Indigo once again found his way into Iolaire’s garden, he was coming to realize it was his favorite spot. When he grew up he wanted to have one just like it, filled with his own gathered plants and pretty flowers. Though he was coming to enjoy the company of his plants he was eager to test out his body and learn to fight like his dad. He was both peaceful and fierce, but each at the appropriate time.

Maybe his self seclusion gave way for him to be apart from the crazy start to their lives. He didn’t know about Mort’s fall, or Azure’s punishment by Resin, or Asla’s frightening encounter with their beloved father. He lingered quietly in the garden, and nothing outside had disturbed his peace yet. Since he started coming here he’d been trying to build up the courage to ask his aunt Iolaire to teach him about the plants that she grew here. Though his siblings seemed to support his odd hobby, none of them quite understood.

Indy was patient, and his presence fit in well with the slow moving world of the garden. Maybe his aunt was the one who would really get him, he had to admit that Aslatiel and her stars had been the closest yet.

Once again Iolaire found Indigo in the garden. The boy seemed to love the stunted little willow tree that she and her aunt Meadow had planted. Though a bit hunched and gnarled, it was a good little tree. By now it was tall enough for any sized wolf to rest beneath comfortably. It would never be gigantic like its brethren, but it was a good tree.

"Did you know that this little tree's name is Eva? My aunt Meadow named her after we planted her." The small, dark woman came up beside her brightly colored nephew and ruffled the fur atop his head with her muzzle. "And the birch tree I named Snow." The mighty birch was growing big and strong. Already it provided ample shade for the plants that couldn't deal with the full heat of the sun.

Haunches folded and Io sat beneath the tree with her nephew. Extending one foreleg, she drew him in for a hug, giving him a little cuddle before setting him free. "So. How did you like your surprise?" Two-toned eyes glinting, she questioned the boy about the garden that his sister had made for him.

Aslatiel’s gift of a garden was beyond anything that Indigo could have asked for. He figured maybe someday when he was older he’d get his own garden, but he hadn’t been forced to wait. Indigo had his own little bit of land, his own garden. Or he would. Right now it was just bare earth, he was still working up his courage to get help from his aunt when he heard her voice beside him.

He pushed into her affectionate gesture, but he was astounded to know that the tree he enjoyed so much had a name. As did the birch within the tiered garden. ”I didn’t,” his voice was full of wonder. If they had names he had even more reason to believe talking to them wasn’t crazy and his sister was right. (not that he doubted her) Iolaire sat down beside him and gave him a quick hug before asking how he’d liked his surprise.

”I love it, I’m so excited.” He beamed up at his aunt, suddenly forgetting all of his hesitation to come to her. ”I.. I need plants for it though.” His ears fell to his skull, ”Aunty Io I don’t think I know my plants well enough to pick what to plant.” He was ashamed of himself, his sister gave him this wonderful gift but the boy felt like his skills weren’t good enough for his perfect garden. What if he picked a weed? Or something Poisonous? He couldn’t ruin his sister’s gift.

The boy seemed amazed that a tree could have a name and it was... endearing. With a smile, the boy's aunt gave him a quick backstory. "When we first planted this little willow, it wasn't doing very well. It got sick. That's why it's smaller than other willows and a little bit hunched. My Aunt Meadow wouldn't give up on it though. She cared for it every day; talked to it. In time, the little tree began to grow and get healthy." Reaching out, Iolaire patted the trunk of the willow. "Without her love and care, Eva would have died, surely. Plants need special love sometimes."

Indigo was very excited about having his own garden, but that excitement dropped away to apprehension as he realized that he now had a garden that was all his to care for. He expressed that he didn't know how to garden. Didn't know plants. "Darling, that's what I'm here for. I'm going to help you." Rising, she motioned for Indigo to follow her as she walked down the rows of the curved steppes.

"What types of plants do you like? What speaks to you?" It was as simple as that. If he felt draw towards a plant, she would help him transplant it into his own garden. She would explain how to care for it and would help when necessary. "Anything you want." With a gesture of one foreleg, she opened the garden to him. The choice was his. There was no chance of choosing anything poisonous, either. Those were all locked up in the separate garden beside the cottage. Everything that his blue eyes could see was safe.

His aunty offered him a bit of history about his most favorite tree, she had nearly died in the beginning of her existence in the garden. The story was sweet, and Indigo felt like he wanted to do the same thing. His plants were going to need his love and care. He wondered if he might meet Meadow, and he wondered if he would be able to care for the plants as well as she did. Iolaire was supportive of his insecurities, and she assured him that she was going to be there to help him learn.

Dark ears perked as he tried to push away his insecurities, he had help and he had guidance. He just had to lean on his aunty. His huge black paws carried him after her as she asked what plants he liked the most. So far his favorites had flowers, but he didn’t miss the plants with beautiful foliage. His bright blue eyes looked over the garden as Iolaire gestured for him to make his choice.

Indigo looked over them and his eye was caught by the bright flowering plant a tier down from them. They were huge flowers on impossibly long stems, (hibiscus) the reminded him of aunt Bell’s flower on her hip. These were red though. ”Aunty Io, what about these?” He asked as his gangly puppy paws carried him further.

She followed the boy around the garden, watching as he inspected the various plants. When he came to the flowering plants, he stopped. Of course flashy flora would catch anyone's attention. Indigo pointed out a bush of flowering, red hibiscus. "These are Hibiscus. I use these to make different drinks and teas. You can use the red petals to create dye for fur or pelts." Since there was more than one of the smaller flowering plants, she would give one to the child. Gently, the woman dug around the plant, careful of the roots. Once the plant was extracted from the earth, she placed it in a square of went hide that would keep the roots damp until they replanted it.

"Hibiscus need full sunlight to thrive. They need fresh water from a river or stream. And if it's cold, they need to be wrapped in a fur." Because they were in one of the southernmost territories, it wouldn't get terribly cold during the winter. There was still a chance that frost might kill the plant though. She'd killed many Hibiscus in her day. "What else would you like?"

He looked up at the big giant flower, it had big beautiful red petals and a long protruding stamen. Indigo looked at them with wonder, his bright sapphire eyes looking over the plant curiously while Iolaire told him what it was. ”Hibiscus..” He wouldn’t soon forget it. Already he looked forward to making tea with his own harvest someday. The curious boy watched as the woman carefully extracted the plant from the earth and carefully placed it in a wet hide.

Indigo observed and learned from her every move. He was determined to care for the small plant, he would do his sister and his aunt proud. The boy nodded his big purple head in understanding as she moved on and ask what else he wanted. ”Hmm.” If he had a theme to his tiny garden instead of just randomly picking flowers. ”I don’t know what it looks like.” He said quietly. ”Mom has lavender in the den. I really like the smell of that.” He told her, hopeful that she had some for his little patch of land.

After wrapping the hibiscus, Indigo made his next choice. Lavender. The corner of Io's mouth quirked in a grin and, again, she nodded. Leading the way to the patch of garden that held the purple stalks of flowers, she told him a little bit about them. "Lavender oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites. Lavender is useful for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression, and restlessness. It can also be added to foods in liquid form, but sparingly. It's an overpowering flavor."

As she had done before, the tiny, dark wolf gently extracted a clump of the lavender from the garden and wrapped it in a wet hide that Ila, the dwarf reindeer, had brought to her. "Thank you, Ila," she smiled at the plucky little caribou before wrapping the plant. Ila then took it gently between her teeth and took the plant back to Iolaire's small cart. The hoofed lady was always very helpful.

Looking back to Indigo, she gave him further instruction. "Lavender also needs full sun, just like the Hibiscus." Again, she waited for him to choose. It would be up to him to decide how many plants he wanted to start out with. There was always time to choose more. She was simply curious if he would realize that, at the beginning, less was more. The two flowering plants were already going to be a lot of responsibility.

Indigo knew he could be proud of his choice when Iolaire’s lips pulled back into a grin and she led the way towards their next flower. It was a beautiful little bush and Indigo couldn’t help but run his paw gently through the innumerable stalks. The scent of lavender filled the air and the boy breathed in deeply as he listened to his aunt explain its uses. This was his favorite plant so far, the one he was most excited to have back in his garden. It wasn’t the flashiest flower, but it was the most wonderful scent.

He beamed up at his aunt’s caribou friend as his little bit of lavender was wrapped and placed for safekeeping. Indigo nodded in understanding as she told him that this too would need the sun’s full attention. His garden wasn’t terribly big, Indigo would have to be careful if he wanted too much more. ”Hibiscus makes tea, and lavender can be used to flavor.” He started, offering his observations of his chosen plants once more. ”What if I wanted one more thing, for a tea made with my other two flowers?” He asked her as sapphire gaze shifted lovingly to his two little plants. His very own plants for his special garden that his sister made just for him. Already he couldn’t wait to share his first tea with her.

The woman liked his line of thinking. Indigo realized that both of the plants that he chose could be used to make tea, so he asked for a third that could also be used. "Right this way, sir," she said playfully as she moved back up the hill. The mint was already separated into different containers that she'd crafted out of various turtle shells and bowls of wood. "Mint spreads quickly. You should keep it separate from the rest of your garden since the roots travel and will take over." Lifting one of the potted plants, she pushed it towards the boy. "Water it every few days, but don't let the soil stay muddy. Mint needs full sun in the morning, but partial shade in the evening so it can rest."

Now that he'd chosen his plants, she imagined he'd like to take them home and plant them. "Would you like help planting your new plants or do you think you have it under control?" Iolaire was overjoyed that one of her nephews had taken to flora. She enjoyed this time with the boy. Though at first she'd avoided them simply due to the pain within her, being around her nephews and niece made the woman feel happy.

Iolaire led him back up the hill and the young puppy galloped after her on his long gangly limbs, she had the last ingredient completely separate from her garden. She brought him closer to pany plants in bowls and containers. ”Mint,” he echoed in return as she told him exactly why they were kept away from the other plants. With obvious joy in his eyes Indigo stepped forward to take the container from his aunt as he beamed up at her.

As he took in the information Iolaire gave him the boy started to feel more confident in himself. He was learning, he was given instruction on how to care for his plants and the boy was eager to see the plan out. He was going to have to work everyday, but it was worth it. One day his garden would be a lovely oasis just like Iolaire’s.

He didn’t want to ask for her help but as his gaze strayed to his new charges he didn’t want to mess anything up. ”I would like some help.” He said softly as he looked back to her.

Indigo asked for help and Iolaire nodded. "I need to grab a few things and hitch Ila to the cart, then we can head to your garden, okay?" Heading towards the cart, Iolaire slid the strong vine harness carefully over the reindeer's antlers. Ila loved to pull the cart, so she was always happy when Io asked for her help. The tiny ungulate danced in place while Io loaded up the rest of the cart. Plants, a weather ready hide, thick, straight poles.

"Ready, Indy." His aunt called out to him. Together, the trio went from one side of the territory to the other. The cart was just small enough to go over the bridge that Sirius had crafted, but they landed easily on the other side. She unhitched Ila again and the caribou wandered off to graze the new grass.

"Okay," she started. "I'll do the same with you that I did with Aslatiel. I'll tell you what to do and you do it. That's how you learn." Taking the hide wrapped plants from the cart, she placed them at the edge of the garden. "Choose where you'd like to put your hibiscus and lavender first."
As he did that, she continued to unload the cart. The skin and poles would provide shade for the mint until they could transplant a tree or two.

”Okay” He answered with his vibrant violet tail wagging behind him at his hips. He smiled up at Iolaire before turning his attention to the plants that were lovingly bundled for transport. His aunty was quick to get the reindeer in her place and ushered him forward. He grinned and happily plodded along beside her as the two of them returned to his little plot of land. His smile only grew when it came back into view and he realized that all of this was real. He was about to have his own garden with plants and everything. He knew it would be work to keep them alive and even more to get them to thrive but the boy also knew he would all be worth it in the end.

Indigo danced in place as his aunt unhitched the tiny caribou and returned her attention to him and the plants. She wasn’t going to do anything for him, but he didn’t want her to either. This was his garden, and he wanted to be the one to get his plants into the ground. He looked to his garden and with all his naivety he chose a spot to the south of his little garden. ”The lavender here.” He said with an odd assuredness to his voice. He looked up to the northern part of his garden, ”The hibiscus here.” He decided as he looked back to Iolaire still unsure what she had the poles and skin for.

Indigo set about choosing places for his flowering plants while Iolaire unloaded the wagon of the poles and skin. She nodded in agreement. "Get to it then. Be very gentle with the roots. Don't pack the dirt too tightly around it, but close enough so that it can stand upright without falling over."


Taking the mint plant in its big turtle shell dish, Io situated it at the back corner of the garden. She sat the shell in the dirt, allowing the moist earth to form around it so that there was no chance of the wind bowling it over. Stepping back a few paces, the woman looked to the sky, then back to the plant. As she worked, she explained. "This is to shade your mint plant in the evenings until we can get you a little tree." The dark woman stuck the two poles into the earth, sinking them as deep as she could. "If we look at the position of the sun now, we can guess where its position might end up in the afternoon." With a little bit of hopping, she flung the skin over the poles. "Now you have a shade."

With the shade in place, she went to check his progress on planting his choices. She nodded in approval. "Well done."

Iolaire didn’t argue with his choice of placement and told him that he needed to get to his work. Indigo nodded confidently as he listened to her instruction. He began to dig, his big paws scooping the dirt to form a nice hold for the lavender’s root ball. He tried to visualize how big it had been and made a hold a bit bigger than the size of the base of his plant. For a moment he debated about planting the lavender before digging the hole from the hyacinth, but he moved to his chosen location and began working on its hole instead.

After getting himself coated in a nice layer of dirt he was ready to plant his beautiful flora. Iolaire explained what she was doing with the poles and hide. He listened as he gently moved his lavender into its chosen position. He spread out the roots and carefully returned the soil over top of them. He did this for the Hibiscus next as Iolaire finished her task and returned her full attention on him.

Indigo beamed up at her as she praised his work. His tail wagged eagerly behind him and his grin wouldn’t be taken from his face. He had a real garden with his own plants. ”Thank you, thank you, thank you, Aunty Io!” Indy couldn’t help himself and he bounced around his dainty aunt. ”Now we water them, right?” He’d picked up a few things and one was that his plants needed water.

The child's joy and enthusiasm as he danced around her brought a laugh from the small woman. She nodded at his next question and took him back to the wagon. "Plants need fresh water. Now, this place has water all around, but it's sea water and sea water contains salt which hurts plants." Taking down a liquid filled skin that she crafted out of the stomach of an ox, she struggled a bit as she sat the heavy thing on the ground. "This is full of water from the pond. All you have to do is uncork it, pour a bit into a dish, then use that dish to water your plants." The skin was thick and so when she grabbed the makeshift handle between her teeth and began to pull it towards the garden, there was no chance of it popping. She placed the skin near the shade poles.

"There's a bowl in the back of the cart. Think you can get it?" Though young, he wasn't much smaller than she was. The healer was indeed a small thing. The cart was low and so he shouldn't have much issue. While she sent Indigo to get the bowl, Io plopped down in the grass.

He knew how sad his aunt could get when she didn’t think that he was looking, but something about he and his siblings seemed to make her emotional. Her smile and laugh as they worked together on his garden was lovely though. He preferred to make his family smile rather than frown, especially his aunty who was helping him so much. She continued to teach him, and explained that like him, salt water was poisonous to his plants. He’d need to collect fresh water to give to his new charges.

She explained what to do with the skin and he nodded as he got to the end of the bag and helped to push while his aunt pulled in into place at the corner of the garden. She sent him back for the bowl and he nodded as she questioned if he could handle it. He raced back to the cart and carefully if not awkwardly grabbed the bowl to bring it over to the waterskin.

Iolaire looked a bit more comfortable as he returned to her. He offered up the bowl, hoping she would fill him up to he could offer his plants their first real water in his new garden.

It didn't take Indy long to grab the bowl and come bounding back to her. He was holding it wrong, which was cute. The woman grinned as he sat the dish before her. "I made this with a the lip on the side so that you can grab it with your teeth. It's small enough for my little mouth, but I'll have to make you something bigger. In the mean time, just grab it like this." She showed him how to bite the protrusion so that he could easily hold the dish without spilling it.

Rising, she moved to the skin full of water. Uncorking it, she poured a bit of the clear liquid into the dish. After recorking, she moved towards the mint plant since it was the closest. Gently, she poured the water around the plant. Sitting the dish down, she instructed. "Water around the plant, not on it. Especially if it's newly planted." Pushing the dish towards him, she motioned towards the hibiscus and lavender. "You try."

Indigo returned to Iolaire all smiles and tail wags before presenting her the item he was sent to fetch for her. He liked seeing his aunt grin, she looked much too sad sometimes. The reason for her grin was more apparent as she explained that he had been holding it wrong. Instead of sowing self doubt he was able to chuckle at his ignorance as she explained the best way to carry her device.

He watched her carefully as she worked, first he’d be shown, then he’d be told. She was quick to instruct him on how to water, it was more complex than just dumping water on his newly planted flora. This was his garden, and he was going to be the one to water it. With a few brave steps the boy took the bowl and returned to the skin to fill it. Much like she did, but much less practiced and precise in his movements, Indigo uncorked the skin and filled the bowl. After a little struggle returning the cork he positioned his mouth a littlle awkwardly on the dish, but carefully made his way to the small plants.

With all the care in the world he emulated Iolaire’s actions with the mint plant first on his lavender, the dirt would better compact around the roots and it would soon recover from the transplant. The hibiscus he did the same, tail wagging eagerly. He had a garden, ad he had plants in his garden!

Indy set the dish back down by his aunty, a proud look playing in his young eyes. ”Like that, aunty?” He asked as he sat down beside her, proud of the hard work they did today, and so excited about the plants now under his care.

Indigo mimicked her actions to the best of his ability. Iolaire beamed as she watched her nephew water his garden for the very first time. He did so carefully, conscious of his every action. She was incredibly proud and didn't hesitate to tell the boy so when he asked how he'd done. "You did wonderfully, darling. I'm very proud of you." She had no doubt that he would have his little patch of earth green and flourishing with ease.

Still laying on her stomach at the side of the garden, a gentle breeze ruffled the dark woman's gleaming pelt. "If you ever have questions, you know where I live. My door is always open to you." If he found any plant while out exploring, he could bring them to her to find out what they were. The tiny healer was looking forward to that. She loved to teach.

"We'll get more in depth about your plants food during our next lesson. For now, these little guys will settle in well here." Behind her, that thick tail swished back and forth. "Don't be afraid to talk to them. Plants can hear us, just like Eva heard my Aunt Meadow. It makes them happy." She often spoke to her plants while she was weeding the garden. When she wasn't speaking to them, she was humming. Perhaps that was why her garden was so lush and healthy.