Morten accepts the baby as his father carefully lowers his sister in his arms. He's already big, big enough to ride a horse on the fields, but his father's hands still dwarf his.

"You'll take good care of her, right? The same your older brothers take care of you, you have to take care of Elisa."

Morten nods and reverently touches his baby sister's fingers. He'll protect her from all evil so she never has something to worry about.

-

Elisa was hidden something from him. She hadn't spoken a word since he and his brothers had arrived at nightfall. All her focus was on the stinging nettles she was knitting together.

He had never forgotten his promise, but oh, he had failed her beyond words.

His little sister protected him with everything she had and had done so for as long as he could remember. This time too, she would find a way to break the curse and stop their transformation once and for all.

-

She was gone. No one had seen her, and the cave they had been living in had been stripped of all its possessions. The nettles weren't surprising as Elisa needed them for the cure, but she would never take the rest.

Someone had taken them together with her.

-

It had taken them months. Months of searching, hoping, despairing in search of Elisa.

But now that they had found her, it was too late.

The king she had put her love and trust in had betrayed her. She was in jail for witchcraft after she had gone to collect more needles for the cure.

Morten hadn't needed to walk far to hear the stories.

They would burn her at the stake.

-

The guards stop them from reaching the king to plead for Elisa's life.

The rising sun thwarting any and all chances they might have had otherwise. The only thing left for them is accompanying Elisa as they ride her to the stake.

Even as the people watch in awe and call it a sign from God of her innocence, the prosecutor continues his job.

At the last possible moment, does Elisa stop her plight and throws the shirts over her brothers.

One by one, does Morten see his family be freed from the curse, till at last it is his turn. His body burns and the light blinds him as he falls to the ground.

His body freed, yet an eternal reminder for all remains.

His arm will never be human again, nor will it support him in flight high above the clouds