Dakra invited Leudh and his family over for dinner that
night. Laughter echoed, repeatedly, from
the walls of the little cottage for Arek and Alek entertained the adults with
their youthful antics. Alek had always
been fond of Flindra's cat, Icy. Icy
kept attacking the string Alek dangled in front of her nose. Not to be outdone, Arek put his hand beneath
the rug by the hearth and pretended he was a tasty mouse. Icy didn't know which attraction was better
to attack, so very cat-like, she sat down between them and started to wash her
paw. Once Icy removed herself from the
play, the boys turned to each other for fun and began wrestling on the floor.
While the boys played, Flindra and her mother filled the
table to overflowing with their culinary delights. A lavish dinner consisting of roast venison
swimming in a pool of gravy, butter-soaked vegetables, fresh bread which had
been baked with herbs and cheese, oat and berry spoon bread smothered with
sweetened cream, and a delicious apple spice cordial drew the attention of all.
The family gathered at the table, sat on the benches, and
grew quiet as they held hands.
"Dear Spirit," Leudh said reverently as the group lowered
their heads. "Bless this food so
that we may use it and all of your blessings in accordance with your
will."
"Let it be so," Dakra answered. With a smile, she passed a knife to Leudh so
he could carve the roast.
Flindra knew in her heart that her days with her loved ones
were going to end soon, so she tried to relish every moment of the meal. She noticed the food, the loving
conversations and the joyful oneness that came from being family.
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