Author: lazaruscarpenterauthor

A short story by Lazarus Carpenter

Image kindly provided by Gill Brooks https://www.gillsplace.com/

Once upon a time, there was a young healer called Fariedae who lived in the mountains of Wales. She was known throughout the country for her beauty and extraordinary healing abilities. People traveled from far and wide to seek her care, and it wasn’t uncommon for them to return to their homes, cured of illnesses that had plagued them for years. Fariedae had always been drawn to the mountains. As a young girl, she would often spend hours wandering through the hills and valleys, marveling at the beauty of the natural world around her. It was during these long walks that she first began to develop her healing skills. She would gather herbs and plants, experimenting with different combinations until she found the perfect recipe for a particular ailment. As she grew older, Fariedae’s reputation as a healer began to spread. People would seek her out for everything from minor cuts and bruises to more serious illnesses. She never turned anyone away, always eager to help those in need. Despite her popularity, Fariedae remained humble and dedicated to her craft. She continued to spend long hours in the mountains, gathering plants and experimenting with new healing techniques. She never charged for her services, believing that healing should be available to everyone, regardless of their means.

One day, she met a dwarf whilst walking in the mountains. His name was Crach Ffinnant, and he had been injured falling on sharp rocks. Fariedae tended to his wounds, and over the course of several months, the two of them became close. Crach was a kind-hearted dwarf, a prophet and seer to Prince Owain Glyndwr, and he was drawn to Fariedae’s gentle spirit and her dedication to helping others. They spent many long hours together, talking and laughing and exploring the mountains that surrounded them. As the weeks turned into months, Crach realized that he had fallen in love with Fariedae. He knew that he could never leave her side, so much to his own surprise after spending so many decades alone, he asked her to be his wife. Fariedae was hesitant at first. She had always been devoted to her work as a healer, and she worried that marriage would distract them both from their callings. But Crach was persistent, and he promised to support her in all of her endeavors.

In the end, Fariedae agreed to marry Crach, and the two of them built a life together in the mountains of Wales on a farm left to Crach by Gwydion a Dragon Master. Fariedae continued to practice her healing skills, and Crach supported her every step of the way as she did him with his inherited role as Master of Dragons. They were happy together, and their love for each other only grew stronger with each passing day. In the end, Fariedae’s legacy as a healer and Crach’s, as prophet and seer lived on long after she and Crach were both gone. People continued to seek them both out, even generations later, and their names became synonymous with healing, prophecy, and compassion in the mountains of Wales. Many hundreds of years later a book was written about Crach Ffinnant, and both he and Fariedae were immortalized and remembered again, never to be forgotten.

Lazarus Carpenter

Fariedae features in the Crach Ffinnant series, written by Lazarus Carpenter and illustrated by Debbie Eve

A CHILDREN’S STORY OF REFLECTION BY LAZARUS CARPENTER

Image kindly provided by Gill Brooks https://www.gillsplace.com/

Lazarus sat cross-legged on the forest floor, with a book open in his hands. He had always been fascinated by bibliomancy, the art of divination through books. He had spent years studying various texts and had become quite skilled at interpreting the messages he found within them. As he sat there, the sounds of the forest surrounding him, he focused his mind on his question. He had been struggling with a difficult decision and was hoping to find some guidance from the book in his hands. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then opened the book at random. His eyes scanned the page until they landed on a passage that seemed to jump out at him.

“Follow your heart,” the words read, “and trust in your instincts. The path may be difficult, but it will lead you to where you are meant to be.”

Lazarus felt a sense of relief wash over him as he read the words. It was as if the book had been written specifically for him and his situation. He closed his eyes again and sat in silence for a few moments, letting the message sink in. When he opened his eyes, he knew what he needed to do. He stood up, closed the book, and took a deep breath of the forest air. He felt more at peace than he had in weeks. Lazarus walked out of the forest that day with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. He knew that the path ahead would not be easy, but he trusted that it would lead him to where he was meant to be. And with the guidance of his trusty book, he was ready to face whatever lay ahead. Looking up at the sun he watched for clouds in a cobalt-blue sky but none were there, and with the wind at his back he strode on toward the future.

A Children’s Story by Lazarus Carpenter

Image courtesy of Gill Brooks https://www.gillsplace.com/

Deep in the forest, there stood a small wooden house that was said to hold the most wondrous of stories. The house was owned by an elderly man named Lazarus, who had lived in the forest for as long as anyone could remember. Lazarus was known throughout the forest as a wise and kind man, who would always lend an ear to anyone who needed it. He had a reputation for being a great storyteller, and many people would come from far and wide to hear his tales.
The house was small, with a thatched roof and in one room, the walls were lined with shelves filled with books, scrolls, and ancient artifacts. In the center of the room, there was a large wooden table, surrounded by chairs and cushions for guests to sit on. At the back of the room, there was a fireplace, and above it, a candle that never went out. The candle was said to be enchanted, and it would burn forever, casting a warm magical glow throughout the entire house.
One day, a young traveler named Dai stumbled upon the house while wandering through the forest. He was tired and hungry, and he hoped that the man who lived inside might be able to offer him some food and shelter. When he knocked on the door, Lazarus answered, and he welcomed Dai inside with a warm smile. He offered Dai a seat at the table and a bowl of cawl, and he soon found himself captivated by his stories.
Lazarus told him stories of dragons and giants, of brave knights and cunning thieves. He told him stories of love and loss, of adventure and discovery. As the night wore on, Dai found himself lost in the tales, forgetting all about his tiredness and hunger. As the hours passed, the fire burned low, and the room grew dark. But the candle above the fireplace continued to burn, casting a gentle light over the room. Dai felt as though he was in a dream, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of Lazarus’s stories.
When he finally left the house the next morning, Dai felt as though he had been transformed by the experience. He carried with him the memories of the stories he had heard, and he knew that he would never forget the magic of Lazarus’s house of stories.
And so, the house continued to stand, deep in the forest, where the candlelight never went out, and where the stories of Lazarus continued to inspire and enchant all those who were lucky enough to hear them.

Grateful thanks to Gill Brooks for the Images

A Children’s Story

Image courtesy of Gill Brooks https://www.gillsplace.com/

Once upon a time, in a magical forest hidden deep in the heart of Ireland, there lived a mischievous leprechaun named Lazarus. Lazarus was a tiny creature, measuring only two feet tall, with a pointed green hat, a bushy red beard, and a pair of twinkling emerald eyes. He spent most of his days playing pranks on the other forest creatures, stealing their food, and causing general mayhem. Despite his reckless behavior, Lazarus was well-liked by the other inhabitants of the forest. They knew that beneath his playful exterior, he had a kind heart and a generous spirit. And so, when Lazarus found himself in trouble one day, they were more than happy to lend a helping hand. It all started when Lazarus stumbled upon a hidden grove deep in the forest. The grove was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

The trees were taller, the flowers brighter, and the air was thick with magic. As he wandered deeper into the grove, he felt a strange energy wash over him, filling him with a sense of wonder and awe. But as he was about to leave the grove, Lazarus realized that something was wrong. He felt a sharp pain in his leg, and when he looked down, he saw that his foot had turned a sickly shade of green. He tried to walk, but his leg gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground. Lazarus knew that he was in trouble. As a leprechaun, he was immune to most forms of magic, but he had heard of a powerful curse that could affect even the strongest of his kind. The curse was said to be cast by a powerful witch who lived deep in the forest, and it could only be broken by a rare herb that grew in the heart of the grove. With no other options, Lazarus called out for help. His friends, a group of forest creatures including a wise old owl, a brave fox, and a kind-hearted deer, rushed to his side. Together, they set out to find the herb that would break the curse.

It was a perilous journey, filled with danger and adventure. They had to cross treacherous rivers, avoid giant spiders, and outwit cunning trolls. But eventually, they reached the heart of the grove, and there, they found the herb they had been searching for. With the herb in hand, Lazarus was able to break the curse, and his foot returned to its normal color. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he thanked his friends for their help and promised to be more careful in the future. From that day on, Lazarus was a changed leprechaun. He still loved to play pranks and cause mischief, but he did so with a newfound sense of respect for the magic of the forest. And whenever he found himself in trouble, he knew that he could count on his friends to come to his aid.

HUNTING THE WILD MEGALITH – REVIEW

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