Adventure of the Witch's Tree

By Freda Swift

This is the story of three children, two of which are twins and their friends a gnome, a Goblin and his children and their tall thin wondering friend.
People and fairy folk are going missing taken by large spiders. The friends were asked by the fairy guardian to find and rescue these people.
It was found that these people had been taken on the orders of an old witch so she could drain their energy to make herself young and beautiful.
On their journey to find the witch they encountered a troll blocking their way. Stopping the night at a mysterious Inn from which they just escaped with their lives. Then encountering crows, ants, biker boars and large toads until they eventually found the ‘Witch’s Tree’ where the captors were being held.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781326839093

Book preview

Adventure of the Witch's Tree

ADVENTURE OF THE WITCH’S TREE

By Freda Swift

I would like to thank my granddaughter Lily who encouraged me to write these books when I retired and was at a loose end.

Illustrations by Wayne Holden and Google images

© Freda Swift

ISBN 978-1-326-83909-3

CHAPTER ONE

Lily and the twins, Jimmy and Caitlin were sat on the river bank having a picnic with their friends the Goblins. Mr Peedweed and his wife Primrose, his daughter Bluebell and his two sons Skimmer and Numpty sat around on a blanket chatting and laughing with the children. Peedweed was telling the children stories about battles he and other Goblins had fought with the fairies who lived in the copse of trees in Mowbarn Meadow just south of Goblin wood. Nasty little creatures them Fairies he said shaking his head. I thought Fairies were kind and gentle, said Lily Silver Star is not nasty nor is she little. Ha well pipped in Primrose before her husband could answer. They’s two kinds of Fairies. They’s the little twinkly ones you read about in children’s tales. They’s the nasty spiteful ones and then there’s the big Fairies (we call them Fae) like Silver Star, they’s all kind and compassionate. Why are the Fairies so nasty? asked Jimmy. Well, grumbled Peeweed, giving Primrose a dirty look for interrupting, they kill and steal to get what they want. They have even attacked Goblins homes and took them over. But they look so beautiful Caitlin said. Primrose shook her head and patted Caitlin’s hand. They’s not beautiful child, that’s just how the books show ‘um. They’s got sharp pointed teeth and long scratchy finger nails. They’s eyes, she pointed to her eyes are black and flecked with red, not pretty at all. The girls looked at each other and shivered. After his wife’s annoying sec ond interruption Peeweed carried on with his tale, he was halfway through it when they heard a sound coming from the river. Lily jumped up, then pointed. It’s Wally and Natty in a boat, she said excitedly. They all watched as Wally Twaddle steered a wooden rowing boat towards the bank.

Wally tied up the boat and Natty Broomtittle waddled his fat little body over to the picnic party. Hello, how you all doing, how you all doing? We’re fine answered Primrose what brings you both here? Although it is nice to see you she added. We got troubles, got troubles and need your help, need your help. Wait until Wally gets here, gets here. He’ll tell you all about it, all about it. A minute later Wally came striding over on his long thin legs. He nodded a greeting to them all, then he sat down next to Peeweed, crossing his long legs and clearing his throat before he began to talk. Wally had a visit from Silver Star, he began. She has a job for us that’s why Wally is here. He nodded towards the gnome Wally picked up Natty here along the way to save time. Silver Star told Wally that people and Fairy folk have been disappearing from villages all over. She wants us to find them. He looked at them all for a moment and then continued we have only one clue to go on. A young elfin boy saw his mother taken last night. He said it was two huge spiders that took her. Ugh, I hate spiders said Caitlin with a grimace, and she shivered. was it one of those big hairy Tarantula ones? Wally looked at her annoyed for interrupting him, he shook his head and continued. The boy said that the spiders were black and shiny and they