Chimney Treats

Chapter 39: Dragon Homecoming 

Svend and Mirabel began to make preparations to return to their home. It had been almost a whole year since they left on this journey of discovery and creation. Now, they were ready to go back to their little cabin in the woods with Mirabel’s bakery and Svend’s smith to keep them busy as they waited for their little dragon to incubate. The journey would be a little tricky, as they needed to keep the egg warm, but blankets in the day and dragon fire at night kept them all toasty. When they finally made it, they realized they had some decisions to make. How would they explain this very large egg they were dedicated to tending to the village, especially Mirabel’s large and inquisitive family? 

Obviously they would keep the egg at home, but someone was bound to come visit sooner or later and they were not exactly hiding the large dragon egg nest permanently in front of their fireplace. And the fact that their cabin was downright toasty, despite the warming temperatures outside. Svend was still under a blood oath to not disclose his dragon-ness to any humans, but Mirabel was not. It seems the council forgot that little tid-bit in their enthusiasm to get to her treats. So technically, Mirabel could tell her family everything but, understandably, they were both hesitant to do so. It would change so much in their relationship with her family. Svend was worried it would begin the whole “how dare you turn Mirabel into a dragon without her consent” thing he had already worked so hard to overcome with Mirabel. His father-in-law was sure to disapprove of that little detail, heck, his mother-in-law probably wouldn’t be super happy with him either. Her brothers would probably want to turn into dragons too and her sisters would just be shocked she kept this from them. 

After much deliberation they determined their story would be that they found an exotic egg during their travels. It had been abandoned, but was very much alive and they were going to try to hatch it and see what came out. This story might not account for the amount of love and devotion they were giving to the egg, but hopefully her family recognized that Mirabel needed something to care for in her life and this was filling that hole, so they wouldn’t read too much into it. 

Once they had decided on their plan they were eager to return and hooked up a little carrying pouch so they could fly the long distance with their precious egg tucked snuggly against Mirabel’s chest, almost like a very large necklace or scarf. They landed a mile away from their cottage so as to not scare any of the locals and start dragon sighting rumors up, that was the last thing they needed right now. As they were making the hike back they began to smell the most delicious scents wafting on the air from the direction of their cabin. Curious, they sped up, and when they arrived they saw, much to their delight, Mirabel’s younger brother making himself very much at home and cooking up a delicious treat. They were so puzzled by his presence they just stood in the doorway, watching as he danced around the kitchen, clearly at ease, using Mirabel’s beautiful kitchen to its full advantage. Finally, Everett (Mirabel’s brother), turned toward them in the midst of his spinning around. He abruptly came to a full stop and just stared back at the two homeowners. 

“Uhhhhh Mirabel! Svend! Welcome home! I didn’t expect to see you here for quite some time!” Everett finally stammered. 

“So this isn’t a welcome home treat you’ve whipped up for us?” Mirabel replied with a smile. 

“Well, it is now! Welcome home! Again.” Everett had yet to notice their large egg, he was so embarrassed to have been caught. 

“So what are you doing here Ev?” Mirabel nudged his explanation along. 

“Umm. Baking? Soon after you left Ma asked if one of us would mind hiking out to your place to check on it every once in a while. And you know how crowded it gets at Ma and Pa’s house….. So of course I volunteered, it was an excellent excuse to escape all the familial chaos. And I felt very strongly about looking after your house, of course. Anyway after a few weeks my visits started becoming more frequent and longer because it was just so nice out here. Then, one day I got a little peckish and noticed you still had some ingredients in your cupboards and you have such a nice kitchen just sitting here all empty! So I made myself a little snack. Then the next week, I made another, and then I was worried you would come home to empty cupboards and be upset so I started restocking your supplies. Soon I was coming here almost everyday to try new recipes and walk in the woods and just be free! Also, sometimes I spend the night because I get so distracted with a new recipe that I stay way too late and it’s much too dark to head home by the time I’m done. Anyway, I’ll just be on my way, I’m glad you’re home. Enjoy your welcome home treat….” Everett trailed off rather unenthusiastically. He was worried he disclosed way too much information in his ramblings. 

Mirabel and Svend were shocked, but not unpleasantly so. They loved their little cottage and they were glad Everett had taken care of it, and even grown to love it in their absence. Mirabel looked at Svend and they shared a little smile. They would not kick Everett out of their retreat so hastily. 

“Wait! Ev, don’t run off so quickly! Tell us more about these new treats you’ve made, they smell amazing.” Mirabel gently guided Everett back to the kitchen where he proceeded to describe, in detail, every tiny part of his creative process in making these…. Chimney treats! They were delicious. Mirabel and Svend had never been so happy to be home. These are the treat Everett made.