The Elf Remedy

"Oh, look how big she's gotten! Only a few months old and just the sweetest little thing!" Inga cooed over Thora, her fingers being clutched by the babe as her mother looked on.

Dru, in turn, proceeded to play with Inga's boy Durken and was glad she'd chosen today to venture out and finally take Thora on a playdate.

Of course, it had taken almost an extra hour to get to the house because people just KEPT stopping her to congratulate her and see 'The wee Princess!'

"She's a greedy little guzzler," Dru quickly saved a toy from Durken's mouth and smirked, "just like her mother. I can't wait until she gets on proper food. I have a feeling once she tries Bombur's pastries, she'll be sneaking them like we three used to."

Fond memories flooded Dru's mind.

Her time in Ered Luin, during the festivals, when she, Fili and Kili would steal a whole plate of tarts or stuffed cream cones and guzzle them under the table between one another-

"She's a little bit hot," Inga snapped her out of her daydreaming and looked over at Inga's concerned little pout, "poor thing must be overexerted from all the attention."

Durken, having grown tired and grumpy, leant against Dru and began to grizzle and pull at her braids.

"Best head off in a bit then," she said reluctantly, though was looking forward to pulling her hair free from the little one's grasp, "we'll probably get stopped again but she may well for asleep on the way back."

Thora did have slightly red cheeks, but she was making no noise of protest, so Dru didn't really feel the need to worry.

An early night would also mean a quick nap for herself before tea and she knew Fili would appreciate it if she were a little more alert later for Thora's feeding.

"Durken! Stop sticking that up your nose!"

Maybe Dru would head off sooner than she thought.

Later that night...

Fili automatically woke up to the sound of Thora's cries. In the months since she was born, he'd gotten used to it and now, he could almost time the moments she awoke, maybe even rouse himself BEFORE she started making a noise.

But he did not get up as he planned, because Dru lightly slapped his backside as she pushed herself up and out of bed.

"I'll go, I've got the milk anyway," he forced one eye open and watched her stretch and walk away, completely naked.

He smiled and shut his eyes again, all ready to drift back into dreamland with that image in his mind, but the sounds distracted him.

Dru began to talk and shush Thora and then shuffled quietly into their room, which was strange. Whenever Thora woke up, she'd usually quieten down as soon as she was picked up by her mother or father.

He pushed himself up and rubbed at his tired face to see what the problem was.

Dru carefully lit up a candle to make the room brighter and then continued to soothe her apparently cranky daughter.

"Fi', I think Thora is sick," she came over and sat down on the edge of the bed, "feel the back of her neck? Doesn't she feel hot?!"

He heard the urgency in her voice and did as she asked, his fingers resting on his daughter's skin.

They weren't there long, but sure enough, Thora did have a temperature. He could also see the edges of her cheeks were tinged bright pink and her little whines and cries sounded hoarse.

"Pass her here," he was suddenly wide awake and took her into his arms. He placed Thora against his cooler skin and tried to soothe her.

"What time is it?" He asked and looked up at Dru as she hastily shoved on her nightdress.

"Gone Midnight," one her dress was on she grabbed her robe from the back of her chair, "I might take her to see Oin. I know he's asleep but-"

"He won't mind being woken up when it comes to Thora. Hang on, give us five minutes and I'll see if I can cool her down."

Dru tried to keep herself calm as she watched Fili and eagerly hoped he somehow had that magical gift that would get their daughter's temperature down.

She bit her lip and waited, but the anxiety on his own face grew when Thora's wails did not stop.

"Alright," he conceded and gently shifted her in his arms, "take her and I'll get dressed."

As Dru took hold of Thora, Fili quickly slipped on his own pyjamas.

Once they both deemed themselves properly attired, they left their chambers and quickly headed out.

The nightguards escorted them once they filled them in, no one really arguing or brokering a 'you need to stay where you are' point when Thora made such a noisy din as they went.

As they walked, they hadn't noticed that someone important was watching them from far below.

Thorin chose not to call out but once he heard Thora's crying, he knew something was wrong.

So silently, he followed.

Xx Oin's House xX

Oin HAD been a little miffed at being woken up at first, but as soon as he had heard Thora's cries, he immediately took her from Dru and began to examine her on his little table.

Dru and Fili watched, concerned as Oin made the normal checks but did not make the usual 'mm-mm' or 'I see' noises.

They knew that was not a good sign.

"What is it?" Dru asked when the silence had stretched too long and as soon as Oin gave her his grave look, she felt sick to her stomach, "what's wrong?!"

"Don't panic-" Oin tried to sound calm, but suddenly, Fili surprised everyone by barking loudly.

"Oin!"

Thora just cried even harder and Dru reached out and tried to soothe her daughter, still paying attention to Oin.

"If ya' let me finish," he gruffly pointed out but calmed down when he saw Fili was just as nervous as Dru, "it's the flu. I can't give her any of this medicine because she's too young, but-"

"Then what can we do?!"

Fili's hand rested on Dru's back as he heard her worry and tried to keep his calm.

"She needs lots of rest and I suggest doubling up on feeding her. A steam bath would help if she gets a cough, but it won't work well for her fever so keep the baths warm for now," Oin sighed heavily and gave them a sympathetic look, "it's going to be a tough couple of days for you two. First parents. This is just the start."

He looked down at Thora and picked her up, gently placing her in Dru's arms.

He did begin to write down some natural and herbal remedies that would help alleviate some of her symptoms, specifically a paste that would temporarily cool her down, but they'd have to apply it to the base of her feet every hour or so...which meant they'd have to be awake for most of the night. Dru and Fili were silent the entire time.

They walked out of his house in a slight daze, Oin steering them out when they couldn't seem to find the door at first.

"It'll be alright, but you lot know to come and get me if anything changes," were his last words before he shut himself back in.

Quietly, they walked back to their chambers with their guards, unsure of what to say.

The only sounds were the footsteps and Thora's now gentle wailing.

Dru was the one to break the silence.

"Fi', should we get a second opinion?" She winced as her daughter rubbed her hot face against her neck and let out another low wail.

"Is there someone you trust more than Oin?" He sighed, already knowing the answer.

Dru thought about it and shook her head.

"I just wish there was something we could do for her," she cradled her daughter and turned her head to plant a gentle kiss on her shoulder, "I hate how she's in pain and we can't do anything."

"Fili, Dru," a familiar voice called from behind them and they both turned to see Thorin ascending the stairs beside them.

He came to stand in front of them both and looked down at Thora, his own face full of worry and concern.

"What's the matter with her?"

"Oin says it's the flu," Dru shifted her daughter when she began to wiggle and Thorin held his hands out, offering to take her.

Wanting a guilty little reprieve and hoping secretly that her daughter would quieten down in his arms, she happily passed her over.

Thorin tried to soothe his 'grand-daughter' and looked between the two very tired parents.

"Does she have everything she needs? What did Oin say?"

"She has what she can have," Fili sighed and then relayed back what Oin had told them.

Thorin listened intently and when Dru showed him the jar of 'paste' that they had to apply, he nodded his head and held out one hand for it.

"I can take Thora for a couple of hours and relieve you two whilst you rest. I'm awake anyway-"

"No," Dru shook her head and thought about it. She could have easily said yes and run back to her room and slept but...that wasn't fair. On Thora. On her Uncle. On herself as a mother.

"Thank you, for the offer but I still need to feed her and," she rubbed her face and squared her shoulders, "we've got to do this."

"This is what being a parent is all about," Fili agreed with Dru but gave Thorin a slightly exhausted smile, "remind me to buy mother a big batch of flowers tomorrow."

The next day...

"I'm afraid there have not been any drastic changes since you were last here," Eilonwy clasped her hands in front of her as she walked down the hallway, "but there has been extension built on the library and they have also re-opened the newer levels of the mines, opening more jobs."

"That does sound like an improvement," Tauriel walked alongside her friend, clasping her hands behind her back instead, "though I may have to let Kili know I disapprove of him visiting them until he takes the necessary safety precautions."

"Oh, don't worry," Eilonwy sounded amused, "Bofur knows he's not allowed there without supervision. Gloin and Dwalin kindly offered to look after him for me, though I'm afraid that slightly piqued him."

As they walked along, giggling, Eilonwy stopped in front of a familiar door.

"Dru's in here, she did say she wanted to see you. Though...I have to warn you," Eilonwy looked sad for a moment as she explained, "I haven't seen her today and she sent word about Thora being sick. She's apparently very tired and exhausted and...what was it she said? Oh, yes. She wanted to apologise encase 'she bit anyone's head off today'."

Tauriel nodded her head.

"Understandable, I always hear children cause exhaustion with new parents. It mustn't be too bad," Tauriel was prepared for a slightly sleepy Dru.

As Eilonwy opened the door, they both heard the sound of Thora's disgruntled groans and cries.

"Dru, I-Oh!" Tauriel stopped, startled at the sight before her, "I urm-"

"I know," Dru blinked slowly at her future sister and groaned, "I look terrible. You don't have to say it. I looked in the mirror and saw for myself."

What Dru had seen had just sent her into a whirlwind of despair. She had red, veiny eyes and heavy bags under them. Her skin was pale and since she didn't really have time to prepare her hair, it was stuck in its natural frazzled state.

She looked TERRIBLE. And felt it also.

"Dru, you don't look terrible. And you're just tired," Eilonwy tried to soothe her friend but Dru just yawned loudly.

"I'm so tired, I nearly fell asleep in my breakfast earlier," she shifted her daughter in her arms again and tried to soothe her, "I can't even remember what I ate...did I eat?"

Tauriel and Eilonwy walked over to the sofa where she sat and took a seat either side.

"Do you want me to take her for an hour? I can-" Eilonwy started but Dru shook her head.

"No, no. I've already been through this with Thorin, Mam," Dru continued to speak even though she yawned widely, "Kili and even Balin. We're her parents. We need to step up and...do...responsible things that parents do."

"Well, what about Fili? How is he today?"

Dru groaned and pulled a face that looked like she was about to sob.

"Oh Gods, poor Fili. He caught a chill from trying to get Thora cool and he's wearing about five layers just to get himself warm again."

It was clear to both of them that Dru was suffering. As was Thora and by the sound of it, so was Fili.

And Eilonwy knew there was something that they could do.

Eilonwy looked over at Tauriel and arched one elegant brow.

'I think we can easily alleviate her fever.'

'Is that allowed? I mean, we only have the herbs on the table,' Tauriel shot a quick look at the top and grimaced, 'it may work, though we have to work together.'

'I may not have seen any battles, but I've done it before.'

Seeing that Eilonwy had set her mind to helping in whatever she could, Tauriel nodded her head in agreement.

"There is a way to help if you let us?" She addressed Dru who looked up at her with tired, wild eyes.

"No, I'm fine, I just-"

"For Thora. We may be able to bring down her fever and keep it down," Tauriel interrupted and usually if Dru was speaking and someone spoke over her, she'd given them a piece of her mind.

But she turned startled and shocked eyes at Tauriel.

"You can bring down her fever?!" At Tauriel's little nod, she looked between them and beamed, "yes, yes! Anything to help her sleep and stop suffering!"

She gave Thora to Eilonwy and both women quickly shuffled Dru out of the way so she was sitting on the edge of the seat whilst they sat together.

They talked in hushed elvish to Thora and whilst Dru didn't really know what they were saying, she had a feeling it was mostly endearments and a way to shush her.

She had been meaning to ask Eilonwy for lessons.

They helped one another prepare the medicins on the table, spreading out the paste on Thora's feet AND her hands and chest (which Oin had not mentioned to do).

They began to talk a little louder and Dru knew these words were the words of healing.

She felt that same tingle in the air as she had felt when Gandalf had healed Thorin on the cliff.

And the same wave going through her as she had known when Tauriel had saved Kili's life.

She watched, mesmerized as her daughter's hot, red cheeks suddenly faded to their natural rosy glow.

Her cries and whines quietened down as hands moved over her and almost as though she knew what they were doing, stopped wiggling and opened her eyes to look up at them.

Dru knew the moment her daughter was back to normal because she suddenly beamed up at the two and let out a happy little gurgle.

"Oh, Thora!" Dru clasped her hands over her mouth and tried not to sob, "Oh...oh, bloody mahal, it worked."

She allowed both Tauriel and Eilonwy to coo over her daughter, enjoying the way she laughed up at her 'aunties' beautiful faces, her fist sticking into her mouth as she sucked at it hungrily.

"I believe that's your cue," Tauriel allowed Eilonwy to shift Thora over to her so she, in turn, could pass her to Dru, "I'm afraid we can be of no help to you now, little one."

As soon as Thora looked up into her mother's happy, slightly tear-stained face, she let out a loud squeal of delight.

Dru almost copied her.

"Oh, thank you two!" She looked up at them with watery eyes and lips trembling, "I was so scared she was going to get worse and I'd have to take her back to Oin. Oh, I'm so relieved. So will Fili!"

Dru then stood and since she was roughly the same height as them sitting down, she moved and gave them both an awkward one-armed hug, trying not to squash her daughter.

"Eilonwy, you are the BESTEST friend ever!" She planted a kiss on her forehead and turned to the other elf.

When it came to Tauriel, she actually pressed a kiss against her cheek and said loud enough for both to here, "Thank you, sister."

Excusing herself and much happier (if still tired) she went off to tell her husband the good news, though not before bumping into Kili on his way in.

"You're future wife is the bloody best!" She gushed and looked over at the two females as they began to talk amongst themselves, "they both are! They-"

"I saw. And heard," he smirked and then looked down to rub his finger affectionately at his niece's cheek, "I didn't want to interrupt encase it threw them off. Go on, I know you're dying to get out and see that shivering brother of mine!"

"Bless ya'," Dru quickly pecked his cheek before continuing along her way a spring back in her step as she went (though Kili had a feeling she'd run out of steam as soon as Thora went to take her nap).

He turned back to the two in the room and saw both looking at him, though Tauriel's eyes were a lot warmer than Eilonwy's own.

"Lord Kili," she nodded her head politely and he scoffed as he walked toward them.

"Lonny, how many times have I told you? It's just Kili," he pulled up a chair and sat down opposite Tauriel, though secretly wished to sit as close to her as he could, "and thank you. You both didn't have to do that."

"We did. Thora was not well and Dru needs her rest."

Kili shook his head with a smile. Mahal, he loved her.

"I mean, I'm very grateful as I'm sure Dru is and Fili will be. But," he licked his lips, trying carefully to put his words in the right place, "it's just the flu. I'm sure she'll get sick again and that's normal. You won't always be here to help her get better."

"No, but I will."

Both Tauriel and Kili looked at Eilonwy in surprise at her bold statement.

She had a hard sort of determination in her eye and held her chin up a little proudly.

"I will repay her kindness and friendship by guarding her children. And any others that may need aid here."

For a moment, both were silent.

Eilonwy had never said anything so personal to either of them before. And it was so powerful...they truly believed her.

So Tauriel was curious about something.

"Eilonwy. Pardon me if this is abrupt but why have you not returned to Rivendell? It is your home and...I don't want as though-"

"You will cause no offence," Eilonwy smiled to let her know it was ok, "I do miss my home, however, it is a little complicated."

She placed her hands together on her lap and smiled sadly.

"I and my brothers and sisters are different. They all made friends easily there but I never did. And then one day," her eyes flickered with warmth as she looked at Kili and her smile changed to that of joy, "a group of Dwarves came crashing in and this wonderful girl made me laugh and she told me stories and she didn't treat me as a maid. She treated me as a friend."

She looked back at Tauriel and that same determined look was back in her eyes.

"Yes, Dwarves are rather...unique, but truthfully, I like that about them. A few things took some getting used to, but Erebor and Dale...they are magnificent. As are the people. I have not returned to Rivendell because this place...this is my home. Where my friends and family are."

Tauriel finally understood.

And suddenly, there was a clarity she hadn't seen before.

"I couldn't agree more," she tried to avoid Kili's contact when she talked and felt a deep blush form as she spoke, "perhaps I should prolong my stay and discover for myself the...magnificence."

Kili's eyes widened.

"Are you...are you saying-"

"I think...once we're married," she turned fully to him and nodded her head, "I would be happy to stay here. With you."

Kili's laugh rang out as he let her news sink in.

She wasn't going to make him leave the mountain when they married. They would stay and she would live with him and his family.

But he still wanted to make sure.

Forgetting about Eilonwy, he got up and stood beside his future wife.

"Are you sure?"

Once their eyes met, he already knew her answer.

Her hands came out and took his own and she just nodded.

"Yes, my love. I've lived in Mirkwood and it took darkness nearly destroying my land to get me out to see the world. And meeting you...I knew I never wanted to be apart from you."

Eilonwy stood slowly and left the lovers to their endearments.

They did not even bid her goodbye and she did not truly mind.

She smirked as she thought of how Dru would best describe the situation.

'So gross.'