06/11/2026
The twilight had just begun to settle over the whispering pines, painting the forest canopy in deep shades of indigo and violet. As the first silver stars poked through the gathering dusk, David and Willow tended to the quiet embers of their evening fire.
Tonight, the woods had guided some unexpected visitors to their hidden glen—not the usual flutter of moth wings or the soft, familiar tread of the woodland deer, but a scruffy little band of outsiders. Small dogs, weary and wandering from the great beyond, had followed the scent of pine and warmth right to their doorstep.
With a gentle smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes, David knelt in the damp moss, setting down a carved wooden bowl filled with hearty, wholesome morsels. Beside him, Willow held her lantern high, casting a warm, golden glow over the clearing as she offered a pouch of grains and dried forest fruits.
"Even those who do not know the ancient paths deserve the forest's comfort," Willow murmured softly, the lantern light catching the silver braids of her hair. The pups wagged their tails, their tired eyes reflecting the dancing firelight. In the hushed, protective magic of the woods, it was an unspoken rule among the Tomte: no traveler goes hungry, and every weary soul, no matter how small, will always find a hearth to rest beside.