“Conn, stop putting snow down Diana's back!”

Ian looked at Skye and nearly broke out in laughter. It was hard not to laugh watching his uncle Ashe try to keep order over the straggling line of children as the entire Blackthorn clan and some friends tromped their way through the snow in search of signs of Spring. Arista was Ashe's helper, while Shane heroically towed Calen, Conn, and Diana along on a sled. Conn has discovered a new use for snow, making his sister squirm, and Diana had pushed Conn off the sled in retaliation. Now Ashe was dealing with the aftermath.

“Here, everyone sit on this log!” Ashe waited as they took seats, and then looked pointedly at Ian and Skye. “That means you as well!” Skye nodded solemnly and pulled Ian down beside her. “Yes, Uncle Ashe.” When all were seated, Ashe crouched before them all, looking at the children. “Now, who can tell me what day it is?"

"Our birthday!” the twins shouted at once. “And we're this old.” They held up mittened hands.

“Um... yes… yes, it IS your birthday, boys. But what else is it?”

Arista spoke up with her hands folded neatly on her lap. “It's Candlemas, and the priest will bless the candles at the church."

"It's Imbolc, too,” said Shane. “The priestesses will light fires on the tors, and womenfolk will use them to relight the hearths in their homes."

"You are both right.” Ashe nodded.

“And it's our birthday!”

Skye leaned closer to Ian. “Ari and I left their presents on the table at home. We'll have sweet cakes and cider.” She stopped as Ashe coughed loudly. “Sorry Uncle."

"Now as I was about to say, this is Candlemas, and Imbolc, aye, but to elves this is a sacred day as well, Midwinter Day. It is the day midway between the start of winter and the coming of spring."

"Long and long ago, when the Goddess made the Worlds, she wisely saw that worlds must move in a Dance. Winter is the time when they sleep, and rest, and build their strength, and spring is like the morning, when everything wakens, and grows."

"In Spring the world sings,” Diana sang out proudly.

Ashe chuckled. “Yes, it does. And today is the day it starts to waken. It's like when your mother comes to wake you in the morning. You roll over and beg for a few more minutes in bed, but you are already starting to wake up. Right now, seeds are starting to stir. Some will begin to send flowers up in a few days, and you'll see blossoms pushing up through the snow.” He pointed at a nearby bush. “Some trees already have started, see!” They all nodded.

“Can they hurry up?” Diana asked. “I want flowers now!"

"Do you get up right away when your Ma calls?"

"No."

"We'll neither do they!” Ashe laughed, and then stood. “Now what shall we do?"

"Can we go have our sweet cakes now?” asked Calen “Sweet cakes?” Conn nodded. “Ma told Da we have sweet cakes. We heard her.”

Skye sighed. “Elven ears. Will I ever be able to keep a secret from anyone around here?” She helped Ian as he loaded the smaller trio back on the sled and they fell in behind it as Shane towed them away. They walked a minute, and then Skye looked at Ian with a grin. “Race you back to the Hall for a sweet cake!” Without waiting for an answer she took off for the firehall.

“Ah, love, you ARE my sweet cake.” And he gave chase.

2/01