The Legend of the Snow Queen | Aphotic Adaptation

Part I Finale

Several weeks had passed since the morning villagers awoke to the bloodless lamb cadaver and the broken branch from the ancient tree. The same morning Sanzher was visited by the Snow Queen in his slumber. The village had managed to restore itself to the normalcy of day to day life that had once fallen under the terror of wolves and ancient lore.

The trio had returned to their normal routine of hunting; Aleksandr enlisted the help of Artem at his ironwork station where they’d spend time forging and reinforcing weapons for some of the hunters and warriors in their village. Aleksandr saw war as another way to enlarge his purse of coin, as far as going under the employ of warriors from neighbouring villages. Artem, though conflicted said nothing. 

Great Kirill and the clergymen brought the village together, raising their spirits through the cold winter. The elders couldn’t explain its occurrence and more importantly, what it meant for the villagers. After sometime, the familiar patterns reappeared and the life in the small village returned to the norm, except for one thing.

Diana had been with child for several months now. Her skin had a new radiance. Or maybe it was the luminosity of her hair or the filling of her breasts. Either way, she kept Sanzher on his toes ensuring she and her protruding bump was catered for. He found himself doting on his wife after tending to her every beck and call and he loved it and her even more.

Diana had been over the moon with the progress she had been making with her pregnancy. After all the times the couple had attempted to fall pregnant, constantly falling in despair, this came as a winter miracle!

This event brought the Great Kirill immense happiness as he looked forward to the introduction of a new member to their small family. Someone to continue the family name. He would visit Diana and share with her stories of when he was young and in love with Sanzher’s mother. He hadn’t even shared most of the intimate stories he divulged to his son’s wife but Great Kirill was a man of great wisdom. He knew what he shared with Diana would be shared with only her. 

One night, when the air was still with only the melody of slumber was the only sound; Sanzher lay fast asleep with his wife coiled next to him. Suddenly a warmth enveloped the room; encompassing itself around Sanzher. The Snow Queen had returned to pay him another visit.

Sanzher sat at the top end of long and bountiful banqueting table. His eyes sparkled at the sight of the grandiosity of the platters. Large trays of hunks of beef, succulent roasted fowl and copious amounts of vegetables adorned the large table whilst barrels of fresh and cold kumis lined the table. As Sanzher reached to fill his equally large goblet with kumis, the Snow Queen seamlessly appeared at the other far end of the banqueting table.

‘’My love, let us feast! We must celebrate!’’

Sanzher lifted the goblet to his mouth and took a long and earnest gulp of his beverage.

‘’How do you like the kumis? It’s fresh! I brew it myself.’’ She said smiling with pride.

‘’What are we celebrating?’’ Sanzher asked.

‘’You are farcical!’’ She said finally revealing her captivating smile.

Sanzher twitched in his seat. He was sure he had never seen such a beautiful sight!

‘’Why are we here?’’

‘’This is my home. This can be your home too, if you so wish, my love?’’

Sanzher was confused but he had to get to the bottom of this. ‘’You must know I already have a wife?’’

‘’Yes, sweet Diana. She is a darling. I cannot wait to hold my babe!’’

‘’Your babe?!?’’ Sanzher snapped.

‘’Yes, my love. You don’t think – oh no, you actually think Diana – ‘’

‘’What are you talking about?’’

‘’Diana is merely a vessel to bring our child into this world, my love. After our heir is born, we will live together. You as my King and I as your Queen.’’ She said levitating out of her seat.

‘’You are crazed! That child is the heir to Great Kirill’s lineage. The last and true ancestor of the first settlers at the foot of the mount!’’ 

The Snow Queen seemed to grow large with rage. A sceptre emerged from thin air to which she clasped it and struck it on the long banqueting table. Instantly, a jagged stream of ice-water cut through the middle of the table – splitting it in half, letting the platters and trays spill at both sides of Sanzher’s throne-like chair.

‘’You cannot be this vacuous son of Kirill? You of all people should know that this is fortold!’’

‘’You are not going to come near Diana!’’ Sanzher said defiantly.

Fuming, the Snow Queen split the very floor Sanzher stood on, flinging her hands forward causing him to fly through the air down the edge of the mountain. As Sanzher fell, the Snow Queen erupted at him.

‘’Who do you think helped your ancestors settle here? Who do you think protected them through the coldest winters and the immense battles? You are what I’ve been waiting for hundreds of years. You are my prize and OUR little one will serve as testament to our union!’’

Sanzher hurled out of the bed with beads of icy sweat trickling down his temple. This was one lucid dream he had just experienced. The wind blew harshly against the panes as he got up to pour himself a glass of water. After gazing at his wife who slept peacefully, he shimmied next to her; putting an arm over her and tried to fall back to sleep.

The next morning couldn’t have come any sooner. Sanzher surprisingly slept well albeit being interrupted by his late-night visitor. He was quick to leave his home in search of his best friend and his cousin, even if Artem didn’t want to get involved in what Sanzher had in mind. He knew precisely where they would be; at Aleksandr’s  ironworks.

‘’Aleks, We need to talk,’’

‘’Wow, you are up early! What has gotten into you?’’

‘’It’s happened again,’’ Sanzher said plainly. A trait he had picked up from his father. Even though he didn’t know with certainty the outcome of what he was about to say next, he carried the resolve of a man who had all the time in the world.

‘’What has happened again?’’ Artem interjected.

‘’You didn’t tell him?’’

‘’Artem wouldn’t know what to do with that kind of information. He would’ve told Father. I know it. But I may not have a choice.’’ Sanzher said. ‘’Artem, my dear cousin, I have met the Snow Queen but we don’t have time – ‘’

‘’What?! You expect me to remain calm after telling me that?! I need more information!’’ he said letting his eyes wear all of his intensity.

Sanzher spent a moment bringing his friends up to speed before dropping yet another bombshell, ‘’I think I may have to run away with Diana. It’s too dangerous here,’’

‘’You won’t make it far! The wolves!’’ Artem chimed in.

‘’He’s right, and Diana IS with child. She will only slow you both down. Stand and fight!’’

‘’You cannot win against her. You don’t know how powerful she is, Aleks,’’ Sanzher said.

He hadn’t shared in detail the fear and helplessness he had felt when was plummeting down the mountain cliff in his last encounter, masterfully manipulated by the ethereal Snow Queen.

As the trio deliberated on their plot, their progress was halted by a high shrill coming from somewhere outside. As they left the ironworks, Aleksandr’s younger brother was running toward them.

‘’Sanzher! Hurry, come! Diana!’’

The young men ran through the village toward Sanzher’s home. When they turned the corner of his house, Sanzher opened the door to see his wife sprawled on the floor. Diana was still in her white sleeping gown but the colour had a more vermillion hue as she lay bloodied all the way to her knees.

Sanzher rushed to his wife and held her.

‘’Diana! I’m here, my love! I’m not going anywhere!’’

‘’Why did she do this to me’’ she groaned weakly. ‘’Why did you do this to me, Sanzher, why, why, WHY!’’

Diana began flinging her arms in a wild frenzy whilst continuing her accusatory tirade. Aleksandr and Artem re-emerged at the couple’s door but this time, Aleksandr had important information to share.

‘’Brother, there’s a trail of blood. It’s fresh. It leads into the forest. We must mobilise the others and go after her!’’

‘’She snatched my baby!’’ cried Diana.

‘’Get the others ready to track and find her!’’ said Sanzher. ‘’I have to see my Father.’’

Aleksandr nodded, tapped Artem on the shoulder, ‘’I’ll meet you at the ironworks. Get some weapons ready for the men.’’   

Artem nodded and set off.

Epilogue: We hope to learn what happens to Sanzher and his trusted friends but with the quick thinking Snow Queen as his adversary, how do you think they will fare?