At that moment Eila came to the conclusion that the values embodied by Matt and the other ‘steaders were worth preserving; a return to a simpler life, an exploration and celebration of individual development and accomplishments, and less reliance upon technology.

Because of the Oja Tubes the world could once again turn away from those values. But having given it some thought Eila felt that would be a mistake. Instead, she decided to use her influence to promote a new approach – one that embraced both traditional lifestyles and the newest technology with a focus on “needs” rather than “wants”.

A gust of wind pelted Eila’s eyes and forehead with ice crystals, breaking her train of thought and making her long for the warmth and comfort of Matt’s living room. She walked up to the front door of the house and knocked. It was only a few seconds before it opened. Matt greeted the figure standing before him with a smile but after staring past the frosted eyelashes and into the green eyes his expression changed to something between shock and wonder.

“Eila, is that you?”

Unable to speak Eila just nodded her head and Matt embraced her fiercely.

“Come, we’ve got to get you in from the cold. What are you doing here? How long are you staying?”

Eila resisted his attempt to pull her into the house and instead pushed him away.

“God, I’ve missed you” she said. “I can’t express how good it feels to be here. But right now I want you to get some warm clothes on and come outside. I have something to show you.”

Matt tipped his head to one side and raised his eyebrows, then scurried into the house and got dressed.

When he came back out Eila took him by the hand and led him out towards the street.

As they reached the sidewalk Eila looked up at the stars and noticed a wispy thread of colour hanging in the sky. Over the next few seconds it grew to the left and to the right into a curtain of shimmering silver and violet.

Matt followed her gaze up to the sky but seemed less mesmerized than she.

“Yes they’re beautiful dear, and yes I know that your ancestor was the first one to describe the physics behind them, but I get to see them almost every night. I haven’t seen you for a year. Can’t we go inside?”

Eila’s eyes sparkled like the moonlight on the snow as she turned to Matt. “I didn’t want you to come out to look at the Northern Lights. They just showed up. But in answer to your earlier questions I can tell you that I’ve come home to stay and I don’t plan to ever let you out of my sight again.”

Matt seemed overwhelmed with emotion as he tried to take Eila into his arms. Once again she resisted.

“What changed your mind? Are you sure, Eila? This really is a rather hard life.”

Eila just smiled and pulled a cell phone out of her pocket.

“That won’t work here” said Matt.

Eila ignored his warning and dialled a number. To Matt’s surprise the call seemed to go through.

“We’re ready!” Eila said confidently.

In an instant all of the street lights came to life, bathing them with a harsh white light.

Matt furled his brow.

“How is this possible?” he said.

Eila continued to beam at him even as she now embraced him enthusiastically.

“Never mind. It is possible, and it is permanent.”

“Matt, now that we are together again I want you to keep in mind two things that I know about people in general and one thing that I know about us in particular.”

“I’m listening” he replied.

“One; People have enough already. Two; People need to learn to live with less, and Three; we have each other, and that is all we will ever really need.”

Eila took Matt’s face between her gloved hands and kissed him firmly. In the distance they heard the horns of the supply ships as they entered Oslo harbour.