The Green Orb of Boltonia

The green ivy grew up the side of the wall of the small one room cottage. It reached up onto the brown dry thatch roof where it tried to touch the last of the fall’s warm sun. A gentle breeze blew sand passed the ivy, bending it slightly. The cottage sat lonesome in the dusty dead valley. The grass around the cottage was lush and green. A large old oak tree stretched its branches trying to reach the sun. Its leaves that were once green are now turning red as fall approached. The smoke from the chimney seemed to call out for someone or something to notice the cottage from afar.

Inside the cottage, near the fireplace sat an old cotter, an old half-ling creature from an Elfin mother and human father. He had studied the old way of Merlin and was the greatest Merlinian in Boltonia. The glow of the firelight shimmered on a still face which had evidence of war in its cracks. He was missing his left eye and his grey hair grew passed his shoulders. His clothes once of the finest silk, now are tattered and musty. This old cotter was neither neglected nor forgotten. He still had his powers of sight and was waiting.

His furniture worn by time and dried by the air, scattered around the room, were comfortable and familiar. A blanket of wool, once owned by the King now was moth eaten and laid neatly on the bed. The bed in the corner distant from the other pieces of furniture, stood lonely and majestic. On the round table in center of the room, was a small bowl of green apples piled high and a pitcher of sweet mead. His small feast was set for his guest for whom he waited for.

His wait dragged on days and nights. Still he sat alone. Daily chores that would pass the time would not make the time pass fast enough. It was time to bless the hearth. He grabbed the timeless broom that stood next to the fireplace, a cord and a three wick candle especially made for him by the Elves of his homeland and had been stained by soot. He lit the wicks of the candle with an unsteady hand while chanting:

‘I bring this home, I bring love to this home, and I bring honor to this home’