It was a shortcut for him to walk this way, over the dark grassy hills with patches of snow that reflected the moonlight. The trees had broad trunks and dotted the landscape pine needles.

He came upon the mansion, saw its high arched double doors at the bottom of the hill at which he stood. It had a high facade with windows extending past the branches and leaves of the trees so that he could not see the top.

From the entrance of the mansion, going up the hill, there was a wooden walkway, which, like the house itself, was the dark wooden color of the tree trunks. It was weathered and stained many times over.

His eyes followed it to an ice pond, where he saw the girl. She wore white which reflected the moonlight. At her feet were rose petals. She didn't seem bothered to be alone, but seemed at home under the moonlight.

This was where he left her, and continued on his way.