Vinden snerrede gennem den arktiske tundra, og himlen var en dyb, truende grå.

The wind snarled through the Arctic tundra, and the sky was a deep, threatening gray.

Emil og Sofia bevægede sig langsomt frem gennem det isnende landskab, sneen knirkede under deres støvler.

Emil and Sofia moved slowly forward through the icy landscape, the snow creaked under their boots.

De var på en vigtig ekspedition.

They were on an important expedition.

Emil skulle studere klimaets påvirkning, mens Sofia var på jagt efter de perfekte billeder af det barske dyreliv.

Emil was studying the impact of climate, while Sofia was on the hunt for the perfect pictures of the rugged wildlife.

De havde været afsted i flere dage.

They had been away for several days.

Kulden stak i deres ansigter, og sneen trak sig ubønhørligt ind i deres udstyr.

The cold stung their faces, and the snow relentlessly seeped into their equipment.

Sofia klemte på sin kamera med frosne fingre.

Sofia gripped her camera with frozen fingers.

Hun ville ikke gå glip af noget.

She didn't want to miss a thing.

Pludselig stoppede Sofia.

Suddenly, Sofia stopped.

"Emil," sagde hun med en svag stemme, "jeg kan ikke mere.

"Emil," she said in a faint voice, "I can't go on.

Mine fingre..." Hendes ord blev til is.

My fingers..." Her words turned to ice.

Hun skævede til sine hænder, der nu begyndte at få farlige hvide pletter.

She glanced at her hands, which now began to show dangerous white spots.

Frostbid.

Frostbite.

Emil blev grebet af panik, men han vidste, at han måtte forblive rolig.

Emil was seized by panic, but he knew he had to remain calm.

"Vi skal have dig tilbage til lejren," sagde han beslutsomt.

"We need to get you back to camp," he said decisively.

Med forsigtige bevægelser pakkede han hendes fingre ind i flere lag klæde og hjalp hende ned ad bakken mod deres basecamp.

With careful movements, he wrapped her fingers in several layers of cloth and helped her down the hill toward their base camp.

Deres skridt blev tungere, og vinden hylede højere.

Their steps grew heavier, and the wind howled louder.

Emil så på Sofia med bekymring.

Emil looked at Sofia with concern.

Han vidste, hvad der stod på spil.

He knew what was at stake.

Hvis de fortsatte, kunne hun miste sine fingre, måske værre.

If they continued, she could lose her fingers, maybe worse.

Men han havde lovet sig selv, at han aldrig ville svigte hende.

But he had promised himself he would never let her down.

Da de nåede lejren, satte Emil hurtigt opvarmeren i gang.

When they reached the camp, Emil quickly started the heater.

Han varmet Sofia's hænder, alt imens han hurtigt overvejede deres valg.

He warmed Sofia's hands while quickly considering their options.

Skulle de fortsætte med ekspeditionen for at nå deres mål eller ringe efter hjælp?

Should they continue the expedition to reach their goal or call for help?

"Emil," hviskede Sofia, "jeg vil klare det.

"Emil," whispered Sofia, "I can make it.

Billederne, forskningen, det er vigtigt."

The pictures, the research, it's important."

Men Emil rystede på hovedet.

But Emil shook his head.

"Ikke vigtigere end dig," sagde han fast.

"Not more important than you," he said firmly.

I sidste ende valgte Emil at tilkalde hjælp.

In the end, Emil chose to call for help.

Ikke længe efter kom en helikopter og fløj dem til sikkerhed.

Not long after, a helicopter came and flew them to safety.

Emil sad ved siden af Sofia, holdt hendes hånd og lovede sig selv, at han aldrig ville risikere hendes sikkerhed igen for nogen ekspedition.

Emil sat next to Sofia, holding her hand and promised himself he would never risk her safety again for any expedition.

Sofia, pakket ind i tæpper, så op på Emil med et smil.

Sofia, wrapped in blankets, looked up at Emil with a smile.

Hun vidste nu, at forberedelse og sikkerhed kunne være forskellen mellem liv og død.

She now knew that preparation and safety could be the difference between life and death.

De vendte tilbage til civilisationen, og selvom deres arbejde forblev ufuldendt, følte de sig fuldt ud tilfredse med beslutningen om at prioritere hinandens sikkerhed.

They returned to civilization, and although their work remained unfinished, they felt fully satisfied with the decision to prioritize each other's safety.

Arktiske mysterier kunne vente, men kærlighed og omsorg kunne ikke.

Arctic mysteries could wait, but love and care could not.