Page 19 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine (Moonshine Hollow)

TANSY

I finished my mug of ale and collected both mine and Kellen’s cups to wash them.

The simple gesture felt so good, so right.

I sighed. Would it be so bad if I never regained my memories?

This life… It felt so happy. Marvelle joined me at the window, watching outside.

I picked up a pitcher and began watering the plants on the windowsill.

Then, Marvelle shifted nervously, his tiny paws pressed against the glass.

He was chittering in agitation, his eyes focused on something outside.

“What’s going on?” I asked, leaning closer to see for myself.

My eyes landed on the brownies, whose heads poked out of Kellen’s satchel.

Apparently, they had hatched an escape plan.

They had fashioned a makeshift rope ladder from the supplies in his bag.

The first of the miscreants was in the process of hoisting themselves toward the ground.

“Oh no, you don’t,” I said, my gaze narrowing. “Not after the trouble you’ve caused.” I rushed toward the door. Marvelle darted ahead of me, his tiny body practically vibrating with indignation.

As soon as I stepped outside, one of the mischievous brownies dropped to the ground and made a break for it. Without thinking, I lunged to grab him. Unfortunately, Marvelle had the same idea. The squirrel let out a sharp, familiar chirrup, and suddenly, my body froze.

I couldn’t move, couldn’t blink. I was completely caught in his spell.

In my peripheral vision, I saw the brownie was frozen too, his tiny limbs locked mid-sprint.

Marvelle, a look of shock on his tiny, furry face, clicked apologetically at me. He then scurried over, scooped up the offending brownie, and unceremoniously dumped him into a nearby pot, slamming the lid shut.

I wanted to laugh, but I could only wait for the spell to wear off.

The hilarity of the situation made me want to burst into gales of laughter.

What would Kellen think when he saw me like this?

But I couldn’t move. I could only cackle in my mind.

The stillness reminded me of a mishap years ago during the Midsummer Festival in Willowwick, where Bromir and I had visited a magical florist selling enchanted flowers.

Bromir had jokingly handed me a Stardust Daffodil, unaware that inhaling its pollen froze people for a few seconds.

I’d ended up standing stiff in the middle of the bustling market while he roared with laughter.

When the spell wore off, I’d exacted my revenge by swapping out his usual sour cherry pie with a toadstool pie—something Bromir absolutely hated.

We still joked about that mess. Despite the mishap, that summer had been one of our most successful seasons.

With Bromir spinning threads of silver and gold for my jewels and me enchanting gems for his tools, we’d nearly sold out.

That year, when we visited Bromir’s brothers—apparently, all dwarves considered themselves brothers unless they were brawling—for the Yule festivities, we hoisted many tankards of ale, toasting the good people of Willowwick and their deep pockets.

Thinking about Bromir brought a pang of nostalgia…and clarity.

Bromir.

His name was Bromir Ironside. He was my business partner and best friend.

And I… I was Tansy Foxglove.

I was a traveling artisan specializing in enchanting jewels.

My work involved crafting necklaces, amulets, earrings, and other pieces with magical properties.

Bromir, a master metalsmith, and I had been working together for the last five years, our skills complementing one another.

He made the gold band, and I set it with a gemstone enchanted for good health.

He had a hammer, and I enchanted a stone that ensured it never missed its mark.

Our goods were in high demand. In fact, we were on our way to Moonshine Hollow for the Autumn Market when everything went wrong.

I’d left Silverpine Village early to get to the hollow to set up camp and work on inventory.

Bromir had stayed behind to relax. But my horse had thrown me, and I’d ended up with Kellen.

I struggled against Marvelle’s spell, eager to get to Kellen. He had to know.

I remembered.

I remembered everything, including that while I loved my trade and Bromir—platonically, of course—I was free. I’d been planning to winter in Moonshine Hollow and figure out what came next, either rejoining the caravan or finally settling down.

The spell finally broke, and I blinked, shaking off the stiffness. Marvelle chirped worriedly at me, his little paws clutching my pant leg.

“I’m all right,” I assured him, bending to stroke his head. “Actually, I’m better than alright.”

My memories were back, and with them came the realization that my heart was free.

I had no husband, no children, no romantic attachments.

Nothing held me back from being with Kellen except for my obligations to Bromir and our business.

But Bromir would understand. I had to get to Moonshine Hollow to find Bromir and reassure him I was okay.

He must have been worried sick. But once I did that, I’d come back for Kellen.

Before I could make a plan, however, a familiar voice called out from the edge of the clearing.

“Tansy? Tansy, lass, are you here?”

I froze, my breath catching. “Bromir?”

I hurried toward the sound of Bromir’s voice, rounding the corner to see Kellen walking beside the dwarf.

Bromir’s expression struck me immediately—it wasn’t his usual jovial smile or even the wistful sadness he sometimes carried when he spoke of his long-lost love back in Ironmist Mountain.

No, this was something entirely different.

His face was lined with fear and exhaustion, as though he hadn’t slept for days.

“Bromir?” I called.

“Lass!” Bromir yelled when he saw me, his voice breaking with relief. “Thank the mountain gods, we’ve found you!”

“Bromir!” I cried, rushing to him. When we met, I threw my arms around his solid frame, and he pulled me in tightly, his hug as warm and grounding as I remembered.

“Where have you been?” he asked, his voice gruff. “Your horse returned to Silverpine Village with all your gear but no sign of you. We’ve all been worried sick. We thought… We feared the worst.”

“I’m well,” I assured him, stepping back. “It’s a long story, but I’m safe. Thanks to Kellen,” I said, turning to the dryad.

Bromir turned to look at Kellen, his eyes scanning the tall dryad with curiosity and caution. “Kellen, is it?”

“Bromir, this is Kellen, the dryad guardian of this forest. He saved me and took care of me. You wouldn’t believe what happened to me. That horse threw me, and I hit my head. I lost my memory. It is only thanks to Kellen’s dedication that it came back.”

Kellen stared at me. “It’s back?”

I nodded. “Yes. I remember everything now.”

Kellen’s gaze flicked between Bromir and me before drifting toward the forest behind us. Something in his expression—something distant and closed off—made my chest ache.

“Bromir,” I said quickly, turning back to the druid, “I need a moment with Kellen.”

The dwarf nodded, eyeing Bromir with brotherly wariness.

“Aye, lass. Just don’t take too long. Everyone in the caravan is in a fit over you.

Jonsie was already planning to write your memory song.

Even Misty could not find you,” he said, referring to our mystic. “They will all be so glad to see you.”

I gave my friend a half-smile but then moved closer to Kellen and took his hand. I led him away from Bromir. He wouldn’t meet my gaze, his jaw tight as though bracing himself for what I might say.

“Kellen,” I began softly, reaching for his other hand. “You have to know… Bromir is my business partner and my best friend. There’s nothing romantic between us.”

Kellen swallowed hard. I saw the lump in his throat rise and fall. He looked back at Bromir and then to me. He studied my face for a long time, then smiled softly. “Tansy. Your name is Tansy.”

I nodded. “Tansy Foxglove, originally from Greenspire. That part of my memory was true. But I left as a young woman, wandering for a time, then joining a caravan. I have traveled this wide world crafting jewels ever since. I lifted one hand and waggled my fingers. A soft, violet-colored glow appeared. “I make jewelry and enchant gems. Bromir is a metalsmith. We work together. I was on my way to Moonshine Hollow for the market. In fact, I’m rather late. That’s why I was feeling the urgency.

I was trying to get to the market for my spot at the fair to make money. ”

Kellen watched the magic as it sparked between my fingers. He inhaled a deep, shuddering breath. “So, you must go to Moonshine Hollow,” he said, his voice carefully neutral.

“Yes. I must. My friends must be so worried,” I said, but quickly added, “but it doesn’t mean I want to leave you.

I need to make things right with the caravan and with Bromir.

He’s my business partner. We’ve worked together for years, and I owe it to him.

But my heart… My heart is here. Even before your forest brought me to you, I’d been making a new plan for my future.

I hoped to stay in Moonshine Hollow for the winter.

That’s why I was in a hurry. I was trying to get to the market early so I could prepare and make as much coin as possible so I could get off the road for the winter.

My friend, Juniper, is the herbalist there.

Wait, you must know her. You are the dryad who supplies her with the moonshine plant for her potions.

Kellen nodded.

“She has a loft above her shop. I was planning to rent it for the winter.”

“You’ll stay for the winter,” Kellen said, a flicker of something like hope in his eyes. But the moment it rose, it faded once more. “And then… will you go back to the road, to the caravan life?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered, the uncertainty pressing down on me. “I haven’t decided for certain, but I’m so tired of traveling. I haven’t worked it all out yet. But now…”

His lips pressed into a thin line, and I could see the battle raging inside him. “You’re not sure,” he said quietly. “You don’t know if you’ll stay or leave again.”

“Kellen,” I said, stepping closer. “I need time to figure things out, but I know I want to be with you.”

He looked past me toward Bromir, who waited patiently.

“I’ll take you and your friend to Moonshine Hollow through a hollow tree.

It’s the fastest way. The dwarf was riding with a ranger.

The forest befuddled him. The man is lost in the vale, but I will see him safely back once you and your friend are gone. ”

“Kellen,” I said, touching his arm. I felt the energy within him shifting. He was pulling back. “Kellen, this is only for the moment. I will be back. My memories… Kellen, I’m free to be with you.”

He smiled, his lips trembling slightly. “You have another life waiting for you, Tansy. A very full one. Make no promises. Let’s get you on your way.”

“Kellen?”

“Good dwarf lord,” Kellen called to Bromir.

“I will see you to Moonshine Hollow. There is a faster route available to me. Rather than returning to the road, I would see Tansy safe in the village as quickly as possible. You have my word that I will see your ranger friend safely in the village thereafter. Sir, if you would follow me.” He gestured for Bromir and me to follow him as he headed toward the hollow tree.

My heart ached. He was pulling back, becoming the standoffish dryad I had first met.

He was afraid I would choose my old life.

Now that my memories had returned, he was afraid that…

that he wasn’t enough. How could I make him see?

I just needed to make good on my promises.

I had to sell at the market to be able to stay here.

I needed to make coin. And I needed a minute to think.

I didn’t even know who I was for the last week, and now…

Bromir joined me. He eyed me carefully. “Tansy, you okay?”

“Yes, I just…” I said, then looked from Kellen to my friend and back again.

Bromir read the expression on my face. “Aye, lass. I see.”

At the glowing hollow tree, Kellen set his hand on the bark, then whispered the incantation, his voice a low murmur. The bark shimmered with golden light as the portal opened.

He turned back to us, gesturing for us to come forward.

“Step through,” he said, gesturing to the opening, his tone calm but distant. “Think of Moonshine Hollow, and the forest will lead you there. You will emerge just outside of town.”

I nodded, then turned to face Kellen one last time. “Come to me in Moonshine Hollow. Let’s talk more.”

Kellen nodded, but I could already see the distance growing in his eyes.

My heart pounded in my chest, and a desperate feeling swelled up in me. “Kellen,” I said, unnerved by what felt like a lack of certainty. “Promise me,” I said, my voice trembling. “Promise me you’ll come to me in Moonshine Hollow.”

“I’ll come.”

“Just because I already have a life outside of here does not mean you can’t be part of it. Come. Promise me.”

He inclined his head to me. “I’ll keep my promise,” he said, but his eyes were guarded, his walls firmly in place again. He was retreating into himself, back to the man I had first met—the solitary guardian of the forest.

“Kellen…” I reached out, my hand hovering near his, but I didn’t know what to say.

The words that needed to be spoken were stuck somewhere in my chest, tangled with the fear of losing him.

I glanced at Marvelle, who had perched on his shoulder.

Turning, I gently stroked the squirrel’s head.

“Take care of him,” I told Marvelle, my gaze shifting back to Kellen.

I felt like my heart was breaking. “I just need some time to sort all of this out. Please, come to Moonshine Hollow.”

He nodded, then turned toward the tree. “The enchantment is fading. You should go.”

Bromir’s hand closed around mine, steadying me. “Come now, lass,” he said gently.

With one last lingering look at Kellen, I stepped through the portal, the golden light enveloping me. As the forest faded around me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was leaving behind more than just the woods—I was leaving behind a piece of myself.

And I didn’t know if I’d ever get it back.