JUNE 2022 -- 75 Word Writing Challenge -- VICTORY TO CHRISTINE WHEELWRIGHT!

[Peter V]

The People Versus Elegast Evencloud, Judge Wyndham Presiding.

“How do you plead, Elf?” The last word carried undisguised venom.

“Eating meat is murder. I don’t eat meat. So NOT GUILTY.” Elegast shouted defiantly.

A susurration arose from the watching vegetation and the leaves of the jury positively shook with indignation.

The Ent representing Elegast rolled its eyes. This wasn’t going well; a verdict of guilty of veganism was almost inevitable.

It didn’t help that the judge, a rather large triffid, was also executioner.

 

[Parson]

Dying for a Drink​

During the Century Drought, Moon Grove’s shoots rarely matured. Moon Grove was dying so a desperation Wizard’s Council was called.

Suggestions from incantations to pixie dust were considered. But the only long-term solution was to tap Moon Lake. Since trees can’t walk, shoots were sent out toward the lake. As the drought deepened sacrifice was demanded. Every adult eventually sacrificed all their life-water for the sprouts.

The last sprout died in sight of the lake.

 

[comradeogilvy]

For the Love of Carya

I watch her walk by just about every morning. She keeps fit, like myself. I'm tall and strong, and I grow taller and stronger every year.

In the fall I try to impress her with my colorful leaves, but so far she hasn't noticed. Occasionally, I'll drop a leaf right in front of her, but that doesn't work either.

Spring is coming and I'll drop my best fruit for her. She will be mine.

 

[chrispenycate]

Treeline​

Suddenly, mountainside's summer grazing grounds turn into dense tree cover. Apart from herd paths chopped for herds woods are largely impenetrable. Sunlit butterflies tend meadow wildflowers, while below the line thick scrawled boundary the canopy gloom discourages undergrowth.

Goats and deer nibble tree shoots, but within the fores t clearings regrow

Firewood seeking herders profit from the canopy's gloom and spongy leaf-mould mattress, and intended trips are frequently pleasurably extended.

Somewhere, the old cottage waited.

 

[Luiglin]

Up in smoke​

The rat scampered into the glade; usual, only except for the fact that the surrounding wood grew in a warehouse.

Artichoke - druid, halfling, interior garden designer - sat humming to a bush as the rat delivered his box.

“Cheers, Sprowt. Tendrils crossed the alchemists cracked it.”

From the box, Artichoke withdrew a small stick, igniting it on his foot with a rasping flourish.

"Groovy," he purred, digging a leafy rollup from behind his ear.

 

[reddishbird]

Sweet Revenge


A fierce carboniferous wind howled bringing green, clammy air thick with life: the trees grew, drinking their fill, watching.


Later, as skeletons pressed to black rock, they watched the world turning as their offspring clad the lands, and smiled. All was good.


Then came men with cruel flame and sharpened axes, digging up their bones for fuel, and felling their children. But the trees’ revenge was imminent. Because they burned, the whole world would burn.

 

[nixie]

Annual Garden Award
​

“Always leave a space for nature”, she said.

“No” I'd sigh.

Inspecting the lawn I saw a weed in the far corner,
“No you don't” I muttered as I pulled it out.

It kept coming back, bringing more of the little blighters with it. I’d sigh and remove them.

It was a losing battle, they kept coming back.

“What beautiful wild flowers” exclaimed the judges.

My wife’s voice echoed in my head. “Told you”.

 

[Wayne Mack]

Elfin Magic

Humans had become dominant; there was only one thing the elves could do to survive. They took the ancient text and gathered ingredients. Seed pods from grasses, pounded into near dust. The bark of a certain tree; dried kernels of others. Mother’s milk gathered from large, horned beasts and sap from purple canes – both processed into unrecognizable solid masses. Combined in large ovens until it was time to get the humans to ingest.

“Cookie, ma-am?”

 

[JS Wiig]

Vedauwoo

Hii3eiciibit finished vomiting and slumped against the rocky creek bank, cold water rushing over his bare feet.

A centenarian sentinel rose before him, trunk thick and arms branched outward. Fractal fingers extended, exhaling the breath of life. Roots burrowed deep in a twisted reflection, absorbing musty rot and decay. The ancient tree welcomed him graciously to its home.

The shaman’s peyote had guided Hii3eiciibit’s vision quest into the hidden realm of the plant people.

 

[Starbeast]

TREES
The Motion Picture

Since their creation, they have remained tall and silent...until now.

(action music)​

Starring Judi Dench, as Mrs Larch. “I saw a tree walking.”

Pierce Brosnan, as Professor Nawood. “First it was cattle, now Elves are missing. I believe the trees had something to do with this.”

Craig Charles, as Ranger Smith. “If it’s the end of the world, I’ll be at the pub.”

The trees are branching out. Lumbering in your backyard. Foraging, for you.​

 

[scarpelius]

Mom... the oaks say the maples are stupid and weak

Justin was chewing his lollipop without paying attention to us.

"Don't worry.'' said the doctor. "Imaginary friends are common."

I sighed in relief.

The summer came and passed with gossip from his green friends.

In fall, Justin started to feel sick.

"Make them stop..." he yelled.

By the time the forest was all amber, he stopped breathing, skin like tree bark.

For days I was staring at his body.

Then I remembered... Spring always comes.

 

[therapist]

The Field of Dreams

Morisomnia flowers shroud the land before me; a field of irresistible petals and smiling corpses. Entering the field is death. Morisomnia feeds on one's life and body, but in exchange grants an eternity of blissful dreams.
A holy symbiosis?
Or a devilish trap?
I cross the barrier—why isn’t it higher?—dwelling on the family I’m leaving behind. They’ll hate me for this, I hate myself for this.
But in my dreams I'll be forgiven.

 

[EPT Henry]

Fantasy?

“Fantasy you say? I don’t know, I’ve never really stopped to think about it” Button Mushroom said.

“Yes, fantasy I say!” Portobello cried. “If you could be any tree what would you be?”

Button paused for a moment, nestled among the fallen leaves and soft damp soil. She breathed in, savouring the musty air and scent of raindrops.

“I think I rather like being a mushroom actually. Can I just be me?”

 

[Phyrebrat]

The Fruits of Dunsynain

Under the pall of unseasonal rain, tightly packed flametrees painted the horizon bright with orange leaves.

Not yet.

###

His astronomers — even his herbalists — said it was too late; they were already in the forest.
But the witchsisters said, ‘Have faith in the seasons.’
King Cordor cursed the trees that were both protection and prison.

But: Faith!

###

Sunlight burst through, the deluge cleared; flameberries ripened, dropped.
Then: distant screaming.
Later: the smell of burning long pork.

 

[Hugh]

The Human Condition

​

He’d battled dragons, rescued damsels, worked in supermarkets, and now finally his quest was over.

The Tree of Life stood before him.

Timothy knelt in awe.

A snake appeared, riding a phoenix. “Hey Punk!” it oozed, “What gives?”

Timothy gestured reverently, though increasingly distracted by a nameless terror growing within.

“Gets you, doesn’t it?” sympathized the snake. “People get so excited about the topmost branches touching Heaven, but forget the roots reach down into Hell.”​

 

[Mon0Zer0]

THE HEAVY HANDED SWORDSMAN IN: SQUIRE, WHERE’S MY CASTLE?

HE stood before the crowd and raised aloft his mighty pink sword, swollen with pride.

“I have returned to reclaim my birthright, whomsoever dare challenge me, let them step forth!”

From the hubbub, Arbor Strongwood rose to his feet, arms like redwood trunks.

“Aye!”

Verily, the swordsman’s weapon did soften and his voice grew mouse-like.

“Let it be known,” he squeaked, “Out of concern for my opponents well-being, I generously rescind my claim. Bivouac, away!”

 

[Stable]

The Hero's Salad​

“I won’t go, gramps,” the boy returned to his bowl of crickets.

Forced off the farm by dark henchmen, the boy and companions rode their beetles to the mythical Seed Bank.

Through unity and bugs they overcame all obstacles.

“Gramps, how could you betray us?”

“I alone will gain the power of vegetarianism! Muahaha - urk!”

Saddened, yet victorious, they returned home bearing the seed packet of destiny, and the mighty tome, Vegetable Farming.

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Kajar and the Wise, Old Sage

"What do you want?"

Kajar looked around seeing nobody.

"I seek Salvia."

"You've found me."

"Where are you?"

"You're standing on me."

Kajar looked down. "Oh. You're..."

"The herb. Yes."

"What do you desire?"

"To defeat the Hydra."

"Then earn the answer by solving this: Sometimes big, sometimes small. In September, see me fall. I'm what?"

"Hmm? Rock? Tree? Aha! Leaf."

"Correct. Remember, fire is your friend."

Kajar scowled. "That's it?"

"Ungrateful bonesack! Go away!"

 

[ckatt]

The Last Willow​

Roots eked their path between stone and mortar.
Above, two archers gazed out at the rolling siege engines and the legions behind them.
"Will they breach tonight?" The beardless marksman swallowed hard.
The veteran spat over the parapet. "These walls have held for seven hundred years. Won't fall to this rabble."
A mere seven hundred? chuckled the old willow, cleaving another rock.

 

[The Judge]

Herb Law (and a way around it) ​

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“Tansy, rue. Is he true?”​

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The scrying bowl herbs formed an image – her husband entwined with another woman.​

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Heartsease, balm. Do no harm. The herbalist’s law she’d always obeyed, despite his drunken cruelty. Now she would get rid of him.​

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“Skullcap, bay. My words obey.”​

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Magic shivered the air.​

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“Monkshood, mace. Enchant that place.”​

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Magic enveloped him and his woman.​

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“Wormwood, thyme. No longer mine.”​

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Freedom. Just a breath away.​

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“Horehound, furze. Make him hers.”​