Page 22 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

“Very well, thank you.” She hesitated, glancing down at the tattered dress in her hands.

She eyed it with curiosity. “You mean to leave, don’t you?”

“I can’t stay here. But your kindness and generosity has meant the world to me. I also wanted to ask if you wanted these clothes back.”

“Goodness, no. They belonged to my daughter. She’s long gone.”

“Oh,” Ella gasped. “I’m sorry to hear.”

She chuckled. “Oh, I meant she hasn’t lived with us for years. Married herself an apothecary in the village. Has three children of her own now. Two girls and a boy.” She gave a wistful sigh. “Ingrid is the oldest. She’s thirteen and quite the inquisitive one. Always wears her hair in two long braids.” Agnes paused to chuckle and shake her head as she thought of her granddaughter. “Listen to me going on.” She waved her hand as if to wave away the thoughts. “You keep those clothes. And take this.”

She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel before bustling to a tiny closet. She pulled out a long, fur lined cloak. Ella shook her head before Agnes could give it to her.

“Oh, I can’t. I shouldn’t,” she protested.

“Why not?”

“You’ve given me so much already.”

“Nonsense. You take this, too. You’ll need it out there.” She nodded toward the door.

Reluctantly, Ella took the cloak. She juggled the dress and slippers in her arms before she managed to drape it over her arm. Agnes noticed she carried her old things. A twinkle came into her eyes as if she had an idea.

“And you’ll need this.” She returned to the kitchen and rummaged through the pantry. She came back with a drawstring bag.

“What’s that for?”

“Your clothes there.” She nodded to the dress and slippers. “An old flour sack. I find them to be the most useful.” She opened the top of the sack for her.

Ella placed the dress in first, then the slippers. Agnes drew up the string tight and tied a bow. It left enough slack for Ella to put the sack over her shoulder. Then she pulled on the cloak. She gave Agnes a smile.

“Thank you,” Ella whispered.

Agnes kissed her cheek and gave her a quick hug. “You be careful out there. If you need us, we’ll be here.”

Ella nodded as the woman pulled open the cabin door. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out into the brittle morning.

Chapter 9

Ellabeganhertrekfrom the tiny cabin through the snow that already had footprints, making it look as though there was a path. With the forest on her left, she followed the path. Every now and then she’d pass another cabin.

It felt like hours as she walked in the cold, her hands tucked into the pockets of her dress under the cloak and the flour sack banging against her hip with every step. As she neared what she suspected was the main village, the houses increased in number. The forest was still to her left but now there were houses in front of the trees.

No one was about along the row of houses. It seemed as though most everyone was in the village. Ahead, she saw a giant decorated tree twinkling with lights. Atop it was the largest, most beautiful glowing star she had ever seen. Even in the daylight, it twinkled and sparkled with its inner radiance. Her heart skipped into a happy beat and she had an overwhelming feeling of joy. A sign in faded red letters welcomed her to Rovenheim.

She paused to examine it, then glanced at the village beyond. It was a bustle of activity this morning with people hurrying along the thoroughfare. People entered and exited the shops at a frenzied pace. It was not unlike the one she frequented to purchase goods for the household. Perhaps someone in the village would be able to tell her where in the world Rovenheim was and how to return to her own small village.

She entered the fray with the throngs of people, her head swiveling from one shop to another. There was so much to see and hear. She paused to admire the huge Christmas tree rising into the morning sky wrapped in gold garland and topped with that lovely, twinkling star. It reminded her of her smaller version on the tree in her room back home.

People called to each other with waves of hello. And though the village square had festive decorations, there seemed to be a somber mood hanging over the people. Something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She listened for snippets of conversation.

“…poor woman is beside herself,” someone said.

“Her eldest daughter, too,” another said.

As Ella made her way through the square, she saw the sign for the apothecary. Agnes mentioned her daughter had married the apothecary. But when she made it to the shop, the sign on the door read CLOSED.

“Hear ye, hear ye!” a deep voice announced.

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