Chapter 446

This had been a good choice by Helion. Lucien found himself just about holding his breath as he stood in the empty garden with Elain, allowing his eyes to move around the space. This place had an innate peace about it, and the High Lord had chosen well in selecting it to be the Memory Garden. Anyone who came here looking to grieve someone lost, or to take a moment remembering them or seek some peace would definitely find the peace and quiet that seemed to settle here. He smiled, confident that whatever Elain had planned to do to the place would only make it better.

"What are you smiling at?"

He glanced at Elain to see her eyes on him in the pale grey light of early dawn. "Just imagining what you can do with this space…"

"Oh…" her smile widened as she took a step toward him. "Did that mental image include lots and lots of ivy?"

Tilting his head, Lucien grinned. "It might have." He replied, "Is that a plan?"

"It is one of them." That glow that he always saw in Elain when she got talking about her garden appeared, her eyes shining as she looked at him. "Kera is even working to get the one I want from in the City."

"Kera?" he asked, surprised by that. He hadn't thought that the blonde courtier would have wanted anything to do with Elain. From what he had seen and heard of her so far he had held the impression that Kera resented their presence in the Court. "That's… unexpected?"

"It was." Elain agreed. "But she wants to … have a part… in doing something to rebuild this." Lucien understood that. It seemed as if everyone had a role to play in doing their part to help. Elain took his hand and he held it gently.

"That is why they will love you." He told her, "You've given them a way to contribute, a way to work together, and to feel included." He could see Elain's blush, even in the pale light, and he squeezed her hand. "That is why there are so many who have asked to be a part of this."

"There certainly isn't a shortage of hands." Excitement and pride was emanating from her, and Lucien felt his pulse quicken in response.

"It should be done more quickly, then." He smiled, and Elain nodded. "What is it that you wished to get done before everyone else arrived?"

Moving away from him, Elain pulled a list from her pocket and looked at it. "I wanted to organise the equipment into appropriate groups…" She glanced at him over his shoulder, "So that when everyone arrives, they can get what they need and go straight to work. I'd rather not waste time while everyone is confused and milling about."

"Oh…" it wasn't hard to see the logic behind that, "Okay. Tell me what you want." He rolled his sleeves up, figuring he would save removing the entire shirt for when it was warmer, and he approached her. She handed him the list and he read it quickly. She had more volunteers than he had realised, and he quickly figured that she had tried to organise them by the type of work they would be doing. "Okay, Petal." He handed the list back to her, "I'll get everything ready for those who will be clearing the garden beds out." She smiled at him and pocketed the list.

"Thank you." She went up on her toes, gripping the front of his shirt and Lucien smiled as he bent to meet her lips with his own. She smiled more widely at him then before stepping away and he watched her for a moment as she went to get something else organised. Then, he turned to the heavy garden equipment and began sorting it out.

Hoping that everyone would work well together and follow Elain's plans, Lucien placed the pile of garden hoes by a nearby tree. He knew that having a large workforce would always be good to make light of the amount of work required, but he also knew that managing a large group could become difficult. Especially if there were several different opinions about how something should be done. Or, he grimaced, if those working closely with one another did not get on well. Surely though, Lucien tried to reassure himself, all of those coming out here today would want to just get on with the task, and they would all listen to Elain. Straightening, Lucien resolved to make sure that they did.