A/N: Hello guys! Happy Monday! It's a new week so therefore you guys get a new chapter! Thank you for all the follows and reviews! I'm so excited you guys like it. Here's the next one, this time from Thranduil's point of view.

Chapter Eight

Disease, Part II

When Hallath and Millicent returned from Dale, I immediately knew that something was wrong. Death always left behind a visible trail of sorrow and I could see it in both of their eyes, especially Millicent. Normally, she was the one to meet my eyes and I would look away because I did not want her judgement, but this time our roles were reversed. Hallath put a hand on her shoulder, as though to comfort her but Millicent simply nodded and then retreated to her chambers. Not once did she so much as meet my eyes, instead, she kept her gaze fixed to the ground until she closed the doors behind her. I asked Hallath what happened and he explained that an old woman in Dale had passed away from the same sickness that had fallen upon young Astrid. Millicent felt guilty because while she was looking after Astrid, she had instructed Hallath and Galen on how to care for the old woman, but it seemed as though her already weak body was unable to fight the disease and so she passed.

Humans were so frail.

It surprised me to see Hallath so deeply affected by the death of the old woman. I also knew that not only was he becoming a friend of Millicent, but he was also a friend to the people of Dale. He did not speak much of it, but I knew that he sometimes ventured into the city with a select few members of his guard to make sure everything was fine. Perhaps spending time with humans is what softened him towards Millicent before anyone else.

I had to admit that she had adapted to her new life remarkably well. There was strength in her that surprised even me. My people had also taken to her, especially the young elf-maidens who looked after her. Sometimes, I heard them talking about Millicent when they thought I could not hear them. Some of them wondered how long she would be staying with us and if perhaps she would consider making Mirkwood her home. Others were surprised that I had allowed her to stay, because it was rare that those of non-elven kin dwelled within these halls.

I too was surprised. I owed Millicent nothing and there was no reason why she should stay here longer than necessary. According to Hallath, she had made friends in Dale and surely, she could stay there with other humans. Then again, Dale could be a cold and unforgiving place if you were unlucky and if there was indeed a disease spreading, staying away would be for the better. Perhaps, if I also felt a sense of guilt with regards to her fate. She had somehow stumbled into our realm and furthermore, on my literal doorstep. Any elf worthy of the light Oromë blessed us with could sense magical involvement miles away. I did not fully understand it yet, but I knew that Millicent had to stay in Mirkwood.

Truthfully, having her here had seen undoubtedly positive changes in the mood of my people and I did not want that to wane. Maybe there was no need for Gandalf to be found just yet.

Then of course, there was the ordeal regarding Charles. Ever since I had seen her nightmare, I wanted to know who he was. Why did he have such an impact on Millicent and why was she so reluctant to speak about him?

Millicent Thomas was an enigma and it deeply bothered me.

Of course, I was not going to let her know that.

"Millicent has taken ill, my lord."

It was nearly midday when Hallath stood in the doorway to my chambers with his eyebrows furrowed. Perhaps there truly was a disease spreading in Dale after all and if Millicent had been treating Astrid, it would make sense that she had been infected. I wondered if other people in Dale were showing signs of infection, but our main concern was our guest. It was clear to me that in the past few weeks, Millicent had endeared herself to my people and no doubt they would be upset if she died in my care.

"What makes you say that?" I asked as I dipped my quill into black ink and signed off a letter to Lord Elrond.

"She has not yet gotten out of bed and Aerin said she left her food cold at the door." Hallath explained " I walked in to see to her and her forehead was burning up."

"You believe she has caught the sickness from Dale?"

"I cannot see that there is another explanation."

"I see, and what do you suggest we do?"

For a moment, there was silence and I knew what Hallath would ask before his lips moved. All elves were born with the ability to heal, but some of us were more skilled than others. Elrond was perhaps the greatest healer of all of us, but I too have learned the art from my father. I should perhaps be grateful that I rarely have to use it, whereas Elrond seemed to relish in helping others. Over the millennia that we have been friends, we have had long discussions about where his allegiance lies and that he so willingly offers his help to those who seek it, without considering the consequences of such generosity. In turn, he of course thinks I am foolish and paranoid.

"You are a great healer, hir-nin. Help her." Hallath pleaded "She may not be from this world, but she belongs here and I believe you can sense that just as the rest of us, even though we know not what it means."

A sigh escaped my lips, albeit more frustrated than I cared to admit. Hallath was, as per usual, right.

"I will help her," I assured him "You have my word."

And a king always kept his word.

Healing Millicent was something that I knew would bring back memories. The last time I had healed somebody was my dying wife and when I could not help her, I thought perhaps Elrond would be able to. Not even his great skills could save her and I was there when light waned from her eyes. I recall my son's distraught attempts at reviving her body, while I stood by and did nothing. Eventually, we had to admit the inevitable and for weeks following her death, Legolas hardly spoke to me. No doubt, he blamed me for not being able to save his mother and I could not blame him. Over the centuries, Legolas grew older, as well as wiser and understood that the only ones to blame for my wife's death, were those responsible for taking it. Legolas dedicated years to scouring the woods of Middle-Earth to find them, and no doubt would have done so to his death if he didn't join the Fellowship in Rivendell.

The infection had grabbed a strong hold of Millicent's body and during that first day, it was a struggle to bring down her fever. It did not help that both Hallath, Gwydion and Aerin kept interrupting due to their worry. They stopped when I finally ordered them to leave us alone, with the promise that I would be sure to let them know of any changes.

When elves heal, we create a magical bond with the person we are healing. It is impossible to heal a human without also seeing into their minds because that is how our magic works. This was also the case with Millicent and the moment after I used a healing incantation, I once again found myself inside her mind. This time however, it was not at the scene of Charles' death, but during the time when he was alive. I could not clearly see what was going on, but I heard Millicent laughing. A crisp and melodic laughter that was carried by the wind. It was like seeing figments of memories from a time perhaps not so long ago. Then, as the magic began to heal her body and made her stronger, I was cast out of her mind, but left with even more questions.

Questions that I knew were not mine to ask.

"You didn't strike me as a healer," came Millicent's voice.

It was early hours of the morning and her voice was still weak from the sickness. Her question was one of surprise and I couldn't help but wonder what sort of image Millicent had conjured of me. No doubt my absence during my month of morning had made her suspicious and rightfully so.

"Why is that?" I asked as I mixed herbs in a carved, wooden mortal.

It seemed as though the healing was working, and while it would take a while before the sickness drained from her body, Millicent was strong. That much was clear.

"Just something Signe told me in Dale." Millicent explained "She said that you only care for yourself and that even your own people fear you."

"Do you truly believe that I am that cruel?" I asked plainly

"No, I believe you're lonely. There's a difference."

Milicent spoke with such conviction that it caught me off guard. Her sharpness and astute observational skills impressed me, even though I did not say it loudly. She was earnest about her opinions where others would mask them because of their fear. Maybe that was why Charles obviously cared for her so deeply. Once again, I found myself wondering what happened and why she pretended as if he did not exist. Even in her fever-induced sleep, Millicent had muttered Charles' name several times and any fool with two ears could tell he was important to her.

"Tell me about Charles." I said, realising it was a demand rather than a question. "You kept saying his name through the night."

"Why does it matter to you?" Millicent asked sharply

"Contrary to what Lady Signe and others in Dale believe, I do care. If you are a guest in my house, then your wellbeing is of importance to me. If you are suffering nightmares, then perhaps we can help you."

I heard the change in Millicent's voice and her weight shifting in bed, almost as if she didn't want to face me.

"Charles is….was my fiancé." Millicent explained "We were supposed to get married this spring."

"What happened to him?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

"Charles was a teacher who loved his job, but when the war began, he was sent to the trenches in France. He got injured in combat and saw so many of his friends die. Some of them were as young as the students he taught and when he came back home to London, he was never quite the same. I tried to help him, get him to see the light in life again and to be excited about our wedding but he never really recovered. One day, I guess it all became too much for him to handle and when I came home from work, I found him in the bathtub. His wrists had been slit and he was dead long before I reached him. I couldn't save him."

Millicent's voice broke as she finished the last sentence and for the first time since her arrival, she showed her true self. It all made sense now, I thought. I had judged her too quick and it seemed we had more in common than I had presumed. To lose a lover at such a young age was enough to break anyone's heart.

"Is that why you feel such guilt?" I wondered "Hallath told me about the old woman Dale. Surely you must know that it is not your fault? There was nothing you could have done to save her."

"But I didn't even try." Millicent said "I chose to save Astrid and left the old woman in the care of others, when she should have been my responsibility. I abandoned someone who needed me."

"Do you feel that way about Charles? Do you believe that he took his own life because you abandoned him?"

"I…..I never said…."

Millicent did not have to say anything. I could feel her guilt and her pain as though it were a part of me. She knew I could feel it as well, which left a strange and unspoken feeling lingering in the air. Maybe I should have explained to her that elves were highly intuitive and picked up the emotions of others easily. Then again, so did Millicent and perhaps that is also what frightened her? Another thought then struck me that I hadn't considered before but it was also ludicrous and nothing I could be certain of. Had the Valar sent her here for the purpose of healing her own heartache? By healing others, did she believe she could heal herself? It was impossible to know for sure and I needed more time to think things through. I stirred the herbs into a mug with warm water and sat down on the edge of the bed. Millicent glanced at me skeptically and I couldn't help but to be amused.

"I will not poison you," I assured her "This will help easy the infection out of your body and will help you sleep. You can trust me."

What surprised me the most is how sincere my promise was. I meant not to deceive her in any way, nor to make her feel unwelcome. Whether we both liked it or not, we were stuck with each other for the foreseeable future. Somewhat reluctantly, Millicent drank the herbal remedy and lay back down. I mumbled some words in elvish and I could tell the magic had started to affect her, as her eyes began to flicker around until her eyelids closed. I decided to leave her be for the time being and let her sleep now that I knew there was no cause for immediate concern.

"Thranduil," Millicent mumbled as I stood in the doorway "Who did you lose?"

I knew what she meant and I pondered whether or not to pretend I hadn't heard her. To my surprise, I told her the truth.

"My wife." I replied simply "Tomorrow is the anniversary of her passing."

I didn't expect a reply from Millicent and surely enough, she quickly fell into a deep sleep and I left her chambers, filled with more questions than before.

To be continued…..

There we are! Another chapter yet again! Please let me know what you thought about this one! It was the first proper interaction between Millie and Thranduil! I know it's not very exciting right now but I do have a lot planned and I'm building up to things. It's just going ot be a slow burn romance. Please leave a review!