Trading in Food

Elthea was a widow of ten years. Alone with no one to give her love to, she put it all into her cooking. She’d just finished baking Shepherd’s Pie when she encountered the faerie. She offered her pie to him. In return, he offered blackberries grown with faerie magic. Both wondered at the amazing flavor of the shared food. Soon they arrived at an agreement.

Ellsbeth discovered a bustling faerie village beside an ancient home made of mud bricks and grass roof. The pudgy faerie emerging from a faerie hut was just as surprised as Ellsbeth. Moments later, MapleShanks began explaining the whole story.

Elthea emerged, Shepherd’s Pie in hand. “Who be ye, tax lady? I’ve no gold for King George!”

“I’ve got this, Elthea,” soothed MapleShanks, accepting the pie.

When she’d retreated back to her cooking, Ellsbeth said, “King George? He’s long dead.”

“He was king when we first met her.”

“Then she’s over 250 years old! Does the faerie food stop her from aging?”

“No. We had to cast a spell. She’s immortal now.”

“Had to? Is she a princess?”

“No.”

“The key to powerful magicks?”

“No.” MapleShanks grinned sheepishly. “We couldn’t live without her Shepherd’s Pie!”
________________________________
Written for Sunday Photo Fiction: https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2017/12/10/sunday-photo-fiction-december-10th-2017/

Shepherd’s Pie: “…(made with minced lamb or mutton) or cottage pie (made with minced beef) is a meat pie with a topping of mashed potato…”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd%27s_pie