The decorating lasted longer than anyone expected.
Maelin climbed halfway up the pine to hang fruit garlands, only to get stuck and need Patricia to pull her down by the ankle. Serelyth—trying to help—froze half the decorations by accident, which made Patricia clap and declare them "perfect shimmering ornaments." Thalanir added tiny glowing runes on the tips of the branches, giving the tree a soft, enchanted radiance. Even the giant old tree spirit in the grove rumbled a deep chuckle, amused by the chaos of ribbons, dried berries, ice crystals, and bits of laughter falling everywhere like snow.
By the time evening settled in, the pine shimmered like a constellation rooted into the earth.
Candles flickered inside glass jars. Warmth wrapped the grove. The girls sat on blankets drinking spiced berry tea. Serelyth pretended she wasn't watching but observed every step, fascinated despite herself.
