Chapter 8.

Rebekah thought she had taken a short path from King Liam’s Castle. But along the way, she got lost.

Gratefully she didn’t have her cart.

But now she seemed to be lost in the forest. She looked around alarmed. Hoping she could recall a way out. But these roads were unfamiliar to her. And now she was lost.

It was growing dark already and the air was cold and unforgiving. Wolves cried in the distance and insects were already chirping. Her food was already depleted. She crossed to a tree and sat at the bottom, pulling her legs up to her chest. Tears streamed down her eyes as she thought of how worried her mother would be.

Miserable, Rebekah sat down to absorb her fate. She heard a soft voice singing in the distance. At first she assumed she dreamt the voice. But when the sound came again, hope leapt in her at seeing another person in these woods. Eagerly, Rebekah rose up, just as a beautiful girl, the same age as she, approached. When their eyes met, the girl stood, watching Rebekah warily.

“Hello, friend. I’m Rebekah of Meadowland Kingdom and I’ve lost my way in these cunning woods. It's growing late already and it would be foolish for me to travel further. Please can I request a place to rest for the night from you.” Rebekah searched her small travel satchel and brought out her water skin and some dried bread. “I have this bread to share.” Rebekah offered.

The girl who was dressed in peasant clothes like Rebekah, eyed her carefully. She looked behind her for a moment before she turned to Rebekah.

“You can come stay with me. I live alone in these woods.” The girl smiled dimly. “And I’m Trixie of the woods.” She added playfully as an afterthought. Rebekah found that funny and smiled. Encouraged by the girl’s warmth, Rebekah went over to the girl.

Together, Rebekah and Trixie walked back from where Trixie came. Rebekah had so many questions to ask the girl, but she didn’t ask her. She wanted to know how such a young girl could live alone in the woods. But she didn’t. They maintained a comfortable silence as they walked.

When they walked a considerable distance, they approached a Small wooden cottage. Rebekah was amazed to find such a cottage in this part of the woods.

Unable to help herself, Rebekah asked, just before they stepped in through the door. “Where’s your family? How come you got this cottage here in the woods. It’s far from everyone else.”

The girl stared at Rebekah with saucer eyes and turned away. She seemed hurt. Apologetic, Rebekah closed the distance between them and held her hand.

“Have I said something wrong?” Rebekah asked. Trixie shook her head.

“I have no one, Rebekah. I was abandoned as a child and was brought up by forest spirits. They’ve taken care of me for the past 18 years of my life.” Trixie confessed, ruefully. Rebekah opened her mouth in shock. She had never heard of forest spirits looking after people before. In truth, people feared the forest spirits, because they could be unpredictable. And now she was meeting a human, who had practically lived with them her whole life.

“But they aren’t nice to people!” Rebekah exclaimed, helplessly.

“They were nice to me.” Trixie smiled dimly. She entered the cottage and gestured for Rebekah to do the same.

Inside, the cottage smelled of wood and bread and some churned milk. There was no animal in sight, so Rebekah wondered the origin of the churned milk’s scent.

“I have goat cheese and some bread and some strawberries. Would you like some?” Trixie asked, kindly. Rebekah nodded frantically. The cheese smelled good. And she didn’t mind eating the warm bread that she observed sat in the fire place.

Smiling kindly, Trixie moved to get some of the bread and cheese. She placed them on a wooden plate and brought them for Rebekah, who sat on one of the only two chairs in the cottage. As they say down to eat, Rebekah watched as dusk came and the sky grew dark.

The room glowed in soft amber, as both girls quietly talked. Rebekah told her about her mother, her home. Trixie listened and was completely fascinated by Rebekah’s story. She told Trixie about her mother’s sheep and the wool and King Liam’s castle.

They talked late into the night and before they slept, Trixie asked Rebekah if she could come and live with Rebekah and her mother. If she could come and help them with their wool. Rebekah was very happy to have her join them. And she asked her if the forest spirits will allow her come along.

“They will always be with me, Rebekah. They are mine.” Trixie announced to Rebekah. She found Trixie’s words odd, but was too exhausted to speak. Soon, Rebekah fell asleep and dreamed of forest spirits and handsome strangers.

By the next morning, Trixie and Rebekah packed the little belongings Trixie had and said goodbye to the cottage forever. They arrived Rebekah’s home in time for supper. And Renelda gave the girls a hearty welcome. With Rebekah telling Renelda and Trixie all about her trip to King Liam’s castle. Renelda was happy to have another friend in their lives. No one else had deemed them for to be friends, since Grandmother Cyra. And finding the beautiful Trixie was like a ray of hope to a worried mother, who always wanted her daughter to have a happy life.

As the girls giggled and talked about forests and sheep, Renelda was certain that Trixie would bring a new life to her daughter.

Later that night, Rebekah informed them about the handsome stranger’s offer to have them always provide wool to the castle. Renelda was grateful to the stranger, who gave them such an opportunity. It was going to help them get by with coins. She asked both girls to test, so that they could all work the next morning on the sheep. Renelda was happy that her daughter could finally have fine clothes and good foods again.