Everything must die, even death.

Winter's cold grip was fading. The Forest could feel it in the cracks of thawing branches and brushes of wind that grew warmer with each gust. The trees in turn whispered to Nimanu, reaching deep into the soil where warmth lingered and returning his life with a tender caress. Other Fae were already beginning to leave their shelters beneath hot springs and caves, and Nimanu joined their exodus with an apprehensive smile across his face. The Summer Queen was returning from the South, but first, they would need to drive back Winter. Only once Spring had settled would they see their sovereign again.

~~~

Alwyn shielded her eyes from the rays of sun that speared through the clouds. The crystal sprites cried out at the heat, flitting away in search of shelter and abandoning the snow-covered treetops which dripped to green. The Forest had tired of Winter's peace and quiet, now calling for help to shake off the Winter King's enchantment. Alwyn clenched her fists in anticipation. The odds were against them.

She backed away through the trees, whose branches once welcomed her coolness in reprieve from the clamor of all that warmth and light brought. Now, twigs pulled at her hair and thorns scratched at her skin, causing the ice within her veins to flow out and splash onto blades of grass that sprung up to pierce her feet. With a last glance at the fading snows around her, Alwyn turned and fled over the roots and stones, seeking to band with the ice trolls and crystal sprites as they made their last stand.

~~~

Nimanu advanced with the first wave of Spring, warming tree trunks and willing moss to life beneath his fingertips. Beside him, earth gnomes burrowed through fertile soil and dewdrop pixies kissed away the chill lingering on the leaves.

They stopped when they reached the shadows at the heart of the Forest. Skin of glittering snow and eyes of ice blue stared back from beneath frosted branches. At the center of Winter was their King upon the Forest's throne, but Nimanu's eyes fell on another instead. Alwyn.

~~~

Winter advanced in a howling gust of ice shards and withering frost, death now raging against its own mortality. Alwyn's sword shattered into crystalline fragments that melted into flurries the moment it clashed with the sunbeams of Nimanu's blade, and the newborn warmth and life in his magic weakened her will to prolong the inevitable.

"I've missed you," she admitted. Still, she summoned a dagger of ice and swiped his way.

Nimanu smiled and ducked. "Can't live with me, can't die without me. What trouble you're in."

"You're just the same," Alwyn countered, fading quickly. All too soon, Nimanu struck the mortal blow. She stumbled, but he caught her before she fell and melted away.

"Call for me when you tire of this life," Alwyn whispered. "And I'll return the favor."

~~~

Above, the clouds mourned Winter's passing, and Spring rain fell.