Morning came on; the cool breeze penetrated the shutters over the windows, closed to keep the tiny hobbity house warm and cozy at night.
Morgan's nose twitched, smelling the daisies, in full bloom, carried in on the breeze. She knew it was time to start another day, but the coziness called her. Should she take another day off? It was tempting, but the forest was also calling.
With one last sniff and snuggle in her bed, she rose to start her day.
Checking the fire to ensure there were still warm coals from the night before, Morgan added a small log to the fireplace to take the chill out of the house. At the same time, she washed up with refreshing water to start her day.
While she finished removing the night's film from her teeth, her eyes glanced over to take in the depleted food storage area. She must have been out longer than she thought for the food items to get so low.
No matter, she thought, it was past time for a walk and an excellent forage to replenish her supplies. Donning her cloak, Morgan hummed a happy tune and skipped out the door.
Her senses were greeted by the bright greens of the forest where her cozy house resided. To her death, she could never get enough of the sights and smells of the woods. It was her home. Her lifeblood. Her sanctuary when times got scary. She could never imagine living anywhere else.
Her trusty walking cane was to her left, hanging on a peg outside her blue front door. She knew never to leave home without it. It had saved her life many times over while walking in the woods. Her cane was the perfect weapon should she need it. It also was the ideal height for gently knocking the precious gifts of ripe fruit from the trees.
Now the choice came in which way she would wander today, looking for edibles to restock her pantry. Morgan made a mental note of all the items on her shopping list and decided the river path was where she had the best chance to fill her basket with what she needed most. The added benefit was the apple trees were on the way. Tonight she promised to make herself some apple tartlets for dessert.
If someone happened to spot Morgan walking in the woods, they would have seen a young lady wandering around aimlessly. Talking to flowers and any small animal that came across her path. Such was not the actual case.
Morgan grew up in the forest and knew what signs to look for when searching for food. She also knew if you wanted more than one fish to fry at night, you needed to give the river a rest in between each catch.
In, around, and about Morgan did wander. Her basket was full of delicious nuts, greens, and fish to eat. She made sure to leave enough room in her basket for the apples she would pick on her way home.
Lunch was had in the form of a walnut salad she made while sunning herself on the perfect rock next to the river. Soon Morgan was full and tidied her food back into her basket, tying the bag closed against tiny hungry creatures that may come to have a taste. At the same time, she napped under a willow tree.
Morgan's nap lasted until a family of squirrels decided her willow tree was the best place to play for the afternoon. Waking up to willow leaves falling like rain down on her made her giggle until her sides hurt.
She knew it was time to start heading back and packing away the food, so it didn't go rotten. With a heavy sigh, she jumped up, hugged and thanked the willow tree for the perfect afternoon nap, and started back to her tiny hobbit house and apple tartlets.
Her afternoon and early evening were taken up making and preserving all the food she had gathered on her outing. The fire burned to a soft glow. Morgan settled into her comfy chair with her dinner in a wooden bowl on her lap.
She loved her home and missed it when she was away. Taking in each nook and cranny while eating her dinner, she told herself the stories of how each item came into the house. It was her way of reconnecting with her roots. Her foundation in this world.
Eyes blinking, head dropping, Morgan knew it was time. She washed and put away her dishes. Making sure there was no food out to call to small rodents. Changing into her night clothes, she crawled into bed. Thanking God for one last day in her home was the last thing she remembered before sleep came.
"Wake Up! Miss Morgan!! Please wake Up!!"
Morgan lay on the bed, hands down by her sides, wrists wrapped in leather straps, tieing her to the bed. She could hear the voice calling to her. Morgan really didn't have the heart to answer. She had scared the young nurse when she had visited her home. Morgan always figured the tan she received by eating on her favorite rock in the sun gave her away every time.
Taking a deep breath, Morgan opened her eyes to a small white room devoted to all colors. The walls and ceiling were blank. Everything in the room was empty except for the tiny mattress on the floor in the corner.
The nurse bent over Morgan with a cup of clear liquid inside and held her head up for her to drink it all down in one go. Morgan could feel the liquid working as soon as it hit the back of her throat. Her last thought before her mind went blank was of her hobbity home in the forest and the color green.
This story was written for @samsmith1971's Dreem-WOTW contest post S1 R4.
I am a day late. It is just fine I am a day late. I am just happy I finally got my story written.
It is not the happiest story I have ever written, but I think it needed to be in print.
Thank YOU so much, @samsmith1971, for tagging me!!! Please keep doing that. I am forever grateful to you for that!
Help someone smile today. It can not hurt you.
Snook
Thumbnail: Photo by Michael Krahn on Unsplash
River: Photo by kazuend on Unsplash
House: Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
All photos are mine unless otherwise stated.
