Tansy of the Wilds

Epilogue

A year later

Life at the Wilde Lumberyard settled in some ways, changed in others. With her sister, Daffodil clearing the way, putting her foot down, her relationship with her mama improved. There were many apologies, kisses to cheeks, and surprise gifts as if to try and make up for everything that happened. Her relationship with her papa had improved as well, although it had taken Daffodil shouting at him that Tansy was not a tool to be used and he better damn well treat her like his beloved daughter or so help her she would slap him so hard she would end up feeling it.

Her papa was who he was but it got better. He scolded Tansy less, kissed her head, told her he was proud of her more often. That and he had given up on Tenzin. The man had thrown a fit to rival all other fits after her papa announced that he was throwing a celebration for Tansy and Xer'tal's marriage. Tansy had watched as her father paid Tenzin some gold and sent Cedar and Briar to take him back to Berget.

They had another carver arrive from the capitol several weeks later, an older woman named Harriet, that had been willing to leave the Capitol behind for a more relaxed living. In fact she had been the first to respond to Ricktus' message he sent out offering a position. He had barely had a chance to respond before she showed up to the lumberyard without warning demanding the job. Basil had been utterly smitten with her and Tasny wouldn't be surprised if they announced their plans to marry within a few months. Archibald absolutely adored the new carver as well, she listened and took criticism well.

Tansy liked her on the principle that the woman loved talking just as much as she did. They had tea or supper with Daffodil, chatting about everything and nothing. Tansy figured it was karma for all the times Basil teased her and that he needed to learn how to listen more instead of brushing everything off. Which wasn't hard, Tansy saw how enthralled he was every single time Harriet spoke. He sighed dreamily and watched her like she hung the stars and the moon in his night skies. She liked that.

Things with Rose never really got better but one day, a few months after, that deep woods elf had come back to the lumberyard for whatever reason, Tansy didn't want to think it had anything to do with her, and Rose had been caught with the elf braiding her hair. Tansy had tried to explain that it was a marriage ceremony but Rose lifted her nose in a huff, took the elf's hand and walked into the forest. According to Thornin, her and the elf, named Derlit, were deliriously happy and the elf did his best to spoil Rose more than she already was. Thornin had chuckled and whispered to Tansy that Derlit had gotten himself a human pet. That Rose would be loved, without a doubt, but a pet none-the-less.

Her brothers were who they were but there were numerous times when something rude slipped from their mouths as if without thought, the habit entrenched, and before Tansy could even react, Daffodil had smacked them hard before she would yank on ears, dragging them to apologize for it. That wasn't even counting the times Xer'tal were around. If he heard it he had either shoved them into the dirt, smacked them, or, in one case where Briar's carelessly said insult had made her gasp in shock, beaten quite severely. The insults and barbs stopped after that. Tansy didn't like the violence but a part of her adored that Xer'tal protected her from anyone, even her family.

There were times when the three brothers seemed to test it, like they enjoyed it when Xer'tal came after them but the words never came out, it was if they were simply testing Xer'tal's patience with them. Her father kept telling them to stop, he hadn't even said anything against Xer'tal when he beat Briar, simply told him that Tansy married an orc and an orc would do as he bloody well wanted when it came to protecting his wife.

After that though, Tansy had found out she was pregnant. Her mother had helped her confirm her suspicions and Tansy could still remember telling Xer'tal. What a day that had been.