Once upon a time in a land not so far away.
There was a tiny witch who lived in the woods.
She wore flowers,
Leaves,
And sprigs of rosemary in her long gray hair.
Far from the scarlet red it once was when she first arrived in this place.
Her full frame was not more than three feet high.
Her robes reach down to sweep the earth.
And her weathered skin hung gently from her bones.
She had created quite the little home for herself amongst the trees.
Grand canopies covered the small cabin.
That was nestled deep in the forest.
And she had a grand garden with everything from lavender and honeysuckle to berries and squash.
Every day,
She would gather her wood and harvest her herbs,
For she always had something bubbling over the fire.
She would sit and talk to the deer and to the birds.
As they were her only companions and company aside from the chats she so often had with herself.
She was happy with her simple life.
She was left in peace to live in nature.
To dance around her fire and commune with each full moon.
Her river frogs sang to her.
And whisked her to sleep every night,
And she was free to count shooting stars in the pitch black sky.
She kept herself spry with tinctures and potions.
As well as balancing on logs in the riverbank.
You would surely be able to hear her cackling all the way down where the river met the sea.
The tiny creatures clicked and chirped in delight as she entertained them,
And herself.
By rolling two.
And fro.
The tiny witch had a very special family of bears that lived nearby.
They would often trade a fish for some delectable berries.
Her garden was enchanted,
You see.
She would cast charms and spells.
And use special moon water for her crops.
And she would get berries as big as pumpkins and squash the size of a log.
Each night they would sit and gather outside for a truly magical feast by the fire,
Where the witch would tell them stories of the old ways.
She would gleam ear to ear when speaking of how the great goddess reigned over the land and kept love and peace in the hearts of all beings on earth.
She spoke of magic and ceremonies where groups of witches would chant,
Dance,
And sing in the moonlight.
And oh,
How she wished she lived back in that world.
This world has not treated her well.
And drove her from her home deep into these woods.
Things are different now,
You see.
She said one night.
She stared into their eyes as her brow furrowed.
She was rarely without a grin or a giggle.
People today.
They just don't believe in magic anymore.
They're scared of the old ways.
Told that they are evil and to be avoided at all costs.
If they only knew.
Her face softened.
If they could only see.
We would be better off taking care of one another.
Instead of living in fear and spreading hatred.
Her fur and feathered friends snuggled closer to her as she told her tale.
The sun beginning to set,
And the cicadas singing their nightly song.
I was happy there once.
But only very briefly.
She looked over towards the horizon,
Where the town was but a few miles away.
I had a mother and a love.
Her face softened more,
With sadness in her eyes,
Yet a tiny grin hugging at the corners of her wrinkly mouth.
My mama taught me of the ways that we do here.
Her grin grew bigger now.
We made potions and meals.
In my first special garden.
We were the most popular at our market.
As we had the biggest and best bounty anyone had ever seen.
We would work sun up to sun down.
Hauling all we had each week.
And we would always sell out.
And have a full wagon to offer when we would return.
No one knew how we ever did it.
But they couldn't get enough.
And there was a boy.
She giggled.
Grabbing the little cub next to her and holding him tight to her chest.
A lovely boy of blind hair.
The cub licked her nose and nuzzled into her long,
Tussled locks.
He would come see me every week.
Saving all he could just to buy one of my amazing berries for his mama's pies.
She would get four to five pies out of one of our berries.
And she sold her pies just down the road from our wagon.
I was so little I could barely hold a berry in my arms.
On occasion,
He would also bring a flower he picked from their garden and place it in my hair.
She touched a daisy,
Tucked behind her ear and giggled more.
Her little creatures cooed and sang.
Then,
One day.
.
.
Everything changed.
She grew sad.
Setting the cub aside and clutching her chest.
You see,
The boy snuck out one night to bring me another flower.
This was risky,
As our farm was way on the outside of town,
Away from anything.
It was the evening of the full moon.
And Mama and I were in the garden doing our chants and casting our spells for our weekly harvest.
We were always so proud we could do what we could to help feed the people when times were tough.
The New Order moved into town over the past few months,
Casting fear and doubt into people's minds on their ability to take care of themselves.
They told people that evil beings were among us,
Trying to poison our hearts and do the devil's work.
She gazed back at the horizon,
And a blanket of sorrow settled over her.
The boy saw what we were doing.
She whispered.
Fully illuminated by the moon above,
He saw us dance,
And chant,
And sing.
And he was warned of people such as us.
The lies they were spreading were simply awful and not true.
The tiny witch sat up from her seat and ushered the group over to the fire.
The moon was high now,
And the frog sang in unison with the cicadas as she continued.
I never received that moonlit flower you see.
The boy dropped it right outside of our farm and ran back to his house to tell his mama what he'd seen.
The next morning.
We had men outside of our door.
And without question,
They dragged us from our home and into the square.
They accused us of so many absurd crimes,
Even blaming us for the hard times that they had fallen upon.
The town folk we once called our friends.
Now threw our beautiful bounty at our heads and shouted the most awful things.
The mama bear she called Honey gathered her cubs close to her.
The deer,
The bunnies,
And the birds all got next to the tiny witch to let her know that she was not alone as she shook.
They tore me from my mother's arms that morning,
Kicking,
Screaming,
And crying.
As I watched them strap her to a post surrounded by straw and twigs.
Her arms bound behind her back.
I saw her say I love you to me with tears streaming down her cheeks as they took me away and threw me into a cell a ways from the square.
The cell was underground.
But had a window with bars at ground level that I could barely see if I stood on the beveled stone and hung on the bars with all of my might.
All I heard were shouts for the longest time.
Nothing but fear and hatred and ugliness.
Until finally there is a moment of silence.
It felt like a hundred years.
That silence.
Not even a bird in the sky.
It was as if the whole world was holding its breath.
I could barely see.
And then I heard the most terrible sound I'll never forget.
The sound of my mother screaming.
The screams were so terrible.
What on earth could they be doing to her?
The screaming was followed by black smoke beginning to rise up into the sky.
I stood and I cried and I cried,
My whole heart melting as her body burned.
My mother's screams finally stopped.
Although I could hear them echoing in my head for days to come.
It was then that I heard a click and a clank of metal behind me.
The tiny witch took a moment to wipe the tiny tears flowing down her cheeks.
The door to my cell gently squeaked open.
No one to be seen.
Was it a trap?
With someone trying to help me.
Without thinking,
I just ran.
I ran up the stairs and out into the street.
All I could see were the backs of the villagers who again began to shout and throw as the black smoke grew bigger and bigger.
I quickly ducked down an empty alleyway and made my way towards the woods.
I ran.
And I ran.
I ran until I barely had breath left to give,
And my chest was about to break.
By nightfall,
I could do nothing more than hide in an empty log and pray that the voices I heard in the distance did not get any closer.
I heard shouts in the distance approach,
With a glimmer of torches and flames that lit up the night.
But I had nothing in me to move,
So I lay completely still and held my breath.
The voices got softer until the lights went out and there was nothing left but pitch black sky.
It was so quiet.
Nothing but the same cicadas here with us tonight.
And the wind rustling the branches and the trees.
It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.
When I was finally alone and lost from all whom I'd known before.
For the first time,
I felt safe.
Even without my mama.
I felt safe.
For days,
Even weeks,
I walked deeper and deeper into the forest.
At night I would do my chants and my charms,
And I would always find food along my way.
I followed this very stream for miles.
Until I made it right here.
Right to this spot.
She looked around to her friends and smiled.
And I knew that I had found my home.
She kissed the bunny on the nose sitting on her lap and looked up into the sky.
And I've been here ever since.
Today I am old and gray.
All of you have been with me generation after generation.
You are my family.
She blew them all kisses.
And cackled as the fire crackled and sparked.
I built my home.
And my enchanted garden.
And I know my mother has been here with us this whole time.
She lives up in the moon and looks down upon us here on earth.
Blessing our food and illuminating our skies.
It is this life that I would not trade for anything in the world.
I am so thankful for all of you.
The tiny witch leaves the circle and quietly walks up to the cabin.
She's gone for just a few moments before she returns with a stack of books in her hand.
She makes her way back to the fire and lays them out in the mossy grass in front of her.
These,
She said,
These are my new loves.
She runs her fingers gently across the torn and tattered books.
See ya.
No one noticed when they came to take us that I had a satchel strapped across my chest.
Every morning I would go down to my favorite tree on the farm and read the books my mother had given me.
Pages are filled with her recipes for tinctures and potions.
Along with her sacred rituals passed down to her from her mother and grandmother before.
The cubs escaped their mother to run over and give them a sniff.
I still had these on me when I was thrown into the cell.
And all the way through my adventure.
All the way deep into the woods.
And up into this very spot.
I had them with me.
And I've started my own book as well.
For this one is marked with my own signature.
My mother told me to use this one as my own to record any of my magical workings.
And I grew stronger into my craft.
Is the one with my family's sigil.
She ran her wrinkled fingers over the engraving.
And that's what I've done.
All of these years.
I've lived with you all.
I have followed the old ways of my mother.
And created some new ways of my own.
Her face softened into sadness once more.
It pains me that I will not have someone to pass them down to once I myself am gone.
But I suppose it's just as well.
She wiped another tear.
And clapped her hands.
But enough of that.
Look up into the sky,
My friends.
It's time to rejoice and dance.
We are here now,
And all is well.
And just like that.
She ended her story and returned to her cheer and her giggles.
Dancing until the sun came up.
She danced and sang until she cried.
Reaching up for the moon until she could do nothing more than crawl into her bed and coo with the morning birds.
Honey and the cubs stayed close by that night and joined her inside.
Keeping warm by the fire.
The tiny witch slept and slept,
Like she had never slept before.
It was late in the day when she finally awoke.
To the birds squawking and the cubs crying at her bed.
What is it,
My little ones?
She wiped the sleep from her eyes.
All the cubs could do was cry and paw at her skirt until she rose to her feet.
They pushed and nudged her outside as quickly as they could.
And she could tell that something was terribly wrong.
She followed them towards the horizon for quite a ways.
Up near where their den was tucked low within the distant mountain.
Apparently.
Honey had gone off while they slept to fetch fresh fish for her babes.
But she never returned.
In a panic.
The tiny witch.
Ran through the forest,
Calling for her lifetime companion and friend.
Honey,
Honey bear,
Where are you?
She turned over logs and bushes and rushed through the river itself.
Until she finally heard a distant cry from her gentle beast.
When she finally reached her,
She saw honey lying on the ground.
Her back paw caught in a terrible contraption.
She was in a lot of pain and they all rushed over to help her.
My dear friend,
The tiny witch whispered.
Who would do this to you?
Who would be so very cruel?
Honey could only let out a small whimper.
As she was too tired and hurt to offer much else.
The witch fought with all of her might to pull the contraption apart.
Nearly severing off her own finger trying to pry the bear free.
Finally!
Honey slipped her mangled paw from the device and let out a sigh of relief.
She could,
However,
Barely walk.
So the tiny witch closed her eyes,
Covering her hands over the beast's wounds.
She whispered chants and charms,
Prayers and healing words over the bear.
She offered the beast her deepest protection as she sent healing energy through her.
She worked until she was tired.
And left the bear to rest.
She ventured to gather healing herbs from her garden and rushed quickly back to her.
Not knowing if those who set this trap were still in the nearby woods.
She constructed a quick concaction for honey.
And gave it to her to drink and wash down with a big juicy berry from her garden.
She waited with Honey until she felt okay to move.
And she walked her friend all the way back to the cabin.
The cubs following slowly and carefully.
They were so often into mischief.
It was almost a surprise to see them so attentive.
She stayed by Honey's side.
And made a nice fire and supper for everyone again that night.
I know who this was,
Said the tiny witch.
It was the town folk.
Those who killed my mother and drove me out into these woods.
Only those that cruel could intentionally do something so outrageous to one of Earth's creatures.
She held the cubs in her arms,
The fuzzy things overspilling into her lap.
I thought I got far enough away,
She cried.
I did my best to make this the best place it could be away from the evil in the world.
And I will continue to do so.
The tiny witch kissed her furry friends on the forehead.
Set them around their sleeping mama and slipped out the door.
She gathered a large jar of salt and went into the woods.
She traveled far,
All the way to Honey's Den,
And she stood and looked into the horizon.
Ye who shall do us harm.
You are not welcome here.
She sniffled back tears as she sprinkled salt into the earth.
Ye who shall do us harm,
You shall not pass.
This point.
Not now.
Not ever.
She stepped to the side and sprinkled more salt.
Ye who shall do us harm,
You will leave us to live at peace in our home.
From today until the end of days.
She continued on,
Repeating her charm around the entire forest.
She sprinkled salt and spoke her words.
For a full two days,
She walked in a huge circle around the cabin in all directions.
No one ever again shall take her family away from her.
She would do everything in her power to protect them and herself.
She used so much of her energy that she felt she could no longer even hold herself up.
And she collapsed into the earth.
Exhausted.
She,
With the help of her friends,
Made her way back to the cabin and back down into her bed for the next month.
She stayed there and wept,
Sometimes singing softly.
Her constitution more thin as the bear grew stronger.
Honey could walk now.
Her and the cubs gathered berries to nourish and protect the ailing woman.
Despite their best efforts,
The tiny witch grew weaker and weaker.
The nightly dinner parties ceased,
And her dancing days seemed to be over.
The birds and the bunnies gathered and tended to the garden.
Bringing the tiny witch what she could eat when she felt she could.
They never heard anything from the town folk.
No one ever came back or set foot on their land.
Weeks went by and Honey was completely healed.
She had moved her den closer to the tiny witch to keep a close eye on her in her weakened state.
The birds moved their nests,
And the cicadas and frogs kept up their songs.
For they knew that would always cheer her up.
Even when she felt her worst.
The tiny witch would pretend that she would dance in her mind.
Her arms moving gently to and fro as she sang and swayed in her bed.
They scooted her closer to the window.
So that she could see the full moon in all of its glory.
Knowing her mother was there with her as well to offer her solace and her time of need.
Her little body was worn and frail,
And she knew her time on this earth was coming to an end.
She had made plans for 14 days and 14 nights.
And when the time came,
She mustered all the energy she had and got out of her bed.
She walked out to her enchanted garden.
The only light came from the stars in the pitch black sky.
She chose a new moon for her final ceremony.
As she knew this was the best time for new beginnings as well as a time to have true reflection over her life.
She made her way to her garden and gathered leaves and flowers for her hair.
Squishing her toes deep into the soil with each step that she took.
The cold earth brought her back to the days as a young child on her mother's farm.
Learning her craft for the first time.
And feeling the wonderment of learning what magic was.
She lay down in her gown.
Into her enchanted garden.
She laid herself into the earth as she smiled and laughed.
Barely any energy to do much else.
She covered herself up with brush and lavender.
Breathing in the aroma that held her so tight as a child.
As she settled in further.
And the bunnies and the birds realized she had forgotten something.
She breathed unevenly and reached up to greet each friend as they came over to play sprigs of rosemary and her long gray hair.
What more could I need,
She asked herself.
All of her creatures were safe.
She seemed to have traded her safety for that of her friends,
Who have treated her so well over the years.
She felt truly blessed.
If only she had someone to pass her books and secrets on to.
If only she wasn't leaving without knowing she had one other person on this earth who was with her.
But be that as it may,
It was a good life.
She lived how she had always wanted to live.
And escaped the unspeakable.
Her mother was waiting.
And she now could not wait to join her.
Taking some time to catch her breath.
She held one of the bunnies close to her chest.
Aye.
I'm Leiliana.
She whispers to the sky.
My breath is one with the wind.
I carry the ocean and fire within my womb and the moon deep inside of my heart.
She coughs softly and kisses the bunny's ears.
May my body nourish this earth and return me to the moon with my mother.
Let me be mulched by Mother Earth and keep my energy in this space to protect it for generations to come.
So mote it be.
Blessed Be.
Leiliana looked up at the stars.
When shooting across the sky as she takes her last draw of air.
Her creatures gather around.
The frogs and cicadas stopped singing.
And the whole world holds its breath.
It's when they feel her spirit rise up into the sky that they exhale.
And sing in celebration.
They dance around the fire and sing until the sun rises.
And they celebrate day after day for the lovely land she has provided and protected for them.
For generations to come.
Months go by,
And fall turns to winter.
The singing ceases.
The celebration comes to a close.
The lonely cabin sits empty.
Covered in snow.
And the still of the sleeping forest.
Honey and the cubs are sleeping.
The deer stay close by.
There is always an ember in the hearth.
Their way of keeping their friend's spirit alive and around them still.
Suddenly footsteps are heard,
Crunching in the snow.
Slowly making their way towards the cabin.
The creatures that are awake look in anticipation to see if the tiny witch's spell had not held after all.
As the steps got closer.
A figure came into view.
A long cloak One that ran down to sweep the earth.
Covered a tall figure walking near.
Not much could be seen but long curls of chestnut brown hair.
And smooth pale skin.
As the woman approached,
Honey awoke from her deep sleep.
She crept out of her den and stepped in front of the threshold.
Doing all she could to protect her friend's lifetime cherished home.
The woman was not afraid.
She moved closer and extended out her hand.
They exchanged much in silence.
And Honey knew this woman meant them no harm.
She offered her blessing and stepped aside.
The woman moved forward and stepped into the cabin.
She looked around,
Taking in the shells of dusty dishes,
Jars,
And boxes.
She walked over and stoked the fire a bit.
Creating mighty flames to warm the entire space.
She opened the door and welcomed in the bears,
The bunnies,
And the birds nearby.
Come,
She said softly.
They gathered around her.
And couldn't wait to know who she was.
And how she had found this place.
It hurt as a child,
She said.
That a young girl in my village escaped certain death after watching her mother burned alive.
She removed her hood to show her brilliant green eyes glowing in the firelight.
They said she ran deep into these woods never to be seen again.
They searched and they searched,
But they never found her.
They claimed her for dead.
And made her an example to the townspeople.
Dark times fell over that land for many years.
And dark times still ensue.
I heard an amazing woman lived here.
A woman much like me.
She turned and smiled.
And I believe I have found her.
She quietly walked over and grabbed one of the books.
Running her fingers gently over the engraved sigil on the cover.
She sat back and opened it up to me.
Resting her feet up to warm against the new blazing fire.
There was the quiet chirp of a cicada coming from the cracked window.
And the new song began.
