A/N: This is a semi-novelization of Threads of Fate (Dewprism), and should require no previous knowledge of the canon materials to understand. While the original canon is split into stories following Rue and Mint, with slightly different events, this story endeavors to combine the two into a single story. Some liberties have been taken with canon to add a bit more logic or flesh things out, but it largely follows the original tale. As such, it should be enjoyable for both fans familiar with canon, and those coming into it fresh.

If you have any questions, hit me up in the comments and I'll explain whatever you like, or edit as necessary if there's a big hole I've overlooked.

It had been snowing nonstop for days, another mid-winter blizzard hitting the northern territories hard. But now the howling wind had finally subsided, the constant snowfall tapering off until there was nothing but clear, still air over a blanketing of snow. Winter had brought the sunset early, the sky darkening into a blue-gray twilight. Overhead, stars dotted the sky like diamonds twinkling on a bed of velvety darkness, the moon a milky pearl reflecting silvery light as it replaced the sun.

Rue let out a sigh from where he stood by the window, brushing his fingertips along the pane as it fogged with his breath, making his pale reflection vanish. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been stuck inside so long, and there wasn't really enough space in the cabin he and Claire shared to fend off the restlessness that had quickly set in.

Her robe whispered on the wood floor as she came up behind him, slippers soundless with how lightly she walked. "How's it looking?"

"Peaceful," Rue said, stepping back so she could look out the window as well. It was seated high, but not quite so much that she couldn't see out of it. "It's so clear it's hard to believe how hard it was storming."

"It's pretty." Claire admired the perfect sheet of undisturbed snow before looking back to him. "I bet you want out there, don't you?"

Rue smiled wryly, shrugging; she knew him well, even after just two years. "I can wait until morning. I should check on the animals, though."

"After dinner," Claire said. "It's almost ready."

Rue nodded, taking in a deep breath. "That's the last of the rabbit? I'm going to need to hunt. Maybe I can go down to the valley and stake out the stream for a while, see if I can bag a deer."

"Good plan, the fresh air would do you good," Claire said. "And if you do get one, I can make us stew. Maybe put together a little feast. We've got enough flour for bread and I could roast some fruit, too."

"That sounds amazing." As if dinner wasn't enough to make his mouth water. He licked his lips, taking a deep breath of the rich scent of meat and spices. "We'll do that. I'll get a deer."

"Good. I'm counting on you." She smiled playfully, long bangs swaying as she tipped her head. "I'll go check on dinner. You'll need well fed and some good sleep if you're going to go out hunting tomorrow."

Rue nodded, tracking her back to the pot she had suspended over the fire. His stomach rumbled eagerly and she giggled, making him smile sheepishly and turn back to pace the length of the room. He stopped at the corner near the door, where he'd left his battle ax leaning against the wall. The Arc Edge was one of the few belongings he would say he was attached to, and he took a moment to examine it. Perfectly clean, but it could use a touch of sharpening...

"Rue? Dinner's ready," Claire called.

"Hm? Oh, let me help." He set his weapon down, leaning it against the wall and hurrying back to grab the heavy ceramic bowls she'd set out on the counter top, bringing them over for her to ladle stew into. Balancing carefully, he brought them back over to the table while she fetched the last of the bread she'd made, sitting wrapped in a towel on top of the fireplace to warm. His stomach complained that he was waiting, but he didn't sit until she had joined him at the table. "This smells delicious, Claire."

"Well, hopefully it will be," she said. "We have enough for a couple nights, if you don't get that deer, but it'll only go so far."

"Storm stopped just in time." Rue sighed, digging into the meal with enthusiasm. It took a minute to realize that Claire hadn't started eating, staring off in the distance, and he checked briefly to make sure there was nothing there. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, sorry, nothing," Claire said. "I was just thinking of the last time it stormed like that."

Rue arched a brow. He couldn't remember — oh. "When you found me."

"Mmhm. Two years ago, this winter. It was bitterly cold, and your skin was almost as white as your hair. I honestly didn't know if you'd make it," she admitted. "But you were stronger than you looked."

Rue chuckled softly; he was aware that he didn't look like any sort of powerhouse, on the lithe side of lean muscle and built more for speed than for brute force. But he could bring significant strength to bear, if he had to. His ax wasn't ornamental, and it had done a lot more than chop wood, even if he preferred a bow for hunting. "Yeah, well... I probably wouldn't have, without you. I owe you my life."

"You don't owe me anything, silly." She shook her head, pushing back a few dark brown strands that had escaped her low tail. "I'm just glad —"

A sudden burst of sound from outside drowned her out, a distressed bellow from the cow and frantic bleating from the sheep. Rue twisted in his chair, frowning deeply. "I'd better go check into that."

"Be careful," Claire said.

Rue nodded absently, pushing back from the table and going to change into his boots. He grabbed his gloves from where they rested near his ax, tugging them on before stepping outside. It would take far colder temperatures to begin to bother him, but the animals in such an uproar made him anxious. Snow crunched under his boots as he approached the barn, dark gray eyes scanning the area. There wasn't so much as a rabbit's paw print disturbing the snow, let alone the kind of predator he'd been expecting. "What's going on?"

The animals cut off abruptly, not a sound to be heard beyond the faint rustle of the wind through the trees.

In the sudden void of sound, Rue picked up two words, spoken in a deep, silky voice that sent a chill up his spine. "At last."

The wind kicked up behind him and he turned on instinct in time to see a dark blur flying towards him. He raised the Arc Edge reflexively, the sudden impact skidding him backwards in the snow, sending up a puff of white. He gasped at the force of it, heart skipping a beat. "What...? Who are you?"

No response, just another lunge, a fast and furious assault out of nowhere. Rue was barely able to keep up with the speed, taking a blow to the chest that knocked the wind out of him and sent him sprawling. He coughed, pushing himself up on one arm and wiping snow from his face. He finally got a look at his attacker then, a tall man with wild white hair and oddly flat red eyes, a dull gem embedded on his forehead. He'd never seen him before, but was struck by familiarity. He looked like —

Movement caught his eye and he looked down, staring in shock. One of his arms was normal, held back slightly, but the other... the other was a massive limb stretched out of natural proportion; the hand alone was big enough to close around Rue's entire torso. It flexed as he stared, moving in a fluid, unnatural way before he began walking forward.

"HEY!"

Rue's blood ran cold, a roaring in his ears almost drowning out a low thud. The monstrous being turned, exposing Claire standing at his back, a fierce scowl on her face as she brandished a shovel at him. "Leave him alone, you beast!"

He knew in an instant what was going to happen. He knew, and tried to get up anyway, tried to reach her, to protect her, but he couldn't get up. "Claire, run!"

The massive hand reached for him, stretching out and gripping him tightly before tossing him aside like a rag doll. Rue hit the snow hard, breath driven out of him once again, but immediately tried to get back up. Gloved hands scrabbled at the snow, trying to get a better grip, his boots slipping on the surface as he tried desperately to get upright on wobbly legs.

The monster turned away from him dismissively and advanced on Claire. She began to back up, staring in horror as she suddenly seemed to process the danger she'd put herself in. Her brown eyes had gone wide, lips parted on the verge of a cry. She held the shovel out, a pathetic defense that couldn't possibly save her.

"Claire!" Rue kept trying to get up, but his legs refused to support his weight, dropping him to his knees. He could only watch, seeing the fear written starkly across his adopted sister's face. She froze, no longer attempting to flee. She had to know it was pointless.

The massive hand flexed, raised like a club, its fingers curling like claws as it came down in a violent slash.

"Wait, no!"

Claire screamed.