Hearthkeeper

[The cover of this book is stamped with the symbol of Cyrrollalee, an open door.]

"It was a miracle. A miracle that bound us back together, that reminded us of our family, of our love for each other." she said, sitting in her rocking chair, her grandchild in her lap. Slowly rocking.

Her other grandchildren lay seated around the chair before the fireplace, warm on the winter's day. A fresh pie baked in the oven, and the scent of cinnamon and apples filled the house; making everyone ready for a dinner still some hours away. Over the fireplace was that dinner, an everstew, filled and cooking for weeks with whatever leftovers were added. Rabbit went in it this morning, it'd be delicious.

"But Grams...!" the little one in her lap asked, in the way only a child could. "Nuthin' is more im-important than Family!" he said with fierce determination.

"You're right, of course. But we each have our bad days, and our disagreements, and sometimes we need to be reminded of this. You see, your Gran, Aunt and I were arguing fiercely about a particularly poorly behaved hin."

"A poorly behaved hin, Grams? Are you sure it wasn't a tallie?" one of the children said as they all gasped, almost in unison, at this non-sensible idea.

The grandmother chuckled, before replying, "Little one, even our people can be troublemakers, scoundrels and occasionally monsters. It's more rare, to be certain, but not unknown. Now, your Gran thought this argument between the three of us would tear apart the family. We had tried to sit and talk to your Aunt but it didn't go so well. No one was screaming or shouting of course, but we were at an impasse."

"A what, Grams?" the youngling on her lap asked in confusion.

"We were all being too stubborn to budge our stance, and there was no end in sight to the arguing" the grandmother replied. "But that's when your Gran had a great idea, and we all went to Burrowhome to perform a ceremony to Cyrrollalee."

"Which one was she again, Grams?" one of the other children asked, awkwardly; not really wanting to admit she'd forgotten about one of Yondalla's Children.

"The Hearthkeeper; Cyrrollalee is our deity of trust, friendship and hospitality. Her open door invites all to join her at her hearth, but ware to those that would abuse the trust of their host. She has no patience for those that would steal from their hosts, or harm them. In a way she's the heart and soul of hinnish communities." the grandmother answers with a gentle smile to the youngling.

"Gran started the ceremony, but I was a little angry going in; and didn't really hide it. This argument was close to my heart after all. Your Gran was seated at the altar telling us about Cyrrollalee. I simply stood on the edge of the pool with my eyes closed, listening to your Gran talk. It's then that the miracle happened. Without source, a voice asked us to share something we were thankful for."

"Pie!" called out one of the grandkids, trying to guess the flow of the story, to the general laughter of the crowd and grandmother.

"I should take you all to Burrowhome soon, so I can show you where it happened. When I opened my eyes I could see a rift of golden radiant light shining upon us, as the voice echoed softly in those hallowed halls. In an instant my anger faded to shock, to awe, but that was only the beginning of the miracle." the grandmother continues, pausing as she recalls the time, savouring the memory.

"Through all that stress, we were smiling and laughing, as we said what we were thankful for. Your Aunt stepped from the shadows, taking her hood off with a grin, and shared food with us. The argument was behind us, even as it felt like it'd tear us apart. We were healed, and happy once more." the grandmother concludes the story and ruffles the hair of the one sitting in her lap, before picking him up to place him gently on the floor.

"Now all of you, what are you thankful for?"

"Pie!" the one repeated, as each shouted out in a cacophony; from family to friends to their favourite pet to just story time with Grams. The last gave the grandmother her biggest smile, as they all headed off to dinner.

Originally told by Maya Fuzzypaw during the fourth Day of Stories. Recorded, written and embellished by Minto T Cloudpaw.