underneath her bed. She no longer wanted it and was goinig to sell it. It was so beautiful and it fits you." Elise's hand touched his cheek. "Thank you for such a lovely present. I only wish I had something to give you that is as lovely as this."
Moritz sucked in a shuddering breath. He smiled at her and brushed her blonde curls back out of her face.
"Your prescence is q-quite e-e-enough," he stuttered. Elise's eyes sparkled as she looked up at Moritz. "You're stuttering. Why are you-"
Moritz's lips rushed to meet hers. He wrapped his arms around her waizt, pressing her body to him. Elise's body froze. She didn't know how to react. Moritz pulled back from the kiss. He grew increasingly worried. "Oh G-God, Elise. Did I d-do something wr-wrong? I-I'm so sorry!" He turned to leave before Elise touched his hand. He met her eyes. Elise threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. Their hearts beat faster and faster. Moritz kissed her back passionately. Elise ran her hand through Moritz's untidy hair.
They pulled away and could only stare at each other. Moritz was amazed. This is what being truly loved felt like, he thought. This is what being with a woman is like.
He was still scared, frightened of what the essay told him. The secrets of the female body and intercourse scared him more than the beatings and lashings he received from his father. There were so many things in life that scared him and didn't make sense.
But right here, right now, everything was perfect.
He took Elise's hand and they walked back into the warm church.