"We have made ready the west wing guest chamber for the Prince, my lady."
"Thank you Miriam," Elora replied to the ever vigilant housekeeper. "He doesn't sleep really, but I'm sure he'll be grateful for the privacy."
"The house is in such a state, I don't have to tell you. It's been a long time since we've had a visitor of such renown," Miriam commented, as she helped Elora unpack her things.
"He is.unexpected," Elora mused. "I mean, he is nothing like I imagined he would be based on the tales we've heard. He is.surprisingly gentle, attentive, amusing." Miriam eyed her suspiciously, having recognized a tone in her voice that revealed much. Elora bristled at the older woman's scrutiny. "Well, we owe him a debt of gratitude that I fear we may never be able to repay. If it wasn't for him, I don't know what would have become of father and me."
"Your father," Miriam inquired, worry lining her face, "is it as we feared?"
"I'm afraid it's much worse," Elora said quietly, her hand reaching for Miriam's.
Chapter 3
The Grand Feast, the birthday celebration, was in full swing when disaster struck. Elora was engaged in a conversation with a dignitary from Rohan but all the while she was exchanging looks with the Prince from Mirkwood, who seemed to be always strategically standing in her direct line of vision. It was a pleasant flirtation. She wished he would stop playing though and seek her out. She sipped on her wine, trying to formulate a way to extricate herself from this one conversation and work her way into the one between the elf and the King, without appearing brazen. Suddenly a steward came to her, breathlessly saying her father had taken ill. Elora excused herself and rushed off.
She found her father lying on the floor, the center of a small group of people. She went to his side and took his clammy hand in hers.
"Father, what is it, what is wrong?"
His face looked quite pale, and his breathing was labored. She'd seen these symptoms before and feared it was once again his heart.
"'Tis nothing," he scoffed, more for those around him them for his daughter. "I fear I have over indulged in this delicious wine." He motioned for her to come closer. "Daughter, I think it would be best if we were to take me back to our quarters now."
Elora nodded and looked about for her brother. She couldn't see him among the faces that pressed in around them.
"Ah, many apologies my King. I was just telling Elora here how I can't quite hold my liquor as I once could in my youth. But it was too good to refuse."
Elora turned and saw the King make his way through the crowd, his wife following closely behind.
"Fear not good Elorihm, that is what celebrations are for, are they not?" replied the King. "But let us not keep you other fine lords and ladies from the festivities. Leave old Elorihm to the Queen and I. We will see that he is well looked after." And he tactfully dispersed the gawkers.
The Queen joined Elora at her father's side. Elora could not hide the worry in her eyes as she looked at Arwen.
"Husband, I think it best if we summon for the healers," the Queen suggested, placing a cool hand to Elorihm's forehead.
"No!" Elora cried. Words caught in her throat as she saw the expressions of confusion on the faces of the King and Queen. She thought of how best to solve the dilemma without embarrassing her father or insulting their hosts. As her mind raced feverishly for a solution, Legolas appeared next to the King. Inexplicably, she felt calmed by his presence. "Begging your pardon, my lady, but I know what ails my father and can best care for him. If you would be so kind as to help me bring my father to our quarters, I can make him comfortable."
"Of course my lady," the King agreed, moving to help her father to his feet.
"Allow me Aragorn," Legolas insisted, instantly assisting Elorihm up. Elora smiled gratefully at the elf as they stood.
As quickly as they could manage, the three made their way through the throngs of people. With Elora's directions they arrived at their residence a short time later. Her father had spoken barely a word and Elora was in a near panic that he was too far gone. Throwing open the door to her father's bedchamber she told Legolas to help her father to the bed. She then called for Feli to come and assist her. The young girl appeared, hastily pulling on a robe.
"Feli, run and fetch my kit, the one with my herbs. Be quick about it!" Elora shouted, discarding her cloak. She went and helped her father to remove his outer vestments. His skin was cold to the touch and his face had gone quite grey. He was mumbling incoherently, speaking to spirits in the air.
"What further assistance may I offer, my lady?" Legolas asked quietly. Elora has almost forgotten that he was standing there.
Oh, I." Elora thought for a moment, when suddenly Feli returned with a satchel. "Excellent, Legolas, if you would hand me that pitcher of water.?"
He picked up the earthen pitcher from the table and brought it to Elora, who had emptied a small vial of power into a shallow bowl.
"Feli...Feli!" Elora snapped her fingers to attract the maid's attention. She had been staring openly at Legolas. Blushing profusely, Feli apologized. "Feli help your master to get under the covers."
While the girl did that, Elora held the bowl in her hands over a candle to heat the contents within. When it was to a satisfactory temperature, she sat beside her father and bade him to drink. He sputtered at first, but soon settled and drank the brew.
For a few shaky moments they waited for the potion to take affect. Elora laced her fingers together in a silent prayer. She was keenly aware of the close proximity of the fair elf and was not surprised when he placed a hand on her shoulder. Warmth radiated from his fingers down her arm and into her entire body, calming her, assuring her. Slowly the pallor of her father's face regained its normal ruddiness and his breathing deepened. His eyes blinked open and he looked about the room.
"Seems an odd place to be receiving visitors, daughter," he said at last.
Elora laughed, in spite of herself. "Prince Legolas was kind enough to escort us home, Father. We owe him a debt of thanks."
"As I live and breathe," Elorihm ignored his daughter's snide remark about how he very nearly wasn't doing either, and struggled to sit up, "Well met indeed Prince. Well met!" He extended his arm in greeting to Legolas, who generously accepted it.
"It is a great honor indeed to meet you at last Lord Elorihm. I have heard of your many victories at the battle of Pelenor Fields."
Her father's face beamed with pride. That helped him much more then the potion had, she thought. Once again she found comfort in the Elf's presence. As her father and Legolas chatted amicably, she and Feli went around the room, lighting candles and trying to make Elorihm as comfortable as possible. Her brother and sister-in-law came bounding into the room a short time later, flushed and flustered.
"Father!?" Elorimir called out, going to his father's side. "Are you well? We heard you had fallen at the banquet."
"I am as well as can be expected, my son. Once again your sister's quick thinking has pulled me from the brink." The old man looked to his daughter with great affection.
"Aye, she is a wonder," Elorimir agreed. "No offence sister, but the Queen insisted we bring a healer to tend to father."
"None taken," Elora graciously concurred, as the Healer entered the room with his assistant. "Come, let us leave him to his task," she suggested, ushering everyone from the room.
The group gathered in the drawing room, awaiting the Healer's prognosis. Feli went about giving out goblets of sweet wine to drink. A representative from the King arrived, inquiring as to Elorihm's condition. The Healer emerged from her father's room, his face unreadable. Elora tightly gripped the arm of the chair she was seated in.
"Well, he has a strong will, your father," the Healer began. Of that, no one could disagree. "But I'm afraid his heart is extremely weak."
Elora closed her eyes in defeat. There had been attacks in the past but she had managed to stave off the inevitable with the potions her mother had taught her. She felt a hand on her shoulder and quickly looked up into the compassionate face of the Healer.
"You did well daughter of Elorhim. Your father has told me about how you cared for him. If it weren't for you, I doubt he would have made it this far."
Elora found solace in his words and gave a sad smile.
"What is to be done now?" Elorimir asked.
"He needs rest and quiet now," replied the Healer. "I suggest you take him home."
"Home?" Elora's sister-in-law said, "Tis a shame to go back so soon and miss the rest of the festivities."
Elorimir shushed her like one would a child, but Elora understood the disappointment her sister-in-law felt.
"She's right Elorimir," Elora stood and went to her brother. "Father would never hear of all of us making such a fuss for him. You and your wife should remain, I can take father home. "
"The King will insist on sending an escort with you," the King's man said.
"And I will be forever grateful for such a generous offer, but I can manage. It is only two day's journey from here and."
"There is no debate Lady Elora, you will have an escort," the King's official stated, matter-of-factly.
"Sir I assure you."
"You can go back and tell Aragorn that I will accompany Lord Elorihm and his daughter to their home," Legolas announced. A shocked hush fell over the group. "Surely one Elf can perform the duties of three of his best guards."
The man gaped at the Prince, unsure of what to tell his sovereign. Elora bit down on her lip to keep from laughing.
"Fine, I will return with you to the hall and tell him myself." Legolas handed his goblet to Elora. "Lady Elora, I shall come for you and your father after first light. I trust that will be enough time for you to prepare."
"More then enough time, my lord Prince." Elora nodded, suddenly excited at the prospect of spending two days with the handsome Prince of Mirkwood.
"Until tomorrow then," Legolas bowed his head before gracefully turning and leaving, the official scurrying after him.
The Healer excused himself to check one last time on his patient. Elorimir, her sister-in-law, and Feli, in unison turned to look at Elora.
"Well, I guess that means we must begin packing," Elora remarked cavalierly. "Knowing elves, he'll be punctual." She gleefully made her way to her chamber, calling for Feli as she went.
"Thank you Miriam," Elora replied to the ever vigilant housekeeper. "He doesn't sleep really, but I'm sure he'll be grateful for the privacy."
"The house is in such a state, I don't have to tell you. It's been a long time since we've had a visitor of such renown," Miriam commented, as she helped Elora unpack her things.
"He is.unexpected," Elora mused. "I mean, he is nothing like I imagined he would be based on the tales we've heard. He is.surprisingly gentle, attentive, amusing." Miriam eyed her suspiciously, having recognized a tone in her voice that revealed much. Elora bristled at the older woman's scrutiny. "Well, we owe him a debt of gratitude that I fear we may never be able to repay. If it wasn't for him, I don't know what would have become of father and me."
"Your father," Miriam inquired, worry lining her face, "is it as we feared?"
"I'm afraid it's much worse," Elora said quietly, her hand reaching for Miriam's.
Chapter 3
The Grand Feast, the birthday celebration, was in full swing when disaster struck. Elora was engaged in a conversation with a dignitary from Rohan but all the while she was exchanging looks with the Prince from Mirkwood, who seemed to be always strategically standing in her direct line of vision. It was a pleasant flirtation. She wished he would stop playing though and seek her out. She sipped on her wine, trying to formulate a way to extricate herself from this one conversation and work her way into the one between the elf and the King, without appearing brazen. Suddenly a steward came to her, breathlessly saying her father had taken ill. Elora excused herself and rushed off.
She found her father lying on the floor, the center of a small group of people. She went to his side and took his clammy hand in hers.
"Father, what is it, what is wrong?"
His face looked quite pale, and his breathing was labored. She'd seen these symptoms before and feared it was once again his heart.
"'Tis nothing," he scoffed, more for those around him them for his daughter. "I fear I have over indulged in this delicious wine." He motioned for her to come closer. "Daughter, I think it would be best if we were to take me back to our quarters now."
Elora nodded and looked about for her brother. She couldn't see him among the faces that pressed in around them.
"Ah, many apologies my King. I was just telling Elora here how I can't quite hold my liquor as I once could in my youth. But it was too good to refuse."
Elora turned and saw the King make his way through the crowd, his wife following closely behind.
"Fear not good Elorihm, that is what celebrations are for, are they not?" replied the King. "But let us not keep you other fine lords and ladies from the festivities. Leave old Elorihm to the Queen and I. We will see that he is well looked after." And he tactfully dispersed the gawkers.
The Queen joined Elora at her father's side. Elora could not hide the worry in her eyes as she looked at Arwen.
"Husband, I think it best if we summon for the healers," the Queen suggested, placing a cool hand to Elorihm's forehead.
"No!" Elora cried. Words caught in her throat as she saw the expressions of confusion on the faces of the King and Queen. She thought of how best to solve the dilemma without embarrassing her father or insulting their hosts. As her mind raced feverishly for a solution, Legolas appeared next to the King. Inexplicably, she felt calmed by his presence. "Begging your pardon, my lady, but I know what ails my father and can best care for him. If you would be so kind as to help me bring my father to our quarters, I can make him comfortable."
"Of course my lady," the King agreed, moving to help her father to his feet.
"Allow me Aragorn," Legolas insisted, instantly assisting Elorihm up. Elora smiled gratefully at the elf as they stood.
As quickly as they could manage, the three made their way through the throngs of people. With Elora's directions they arrived at their residence a short time later. Her father had spoken barely a word and Elora was in a near panic that he was too far gone. Throwing open the door to her father's bedchamber she told Legolas to help her father to the bed. She then called for Feli to come and assist her. The young girl appeared, hastily pulling on a robe.
"Feli, run and fetch my kit, the one with my herbs. Be quick about it!" Elora shouted, discarding her cloak. She went and helped her father to remove his outer vestments. His skin was cold to the touch and his face had gone quite grey. He was mumbling incoherently, speaking to spirits in the air.
"What further assistance may I offer, my lady?" Legolas asked quietly. Elora has almost forgotten that he was standing there.
Oh, I." Elora thought for a moment, when suddenly Feli returned with a satchel. "Excellent, Legolas, if you would hand me that pitcher of water.?"
He picked up the earthen pitcher from the table and brought it to Elora, who had emptied a small vial of power into a shallow bowl.
"Feli...Feli!" Elora snapped her fingers to attract the maid's attention. She had been staring openly at Legolas. Blushing profusely, Feli apologized. "Feli help your master to get under the covers."
While the girl did that, Elora held the bowl in her hands over a candle to heat the contents within. When it was to a satisfactory temperature, she sat beside her father and bade him to drink. He sputtered at first, but soon settled and drank the brew.
For a few shaky moments they waited for the potion to take affect. Elora laced her fingers together in a silent prayer. She was keenly aware of the close proximity of the fair elf and was not surprised when he placed a hand on her shoulder. Warmth radiated from his fingers down her arm and into her entire body, calming her, assuring her. Slowly the pallor of her father's face regained its normal ruddiness and his breathing deepened. His eyes blinked open and he looked about the room.
"Seems an odd place to be receiving visitors, daughter," he said at last.
Elora laughed, in spite of herself. "Prince Legolas was kind enough to escort us home, Father. We owe him a debt of thanks."
"As I live and breathe," Elorihm ignored his daughter's snide remark about how he very nearly wasn't doing either, and struggled to sit up, "Well met indeed Prince. Well met!" He extended his arm in greeting to Legolas, who generously accepted it.
"It is a great honor indeed to meet you at last Lord Elorihm. I have heard of your many victories at the battle of Pelenor Fields."
Her father's face beamed with pride. That helped him much more then the potion had, she thought. Once again she found comfort in the Elf's presence. As her father and Legolas chatted amicably, she and Feli went around the room, lighting candles and trying to make Elorihm as comfortable as possible. Her brother and sister-in-law came bounding into the room a short time later, flushed and flustered.
"Father!?" Elorimir called out, going to his father's side. "Are you well? We heard you had fallen at the banquet."
"I am as well as can be expected, my son. Once again your sister's quick thinking has pulled me from the brink." The old man looked to his daughter with great affection.
"Aye, she is a wonder," Elorimir agreed. "No offence sister, but the Queen insisted we bring a healer to tend to father."
"None taken," Elora graciously concurred, as the Healer entered the room with his assistant. "Come, let us leave him to his task," she suggested, ushering everyone from the room.
The group gathered in the drawing room, awaiting the Healer's prognosis. Feli went about giving out goblets of sweet wine to drink. A representative from the King arrived, inquiring as to Elorihm's condition. The Healer emerged from her father's room, his face unreadable. Elora tightly gripped the arm of the chair she was seated in.
"Well, he has a strong will, your father," the Healer began. Of that, no one could disagree. "But I'm afraid his heart is extremely weak."
Elora closed her eyes in defeat. There had been attacks in the past but she had managed to stave off the inevitable with the potions her mother had taught her. She felt a hand on her shoulder and quickly looked up into the compassionate face of the Healer.
"You did well daughter of Elorhim. Your father has told me about how you cared for him. If it weren't for you, I doubt he would have made it this far."
Elora found solace in his words and gave a sad smile.
"What is to be done now?" Elorimir asked.
"He needs rest and quiet now," replied the Healer. "I suggest you take him home."
"Home?" Elora's sister-in-law said, "Tis a shame to go back so soon and miss the rest of the festivities."
Elorimir shushed her like one would a child, but Elora understood the disappointment her sister-in-law felt.
"She's right Elorimir," Elora stood and went to her brother. "Father would never hear of all of us making such a fuss for him. You and your wife should remain, I can take father home. "
"The King will insist on sending an escort with you," the King's man said.
"And I will be forever grateful for such a generous offer, but I can manage. It is only two day's journey from here and."
"There is no debate Lady Elora, you will have an escort," the King's official stated, matter-of-factly.
"Sir I assure you."
"You can go back and tell Aragorn that I will accompany Lord Elorihm and his daughter to their home," Legolas announced. A shocked hush fell over the group. "Surely one Elf can perform the duties of three of his best guards."
The man gaped at the Prince, unsure of what to tell his sovereign. Elora bit down on her lip to keep from laughing.
"Fine, I will return with you to the hall and tell him myself." Legolas handed his goblet to Elora. "Lady Elora, I shall come for you and your father after first light. I trust that will be enough time for you to prepare."
"More then enough time, my lord Prince." Elora nodded, suddenly excited at the prospect of spending two days with the handsome Prince of Mirkwood.
"Until tomorrow then," Legolas bowed his head before gracefully turning and leaving, the official scurrying after him.
The Healer excused himself to check one last time on his patient. Elorimir, her sister-in-law, and Feli, in unison turned to look at Elora.
"Well, I guess that means we must begin packing," Elora remarked cavalierly. "Knowing elves, he'll be punctual." She gleefully made her way to her chamber, calling for Feli as she went.