A Visit To The Orphanage
Dec 19, 2023 0:38:25 GMT -5
ShadowCatJen, Spirit of a Phoenix, and 8 more like this
Post by virtuoushero on Dec 19, 2023 0:38:25 GMT -5
*With a pouch full of Ginger Cannons from Lady Tessaril's Simril style Winter Solstice celebration, the young Paladin of Lathander knocks on the door to Hope's Cradle and awaits a response. Despite having a key he could use to enter at will, he exercises consideration for the caretakers and greets them warmly as the door opens. He pardons himself for the unexpected visit and offers the cookies to Minister Calah, having learned a valuable lesson from his previous visit, this time deferring to her better judgement on when to give them to the children with a joke about hyping them up before bedtime. He pulls a book from his pack, one that the Minister, caretakers and children had seen before titled Morninglord Stories and offers a tale to the children. A few candles are placed and the children gather before the young Paladin as he shares his creative writings*
'Twas the night before Solstice, in Cormyr so grand, not a creature was stirring, throughout the land.
The stockings were hung by the fireplace with care, in hopes that Lathander soon would be there.
The orphans were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of joy danced in their heads.
And I in my armor, with sword at my side, prepared to bring safety, and security beside.
When out on the rooftop arose such a clatter, I sprang from my post to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, I ran with a dash, tore open the shutters, threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the newly-fallen snow, gave the luster of midday to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a radiant figure, so bright and clear.
With a golden aura and a heart full of love, I knew in a moment, it must be from above.
More rapid than eagles, his blessings they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Courage! Now Compassion! Now Joy and Light! On Charity! On Kindness! Throughout the night!
To the orphans, to the needy, to the hearts full of strife, spread love and good cheer, and bring hope to their life!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the rooftops, the blessings they flew, with a sleigh full of joy, and Lathander too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney, Lathander came with a bound.
He was dressed all in light, from his head to his toe, a bundle of blessings, he had in tow.
His eyes—how they sparkled! His dimples, how merry! His presence brought comfort, like sweet, fragrant cherry.
A scroll in his hand, he unfurled with delight, reading tales of hope on this Solstice night.
He spoke words of wisdom, of love and of peace, bringing warmth to the orphans, their fears to release.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Solstice to all, and to all a good night!"
With the blessings of Lathander, the orphanage glowed, the children's faces with joy overflowed.
As the snow gently fell and covered the ground, the true meaning of Solstice in their hearts, they found.
The stockings were hung by the fireplace with care, in hopes that Lathander soon would be there.
The orphans were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of joy danced in their heads.
And I in my armor, with sword at my side, prepared to bring safety, and security beside.
When out on the rooftop arose such a clatter, I sprang from my post to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, I ran with a dash, tore open the shutters, threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the newly-fallen snow, gave the luster of midday to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a radiant figure, so bright and clear.
With a golden aura and a heart full of love, I knew in a moment, it must be from above.
More rapid than eagles, his blessings they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Courage! Now Compassion! Now Joy and Light! On Charity! On Kindness! Throughout the night!
To the orphans, to the needy, to the hearts full of strife, spread love and good cheer, and bring hope to their life!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the rooftops, the blessings they flew, with a sleigh full of joy, and Lathander too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney, Lathander came with a bound.
He was dressed all in light, from his head to his toe, a bundle of blessings, he had in tow.
His eyes—how they sparkled! His dimples, how merry! His presence brought comfort, like sweet, fragrant cherry.
A scroll in his hand, he unfurled with delight, reading tales of hope on this Solstice night.
He spoke words of wisdom, of love and of peace, bringing warmth to the orphans, their fears to release.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Solstice to all, and to all a good night!"
With the blessings of Lathander, the orphanage glowed, the children's faces with joy overflowed.
As the snow gently fell and covered the ground, the true meaning of Solstice in their hearts, they found.