Another warm spring morning dawned with the sun rising over the Everdew ravine. His morning yoga done, Broc set Aubryne down to play on her mat while Meadow tended to their indoor garden. The fridge had been looking a little barren lately, so Broc decided to spend the morning doing a little food prep to get them through the week. He hummed softly to himself while chopping fresh produce from their back garden and whisking up eggs for a healthy omelet.
Despite the tranquility of the moment, Broc couldn’t help but feel like something was…off. Turning from the hob, he checked on Aubryne, who was happily gumming a wooden ring, kicking her little pale legs in a rhythm of her own making. Across the room, Meadow was elbow deep weeding the rose bush, fully preoccupied with evading the sharp thorns when a crackle of fire suddenly ignited over the stove.
Rushing back to the kitchen, Broc searched in panic for the dishtowel to swat out the blaze, then realised that it was the very same towel that had fallen on the hob, catching light and starting the fire. He barked at Meadow to flee while he tried desperately to contain the blaze.
‘Aubryne!’ Meadow cried, her throat tight with fear. Leaping to her feet, she rushed across the room, only to have Broc grab her roughly by the arm.
‘I’ve got her! Go - get help!’ he ordered, pushing Meadow past the growing fire and towards the safety of the door.
Choking on the smoke filling the room, Meadow stumbled out of the greenhouse, tripping and sprawling onto the gravel path. Heaving herself up again, she screamed for help, terror filling her body at the thought of her leafmate and sprout trapped inside.
As she ran towards the pathway, a distant alarm broke the day’s calm - someone must have heard her screaming and surely help would arrive soon. Her throat raw from the smoke and yelling, she turned back toward the greenhouse, ugly plumes of thick, black smoke billowing out of it. Where was Broc? And Aubryne?
Tears streaming down her face, she braced herself to run back into the house when Broc finally burst through the door, carrying a howling Aubryne in his singed arms. Her legs nearly gave out beneath her in relief as he closed the distance and shielded her view of the burning building. She clung to him, needing to feel his presence and the beating of his heart to reaffirm they had survived, all the while Aubryne’s wails merging with that of the siren in the background.
As Broc held his tiny family in his arms, he was vaguely aware of movement around them - the fire brigade had arrived. Moving aside to give way, Broc watched the team assemble a magical shield before diving into the inferno and summoning streams of water that quickly turned to steam as it doused the spreading fire. While the team worked efficiently to put out the blaze, every passing minute felt excruciatingly long until the fire chief finally announced the area safe.
Leaving Meadow and Aubryne outside with the fire core as they packed themselves up, Broc cautiously entered the greenhouse to assess the damage. While no expert, he could see the fire had only spread within the kitchen. It didn’t appear the structure was compromised, although the kitchen would need new cabinets and hob, that was clear. The floor would need repairs as well. It was a setback but they would regrow. His family was safe and that was the most important thing.
A few days later, Broc inspected his work back inside the kitchen. He’d pulled up the burnt brickwork in the floor and torn out the burnt countertops and cabinets. He’d laid new bricks down and was still working on building replacement cabinets. He’d also ordered a new hob and was waiting for it to be delivered. Looking at the scene, he could still taste the smoke, almost imagining feeling the heat from the fire that no longer existed. It sent a chill down his spine. He’d nearly lost everything dear to him.
Deciding they needed a break, Broc arranged for Lamont to sprout sit and told Meadow to dress up - he wanted to take her out for the evening, just the two of them. It warmed his heart the way her face softened and her eyes twinkled at his words. He couldn’t imagine losing that. Wouldn’t let himself.
Leaving Aubryne in Lamont’s care, Broc took Meadow’s hand in his and led her to their favourite bench by the Starsong Lounge, the one that overlooked the Moondrop Springs. They chatted contentedly, enjoying each others’ company, as always. As the sun began to set, a thin mist rolled out over the springs and fireflies blinked in the twilight. It was a magical, romantic scene, just as Broc had planned.
‘Meadow, this may sound strange but I think the fire was actually a blessing in disguise,’ Broc said softly. Looking her deeply in the eyes, he continued, ‘As terrifying as it was to almost lose the greenhouse, it made me realise how much more terrifying it would be to lose you and Aubryne. I can’t see my life without you; I couldn’t bear the thought of it.’
Slipping off the bench, he pulled Meadow before him before sinking to the ground on one knee.
‘Meadow, my love, would you do me the honour of knotting roots with me?’ he asked, producing a glittering ring from his pocket.
Gasping and clasping a hand to her chest, Meadow paused for only half a heartbeat before bursting into a wide grin, tears of joy suddenly filling her luminous, grey eyes. Pulling him to his feet, she kissed him, pressing their foreheads together before saying, ‘I was starting to think you’d never ask.’
Slipping the ring onto her finger, Broc admitted, ‘I’ve been meaning to but I wanted it to be perfect and didn’t know how. I realise now that’s not important.’
The following Gnomage Day, Broc and Meadow once again made the trek into Adhmore with an important question for the gnomes - today they would ask the gnomes’ blessing to knot roots together.
Broc felt the same sense of trepidation he had when they had asked for a pollination blessing. The gnomes had been generous - more than generous, he reminded himself (three acorns!) - surely they would grant this blessing as well?
Broc and Meadow approached the great Finngar, professing their undying love for one another before asking for the blessing they both longed for. A gentle breeze circled around the statue before showering the couple in a flurry of blossoms from the nearby cherry tree. It seemed the gnomes approved.
Leaving their tributes in thanks, Broc and Meadow joyfully hurried home - they were going to knot roots and there was much to plan!
