The man sighed. After such an exhausting day he wanted nothing more than to go to bed and sleep. He hoped for nice dreams. He hoped for peaceful dreams.

And yet the man was not looking to his cabin. He had somewhere else to go.

Fraying a way through the forest surrounding the Institute, the man eventually stepped off the path, going deep into the forest. How odd and out of place must he have looked. A big man like Braum was not at home in the forest.

The Freljordian couldn't help but feel uneasy. The forest was a far cry from the icy tundras that he called his home. Braum was a guest of the forest. Treading over branches and careful to not step on anything too living, the Freljordian went deeper and deeper in, leaving the light of day to fade behind him. Soon he was guided only by strangely lit plants, indicating the path he had got so used to following these past few months. Braum did not know how different coloured lights could possibly emanate from the non-living. And then again there was much that he did not understand. Could not understand. The world he lived in was plagued with unexplained anomalies.

The big man then remembered that Zyra the Rise of Thorns had built herself a make for home in this forest. And maybe that was the explanation he had been looking for, as to why the plants that grew here were so different. They were exotic and quite steady on the eye if they didn't try to devour you alive.

Braum liked the green plantlady. Although not the most talkative, he found her surprisingly nice. Nice as in he had managed to make her laugh once. However, he saw that there was some honesty and a certain innocence in the way she had. So Braum had decided that he liked her.

Braum did have that effect on others. He had his heart in the right place and would offer his kindness in exchange for a smile or two. Some people he was told to keep clear of. Because they did not act in the name of "good".

Although he did quite understand that some individuals were difficult, the big man refused to categorise them as "evil". Ways to view the world differed, after all.

A sigh escaped his lips. He thought back to the person keeping him up, stealing his sleep as of late. Although being awake all night provided a few advantages, like having more hours in the day to do what needed to be done, Braum wouldn't deny that he missed his dreams.

Lost in thought, he climbed the steep slopes, and let his feet carry him to his destination. And then he saw it.

A lone fallen tree, lying on its flank, cutting the path from the rest of the world as the trail ended there. The flowers provided the light he needed to see where he was stepping. The lights would dim slightly before progressively finding their original hue again, their pulsing creating a gentle and soothing rhythm.

"You seem troubled."

Braum smiled as he heard the voice. He let it guide him to the tree, finally sitting down on the bark. He felt a presence accompanying him in his movement. And even though he could not see her, he felt no animosity either. She was safe.

"Sadly yes. Braum's sleep is difficult at the moment."

"Pray tell. You can talk to me."

"And that is why Braum is here."

"You are distracted. I have seen it. It is so unlike you to lose your objective from sight."

"Ah. So you have seen."

"I am watching you. Whenever I can of course." The voice sighed. "But don't expect to be the lone object of my attention."

To this, Braum inclined his head. "I would not dream of it!"

"Very well. But you are avoiding the subject."

Braum paused. How unlike him to hesitate.

"Where do I even start?"

"Are you being eaten up by the love bug?" The voice said, amused.

"It is not like that."

"Then tell me what she is like, Little One."

Braum smiled slightly at that. He was pretty sure that he was taller than her. Much taller. But somehow, she had given him a pet name. "Little One" was nowhere near appropriate. But it was also nowhere near troubling to him.

"There is this fair lady..."

"And here I thought the Queen could be the only one for you."

"She is not the queen," he said not fazed by having been interrupted yet again. He was a patient man, afterall "But she is as great as Avarosa herself."

"Interesting," the voice replied pensive. "Is that what has been bothering the Heart of the Freljord so much?"

"Well you see..." Braum scratched the back of his neck. "This maiden is not like the rest. She is cold and has shut herself out from everything. Her heart must be the hardest ice to melt."

"And why are you troubled by that? It does not concern you as far as I can tell."

"Braum is well aware that he is pushing his luck. But Braum also knows that nobody wants to be alone."

"Some people do. I am alone."

"But you are not, kind spirit. You are here. With Braum."

A laugh echoed around him and the voice continued, amused:

"So this maiden of yours. You wish to bring her company."

"Braum just wants this person to turn back to the way she was. Before any of this happened."

"Tsk tsk. You didn't tell me that she's been a life-long acquaintance. How long have you known her for?"

"An eternity. Or so it seems. Time has stopped being such a cruel mistress some time ago. Now Braum just follows the gentle sway of life wherever it takes him."

"How very much like you."

Braum laid back and followed the vines twisting and turning out of sight. The sky was hidden from them. In the depths of the forest soaked in magical essence, the heavy foliage drew an eternal shroud of darkness over their heads. However, he knew that the stars were illuminating the night somewhere above him. He had found great companionship in them as they never ceased to follow him down the river of time. He was never truly alone. The constellations did not bring protection, for he did not fear anything. No, the stars offered him the gift of courage and the will needed to fight.

The Heart of the Freljord did not shy away from those who needed help. He might not be the help she needs. Nor the presence she desired. But he was damned if he didn't try to extend his hand to her.

Braum heard a gentle cackle and felt the bark protest against the shifting weight. Following suit, the voice also settled into a more comfortable position.

"You will have to tell me more about this maiden. But on another occasion. My old bones need rest. Occasionally."

Braum nodded and waited for a gentle breathing to be heard. Turning over, he let himself drift off to the land of dreams.

A/N: Hello hello, I do apologise for having been MIA for so long
As you can see, I still occasionally write. It does take me a certain amount of time to properly lay things down on a document though but I somehow manage, eventually.

See you next chapter!