Page 47 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
Bromir, however, seemed determined to test me in his own way, by trying to outmatch me in drinking.I knew well that a dwarf could drink their weight in ale and still manage to carry on a conversation—or at least a passable tune—but what the dwarf didn’t know was that dryads processed ale differently.While it made me feel light and giddy, it didn’t cloud my thoughts or leave me blurry and drunk.The way my kind interacted with the natural ingredients of ale meant it simply couldn’t affect us the same way.By the end of the night, Bromir was red-faced, blurry-eyed, and belting out tavern songs with the bards, while I merely smiled and sipped at my mug, feeling at peace.
I watched as Tansy flitted from friend to friend, her energy infectious as she talked about her plans for the future.She was radiant, her words tumbling over one another in excitement as she spoke of the life she wanted to build in Moonshine Hollow.She talked about working with Juniper in the craftsman’s loft above Thistle and Thyme, or maybe even opening her own shop.Her hands danced in the firelight as she described her dreams, all of which included me in some fashion or another, and my heart swelled each time she glanced my way and smiled.
In the firelight and under the silvery glow of the moon, she was breathtaking.The green dress she wore shimmered with the same magic that seemed to radiate from her, and my ring glowed on her finger, catching the light like a beacon.My love, my future, my everything.
As I sat back, listening to the bards play, my thoughts drifted to the strange way Tansy had entered my life.The forest almost never let anyone through.Silver Vale was alive in its own way, a sentient force that could befuddle even the most determined traveler.Together, the forest and I kept its mystical beasts, precious plants, and rare gems safe from harm.But if that was true, how had Tansy slipped through?How had Bromir managed to follow her?
Elder Aelderin had been right.The forest had acted in my best interest.It had watched over me for years, observing countless travelers come and go.It had known my heart better than I knew it myself.It had known that Tansy was the one for me and had nudged us together, bending its own rules to allow her safe passage.
“She loves you, lad,” Bromir slurred, breaking into my thoughts.His words were slow and heavy.“Don’t know how you managed it, but that girl’s lit up like a firefly in summer.Treat her well, or I’ll bring all my brothers from Ironmist Mountain to make sure you pay.”
I turned to respond, but Bromir’s eyes were already closed, and with the gentlest nudge, he toppled over onto the ground, snoring loudly.The sound sent waves of laughter through the camp.
Tansy appeared at my side, shaking her head with a fond smile.“Bromir?”she called, crouching beside him.She shook his shoulder gently.“Bromir?”
The dwarf let out a loud snore in reply, his lips twitching as if he were still humming a tune in his sleep.
“Mountain gods, he’s out cold,” Tansy said with a chuckle.She glanced at me.“Did you drink him under the table?”
“He drank himself under the table,” I replied with a grin.“Dryads are built differently.”
She laughed, a sound that wrapped around my heart like a warm embrace.“Will you help me get him to his bedroll?”
“Of course,” I said.Together, we lifted Bromir’s solid frame and carried him to his bed.He murmured something incoherent before rolling onto his side, his snores resuming almost instantly.
“He’ll have a headache in the morning,” Tansy said.“But whether he likes it or not, it’s back to the market for him.”
I hesitated.“You’re right.You have the market in the morning.Perhaps I should leave you then.I don’t want to interfere with your work.”
She shook her head, her dark eyes meeting mine.“Maybe… maybe I could go back to your cabin and check on Marvelle first?”Her voice was light, but there was a look in her eyes, a question she wasn’t quite saying aloud.She wasn’t just asking about Marvelle—she was asking if she could come home with me this night.
I reached for her hand, my chest tightening with emotion.“I can take you there and back again without a problem.”
“Let me tell the others goodbye,” she said with a soft smile.
I watched as Tansy made her way around the camp, speaking to her friends with warmth and laughter.When she returned to me, her satchel slung over her shoulder, I felt a rare and genuine smile spread across my face.Taking Tansy’s hand, I led her from the camp.
The night was crisp and cool, the stars overhead casting a silvery glow as we walked toward the forest.
I’d never talked so much in one night as I had with Tansy’s friends.They were warm, kind, and welcoming, embracing me as if I had always been part of their family.It was a feeling I had never known, and yet, it felt like home.
We stopped at the hollow tree, and I placed my hand on its bark.“Home,” I said, turning to her.I took her hand and placed it alongside mine.
“Home,” she repeated softly, her voice full of warmth.
The tree began to glow faintly, its magic thrumming beneath our palms.And with that, we stepped into the hollow, the magic of the forest pulling us away and guiding ushome.
* * *
We emerged justoutside the cabin, the silvery moonlight spilling over the clearing.The cabin was bathed in the gentle glow, its windows emitting a warm, golden light.When Tansy saw it, she sighed happily, her fingers tightening briefly around mine.
I led her inside.
Marvelle, who had apparently been napping on the table, blinked awake.He stretched, his little paws reaching out as he called to Tansy in his familiar chittering way.
“There you are, little wild one,” Tansy said, her voice full of affection as she went to pat him.She stroked his fur, her smile bright.“I missed your furry face.”
Marvelle responded with a delighted chirp, nuzzling against her fingers.
