Chap 55 Elven House, Ardina on the Prowl
Take Me away (Avril Lavigne), Scarborough fair (Sarah Brightman)
Laira
Haha Nuada wanting to make a surprise visit! This was at the outskirts of the town. Every building about two storeys high was with a garden or some shrine. Many folk waved.
It was Uriel's house, he told us with glee. Three identical looking kids ran out from the front room (door was open) and stopped with gaping mouths.
" 'Quel undome, Knin, Nir, Far'wyola." Nuada said and inclined his head. That was good evening.
Far'wyola was the daughter and the palest of them all. She did not resemble the healer. The trio had blue eyes. The boys ran into the inner rooms calling for their father. Riselle, their mother, came out to serve us tea and cakes. She could not speak much English. The prince spoke to her for a while which made her happy. The woman politely smiled at us and gestured we could eat our fill.
Joe and I had the chance to analyse the elven home. The walls were carved by artistes, showing glyphs of winged creatures, unicorns with the elves. Like the book Hb had found for them to read, there was a huge father tree in the middle. To the right was a circular pillar. Each pillar was unique in design. Uriel came out looking surprised, but he greeted us warmly. He was naked waistup, dewdrops of perspiration all over and wore brown loose pants. I seized the chance to watch him. Uriel's not as muscled as Nuada but it is not bad. Apparently he had been busy.
"Thank you for visiting!" he exclaimed, shaking our hands. Then he glanced at the prince. "Trust you to sneak in suddenly. Haven't lost the move."
"My dear friend. We won't stay that long. But Joe and Laira want to see how elf homes look like." Nuada replied. "I've brought some gifts too for all."
"Is it ok? Hope you don't mind." Joe asked. I nodded.
Graciously the male elf agreed. "I need to change. Have fun."
I found that their toilets can be flushed. If it does not work, a basin was provided with a mug to do it but the cistern made sure no splashes. I spent some time in there to observe the architecture. No mirror, mermaids decorating the walls. The sink looked ornately golden. So far, the only mirror seemed to be in the living room, a small one. Maybe there were more in their rooms. How could elves not need to groom and makeup? Joe had just stagnated at the living room and ran his hand on the walls.
"Are you done yet? I need to use it," Nuada demanded. The door for the toilet was a sliding panel with patterns of snowflakes. I emerged smiling. He grunted.
"Has your curiosity been quenched?" our host asked. Now he wore a blue vest with short sleeves. He had also wiped his sweat off.
"Yea. Can we ask one more favour, Uriel? How does your room look like?" I wanted to find out, before Nuada heard me and scolded me. Well, he did say it was a visit. "But it's alright if you don't wish to show us, or it's private."
The healer was quiet for a moment. Then his smile brightened. "No problem. To your left." He turned a symbol on the door. Entirely in forest colors, the walls were imprinted with fairies and elven inscriptions. I felt really at peace. His bed was in the centre and with a veil. A desk sat in the centre of the room with stationery. I must not forget the scent, it was lavender. Cool!
"But what about aircon? I don't see it." Joe pointed up.
Uriel chuckled, shaking his head. "No electricity. There are some fans run by wind and solar energy." No chance of having any tvs and computers.
Nuada cleared his throat as we were looking at the fans' running. He glared. "How can you enter his room like that? My friend, I am sorry."
We looked remorseful. Our host told him he did not mind. "Come in prince. It is okay. I like children." Affectionately, Uriel ruffled our hair. Nuada blinked slowly. He commented that it looked very different from the last time he had visited.
I asked, "How often do you come home? Mostly you're over at the BPRD right?"
Uriel said, "Once or twice a week. If I'm needed I sleep there. Have you eaten a meal?"
"Not yet," I answered. Joe murmured he was kind of peckish. Would there be foodie?
Nuada stated, "If it's not convenient, we will leave. Are you hungry?" He glanced at me.
His friend smiled. How kind and hospitable he was, offering to let us eat too. I felt starved. We shared a meal with the family and were given generous helpings. It was fine to hear their lyrical voices forming the gist of the table talk. The kids' voices were gentle and lilting. I noticed Uriel was quieter than his normal self. Was he tired or unhappy?
We're terribly sorry for imposing. Nuada said it's ok. I Sent. The positive elf gazed at me.
It is fine. How is Christmas?
Fun! Oh we did buy you some stuff too. It is in the bag.
He liked the gifts of fruit and bread. "I don't need to go shopping for next month now. (we chuckled) I will open the wrapped ones later."
Nuada was concerned. "Did you get a heart attack when we arrived? I had mentioned coming some time ago. Just not the day." So, prince had planned some of it before. Still he was royalty. The impeccable manners showed now.
The healer assured it was no problem. "I am a spontaneous elf, so it does not matter. Thank you for coming. I forgot. Are you happy with this place?"
"Yea! A really great house to stay in." Joe hugged him. The children came forward to hold our hands and touch our clothes and hair. They had not learnt English yet, very young. It would be one year more for schooling. Riselle told us something.
Nuada translated, "She thinks it is late to go back and invites us to stay and rest. I think we shouldn't impose on them. " His expression was solemn. I probed and realized that we should not stay. There was no extra room and Uriel had many things to do the next day. He had yawned a few times just now.
"We'll leave. Thank you. Are you unwell?" I asked when I touched the doctor's shoulder. He looked pallid.
"I am a little sleepy. Take care." He added something in elven and touched our foreheads, rising to his feet. The prince bowed to both the couple. The friendly elf asked me to come again anytime. His tone was sunny and made my heart sing.
"Ok! Goodnight." We walked back the way we had come and Nuada invoked the spell of opening the passage through the forest. It was a short distance from our home actually, just twenty minutes.
"Noowa, he will be okay right? I think he felt shocked when we came." I broke the silence.
"Indeed. I feel a sense of guilt. I wanted to see him. It had been quite long since our last meeting. He does not mind." Elf reflected softly.
Joe said, "It's cool! I like the house. I think I can build one."
Nuada laughed. "Please show me. With what?"
Joe agreed to show us with a software. Nuada asked him what that was. "Ah, computers are your strengths. I thought you will be making an actual… model. Some toy shops have the material. I used to build stuff."
"Yay can we go?"
"Of course. On the next weekend. I have to return after tomorrow. "
When we were in bed alone, I gave my opinions on the designs and how much I adored them. "I like him. Why didn't you meet for sometime?"
"Our schedules are different and he was posted to another town to do extensive healing. He must be stressed. I heard from others the patients were uncooperative. Healing is an exhausting magic." Nuada kicked off the blankets. "I can't believe it but I'm sweating."
I tweaked the aircon. He was so blunt and cute. Nuada sat propped up on the pillows and squeezed his piyo. I sat up too so I could watch the elf. After a while, he stopped and I hurriedly lay down. "Laira are you sleeping yet?" he whispered.
It gave me the chills, in a good way. Nuada's whisper was sensual. Haha he will deny its effect. "Hmm not yet. Why?"
"I knew it. I will not tell stories, nor sing."
"Yes princie. I will try to breathe in, and out then drift off. Done it before." I smiled. Could my friend see that? Sometimes he could be downright blunt, almost to rudeness. In the other's house, he had all manners, even admitted he missed Uriel. I planned to pen the elf a thankyou note for his hospitality. But how did they post? "Er, Nuada are you sleeping?"
"What?" The blanket wisped.
"I want to write a card and post to him, since we can't meet. How's the delivery like?"
Nuada said he'd do it for me. "By bird or messenger."
"Yay thanks."
The lavender scent was in the air. I wanted him to sleep well and thought of the intentions. Deep breathing. I peeked at the fey prince, under the moonlight. His beauty that is unearthly never ceases to take my breath away. Nuada sighed and goldens shimmered. He turned to the window.
I soon went to dreamland surrounded by handsome elves. I jerked awake at the sound of a voice singing, Nuadachan? I blearily turned my head to the direction. The prince was humming. "Sorry, did I disturb you? This music is nice." He had plugged my mp3 and was listening. I laughed.
"Nice, smart elf can operate mp3. Wonderful."
Nuada beamed. He beckoned to me. I sat while he lay back. I can't sleep tonight. Anything slow? Maybe it can help. Is this forward? He pressed the buttons and made a face at some of the songs. I put one piece into mine. At Within temptation and Disturbed, Nuada cringed. I made it the minimum volume but he still could not take it. Oh shit! He thought in dismay.
I had an idea, finding a classical piece that Abe liked, I put it on repeat. Elf relaxed. Finally he could go to dreamland too. Carefully I crept back to bed and curled up. Insomnia has always plagued the prince. Coolness is the best atmosphere for a person to sleep well. Good thing he had no more nightmares.
**********
Usually our jobs don't let us meet with the BPRD, but for this incident we did. I only remember lying on the ground, been hit by what felt like a gigantic truck of something. My ears rang. "Laira, can you feel your legs? And hands!" swimming to the high pitched voice, and damp hands, I came face to face with the ichytosapien.
"Yes." I wiggled my fingers and toes. He helped me up. There was a fossil of an ancient beast, turned out it was alive and angry, not dead. As we applied our tools, the animal had reared up and lashed out in its disturbed state. Salem examined my cuts and bruises. My head ached at first, and reduced inflammation as the elven chant smoothed over. He grinned.
"Where is Nuada?" I grabbed his arm. Oh don't let him be here! Please don't! An unearthly scream reverberating the earth and sky tore into us. We cupped our ears. Only Abe was unaffected. He held up his hand.
"It is very very mad, guys. HB what's the situation?"
"Shit! Here we go!" the demon ran off. Gunshots continuously. A dark figure cloaked in shadow began taking off. Liz set afire, whipping fire missiles from the balls in her hands. A new skill.
Salem said, "We shall stay here. Let them handle it." He wiped his brow. Nuada rushed past the shadow, his blades twirling at blinding speed in oppositional arcs. Then we couldn't see him. "He will be all right. He is the best of us."
My bracelet shimmered golden light and itched. It hadn't done that for ages since the spell was changed. Damn! Not now.
Nuada stopped, panting slightly. Red was telling them something, while Abe aimed his pistol. Suddenly, my heart lurched. The behemoth bent down something and swept in both directions. Agents got crushed, some were sent flying. Some elves loosed fiery arrows, and got out of the way in time. Their flying white blond hair made them seem alike. I couldn't see my friend. HB had leapt up, somersaulting. Wow! He clung onto the beast with his large hand. A blond person was sprinting towards a glowing circle. I didn't know what that was.
Apparently beast didn't want that to happen, and tried to dislodge HB and the blond. The demon bashed its side and shouted something. Luthien Sent that it was my soulmate up there. He slipped before reaching the circle and dangled by one sword. Nuada! I couldn't look and leaned my face into Salem's shoulder. The elf consoled me. And he urged me to see what happened.
The ground jerked and silence ensued. What? A thick cord had wound about the beast. Red hung on firmly to the knot. Elves were singing some kind of spell chant. Sending it to sleep? Nuada had regained his balance and was inching slowly to the circle. He plunged something thin like a skewer into the centre. Although we were far away, Luthien was narrating this to me.
I glanced at Salem. His leg was bleeding ichor and he looked ashen. "Salem, you're injured? Lie down." I had not seen him injured.
"I'll be fine. Just a flesh wound." He leaned against me though, heavier.
Nuada asked through our link: are you hurt?
No I'm ok. I felt his immense relief. He knew I was over here. So I ought to wrap it as a happy ending. However, something was amiss, Luthien commanded- Go there. It's not complete. The beast is waking. It was not English, but rather a wordless command of song. The agents were at rest beside the thing. I wanted to resist yet my feet moved in tandem without my control.
"I'm a girl. I'm neither magician nor elf." I spoke through leaden lips.
Abe was to the extreme right, speaking to others. Nuada nodded to Liz and HB's words. All these were in mute. I just kept stoically walking to the danger zone unwilling and undeterred. Some humans were drawing forth and speaking. In my mind, Salem was weakening. He collapsed.
I must help him. He saved me! Back! I shouted to the stubborn bracelet.
No people will come. Look. In its golden brilliance, healers had gone to his aid. Luthien transformed into the image of a snake, a cobra to be precise. It coiled about my arm, not painful, and glanced at me. His gleaming emeralds were precious stones, its mannerisms that of a real snake. I was covered in white light.
"Guys! It's not over yet. It's waking up." I yelled. I could move freely now. Liz and Nuada frowned at me.
"Yes. Don't come here. Go!" he pointed in the opposite direction. The cobra was increasing in size but no one had seen him. People were scattered and talking to each other. The shadow creature was moaning, shaking off its harness. HB alone cursed, scrambling to pull it down again. Whiteness obscured all thoughts and emotions and I was walking forward again. Nuada gripped my arm and repeated the warning. Yet I couldn't obey his warning.
I'm sorry. I don't know why. I said wanting him to understand.
"Laira! Get back, this is an order!" Panic in his voice, raised volume. His fingers were digging into my arm and now extended to both my shoulders, but there was no pain. Sound blanked out. My sight was only upon Luthien ensorcelling the beast. It is a baby Ardina, and it is afraid. Its parents have died long ago but somehow survived. I will tame it.
Please do, but I don't need to be here do I? I replied. We all have to leave.
Stay Mistress Elendil. You lend me strength.
What? Luthien opened its jaws and seemed to tower above the ardina, swaying back and forth in a dance. The snake coils had totally surrounded the creature. My heart soared in a fierce powerful embrace for this baby. At the same time, I worried for the lives at stake.
Next moment, I found myself lying on top of Nuada, gasping. I rose to get off. Ardina was shrinking with Luthien's taming. The charm laughed. It had firmly locked the jaws. Nuada moaned softly. I took his hand.
"Please be okay. Are you hurt?" I called him. His nose was bleeding. He didn't wake up but I felt his pulse. Still strong. A few metres away, Liz stood up unhurt. Demon ran to her.
He asked, "What the heck happened? Did you see the light? Amazing. Explosion!" The others were echoing something back. More talking. Abe was saying prince was aware of the imminent explosion, but had been trying desperately to save me. His honor would not allow him to abandon me, though his comrades had tried to separate us. "Nuada had no power to tug you back though. You looked hypnotized by the sight before you. Before it all burst out, he shoved you down beside him."
Had he seen what I did? The big eyes blinked. "The snake was your creature, Laira. It managed to tame Ardina. It is a baby again."
He knelt beside Nuada and assured me the elf was fine, just fainted. I stroked his face. You should not have stayed. I am fine.
"Don't move the injured!" someone shouted out. Footsteps. No, I won't let go, as he had not. Then Elf pressed his left hand to his temple, stirring. He gazed in disorientation. Unfocused ambers lit on me.
"Hi. Don't get up."
"Are you mad? Didn't hear me, ascarer? You tried to get us killed! You fool!" Nuada chided. I think he would have shouted at the top of his voice, but he pressed both hands to his head, grimacing. A friend made him lie down. Nuada grumbled that he was all right.
"Prince, you seem to have concussion. But not too bad," the healer commented. Liz smiled at me and touched my shoulder. She said he was frantic that I had been on the scene. Where was Joe?
Liz gestured. "He had fainted too. But I think they've taken him to hospital. Some people were hurt but no one died." Phew!
"Thanks so much. Oh no part 2 of ranting." I looked up. Nuada motioned for people to get me closer to him. Now the elf was lying on a sheet. One attendant was a woman with very long green hair. She pressed her webbed hands on his forehead, that was keeping him from getting up. His right hand was restrained by a cloth tie.
I knelt beside elf, prepared for the ultimate lecture. Nuada was pale, his lips were grey. I smiled, tearing up. "I'm sorry. I couldn't listen to you, dunno why. But I am unhurt. See?" I showed him my arms. Nuada's free hand brushed against me. I lay my head against his chest.
Soft patting. The green haired lady told me they needed to shift the injured. Nuada said in a low voice, "I couldn't watch you get taken." People were being put into transports and ambulances. I was not allowed to go with him, but the lady said she would tell me where he was afterwards.
Where would I go? HB called to me thumbing to their ride. I ran to him laughing.
Close to ten pm, excitement died down. I was with Nuala and telling her what had happened. She gazed into the distance intently and then said, "Brother is anxious for us to visit. I felt the hit. And I collapsed for some moments."
I apologized. Nuala went into the ward first, but was out shortly. I ran to the white bed. Nuada smiled faintly, grasping my hand. "Why didn't you leave? Luthien will protect me." I kissed his callused hand.
"I could not. Where is the bracelet?" he said. He made to sit up, then leaned back.
A nurse spoke something. Nuada replied quietly. "Sit down. I am all right just having a headache. (to others) leave us."
Nuada's gift was gone. I was sad. Luthien was crazy to want to tame Ardina, but I had worn him for a long time. Gone forever. "Nuada that's good. I'm sorry. I don't know why it happened only he wanted me to go. He called me his mistress elendil."
The prince stared quizzically. He tilted his head. "It became a large serpent coiling around Ardina. The baby shrank to a dog size." I continued. I showed him the photo which Liz had given me. Nuada was quiet.
The firegirl popped in. "I only can stay for five secs. Hey man, you alright?"
"Yea I am. What happened? I can't remember." Elf rubbed his nose.
"You were near with Laira. I saw the explosion but I didn't get the impact. I think coz I'm made of flame. Then you both fell on the floor, you pushed her down and rolled some distance away."
The nurse shooed us out, claiming he needed rest.
He got mad again, pacing to and fro. "What possessed you to do that?" It was close to morning and we were back in his room. My pretence of snoring had been discovered. Irate hyper-Airgetlam wanted to reconstruct the events again and again. I moaned, how many more times must he do this before dropping to bed?
Nuada had a plaster on his forehead. His dark lips were drawn thin. He had bounced back from pain.
I explained again. Stopping midstep in the centre of the room, elf said, "You didn't hear me, dainin. The light was so painful. Your face showed rapture. It only appears on… people who see something otherworldly."
Nuada had looked outside as if he heard a sound. Now he cut his stare to me.
"We ought to sleep. You hit your head, Nuada. I'm groggy," I said, yawning. Secretly I was wishing he had forgotten what happened. We shouldn't have shown him the baby animal, and wouldn't trigger this event. And the normally sullen, reticent warrior was arguing fluidly as though he could continue without rest!
He sighed heavily. His footsteps ceased and I heard the mattress creak. Nuada had finally lain down. "What if something happened- how can I account to your family?" his voice broke. I listened but could not be sure whether the prince was weeping. He really feared for my life, not his own. But mine. Why? Honour of course. All warriors of the bypast era live by this code of conduct. And more so, his love for me. I meant why didn't he fear for his own life? It might endanger his life. I shook my head. No! I had to convince Nuada to take care of himself first. I turned to face him.
Don't do that again, Nuada. Keep safe, Next time….
There Won't be a next time. I won't let it happen, he hissed.
Please let me finish, Your Highness. if you were to perish, what meaning is there for me?
Deep silence, a yawning chasm between us. The prince would not concede to my request.
Aloud, Nuada succinctly declared he was weary. I mentally hit myself on the head. Stupid stupid guy ego! Don't be so damn selfless. If he got hurt like last time, Nuala and Abe will be sad too.
Something glinted from his side of the bed. Elf sighed and opened his eyes.
Nuada
I was so furious and worried for the child who walked unheeded into the Ardina's embrace. I exerted all my strength but could not save her. People urged me to get out of its way, but I would not. I think there was an explosion and I blacked out. Afterwards, Laira was kneeling over me. My head ached from the pain and my stomach churned.
"Hi don't get up."
Absolutely nothing could phrase all the emotions crashing and churning to be let out of me. I reprimanded her severely that she was a fool and deaf. The moment I was out from the ward, reconstructing the events helped me to make sense of the event last night. I only had a plaster on my head but no medicine could heal my stress. How could Halfling sound so calm and matter of fact? The bracelet had gone.
Hadn't it supposed to protect her? Why did it go and do something heroic like sacrifice itself? "Nuada it is all right. Once we sleep we will be cool," she was saying in a muffled voice. The pounding was much too numbing, and I collapsed on my bed.
Don't do that again. What about you, Nuada? She wanted to know.
I snapped immediately, there won't be a next time! I'd drag her out of the danger zone and chain her to something safe.
Laira was thinking of my stupid selfless ego. I took deep breaths. Fine, sleep would blanket all the pain. Just a nightmare. A squeaking sound, I turned around. I was standing in the dark. Smell of the pine forest. Luthien! The golden cobra nipped my hand. "What did you do? I told you to protect not sacrifice yourself!" I shouted.
"The Ardina is the baby of my ally. I must prevent its death. And it was harmless."
"Don't lecture me about harmless. Most certainly we could have perished. So you are alive?" I picked up the cobra with its bright gleaming embers. Luthien hissed like a laughter. Indeed the charm never spoke to me before. What was this magic?
My hand reached out and knocked something over. "It is a chain?" the girl asked, touching my face. I opened my eyes and fumbled for the light. Crap. "Oh it didn't die! Nuada it's ok."
I smiled. The crafty bracelet was still wiggling to and fro and coiled softly around my wrist and then halfling's. "No he is very much himself again. what is it?"
Don't argue, you are so happy together. Just let bygones be bygones. Chill! I began scratching at my wrist too. Laira grinned. She had heard it too. You're royalty. It's not dignified to throw tantrums at your age.
"I do not need lectures from a puny protection charm like you. Settle down."
Luthien bobbed its head and squeaked to my friend. She chuckled. "He says we ought to thank him. He extended a shield so you didn't get too badly injured. I think you should, Noowa." She solemnly gazed at me.
"Thank you. I did not expect such a thing. I don't take surprises very well." The talkative snake taunted me with a few names which ranked from mischief to insolent. Since it had saved our lives the complacency was making its pride swell larger than its puny form. I muttered some replies. But I did tell him I was sorry for being angry.
We slept in. I faced inward so the light would not glare. My headache was not completely gone yet. The girl got up, I heard her movements. She took care to skirt around me. Tossing and turning, I found my face was covered by a damp cloth. "Don't worry, it's to help your migraine. You should swallow some painkillers and rest," a woman was nagging. I pushed it away but the cloth came back. Leave me alone.
Water splashing. Nuala was watering the plants and speaking softly to my Halfling. I thought of getting up, but the comfort of this bed relaxed me. "Hello sister."
"Is your head better?" She smiled. I scowled.
It was a mistake to look around. Swimming view, throbbing. I closed my eyes to shield. Rubbing my left temple helped. Nuala touched a damp cloth to my forehead. I settled back.
Laira whispered, "Just rest. Want something to bite?"
I consented to a little snack.
I held her wrist before she could move. A quizzical stare from the blue eyes.
I said, "Sister please get me wheatbread and jam. Thanks." When the door closed, I asked her to listen to me. "Why were you there? Was there no warning of the danger?"
"I think someone unearthed the fossil. But it didn't die, only it was some hibernation. Last night you were so mad and agitated. Don't be."
I smiled, thinking to nod but didn't want the giddiness. "No I am not. I was… angry at myself. I won't let you die. Do not ask me to abandon you. It is something I cannot do."
"I won't die. You should have faith in Luthien. Hey snakie, tell him." The bracelet touched my hand. I tapped its head. "Sleep sleep. Lalalala…." She sang to herself. A lullaby?
It was soothing. But I needed to eat first. "Thanks. Think you can repeat later?" I opened one eye and chuckled at her angry face. "Come on. I like it. Really." We held hands.
In my dreams, someone told me of a difficult tribulation. It would severely test me.
********
Liz
"Prince! Nice place, can I show you something?" We were on patrol but looks like nothing was dangerous here. It was some savages who were attacking the fey people at night.
He took a long time answering. "Sure." He coughed again. Just now, Nuada had drank water. He shook his head. I held his arm. "What?"
We sat under a tree. I slipped out a small plain book. HB's gift to me and I had done some light drawings. I opened the page to my elf sketch. "Hey master is it nice? I want to give you this. When's your birthday?"
"I am not your master," Nuada replied in a husky voice. My raised body heat felt a fire nearby. I glanced about. Nope no smoke. "Liz."
"Yea?"
Elf faltered, "Why… it's so dark. I cannot…" To my horror, his eyes rolled back and he fell against me. I called his name. Don't joke with me. Elf wake up! Memories of how some nuns collapsed after my flame episodes haunted me. His body was burning hot.
"Nuada! Hey Nuada, get a grip." I urged, shaking him. He did not respond.
Had something bitten him? Not likely. Moments ago, he had been all right, though slow to speak. I patted his face, also at a higher temp. "Psst listen. It's only a short walk. Can you manage?" I conveyed.
The right thing was to make him lie down but I did not dare leave him alone. Hostile territory. The woodlands seemed oppressive. My heart pounded. I draped his arm around me. "Nuada take one step at a time. We need to go." I spoke to him a few times.
Good! The prince gazed at me, uncomprehending. But sluggishly, the elf could walk with aid. He was a bit taller than me, and lighter than Red. "Right. That's it. Only a little more. And we'll be out." I let him lean against me. My sturdy frame is solid. Out of the forest. Nuada went limp. I leaned him against a tree trunk, opening his shirt. Maybe it would cool him down.
Red came running. "Babe! What happened to waif?" He really cared, though they fought like enemies mostly.
"I think its fever. He suddenly passed out. Don't know why." My hands were not cool enough. "Got any water?"
HB asked Ashley to drive the truck closer and James for water. Nuada's breathing was weak but not shallow. Like Krauss showed me, I let my pulse detect how his health was doing. Not good, he was really burning up. His brows drew together. No sweat. James came with water. I wet his face, neck and chest. Nuada opened his eyes suddenly.
He stared at us. "It's me Liz. And James. You fainted." James checked him for any wounds or bites. Usually Nuada would hit people for touching him, or jerk away, not this time. He mouthed our names. His face etched in agony.
Red crouched beside us. "How's he doing? Hope the monsters stay in tonight. Should I carry him?"
I said, "Better not. He needs to lie down." I coaxed the elf on my lap. He gasped for breath.
"It hurts. Make it stop." Nuada cried out in distress. "So dark." James held his hand and spoke to him. I asked him where it hurt. But he just repeated that several times, feverishly. Red lifted him into the truck and told him it would be ok soon. My husband's face was like the time they said the Professor died. I touched Nuada's hair. Midway through the journey, the elf did not make anymore sound. Red jumped to the front and hit the accelerator.
Salem his friend was outside the emergency. He was tense and pale, cheerfulness gone. "It is the dreaded illness. Our princess had it before. He is in danger, grave danger."
I pitied the prince. Salem covered his face. Others consoled him. I paced around outside. Nuala ran to me crying. "Where's brother?"
I had to stop her from bursting into the room. The elf girl hit the door and yelled "Brother! Brother I'm here! Don't go!"
I gave them as much info as I could on what happened. Nuala had gone in. "Did he say anything?" Ciradhen asked with a notebook. Uriel was inside singing something.
"He was in pain. He said, it hurts. Make it stop, so dark." I peeped into the dark room. Nuada lay so still in the white bed. His twin held his hand to her cheek. She talked on and on, sometimes choking up.
Please let him be all right. What happened? Why was it so sudden? Nuada was a fit person. He didn't get blind before.
