We cover a surprising distance in our quest for flowers, although I'm still not quite sure what qualifies a plant to become part of the wreath. Even more so, as some of the things we collect are not flowers at all or at least not blossoming right now. I decide to simply follow Elzbieta's instructions whenever she tells me to gather a little more of any specific plant.

Among the flowers it isn't just the blossoms either. The smell seems to matter too. Very peculiar. I don't complain though, despite being left in the dark in that regard. I might still figure it out yet, as long as I keep my eyes and my mind open after all.

Eventually we stop, after a little excursion along the forest edges that led us away from the creek, to have lunch. Elzbieta guides us to the right spot to have our meal with uncanny accuracy. She must know it from her own prowls as a hunter.

Three trees, spruce with wide arching branches lean against each other in this spot, providing decent shelter against wind and weather, should it be needed. A few sizable, flat stones from the creek have been placed as seating around a small fireplace that has obviously seen plenty of use in the past.

Elzbieta flashes me a grin.

“One of my haunts, when I'm out on the hunt. Well, when I used to be out on the hunt anyway.”

I nod and set my basket down, before dropping on one of the seats too. I take a moment to properly stretch my legs. Then I lean back against the trunk of one of the trees.

“It certainly is nice. So, lunch?”

She nods.

“Lunch and a little break. My legs are killing me. Oh, and by the way, I'll need a little help afterwards.”

One of my eyebrows rises a little while I unwrap the first of the pies we brought. I proceed to divide it in handy slices too, while I wait for her to elaborate. I have to wait though, as she focuses her attention on the slice of apple pie I hand her first and foremost. It's a good thing that I have a slice of pie to occupy myself with too. It isn't warm anymore, unlike in the morning, but it still is incredibly tasty. Oh, what a treat!

The little nap right after isn't bad either. It is warm and sunny. Enough so that I'm thankful for the shade provided by the trees. And Elzbieta snuggling up to me doesn't hurt either. Altogether it really makes for a nice lunch break.

Eventually we have to get back up though. I decide to take this opportunity to actually voice my earlier question now.

“What did you mean? What do I need to help you with?”

The pregnant archer stretches and stifles a yawn before she answers at last.

“Did you see the willows we passed earlier on our way here? I'll need a branch as a base for the wreath. As a matter of fact we better get a few just in case.”

I nod. I noticed them indeed. They looked like their flexible twigs get harvested pretty regularly, probably to be woven into baskets like the ones we brought. And the suitable branches, both long and flexible, grow pretty high up.

“I'll have to do a little climbing, won't I?”

She scratches the back of her neck in embarrassment and blushes a little.

“I'd do it myself, but I'm really in no shape to climb any trees. Especially not ones like those willows. Not sturdy enough. Not enough hand and footholds.”

Now it is my turn to nod. I really can't imagine her climbing any trees right now. For that matter I'll probably have more than enough trouble with those willows.

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“Alright. Some branches from those willows? Is there anything else we still need? Or should we head back?”

Elzbieta takes a moment to sift through the contents of her basket, before she answers at last.

“Just the branches. We should be good with the rest, I think. We can still grab a few things here and there as we head back, just in case.”

Thus we begin the return trip. Elzbieta is still picking up some flowers as we walk and only stops once we reach the willows along the creek's bank.

My brows furrow a little as I eye them up once more, this time with the plan to climb them in mind. Finally I turn to face my companion.

“Promise not to laugh if I fall and land in the water.”

She frowns and shakes her head.

“No, if you land in the water I'll scream. It's not terribly deep here and there are entirely too many rocks down there. If you fall, try to land on the river bank. All the reeds growing there will break your fall and the ground is much softer too. It's better to ruin your clothes than to crack your skull.”

My eyebrow twitches a little, but I can't really argue with the logic. In the end I sigh and nod once more.

“I'll keep it in mind. Alright, how long and thick should the branches be? How many should I get?”

She looks at me for a moment. Then she grabs her utility knife and cuts one of the thinner, lower branches. I'm a little confused as to why at first, until she uses it to measure my head, bending it into the shape of a circlet in the process. Finally she seems satisfied. Adding a little extra she cuts the branch to length.

“About this long at least. And they should be about as thick as a thumb. Get four at least. No, make it a dozen. I doubt I'll need that many, but it's better to have some spares. And there is always a use for those anyway. Maybe you can use the ones I don't need for your garden? You could fashion them into a trellis of some sort. Yes?”

I nod and borrow her knife and the measuring stick she fashioned too. Then I climb the first of the willows. I cut a few branches of appropriate length and girth, then I jump back down and climb the next tree. I repeat this several times until I have a dozen or so branches.

I cut some thinner ones too and use them to bundle up the rest. Then I return the knife and we resume our trek back home.

Once we reach my place Elzbieta gets to work right away. She sorts the flowers and other assorted plants. Then she peels the bark off some of the willow branches before bending and tying them into shape. She ends up with several hoops of slightly different size. At this point I get to try them on and she picks the one she deems to fit best. This one gets wrapped in cloth afterwards. That way it will be much more comfortable and it will be easier to tie and pin the plants in place too.

At this point I leave her to her work to prepare another little snack for us. The last apple pie. I intend to brew us some coffee to go with it too. Except, I stop dead in my tracks when I reach my workbench.

A veritable mess awaits me there, where I left the bowl with milk before we left. The second bowl I put on top is on the ground and the other one tipped over. A still slightly wet paw print leaves little doubt about the nature of the culprit. I look over at Sour Cream, who is still, or rather once more, on the bed.

She watches me through half lidded eyes and meows innocently.

I just shake my head and tap her nose lightly before patting her head.

“You silly cat.”

Thankfully it's not too much of a mess. I need to do some cleaning before I can get started on the coffee anyway. I do it while the water for the coffee heats up in the fireplace. The I prepare two mugs of the black, sweet and mana enriched beverage. One for each of us. I slice the last pie too, for easier eating.

Elzbieta eyes it as I hand her hers.

“No milk today?”

She sounds a little disappointed, but accepts the mug and her slice of pie anyway.

I just shrug.

“Seems like a cat burglar got to it while we were out.”

She looks towards the window.

“You think …”

I shrug once more and eye up the half finished wreath which seems to come along nicely.

“Maybe? Could have been any cat though. At least any Sour Cream gets along with. Never mind though. It really isn't an issue. Anyway, enjoy!”