"Papa, why do I have to stay home? I want to come and help." Her brothers chuckled as they gathered around the little one. Her little red curls shining copper against the cheery hearth.

"Because Bridgett, her eldest brother Christophe answered, big bad wolves just love to gobble up sweet little girls like you." Her eyes widened a bit and she jumped as her brother jokingly danced his fingers across her ribs like claws.

"Now, now, don't scare the poor lamb; she won't sleep a wink if you do." Her papa's voice rumbled like a carriage on a gravel road. She curled closer to him in his lap and shook her head diffidently

"Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? Not me! I bet you are Philippe!" Bridgett's hair bounced back and forth as she teased.

"Not I, in fact, I shall prove it to you when I bring you home a pelt of fur big enough to make you a coverlet and a coat, and mittens and new boots and anything else your little heart could wish." He said grandly kneeling in front of her. She impulsively threw her arms about his neck. He was fifteen and the closest to her in age and heart.

"Promise?" The little girl whispered

"Promise." came his solid reply.

Then they heard a knock at the door. "Oh, that must be Widow Peters to look after you while we're gone." Papa rumbled. Bridgett excitedly leapt from her fathers lap and bolted to the door. She wrenched the door wide and looked angelically up at the good widow before flinging herself into her arms.

"My my, Dear Thing, have you gotten taller or am I shrinking!? How old are you now my girl!?" In truth Bridgett was still much smaller than she should have been for a girl her age. The kind woman pried the girl from the folds of her dress to look down on her smiling face.

"Nine summers!" She boasted proudly.

"Nine summers!? Well, my sweet, you're very nearly a lady, now aren't you? Well, don't keep standing there like a tree in the wood; let me in child, I'll catch my death in this cold!" Bridgett ran from the door to chatter excitedly to her brothers about the new coat she wanted to have made from the skin of the wolf

Abraham, her father, stood to welcome the older woman. "Widow Peters, thank you for watching over Bridgett while we hunt the beast."

Glancing over to make sure Bridgett was out of earshot, Widow Peters pursed her lips until they were white and hissed "Your a damn fool Abraham, scores of hunting parties have tried to kill that monster and are all rotting in their graves."

Abraham's booming laugh rang out "But they did not have the skill my sons and I have. Remember, we fought and won the second ogre war."

"Yes well, if you leave Bridget fatherless and brother-less it will not matter where you fought now will it? The poor girl is already going to grow up without a mother, don't take away the rest of her family too." She said softly.

Abraham's face grew solemn "This beast proves more dangerous to her alive than dead. Have you seen the bodies of the children who have been victims? I promise you, good widow, that if I were not certain we could take down the beast we would be at home by the fire tonight. I shall leave my crossbow with you should anything happen."

Widow Peter's sighed. "I suppose if I can't dissuade you I must have faith in your strength and send my prayers with you."

Abraham nodded "Your prayers are appreciated, but I hope they will not be needed."

She sighed again "For Bridgett's sake, Abraham, I hope so too. You'd better go if you want to get a head on that wolf before it reaches the village tonight."

"Alright then, thank you again, then louder addressing the room full of men as tall as trees, Boys! It's time we'll head out to the interior forest, as far away from the village as we can manage, there the others will be waiting for us. We'll want to head it off before it can get to close to the town. Grab your weapons men!"

Patrick handed Bridgett to Widow Peters as the brothers gathered their spears and daggers.

"Alright dear, say goodbye to your papa and brothers." Widow peters held out the child so she could peck the cheek of each man.

"Goodbye Christophe, goodbye Patrick, goodbye, Jacob, goodbye Nathan, goodbye Stephan, goodbye Philippe., when she got to her father she paused before flinging herself out of widow peter's arms into his whispering, goodbye Papa." He squeezed her tightly before setting her on her feet and kissing her forehead. Then he headed out to join his sons to start the hunt.

As Bridgett watched her family head away into the woods, a fist of worry knotted in her stomach before she quickly and firmly untangled it. It wouldn't do any good to worry. Her papa and brothers had never had an unsuccessful hunt; they were the protectors of the town for a reason. So she tamped down her fear and waved her arm until Papa's broad shoulders disappeared into the trees.