The old woman's presence filled the cottage with a gentle glow, as though the walls themselves leaned closer to listen. Her eyes sparkled like starlight caught in water, and her smile carried both kindness and mystery.
"I am the Keeper," she said simply, her voice soft yet steady. "The garden has always been here, waiting for those who carry wonder in their hearts."
Liora's fingers tightened around the book she held, the one that had recorded her life. "Why me?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Why now?"
The Keeper moved to the shelves, brushing her hand across the spines of countless volumes. "Every traveler who finds this place leaves behind a quiet wonder. A memory, a dream, a truth they carry within. The garden gathers them, keeps them safe, and offers peace in return."
Liora followed her outside, where the garden shimmered in twilight hues. The willow whispered lullabies, the stones pulsed warmly beneath her touch, and the fountain sang its endless song.
"The garden is not a prize," the Keeper continued, "but a mirror. It shows you what you have forgotten, what you long for, and what you are capable of."
Liora thought of her restless nights in Eldenbrook, her yearning for something beyond the orchard paths. She realized now that her longing was itself a quiet wonder — the courage to seek more than what was given.
The Keeper placed a hand on her shoulder. "You have brought your wonder here. And in return, the garden will give you what you need most."