The Crystal-Ice Kingdom

Winter has ended. And, spring is coming.

Ice are melting as the stream waking from it's slumbering. Snow vanish from the ground. Even, the clouds started drift. Bring the ray of sunlight as it awake the Earth from its sleep.

"Springtime!" a young boy cried, running from the house.

Even, the children are excited. Unable to hold their excitement, the children run wild like untamed animals coming out of the ground.

Everyone in town is out from their houses. Everyone, expect one.

"Spring," Gabriel grunted. "The hottest season of the year."

"Gabriel, get away from the window." His mother command her son. "And go straight back to bed. You're not well yet."

Gabriel groan before he head to bed. "Still can't figure why."

"Why what, hon?" His mother washing the dishes while she dries them.

"Why I'm so weak during seasons?" He complains as he lay in bed. "Expect winter. Plus near the end of fall, I feel fine."

"Sweetie, it's only hot." She explained. "Most people can't handle the heat."

"But Mom," he wailed, laying in his bed as spread his arms out. "It can't be the only thing."

She sighed, placing her last dish away. "Gabriel, sweetie." His mother walk to him as she sat near the edges. "There're things about yourself you don't know yet, and someday you will. You just need to be patience."

His mother gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Now, rest. You need your strength if you're going to be better soon."

"Yes, Mom." Gabriel tuck himself as he lay down.

"Maybe tonight, I'll tell you a story," She tries to cheer him. "of a prince who became a wizard to his kingdom while his brother ruled in his places."

"I would like that, Mom." He yawned. And, went back to sleep.

"Pleasant dream, my dear boy." She walks away, and head outside.

"Come on, Jun." A young girl shouted as she ran.

"I'm going as fast as I can." said a girl with shaggy, fair-hair and hazel-blue eyes. With pale ivory skin that shine in morning sunlight, dresses in a pale-blue apron dress with a white sleeves shirt underneath and brown boots.

"You're not going any fast." her friend stated the obvious. "In fact, you're getting slower than before."

"Not funny," Juniper isn't amuses.

Once she stops to catch her breath, she saw a woman chopping wood. She presumes chopping wood men's job, not for women. But she isn't the only one.

"Strange, huh?" Her friend read her mind. "Plus, this is her son's work."

That caught her attention. "Wait, she has a son?!"

"She does," she explained. "He's name Gabriel. Can' figure why he always come during winter?"

"You don't say," Juniper became intrigued, but wondered one thing. "Where's his father?"

"No one know," she replied. "Gabriel and his mother came out of nowhere in the blizzard."

Now, she's really intrigued. Not only she's interesting the 'Mysterious Gabriel' but learning his secret origin. Unfortunately, her friend realizes what's going on her mind.

"Don't even think about, Juniper." she glanced cross-folded her arms to her chest. "It's not worth it."

Gabriel stared out his window as he watches the other children play with the others. And, wish he could play with them. But can't, due of his strange illness.

"Wish Mom let me go outside with the other kids?" Gabriel pouted. "Cause I'm sick of being sick during the warm seasons."

While Gabriel continue to stares, his mother came and carried a stack of woods in her arms. Then, shut the door with her foot.

"That's it for today," His mother places the pile of woods near the fireplace. "Until, tomorrow."

Sighed in a relief and saw her son. "Gabriel, what are you doing?"

"Oh hi, Mom." Gabriel turn away from the mirror. "Just looking outside the window. Where, the children are and playing while I'm here until winter."

"Oh sweetie," she walks to her son. Then, sit next him. "I'm sorry if things aren't working out for you, but it's for your health. You know, how your body feel when you ran outside?"

"My body's getting warmer than ever," he continued. "And, I started to collapse with a high fever."

"Plus, I was worried." She replied. "I thought you're going to die so soon."

Gabriel remember, his mother was worried as she tries to get her son back to health. She skips her daily chores to be closes to him. And, change the bowl to cold water until his fever is gone.

"It happen one time," he shares his concerned. "Plus I promise myself I won't do it again. Even, you, Mom."

"I'm just looking out for, sweetie."

"That part I figure," Gabriel sighed. "Besides, you're not going anywhere. Right?"

"Yes," his mother agreed. "But for how long?"

Gabriel notices a strange expression and wondered what's wrong with her? "Mom, are you-"

"Try to get some rest," she interrupted. Then, give his forehead a kiss. "I'll wake you once lunch is done."

He wants to say something, but decided against it. And, sleep.