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Description
Please read description first

The weather was fierce this time of year. The winds howled a haunting cry and snow smothered the earth. The sky was dark and foreboding. The forest was quite with deep slumber, a waiting the coming spring. To be out in this storm would be considered suicide. The temperature was dangerously low as night consumed the day and brought forth darkness.

A small boy sat beneath a mighty tree, trying to shield himself from the mighty winds. He curled himself into a ball trying to hold on to any body heat he had left. It would not take long for him to freeze in this weather. He was shaking uncontrollably; his body couldn't take much more of this. He fell into the freezing snow and quaked violently. His eyes were shut tight and he was biting his lip.

Something snapped him out of his daze. He heard the crunch of footsteps in the snow. He knew that no one in their right mind would be out in this weather. He knew that it must be a wild beast come to finish him off.

He was unable to move, all he could do was wait as the sounds became louder and louder. Opening his eyes to look his impending death in the face, he was met with something he couldn't believe. A little girl stood before him. She had long (h/c) hair that danced in the wind. Her (e/c) eyes burned brightly in the cold dark night. She stepped closer to him, looking into his eyes. He looked shocked when he noticed what she was wearing. She was only covered by a thin (f/c) silk dress that almost seemed transparent.

Even with his thick coat and white scarf he was still freezing. She looked unfazed by the stinging cold as she walked barefoot in the deep snow. She knelt down before the boy and smiled. She placed a hand on his face ran her fingers over his cold skin. Her touch was so warm and comforting against his frozen skin.

"Are you lost little boy?" She looked at him with concern on her face. "You shouldn't be out here little boy. Bad things happen when you're alone…" She looked away from him for a moment. "My name is (Name), what's yours?"

"I-I-Ivan." Was all he could manage to come out. His blue lips were quivering causing him to stutter violently.

"Ivan, would you like to come with me? I will take you somewhere warm." She seemed to be dimly glowing before him. Ivan looked deeply into her bright eyes and nodded. With that he passed out, unable to hold on any longer.

You brought Ivan to your small cottage and placed him on your warm bed. It was unlike you to take pity on those who entered your woods, but there was something about this boy. Something that baffled you to no end. You removed his wet coat and scarf and covered him in blankets. You raised your hand in the air and swirled it around causing a fire to rise in the fireplace. You placed a hand over his heart and felt the rhythmic beating in his cheat. "How can something so small, pound so hard" you thought. You smiled and walked out of the room.

"Please wake up soon" you whispered as you shut the door.

Ivan slowly opened his eyes to a dimly lit room. He was surprised to feel a comforting warmth instead of the blistering cold. He sat up for a moment and took in his surroundings. "I-I'm alive?" He thought for sure that he was dead and that that girl was the angel who came to collect him. He moved to get out of the large bed, when he noticed something. You… were standing in the doorway, staring at him.

"You're awake; I was so worried that you wouldn't pull through." You walked into the room and sat next to him on the bed. Ivan looked at you in shock.

"You saved me…" Ivan felt his heart begin to race as you moved closer to him.

"I couldn't leave you in the snow…You would have died." You smiled warmly at him. Ivan's face started to heat up and a small pink tent appeared across his cheeks.

"T-Thank you…" Ivan looked down trying to hide his blush. You looked at him with great interest. You wanted to know why he was even out there to begin with. You turned slightly, so that see was facing Ivan.

"Ivan… why did you come to my woods during such a storm?" Ivan looked away from you, sadden by your question.

"I couldn't go home… I wouldn't…not back to that." Ivan began to tear up at the thought of returning to the torment and tragedy that was waiting for him. You looked at him with much concern.

"You don't have to say anymore, I understand." You placed your arms around the small Russian boy and hugged him tightly. "Please don't cry. I didn't mean to make you sad" Ivan turned and cried into your shoulder. He had never gotten the chance to cry. Crying was a sign of weakness and he would be punished for it.

You looked at him a bit saddened. you weren't quite sure how to comfort people. Suddenly an idea popped into your head and you jolted off the bed. "Stay here, I have something I want to show you!" You ran out the room leaving a confused and sniffling Ivan.

When you returned you clutched something to your chest. Climbing back on to the bed you gave Ivan a bright smile. "Close your eyes, and no peeking." Ivan did as you requested and covered his face with his hands.

You pulled the small music box away from your chest and placed it in between you. You smiled up at Ivan as you began to wind the music box.

Ivan's eyes shoot open when he heard the sound of a beautiful melody play. He looked down and noticed the small contraption in between the two of you. He looked up at you and saw you smiling brightly at him.

"My Father would play this music box whenever I was sad… He used to say that it was built by the spirits of the seasons, because everyone would become very sad during winter. The melody is a spell to make people happy and hopeful. The spirits would play it at night while everyone slept and when they woke up in the morning everyone would be happy. He said that if I ever felt like there was no hope left that I should play it and all would be well again…" (Name) looked down at the small music box and began to tear up. "He said that it would bring me happiness and love… but…" Ivan looked up at you with sad eyes.

"Where is your Father now?" You looked down and began to sob loudly. After a moment of crying into your hands you looked back up at Ivan who was crying as well.

"He is with Mommy now… I never got to meet mommy… but Papa would tell me all about her. He said that I had her smile…" You looked up and gave him a weak smile. "Whenever Papa was sad I would smile for him, so he could remember mommy…" You looked back down at the music box.

"You live here all alone?" You nodded slowly, still weeping into your hands.

"I've been alone ever since Papa left… " Ivan moved closer to you and held you tightly.

"I know what it's like to be alone… but don't worry… I'm with you now…" You stopped crying and looked into Ivan's violet eyes. "We can be friends and I'll come visit you all the time." You smiled brightly and snuggled into Ivan's chest.

"I would like that" You said as you began to drift into sleep. Ivan laid you down and snuggled next you.

"From now on you will be my mine and I will never leave you." And with that you both fell asleep to the sound of the music box.

As much as he hated it, Ivan had to return home but he promised you he would meet you at the tree where you first met every day. You kissed his cheek and promised to always be waiting for him

Ivan was true to his word and returned every day to find you sitting under the tree listening to the music box. You would dance together under the large trees. You would tell him stories of spirits and demons. Ivan would bring things from his home to show you.

When spring came you would go down to the river and play on the rocks. Ivan was amazed by how you could jump from rock to rock without slipping. One day you told him that you had a surprise for him. You blindfolded him and led him to a wide open field. You removed his blindfold and Ivan was amazed to see a plain full of blooming flowers. He had never seen these kinds before. They looked like pure sunlight.

"I saw these and thought of you. I think the people call them sunflowers." You ran to the middle of the field and placed the music box down. The melody filled the air with life. The flowers began to sway in the warm wind. "They look like they're dancing!" You giggled.

Ivan ran over to you and hugged you tightly. You just looked up and smiled at him. "Would you like to dance?" Ivan asked as he took your hands into his. You nodded and you both began to twirl around.

You laid in the middle of the field looking up at the sky, telling each other what each cloud looked like.

"That one's turtle!" You yelled.

"That one looks like a pipe!" You looked at him confused.

"What's a pipe?"

"It's a long metal pole that moves water into the sink."

"What's a sink?" Ivan giggled and rolled on his side to look at you. You noticed him looking at you and blushed. "I will have to show you someday, Da." You both giggled.

Ivan looked at you and smiled. "(Name) I'm glad I have you… and I want us to always be together." He leaned in and gave you a kiss on the forehead. You giggled and snuggled close to him

"I love you Ivan." Ivan looked surprised for a moment but soon retuned the embrace.

"I love you too, my little sunflower."

For a time you were both happy. Never had either of you known this feeling that had bloomed within you. You both were still too young to truly understand what it meant, but you loved each other with all your hearts. Nothing could come between you two… until… one day…

Ivan walked toward the forest holding something in his hands. He was so anxious to give his gift to you that he didn't notice the smoke. He looked up to see nothing but ash and brunt wood. Panicking he ran into the dead forest in search of you. He looked everywhere but there was no trace of you to be found, until he heard a faint melody. Running in the direction of the sound he found himself under the tree where he had first meet you. Looking down he saw your music box. Ivan fell to his knees and cried dropping the gift that was in his hands.

It was a beautiful ruby engagement ring that had belonged to his mother. She had given it to him before she passed away telling him to give it to the person that could make him happy, that would always love and cherish him. Ivan didn't understand the concept of marriage seeing as he was still just a child, but he wanted to give it to you, to let you know just how special you were to him.

Ivan sat under the blackened tree for hours sobbing. His heart felt like it was ripping in two. He screamed out your name in between sobs, but there was no reply. Lifting the music box up, he opened it once more and listened to the sweet melody. He shut his eyes tightly and wished "Bring her back. Please, bring her back. I love her. Please bring her back…"

When Ivan returned home he found a large group of people celebrating. He couldn't imagine why. The forest had burned down and his beloved (Name) had disappeared with it. Ivan kept walking by, until he heard something that twisted his very soul.

"The forest is dead and the evil within is vanquished! Let's hear it for the brave men who have defeated the demon!" A stout old man cried out from the center of the crowd. All the townspeople cheered and drank to these murders.

Ivan stood in disbelief. "These men…these animals have taken my (Name) from me…" Ivan's face twisted into a look of pure rage. He turned to the crowd and screamed. All eyes were fixed upon him as he began to cry tears of pure hate.

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!? You have taken the most beautiful thing in this world and destroyed it!" The crowd just looked at him in awe. "She was the most kind, loving and sweet thing in the world AND YOU MURDERED HER!" Ivan fell to his knees and cried.

Having seen everything, his older sister picked him up and carried him home. He wouldn't speak to anyone. He had no words for the people who celebrated your death. His sister kept asking him what happened and why he was so upset. Ivan didn't answer, he only looked down at the music box with hallow eyes.

Every day for several years Ivan would return to the forest and sit under the same tree and play the music box. His heart never healed from that day. Instead it was twisted and full of hate. That day something changed inside of him. Something he felt could never be undone. He lashed out against the people, becoming more and more violent with each passing day. The only time he seemed to be at peace was when he was here, under the same tree, listening to the same music box.

The forest was growing back at a great speed. Ivan held the music box close and cried. "If only you could see how beautiful it is. There are sunflowers everywhere now and there are all sorts of new plants… I wish you could see it…" Ivan whispered into the warm breeze. He stayed there motionless for hours listening to the sweet melody.

Eventually he stood up and made his way back home. He hadn't been able to sleep well since the tragedy, but for some reason this night he slept soundly. The next morning he awoke to great shock.

Looking over at his night stand he noticed that the music box was gone. He tore through the house trying to find it. He accused his sisters of taking it, but he found no sign of it in their rooms. He spent all day interrogating the people of the town and threating them.

The sun was setting and Ivan had given up hope. He had lost the only thing that brought him joy anymore. He stood at the edge of the forest weeping.

"I'm sorry, I'm so very sorry…" he fell to his knees and cried "I lost your music box…" Ivan was about to walk back home when he heard a familiar melody come from the woods. He ran as fast as he could toward the sound. He found himself at the same tree he had been coming to every day. Looking down he noticed the small music box sitting next to the tree. He knelt down to pick it up, wondering how it got all the way out here. Just as he turned around to make the journey back home, he heard a familiar sound.

"My Father always said that it would bring me happiness and love" Ivan could feel his heart beat faster and faster. He turned around expecting to see nothing but darkness, but instead he saw a beautiful woman standing before him. She had long (h/c) hair that danced in the wind and (e/c) eyes that burned brightly in the cold dark night.

"(N-Name)?" Ivan stood in disbelief as you slowly made your way towards him. At first He thought that it was his mind finally snapping completely, but the closer you got to him; he realized that this was real.

"Hello Ivan" you said as you stopped in front of him. Ivan froze for a moment, before dropping to his knees before you. You wrapped your arms around him and held him tightly. Ivan quickly wrapped his arms around you and buried his head into your shoulder. Pulling away, you smiled at him. "I'm glad Ivan. I'm glad that after all these years you still kept your promise…I just wish I could have kept mine…" you looked away a bit saddened. Ivan placed his hand on the side of your face and brought your gaze to his.

"You did…You were waiting for me… I've missed you so much. Every day for years I wished for this to happen…" Ivan brought his face closer to yours. His eyes were filled with love and passion that he soon released as he placed a kiss on your lips. You wrapped your arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. It was soft and sweet, just like you always imagined it would be. You both pulled away for air and looked into each other's eyes. "I want you to always be mine (Name), to always be with me… I have something that I have wanted to give you for quite some time…" Ivan removed a small chain from his neck. The ring that he had wanted to give you so long ago, was hanging from it. "(Name)… will you become my wife? I promise to always protect you; I will never let anyone hurt you again."

You looked down a bit saddened. "Ivan… there is something I must tell you…" Ivan looked down at you with much concern. "I…" you bit your lip hard and closed your eyes "I'm… not human… I am…" Ivan placed a finger over your lips.

"I don't care what you are. I love who you are." Ivan kissed your cheek and placed the ring on your finger. "Will you be mine?" he asked kissing your hand. Your eyes watered and you smiled brightly at him. "I always was…" with that Ivan crashed his lips into yours in a passionate and loving kiss. He held you close and you rested you head over his heart. "How can I make something so small, pound so hard?" you wondered.

Ivan held you close as you both fell asleep to the beautiful melody of the music box.

My Father would play this music box whenever I was sad… He used to say that it was built by the spirits of the seasons, because everyone would become very sad during winter. The melody is a spell to make people happy and hopeful. The spirits would play it at night while everyone slept and when they woke up in the morning everyone would be happy. He said that if I ever felt like there was no hope left that I should play it and all would be well again…"

The End

Description
Please read description first

The weather was fierce this time of year. The winds howled a haunting cry and snow smothered the earth. The sky was dark and foreboding. The forest was quite with deep slumber, a waiting the coming spring. To be out in this storm would be considered suicide. The temperature was dangerously low as night consumed the day and brought forth darkness.

A small boy sat beneath a mighty tree, trying to shield himself from the mighty winds. He curled himself into a ball trying to hold on to any body heat he had left. It would not take long for him to freeze in this weather. He was shaking uncontrollably; his body couldn't take much more of this. He fell into the freezing snow and quaked violently. His eyes were shut tight and he was biting his lip.

Something snapped him out of his daze. He heard the crunch of footsteps in the snow. He knew that no one in their right mind would be out in this weather. He knew that it must be a wild beast come to finish him off.

He was unable to move, all he could do was wait as the sounds became louder and louder. Opening his eyes to look his impending death in the face, he was met with something he couldn't believe. A little girl stood before him. She had long (h/c) hair that danced in the wind. Her (e/c) eyes burned brightly in the cold dark night. She stepped closer to him, looking into his eyes. He looked shocked when he noticed what she was wearing. She was only covered by a thin (f/c) silk dress that almost seemed transparent.

Even with his thick coat and white scarf he was still freezing. She looked unfazed by the stinging cold as she walked barefoot in the deep snow. She knelt down before the boy and smiled. She placed a hand on his face ran her fingers over his cold skin. Her touch was so warm and comforting against his frozen skin.

"Are you lost little boy?" She looked at him with concern on her face. "You shouldn't be out here little boy. Bad things happen when you're alone…" She looked away from him for a moment. "My name is (Name), what's yours?"

"I-I-Ivan." Was all he could manage to come out. His blue lips were quivering causing him to stutter violently.

"Ivan, would you like to come with me? I will take you somewhere warm." She seemed to be dimly glowing before him. Ivan looked deeply into her bright eyes and nodded. With that he passed out, unable to hold on any longer.

You brought Ivan to your small cottage and placed him on your warm bed. It was unlike you to take pity on those who entered your woods, but there was something about this boy. Something that baffled you to no end. You removed his wet coat and scarf and covered him in blankets. You raised your hand in the air and swirled it around causing a fire to rise in the fireplace. You placed a hand over his heart and felt the rhythmic beating in his cheat. "How can something so small, pound so hard" you thought. You smiled and walked out of the room.

"Please wake up soon" you whispered as you shut the door.

Ivan slowly opened his eyes to a dimly lit room. He was surprised to feel a comforting warmth instead of the blistering cold. He sat up for a moment and took in his surroundings. "I-I'm alive?" He thought for sure that he was dead and that that girl was the angel who came to collect him. He moved to get out of the large bed, when he noticed something. You… were standing in the doorway, staring at him.

"You're awake; I was so worried that you wouldn't pull through." You walked into the room and sat next to him on the bed. Ivan looked at you in shock.

"You saved me…" Ivan felt his heart begin to race as you moved closer to him.

"I couldn't leave you in the snow…You would have died." You smiled warmly at him. Ivan's face started to heat up and a small pink tent appeared across his cheeks.

"T-Thank you…" Ivan looked down trying to hide his blush. You looked at him with great interest. You wanted to know why he was even out there to begin with. You turned slightly, so that see was facing Ivan.

"Ivan… why did you come to my woods during such a storm?" Ivan looked away from you, sadden by your question.

"I couldn't go home… I wouldn't…not back to that." Ivan began to tear up at the thought of returning to the torment and tragedy that was waiting for him. You looked at him with much concern.

"You don't have to say anymore, I understand." You placed your arms around the small Russian boy and hugged him tightly. "Please don't cry. I didn't mean to make you sad" Ivan turned and cried into your shoulder. He had never gotten the chance to cry. Crying was a sign of weakness and he would be punished for it.

You looked at him a bit saddened. you weren't quite sure how to comfort people. Suddenly an idea popped into your head and you jolted off the bed. "Stay here, I have something I want to show you!" You ran out the room leaving a confused and sniffling Ivan.

When you returned you clutched something to your chest. Climbing back on to the bed you gave Ivan a bright smile. "Close your eyes, and no peeking." Ivan did as you requested and covered his face with his hands.

You pulled the small music box away from your chest and placed it in between you. You smiled up at Ivan as you began to wind the music box.

Ivan's eyes shoot open when he heard the sound of a beautiful melody play. He looked down and noticed the small contraption in between the two of you. He looked up at you and saw you smiling brightly at him.

"My Father would play this music box whenever I was sad… He used to say that it was built by the spirits of the seasons, because everyone would become very sad during winter. The melody is a spell to make people happy and hopeful. The spirits would play it at night while everyone slept and when they woke up in the morning everyone would be happy. He said that if I ever felt like there was no hope left that I should play it and all would be well again…" (Name) looked down at the small music box and began to tear up. "He said that it would bring me happiness and love… but…" Ivan looked up at you with sad eyes.

"Where is your Father now?" You looked down and began to sob loudly. After a moment of crying into your hands you looked back up at Ivan who was crying as well.

"He is with Mommy now… I never got to meet mommy… but Papa would tell me all about her. He said that I had her smile…" You looked up and gave him a weak smile. "Whenever Papa was sad I would smile for him, so he could remember mommy…" You looked back down at the music box.

"You live here all alone?" You nodded slowly, still weeping into your hands.

"I've been alone ever since Papa left… " Ivan moved closer to you and held you tightly.

"I know what it's like to be alone… but don't worry… I'm with you now…" You stopped crying and looked into Ivan's violet eyes. "We can be friends and I'll come visit you all the time." You smiled brightly and snuggled into Ivan's chest.

"I would like that" You said as you began to drift into sleep. Ivan laid you down and snuggled next you.

"From now on you will be my mine and I will never leave you." And with that you both fell asleep to the sound of the music box.

As much as he hated it, Ivan had to return home but he promised you he would meet you at the tree where you first met every day. You kissed his cheek and promised to always be waiting for him

Ivan was true to his word and returned every day to find you sitting under the tree listening to the music box. You would dance together under the large trees. You would tell him stories of spirits and demons. Ivan would bring things from his home to show you.

When spring came you would go down to the river and play on the rocks. Ivan was amazed by how you could jump from rock to rock without slipping. One day you told him that you had a surprise for him. You blindfolded him and led him to a wide open field. You removed his blindfold and Ivan was amazed to see a plain full of blooming flowers. He had never seen these kinds before. They looked like pure sunlight.

"I saw these and thought of you. I think the people call them sunflowers." You ran to the middle of the field and placed the music box down. The melody filled the air with life. The flowers began to sway in the warm wind. "They look like they're dancing!" You giggled.

Ivan ran over to you and hugged you tightly. You just looked up and smiled at him. "Would you like to dance?" Ivan asked as he took your hands into his. You nodded and you both began to twirl around.

You laid in the middle of the field looking up at the sky, telling each other what each cloud looked like.

"That one's turtle!" You yelled.

"That one looks like a pipe!" You looked at him confused.

"What's a pipe?"

"It's a long metal pole that moves water into the sink."

"What's a sink?" Ivan giggled and rolled on his side to look at you. You noticed him looking at you and blushed. "I will have to show you someday, Da." You both giggled.

Ivan looked at you and smiled. "(Name) I'm glad I have you… and I want us to always be together." He leaned in and gave you a kiss on the forehead. You giggled and snuggled close to him

"I love you Ivan." Ivan looked surprised for a moment but soon retuned the embrace.

"I love you too, my little sunflower."

For a time you were both happy. Never had either of you known this feeling that had bloomed within you. You both were still too young to truly understand what it meant, but you loved each other with all your hearts. Nothing could come between you two… until… one day…

Ivan walked toward the forest holding something in his hands. He was so anxious to give his gift to you that he didn't notice the smoke. He looked up to see nothing but ash and brunt wood. Panicking he ran into the dead forest in search of you. He looked everywhere but there was no trace of you to be found, until he heard a faint melody. Running in the direction of the sound he found himself under the tree where he had first meet you. Looking down he saw your music box. Ivan fell to his knees and cried dropping the gift that was in his hands.

It was a beautiful ruby engagement ring that had belonged to his mother. She had given it to him before she passed away telling him to give it to the person that could make him happy, that would always love and cherish him. Ivan didn't understand the concept of marriage seeing as he was still just a child, but he wanted to give it to you, to let you know just how special you were to him.

Ivan sat under the blackened tree for hours sobbing. His heart felt like it was ripping in two. He screamed out your name in between sobs, but there was no reply. Lifting the music box up, he opened it once more and listened to the sweet melody. He shut his eyes tightly and wished "Bring her back. Please, bring her back. I love her. Please bring her back…"

When Ivan returned home he found a large group of people celebrating. He couldn't imagine why. The forest had burned down and his beloved (Name) had disappeared with it. Ivan kept walking by, until he heard something that twisted his very soul.

"The forest is dead and the evil within is vanquished! Let's hear it for the brave men who have defeated the demon!" A stout old man cried out from the center of the crowd. All the townspeople cheered and drank to these murders.

Ivan stood in disbelief. "These men…these animals have taken my (Name) from me…" Ivan's face twisted into a look of pure rage. He turned to the crowd and screamed. All eyes were fixed upon him as he began to cry tears of pure hate.

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!? You have taken the most beautiful thing in this world and destroyed it!" The crowd just looked at him in awe. "She was the most kind, loving and sweet thing in the world AND YOU MURDERED HER!" Ivan fell to his knees and cried.

Having seen everything, his older sister picked him up and carried him home. He wouldn't speak to anyone. He had no words for the people who celebrated your death. His sister kept asking him what happened and why he was so upset. Ivan didn't answer, he only looked down at the music box with hallow eyes.

Every day for several years Ivan would return to the forest and sit under the same tree and play the music box. His heart never healed from that day. Instead it was twisted and full of hate. That day something changed inside of him. Something he felt could never be undone. He lashed out against the people, becoming more and more violent with each passing day. The only time he seemed to be at peace was when he was here, under the same tree, listening to the same music box.

The forest was growing back at a great speed. Ivan held the music box close and cried. "If only you could see how beautiful it is. There are sunflowers everywhere now and there are all sorts of new plants… I wish you could see it…" Ivan whispered into the warm breeze. He stayed there motionless for hours listening to the sweet melody.

Eventually he stood up and made his way back home. He hadn't been able to sleep well since the tragedy, but for some reason this night he slept soundly. The next morning he awoke to great shock.

Looking over at his night stand he noticed that the music box was gone. He tore through the house trying to find it. He accused his sisters of taking it, but he found no sign of it in their rooms. He spent all day interrogating the people of the town and threating them.

The sun was setting and Ivan had given up hope. He had lost the only thing that brought him joy anymore. He stood at the edge of the forest weeping.

"I'm sorry, I'm so very sorry…" he fell to his knees and cried "I lost your music box…" Ivan was about to walk back home when he heard a familiar melody come from the woods. He ran as fast as he could toward the sound. He found himself at the same tree he had been coming to every day. Looking down he noticed the small music box sitting next to the tree. He knelt down to pick it up, wondering how it got all the way out here. Just as he turned around to make the journey back home, he heard a familiar sound.

"My Father always said that it would bring me happiness and love" Ivan could feel his heart beat faster and faster. He turned around expecting to see nothing but darkness, but instead he saw a beautiful woman standing before him. She had long (h/c) hair that danced in the wind and (e/c) eyes that burned brightly in the cold dark night.

"(N-Name)?" Ivan stood in disbelief as you slowly made your way towards him. At first He thought that it was his mind finally snapping completely, but the closer you got to him; he realized that this was real.

"Hello Ivan" you said as you stopped in front of him. Ivan froze for a moment, before dropping to his knees before you. You wrapped your arms around him and held him tightly. Ivan quickly wrapped his arms around you and buried his head into your shoulder. Pulling away, you smiled at him. "I'm glad Ivan. I'm glad that after all these years you still kept your promise…I just wish I could have kept mine…" you looked away a bit saddened. Ivan placed his hand on the side of your face and brought your gaze to his.

"You did…You were waiting for me… I've missed you so much. Every day for years I wished for this to happen…" Ivan brought his face closer to yours. His eyes were filled with love and passion that he soon released as he placed a kiss on your lips. You wrapped your arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. It was soft and sweet, just like you always imagined it would be. You both pulled away for air and looked into each other's eyes. "I want you to always be mine (Name), to always be with me… I have something that I have wanted to give you for quite some time…" Ivan removed a small chain from his neck. The ring that he had wanted to give you so long ago, was hanging from it. "(Name)… will you become my wife? I promise to always protect you; I will never let anyone hurt you again."

You looked down a bit saddened. "Ivan… there is something I must tell you…" Ivan looked down at you with much concern. "I…" you bit your lip hard and closed your eyes "I'm… not human… I am…" Ivan placed a finger over your lips.

"I don't care what you are. I love who you are." Ivan kissed your cheek and placed the ring on your finger. "Will you be mine?" he asked kissing your hand. Your eyes watered and you smiled brightly at him. "I always was…" with that Ivan crashed his lips into yours in a passionate and loving kiss. He held you close and you rested you head over his heart. "How can I make something so small, pound so hard?" you wondered.

Ivan held you close as you both fell asleep to the beautiful melody of the music box.

My Father would play this music box whenever I was sad… He used to say that it was built by the spirits of the seasons, because everyone would become very sad during winter. The melody is a spell to make people happy and hopeful. The spirits would play it at night while everyone slept and when they woke up in the morning everyone would be happy. He said that if I ever felt like there was no hope left that I should play it and all would be well again…"

The End