#rivervale_lodge

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Meanwhile, at a certain Dutch Farmhouse home, Tove is shoveling a path, not minding the cold much at all, when she sees a grown troll approaching.

Frank nods with a smile; his usual ball cap is replaced with a knitted watch cap set back on his head, and he's gloved, scarved, and coated. "Hello Tove. Can I give you a hand with that?"

"Almost done, Mountain" She smiles "But you're welcome if you insist. Or we can hold off later and go on in. I can get you a cup of hot coco or coffee? I promise to go lighter on the spices even"

"I insist." He offers to take the shovel and finish.

She hands him the bigger shovel, gets a smaller one, and they work together, "All well at the lodge?"

"Yep. Going to have to do a little work coming up here, February. Planning a trip to see Jessica, too."

"She'll like that I think. Jessica's a fine girl. You will be available in early april for Dagmar's saining and adoption, yes? It means the world to her"

He nods. "Wouldn't miss it."

"Good," A smile "SHe wants her whole family there and it's...well, like I said, the world. Work? Trucking I'm assuming? Where to?"

He nods. "Not sure yet; depends on what's available that works with my schedule. Nice part of independent contracting."

"I suppose it is a perk," they have cut the time in piling snow to the side thanks to his help . realization "Are you just visiting to visit?"

"I -should-... but no. I have a favor to ask."

"Ask, if I have the time, I'll surely try"

"I have something I want to give Siv. A song, a ... well, performance. I can play it, I'm learning the music but it would sound better coming from you. Work with me on this?"

Delight fills her eyes "Of course! What's the song? And you play? I didn't recall"

He pauses to flex his hands. "I did. Do, a little. Guitar. It's a song from a movie-musical, an animated one. I'll get you the music."

"Please do, and I'll be happy to help you." Tove nods "Oh she'll be touched by this. Is there a special occasion or just wanting to surprise?"

"I'd take advice on that, too. It's kind of to all the girls but... well, mostly Siv." A bit sheepishly.

"Well, there's the Greening and other holidays to celebrate depending on when... i am very curious to which song this is in particular."

He clears his throat. "Well. You watch Disney movies?"

"Sure. They're in demand for covers and so on"

He nods. "Well. There's a song in Moana that I'd like to 'give' Siv. And the rest of the girls."

"Oh, I've seen that one" She smiles "A lot of lovely songs. Some how I don't think you'll be going with 'you're welcome'"

He shrugs. " 'How far I'll go.' "

Tove smiles, "That one will touch her."

He nods. "I know. Feel silly I haven't thought of it till now, but.... better late than never. You're in?"

"Of course I am" She says "And you're a good dad to do this. Jaymes tries to use you as a role model you know?"

Frank chuckles just a little. "You should warn him, then. I screw up a lot."

"He's doing great with Dagmar."

"He is, and Dagmar is trying so hard. She really is. This whole situation with Lupita shook her badly at first but she's been a trooper. Jaymes is there for her though. Sometimes I give them space just because the two sometimes like being 'quiet' together you know? Saying a lot by saying nothing? "

He nods. "I know." And she's sure he does.

"I never want to be quiet again, on Thyle, well, you know how it was... hardly a troll topia though I hope it does well . But let's not dwell too much. How long have you played the guitar and how good would you say you're at it?"

It takes him a moment to answer. "Years. Learned to keep myself company on the road in the years before I was here. I was better at it. You'll pick up the music in no time, it'll take me a little longer, but we'll go along and when I can pull it off we'll get together and practice a few times, then... pick an occasion." A pause. "I want Siv to know it's for her, and the rest."

A fond look, "She will... she's fairly bright girl. Might make her want to go sailing though" A chuckle

"She already wants to go sailing." Ruefully.

"Frank" SHe says putting the shovels away now that they're done, "Everyone knows this. But you know what she calls Rivervale? Her home port. And that's not because it's the only place to dock a ship. It's because you and Brekke are here"

He nods. "I know. And believe me, I value that."

"Value it? Oh frank, she values it too. You and your wife made this area her home, you..well, earned is probably the wrong word but you both worked hard to make it so."

"She was raised on stories about the place. On purpose."

"You don't have to tell me about the power of stories. I was on the ship too. I remember a few. I remember her coming to father and I asking for a song about Rivervale so if she ever got separated she'd know the way. Still makes the Chieftain misty eyed to hear it, not that the tears dare betray too obviously. " A pleased look "You know , Dad and I consider that one of our finest works for the results if nothing else." Proud and pleased.

"It's a beautiful work, and you can be rightly proud. And.... thank you for it." Sincerely.

"You're welcome, thanks was given by the way it was received and Siv hit it beautifully. I could have sung it, but it wouldn't have meant as much. Sometimes it's WHO it comes from that makes it ll matter, that's why this song you'll be doing will be beautiful" SHe tapes his chest over his heart "Because it comes from you and comes from here"

He nods. "Truth. Such is the nature of all gifts like this."

"Preaching to the Mountain, I see my mistake. Now come on in, let's get you some hot coffee or coco which ever you prefer. I can cut down on spices"

"No need, if you'd rather. I've eaten a lot of meals on the road, some of them pretty spicy."

"Well then" A smile "I'll try to meet somewhere in the middlee. Jaymes and I have an understanding ourselves. I won't burn out his intestines and he understands I don't drink or eat bland" They go in, wiping feet. Frank can see Tove's touches all over the place in how it's been cleaned up ,a few things here and there. He can also see Dagmar's touches too....snowy boot prints or a spare jacket thrown where ever.

His beard consoles a smile. "Sounds fair enough."

"Now, Coco or Coffee?"

"If I say Cocoa, will you tell Brekke?"