We'll Bring the Shade to Us.

The pair worked tirelessly to remove the tiny tree from the earth. It was an arduous process, but in the end it would be worth it. What seemed like hours later, they had the tree ready for transport. Meadow held the sapling upright while Io removed the last of the bound roots. Together, the pair lifted the tree from the earth and placed it upon a woven mat that Iolaire had made prior. "Help me tuck the roots inside." The idea was to tuck the roots within the mat and then tie it up. She would then soak the grass mat with water and hopefully the tree roots would stay supply and pliable until they could replant it beside the garden.

Next, the pair of women loaded the sapling gently into the cart. Io had to call Ila back to her as the caribou had wandered off. In the mean time, Io offered Meadow a piece of dried meat. "Thank you for your help. This little guy will be good for all in the long run." The tree would provide shade for both the garden and the members of the pack. As it grow, so would the benefits that it provided.

"Let's find one more before heading back." They repeated the process with a small birch, its bark already white and peeling. These were Iolaire's favorite trees and she hoped that it would transplant well. After collecting the sapling and wrapping it in a similar grass mat, Io was rather tired. "We should head back before it gets dark." Already the sun was in a state of demise. They could make it back if they left now.

The little caribou did her duty, a frolic in her step as they made their way back to the plains. Upon arriving, Iolaire instructed Meadow where to begin digging. "If we both dig a hole, we can get these little beauties planted before nightfall. Then we can get some sleep." Io grinned. "Thank you so much for your help."

-Time skip-

Over time, one of the two trees grew tall and strong. The birch set its roots deep. The willow didn't do as well at first. It needed extra nutrients and so Iolaire took to burying fish heads in the soil. By the time it began to look somewhat healthy, its grown had been stunted. It didn't matter much to Iolaire as long as the tree was healthy and whole. After all, she was stunted as well.

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