The Woods , the Well, and the White Rose

Part One

 There once was a small village that lay on the edge of the woods. Most of the homes in this village had barely survived through the harsh weather that the winter brought. The town would likely start preparing for a more devastating winter ahead. The sparse trees at the edge of the village separated the town from the dark and vast number of trees that lie ahead which likely stretched for miles at a time. The villagers knew the time was drawing nigh, for these trees had started turning and dropping to the ground much sooner than expected. With the warning of an imminent winter, many households would likely survive the winter with efficient preparation.

The household that had taken the most impact from the year before was a weary mother with her three children: Jill, Jack and Evie, who was only a babe. The father, along with most of the men in the village, had died in a mill accident the previous year. It left the whole village destitute. The family, then without a breadwinner, lived in a little shack with a roof caving in and mice living in the corners. As the eldest daughter, Jill loved the place, for it had housed not only her family, but a lifetime of memories. To her and her brother Jack it did not matter that it was run down and beat up from lack of care and money, it was a magical place. They would run and play and imagine that they were royalty with not a care in the world. Although being poor wasn't easy and they often never knew when or what the next meal would be, they grasped on to what little fun and joy in life that they could. Their mother, however, no longer had the energy to take care of them, as she was still in a state of grief and trying to provide for her family and care for a sick baby.

Being poor is never a good situation to raise children in and disease is always going to pose a threat to a new baby. It seemed as if trouble only existed to torment the poor family. As their mother was caring for little Evie and was in no condition to trek to gather resources, she had to make a hard decision.

"Come children", Mother beckoned. Jack and his sister obediently complied, "Do you know that winter is coming?"

"Yes mother", they replied. "Before winter the leaves always turn beautiful colors and gently fall to the ground. You ask this of us each autumn."

" Yes, I do indeed." Mother smiled and ruffled Jack's hair. "You then know what I will say, don't you."

"You are going to gather supplies and you want us to look after Evie." Jill knew her mother was in no condition to go, but she also knew Mother would never let them go on their own. She was quite sure. Mother hesitated, the look on her face pained and worried.

"Actually, I thought," Mother paused again, "now that you're older, you and your brother could go." Jill could tell that Mother did not like the idea of sending her precious children far away to gather supplies. She suppressed her grin. Jack however, could not contain his joy.

"Yippee! We get to go on an adventure!" he turned to Jill., "Did you hear that? We'll be just like the princess and knights that Mother tells stories about!" She turned to her mother who had a look of anguish plastered to her face. She kept telling herself her children would be fine, but she couldn't get rid of the thought that she may be right to be worried.

So I split the story into multiple parts for reading to be easier. I'm going to post them all now so enjoy!

- xena