A Fireside Bedtime Story

Hello, beloveds.

I wrote this story as part of a collection I am writing for a book eventually.

Listen to this delightful and cosy story whilst you relax and get ready to drift off into the world of dreams.

Music generously provided by Natures Eye.

Thank you for listening dear ones.

Transcript

Hello dear ones and welcome to today's bedtime story a story that i wrote to help you sleep so before we begin just taking a few moments to get comfortable in your bed maybe you want to take some nice long big stretches out easing out your muscles after a tough day most probably a busy day but this is your time now there's nothing more that you need to do and there's nowhere else that you need to be just here in this moment snuggling down into your duvet maybe taking a few yawns and when you're ready i'll begin the winter tale a fireside bedtime story the storm had arrived with a fury winds howled through the towering pines and snow swelled in frenzied gusts against the windows of the little cottage nestled deep in the woods the world outside was a frozen wonderland cloaked in white but inside the cottage the air was warm and thick with the scent of cinnamon and pine in the heart of the cozy cottage a fire crackled and danced in the stone hearth casting golden light across the room a thick bearskin rug lay spread before the fireplace and above the mantle hung dried herbs and garlands of evergreen the walls lined with shells brimming with books and trinkets seemed to lean in holding the space in a comforting embrace little Evie sat curled on the rug wrapped in a soft patchwork quilt her golden hair glowed in the firelight and her wide eyes were filled with wonder as she gazed up at her grandmother whom she lovingly called Nana Wren Nana Wren sat in her rocking chair knitting needles resting idle in her lap her face was lined with years of laughter and love and her silver hair was braided with sprigs of rosemary the wind outside let out a mournful wail rattling the shutters Evie shuddered and pulled the quilt tighter around her shoulders Nana,

Will you tell me a story?

She asked Nana Wren smiled her eyes twinkling like the embers in the hearth of course my darling tonight I will tell you the story of the winter queen and the hidden star Evie's eyes lit up with excitement the winter queen did she live in a place like this?

Oh even more magical Nana Wren said leaning forward slightly close your eyes Evie and listen closely I'll take you there Evie nestled into the quilt her eyelids fluttering shut as Nana Wren began long long ago in a land where the winters were endless and the stars shone brighter than diamonds there was a great and wondrous kingdom known as Frosthaven the kingdom lay beyond the tallest mountains and the deepest forests hidden from the world by veils of swirling snow in the heart of Frosthaven stood an ice palace that shimmered with all the colors of the ocean aurora its towers reached for the heavens and its gates were carved with runes older than time itself this was the palace of the winter queen a wise and gentle ruler whose magic kept the land safe and peaceful the winter queen had a gift she could speak to the stars every night the stars would sing to her their voices like the softest chimes carried on the wind they told her of distant lands of dreams yet to be dreamed and of secrets hidden in the vastness of the universe one night as the queen stood on her balcony beneath a sky ablaze with stars a single star fell from the heavens it streaked across the sky like a trail of silver fire before landing in the farthest reaches of the kingdom beyond the frozen forest the queen's heart trembled with wonder she knew this was no ordinary star it was the star of Everlight a celestial gem said to hold the power of eternal hope but with its fall came a warning if the star remained lost for too long the light of Frosthaven would fade and the land would be swallowed by endless shadows the winter queen knew what she must do she summoned her most loyal companion a snow-white wolf named Silas and together they set out into the storm to find the fallen star they traveled through the frozen forest where trees of ice glittered like crystal statues the wind sang mournful songs through the branches and the ground was blanketed with snow as soft as down yet even in the forest's beauty there were dangers shadows moved between the trees and whispers floated on the air like forgotten memories we must be swift Silas the queen said the shadows grow bolder with each passing moment at last they reached the edge of the forest and stood before the glacier of echoes a vast expanse of ice that stretched as far as the eye could see the glacier was treacherous filled with hidden crevices and shifting ice but somewhere within its heart lay the fallen star the winter queen placed her hand on the glacier's surface and her magic flowed through her fingertips the ice glowed with a soft blue light and a path opened up before them they followed the path deep into the glacier the air growing colder with every step finally they reached a cavern bathed in a soft silvery glow in the center of the cavern lay the star of everlight its light pulsing like a heartbeat but standing over the star was a shadowy figure with eyes as dark as midnight you cannot take it the figure said the light belongs to the darkness now the winter queen stood tall her heart steady the light belongs to all who dream and hope step aside the shadow lunged but Silas leapt forward with a mighty growl the two clashed light against darkness until the cavern shook with the force of their battle at the last moment Silas drove the shadow back into the depths of the glacier the queen knelt before the star and gently cradled it in her hands its warmth spread through her chasing away the cold and filling the cavern with radiant light the shadows fled and the glacier began to heal with the star safely in her grasp the winter queen and Silas returned to Frosthaven she placed the star of everlight in the highest tower of her palace where it shone like a second sun its light spread across the land renewing hope and banishing fear from that day forward the stars sang more brightly than ever before and though the winters in Frosthaven remained long and cold the hearts of its people were always warm Nana Wren's voice softened as she reached the end of her tale and so my darling no matter how fierce the storm or how dark the night remember the story of the winter queen there is always a light within you waiting to shine Evie opened her eyes slowly her lashes heavy with sleep I liked that story Nana the winter queen was very brave just like you my little star Nana Wren said brushing the strand of hair from Evie's forehead the fire crackled softly and the storm outside began to quiet Nana Wren lifted Evie into her arms and carried her to bed tucking her in with care as Evie drifted off to sleep the cottage was filled with a peace that only stories and love could bring and though the storm still whispered beyond the windows inside the little cottage all was warm safe and bright