The Cold

Ever since he returned back to the valley, Snorre didn't feel too good. Of course he didn't tell anyone yet, he didn't want to spoil the sweet reunion with Momme and Frauke. He was sure it would pass as soon as he had a bit of time to recover.

"Achoo!"

Perhaps he had caught a bit of cold, but it was nothing to worry about. A bit if a blocked nose, and some coughing was no reason to start worrying. If he kept himself warm, it would pass. Snorre knew himself well enough to know that this could not be the flu. It would not announce itself, but ambush him instead. 

"ACHOO!"

"You really should stay in bed." Momme said quietly, as he poured a large mug of steaming tea. The herbs mixed with honey, and the combined sweet scent filled the living room.

"I'm fine, don't worry" Snorre replied with a smile, but it was weaker than usual. His head hurt, and he couldn't deny he was feeling tired. But he also needed to get ready, he could not waste too much time here. If he delayed his travels for too long, he might get ambushed by an early snowfall before he reached the warmer areas of Aerius.

As if he had read his thoughts, Momme sat down at the table and sighed.

"Do you really have to go again? You just got back."

Snorre stared into his mug to avoid seeing Momme's sad eyes. The steam condensed on his skin. It was weird that the thin layer of moisture felt so cold.

"I need to", he answered without looking up.

Momme didn't answer. They both knew.

"If you leave now, I'm going to drag you back to your room and lock the window", Frauke stated as she climbed up the steps from the pantry in the basement and entered the kitchen, carrying a bunch of vegetables and mushrooms with her.

Snorre's eyes followed that latter to the kitchen counter.

"Are those-", he began.

"Yes!" Frauke beamed at him.

"I had planned to make it a surprise parting dinner, but-"

Her smile made way for an unusual and stern expression.

"In your condition, you need a good soup and I've heard a mushroom stew might just be the right cure."

"Snorre, are you okay? You look pale", Momme exclaimed.

"Whose... recipe are you using?" Snorre asked cautiously. 

"Oh, I wanted to make a variant of the stew Momme's mother used to make for us"

Snorre relaxed visibly.

Momme chuckled.

"You worried it'd be the... other stew, didn't you?"

"Hmpf!" Frauke pouted.

"If that's your trust in my cooking, perhaps I should let you go after all!"

Of course her reaction was exaggerated and her voice had a playful tone to it. But Snorre knew her well enough to recognise the small grain of truth among her words.

"I'm sorry I doubted you", he assured her.

"Your cooking has been nothing but ama- ha- Achoo!"

"That's it", Momme decided and got up.

"You go straight to bed now!"

He grapped Snorre gently, but firmly by the arm.

"But-", he tried to protest, but Momme was much stronger than his appearance let to believe. Or perhaps Snorre was indeed weaker than he liked to admit.

With a sigh, he allowed Momme to guide him to his room and to his bed.

"I'll be right back", the Lockette said and with a last longing sigh, Snorre glanced out of the window before tucking himself in.

Shortly after, Momme returned with several wooly blankets and a tray with tea.

"I really don't think-", Snorre began, but he had to accept his defeat, as Lilla My sprinted into the room and jumped on the bed, effectively pinning him down. Taimi and Fay followed closely. The moss-covered gextro was visibly unhappy about her second place.

"Hey now, let him sleep", Momme told the critters, but Fay was the only one to listen to him. Taimi curled up next to Snorre. Lilla My yawned. Even though Snorre wasn't really tired, he figured he could do everyone a favour and lay down for a bit. It's not like he was really sick, anyway.

Wen Snorre woke up, it was already past dawn. Instead of the two Gextros, the Jelluxi Sieni was now keeping him company. The tea on the nightstand was already cold, and Snorre's stomach grumbled. He didn't feel hungry though. He did not feel anything beside a headache. Everything other sensation, - the cool air in the room, the floor boards against his naked feet, the softness of the slippers against his skin - was weirdly muffled, as if his body was stuffed with cotton balls. Carefully, he got up.

When the room stopped spinning, he made his way to the door.

The hallway was barely illuminated by the starting day, and he could see the weak shine of light coming from the kitchen.

Slowly, he climbed down the stairs. A faint smell crawled through his blocked nose. His stomach rumbled louder than before.

When he entered the kitchen, Momme and Frauke were still there. A big pot was sitting on the stove.

"Snorre! Why are you out of bed?" Momme exclaimed.

"I bet you're hungry", Frauke smiled and faster than Snorre could register it happening, he found himself wrapped in a wooly coat, sitting at the kitchen table, and a bowl of the most delicious looking mushroom stew stood before him. His dimmed down senses prevented him from fully savouring the meal, but he did feel warmer after he finished. Warm and stuffed. If only the headache would go away, then everything would be perfect.

"Do you want more?" Frauke asked, but Snorre shook his head. 

"All good", he muttered. His voice was raspy, to his own surprise.

"Stew was delicious", he added, unusually slurring his words.

"I'm getting you back to bed", Momme announced, and this time, Snorre nodded.

The next time Snorre woke up, it was already nighttime again. He felt horrible. There was barely any part of his body that wasn't in pain. He could barely breathe, his nose was clogged, and his skull felt as if it was about to explode. Coughs robbed him of what little air he had left in his lungs.

He groaned. Even though he was tired and had been sleeping soundly just moments ago, the various kinds of pain and discomfort made it now impossible. Within moments, the warm and cozy blanket became far too hot, cooking him through. Yet, whatever body part was not covered by it, was freezing immediately.

It felt as if he was trapped in this torturous situation for ages, until the door opened and Momme came in, carrying a tray of hot tea.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

Snorre could only groan in response.

Momme placed the back of his hand on his forehead, and frowned.

"You might have a fever."

"It's only a cold", Snorre wanted to say, but instead of words, he let out an unhappy croak.

"I brought you some rosehip tea and honey, and check if we have pickled cabbage or kaul in the pantry."

Snorre shook his head. He knew Momme and Frauke were wonderful chefs, but the idea of food was not enticing to him right now.

Momme sat down at the bedside, and took Snorre's hand to play with it.

"Perhaps a bit of bread them?"

Snorre considered it, but it also didn't sound appealing. He shook his head.

"We also some preserved fruits and berries from the summer! Apples, pears, peaches, tangerines, plums..." Momme listed them using the fingers on Snorre's hand.

"Blueberries, strawberries, cherries, brambles, and raspberries."

Snorre replied with a violent cough, and reached for the tea. Momme poured him a whole mug and handed it to him.

Carefully, the sick Dextroluma took a few sips, so he would not add a burnt mouth to his long list of aching body parts. The tea was very sweet, it tasted mostly of watered down honey with only a hint of rosehip remaining. He knew that Momme had a sweet tooth, but this was overboard even for him. But of course Snorre was not going to say anything. He appreciated the care too much to spoil it with unnecessary complaints.

The warm and sugary liquid eased the rough feeling of his throat, as if its stickiness has smoothed out the surface.

He cleared his throat.

"All of these sound nice", he finally answered and sunk back onto his pillow. 

"But you don't need to get me one of each."

Momme grinned sheepishly.

"I'll pick one for you then", he decided.

Snorre smiled.

He must have dozed off again. When he opened his eyes, Momme was gone. The tea on his nightstand was much cooler now, and there was a small bowl of blueberries added to the tray, along with some dried mushrooms.

The warmth of affection filled Snorre's heart, spilled over and flooded his whole body. He barely noticed that his eyes were getting wet.

Even though the door was closed and the floorboards were made of thick wood, he could hear the distant rattling of his two partners working in the kitchen echoing through the staircase of their tower. Normally, he was not around during their preparations, so hearing the muffled thuds of hammering did surprise him. He would need to ask about that next time. 

He ate the berries and the mushrooms, and drank the way too sweet tea. Through the window above his bed, he could see the stars twinkling in a cloudless sky, surrounding a moon cut in half. Snorre sighed. Normally he would leave at last full moon of autumn, but now he was stuck inside. Of course he could still take the risk, but every passing night increased the chances of snow. He was not going to make it this year. He laid down again, his glowing white eyes staring at the ceiling. He had never spent a winter season with Momme and Frauke. They always said they were hibernating until spring anyway, but he knew the pantry was stocked to the brim with supplies. They would not need this amount of food if they were sleeping the entire time. Oh well... he would find out, unless the overdosed honey was a secret miracle cure, but Snorre had his doubts. 

A scratching on the door interrupted his thoughts and curiously, Snorre got up and padded over to open it.

Lilla My came darting inside, running around him a few times before rushing to the nightstand, making sure there were no leftovers. Or perhaps she had hoped to find some. While she was thoroughly inspecting, Snorre returned to his bed and watched her shoving her head into the empty teapot. Apparently, that did not satisfy her and she climbed in completely. After a little bit of shoving and rearranging herself, her head poked out of the main opening, balancing the lid on her horn, and looking very pleased with herself.

Snorre chuckled and petted her cheeks.

The winter was not going to be boring.