Mossflower Forest was wondrously illuminated by the golden midsummer sun, coloring the emerald-green trees in its bright heavenly amber, sparkling like jewels on the morning dew, and causing the leaves and plants to glow an otherworldly aura. So too did it illuminate a large glass and wood greenhouse neatly tucked away in the western corners of Redwall Abbey, shining through spotless rectangular glass window panes onto rows and rows of flowerpots. This supernatural amalgamation of flowers cast a brilliant kinetic rainbow over the area, a spellbinding sense of comfort, peace and wonder over all under its light. Much to great fortune, right in the middle of it there worked a young teenage squirrelmaid.
Madeline Sandeye lifted her small indigo watering can up to a row of blooming periwinkles in their brown terracotta flowerpots. As she poured out a meticulous amount of water through the cap holes, the fusion of colorless water with pink and red roses enhanced the shine of the reflecting kaleidoscope.
Madeline marveled at the simple magnificence while adjusting her short tan gardener's tunic and digging her toes deeper into her wicker sandals. Then, turning on her heel, she walked to the other side of the greenhouse before repeating the action for a group of budding young marigolds. At the end of a small path of solid stone pavers between freshly-laid grass stood a wooden cushioned desk chair, well away from the parallel lines of plants. The squirrelmaid wiped beads of sweat from her brow, plopped herself down in the chair, and set the watering can aside on the grass. Her mind fell into practical thoughts as she surveyed her work.
She'd been here for the past couple of hours or so since breakfast this morning in Redwall Abbey. A gardener at heart, she knew her inner nature to be far more than that. Her love for this art ran deeper than any Abbeydweller could comprehend. Madeline kept that secret extremely close to herself.
Her mind wandered off to another squirrel like her, one other who shared a similar craft, but to a more materialistic shape. But she otherwise deeply admired him and his chosen style.
Jared Sandeye, her older brother.
As his name entered her mind, she felt her heart grow wings and rise in her chest. Her older brother, who loved her more than anybeast in the entire world. He inherited the family craft of blacksmithing and metalwork. Jared, her dear brother – who unfortunately sometimes got so caught up in his work that he'd even forget to eat.
She didn't hold back a much-needed laugh at the ridiculous thought, followed up by a slightly disapproving shake of her head. Looking up again, she examined the brightening rays of the sun piercing the glass windows of the greenhouse. She too had become so busy that time had literally flown past her. Noon crept up from behind and she'd scarcely noticed. The time came for lunch at Redwall Abbey.
She got up for the last time and proceeded to clean up the greenhouse, emptying the last streams of water onto a nearby daffodil, then putting the can back onto the chair. She opened a tall wooden closet standing near the front door, wiped her face of sweat with a small towel, and changed out of the gardener's tunic into a classic sleeveless plain-white ankle-length dress. Then she left and locked up the greenhouse, and returned inside to tag behind the other Abbeydwellers on their way to lunch.
Down in homely Cavern Hole, she took a minute to socialize with the other creatures there who sat down to eat, then approached the chefs. Reylia, the short, pudgy, and upbeat Dormouse Abbey Friar, promptly helped her pack a burlap sack of her brother's favorite raisin-blueberry scones, white bread rolls fresh out of the oven with creamy almond butter, and finally a small jug of ice-cold Mint Tea. Thanking the Friar and bidding farewell to her fellow Abbeydwellers, she prepared herself to make the ¼ mile trek to her brother's blacksmith forge.
The sun continued its illumine mastercraft of painting the Forest in glittering gold as Madeline hiked through it. As she left Redwall and stepped onto the long dirt road, she was surrounded by a radiant cloak of trees, bathing her in the peaceful ambience of glowing evergreens, muted gray ash, dark oak and light maple, all speckled with the last remnants of the early morning dew now drying in the heat of the noontime sun. She balanced the delicate bag and jug in the crooks of her elbows, weightless in her thin squirrelmaid arms. Shaking her sandals, she walked an unhurried quarter-mile before exiting the beaten path and stepping into the undergrowth. The trees around her pointed the way.
It wasn't long before she came to the familiar evergreen clearing, a perfect circle decorated by trees and flower and berry bushes. The forge itself proudly perched fifteen feet both tall and wide in the shape of a cube upon an elevated grassy stone platform. It was painted a pure charcoal black, the bronze casement windows on its four walls temporarily closed. The standard brick chimney protruded from the eastern side of the angled shingle roof, and the weather vane in the corner always faced eastwards. The lack of any breeze today kept the vane immovably still, and similarly, the absence of smoke floating out of the steel grille on the chimney meant the furnace was empty and unlit. Outside, a pedal-operated grinding stone and a protracted iron workbench lay unused against the south wall; the blacksmith used these for sharpening and refining weapons, or improving the durability and fit of armor.
These aforementioned signs did not bother Madeline as she descended a short rocky stairway onto the grass. As she noted to the oaken door in her line of sight, the sounds of two voices seriously conversing reached her ears.
"…and you want this by Saturday?" asked the first, a casual enunciated late-teens bass-baritone she unmistakably discerned as her brother's.
"Correct, Sandeye," confirmed the second, a middle-aged male, gruffer and rougher as if speaking through an itching throat. "I want it delivered promptly that morning after your breakfast time. Understood?"
"Completely," replied Jared in a deadpan tone laced in his typical sarcasm. Madeline giggled at the familiar snark that her brother commonly used as she patiently waited near the trees.
In the corner of her eye, she spied the open stable door. Inside its frame dwelt Jared Sandeye himself, barefoot and clothed in his brown-red long-sleeved blacksmith's leather apron, over his typical outfit of a simple tan V-neck cloth shirt and khaki trousers stretching barely over his bony knees. He leaned casually to one side of the doorway, holding open a heavy commission ledger and a charcoal pen. A chubby hedgehog stood in front on the ground, unnecessarily overdressed in a fancy azure double-breasted tunic adorned by frilly white lace wrist cuffs, long heel-length leaf-green pants, and dark brown hiking boots.
"You know the reasons why I've commissioned this of you, Sandeye." The hedgehog continued, not letting up his gruffness and jabbing an emphasizing finger at the squirrel. "My son's birthday is approaching."
"Christopher will have his gift, Gaddron." Jared rolled his eyes impatiently, and expectantly raised the pen above the pages of his ledger. "But I need more details than just what vagueness you've given me."
"'Vagueness'?" Gaddron repeated the word as if it offended him. "Might I mention that I came to you for a reason! Valia claims you are the best smith in Mossflower, as you once forged an amethyst silver bracelet for her just last month! Have you forgotten that? So, I decided to see for myself! What more do you need to know, boy?"
Jared pushed himself off the side of the doorway he was leaning on and stretched to his fullest height. "Gaddron, I distinctly memorize every single thing I've ever forged. So far, the bracelet I crafted for your wife is my favorite creation this season. Second, I'm not really moved by your flattery. I am only doing my job because it's my living, and my parents' living before me. Thirdly, you can expect me to deliver perfectly on what Christopher wants for his birthday. You may rest assured just of that. Now, if you please, reiterate for me exactly what it is you need."
Gaddron heaved a stressed sigh. From within the trees, Madeline stuffed the handles of the burlap sack in her mouth to avoid laughing out loud.
"For Christopher, a sterling silver ring with a peridot inset." Gaddron described. "Strictly sterling silver, boy, and an uncut peridot. Write that down. Christopher is turning eighteen, and has always harbored admiration for fine simple jewelry. So, I feel this present appropriate for him. I've already given you the measurements for his index finger. Is that clear?"
He scratched his spiky head as he wracked the brains to remember the other commission.
"As for myself, I wish for an iron sword. Hilt and blade of iron, preferably 12 inches long, with a wide quillon with a rectangular cross-section, and a flat handle. I want a round pommel stone, polished until it shines in the sun. That's no problem for you, eh? You can pull it off, I'm sure."
Gaddron stepped up to the solid stone threshold between the forest dirt and the forge entrance, staring Jared hard in the eyes. Much to his hidden dismay, the squirrel barely reacted.
The hedgehog narrowed his eyes. "Remember what I have said to you. You say you are the best blacksmith in Mossflower. My wife shares the sentiment. Be on time on Saturday for myself and Christopher. Prove Valia right. Prove me right. Good day."
He swept a beige lederhosen cap adorned with a frayed eagle feather onto his head, spun right around, and took off the down the dirt road westwards. Jared waited silently until Gaddron had disappeared from sight before he grumbled and slammed the ledger shut in frustration. He was about to turn back to re-enter the forge before his enhanced ears twitched. An ear-to-ear grin spread across his teenage features, and his ears twitched more reflexively to focus better on the sound of his sister's giggles. He laid the book aside on a counter and stripped off his suffocating smith's apron before stepping out onto the leather welcome mat.
"I can hear you, sis!" He called into the trees. "That idiot's gone, come on out!"
At last, Madeline let her laughter loose and emerged from the undergrowth to meet her brother. She carefully placed the sack and jug on an oak tree stump and squeaked as Jared scooped her up in his muscled loving embrace.
"Bronzespike?" She jokingly guessed, not holding back a smirk as her brother returned her to the ground.
"Stubborn as ever," Jared muttered in a frustrated low voice, planting a kiss on her brow. "Ring and sword, all before this coming Saturday."
"I'm sure you can handle it, Jared." Madeline seated herself cross-legged on the ground before the stump, and invited her brother to do the same. She opened the sack and pulled out the food, first the scones then the bread and butter. "You've always been good at figuring stuff out."
Jared exhaled in surprise at the small tasty spread that Madeline put out. "Wow! You got all our favorites!"
Madeline giggled again and removed two ceramic teacups and saucers, into which she poured the Mint Tea, and passed one to her brother. "Yes, I did! I always remember our favorite foods at Redwall Abbey, and you can count on me to bring only the best for both of us." She then leaned over the stump, resting her elbows on it, her eyes affectionately curious.
"So, dear brother, how was your morning?"
Jared sighed sarcastically and shook his head as he started to spread the creamy almond butter on his slice of white bread. "So boring. If my patrons are still in Mossflower and haven't yet traveled southwest for the autumn, then maybe I can deliver the Monday and Tuesday commissions. But besides that, nothing new came today, until Bronzespike showed up over the past fifteen minutes. Yeah, now I've got his stubborn spiky tail on my back, and he's not getting off me anytime soon."
"Oh, dear," Madeline grinned, sipping her tea, then putting it aside and picking up a raisin-blueberry scone. "I feel your stress, Jared. But I'm sure you can do this. You're my favorite blacksmith ever, did you know that?"
"Not everyone in the Forest shares your opinion, Maddie." Jared politely informed her, but his eyes betrayed a warm gratitude, his determination increased by the gesture. "But, thank you. It makes me feel a lot better."
"How's the greenhouse looking, sis?" He asked now, taking a bite of his bread.
Maddie's cocoa eyes twinkled in the sunlight, and she smiled dreamily, her mind drifting off into imaginations, her scone halfway to her mouth. It's so beautiful! The way the flowers radiate so brilliantly in the sunlight, it must be seen to be believed! You absolutely must come and visit sometime, Jared, see the colors for yourself!"
"I'll make sure to do that! You can rely on me." Jared chuckled and slowly chewed his bread, closing his eyes and savoring the thick taste of the butter.
"Speaking of color," Maddie looked around at the empty silent forge. "I think this place could really use some sprucing up."
Jared's eyes snapped open, and he looked over his shoulder at his metalwork building. "Why? I think it looks fine."
"No way!" Madeline threw her paws up in mock protest. "It looks so dull! All the black and brown is so boring, makes it look dead!"
"Brilliance in simplicity, Maddie." Jared explained, only half-listening and eating his last bite of bread. "It's fine, honestly. Why mess with perfection?"
Maddie rolled her eyes and went back to her scone. "Whatever you say."
Jared copied her action, smirking again. "Come on. You're 14 seasons old now. You'd better start learning to act your age, young lady."
"And you need to start learning to make your side of the bed!" Maddie put her paws on her hips somewhat authoritatively, as if scolding her brother, much as she enjoyed his instinctual sass. "I've had to do it for you for the past week! You're so lazy about it and I won't take that anymore!" She caught herself angry and bit her left cheek in apprehension, a habit of hers when hiding something.
Jared wiped crumbs off his paws on a napkin from the pack and stared at Maddie sympathetically. "You know you can tell me anything, sis. I'm your brother. If something is going on, tell me. Please don't hide your secrets from me."
"It's nothing, all right?" Madeline snapped at him. "I'm a little anxious, is all. But I'll be fine. Can we change the subject, please?"
When her brother nodded his consent, albeit reluctantly, she pressed her mind for another idea. Her face brightened up when a particularly amusing one popped into her head.
"So…" She began to tease, taking her tea and sipping it. "Have you and Larina talked lately?" It was her turn to lean forwards and joke, her expression clearly flirtatious.
As she expected, Jared blushed a light pink, and he began to stumble slightly over his words. "Er, no…I mean…er, not lately…No, not as far back as I can remember."
Maddie snickered into her tea. "You're a terrible liar, Jared. You know, Larina told me about what happened between you two during that rainstorm last week."
Shock slapped itself across Jared's face, and he stopped himself in time before his teacup fell from his paws. "She did? Did she? That – that was a coincidence! I mean, uh…She-she didn't have an umbrella, and it was freezing cold out in the rain, so, um…I gave mine to her. Simple as that! I can't believe she told you about it! Did she really?"
Maddie barely contained her laughter now, falling over on her side and holding her stomach. "I'll say no more, Jared! You'll have to ask her about it yourself!"
She heard him muttering under his breath, and decided it was time to stop pushing him. When she straightened up, he'd finished the last scone and packed everything else back into the burlap bag.
"What will you do now, Jared?"
Jared glanced from his forge to her and did not speak for a few seconds. "Well, since there's nobeast around in Mossflower, I can return to the Abbey. I'll check back here again, after dinner."
Madeline clapped her paws together and squeaked adorably. "Yes! I was hoping you'd say that!"
At last, she pulled herself to her feet and helped Jared to his, before fetching the sack, and swinging it over her shoulder. Paw in paw, they headed down the path back to Redwall Abbey together.
Redwall Abbey's lawns were relatively bare when they returned, as the majority of the residents remained at lunch. Jared and Madeline let themselves in through the Main Gate.
"I guess I'll go wash really quick," Jared informed Madeline, tracing the lines of his sticky face. "I've got to get all of this sweat off of me. You don't mind?"
"No, not at all." Madeline shook her head, smiling warmly and adjusting the bag over her shoulder. "I need to return this stuff to Friar Reylia, anyway. Catch you later, brother!"
After crossing the cloisters and re-entering the Abbey hallways, they went their separate ways, Jared to the washroom and Madeline back to Cavern Hole.
The Mouse Friar Reylia gratefully retook the burlap sack and empty jug. She'd later wash and reuse them for dinner that evening, though still a couple or so hours away.
Her task complete and feeling quite proud of herself, Madeline settled down on a wooden bench beside a gaggle of creatures who were just finishing up their meals. One by one, they ate the last bites of their food, washed their dishes and utensils, and then filed out of the room, eventually leaving her alone. She rested her head sideways on her elbows lengthwise across the mahogany table, facing the stairs and watching the others disappear from sight. When the chefs approached her inquiring about orders, she kindly brushed them off and continued in her quiet contemplations.
Young as she was, a mere 14 seasons, Madeline Sandeye never lived without her heart, more knowledgeable than her age showed. Ahead of her mind, in a sense. But that didn't mean she lacked the experiences of being an actual teenager. Her mind opened wider and more insightful than it ever did in her childhood. She saw and learned far more of the world and of line than maybe she felt used to, things she considered or wanted to consider. Then the fact of her body changing bothered her greatly, but she dared not entertain those wild physical thoughts.
Finally, against her better logic, she'd recently discovered herself noticing the male squirrels of the Abbey of her age – and more than she even wanted to. Great seasons help her Eastern heart if some of those males weren't honestly very good-looking…
Something else also hung over her, clouds of some kind, and not of a positive nature. It seemed as though her heart, weighed down by an unfamiliar burden, was trying to tell her something. But she couldn't discern exactly what. If she could, no doubt it would be either dismissed with denial, or explored in detail. She hoped for neither.
Her ears twitched at the sounds of footsteps descending the stone stairs, and pushed herself off her elbows and sat up straight. Down the steps came her brother, his outfit unchanged and his forehead bangs and face still dripping wet from his wash. Her youthful energy shone through her face again as Jared seated himself beside her, wrapping a fond arm around her shoulders.
"Are you all right, sis?" he asked in genuine concern. "You look troubled."
Madeline knew she couldn't hide her problems from him any longer, and so spoke up in the most confident tone possible. "Well…" Yet she found it difficult to find the proper words. "I feel like something is seriously wrong with me."
Jared furrowed his brow and stared deep into her eyes, confused. "Is it your puberty? Are your allergies acting up again? Because either way, you know we can talk to Sister Falmur about whatever questions you have –,"
"No that's not it at all," Madeline pecked his cheeks to comfort him, and brushed a couple wet locks of hair out of his eyes. "You know I deeply admire Sister Falmur. But you see, that's not my case! No, I'm sure it's something else." She assumed, nestling himself into his sweet tender embrace, and sighing cluelessly. "It might be the season? Or the month?"
"Then it's nothing physical, thank goodness." Jared exhaled in relief. He reached a paw up and began intertwining his fingers in her smooth curved squirrel hair, while he dug through his own mind for words.
"You know, I've been feeling rather strange myself lately. Maybe it's the commissions, or maybe it's something else. I don't know. But they're stressing me out too. Whatever has happened or is happening, I swear, Maddie, we'll figure it out together."
Maddie sighed contently and laid her head on Jared's toned muscular chest, her eyes closing. Anxiously, she asked him, "You're not going to go back to the forge later like you planned, are you?"
"Of course not, sis." Jared promised. He happily picked her up under her legs, and as he got to his feet, swung her off the bench and into his arms. "I'll stay with you for as long, as you need me. Gaddron Bronzespike can wait. He's an impatient idiot, anyway. Let's go take a blissful long nap before dinner, shall we?"
Beaming, Madeline wrapped her arms around his neck as they ascended the stairs and made their way to the dormitories. She placed her weary head for the last time on his chest, enjoying the light sound of his shoes on the floor.
"That's my big brother."
When Madeline awoke a couple hours later, she immediately felt the bed feeling slightly lighter, and colder. She recognized the sudden absence of the loving familial warmth of her older brother. Her eyes opened to see his side of the bed empty – and neatly – carefully made with loving care, blankets and pillows and all.
Has he gone back to the forge? At this time of night? But it's almost dinnertime! I pray he hasn't gone without a snack, at least!
But then, it wasn't in her nature to worry, she suddenly supposed. Jared was 16 seasons old, after all; more than capable of providing for himself. It was Redwall Abbey, all things considered.
Madeline pushed the covers off and practically threw herself out of bed. She opened her dresser and hurriedly donned a red-and-white striped blouse, before leaving the bedroom proper and making her way down to Cavern Hole for dinner.
But deep down in her heart, as she sat down at a table, she couldn't help but deeply wonder…
Jared, what are you doing?