Winterfall

The building was called the Hands of Hope and was a four-story high structure and was a well crafted building of stone and dark oak wood. Providing a place of safe sanctuary and home for the children who didn’t have one. The stone that created the building's main structure had small carvings on them of things from the forest and surrounding kingdoms. To aid in support, there were dark oak wooden beams aiding in the building's dynamic and providing a unique contrast to the stone.

Upon reaching the stone steps to the children’s home, there was a set of large oak doors, standing well over seven feet tall, providing entrance for all races. Overall, one could easily tell that those who built the structure took time and care into creating a home that would provide warmth and shelter to the children of our kingdom. A building we hoped would last for centuries to come.

The interior of Hands of Hope was bustling with activity as each floor served a different purpose. The first floor was the main floor, consisting of a spacious kitchen where meals were prepared and served in a counter dining hall, the main offices where administrative tasks were carried out, and bedrooms that were dedicated to the employees. With all of this, the infant room was right next to staff housing.

As you ascend up the stairs to the next three floors, one was welcomed with children of all ages and races, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. As you traveled through the halls, there wasn’t a moment of silence as laughter and chatter from the children echoed through the hallways, creating a joyous atmosphere.

During my last visit with my parents, the children’s home housed fifty children and a total of ten staff members. Each providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children that resided here. The room I was going to read to the children was on the first floor, if I remember correctly.

Enough dwelling. I thought to myself as I shook my head.

I began to move up the stairs despite having some memories start to weigh in on me. I took a deep breath and pushed open the door and closed them gently. Entering the first chamber I was greeted by an elven woman who seemed surprised to see me. “Maria! It is lovely to see you again.”

What was her name? I thought to myself and to my surprise Theo responded.

Althea Olsen.

Thank you.

“Althea, I’m happy to see you are still working here.”

“How could I not? I just love children.”

Althea herself had four children if I remember correctly. All she had adopted from the children's home. All of different races and ages.

“How many children do you have of your own now, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Still four.” Smiled, “in fact, do you remember this sweetie?” She asked as she picked up a toddler that ran into the room.

Penelope. Théoden said through the bond before I could even ask. I had no idea how he did it, but he was damn good with names.

“Of course! Hi there Penelope!”

“Princess!”

Penelope reached her hands out to me, wanting me to take her. I gave her mother a look that read, can I? She nodded and handed Penelope to me.

Penelope was orphaned at home a few years ago when her parents were killed in an accident. Most of the staff, especially Althea, fell in love with her on day one. She had rosy cheeks with freckles, tan skin, ruby eyes, and auburn colored hair. Not to mention her bubbly personality, Penelope was easy to fall in love with.

“Princess! I missed you!” Penelope said as she kissed my cheek and squeezed me as tight as her little arms could.

I gently squeezed her back, “I missed you too Penelope.” I gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead and brushed back her untamed hair. “You haven’t changed a bit.” I said as I poked her nose softly.

She giggled, “I grew an inch.”

“A whole inch? No wonder why I didn’t recognize you!” Now, an inch may not seem like much in a year, but for a halfling it is.

“Now, I suppose you just didn’t come here to play with Penelope?” Althea questioned me as I tickled her daughter.

I was hesitant to answer as I felt my heart sink the more and more I thought about why I was there. However, I knew if I wanted to go back to normal, I needed to do this. Taking a deep breath, “It’s around the time of the family's visit. I wanted to read to the children today if that was alright.”

She gave me a soft smile, “of course! We would be happy to have you read to the children. Let me take Penelope back and I will gather the rest of the kids.”

I waited a few minutes as I heard adults hush children as they were moved into the main hall where they would often hold things like plays and musical artists. As I was left alone my heart pounded in my chest. A feel of remembrance and grief washed over me. As I remembered the last time my parents and I came.

“Are you ready for your first reading, Maria?” My father asked me as we approached the large oak doors.

“Yes.” That was a lie. I was nervous as the past few years my father and or mother would read to the children while I snuggled with all the kids.

“You will do just fine, daughter.” He said proudly as he handed me a book called The Girl and Her Dragon. I thought then that was a weird choice of book to read to a child but it depicted a unique fairy tale of a young human girl who became friends with a dragon. This book happened to be one of my favorite books that was read to me when I was a kid.

I took the book and glanced down at the cover. I couldn’t help but look at the parallels of the dragon and girl on the cover of the book. They almost looked like Theo and I. “Thanks.” I gripped the book as he held the door open.

“Just remember your voice Maria and you will do just fine.”

Thinking back on that day made me smile. I wonder if they still have that book? I would love to read it again. A few more minutes passed and Althea came back to the main hall where I was waiting. “Come this way Maria.”

Taking a deep breath I hope this wasn’t a mistake.

Sensing my emotions I sensed him before he responded, You will be fine dear. Just remember to breathe and use your voice. Theo spoke utilizing the words my father once told me.

I took one more deep breath before I continued to the auditorium. As I entered, there were sixty sets of eyes that fell on me. If I didn’t feel anxious or nervous before, I sure did now.

Once I was on the stage I glanced over at the choice of books that was placed on a table for me to choose from. I scanned the titles quickly searching for the one from my memory.

Relief washed over me as soon as I saw the book. I grabbed it quickly and walked back to the middle of the stage. I cleared my throat and addressed the kids and staff. “Th-Thank you for welcoming me here today. Now I know normally my parents would be with me, but sadly they couldn’t be here today.”

I took a brief pause to calm my own emotion. You got this Maria. Théoden spoke through the bond, giving me a burst of confidence.

“Even if they can not be here with us today, I am happy that I still get the opportunity to read to every single one of you.” One more breath and I will begin. I thought as I released one more breath. “Now, what I want to read to you today is one of my favorite stories as a child and that is The Girl and Her Dragon.”

The book being thirty pages took me an hour or so to get through. Once I finished reading, the children smiled and clapped. Althea walked up to the front and began to address the room, “everyone needs to calm down.” She said in a calming voice. As the room fell silent we all waited for her direction. “Let’s give princess Maria a round of applause for being with us today.”

After a sweet goodbye to all the children and staff, I walked off the stage with Althea and went with her back to the main hall. “Thank you for that dear, you made their day.”

“It was an honor. They are sweet kids.”

“They sure are. Can we expect you back?”

I thought about it and knew the answer almost right away, “of course! I love reading to the kids.”

“Great! We can’t wait to see you again.”

“I can’t wait to come back. Before I go, I have a gift for you.” I reached into my bag of holding and pulled out three hundred gold pieces for a donation. “Please take this.”

“I can’t.”

“Please, it’s the least I can do.” I put the coin in front of her.

She sighed, “thank you Maria, truly.” She said taking the coin and placing it in a box.

“My pleasure. Thank you for today. I really needed this.”

“Any time Maria.”

“See you around Althea.”

I said, shaking her hand and left. Once outside of the home I felt a smile fall on my face. This was one of the few times that I felt joy when I was by myself.

I felt a bit of relief come through the bond, I am glad you had fun. I told you, you would be fine.

Thank you for believing in me. It helped.

Mhm.

What is it?

There was something about his one word, well it wasn’t even a word response that alerted me. It was as if his mind was elsewhere.

Maria, there has been a murder.