The Witch At Inverness
Please take this time to steer your thoughts
To a wretched land of lochs and glens.
Where a village was tasked and the people fraught
At the woe and sadness life could send.
With the Dragons gone and the Trolls dispersed
The villagers were still gloomy and depressed.
As they were forced to live under a heinous curse
Put upon them by the Witch at Inverness.
The curse was real as the rains would halt
With the crops barren by a strange summer heat.
And the people knew it was the Witch's fault
Their children could not eat.
So the village suffered from her demented mind
Knowing their lives were getting worse.
But all still hoped... at some future time
Someone would lift this dreaded curse.
Now two children played through the light of day
Who were the orphans Molly and Peter Brown.
As both their parents had sadly passed away
When the Witch's curse had swept the town.
They slept and ate as best they could
With whoever thought to give them care.
And the rations were meager and not very good
But they were more than happy to have a share.
They still had a fine time and many a close shave
As they challenged each other to various feats.
To show who was brave and not prone to behave
And in this they would strongly compete.
Now Molly came up with a formidable task
She was sure brother Peter would have to ignore.
With a smile on her face... she slyly asked
For Peter to knock on the Witch's front door.
Poor Peter was scared but fought back the tears
And gave the appearance of swagger and bluster.
But to his sister... he refused to show any fear
And gather all the courage his young soul could muster.
'I am not scared,' said Peter in a trembling tone
As Molly looked on in wonder and shock.
'I will knock at her door and hope she's at home
And put an end to your boisterous talk.'
'You cannot be serious,' replied Molly in haste.
'I was just kidding as such a thing is taboo.
For the Witch will appear and lay you to waste
And boil your bones for her next round of stew.'
'I'm tired of living in fear,' said Peter forsaken.
'The whole village lies beneath her mischievous spell.
The time has come for a stand to be taken
But as to its wisdom... I'll let others dwell.'
'I'll pound on her door... no matter the cost
To show her I am audacious and bold.
And if I should perish and all hope is lost
I will go to my grave both happy and cold.'
'Before we depart... we should see the old Man,'
Said Molly to quietly assert.
'He may have some advice and add to our plan
And improve our chances of returning unhurt.'
The old Man was attentive to the story they told
And agreed something would have to be done.
But was surprised to see two children so bold
To undertake a quest that others had shunned.
'Dealing with Witches is hard from the start
So my advice may amount to so little.
But the secret I hear is to be clever and smart
And have the ability to solve a most curious riddle.'
'It's light to the touch but carries great weight
And must be undone at the top of the hour.
So look to three stars to determine your fate
And the Witch may be deprived of her powers.'
The children left the old Man and pondered his claim
On how the Witch could be given her due.
But racking their brains... was a most hopeless game
And as to the riddle... they hadn't a clue.
But to take on the Witch...in this they persist
To save their village from doom and despair.
So off on a journey through woodlands and mist
To seek out and find the old Witch's lair.
They traveled with purpose... they traveled with zest.
They walked quickly with passion and haste.
They journeyed with a sense of a most righteous quest.
They marched swiftly with no time to waste.
They knew they were close when no sound could be heard
As the forest was deftly quiet and devoid of all life.
They saw nary a bear or a fox and no sign of birds
Which did little to ease their poor strife.
They thought back to the riddle and such
But its meaning was still distant and far.
How could something be so light to the touch?
And at the same time be as big as three stars?
They crept to her window and there by the fire
The old Witch was busy stirring her brew.
She mumbled something which seemed dreaded and dire
But again... as to its meaning they hadn't a clue.
They rose to their feet when she screamed like a banshee
To see the Witch cackle with each sordid taste.
But in watching her carefully... they could easily see...
She was always touching a broach on her waist.
Molly strained her eyes to see what it could be
But it was very small and looked quite bizarre.
And what she could see... filled her with glee
As it was in the shape of the riddle's three stars.
She turned to Peter, 'At the top of the hour...
We will destroy her broach with a stone or a rock.
And hopefully rob the old Witch of her powers
So keep an eye on the old Witch's clock.'
At the top of the hour with but a minute to spare
Through the window the came in a tremulous haste.
And Molly tackled the Witch by grabbing her hair
As brave Peter tore the broach from her waist.
They rolled through the fire... they rolled through the coal.
They fought each other with iron and sticks.
They battled hard to the very edge of their souls.
They had her broach to prevent any tricks.
Now the Witch wanted the broach to be sure
As she clawed and scratched with horror and dread.
But when she grabbed at the broach which Peter secured
Molly up and took a fry pan to the side of her head.
The Witch howled in pain and made a strange sound
As she was tangled in her hoary old cloak.
Then Peter crushed the broach with a stone he had found
And the Witch disappeared in a puff of grey smoke.
They stood there a while... unsure of their deed
As both were quite tired and filled with distress.
But one thing for sure... their village was free
As the old Witch had succumbed to their quest.
The End
Copyright © David Mchattie | Year Posted 2019
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