The helpful fae of the house mourned when the elderly resident passed. They, however, had the three young cats that the person had deeply loved to take care of. And a house to tend. -- BKF
The house was as still and quiet as the dead. Which made sense, since the person who owned it had died, leaving it vacant. Well. Vacant if you didn't count her beloved cats. They slept on her bed, hunted the mice and pests, and were very well fed even a week after the body of their former person had been removed for burial.
There was no food in the pantry. No stores in the cellar, yet the cats were fed and groomed. Even their litterbox was kept clean.
When Sisi took over ownership of both house and felines, they wondered why the cats were so healthy. Or so friendly. They bought some meat scraps and cream for them, of course, and they instantly took to Sisi like they were old friends. Glad for a friendly touch.
The house was spotless. Not a cobweb in sight. No gentle layer of dust. Everything was polished and clean. The pantry re-organised itself while Sisi was between trips to stock it once more.
Even the cottage's garden, which should have been overcome with weeds, was flourishing.
It didn't take a genius to figure out why. The good little folk of the house had been taking care of it. Out of love for the place. Out of love for Sisi's Aunty, perhaps. Or maybe it was out of love for the cats.
Either way, they needed to be thanked.
Sisi went to work as soon as the realisation occurred to them. Scaring up ingredients from friends or shopkeeps. Making a host of tiny, faerie-sized treats. Not merely making bread in an eggshell, but also sweet honey cakes. And, of course, milk warmed with honey and hard-come-by spices. Served in very small cups with a golden sheen.
"Thank you very much for all you've done for my Auntie's cats," they said. "And thank you very much for making me feel welcome in this old house."
Their first harvest of the garden would be left for the goodfolk. It was a law that none had written down, yet everyone knew it. If someone wanted to gain their favour, they would then make the good little folk something more involved from the harvest. Though it was also important to never partake of that first feast.
Sisi dozed off by the fire with all five cats purring on top of them.
That was then that they heard a small voice whisper, "So long as you love our cats, you are most welcome."
[Photo by Aleksandar Kashtanov on Unsplash]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends! Or visit my hub site to see what else I'm up to.
My Prompt Forum is currently down, but if you want to send me a prompt, post it on my Discord's emergency prompt supply.