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On a modest vineyard sits a lone cottage. A sweet little thing with ivy crawling up the sides and a thatch roof. Windows are wide open to let in the breeze and inside, however quaint it is, it is filled with homely decor and many hobbies. A full kitchen for fun recipes to cook, a corner piled high with canvas and paint, a painting still layed out to dry and a cellar of expensive wine to sell to people with taste.
All to home a lonely woman.
Kristin is a very social maiden, loved by the village people, but long has she given up on finding a true love. Though she is not content in living alone.
She wishes for the company of another in her home. To share, teach and to just bask in their company. For someone to care for. She has never had the chance to care for a child.
Given the chance Kristin would take one in in a heartbeat but she’s tired of the wait. Taking a bottle of the fine wine she vinted, the lady makes the short trek into town to seek help from the witch.
Niki happily accepts the gift of wine and sits her down to hear out her troubles.
“I have given you blessings to find a child before and I'll do it again, but it’s no miracle.”
Passionate determination shines through as the dark-haired woman vents, “I can’t help but think I have the love to give. I want to give it now. Holding on to it any longer is a waste.”
Niki’s expression melts into a soft smile. “You’re too sweet, you know that?”
The corner of Kristin’s mouth twitches up. “I’d say I try but it's all natural,” she banters, using a hand to flip her hair.
With a chuckle, the fair witch holds her hand. “If you have the love then I have your solution.” A comforting squeeze of her hand and she’s gone to search her storage.
Niki enters the room with a dainty ring box. Passing it to Kristin, the woman unclasps and opens it. The plush inside holds a single barleycorn.
“No offence, Niki, but what-”
Niki cuts her off, “Pour your love into that and it will bring you someone to accept it. If I’m honest I don’t know how it works, but I got it from a trusted source.”
“Niki, I grow grapes not barley.”
“Plant this next to your bedside, when you go to sleep put all of your love into the seed and it will grow.”
Kristin hums, doubtful. “Okay, if you say so.”
The rest of their visit is pleasant and when Kristin gets home the sun starts to duck behind the horizon. She takes a planter pot, fills it with soil and places it on the windowsill beside her pillow. Parting a hole in the dirt, she tucks the barleycorn in, gently folding the soil over it.
Patting it down with her hand, Kristin again wishes for a child to love as her own. Laying her head on her pillow, she imagines a world where she has a lively house. She sleeps.
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Golden beams hit Kristin’s eyelids, stirring her awake. She rubs the sleep from her eyes and stretches. When she opens her eyes, she’s surprised by the sight of the morning sun illuminating a flower on her windowsill.
From the barley seed has grown a lily of the valley, seven green little buds hanging from the stem. Kristin jumps from her bed to look closer.
It’s not bloomed but the little thing grew from nothing overnight and it’s the most magical thing she’s ever seen, instilling the faith that this will work.
She cups the largest of the buds that hangs from the very end and sends all her love with a kiss to the petals. In an instant the bud grows, fading to white and beginning to bloom. When the flower opens fully, she hears a small yelp and in her palm has fallen a very little boy.
As the tiny boy sits up, Kristin carefully pulls him close to her chest to keep him safe. He looks up at her and she looks into wide sparkling blue eyes. Her thumb pets down golden locks, the baby leaning into it with closed eyes and a tear drips down her cheek.
Softly she whispers, “Hello, my son.”
He grins up at her then goes for a hug around her thumb, burying in his face.
❦