Uncharted Waters

A Familiar Place

Willow smiled as she passed the village and saw familiar faces stopping to engage in a greeting, making  her eyes gleam as she proceeded to walk the familiar paths. With a final right turn, she faced a house with two floors. The brick work looked a little shabby on the outside but once the door opened, It was evident that the inside did not reflect the same lack of care. 

Five kids ran out the door and grabbed her legs in an attempt to hug her, which made her smile. "Auntie Willow, Auntie Willow.... where have you been?" A little five year old boy with short mousey hair lifted his hands to be picked up. Willow obliged and wrapped her arms around him carefully, to make sure he did not fall. "I've been on some amazing adventures Drew, do you think you are ready to hear my stories." she laughed as he nodded his head enthusiastically. 

The other four children also cried out that they wanted to hear the stories, making Willow raise her free hand to her lips, as a sign of silence. The kids quieted down and watched her with huge eyes. "Let's let her in first." a kind female voice called out as all their heads turned. A woman looked at them with green eyes gleaming at Willow. She had black straight hair that fell to her shoulders and a scar that ran down her right eye. She stood at 5'6 with a hour glass figure. Her clothes were simple with a sky blue ankle length dress and a messy apron tied around it.

"Saoirse," Willow smiled as she stepped forward, entering the house. "Been too long bestie." she teased as she held a six month old infant in her arms. "Who's this little cutie?" Willow asked as she stepped into their house. The room was a mixed living space with a simple kitchen on the left hand side with a huge table to sit ten. Herbs Hung on the wall to dry as well as a few pots and pans. On the right there was a navy mat with some toys laying on the ground. A chest lay in the corner with more toys, showing the play space. Next to the chest,  there was smaller table to sit six at most with wooden chairs around. Two rocking chairs filled the open space, making it evident that two adults lived here. 

"This is Fionn," Saoirse said with a sad smile, "His parents passed from the flu a month ago. They had no relatives so he was brought here with all my other angels." She smiled as she offered the rocking chair for Willow to sit. Willow nodded taking the space and moved Drew to her lap. The other kids sat around her and waited patiently for her to start. 

"This is the story of a king who's daughter was kidn*pped by the bad pirates..." she started and proceeded to tell them of her adventures saving the princess. She spoke about bandits that tried to kidnap Willow, a sea serpent that tried to sink their ship, a curse that put the princess in a deep sleep and their adventure home, where they were chased by the bad pirates. Each of the kids were silent as they listened to the story and once done, they begged for another. "Come on now kids," Saoirse called, "Let Willow rest. She will always have another story for you ok. Go play out back, dinner will be ready in an hour."

The kids nodded silently as they moved out back. Drew, who had fallen asleep, nuzzled into Willows side and made himself more comfortable. "You think you might have your own some day?" Saoirse mused as she watched Willow rock the chair slightly. "Unlikely," Willow responded as she turned to the pictures on the wall. Kids lined up next to Saoirse, made Willow smile until she got half way down the wall and saw the dower face of a skinny older woman take Saoirses place. 

"Things sure have changed since you took over," Willow said as she looked back at Saoirse, "those kids are better off than we ever were with that witch." Saoirse sighed and nodded, "I know I can't give them everything." she sighed, "But at least they can feel safe here." 

A silence crept into the room as the two of them reminisced their childhoods, leaving goosebumps run up Willows arms and leave a sense of fear that could never be forgotten