37: The most courageous Elf ever

Bad City- Fight As one. Quite a significant chapter so it's longer. Won't make sense to divide another chapter..

We sent Ilks cheer up and get well soon abbreved: GWS!, we are praying for u text messages. The guys put their names on Julian's cellphone as one combined one. Their reasoning- he'd get confused and stressed by so many.

The elf did not call, but it was great he felt better enough to reply once:

Mira, Ging, Julian and all of u, thanks so much! buíochas a ghabháil an oiread, in my elvish. I miss u all! Can't wait to be back.

A healer said to give him space for another day. I hoped he wasn't getting worse. Day after, I automatically dialled his mobile. On the fourth ring, the elf picked up speaking softly his name.

"Morning! How're you?" I greeted, smiling.

Faintly, Ilkar said, "Much stronger, not so tired. It's past nine, aren't you coming?" He sounded anxious for social company. Apparently, the healer who informed us, had talked about visiting hours.

"Oh. Coz we're making a surprise for you sir. Pass to Kruz, he wants to talk to you. Hold on."

Kruz chuckled. Here's what he chatted from my end: "Yup hehe I will be. Mine is morning session, the girls later. Cool, you like it? Sure. I'll ask, Reslin did Algrim visit yesterday?"

I nodded. Back to me. "Hello again. Is he alright? I missed seeing him at night," My godbrother said forlornly.

"He said he did. Maybe you fell asleep. It's ok, he'll probably come again when he isn't teaching. Evening ok? What time aren't people allowed anymore?"

He paused. "I don't care about limits, evening is good. Shall ask. I'll be more awake. Sorry." A fit of coughing ensued.

"Rest more. Take your time, don't strain yourself." I frowned.

"What? No no that's not me. The other patient moved in. He's blue in the face. Calm down." Ilkar must be shaking his head in his practical manner.

"Phew. Why did you say sorry? You're naughty don't care eh?" I smiled.

"I thought someone was coming. Yes I am, haha. Breakfast. Come soon. It's boring. I finished the newspapers." Ilkar added. He sighed dramatically.

"You love us, yay! Wow you're efficient. Just go back to sleep. Free sleep how nice."

"Eh, but I'm not the kind that can do that. The tv programs aren't nice, did someone record the drama for me? I feel like watching again."

"Yup I'll ask Junos and the rest to bring them. How about animal videos? There're some educational documentaries about cats and dogs. I guess you won't like those with predators hunting, too bloody."

"Thank you, Andriel! Anything I'm happy. Have to eat now, bye."

When we showed up, the patient was wide awake in a fresh blue pajamas. He was gazing out the window, and Rebraal saw us first. His mouth moved. Ilkar touched him on the shoulder and said something relaxing in elvish. Rebraal finally smiled, softening his sullen face. We watched him stride out.

Ilkar exclaimed our names and stretched his arms out for a hug. Though his paleness had not lifted, he showed more alertness. His eyes glistened. We were astonished, but we recovered and came forward. He patted my back, and I felt his ribs against me. "How are you, sister?" he asked softly. I wanted to cry and tried to refrain from fully weeping. Ilkar squeezed my hand. I whispered fine.

Mira fluffed up his pillows. "Your brother's going back? Scary."

"I told him to get some rest. Actually my condition is not so bad now, but Rebraal doesn't feel assured. Please stay longer today. Thank you Mira." The elf crossed his feet indian style.

"Relax. We won't run off that fast. Tada!" I took out my big folio, and folded open a soft artboard. Already covered by various signatures in different colors with well wishes. Green background, the mage's signature favorite.

Ilkar was silent, simply taking it in. His lips quirked.

In a steady voice, he finally said, "It's So beautiful, and green. Good idea too, not too many cardboards and papers. Isn't too much trouble?" His fingers traced some of the writings.

Mira said, "Nah more people will be signing when it's full we'll bring it back again. Wow got more flower bouquets and baskets." She almost tripped on one.

"Too many and expensive. I can't take all of them back. But I like the purple one at the window, with the soil. Isn't it sweet? Later, would you mind helping me to water it?" He pointed at a small windowsill plant. I think it was some kind of violet with big leaves.

Mira said mentally: Er he's not sounding very adult today. Wonder if he's ill and not telling us. My grandpa got like that. I'll check.

I hoped she didn't plan on telling Ilkar that, it'd hurt him. While we were unloading our bags of books, he must have moved too suddenly. A sharp gasp of pain. Ilkar pressed one hand to his abdomen, paling more visibly. "Oh god what's wrong? You're hurting?" I rushed to support him. The elf was bathed in sweat, where I laid my palm to his back was sticky. Ilkar remained silent, eyes closed in a frown.

Mira repeated she would run out to find a doctor. "No... I am... fine, girls... Forgot I shouldn't jump up. Wound." His pinched expression eased quite fast. She looked doubtful and felt his brow.

"Had operation? It might be worse," I commented, holding up the blanket. Ilkar shook his head and mouthed 'please stay'. Once he laid his head against the pillow, half propped, he did not touch his tender spot anymore. Instead, the elf reached out to stroke back my stray hair. "All right. We think you feel hot. Rest easy. Want some water?"

"Thanks. They haven't removed the tube from inside yet. It's like something poking. Sorry to worry you."

Mira checked the water jug which was almost empty. I told him not to budge, and washed his cup. It was so small, how could it be enough? Just then someone came to refill the jug and Ilkar replied he was recovering to her questions. Indeed, he was able to hold his own cup when we pushed the lever to prop him up.

"Lazy to relieve myself too many times, so I'll drink just enough."

I remarked he should hydrate more or the fever couldn't break. Mira sponged his forehead. Ilkar looked at us innocently. Then he was content just to listen to us speaking and smiled at our jokes.

Fruits and jellies were served with lunch, helped to reduce internal heat and quench thirst. Noticing we were packing up, Ilkar stirred and said, " Can we have lunch together? They give me more cups of jelly. Do you like jelly?"

I said yes and my friend thought we shouldn't be eating his food. He told us not to worry, there was always an extra spoon. "It's actually too big a portion. It'll be nice not to be alone… Kruz coming later right? What time are lessons?"

"It'll be next hour. Never mind we can stay, understand you're in need." Ilkar was grateful, so he didn't have to look at the boring food on his own.

"Oh you should keep your hair long. Sexgod!" Mira joked, posing like a singer.

"Huh what's that mean? Don't make me laugh too much," our teacher remarked, smiling. Humbly he admitted he couldn't be that sexy, though he pushed back some long strands. "I guess I'll take your suggestion,but no screaming my name like some nuts people." We watched him eat a plain porridge with some meat and take the soup. The mage could not finish the whole plate. When the nurses did not look, we took some jelly and Ilkar insisted for me to take one piece of carrot. Mira took the paper slip under the cover. "Cool a menu and a pencil to comment."

Ilkar nodded. "Yup. The other day the food was too spicy and I got to change it. I don't always get what I selected though. Help me to tick 4 for this, it's nice." Neatly he wrote what he would like to have on the blanks.

After the trays were cleared, Ilkar asked for aid to relieve himself and walk around.

A young human doctor came in. "Wow more kids! You're married Mr Ilkar?"

He replied jovially, "Not yet. They are my students. I taught them… Gives me an idea, next time my aunt nags, I should have all of you standing around when we chat on the Messenger." Yeay! Awesome idea as she would be able to see all of us and would not ask him again.

"Until she sees they don't have sharp points for ears." The doctor motioned for the curtains to be drawn. Our friend was reluctant to follow him.

"Ah I don't tell her. Let's say a proper goodbye, come back in when I'm done with checkup ok?"

The doc popped back out in a few minutes. "How is he doing?" I felt my pulse rate quicken that he had no smile.

"No need to worry. He is quite resilient and cheerful. Ilkar says he can't wait to run outside, but I don't agree. Now he should take a nap and later he'll be allowed to go to the Tv room. Not too much worries and excitement. Do you know if he has a relative?"

"Yea a brother who went off. We're not sure," Mira answered. On cue, the tanned elf showed up around the corner. "Oh yea there he is. However needs translators." The doctor's nametag said he was called David Fran. Ilkar pushed open the ward door, greeting us.

"I look forward to you coming again tomorrow. Goodbye! Enjoy," He said before returning inside.

The next day, around three pm, it was raining a slight drizzle. Before entering, I peeped through the glass and noticed the nurse coating something on his arms. He was not wearing his shirt, slim body leanly muscled. He sensed our presence though we made little sound.

"Hey anyone there? It's so dark. Guys?" Ilkar stared in my direction. Huh why did he say that? The lights were all turned on. He said something to the male nurse. Mira asked internally if he had gone blind. "A bit more left to give for the cream then you can come in people." We agreed to wait.

She sniffled and rubbed her eyes. "Shush, he'll be worried. Let's focus on our cheer. Doctor said he's ok maybe he's on treatment."

"You've come! Had no idea it's now night. Hmm." Ilkar greeted us happily. I checked, his hazel pupils had light but he was squinting. His dark hair spiked up, uncombed.

"We'll open the curtains."

"I've missed you both! Took another dose of medicine, has some side effects. I might hallucinate. Sorry if I'm confused." The elf continued, gesturing to the chairs. "Don't be sad. Seems to affect my sight a bit. Should just be a few days. Better if I hadn't taken the vaccine."

Ilkar wanted us to read to him, kept telling us he was alright and not to cry.

"Hey do I still look hot? I don't want to lose the status." He beamed.

"Yup. Even though your hair is uncombed. "We glanced at each other. Mira added- Reslin another healer came after we left. I've scanned the rest, he still can't be discharged. More tests to be run. I'm worried. They've not yet told him…

Damn I Hoped for Ilks to come back this week. I hate the subs. No fair.

"Can you check my temp? I have to do a self check today." I was not sure where to stick the end in while the elf waited expectantly. It had lots of buttons and two ends. "In my ear. Don't like in my mouth." He turned the blunt end. The range should be around forty plus degrees, and his said 55.

I tried to bluff Ilkar, but somehow my lie failed. He poked me. "I have so much to share with you. What's wrong? In a rush? Today brother's outside, we can spend time together." Mira was looking at her watch.

She said bluntly that we were only given half hour. That wounded him, he started trembling, happiness crumbling. "But why? There's no need to… Someone promised to visit me one day…. I had to have an xray and I waited so long. But he didn't come. My legs got cramped and brother was furious…" At this point, Ilkar gave vent to his sadness and sobbed. When more tears flowed, he buried his face.

We were stunned. I rubbed his back. "Didn't mean it that way, sir. Come, take some tissues. They'll chase us away if we upset you, shhh. It's ok, we'll be here."

Then slowly, he accepted the tissues. Remaining fluid tracked down his pale cheeks. "I'm sorry…stress… worried…." To my relief, Ilkar was calming down. Other than hiccups, our teacher had regained composure and swallowed. Mira had a focused concentration. Maybe she had reached out to calm him.

I hugged him briefly, feeling his heartbeat. The elf stroked my head. "I'm better. What am I thinking, of course you should go if you can't stay."

"Er what's there to worry about? Hmm?" I asked, also glaring at the other girl. Even with telepathy she can sound so dense!

I did my best to project happiness ok? yea didn't mean to come out like that, Reslin, she shot back at me. Ow!

Unaware of our secret talk, Ilkar settled down with a snack. Good he felt hungry.

"I looked forward to this man's arrival. It's alright, I won't blame him. Might be he could see my cracked skin. In between fingers the peeling itches. I won't be sad if you run away. " We observed his delicate mage hands. I told him to use the special cream my mum gave.

"Oh did you look at my special edition trousers? Warmer than the fabric of the shirt. I feel hot above but cold affects my knees. You're not annoyed I can't see too well?" Some people must have been rude before. Idiots!

I talked about the movies we watched and showed him the covers of some shows we'd brought, My Cat from hell and documentaries. He returned back to his old self. "Oh I'd like to listen to some music. Would that be possible?" Ilkar listed some stuff which I penned down. He was concerned we would be put off by Rebraal standing guard over him.

"Ging and Abby were hesitant. His face markings…."

"Yes yes I've talked to him. No one will attack, he feels need to defend me. It's just, tradition. In Calaius most warriors will paint their faces for protection and war. That day he was so furious because, he couldn't understand them. I had to calm him down. If I'm to have injections and I show the pain, he wants to hit them. Now he has calmed down, don't like being indoors."

His breathing was soft. The crook of his arm had plasters. "Actually they don't hurt much. Because I'm thin so the moment needle goes in, it stings. Anyone likes that?"

We shook our heads. The door knocked. Surprise visitors were Hal and Kirin! They had to be quarantined from getting the virus, and had bounced back. Kirin was still the same. "Ah he seems frail. The allergies seem worse for him. Aww." Hallien remarked, taking his pulse. The patient had dozed off, his nose slightly red. Later, I told Kirin how he'd broken down.

"Yea he can be emotional. That's why they won't tell him he can't go home yet. Outwardly, Ilks is calm, but maybe that person who didn't come… and we weren't here, people didn't treat him well. Did he tell you? He trusts you more." Kirin observed. I guessed he might have, Mira's mention of timing must have triggered an outburst. I never want to see Ilkar weeping again! He shouldn't be subject to further stress.

To ensure visitors are tactful, students must listen to Hallien's new Talk about etiquette. Apparently other elves had also been vulnerable in the heart. He gave the example of cutting himself, to a fruit. "Everyone can receive visitors. They feel happy from the routine. So we can talk about our day. No problem.

Helpful gifts and cards bring love and joy. Ah yes, don't forget, my dear friend, your favourite elf Ilkar has said he would welcome you. He misses everyone, even those who're misbehaving." I noticed the guys that provoked him had shown up too. Good. This was followed by more instructions.

The next segment was Rebraal, minus his paint. With a translator, he conveyed thanks with a low bow and a complicated signal. "Pray for Ilkar, he has been through much. The gods favour…." Said without a smile but his tone was sincere and heartfelt.

Hallien said something. Brendan walked to the ward. I asked hey where was he going.

"Don't give him more homework. He's tired," I warned.

"No. I made a picturebook, going to give it to Ilkar. How could you accuse me!" The geek glared, looking grandeur and then fell flat on his face! Oops! I apologized.

Lunch hour. My phone: hi Phoebe! did u come, it's Bren. I worried.

Dun worry. Yea in a while. Gotta do something 1st. I texted back.

This central hospital was also a hospice, for any diseases. I had no health concerns and randomly walked in to talk to some lonely people. Later I washed my hands carefully before visiting Ilkar. He was finishing up some papers. Loose grey pants, in his own lavender clothing, the elf seemed stronger. "Boo! I talked to other lonely patients. They were happy."

"Hey there. Sorry I don't have an envelope, it's like a diary of what happened. At first not sure if I wanted to send. Here you go." The elf fashioned another paper and presented it to me.

I beamed. "Wow it's thick. You don't need to worry. I like your writings." For awhile I was at a loss for words. Ilkar gracefully made his way to the washroom and I just needed to wait a while.

We read the scrapbook together, my arm around his shoulders. Bren had compiled different traditions and photos. "Rebbie fishing. Cool!" With each picture, the cute elf made a special remark.

"Ah here he comes…." The two elves conversed in quick dialect. "Hm he said thank you at some kind of…. Workshop? For praying?"

"Yes. More like a lecture, about etiquette. After some of us made you cry. Aww." I remembered that day. "Can see better now?"

"Yes. It was also some eyedrops… Nobody made me cry. Silly. They listened, unbelievable. Haha." My godbrother looked calm, his normal teasing smile.

After listening to Rebbie's slower speech, Ilkar nodded. "Can you ask the unit at the corner for a cup of ice? Thank you."

When I returned, they were bonding. Rebbie washed his hands with a basin and they bowed their heads together. Eh what was that? Wow I could see a green glow! When they were done, the light disappeared. I placed the cup on the table. "We were praying. Phoe what is it? Look shocked." He patted his chair. I explained about the green aura streaming from both of them.

Rebraal seemed to understand without any problem. He tried to talk. "He—small brother—little. One year." Cool!

"What you've talked about, means now you can see our energy. Mana. Also how fated we are. Yeay!" The mage trembled in excitement. "Oh Reslin, it's wonderful." Ilkar took an ice cube in his mouth to suck, and the rest were for ice water for easing the dry skin.

On yellow sheets, his black scrawl was messy, point form dated differently. Diary of sorts, poor grammar, spelt my name wrongly:

Dear Ree,

Going to hospital. Scared. Worried, a lot of pain in my head. Aching in my joints. Must be the preventive thing they give, later People found me lying on floor. Said I collapsed, can't stay home.

Said need to drain off alternative. Bad doctors! Sorry, u must worry. They told me to contact brother. I can't sleep. I've given junos note abt this first.

Day 2

I'm inside. This place is new. No appetite, homesick not my room. : ( won't go into a lot of details, health poor. Tried to cast, so weak went sleep. Don't like smell in here. My stomach swelled. Ah my eng is all bad. Reslin, please call me? I think of your friends… That is when I have posted this. No phone now. Funny I miss tech.

Day 4 (improved in coherence)

Change my mind, update more. Hallien pleased I'm coping with this. I can look calm, at times I'm angry and upset. Not that it's painful, just numb and tired. Is that selfless? Got lots of others who're sicker coming in this week.

Today injections better. Blood test made my arm have blueblacks. Only 1 person can visit, Faradei! So happy, we didn't talk much but not awkward. Watched a movie. I like watching movie more than eating. I know vision blurry, it's dry and other than cream, have to use droplets. Run out of paper. Oh dear, my friend. Can't copy out neatly. Feel free to ask me if u can't read this. Picture of a dog-like creature.

(Me: wanted to cry, so I had to wait a while before continuing)

Fresh sheet of paper- date was quite recent

My dear sister Andriel, How are you? I saw someone walk with dogs today. They were so cute. I asked to walk short distance, even then can't breathe properly. The man said not to force myself. I'm too skinny, so they set me a big plate of food. Oh god! I'm looking at this giant slice of bun. Yuck. Veges too oily. I don't usually have oil or cream.

Almost a week, I vomited until flat. Thankful no more queasy feel.

Shit, I sounded so depressed. Apologies, I don't mean to upset you. Can throw those away, so untidy. More upbeat this one… today I found a cartoon channel. They lent us board games, I made some friends. (smile) The game room had a few tables, I felt well enough to play cards, with board games. If I'm still here, tho I want to go home badly, let's play together.

News of outside? Ready to listen…

Your friend always,

Ilkar

I laughed. My friends asked so I shared his last paragraph. However he's such a brave soul, despite the pain and hurt. In fact if he had decided not to give to me, I wouldn't know his suffering.

"Hello, is Ilkar there?" His bedside phone was answered by a woman. Murmuring, then she said yes he was bathing.