A Girl of the North

"Careful Aimo, watch your step," she said with a soft laugh as the deer stepped over the frozen water.  "If you slip and we fall in, we could both freeze to death."

The deer let out a grunting noise as steamy air puffed from his nose. 

"You think that's funny, Aimo?"  She chuckled.  "You won't think that's funny when we're trapped under the ice and unable to move our arms or legs because the water is so cold." 

The deer grunted again and stepped carefully over the slick frozen pond.  Each hoof fell and spread with the weight of the two until they finally reached the other side.  "Gentle now, dear.  We're almost there." 

The deer stepped onto the snow and flicked his tail.  "Stop now!"  She said as she pulled on the deer's neck, causing it to slow to a stop.  Swinging her legs over the edge of the deer, she slipped off onto the snow.  Kneeling down, she dug into the snow until she found the box.  Slowly pulling it back, she fell back onto her bum and opened the box.  Carefully, she pulled one of her mittens off and held it between her teeth.  Then she fiddled with the clasp carefully before reaching in to grasp the bundle.  Closing the box, she clasped the latch.  Then she dropped the box into the snow and covered it back up. 

Standing up once more, she rested her hands on the back of her dear and pulled herself up.  "Alright dear, time to get home."  She said as she tied the small bundle to the saddle she sat on.