The forest was alive with the sounds of all her creatures, the singing of the birds and the buzzing of the insects as they carried on about their day. The sound of running water from the stream that passed through the grounds of the Callaghan cottage was one of Eirwen’s favourite sounds, it was relaxing or so she thought. With the sun shining down as best it could from the patchy sky - it was a beautiful day to say. The cottage was overgrown with greenery, plants climbing up the wall and nestling within the roof. The garden has a bounty of wildlife and home grown food. Each patch of land had a different smell emitting from it - the scent of wild flowers and herbs.

Animals wandered freely through the thicket, smoke seeping from the stone chimney meaning that something was cooking over the fire. One of Eirwen’s many potions no doubt but by the smell of it - perhaps lunch. Eirwen and Rosalie pottered about their land, tending to each plant and animals - Rosalie was stalking about the strawberry patch, they weren’t usually grown this time of year but with help from magic - any fruit or vegetable could grow. Rosalie glanced over to her sister, waving to get her attention. The young girl was deaf and so used her hands to communicate. 

Once Eirwen noticed Rosalie signalling her - she faced the young girl with a smile. Enthusiastically did Rosalie sign about the strawberries, happy that they were ready to be picked. One of her favourite treats - Eirwen didn’t like them as much but made sure they were always a part of the harvest for her sister. 

“Can I harvest the strawberries, they are ready” Rosalie signed. Eirwen nodded and the young girl got to work picking many and throwing them into the basket - to be washed later and munched on by herself or turned into jam. 

Eirwen went back to sowing new seeds, replacing the last harvest of sage and rosemary. The garden was a pride and joy of their grandmother - a wise and powerful witch. Ceridwen Callaghan- The Witch of the Green or the Green witch of Cyneric. Titles she earned during her life before retiring into this hidden patch of land. Eirwen remembers one day her grandmother leaving the safety of her own protection spell to run errands in the nearby village but never returned. 

The sister’s waited three days before Eirwen ventured into the village but no one had seen their grandmother - she never made it to the village. She had just vanished - it was hard but Eirwen adjusted, her sister needed her and her grandmother taught her everything she knew as well as their grandfather. Eirwen would have shoulder all the responsibilities but her sister and friends refused to let her carry the burden alone. 

They were blessings and Eirwen treasured them greatly - any position or spell they needed would always be free. Speaking of her friends, they were due to arrive soon which meant Eirwen needed to get the pot on for tea. She still needed to tend to the ducks and hens - she wiggled her fingers slightly whispering a chant into the air then blowing in the direction of Rosalie. From the air that touched Eirwen’s fingertips fluttered a butterfly - it floated towards Rosalie leaving a trail of dust that disappeared. It shimmered a teal colour and as it passed Rosalie’s line of sight it started to slowly disappear.

Rosalie turned to look at Eirwen knowing her sister wanted her attention and took note of what was being signed to her. Nodding and then running to put the pot of water on as well as washing the strawberries she took with her. This gave Eirwen time to finish cleaning the ducks coop out as well as the hens, collecting their eggs as she went. 

Once Eirwen finished she joined Rosalie inside - Rosalie was setting up the island counter that separated the kitchen and living area with plates and cups. The living area was swamped with books, piles beside a chair in the corner that had descended from the bookshelves. Both in the living area and kitchen hung different plants drying, rugs littered the wooden floor all different colours. Crooked wooden ladders leaned against the wall near the island counter - leading to the attic where the sister’s slept. Their washroom was outside in a smaller building. 

A fire burning with a cauldron hanging over it - inside the cauldron was a stew and not a herbal mixture for once. The counter had a medium stone bowl in the centre, its own little fire pit where the kettle hung heating the water. It would normally be a fire hazard in a normal home - but this place was controlled by magic and such hazards were contained. 

Rosalie browsed their collection of different herbal teas, all made by themselves - she wondered what one to put into the kettle. She picked one that was mixed with spearmint, calendula and chamomile. While she was dropping spoonfuls into the kettle - Noya and Russel knocked on the front door as they entered. Each carrying a basket, one filled with treats and the other filled with a variety of fabrics. 

Both signing while shouting their greetings before setting the baskets down. Rosalie waved, a grin spread across her lips. Eirwen who was down by the cauldron stirring it glanced up and bid them welcome. 

“Something smells good” Noya almost sang with joy “I also brought over some fresh bread and some other goodies” she added as she uncovered the baskets filled with baked goods. 

Russel and Rosalie’s mouths started watering at the sight of the treats but they both knew not to try and sneak one before the others. That didn’t stop Rosalie picking two when Noya’s back was turned and passing one to Russel. Both hurriedly ate it before they were caught. Little did they know - Noya knew they had taken one - she wouldn’t give them into trouble this time. If anything she wanted Russel to steal a couple more - he needed the food as his step mother had started withholding his meals again. 

Both Eirwen and Noya had tried to convince Russel to come stay with them - in safety but he couldn’t leave without the step-mothers pro mission or until he turned eighteen. It didn’t stop both women from challenging Ethel, Eirwen once even threatened the woman with a curse if she dared harm the boy again. The woman’s punishment relented only a little but with Russel being too kind - he didn’t want any harm coming towards the woman or her children. 

“How have things been at home?” Eirwen asked Russel as she gave him a bowl of the stew - his first hot fresh meal in weeks, maybe months. 

“Things have calmed down a little, Clemency still sneaks me food when Ethel isn’t looking” Russel replied. It was clear on Eirwen’s face she wasn’t happy - she knew he was withholding information about how bad it really was. 

In fear of pushing him away she did not press on. She’d be able to get the information from Clemency when she met her in the village. Eirwen passed a bowl to Rosalie and Noya before serving herself some. They chatted about anything and everything as usual - mostly giving each other a sense of a normal family life as to put it. 

“Lerato has been summoned to the capital again, I wanted to go with her but she said that something wasn’t sitting right with her” Noya began, a sad expression as she recounted how her wife, the love of her life, had to go. “The Queen has stirred and summoned all guards back to the castle - like she is preparing for something”

Lerato was one of the many captains and once summoned must answer the call or be put to death. While speaking she used her hands to include Rosalie in the conversation - Rosalie signed her some encouragement knowing that Lerato was one of the best. 

“Grandma mentioned that if the Queen stirred it only meant that destruction and misery was sure to follow” Eirwen spoke, everyone deep in thought while they ate. Wondering what would lie ahead and what was to come, all apart from Rosalie who was wondering if it was too early to steal another treat as she eyed them up. 

The evening was growing on and with it the sister’s friends bid them farewell, Eirwen gathered her supplies - she would walk them into the village and exchange the usual medicines and potions. She waved to Rosalie, the sky stained a deep shade of red and orange giving the forest a warm glow. Rosalie watched as the three slowly became smaller and disappeared - leaving the safety of their Grandmother’s spell.