Sorry I'm late on posting this chapter.
I straight up forgot what day it was.
Anyway, this chapter is dedicated to my oldest friend "Elowen" and her husband.
Thank you two for playing along with my silly fairy story.
This will be the last chapter dedication of the story, so thank you readers for sticking with me as they were important to me.
I do hope you enjoy!
~RK

Elowen arrived in Pixie Hollow both three months before and after two of the most important people in her life. Soon after her arrival she was befriended by Fluss. The two of them were so close they could have been sisters if Fairies had that sort of thing. The two of them would see each other almost every day and would play their games together.

One of their favorite things to do was reenact stories they'd hear at Fairy Tale Theater. They loved playing parts and coming up with new plots to their favorite stories. They swore one day they'd ask the Story Talents to tell their versions of the stories.

But one thing that frequently got in the way of their fun was Elowen's allergies. More times than either girl could count, Elowen would have to stop in the middle of a scene and rest due to a sudden headache or from being terribly stuffed up. The worst was when Elowen had awful itchy red patches all over her arms and legs. Fluss was terribly worried about her.

When Elowen had been in Pixie Hollow a little more than three months she and Fluss were acting a scene about Neverland Pirates in the cove where Fluss thought she would be far enough away from the plants that aggravated her not to be bothered by them. But she had been wrong. Half way through their play sword duel, Elowen felt very faint and needed to sit down.

Fluss sat with her. After a while the Water Fairy asked, "How long since you last checked with the Healers?"

"A few weeks…" Elowen sighed. "They keep turning me down."

"Ugh! That's not fair! They need to stop ignoring you! Emergency or not, you're still suffering!" Fluss complained.

"Ha! If only they'd see it that way." Elowen said. "Your sniffles will clear up in no time! Give me a break. But I suppose if it's allergies versus a run in with nightshade, they're gonna treat the nightshade."

"But really, how often do fairies get nightshade poisoning? They can't possibly see that often enough to not have time for you." Fluss huffed.

"Apparently they can." Elowen shrugged.

Fluss stood up and took Elowen's arm and hoisted her up too. Fluss was a full head taller than her and a lot stronger, so Elowen didn't fight her when she lifted her off the ground. "They're going to see you now!" she declared.

She carried Elowen to the Healers. Along the way Elowen continued to say how they weren't going to have time for her and ignore her again. Fluss sat her down when they arrived and marched right up to the counter to state her demands.

"May I help you?" The receptionist asked.

"Yes, you can help me by finding a healer to have a look at my friend." Fluss said firmly.

"Uh huh, and what's wrong with your friend?"

Fluss listed the symptoms. Elowen tried to hide her face as she listened to the long list. The receptionist kept going "mm hmm, mm hmm" after every ailment Fluss said.

"I'm sorry," the receptionist finally said. "Those are all mild symptoms that will pass with time. I'm afraid it's not–"

"If you tell me it's not an emergency I will tear this desk of yours apart!" Fluss shouted. Elowen sunk lower in her chair and folded her arms around her head, praying no one would notice her. "Elowen deals with this all the time! Every day for the last three months, since her arrival, she's had ALL these symptoms and they aren't getting any better! Now you had better step away from your little box, go in the back and find SOMEONE who can help her or so help me I will flood your booth with swamp water!"

"Fluss…" Elowen hissed, "People are staring."

Fluss either didn't notice or didn't care. She just leaned closer to the woman in the window. "Now are you going to find my friend a doctor or not?"

The receptionist was lost for words and likely would have said no if she had found her voice. Before she could form a response however, a sparrowman appeared at her elbow. He had neat golden hair and brown eyes, was tall like Fluss and clearly not a fan of her shouting. When he spoke however, he did so with kindness.

"What seems to be the problem?" He asked.

"My friend has been sick for months and no one will do anything about it." Fluss growled.

"It's allergies. Not an–"

"Don't you say it." Fluss bit.

The healer stepped around the counter. "Now now, lets not get aggressive. We don't want this place flooded with swamp water after all."

Both Fluss and the receptionist fell to a stunned hush. Elowen peeked out between her arms. It was rare to silence her friend when she got angry like this, but this sparrowman did so easily.

He moved in front of her and smiled down at her. "Are you the one who's been sick for three months with allergies?"

"Uh huh…" Elowen nodded.

His smile got warmer. "Why don't we see if there's a way to fix that. Come on back; room three is open."

Elowen stood to follow him back. He paused by Fluss for a moment and assured her he'd do his best to take care of her. Rather than be pushy like she'd been moments ago, Fluss gave a relieved thank you.

Once they were back in room three, the healer had her sit. "So, Elowen was it? Was your friend exaggerating those symptoms when she was yelling out in the lobby?"

"Sadly, no." Elowen sniffled. "I've had bad allergies since my arrival."

"What's bothering you the most right now?"

She pointed to her head which had begun throbbing on their way from the cove. The healer sat down in front of her, humming in thought.

"I have some ways to ease a headache, but I can't guarantee the pain will stop completely," he said. "May I see your hands please?"

"My hands?" Elowen asked.

"Yes."

She shrugged and held out her hands. He took the left one and rested his thumb and index finger on the flesh between her thumb and finger. "I'm going to squeeze hard, is that okay?"

"I guess."

He squeezed and surprisingly, the pain in her head began to fade. After a moment he released and repeated with her other hand.

"That's good…" Elo sighed. "Why does that work?"

He released again and stood up. "Pressure points. Clara's been teaching me." He moved behind her and began rubbing small circles on the sides of her neck. The headache faded more and Elo hummed peacefully. Whatever Clara taught this healer was working wonders. He moved his fingers to her temples and continued rubbing circles there.

"I do know however, that this will only help for a short while," he said.

"Don't care." Elowen sighed. "Even a little relief is good."

He laughed. "Well what I mean is that without treating the actual problem, you're going to be back where you started." He pulled his hands away and moved in front of her again. "Can you tell me what you're allergic to?"

Elowen barked a laugh. "It'll be faster to list what I'm notallergic to." She began listing everything she could think of: grass, sun flowers, orchids, gardenias, parsley, posies, and pine. She expected him to stop her, but she kept listing things and he kept listening and wrote every one of them. "…and marigolds. Um… I think that's everything."

"That's quite the list," he said when she was done.

"Tell me about it."

He stood and went to the cabinets. "I'm going to need samples of everything," he said. "I think I can make a medicine that'll help. But I don't want you to gather them and aggravate your condition. Do you think your Water Talent friend would be willing to help?"

"Fluss? Definitely."

"Great. I'll give her the list. For now you need to go home and rest. Use the pressure points when your headache comes back. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything for your other symptom today. The medicine will help when I'm finished with it. I'll send for you when it's ready."

Elowen gave him a curious look. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"None of the other Healers have been able to help me. Why are you?"

He drummed his fingers together. "Well, I could tell you it's because your friend was being rather loud and it caught my attention. But really I just think it's unfair that you have been dealing with this for so long. I've only just arrived a week ago and I can't imagine what it's like to suffer that discomfort for so long. So in short, I just want to help."

Elowen smiled and slowly stood up. What he had done was more help than she had expected. "Thank you… uh…?"

"Basil."

"Thank you Basil."

. . .

Elowen went home just as Basil had asked. Fluss eagerly agreed to gather the samples for them and went searching for the plants on the list. But Fluss was about as knowledgable about plants as Elowen was about deep sea currents, so Fluss had to come back time after time to ask what everything was. More than once she had brought back the wrong plant. Elowen didn't particularly mind that and just replanted the safe plants nearby. It would be nice to have something to care for that didn't make her feel like death.

Eventually Fluss reported that all the plants had been found and delivered to Basil. She then stayed with Elowen for the rest of the evening. They both expressed how glad they were that at least onehealer was taking her condition seriously, then spent the rest of the night recounting stories from Fairy Tale Theater. When morning came Fluss had to hurry back to the Water Talents before Fairy Larry started looking for her.

Elowen mostly stayed in the following day, hoping to hear from Basil. She really looked forward to not feeling horrible just from doing her job. But more and more days passed and she still hadn't heard word from Basil. Elo began to wonder if he had lied. Maybe he wasn't making her a medicine. Maybe he'd made her headache go away and figured that was enough. Maybe he thought the rest of her symptoms 'weren't and emergency' like the receptionist always said.

She decided to go back to work. At first she tried to only tend to the plants that didn't give her problems, but in a few hours she started working with orchids, then sunflowers, and then marigolds. Her head was spinning while she painted the petals on the marigold, but she did her best to ignore it. It got to be too much and she withered and fell to the ground.

. . .

"Elowen…" the voice sounded so close. "Elowen wake up!"

Slowly and groggily her eyes fluttered open. She was propped up against a flower stem with several Garden Talents around her, but kneeling directly in front of her was Basil.

"What were you doing?" he demanded. He gestured to the flower she had been painting "That's one of the worst ones! Why didn't you wait?"

"Wait for what?" Elo asked.

He gave her a hard look. "For this." He dug into his pouch and produced a sealed bottle. "It's your medicine. It should help, but I can try again if it isn't good enough."

She could see in his eyes that he was deeply upset with her but still spoke with kindness. She took the bottle from him, "thank you…"

"Take three spoonfuls a day. One in the morning, one at lunch and one at sunset. I want you to come see me in a week and tell me if it helped." Basil instructed as he helped her to her feet. "Let me escort you home."

The surrounding Garden Talents watched quietly and backed out of their way. Elowen blushed, embarrassed. "That's okay, I can–"

"Would one of you tell Fairy Berry that she's gone home to rest?" Basil said to the crowd. He didn't wait for an answer and took Elowen home. When they arrived Elowen took her medicine. It had a weird mix of flavor but wasn't too bad.

"You didn't have to escort me." She said, not looking at Basil even though she could feel his eyes on her.

"Didn't I?" he asked, "I get the feeling you're just as stubborn as your friend but are too tired to show it."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? How so?"

"Well, you went back to gardening without waiting for your medicine. That says to me you thought you were okay enough to do so when you really weren't."

"Wrong," she said. "I thought you'd given up on me like all the other healers and weren't going to bring me the medicine at all."

Basil stepped back, offended. "Why in the world would you think that?"

"I've been brushed off enough by them. Why should you be any different?" she scowled.

He frowned. "It's not fair how they treated you. But it's not fair to accuse me like that. I told you I was going to help you. I saw your pain, I know you're suffering. I can't stand by and do nothing when I know I can help."

"Now that's stubbornness if I ever heard it." Elo said.

"Maybe it is. But I'm just doing what I feel is right." Basil looked off to the side like he was embarrassed. Elo wondered what the other healers had said to him; if they told him he was wasting his time helping her. She really didn't want to know if they did.

"Elowen," he sighed. "I'm doing everything I can think of to help you. Clara's taught me more tricks, Elixa's taught me to make medicine. Still, the others think I'm crazy, doing this much for something that's 'just allergies.' They think I'm just trying to prove something." He shook his head. "It's not easy being the youngest in your Talent."

She understood that. "Try being the youngest while being allergic to your Talent. That's not very fun either."

He laughed a little. "No I suppose it's not. That's probably worse."

"A little." She smirked.

He glanced out the window, "I should probably be getting back. They might be wondering what's taking so long." He turned to her, "Do you promise to stay in and rest if I go?"

She rolled her eyes. "I promise."

"Good." He flashed her a smile, laid his hand on hers and left.

Elowen could feel her heart beating faster.

. . .

Over the next couple days Elowen could feel the medicine working. Se was able to return to work after one day of rest, and by the second day she attempted working with some of the plants that only mildly affected her. She found that she had no problem working with them and moved to flowers that did worse damage.

It was better, but not perfect. She was still sniffling and getting pressure in her temples. Even so, she had felt better than she had in months. When she had time off to spend with Fluss, the Water Fairy noticed the improvement and was so happy at how much better she seemed.

"I like that Basil guy." Fluss said. "I'm glad he listened to you."

"Me too." Elowen agreed.

When it was time to check back with him, Elowen went. But before she did she spent some time filling her bag with something special for the Healer.

She arrived at the Healer's and went right to the desk and said. "I'm here to see. Basil."

"Name?"

"Elowen."

"Ah yes, the one with allergies." The receptionist didn't look up to see Elo roll her eyes. "He's in the back most room. He told me you were coming."

The back most room was apparently where the Healers made their medicines and ointments. Basil was hunched over a table mixing different herbs together. Elowen sidled up next to him. "Hey."

He glanced up. "Elowen! Hello!" he stood up and bowed deeply to her. "I was just working on a salve that should help next time your skin itches."

Another healer, Elixa passed through, "It seems you're his favorite patient."

"Elixa…" Basil lowered his head shyly.

"He's been working on different mixes for hours. All for you." Elixa grinned.

Elowen raised an eyebrow and Basil blushed. "Well… I knew you were coming by today."

Elo shrugged off her bag. "That's very kind of you. I can't wait to try them." She handed him the bag. "These are for you."

Basil opened the bag and his face lit up. "Hey! This is great! I've been needing these!" he carefully pulled out the different herbs and sorted them into varius piles.

"Fluss and I were researching for ah… a game. We found a book on medicinal herbs I thought they'd be helpful so I grew some for you over the week.

"Thank you!" he beamed, "What do you mean 'researching for a game?'"

Elo flushed and looked away. She and Fluss didn't normally tell others about their fun. They worried people might find it weird or would tell them to stop pretending to be Story Talents. "We like to act out stories sometimes… and we like to be accurate."

Basil smiled. "Sounds fun!"

Elowen blinked, she was certain Basil would think them weird like everyone else. Maybe Basil was weird too?

"Maybe I could join sometime? Or maybe I could watch?" he asked.

"Maybe." She shrugged, "If Fluss doesn't mind."

He smiled and there was a beat of quiet where Elowen wondered what was really going through his head. Basil spoke before she could ask. "How did the medicine work for you?"

She told him how the medicine had helped and where it still lacked. Basil took note of it all and said he'd work on a new one for when what she had ran out. He claimed the new one would work even better. Elowen thanked him for his help, but took her sweet time in leaving that day.

Over the next several months Elowen kept growing herbs for Basil and he kept improving on her medicine. Eventually their meetings began to include more than just the exchange of herbs and medicine. They went for casual flights, Elowen told him about every flower they passed. Basil always listened then would say exactly how any plant could be used for a treatment.

Eventually Elowen asked Fluss if Basil could join their story games. Fluss happily agreed and even though he didn't quite follow what they were trying to do, he enjoyed being an observer and would applaud their scenes as if they were real Story Talents.

Basil started making reasons to see Elowen alone, and eventually Fluss started deliberately giving them space. Elowen didn't mind at all. She really was enjoying getting to know Basil. She definitely saw him as a friend and not just the sparrowman who had actually treated her.

One day the two of them were in the meadow with tea, watching butterflies float overhead. Basil kept looking away from the sky and glancing at Elowen. He sat up and asked her. "Is there something between us?"

Elowen sat up as well and glanced down. "A tea cup?" she asked pointing at her cup that was in between them.

He laughed. She didn't know why. "No, no, no. I mean… Do you like me? As in, a romantic way?"

"Oh…" She suddenly felt dumb about the tea cup. But then his question sank in. "OH…" did she? Did she like him romantically? She looked at him, he smiled anxiously. He'd been so great to her since they met and helped her even when other Healers told him it wouldn't help. She was always happy to see him and honestly looked forward to spending time alone with him. "…maybe?"

"I hope so…" Basil said. "Otherwise this might make things awkward."

He leaned closer and kissed her.

. . .

"Elowen!" Rosetta waved from the hall to the treatment rooms. She was gesturing for them to come to her. Bobble had hoped to hear a bit more of her story, but he helped her to her feet and led the tired Garden Fairy to Rosetta.

"Basil will be out in a moment." Rosetta said.

"Good." Elowen sighed.

"He sounds really nice." Bobble said. He hoped he could prompt her to tell him about Basil's proposal or their ceremony. He hoped he could maybe meet Basil before he left.

"He is." Elowen agreed, but said no more about their courtship.

Bobble's shoulders slumped, but he didn't press anymore.

"Has my favorite patient graced me with her presence?" called a sparrowman's voice. Bobble turned. He thought he recognized the voice. Upon seeing the Healer – his golden hair, well kept beard and kind brown eyes and welcoming smile – a flash of Clank's scarred back went through his mind. He was filled with recognition.

"I know you!" Bobble blurted out.

Basil laughed. "Mr. Kettletree, good to see you. Were you needing a healer today?"

Bobble shook his head. "Oh, no. I was just helping Elowen."

"Were you now?" Basil turned his smile to Elowen.

She smiled, still clearly worn out but also very clearly happy to see Basil. "He and Rosetta were very helpful. I was just telling Bobble about how we met."

"Really? I thought Fluss was the one who liked to tell long drawn out 'how we met' stories." Basil smirked.

Elowen shoved him lightly, also smiling. "He asked," she said. "Apparently he's been asking around for romance stories all day."

Basil shot him a curious look. "…Why?"

Elowen nudged him in the ribs. "He's going to ask… um… whatever his name was to Tie with him."

"Clank?" Basil looked to Bobble. "You're going to ask Clank to Tie with you?"

Bobble nodded. "I plan to anyway…"

Basil gave him a warm smile and pat him on the shoulder. "That's wonderful Mr. Kettletree. I wish you both a happy union."

"Oh, um… thank you." Bobble replied.

"You're welcome. Now if you excuse us, we'd better get Elowen sorted out." Basil took Elowen's hand and led her away from Rosetta and Bobble. "Did you forget your medicine again?"

"No, I ran out." Elowen replied as they disappeared around the corner.

Bobble stared after them. He was thinking about how sweet all three of the couples he'd talked to today were toward each other. It made him think of Clank and he smiled.

Rosetta sidled up beside him. "So… how d'you know Basil?"

"Hmm?" Bobble blinked and focused on Rosetta. "Oh, right. Remember when Clank and I nearly got eaten by that hawk and Clank's back got cut up?"

"And you broke your arm, yes. That was rather distressing for all of us." Rosetta replied.

"Well, once I knew what had happened to Clank I went back with him for his appointments. Basil was the healer who took care of Clank. Stitched up his back and made his ointment. I never knew his name before, but he did wonders for Clank." Bobble said.

"Ah, I see." Rosetta said. They strolled away from the Healers and onto the path. "So you and Elo were having quite the conversation. She told you all about how she met her beautiful beaux?"

"Aye, she was telling me how they help one another, and it seems they do quite a bit."

"Honey that's an understatement." Rosetta smiled. "But you're right."

Bobble laid his hand on his pouch, wanting to grip the union cord inside. "Everyone I've talked to today has made Tying sound so wonderful."

"Well, shouldn't it be?" Rosetta asked. "I mean, loving someone enough to unify your hearts has got to be something wonderful and special, doesn't it? And you've been lucky enough to have that kind of relationship with Clank. I'm honestly a little jealous."

Bobble swallowed. "You don't think I'm rushing into this, do you? Clank and I haven't been together nearly as long as any of them."

Rosetta put a gentle arm around him. "Phineas, we all know how much you love Clank. I really don't see much point in putting this off if you want to Tie with him."

He took a deep shuttering breath. "I'm just… so nervous. And excited. This will change everything!"

"It'll be okay." She said. "You and Clank are great together. You'll make this union thing work no matter what. It's only gonna change things how you want it to."

Bobble smiled. He wrapped his arms around Rosetta's shoulders and squeezed her tight. "Thank you."

She pat his back. "No problem sugar. Now it's gettin' late. So if you're gonna ask him tonight you'd better go get ready," she winked.

"Okay." Bobble smiled and hurried off.

Now with encouragement from one Bobble's oldest friends, he is off to face his future.
I think we're roughly half way through the story now.
Thank you so much for reading.
~RK