Bhí an ghaoth faoi borb ar maidin, ag séideadh na sneachta i ngach treo agus ag cur le fuacht an gheimhridh ar na hAillte Mhothar.

The wind was fierce in the morning, blowing the snow in every direction and adding to the winter's chill on the Aillte Mhothar.

Shiúil Ciarán, Aoife, agus Liam le chéile ar an gcosán caol.

Ciarán, Aoife, and Liam walked together on the narrow path.

Bhí Ciarán gan staonadh, le díograis agus dóchas ina shúile.

Ciarán was unwavering, with enthusiasm and hope in his eyes.

Ba mhaith leis grianghraif iontacha a thógáil den tírdhreach geimhridh.

He wanted to take fantastic photos of the winter landscape.

Ach ní fada go raibh sé soiléir nach raibh gach rud ceart go leor le Ciarán.

But it wasn't long before it was clear that not everything was right with Ciarán.

Thosaigh sé ag mothú míshuaimhneasach, agus ní fada go raibh an t-altúis mar gheall ar an airde ag dul i bhfeidhm air.

He began to feel uneasy, and soon the altitude started to affect him.

Shíl sé, "Ní féidir liom labhairt faoi seo, ní féidir liom a bheith ina n-ualach orthu."

He thought, "I can't talk about this, I can't be a burden to them."

Shantaigh Aoife agus Liam an radharcra, gan a fhios acu go raibh a gcara ag streachailt taobh thiar díobh.

Aoife and Liam were enjoying the scenery, unaware that their friend was struggling behind them.

Choinnigh Ciarán a chloigeann ard, ag brú air féin dul ar aghaidh.

Ciarán kept his head held high, forcing himself to continue.

Bhí na tonnta ag bualadh an chreig thíos agus an gaoth ag liúirigh ina cluasa.

The waves were crashing against the rock below and the wind was howling in his ears.

De réir mar a dhruid siad leis an mullach, mhothaigh Ciarán níos measa.

As they approached the summit, Ciarán felt worse.

Tháinig meadhrán air, agus ba léir gur faoi braistintí atmaisféar an airde a bhí sé ag fulaingt.

He became dizzy, and it was clear that he was suffering from the atmospheric sensations of the height.

Ar deireadh, thug Aoife faoi deara a mhíshuaimhneas.

Finally, Aoife noticed his unease.

"Ciarán," a dúirt sí go ciúin, "an bhfuil tú ceart go leor?"

"Ciarán," she said quietly, "are you okay?"

Bhí chuile iarracht caite ag Ciarán ainneoin a chinneadh.

Ciarán had exhausted every effort despite his determination.

Thosmhaigh sé nach bhféadfadh sé feachaint siar a thuilleadh.

He realized he could no longer look back.

D'admhaigh sé, cé go drogallach, "Nílim... Nílim ach... níl mé ceart."

He admitted, though reluctantly, "I'm not... I'm just... not okay."

Chuaigh claochlú thréimhseach tríd an ngrúpa.

A transformative moment passed through the group.

Bhain siad le chéile le Ciarán, agus thosaigh an grúpa ag dul siar síos an cnoc.

They gathered around Ciarán, and the group began to make their way back down the hill.

Níor chuir Aoife ná Liam rogha ar Ciarán, níor ordaigh siad dó a luigh sa cheann is fearr leo.

Neither Aoife nor Liam pressured Ciarán, they did not insist he follow their lead.

Mar a bhain siad an íochtar amach, fuair siad áit nua chun stad a ghlacadh ar an mbealach.

As they reached the bottom, they found a new spot to take a break along the way.

"Seo é mar a fheiceann sé," a dúirt Ciarán le meangadh gáire in ainneoin a laige, ag tabhairt a gceamara amach.

"This is how it looks," Ciarán said with a smile despite his weakness, taking out his camera.

Bhí an radharc áille.

The view was beautiful.

Bhí an glanálacht bán an sneachta, an gile, agus na tonnta taobh thíos ag teas lár na Nollag.

The pure white of the snow, the brightness, and the waves below highlighted the heart of Christmas.

Níor bhain siad an barr amach, ach fuair siad a raibh de dhíth orthu mar sin féin.

They didn't reach the top, but they found what they needed anyway.

I measc gáire agus sméid-aoibhne, bhí Ciarán buíoch as rud éigin níos luachmhaire ná cinn scríbe críochnaithe: cairde iontaofa.

Amidst laughter and smiles, Ciarán was grateful for something more valuable than completed destinations: dependable friends.

Bhí siad in ann teacht le chéile, ag ceapadh go raibh sé in ann braith orthu.

He realized he could rely on them.

D’fhill siad abhaile le chéile, an t-eispéireas nasctha a d’fhoghlaim Ciarán.

They returned home together, the shared experience teaching Ciarán.

Ní raibh an fhadhb a bhí ann gan chinneadh, ach bhí comhluadar ar a thaobh aici Alá agus Liam.

The issue wasn't resolved completely, but he had the companionship of Aoife and Liam by his side.

B'ann dóibh éirí níos sona lena chéile, Nollaig a cheiliúradh, agus todhchaí le tuilleadh eachtraí saor ó eagla a thógáil i ngéaga an ainnise.

They managed to become happier together, celebrating Christmas, and building a future with more adventures free from fear in the face of adversity.