Flight of Frost and Aurora

Chapter 7

Later that afternoon, Charlotte settled into her work, spinning at the bobbin. She watched the fibers twist and twine, her mind drifting back to the whimsical dreams she had shared with her goats and ducks earlier that day.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees, carrying the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers through the air. Just as she became lost in thought, the familiar sound of laughter floated toward her. Her heart lifted at the sound, and she turned to see her dear friends, Anthony and Molly, making their way down the path toward her home.

"Charlotte!" Molly called, her voice bright and cheerful. She waved enthusiastically, her long hair dancing in the wind. Anthony, her brother, walked beside her, a warm smile lighting up his face.

"Hello, you two!" Charlotte exclaimed, her spirits soaring at the sight of them. She set aside her spinning wheel and rushed to greet them, her heart swelling with gratitude for their friendship. "What brings you here today?"

"We brought you something!" Molly said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She reached into the small basket she carried and pulled out a small, neatly wrapped package. "I made some maple sugar candy! I thought you might like to try it."

Charlotte's mouth watered at the thought. "Oh, that sounds wonderful! Thank you, Molly!" She accepted the package with eager hands, her heart warming at the thoughtfulness of her friend.

As she unwrapped the candy, the sweet aroma of maple wafted into the air, making her stomach rumble in anticipation. She picked up a piece, its golden hue glistening in the fading sunlight, and popped it into her mouth. The moment the candy touched her tongue, a burst of sweetness enveloped her senses, and she closed her eyes in delight.

"Mmm! This is amazing, Molly!" Charlotte exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy. "You're so talented! I could never make something this delicious."

Molly beamed with pride, her cheeks flushing at the compliment. "Thank you! I've been practicing a lot. It's my favorite treat to make, especially when the sap starts flowing in the spring."

Anthony chuckled, leaning against the wooden fence. "You should see her in the kitchen. She's a whirlwind of flour and sugar."

Charlotte laughed, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. "Well, it certainly paid off! I wish I could learn to make candy like this."

"You can! I'd be happy to teach you," Molly offered, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "We could have a candy-making day! Just the two of us."

Charlotte's heart soared at the idea. "I would love that! It sounds like so much fun." She glanced back at the house, a shadow of worry crossing her face. "But I don't know if Eisheth would allow it. She's always so busy with her own plans, and I'm not sure she'd let me take a break."

Anthony's expression darkened slightly at the mention of Eisheth. "You know you can always come to our house if you need a break from her. We'll always welcome you."

Charlotte smiled gratefully, her heart swelling with appreciation for their kindness. "Thank you, Anthony. It means so much to me to have friends like you."

Just as Charlotte was savoring the last piece of maple sugar candy, the door to her home swung open with a creak that echoed through the tranquil afternoon. Eisheth stepped out, her expression as sharp as the autumn wind. The moment she spotted Charlotte with her friends, her eyes narrowed, and a scowl formed on her lips.

Molly, quick to sense the tension, gasped and shouted, "Watch out! Here comes the dragon lady!"

Charlotte's heart sank as Eisheth approached, her voice rising like a storm. "Charlotte! What are you doing? You're just sitting around, wasting time instead of doing your chores! You think you're better than everyone else, don't you?"