There is a cabin by the lake. It's not big and has looked ready to collapse under its own weight for years. No one really knows what it's keeper looks like, seemingly changing appearance to different souls. Some say that it's an old man, stride heavy with all he has seen and done. Some say it's an old woman, living alone waiting to be reunited with a lost love. Very few say it's a young man. Only those who have seen a fair-haired traveler stopping by, seemingly to check for change, claim the cabin houses a younger man. Younger in appearance but heavy with an unseen weight.
There's a village understanding, if you leave a kind note and a gift, your problem will be solved. Illness, destruction, famine. Every family in the village has been helped by the mysterious cabins owner. No one sees him, even to thank him but they look out for the little creaky cabin. The village blacksmith delivers handy tools with a note saying help in there, if wanted. The baker makes rolls and different breads for the cabin, always an empty basket, come the next day; empty except for little carved stone dragons.
The children of the village look upon the cabin with awe, fear, and worry. They see the owner more than most, hiding in the bushes for even a glimpse of the strange guardian but they know their viewing is acknowledged when the bushes sprout the freshest, most delicious strawberries.
The village cares for their solitary guardian, sometimes hearing strange music, old music that seems too mournful to hear; its not played for them, they know.
The lake is a safe place for those who know to bring gifts. There is a cost to this lake, and it is not worth defaulting. Some say the lake will swallow you whole. Good or bad, people have disappeared trying to use the lake for free. They didn't know the price.
Offerings to the cabin vary; food, tools, gifts, most things from the heart are accepted. Very quickly people learn, offerings to the lake must be different. The blacksmith brings a sword, knowing it will be liked and his children can skate peacefully in winter and swim in the summer. The small stable next to the lake never seems to have horses but enjoys new shoes and apples delivered to the stalls. The village seamstress makes beautiful cloaks, the most brilliant reds and warm for the winter cold, these hang in the stalls of the stable, shining and new even years down the line.
Through the years, they notice a strange occurrence. The lake is frozen all winter. As most lakes are. All winter except for Christmas Eve.
No one has ever tried to swim in the lake on December 24th. They don't know what the cost of swimming in the strange, warm winter water would be...but no one is ready to pay it. The whole region feels the longing for something to return on this day, never knowing what they are waiting for but they hope every year it comes.
Dragon banner by @uzmacchiato. Not my banner!
^ has lots of cool banners. Check em out!
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