The Fern Tender (19 page)

     They kept up a brisk pace as they made their way through the last of the forest. Ellen chimed in, “A new Queen and a new King. You do know that’s what this means Lillian. We can put labels and character traits into all this stuff, but at the end of the day, you are a Queen now.”

     Lillian followed closely behind the other two and from the back of the line she said, “This is all a bit much, but its good to know we are safe here. I’m still confused and may be that way for a while.”

     Regina replied, “That’s what we are here for darling. We have protected you throughout your tour of duty. You may call it spying but that’s what ex-Fern Tenders are for, having each other’s back. And you’ll do it for the next one when your term is up.”

     The village was quiet and sleepy when they made it back. It was late and they all agreed to meet at Lillian’s house in the morning for breakfast.

     In the morning David had to shake Lillian to wake her. She was exhausted from the last few days. She woke without her customary dread and in its place were wonder and intrigue. Ready to get going, she finally made her body move. She had a feeling of wholeness and warmth, like she helped save a part of the world that was worth saving. Now she would put one foot in front of the other and begin her new journey.

     In the kitchen the coffee and breakfast smelled like heaven. Lillian’s mother was there, Regina, Ellen, David, Alena, and Andrew as well. They feasted on fruit and biscuits.

     There was no escaping the awkwardness of David and Andrew being in her house. Her love for both seemed to have grown exponentially overnight. Her heart ached for the right way to handle this situation. Alena, normally Lillian’s honest emotion meter, was so excited to have everyone in her kitchen and mother by her side, she didn’t even notice her mother’s anxiety about Andrew.

     Despite the scene of solidarity and victory, Andrew was still completely in the dark about his own future. He and Lillian had shared some glances, with Lillian doing her best to keep him at ease. This was all somewhat over the top for him, and he had no idea that the Capitol didn’t even exist anymore let alone his new role.

     After breakfast, Lillian pulled Regina and Ellen aside on back porch, “How do we move forward? I mean what about Andrew and David as one example. I love them both and I don’t know that I’m prepared to give either one up.”

     Regina winked at her, “Lillian there is no rule in
The Book of Ferns
that says a Queen cannot have two husbands...”

     Ellen also spoke, “That’s true. I like that Regina. And Lillian, what is our first law as Fern Tender?”

     Tossing her hair aside, she had to think. It had been so long since she recited the rules of the book. Over the last few years life was so confusing, she had operated mainly with her gut, the rules had become second nature to her and she never really thought about them much. She thought and then answered, “The first rule is - Love will find a way.”

     Regina and Ellen looked at her and and Regina spoke, “There you go my dear, our Queen. So, your job is to let it find a way. Start with loving yourself, then work from there. It will all be OK. It will be different now, but it will be OK.”

     After cleaning up and having a spirited and spontaneous dance in the kitchen with her truest love, Alena, Lillian turned to Andrew and asked, “Would you like to see our fruit garden or what you call an orchard?”

     Curious and eager to escape the awkward presence of David, Andrew complied and walked with Lillian to the apple tree. They walked in silence and came to a stop under the largest branch. Lillian began to get caught up in the excitement of being with Andrew. He had a charm and a pull that envigorated her just by being in the same place with him. He made her heart beat faster and she began to pick an apple.

     Just as she raised her arm and reached upward, and she felt a slight prick on the back of her neck. She turned around instinctively and looked towards the back porch where Regina and Ellen were watching. Almost tempted by the ripe fruit of the tree, she had caught herself.

     She turned to Andrew, “Wait a minute, let me show you the lemon tree instead. Is that a deal?”

    Unknowingly he played along, “Deal. Let’s pick some lemons.”

THE END

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