The Legend of the Snow Queen | Aphotic Adaptation

A visitor in the night

Sanzher eyes grew heavy, ushering him to join his wife in her dream state. After a few turns under the bedding, he fell asleep spooning Diana with his arm over her body akin to a bird shielding it's chicks from  frost with its wing. The room grew quiet with only the wheezing Sanzher made as the only din. As his body slumped deeper into slumber, Sanzher's body was transported to a different plain. 

Sanzher walked in the snow in nothing but his pants and boots. The brisk chill did not affect him at all as he walked through the tall leafless birch trees. 

''You are almost there,'' a voice called out to him. Guiding him through the eerie forest's heavy mist. 

Sanzher continued to walk until he reached a clearing in the forest where a large tree had once stood, leaving only its dead trunk as a fossil. 

''There, there! You have made it, my love!'' the voice continued. elated by Sanzher's efforts.

''Where are you?'' he bellowed. ''Show yourself to me!'' he demanded.

''All will be unveiled soon enough, my love,''

''I know it's you. I saw you in the woods earlier.'' Sanzher stated. 

''Then why didn't you greet me?'' the voice said teasingly.

''Please, show yourself!'' Sanzher implored.

''Soon, my love. Soon.'' the voice assured. ''I have one question to ask you, my love,''

''Speak your mind,'' Sanzher said cautiously 

''Why didn't you tell your father that you saw me in the forest?'' the voice purred in the wind.

''Why, because if it weren't for you, I'm certain if it wasn't the wolves that killed us, we'd have died anyway atop that peak from the wounds they would've inflicted.''

As the last words left his tongue, all remained still. He knew he was being watched. Slowly, Sanzher turned around to inspect the space behind him only to have before him the most glorious sight his human eyes had ever set upon. 

She stood a few yards away from Sanzher, wearing a vermillion hooded cape that shielded her face. Sanzher froze to the spot. He was unsure what to do. He whipped out a sharp dagger from its sheath which he then waved in the air in an effort to intimidate her. 

Slowly, the figure raised its hands to its hood and swung it back. Instantly, Sanzher's dagger disintegrated in his hand like ash with the flakes wafting away in the air. He was mesmerised as he watched her large sea of silvery locks flow in the wind. She was indeed enchanting, demanding every ounce of splendour. 

''You are The Snow Queen?'' he said fully aware who she is. 

''Come to me,'' 

''You saved my life. You saved my friends lives as well,'' Sanzher said falling to her feet.

''I had to save you, my love,'' she said running her fingers through his long wet hair. ''Let's escape the harsh wind and go to my lair. It is warm and you will regain your strength,'' 

''I will follow you to the ends of the earth, my Queen,'' Sanzher said blown away by her majesty.

''Rise, my love and come into me,'' the Snow Queen said opening up her vermillion cape wide to shelter Sanzher's naked torso. She wrapped her arms tightly around Sanzher.  

Sanzher shot up from the bed. he had beads of cold sweat trickling down his back and forehead. He didn't know what frightened him more - the fact that his body felt cold or the fact that he was now naked and his wive's white sleeping gown was hoisted all the way up to her navel. 

Catch the continuation next Thursday for the next installment

Snow Queen | City

Singer-songwriter Nata Llia teams up with Snow Queen Vodka

Winter is among us but this will not stop me from keeping you updated on some of the most stylish and exclusive soirees serving fresh and luscious Snow Queen cocktails such as the Capirosca, after all, all a woman needs is a large fur coat and Grapetini to battle the winter chill. A pair of lucky winners won't need their fur coats; to spread the word of their tipple of choice, Glamour Magazine is giving away a 2-night stay at the lavish Dorchester Hotel in London for one lucky user and a friend, courtesy of the equally superior Snow Queen Vodka. 

For more information, please visit: http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/promotions/snow-queen/competition/

Singer-songwriter Nata Llia

In an effort to create 'sweet music' together Snow Queen Vodka has teamed up with enchanting Eastern-European singer-songwriter Nata Llia, the new poster child for the unique beauty of Snow Queen Vodka. Born in Belarus in the late 80s, Nata Llia has always had music coursing through her veins as she is the daughter of musicians. From an early age the she exuded interest in piano enabling once was an interest into a passion, continuing to perfect her craft albeit going to university. The wraithlike beauty cites renowned pianist Maksim Mrvica as an inspiration.   

Singer-songwriter Nata Llia

I can't seem to stop playing her song, 'Love Poem' which combines her skillful and meticulous manipulation of the keys on the piano with a contemporary pop twist creating a fresh new sound for me to dance to as I doll-up in preparation for the pleasures of the night.

To listen to more of Nata Llia's music visit: http://www.natalliamusic.com/

Snow Queen | City

images of Nata Llia courtesy of GLAMOUR

The Legend of the Snow Queen | Aphotic Adaptation

Sanzher stood still in the snow. Rooted to the ground and with his friends frozen still on the ground, Sanzher could not believe his eyes when he saw the Snow Queen float away into the thick birch forest.

''What happened?!'' Aleksandr said rising from the snow.

''I don't know what you did, Sanz, but thank you! You saved us from those wolves!'' Artem declared brushing snow off his large fur cape.

Sanzher picked Aleksandr's bow from the ground and handed it to his best friend, ''This place isn't safe. Let's go back to the village,''

''We have them right where we want them. We can follow them to their den, Sanz,'' reasoned Aleksandr who wanted to get even after his manhood was put to the test against the onyx wolves.

''We must get back up at the very least, Aleks,'' Sanzher stated with Artem nodding in agreement.

The young men agreed and set forth back to the village. Each step they took submerged their feet in the snow. Though Sanzher didn't say a word to his friends about seeing the Snow Queen in all her majesty and how it was her sonic shrill that in fact actually saved their lives, he felt that she was with them. Watching them as they went back to their village. It took took them short of an hour to get out of the large birch forest and into the fields that they would till in the dewy mornings of March.

The trio arrived back to the village with Artem and Aleksandr relatively unscathed but still shook after their ordeal with the wolves. When they walked into the church, Diaz and his team were already present.

''Sanzher!'' Great Kirill said when he saw the boys; with Aleksandr clutching his forearm. ''Are you boys alright?''

''We are fine,'' Aleksandr said.

''You don't seem fine, Aleks,''

''We were attacked by two of the wolves!'' cried Artem. ''Sanzher saved us!''

Diaz and two of his hunters walked toward the men, trying to get within earshot of our conversation. ''Did you see where they fled to?''

''It happened so fast, we were on the ground - snow everywhere, they were biting at us,'' Aleksandr babbled.

''They ran toward the ridge, west of the mountain peak,'' Sanzher said.

Great Kirill looked at Diaz and his men. He placed a hand on Diaz's shoulder, ''My old friend, we have to protect this village. Take ten of your bravest men, as many arrows as each can carry and see whether or not that is indeed where their den is,''

''Fresh snow is yet to fall. We may yet see this ordeal come to an end! I'll carry my dagger so I don't fall into peril like Aleks in close combat!'' Diaz said which made the two old men share a laugh.

That night as Sanzher placed his head on the feathered pillow next to his wife, he would re-enact the series of events that transpired in the forest in his mind, vowing not to tell a soul. He found it difficult to fall asleep, continuously tossing and turning while his young wife enjoyed her dream state. When slumber crept up, Sanzher would be visited by her again but this time it would change the course of his life, forever

Catch the continuation next Thursday for the next installment.

The Legend of the Snow Queen | Aphotic Adaptation

CHAPTER TWO

The snow was falling long and thick creating a new white coat over the land. For the first time in over a decade, Great Kirill had been wrong and winter had arrived a fortnight early. The ground was frozen, unable to sustain life against the unforgiving cold that was brought forth by the giant mountain. It wouldn't be long before some animals migrated to warmer climes and the black bears would vanish into their dens to hibernate.

One morning Great Kirill called a special meeting after it was learnt that three calves were abducted and a cow was mauled by a pack of wolves that left a trail of blood that started from the cow shed and vanished into the the eerie birch forest.

''We must act now,'' Great Kirill said over the small gathering of hunters and farmers and the blacksmith. ''These wolves have lived in these parts for countless generations. This is their home too. However, they have shown they are not scared to come to our village. To steal from us. We must show them that they must fear humans or else we will be their last targets when they have eaten our last calf!''

The small crowd rallied together, encouraging Great Kirill to press on, ''I want to see the head of their Alpha mounted on the wall of this room!'' The crowd grew fierce. ''We must follow their trail before it goes cold. Sanzher, I want you to lead your group towards western part of the forest. The trees are younger there and you can use the high ground as a vantage point,''

''Yes, father,'' Sanzher said.

''Diaz is an excellent tracker and will lead a team to follow behind, tracking them. They can't be too far - the blood is yet to freeze. Let's get moving!''

Sanzher and his team, which consisted of his best friend, Aleksandr and his cousin, Artem who was feeling odd about their new mission. ''I knew we were going hunting today but I didn't think for a second we'd be hunting wolves?!''

''I know?!'' said Aleksandr equally confounded.

''No one has ever seen their den. These are smart wolves, we must find their den'' said Sanzher.

''Well, we have to keep on going, the peak of this ridge is a few miles that way. We'll be there in no time.'' said Aleksandr with a new burst of energy.

The three friends marched against the gusts of wind that blew from the mountain range, cooling the foothills they grew up in even more. The birch trees began to scatter as they reached the apex of the ridge. Suddenly with the snap of a twig, the men were alarmed by a terrible threat that seemed to have been stalking them. Two large black wolves emerged from behind a mound of snow. The wolves, like two onyx beasts aboard a powdery white soil snarled their teeth at the boys. 

''Remain calm, boys,'' said Sanzher softly.

''I think I'm going to soil myself,'' declared Artem who clutched onto Aleksandr's cape in fear.

Aleksandr was fearless to say the least as he quickly fed an arrow to his bow and prepared to fire. This seemed to agitate the wolves even more till one of them decided to move in to attack. Aleksandr released his grip and saw the arrow graze the rump of one wolf which let out a loud yelp before launching itself into the air gnashing its teeth towards Aleksandr and Artem whom due to Artem's bumbling, collapsed into the snow. 

''I told you to remain calm!'' Shrieked Sanzher as one wolf bit at Artem's shoe and the other went for Aleksandr's face which he fought off by offering his own hand as a substitute. Sanzher peeled out his knife from its sheath, ready to slice at the wolves when he saw something else approaching him. There was a sudden mist in the air as the mysterious being wafted ever closer toward the battle between the beasts and the young men. 

Arms unfolded to which the wolves began wimpering as if someone had been playing a high pitch noise only they could hear and fled into the heart of the forest with their tails between their legs. The haze cleared only for Sanzher to see her draped in a silvery flowing gown for the first time in his life - The intoxicatingly beautiful and mysterious Snow Queen.

Catch the continuation next Thursday for the next installment

The Legend of the Snow Queen | Aphotic Adaptation

Desolation begins at home

The young men left the old decaying church with a sense of uncertainty. Old men carrying long arched canes teetered behind them mumbling amongst each other about what had transpired in their hallowed church..

''Uncle Kirill is right, isn't he Sanzhar? We'll stop her before gets to the village?

''No one has laid eyes upon her in over a hundred years. We use her name to scare the brats at night. I don't think there's anything to worry about,'' interjected Aleksandr.

''Father is seldom incorrect, Artem. He was only but a child when the elders of his time had her last visit fresh in their minds.''

''So you're telling me that we are living in fear because of some folk story your father was told when he was an infant?!?'' questioned Aleksandr.

''It's written in the sacred scrolls, Aleks! It's in the sacred scrolls!''

''If I knew where Great Kirill hid the scrolls I'd add a few lines of my own!''

''Alright you two. Enough of this. Lets retire for the night. I have to go home to Diana,'' said Sanzher.

''Tomorrow we hunt!'' cried Artem with excitement. 

''Hopefully we'll spot a few hare, throw some potatoes and carrots in there with it...'' 

''Your dear wife Alina certainly knows how to make the meat melt away from the bone,'' quipped Sanzher who receives a light punch on the arm from his best friend. ''Good rest, boys''

  

The door made its characteristic creak as Sanzher stepped into the home he shared with his wife. Diana was seated near their low bed brushing her mousey brown hair. it was long and had small curls at the edges where her hair was shortest. 

Diana turned to face her young husband who had sat on the bed to remove his dirty workman's boots. 

''I've made you something to eat, husband,''

Sanzher looked up at his young wife who looked a honest and pure in a white gown with delicate embroidery that she slept in. ''What is it?''

''fish and potatoes. I went to visit Alina earlier, she was kind enough to give me some herbs to bring out the flavour of the fish,'' she said as she removed a hot plate from the fire and set it onto the table near door to their quaint home.

Sanzher walked toward his wife and brushed the rogue strands of hair that had separated themselves from the knot she had tied, ''Thank you, my darling wife. You do love your husband,'' he said looking at her dotingly. 

''I do love my husband,'' she looked down, defeated. ''I will do anything I can for you but the only thing you need I cannot provide you with Sanz!''

Sanzher raised her head by placing his hand on her chin, ''Dearest wife, do not fret for we still have youth on our side,''

''But your family, it needs an heir. Oh, how long have we tried? Great Kirill...''

''What of him? Are you married to him? No, you are MY wife and I married you not for the litter you would provide me but for the love I have for you. It is this love I share for you, Diana that gives the rhythm to the beat of my heart.''   

The couple shared a  passionate kiss followed by a tender embrace. Sanzher knew Diana was right. He knew that the bloodline had to continue. Had to survive. His wife could not provide him with a son. He knew it would only be a matter of years before Diana would slip into a deep depression caused by severing the historic bloodline that ensured the very existence of the people living in the foothills of the Alatau Mountains. Something anyone would find hard to forgive of themselves.  

Great Kirill had not been informed of his son's barren wife and knew that his father would have him take another wife from the village. Someone whose love could never equate to the love he had for Diana but who said that the village was his only option?

Catch the continuation next Thursday for the next installment

Snow Queen | City

MTV Staying Alive 15th Anniversary Gala

With all the Halloween festivities going on last weekend, it was rather refreshing knowing that I had been invited to a more glamourous gala event taking place at the St. Pancras Rennaissance London Hotel to celebrate the 15th Anniversary Gala for MTV Staying Alive. With my dress picked (the navy blue backless number) and Cinderella heels to boot, I awaited my carriage looking forward to what the night had in store.

Once arriving at the palatial St. Pancras Rennaissance London Hotel, VIP guests walked the red carpet taking time to smile for the cameras before being ushered into the reception where tantalisingly crisp Grapetinis and the fruitier Peach Queen flowed in abundance in preparation for the main event.

Millie Mackintosh on the red carpet

Julien Macdonald and friend

Guests were served Snow Queen Vodka's signature cocktails

Boris Becker and Lilly Becker

As the guests took to their seats, the real fun started as MTV's Laura Whitmore and MTV Shuga star Nick Mutuma took to the stage to host the gala. The gala showcased the inspired interpretations of the MTV EMA from artists and designers such as Lee Broom, Ryan Gander, Yinka Shonibare, Dave White, D*Face along with Philip Michael Wolfson and Sabine Roemer which went under auction along with other once-in-a-lifetime auction lots such as a pair of VIP tickets to the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles including business flights with American Airlines and the amazing opportunity to play at the sacred courts of Wimbledon with Tim Henman I mentioned last week! 

Nick Mutuma and Laura Whitmore hosted the gala

The redesigned MTV EMA on display

The gala was chaired by Former Chief Executive and Chairmain of MTV International, Bill Roedy and saw speeches from former French footballer Patrick Vieira as well as Executive Director of MTV Staying Alive, Georgia Arnold. The night also witnessed Henry Luyombya awarded with the MTV Staying Alive Inspiration Award. The night had its own melody as newcomer Amy Matthews warmed up the stage before headline act Lianne La Havas - guitar in hand strummed away to a happy night. The night was topped of after my glass of Grapetini was topped up by an electric crowd-pleasing performance by Snow Queen Vodka's ambassador SMITH LDN who performed his exciting new single 'I Come Alive'.

Bill Roedy

(from left) Patrick Vieira, Henry Luyombya and Georgia Arnold 

SMITH LDN

The elegant night along with its celebrity heavy guest list which included Eliza Doolittle, Boris Becker, Millie Mackintosh and MTV Staying Alive Ambassador Becca Dudley capped off this worthwhile event by raising a jaw-dropping £250,000! If that wasn't enough, Durex pledged to a condom for every pound raised - Thanks Durex! In a world where 32 million have already been lost due to AIDS related causes since 1984 and the alarming fact that 1 in 2 new HIV infections occur among those between the ages of 15 - 16, causes such as this are tantamount to the fight against HIV/AIDS and ensure we help the next generation grow up in a world that is HIV free. 

Snow Queen | City

all images © Copyright James McCauley
facts and stats courtesy of UNAIDS