In the morning Dolores made a most delicious breakfast for everyone. Pancakes and jam made from strawberries with fresh milk to drink. Although Alastor was not one for sweet things so Dolores added corn meal to his pancakes to make it more savory. The peculiar looking boy was very grateful to the compassionate woman and showed his appreciation by cleaning up the kitchen once everyone had eaten.

"You're a wonderful cook ma'am." He told her as he finished washing the last plate. "I'd wager that you're better than a royal chef."

"Thank you." Dolores replied.

"I myself can't thank you enough for letting me stay in your lovely home and again I apologize for any alarm I may have caused last night."

"What impeccable manners you have young man. Most boys I know are dreadfully rude and they smart off to their elders."

"Well I wouldn't dare say one cross word to you. You saved my life, I am eternally in your debt."

He bowed respectfully before her which she found to be unusual for a peasant boy.

"Young man." She said. "If I may ask, what in the world were you doing in that Godforsaken storm last night? Where are your parents?"

"Well um...The thing is I don't know."

"Don't tell me that they heartlessly abandoned you in that blizzard."

"No ma'am you misunderstand. I don't know who my parents are."

"You're an orphan?" Charlotte said with sympathy.

"I suppose. I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Vagatha asked.

"You may find this a little silly but I kind of have amnesia. Months ago I hit my head real hard and when I woke up I couldn't remember a thing except for my name. The rest was completely forgotten. Who I was, where I came from, my family, all gone."

"How is it that you can't remember any of that but you can remember your name?"

"There are some bits and pieces of my memory that come and go. For example someone called out Alastor just as it was going dark for me. There's also this."

Alastor held up his hand which bore a a particular ring he was wearing. It was silver, bearing an engraved symbol and the engraved words;

My Dearest Love

"I was wearing this when I woke up and it's the only clue I have to what happened before I hit my head."

"And to this day you still don't remember?" Charlotte asked.

"No."

"Have you be alone since then?"

"Oh no. You see some nice folks saw me when I got hit and they brought me to their home to see to my injury. After I woke up they tried to help me find my family but no one close by had lost a child. So I've been living with them ever since."

"Why weren't you with them last night?"

"I snuck away to go hunting and by the time the storm began I had gone too far."

"Do you know the way back?" Dolores asked.

"Yes. Last night I was snow blind but now that the blizzard has calm down I should be able to get home. No doubt Millie will take a switch to me when I get there though. She's told me countless times not to go off alone."

"Hmm...Millie." Dolores pondered. "You know I'm not familiar with anyone around here named Millie."

"My folks are a discreet bunch. They don't fit in well with villages."

"Are they travelers? Like gypsies or peddlers?"

"No. I mean one of them did do a lot of traveling for some time but he's officially settled down here."

"If you all don't go to the village often then how do you make friends?" Charlotte asked.

"I don't have friends and neither do they."

"No friends? That's terrible."

"Charlotte." Dolores warned.

"But it is."

"Not really." Alastor said. "People don't like me that much anyway."

"I wonder why." Vagatha muttered sarcastically which earned her a scolding glare from her grandmother.

"It's probably the best that I avoid people if possible." Alastor continued. "I have issues and my appearance tends to upset people."

"It doesn't upset me." Charlotte said. "Not anymore that is."

"Well that would make you the first."

"Is hunting all you like to do?"

"No. I like to read, which is one of the reasons why my folks keep me around because they're tragically illiterate. I also enjoy music and dance."

"So do I."

"Do you sing?"

"Yes but only when I'm alone. My singing voice isn't exactly anything to admire."

"What about you?" He asked Vagatha. "Do you have any musical gifts?"

"No. I can't sing, I can't play any instruments, and I can't dance." She replied.

"What are you talking about Vagatha? You're a wonderful dancer." Dolores said. "The best in the kingdom I'd say."

"Really?!" Charlotte said in a tone full of excitement. "Finally! We have something in common! Maybe tonight we could have a little party and dance."

"No thank you." Vagatha said. "I don't like to dance anymore. I don't ever want to do it again and let's leave it at that."

That's when Dolores recalled the very last time her granddaughter had danced and it made her realize the child's decision to never do such an activity again. She quickly changed the subject.

"So Alastor do you intend to return home right this minute?" She asked him.

"Yes. I don't want to worry my folks anymore than they already are."

"Would you like to escort you back?"

"No thank you Madame. It's very kind of you to offer but the people I live with are a little skittish around strangers."

"I understand. Be careful on the way home and beware of suspicious looking characters."

"I will."

"Can we see you again sometime?" Charlotte asked. "You seem very nice and I would like to be friends with you."

His facial expression didn't changed. His stance was steady, his face portrayed no excited emotions, he appeared perfectly calm and collected. However his eyes were practically glowing with shock and awe. As if Charlotte's offer of friendship was something equaling that of a royal invite to the castle. Something that was extremely unlikely yet he would jump at the opportunity to have it.

"I..." He forgot how to speak for a moment. "I would be honored to establish a friendship with you. But you really don't have to associate yourself with me out of kindness."

"But I want to be friends with you. I like you."

He blushed and looked downward with bashfulness.

"Okay. I'll...I'll visit when I can."

He gently took hold of her hand and kissed it. This made Charlie blush bashfully as well.

"Goodbye my dear lady." He smiled at her.

"Goodbye Alastor." She smiled in return.

"Alright you've said your goodbyes now go." Vagatha said practically shoving him out the door.

"Vagatha stop that!" Dolores ordered.

"You know you're not very ladylike." Alastor said.

"Well I'm not a lady." Vagatha said.

"Yes that was clear from first glance but I didn't want to be rude." He smirked.

"Why you-"

"Vagatha enough." Dolores said. "Forgive my granddaughter, she's also skittish around strangers."

"Well considering that we all take up residence in the Black Forest, not trusting strangers is more than understandable. Miss Vagatha I apologize for my crude remark. I was out of line." He said. "I shall now take my leave of you ladies and know that I will be forever grateful for your kindness."

He left the cottage and started on his way home. As Dolores watched him leave she couldn't help but wonder about his behavior and mannerisms.