The mountain was quiet that morning, save for the whisper of the autumn wind weaving through branches heavy with golden leaves. Nellie smiled; she always felt happiest in the fall, when the leaves were swirling around her, the plants were ripe for harvesting, and the air was crisp. Best of all, the pumpkins were turning orange and fat on their vines. Nellie walked slowly along the forest path; her warm, woolen shawl wrapped snugly around her shoulders. The scent of pines and fallen leaves filled the air. Her scruffy orange cat, and familiar, Rodney, trotted ahead, his tail flicking as he inspected every leaf and twig in his path. Nellie giggled as she watched him bat an acorn around like a ball of yarn. Just as she was about to call him back, a flash of red caught her eye. A figure lay crumpled by the base of an oak tree, just off of her usual walking trail. Her spine prickled with worry and she approached cautiously, keeping her footsteps light. The figure turned out to be young hiker, their leg twisted at an awkward angle, their face pale and drawn with pain. Nellie crept closer and bent over the prone figure. She was still nervous and had no idea what to say, completely unused to human interaction after all this time. Still, she had no intention of leaving this person to suffer. Nellie knelt beside them, her gentle hands brushing leaves from their jacket. “There, there,” Nellie whispered, her voice as soft as the rustling leaves. "You’re safe now. Let’s get you patched up and you can come back with me.” With Rodney winding protectively around her ankles, she set to work, calling upon her knowledge of herbs and healing spells, her touch light but reassuring.