Chapter 01

Thneedville had come to change. Six months had come and passed since the last seed had been planted, sprouted, and became the very first of the many Truffula trees that came to follow. It had bloomed like a dandelion, spreading its fluffy seeds around the town in the gentlest of breezes. They were still so small and fragile with their strength in nothing but their numbers. They grew everywhere they could sink their roots. More and more concrete was torn away to make room for them. All that was now left of the town's walls was the debris, and more and more of it was taken away each day. The sun was bright and clear again, and the clouds were starting to sprinkle true rain again. The soil drank it up greedily each and every time, and the trees could only thrive. Thneedville had come to change, but it was still a work in progress.

Ted Wiggins, idealistic and twelve (but nearly thirteen), spent most of his time tending to these trees. He found himself watering, and fertilizing, and pruning, and encouraging them to grow with silly little songs. Audrey, probably closing in on fifteen herself, knew so much about them. She spoke carefully and thoughtfully as she instructed him. He just listened, admiring her voice. No… admiring her passion. The trees were beautiful, yes, but not as beautiful as her.

"Plants really love being talked to. They like to hear about your day," Audrey explained with a quick smile. The two of them sat in the dirt around the first Truffula tree of Thneedville, right in the dead center of town. It was the biggest one of all, even if still so small. Audrey called it Hope.

Ted stared inquisitively, "How can they even hear you? They don't have ears."

"They can feel it!" she chirped back, revealing a wider grin. When she spoke about the trees, her smile glowed. When she gazed upon the trees, her eyes sparkled. Of all the reasons in the world to plant this one seed, this had to be the very best. Seeing Audrey's dreams come alive awakened a flutter deep inside Ted's chest. Just as sweet as butterfly milk, he'd bet. He still didn't know what that had meant, though.

"How long is it going to take for these trees to be full grown?" Ted asked. He kept his words slow as he moved his gaze away from Audrey and back to the Truffula tree between them. It stood at a mere twelve inches, about the height of his ruler at school. It seemed to stand proud, though, nonetheless.

"Years and years," she whispered, the whimsical nature leaving her voice. Her gaze fell.

"Years?" he exclaimed. He couldn't lie, he hadn't truly known what to expect from these trees. He had never encountered anything like a real tree. Anything that grew out of the ground had been completely unknown to him. He had had high expectations, imagining often that everything would be as beautiful as the Once-ler had described in his story by now. But trees were like people. They needed to be cared for and nurtured. They needed love and patience. They needed time to grow and develop into full grown versions of themselves. Just like he did. He was just a boy right now, but one day he would be a full grown man. He was already almost a teenager, even. It would take years, just like the young Truffula trees. If Audrey could be patient for the trees, could she be patient for him?

Audrey smiled weakly. She too had had false hopes that everything would be different by now. In many ways they were, but there were still so many people bent in their old ways. It wasn't easy changing everything ever known. At first, when the walls had fallen down, it had been difficult for many. The stagnant air from the outside had quickly worked its way into every corner of the town. Many people became sick while others suffered mildly with coughs and congestion. Several people wished for the purified air that they had grown to rely on. So much so that riots occurred. Debates. Political wars. No one seemed to agree on anything anymore. What had happened to 'Let it grow'? A lot of people started to forget about the Truffula tree. All they wanted was their comfort back.

It was when the trees started sprouting all around town that the tension started to cool. The air was slowing clearing up as the saplings soaked it in and refreshed it. Air wasn't for sale because nobody needed it anymore. That was the only real reason. Audrey was sure O'Hare could have made a comeback during the days before the saplings. God knows why he hadn't tried. Alas, Truffula seeds were suddenly available at the market. They grew on their own, but people were still trying to make money any way they could. Audrey's heart broke to the thought of the trees becoming the next big business of Thneedville. No, these were something that should have always been there. Not something new. Not something to sell. Clean air was something that should have always been free.

"Maybe the Once-ler knows how to make them grow faster," Ted suggested suddenly, snapping Audrey's mind back to the present. The Once-ler knew all about the trees. Well, he had known where they had all gone.

"Nobody has gone to see him since he gave you that last seed. Maybe we should go see him just to thank him for helping us save the trees. We can ask him for any tips while we're there," Audrey answered after a short pause.

It was true. Ted had considered going back to see him on many occasions. Tell him about all the amazing things that were happening. Thank him. But each time it seemed something would come up. Family, school, trees, and Audrey all seemed to swallow up his time. He was lucky if he could even find time just for himself some days. The Once-ler was still alone like he had been for so many years. He deserved much more than just a thank you.

"I would like to meet this Once-ler anyway," she spoke again before Ted had ever replied. He just nodded. That's what they would do first thing tomorrow, then. Go thank the Once-ler.

Early the following morning Ted rushed down the stairs of his house, taking two steps at a time. He felt his balance wobble off centre, but maintained his speed to stay upright. It was the logic behind riding a bicycle. If he kept moving he might not tip over. Nearly tripping on the last step, he let out a short cry on reflex, but then regained his footing at the landing. A sigh of relief escaped him and he continued his speed to the kitchen. Audrey would be knocking at the door any moment now and he hadn't even eaten breakfast yet. How immature would it look if she found out he had slept in?

Ted bee lined to the cupboard, grabbing the box of cereal and then turning on his heels for the table. When his eyes saw red he was sure his face had changed to the same shade.

"Good morning Ted," Audrey smiled. She sat gracefully at his kitchen table across from his grandmother. Grammy looked up at him with a similar smile.

"G-good morning," he replied with a stutter. His face heated up as he tried to think of the words to say to make himself not appear as bad as he was. He was always so desperate to impress Audrey. He hated when he ended up looking just like the 12-year-old he was.

Grammy spoke first, "Good morning Teddy! I hear you and Audrey are off to see the Once-ler!" There was something in her voice that Ted had never heard before.

"Uh, yeah. To thank him, and you know, stuff."

"Feel free to say hello on my behalf!" Grammy said happily. She then took a long sip from her mug of coffee, closing her eyes and enjoying it sensually. Whatever Ted had thought he had heard had disappeared into her cup. He stared long at his grandmother, a touch of confusion in his expression. It then dawned on him that Audrey was still sitting there, looking up at him with her same kind smile.

"Oh! Audrey!" he exclaimed, eyes going wide, "I'm sosorry! We can go now!"

"No rush Ted. Go ahead and have breakfast," she giggled. She wasn't bothered with waiting. It was still early in the morning and there was plenty of time left to the day. She had only waited fifteen minutes or so before he had come crashing into the room. Ted's face was still flushed, his eyes shifting around the kitchen for an idea of what to do. She could tell his feet were glued to the floor, unsure of how to walk. She decided to help him out by pouring a bowl of cereal at the seat next to hers. She met his eyes with invitation.

Ted hesitated, but then sat down at the table, shame shadowing his thoughts. Audrey began to add milk to his cereal and he thanked her with a low mumble. Her smile never faded though. She was so nice. Too nice. He started to fear that she was falling in love with him, but in all the wrong ways. It wouldn't have surprised him if she started calling him her little brother of sorts. She loved the trees, and she loved him for helping bring the trees to Thneedville. But, there were so many definitions to love. Ted wanted one that seemed always just out of reach.

"Hey Teddy, did you ever get to see the Once-ler?" Grammy suddenly questioned, her eyes moving up from her coffee and to him, "Like, with your eyes."

Ted looked up and blinked, "No."

"Oh? That's too bad."

Ted took his first bite of his breakfast cereal as Grammy gave her attention back to her drink without any more words. That strange feeling came over him again. As if there was something going unsaid. He looked over to Audrey to see if she had noticed anything as well. She had a similar confusion written into her face. She answered his question with her gaze.

"Grandma Norma, may I ask you a question?" Audrey broke the silence, giving her eyes to the older woman sitting across the table from her. Grammy acknowledged her with a nod and a smile.

"How was it that you knew about the Once-ler, and that he would know about the trees? I've actually asked around town because I've been curious about this, and not much of anyone else I have spoken to has ever heard about him," she spoke confidently and almost accusingly. Ted choked on his cereal, milk spotting the table. He hadn't been expecting such a direct question from Audrey. She was usually quiet and kind. Ted had never seen her question someone so harshly. Grammy didn't share this shock, though. She held her smile and an expression of what Ted could have only defined as relief filled her face. She had been waiting for this question long enough.

"Oh, I thought you'd never ask!" excitement filled Grammy's voice as she jumped up to her feet in seconds, and pranced around the room. Ted had to quickly duck to avoid receiving a thump to his head from her walking cane. She waved it around enthusiastically, howling and hooting. He let out a yelp, but it didn't seem to go noticed. Audrey stared in awe of Grammy's enthusiasm. She skipped up and down, left and right, singing about the Once-ler and the Thneed. Words that didn't make sense strung together to make sentences that made even less sense. Ted and Audrey stared at each other, jaws dropped.

Grammy left the room, humming songs never heard before. She came back shortly after, still singing and dancing. She wiggled her way back to her seat and fell silent. Ted felt awkwardness cloud the kitchen, his eyes darting back and forth between his grandma and Audrey. Audrey was still filled with amazement. She wasn't used to such energy from an older person. Her grandmother did nothing but sway in her rocking chair reading romance novels and cross-stitching.

"I've never told anyone this story," Grammy began finally, "Not even your mother knows!"

"Oh, we won't tell anyone!" Audrey squeaked excitedly. She loved stories. Especially secret stories about trees.

Grammy squinted, "Well then."

Silence.

"Grammy, is this going to be a real story?" Ted suddenly interrupted, asking his question with doubt. As true as the story of the Once-ler had ended up being, that still left it at a 1:100 ratio. It was more than likely that she was remembering something that never actually happened at all.

"Oh Ted, I guarantee this story is more real than anything," she answered, an unexpected sternness in her voice. Ted flinched a bit.

"Did you know the Once-ler personally?" questioned Audrey, intense interest lacing her words and face. Ever since Ted had explained to her about how he had obtained the last seed, she had wanted to meet the Once-ler. He seemed like a hero to her. Even if it had been his fault that the trees were gone, she still admired him. He gave all he had left to Ted.

Grammy smirked, "Yes… Once-ler and I go way back."

"What?!" Ted exclaimed, choking again on this breakfast.

"I knew him long before he ever started cutting down Truffula trees."

Audrey and Ted didn't say a word, staring like children at story time.

"It all started a long, long time ago…"

Ted winced inwardly, glancing over to the clock, "Of course it does."

A/N: Hello, and welcome to Recollection, the humble fanfic about my take on the past relationship of the Once-ler and Grammy Norma! One of the firsts, even! Go on and find yourself a seat next to Ted and Audrey. It's a long story, so you might want to get comfortable. :)

Thank you for reading, reviewing, and enjoying.