Oskar stood on the hill behind his family home with a restless frown on his features. He had gone out to chop firewood, but that was mostly just an excuse to get some time alone. He had gotten a few days off to celebrate with his family, but he just couldn’t relax. He knew his friends were still risking their lives out there, and he couldn’t stand not being with them. He had already chopped enough wood for at least a week, the frozen wood splitting easily when struck, but he couldn’t bring himself to go back inside. He was never one for big celebrations in the first place, and this year the cheer and the songs rang more hollow than ever. “What troubles you, my soldier?” He spun around so quickly he almost dropped the axe on his foot. The pale woman was there behind him, making her way up the thick snow of the hill. “You again? What are you doing here?” “Visiting a friend who needs cheering up, perhaps? You don’t exactly seem to be filled with holiday spirit.” Oskar shrugged and sat down in the snow. “I was never that fond of the holidays, even at the best of times. And now…” “Really? I always enjoyed the juletide. Everyone sings the same old songs. Songs I know. It reminds me of my childhood.” “Is everything always about singing with you?” “Not just singing. I like all kinds of beautiful things. Look around you.” Oskar looked at the wintry landscape. Everything was covered in a blanked of pure white snow, and the sky was a deep, unbroken blue. The house at the foot of the hill was decorated for the holidays with wreaths and garlands of wintergreen leaves, and smoke curled lazily from the chimney. Taking it all in, he couldn’t help but nod. “You’re right. It is beautiful.” “You mustn’t be too busy worrying about what might be or what is to come. You might miss how beautiful things are right now.” He looked at the woman next to him, really looked at her, and he couldn’t stop the smile tugging at his lips or the flush rising on his cheeks. “You’re right, of course. It would be a shame to miss all the things that are beautiful now.” He held out his hand, and she took it with a brilliant smile. Feeling like she was waiting for something, Oskar spoke once more. “Perhaps you could join me for a song or two.” “I would love to.” For a long time the two of them sat together, singing every old juletide carol they could remember as night fell around them.