Countless quiet winters passed the humble homestead by

a man whose hair had greyed but had some wisdom in his eye

prepared to spend whatever years he had upon that hill

living far from anyone, and never more to kill

He walked along a quiet trail as had become routine

walking while he idly counted all the shades of green

his only company besides the creatures of the wood

a shadow watching from a distance like it always would

Sometimes he would talk to it as if to an old friend

a presence in his life on which he always could depend

no matter what he said to it, it gave him no reply

but it was somehow comforting to know it was nearby

One such day, while he enjoyed the sun behind the trees

hoping he might find a nest or maybe honey bees

he heard a sound and turned to see what creature might be there

thinking he would love to sate his hunger with a bear

He took his time to circle round and sneak up on the beast

hoping not to scare away a fine potential feast

but there among the shrubs was something smaller than a bear

a sickly human girl with dirty clothes and ragged hair

A child who barely came up to the walking hermit’s knees

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looking like the victim of a merciless disease

the hermit hesitated but he slowly knelt and waved

calling to to the child whose life could probably be saved

He carried her upon his back and barely felt her weight

she fell asleep in moments as she gave herself to fate

but this old hermit knew of magic he could use to heal

and once she had been treated all she needed was a meal

The hermit sat and watched her while she slept right through the night

and woke up full of energy when came the morning light

she thought she might be dreaming when she met the hermit’s glare

a gentle looking man with timid eyes and long grey hair

He worried that his presence would be known to other men

if he cast her out, she may just find his home again

while he weighed his options, suddenly she raised her voice

and when he heard the words she spoke it helped him make his choice

She begged him to return with her and save her family

they travelled far from home where they had lived in poverty

her brothers and her sisters all were stricken by disease

and left alone, before too long, they all would surely freeze

Conflicted though he was, he let her lead him down the trail

the thought of meeting other people turned his old face pale

but as they walked he caught a very certain smell

the wicked stench of death that he remembered all too well

He found the family too late, nearby a little lake

realising there was little action he could take

all that he could offer to the family who slept

was bury them beneath a tree where one survivor wept

That was how his life together with the girl began

an exception to the story of the lonely man

at first he found it awkward to accommodate his guest

but something in her presence put his restless mind to rest

The girl had very little time to dwell upon her grief

the hermit gave her work and chores that gave her some relief

he taught her how to hunt and fish, and sometimes they’d just play

soon he even found himself enjoying every day

At times he couldn’t help but tell her stories late at night

tales of great adventure, and she listened with delight

he even taught her how to do some magic here and there

but mostly they just spent their time without a worldly care

~