With the passing days and nights, many birds had long flown away from the woods to flee the winter, while others decided to stay. By then, multiple animals had already left for their burrows and dens, either prepared for hibernation, while some stored plenty of food for the season until spring arrived again.

Soon enough the deer would be left to survive on their own.

Corin had retreated into his own little home, glad that his food-gathering mission was accomplished just in time. Eike decided to stay in her burrow, not too far from Corin. They were the least sad about the separation... Or perhaps they were just good at hiding it. Who knew what the future would hold to them?

"Don't be sad, y'all. Here's hopin' we'll all meet again in spring! So wait for me, 'kay?'

"Eike's right. Until then... Hope you'll all be okay this winter."

As for the rest of the group, it was inevitable that they'd need to split up once snow starts. They agreed it was better that way. Although saddened to do so, Aydan had to accept it was necessary — she was the first to drift away. At least her and her mother's furs would help them disappear into the whiteness of the landscape. At least her chances of survival were just slightly better in that regard.

"I'm sorry, everyone... I'll miss you.

... Promise you won't forget about me?"

Soon after the yearling siblings had to go. Though Eurig had come to terms with it, Bran hadn't yet, and thus a brief farewell between Bruno and them proved to be much more difficult. And by the time they left, Eurig remembered she hadn't addressed that one conversation she had with Bruno, but it was too late now.

Perhaps, when they meet again... If they met again.

"It's here we part ways. This was good while it lasted..."

"Hey, we can still meet again! And Bruno, when we find each other again, let's spar with each other a whole lot, okay?"

And then, Bruno was the only one left, with Old Nettla for company. Right now she was the one he needed and wanted the most. He still remembered the talk he and the doe had, on that day when the crow provoked his caretaker one too many times till she talked back to the bird with seething words.

Who could've thought? His caretaker, once the sister of the last Great Prince of the Forest? Oh, imagine the many stories Nettla could tell Bruno, the adventures she had when she was a fawn like him! And perhaps tell him everything a Great Prince could do and what mature bucks needed to become one?

Thinking about it, she did mention she'd wanted to wait till Bruno had grown antlers. He couldn't help but wonder why...

And that is where the two found themselves in. A scenery void of life.

The trees and their branches were now left completely leafless and almost lifeless, like claws and talons trying to reach for the darkened, colorless sky. The ground littered with long dead leaves, the waters too cold to step in, the wind blowing as if to take one's breath away. Even the meadow became a vast and isolating place to stand in, too big and empty to look at.

As both continued on their stroll, the Young Prince noticed something. Nettla saw as well.

Something falling from the sky. Tiny white specks fluttering down to the ground like rain, in contrast with the darkened scenery.

"Whoa... What's this white stuff, Aunt?" He asked, in awe with the sight. Lifting his muzzle a little upwards, a speck made its way to his nose; a hint of cold, quickly melted away.

"Snow. Winter is here." She spoke somberly, her steps speeding up. "We must hurry."

"What? Why?" Alarmed, he went to catch up with her, still paying attention to his surroundings. The landscape now seemed to blend with the falling snow, an exquisite sight different from the many colors of the other seasons. Nettla knew better than to admire it, however.

"No matter how beautiful it may seem... Winter is merciless."

In the end, she was proven right.

No more than a week passed and the entire forest was blanketed in white. Finding food became much more difficult, any source of water was frozen and at times even breathing hurt. And after that first week passed, time itself seemed to freeze. The season felt as if lasting for an eternity.

Often Bruno waited for Nettla to reach upwards and take a chunk of tree bark and give some to him. It wasn't nearly as tasty as the things he ate before winter came, but what else was there? They were lucky if they found a trunk with most of its bark untouched - there were a few deer who'd fight for a single scrap, and others who'd steal without a second thought.

Life in the woods had never felt so bleak as it was then.


Crossing the meadows at that time was a high risk, anyone in their right mind would avoid it altogether. But in desperate times when a part of the forest had no food left to find, hunger spoke louder than common sense and wits; it was either fight for survival or let Nature have its way with you.

Soon the old doe and Young Prince were at the edge of the woods; the vast place was now deserted save for a few deer located there, probably trying their luck in looking for something to eat. At least a few bucks and does, some digging the ground with their hooves and others walking towards the other side.

Seeing how no crows had alerted of danger, on top of being nowhere nearby, and nobody seemed to be worried, Nettla stepped forward and motioned for Bruno to follow. The meadow Bruno knew as the grassland filled with life and a pretty sky, was now a dreary location which seemed to stretch beyond the horizon. He felt so small amidst the wintry grounds.

Reaching halfway through their crossing, Nettla suddenly stopped, ears up in alarm. The rest of the deer seemed to have noticed her behavior, and did the same.

There was something wrong.

Turning her head to various directions and squinting her eyes, she spotted something in the distance.

"Bruno. Don't run until I tell you to." She spoke in a low voice, perfectly still. Soon, Bruno saw it too.

Something just behind a couple trees, blending with its shadows.

Something with many bright eyes and fangs.

Something moving as one.

An unknown buck not too far away, too, saw. And as soon as he did, he ran off in a panic.

"WOLVES! WOLVES!" His fear-stricken voice echoed, alerting the others.

As quickly as he ran, ten figures hiding in the darkness appeared from behind the trees.

Three wolves made a run for the panicking buck, four chased other deer, and the remaining ones went after the duo.

"Run, NOW!"

Nettla and Bruno hastily ran to the other side of the meadow, not once looking back. The wolves followed right behind, the rest of the pack left to deal with any other runaway deer.

Past the trees, past the snow and ice, past the cold wind, they kept running and running, only hearing the pants and growls of the beasts chasing them.

["Mother, what's wrong?"

He couldn't understand what was happening. Just seconds ago they were strolling, and now his mother stood still, eyes wide.

"Bruno, you have to run!"

There was something moving behind the trees. Something staring back at them with bright eyes. ]

They came across a rocky path — one leading to a mountain — and they continued on, predators chasing prey.

[ They found the old doe, slightly limping and one leg bleeding... Stained deep red and still dripping.

"Nettla, take him to safety! I'll distract them!"

Mother would come along too, right...?]

Suddenly, one misstep and Bruno's legs gave way—

[ The younger doe sprinted away, leaving their side. Running towards danger...

"Felicie..."

"Mother?!"

Why was she leaving?!]

Nettla stopped and saw him on the ground—

["Please be safe...!"

Those were her last words.

"Bruno, come with me!"

The old doe nudged him to run.

He looked back one last time.]

The wolves getting closer, maws snapping open—

["MOTHER!"

Dark shapes moving as one, crimson staining the ground... His mother lying on the ground, throat torn apart.]

He closed his eyes, resigned to his fate—

A loud yelp resounded, and he dared look.

Standing in front of him, was his caretaker facing the beasts, one on the ground whining in pain and the other two still standing. One lunged forward, only to get kicked by Nettla as soon as it got close. The third attacked as soon as the other hit the ground, reaching for the neck—

Only to be quickly shaken off by the old doe, and before it could properly retaliate, she raised up her front legs and proceeded to stomp on the wolf many times. It tried to escape, but in vain — the sheer force was too much, until she let go and it scurried away.

Limping in pain, beaten and bruised with a couple bloodied cuts, it looked back only to be met with a vicious scowl from the old doe, making it leave the scene for good. The other two were about to start again, when a howl echoed from somewhere. Hearing it, they glanced at the doe and fawn before turning back to where they came from.

Nettla huffed, still recovering her breathing, before turning back to the fawn, now trying to get up by himself.

"Are you alright?!" Her voice, although still half-stern, couldn't hide the panic she went through just then. Bruno, though recovering his own breath, didn't answer. He was trembling beyond belief, not looking at her. When she stepped closer with the intention of asking again, however... She heard shuddering.

"Bruno...?"

Before she knew it, he had buried his face into her chest and started nuzzling her. That's when she saw; his eyes shut with heavy tears flowing down his cheeks, trying his hardest not to cry his heart out and wail until his voice was no more. That memory... That sight...! If only he could just forget that day...!

Getting over her brief moment of shock, Nettla nuzzled him in return.

She stopped for a moment to lift her head. From where they stood, the meadow could be seen from a distance above.

That's where she saw the pack of wolves dragging a buck away — the same one who first tried running to safety, now reduced to a lifeless body, fur left bloodied and throat torn apart by those who would now feast on his flesh. With a heavy sigh, she turned her attention back to Bruno, who had started calming down.

Although the tears didn't stop and he didn't move away from her chest, his breath evened out bit by bit. She nuzzled him again; she wouldn't let go until he'd fully calm down. She licked the top of his head, a silent reassurance. Perhaps she'd been too hard on him when she first took him in...

Yes, winter was merciless. But not even Nature would prevent her from keeping Bruno safe and alive. That was her promise to his mother, Felicie. That so long as she lived, she'd raise the fawn. And oh, how much he's grown from the little newborn fawn way back then, a shy child who always hid behind his mother and barely spoke more than a few words. It was such a distant reality now...

And now Nettla couldn't wait until Bruno grew antlers at last, until he'd grow into a fine young buck. And perhaps, if Nature allowed... Be there to watch him become the next Great Prince of the Forest.

But deep down, she knew the inevitable truth.

One day soon, she would have to let go of him. And he would have to let go of her.