The morning dawned bright and cheery. Elladan's fever broke completely overnight and he awoke a few hours after daybreak with a healthy appetite, reporting that the only symptoms he still felt were a bit of achiness and exhaustion. He too expressed his gratitude to Malorn for saving him.
The group of elves ate a quick breakfast of Lembas bread and wild berries from the forest before breaking camp and resuming their journey toward Imladris, Elrond still very anxious to get his son back home to finish his healing. Elladan and Elrohir rode together so Elladan could nap on the journey home and Elrond rode close by to keep a healer's eye on his child. Malorn rode behind with the rest of healers who all but sung his praise for his quick actions that saved Elladan. Malorn's cheeks and ears stayed red almost the whole journey.
Soon they neared the gates of Imladris and they rode in to find a large group of elves waiting for news of Elladan's condition. Erestor and Glorfindel were waiting at the head of the crowds and rushed toward Elrond the moment he swung down from his horse.
"Mellon nin, we worried for you", Glorfindel said. "What happened? Is Elladan alright?"
"He is now", Elrond assured them. "Come with us while we get Elladan into bed and I will fill you in while he rests."
Erestor and Glorfindel nodded and followed Elrond and Elrohir toward Elladan's chambers, the rest of the healers and Malorn dispersing to get some rest or check their patients in the wards. Elrond and Elrohir helped Elladan bathe and then got him tucked into bed, where the elder twin immediately fell soundly asleep. Elrohir elected to stay with his brother for a while before going to have a bath and then getting some rest himself. Elrond allowed him to on the condition that he would not wait too long before tending to himself. The elf lord kissed both his children gently and then left the room to find his two friends waiting anxiously outside.
"Will Elladan be alright", Erestor asked, fingering the hems of his robes restlessly.
"Yes, he will be", Elrond assured them. "Come, let us go sit down and I will tell you what happened."
Malorn blinked his eyes back to awareness and stretched with a yawn. He had retired to his room after leaving Elrond and Elrohir to care for Elladan and had taken a long, hot, relaxing bath before crawling into bed and sleeping for a few hours. Malorn had been excused from classes and training that day and he was grateful for the chance to rest from the panicked and stressful ride yesterday.
Feeling very refreshed from his nap, Malorn got out of bed and dressed. He headed out to his balcony for some fresh air, grabbing a book off the table as he passed to read in the warm late-spring sunshine. He had only been outside reading for about half an hour before a knock sounded on the door to his rooms.
"Come in", he called, laying the book aside.
The door opened and to his surprise, Alais walked into the room. She gave him a warm smile that once again sent shivers of that new feeling up and down his spine and spawned butterflies in his belly.
"I hope you do not mind the intrusion, ernil nin", Alais said, bowing. "I wished to see how you were feeling after the hard ride you had yesterday. Does your leg pain you?"
"N…Nay it feels fine", Malorn stuttered.
"I am very glad to hear it", Alais said.
They stood in awkward silence for a moment, neither knowing what to say next, before Malorn swallowed around his suddenly dry throat and motioned weakly to the benches on his balcony.
"I was just enjoying some time in the sun. W…Would you care to join me?"
"I suppose I could…for a moment", Alais said, shifting her weight nervously from one foot to the other. "Thank you for the invitation, my prince."
"You do not have to call me that", Malorn said as they sat. "I am no prince here, nor really am I in Mirkwood. I just met my uncle and cousin a few months before I left to come here with Lord Elrond."
"Where did you live before that", Alais asked.
"Deeper in Mirkwood with my father. He died over a year ago now…...in an accident."
"Ai, I am sorry", Alais murmured, looking guilty at having brought up painful memories.
"No, no it is alright", Malorn rushed to assured her. For some reason, an expression of anything other than happiness on her face twisted his heart. "I have grieved for him and I miss him, but I will see him again someday."
"If it is any consolation, I lost my parents too. We lived in a village on the outskirts of Imaldris and one night there…there was an orc raid. Very few of my village survived and my father was among the dead. My mother and I survived and were brought here, but Nana's heart was broken. Lord Elrond did everything he could to help her, but finally told her she had to sail or risk fading. I was just a toddler at the time and Nana did not want my life here to be cut short because she had to sail. Lord Elrond promised to look after me and I have lived with him ever since. He has done far more than simply look after me all these years though. He has all but officially adopted me and has taught me much about medicine as I have grown."
"That is not so different from what he has done for me", Malorn murmured, a smile on his lips. "I was grieving for Ada…unhealthily…and Lord Elrond has brought me back to teach me and help me heal."
"He is an incredibly special elf to be sure", Alais said. "The elves of the realm love him as their lord. He has ever been fair and kind to all. It is part of his nature as a healer I suppose. I do not know what I would do without him."
Malorn agreed wholeheartedly, thinking back to all the talks he'd had with Elrond. The elf lord had always been patient, gentle, and sincere. Malorn couldn't imagine him being any other way.
Malorn and Alais talked long about many things, losing track of time as they merely enjoyed each other's company. Finally, Malorn noticed that the shadows were growing long and dinner was rapidly approaching. Alais seemed to notice the time as well, for she leapt to her feet and bowed hastily to Malorn.
"Forgive me, ernil nin, I did not realize the time. I am sure I have bored you by being here all afternoon."
"I thought we agreed to drop the title", Malorn chuckled. "And I have greatly enjoyed my time with you. It is nice to know I am not alone in my circumstances. I suppose I should dress for dinner now, though. I hope we might be able to speak again someday soon."
"Of course", Alais said, moving toward the door. "I have enjoyed my afternoon as well, erni…Malorn. I too hope we speak again soon."
With that, Alais turned and strode out of the room, the door clicking softly shut behind her. Malorn stared at the wood for a long moment before releasing a longing sigh and going to get dressed for dinner. Little did he know that his sigh had been echoed by a certain elleth as she headed down the halls toward the healing wards.
"My lord, how is Elladan", Malorn asked later that evening as they ate.
"He is resting very well and ate a good dinner", Elrond reported with a smile. "I think he shall be well enough to be out of bed for a bit tomorrow. Thank you again for everything you have done, Malorn. There is simply no way to express just how grateful I am to you."
"Hir nin, I count it an honor that I knew what to do to help", Malorn said sincerely. "You and your family have given me so incredibly much and if I can do anything to repay you, even a tiny bit, it brings joy to my heart."
"Families help one another, Malorn", Elrond said, reaching across the table to squeeze Malorn's hand. "As you said before, it is what families do."
Malorn smiled at Elrond just as the evening meal was brought out by the servants. The talk turned to other things and before long, dinner was over and the elves began retiring to the forest or their rooms for the evening. Malorn bade Elrond goodnight and headed to his own chambers, excited to talk to his father about all that had happened the past days. On his way to room he very nearly bumped into Alais as she was leaving Elladan's room after checking on him.
"Excuse me, Malorn, I did not see you", Alais said quickly.
"It is alright, Alais. How is Elladan?"
"He is resting very well and Lord Elrohir says he senses his brother is in no pain. Your cure worked marvelously, Malorn. It appears Lord Elladan is going to make a full recovery. Thank you for all you have done."
"I am very thankful I was able to help him", Malorn said. "He and Elrohir have become like brothers to me."
"They are like their father, so very kind and compassionate to all", Alais said giving a smile that once again spawned butterflies in Malorn's stomach.
Malorn nodded his agreement, not trusting his suddenly dry throat to form words. He swallowed, wanting so badly to ask her to take a moonlight walk with him out in the gardens, but his lips seemed absolutely set against allowing him to talk anymore. The silence reigned for several moments before Alais smiled at him again.
"Well, I should be back off to the wards. Goodnight, Malorn."
With that she swept past him and disappeared around a corner. Malorn stared after her, hand half raised in a plea for her to stay. Finally, he let out a heavy groan of resignation and trudged the last few halls to his chambers, cursing his leaden tongue the whole time.
"You foolish elf", he chided himself. "That was a perfect chance and you let it slip away."
Sighing, Malorn stepped out onto his balcony and plopped his head down on his arms, looking up at his father's star glowing overhead.
"Ada, I fought orcs and spiders by your side for years", Malorn murmured. "How can just talking to an elleth be harder than that!"
The star above him glowed and Malorn felt Malgath laugh knowingly in his fëa.
Elvish Terms:
Elleth – A female elf
Ernil Nin – My prince
Fëa – An elf's spirit
Hir Nin – My lord
Mellon Nin – My friend
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