“The Queen of Winter,” #flashfiction

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

The July 30, 2020, Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that uses the phrase “her crowning glory.” (Thanks to Anne Goodwin for the prompt idea.) It can be in the traditional sense of a woman’s hair or applied to any idea of a best attribute. What happens if you play with the meaning or gender? Go where the prompt leads!

Respond by August 4, 2020.

The Queen of Winter

The wind howled like a banshee as the first storm of the season battered the cottage. Niall settled into his chair for the night.

Wild dreams tortured his thoughts. The image of the Cailleach Béara bloomed in his mind. Each year the old crone brought winter’s fury. When she appeared, stones flew from her apron and landed upon the ground. These stones, her crowning glory, grew into rock formations or mountains.

The next morning Niall’s home perched on the cliffs above the sea. Nearby, a large rock resembled the ancient Cailleach’s face. There she remains to the present day.

©2020 Colleen M. Chesebro

Writing flash fiction (99 words only) myths is challenging, but tons of fun. I only hope I’ve done justice to the “hag of winter” and “her crowning glory.”

Writing about winter feels good when it’s over 100 degrees F.

29 thoughts on ““The Queen of Winter,” #flashfiction”

  8. I’ve never heard about this myth before, but I love the fact that stones that flew out of her apron turned into rock formations and mountains, Colleen. What a power to have.

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  14. Pingback: Her Crowning Glory « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

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