A/N: Does anyone even read these? Just curious lol. Anyway, thank you again for sticking with me through this story and hope you are enjoying it still. Also thank you for the reviews, I love seeing them and they keep me motivated! If you are reading these, a question for you! This is obviously a reaaaalllll slowburn romance between Kate and Legolas but would you rather something happens sooner or later…because in my head things won't star picking up for them until they are in Rohan. Happy to know what you'll think!
Kate sighed in frustration as she watched the arrow sail past her target. She stifled a yawn and squinted her eyes in the dark of the early morning. Was that even close to the target this time?
She had gotten cocky, believing that if she had gotten better with the sword than she must be getting better with the bow as well. This was, evidently, not true and after a few days of doing nothing in Lothlorien, Kate was beginning to grow restless. She had wrongly assumed that whatever small skill in archery she had gained in Rivendell would still be hidden away in her, and that she would just pick up where she left off; like riding a bike! That had proved to be a rather incorrect assumption.
"What am I doing wrong?" She muttered to herself, frowning at the hopelessly empty target board. She was shooting from a greater distance, with a smaller target, maybe she wasn't ready to advance quite yet? Obviously! Kate continued muttering to herself as she walked over to retrieve the arrows she had shot.
"You have not been practicing." Legolas called, chuckling to himself as he watched the disgruntled woman. Kate frowned, her hand placed regally on her hips.
"Well, I've been a little busy as of late, if you hadn't noticed. It's not as easy to practice archery on the open road as it is with the sword." Legolas smiled. It was so easy to rile her up, he couldn't resist baiting her every once in a while. A few choice words her and there and he would watch in amusement while her hand struck her hip and her normally fair skin turned pink in indignation.
"Yes, but surely I am a better instructor than that. Have you learned nothing from me? Or is my instruction so invaluable that you had not bothered to remember it at all?" He disputed, teasingly. Kate's jaw dropped, ready to defend herself when she noticed his good-humored smirk.
"You're funny, Legolas. You're a funny Elf. Your parents must be proud." She replied wryly, turning back to load her arrow.
Legolas made a derisive noise, a bad habit he had picked up from his human friends, but said nothing further. He watched her form, critically assessing the way she pulled the bow back, aimed and fired. He could see several mistakes that to a more seasoned archer were quite laughable, but to someone with less experience, like Kate, he could understand why she would find it to be frustrating. It secretly pleased him that she had not yet given up the pursuit.
The arrow, again, sailed rebelliously over the target.
"Is archery only for Elves? Is that what I'm missing? Please help me. This is pathetic." She cried, ignoring Legolas's laugh.
Still laughing he gracefully hoped off the fence and walked over to her. Kate couldn't help but smile back at the elf. His laugh was infectious, and he was so much calmer here. Kate certainly enjoyed seeing this other side to the ordinarily aloof and somber elf.
The majority of the time everyone was on high alert for any and all threats, and that was understandable, they were on an important and dangerous business! However, this time the fellowship had spent convalescing in Lothlorien had everyone more relaxed than usual, more playful. Kate felt that she had really gotten to know everyone, it was amazing to her how these people had all grown to be her little family…and for someone who had never really had that, it was special to her. Rest and the feeling of safety did wonders for the soul. Still, it was important for her to remember that this was only a temporary stop, the rest of the journey would not be like this.
"Here." Legolas instructed, gently pulling her bow downward. "Your bow is aimed too high, it is a natural mistake to make. If you move your bow lower, your arrow will be more in line with the target." Kate nodded, absorbing the information.
"Ok, got it. Anything else?"
"Yes. You hesitate just before you shoot, as if you are second guessing your aim. Do not do that. Your body has not yet grown accustomed to holding the bow at full draw for such an extended period of time. You see how your arm is shaking now?" He motioned to her arm, which was in fact, tremoring slightly. It was exhausting holding it for so long…but Kate also knew it had a lot more to do with how close Legolas was standing, his chest pressed against her back as he stood behind her to adjust her stance, than muscle fatigue. Maybe a little muscle fatigue.
"Relax your arm, give yourself a moment. Readjust and release. You should only take a moment or so to aim."
"Right. Shoot first, ask questions later" She said, flashing Legolas a smile so he knew she was joking.
"You jest. Funny." Legolas responded, repeating her earlier quip and giving her a wry smile. "Now, try again."
Sheshook out her arms and readjusted her stance, carefully to make sure only three fingers were on the bow string.
Load. Draw. Shoot.
Kate watched in amazement as the arrow sailed over the field, making a satisfying thunk into the target.
"I'll be damned." Kate whispered to herself. The arrow hung loosely on the outer edge of the target…but it was there! That could do some damage in a battle! She thought triumphantly. "You are an amazing teacher. You should get an award; and tenure!" Kate exclaimed, smiling up at Legolas. She was sure Legolas's cheeks had turned just the slightest bit pinker from the praise but he simply smiled and busied himself with grabbing some of his own arrows.
"When you have more experience and skill, I will show you how to hold the arrows in your hand. It will save you precious seconds in battle to have the arrows at the ready instead of having to reach behind you. It is not always the most practical during a battle." He offered. Demonstrating, he gathered a few arrows into his draw hand, firing off a succession of arrows at lightning speed. "You see?" He said smiling, reminding Kate a bit of a child proudly displaying his artwork.
Kate's jaw dropped. It was incredible to watch, and not for the first time, Kate was thankful that he was on her side. The Elf's kind and calm demeanor made it was easy to forget that Legolas was actually a warrior, and a renowned archer as Aragorn had told her.
"T-that's amazing. You're…wow! I will never be able to do that…but wow! Who taught you that?" Kate praised, her head bouncing back in awe from the target to Legolas. Legolas smiled.
"My father." He said, almost shyly. "He taught me a great many things. You can learn in time. But you must take the time to practice!" He chided playfully. Kate didn't press about his father, sensing an uneasiness from Legolas about him.
"I don't exactly have the same amount of time you have Legolas." Kate teased, loading another arrow. Legolas frowned slightly, as if he had forgotten that, but Kate had not noticed being too preoccupied with her shot.
This time her arrow had made it closer to the center, and stuck firmly in the target. Kate smiled to herself, quite happy with her efforts. She would have been quite content to stay there all morning but as the sun began to rise through the trees Kate was reminded of her task.
"Hey, Legolas? Do you know when the apothecary shop is open for business?" She asked.
"I do not believe it closes? But I am unfamiliar with it. Why? Are you well?" He asked, concern spreading across his face.
"Oh yes! Quite well, actually." She exclaimed, pulling out a sealed envelope and showing it to Legolas. "I ran into Haldir yesterday as I was organizing my kit, when I thought we were leaving, but that was a false alarm, remember? He was looking for Aragorn but found me first. Anyway, we were talking for a bit and I was explaining to him about my medical kit and that I needed it restocked but didn't know where or how much I could really do and he told me there was a healer here who had some supplies he might be able to offer up!" Kate told excitedly.
"Oh?" Legolas asked politely, amused by her excitement.
"Yes! After he told me I was going to go over there later that day to just window shop, you know? But an hour or so later he came back with a letter from the Lady Galadriel who said she would cover any and all expenses!" Legolas's eyebrows rose in surprise.
"That is very generous!" He agreed.
"I know! Normally I couldn't except such an offer…but we really do need it." Kate explained, a bit sheepishly. "You know…after , Moria…I should really be more prepared for any type of situation. Anyway, I was going to swing by at some point today and pick some things up if it wasn't a bother." She reached down to grab her bag, quiver and bow.
Legolas frowned, his head inclined.
"What? Should I not?"
"No…it is not that…something has happened…" He said, gravely.
"What? How do you-oh hearing. Is Frodo alright? Should we go find him?" She asked, growing more and more concerned by Legolas's somber attitude.
"I do not know." Was his response and Kate could now hear elvish shouts echoing through the wounds. A cry rang out, and Kate knew that whoever made that was in agony! It was especially unnerving to her to hear such a cry in this peaceful glade, when everything else in the early morning had grown quiet. "It is not Frodo but I believe the healer will be otherwise engaged today."
A hundred scenarios ricocheted through her mind, and though she hated to admit it a small bit of fear. It could have just been an accident, a sparring match gone wrong…but Kate had a sinking feeling that something truly bad had happened. She began to wonder if maybe they were not as safe here as she thought.
"I think I'll go check. That sounds bad. There could be more injured, maybe they'll need help." Kate remarked, heading toward the sound of the cries. Legolas nodded, following after the woman at a light jog.
The pair didn't have to go far before they found the source of the cry. A small group of elves, about 5, looking wild and covered in what looked like black orc blood carried their companion on a make shift stretcher. Haldir was there, helping to carry the elf and saying something in elvish.
Legolas called out, and Kate assumed he was asking what had happened but Kate, as soon as she saw the elf and turned her focus to him. The elf had clearly been sliced across the stomach and the wound had been deep enough that Kate could see what she knew were intestines threatening to spill out. He was pale but it seemed that the bleeding had stopped, still, it was not a good scenario.
"They were ambushed. A band of orc trying to get through the southern border lie in wait during the night." Legolas explained to Kate, translating what Haldir had told him with a look of disgust and anger. "They were outnumbered, but were able to deal with the orc, except this one." Legolas moved to help carry they the weight of the elf, it was an arduous task as they were moving slowly to keep from moving him too much, a task not overly difficult for the usually graceful Elves. The injured elf, cried out again at the slight movement and Kate winced.
"Would it help him to press the organ back into the body?" Haldir asked Kate, relief flooding his usually serene face. There was, at least someone who knew what to do, even if it was only a human woman.
"No, no absolutely not. Not now. I'm assuming you haven't cleaned the wound yet? Any bandages for his other injuries?" They shook their heads in reply. Kate sighed. "Well that it alright, no one could have anticipated this
"It has been some time since orcs have felt emboldened enough to try and cross our borders." Haldir bitterly replied. "I believed we had driven them back. Not far enough it would seem. These are dark days."
Kate sent a sympathetic look his way. She hoped he didn't believe this was his fault but she knew it was useless to tell him that. The Marchwarden took his job very seriously.
"Well at any rate, we'll need to clean it but it's likely there will be more supplies with your healer. I can run ahead and let him know, that way he'll be ready when you get him there" Haldir nodded his head in acknowledgment and gave instructions on where the healing house would be. No doubt the healer had already heard the commotion and was gathering supplies now, if this Nestaron was any good as Haldir said. The elf moaned in pain again, a cold sweat breaking out across his forehead, Kate hoped that he was the healer was that good.
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Kate slowed her run but walked briskly into the healing house, the familiar smell of herbs and some kind of antiseptic prompting warm memories of Rivendell and Lord Elrond's teachings.
Kate could see a station already set up, with several bottles full of unknown liquids, clean bandages laid out nearby. In the corner, a rather imposing auburn-haired Elf was busy with the task of crushing up herbs and mixing some sort of liquid simultaneously. Without looking up from his task he barked out a string of Elvish commands that Kate did not understand.
When it became obvious Kate had no intention of moving to respond to what he had said the elf looked up at her, open annoyance displayed uninhibited across his fierce features.
"I said come back later. I am about to be very busy." He translated brusquely, moving to carefully pouring the liquid into another vial. Yes, this is Nestaron, I'm willing to bet my bow. Kate thought to herself
"Yes, that's what I'm coming to tell you. Haldir and some of the warriors were ambushed at the southern border. Everyone else is unharmed but there is one who was cut across the abdomen, resulting in an abdominal evisceration. I'm assuming you are Nestaron?" The elf paused for a moment and then grabbed a few more items from the shelf behind him.
"Yes. Consider your message delivered." He said simply without thanks.
"They will be here any moment now, they're just trying to be careful." Kate offered, but Nestaron said nothing in reply.
She stood there, awkwardly chewing her lips, unsure of how to ask what she wanted, which was to be of assistance. She suddenly felt very foolish. Months without regular medical tutelage had left her out of practice and suddenly she was not as confident as she once was. And why would I be? I'm only a second-year resident not some attending! Who did I think I was?!
She found herself feeling like an intern again, unsure and very afraid of being yelled at by the intimidating surgeons. This Nestaron reminded her of Dr. Stevens in his attitude, and he did not at all seem like the other Lothlorien elves, all gentle and clothed in white.
His vibrant coloring stuck out amongst the sea of golden haired elves but his demeanor was what struck her the most. Whereas most elves she had met seemed more reserved or composed, choosing to hide their feelings behind the cool Elven mask of indifference this Nestaron openly displayed his feelings like a war mask, hoping to intimidate others. He was either too young to have mastered this elven talent or simply too old to care. Despite his youthful appearance, Kate was quite positive it was the later.
"You may leave now." He said dismissively after a few moments. Kate cleared her throat.
"Well…. I was wondering… I "
"You what? You suddenly cannot speak?"
"No, I can. I was just saying that I can offer my assistance if you need it. I'm a healer, I'm traveling with a group and we've been staying here the past few days. I could help, if you needed it." She blurted out lamely. She felt rather foolish and the desire to give him a list of references and show him her degrees fell upon her, resulting in an unfortunate case of word vomit. "I've been trained for a while now, I've assisted with many surgeries, and while I was in Rivendell I had the privilege to be able to learn under Lord Elrond for a few weeks. Just some things to assist the fellowship on their journey. Umm, to be honest I have never actually treated an Elf before with that kind of injury…or ever, but I have assisted with this surgery on a human if that counts for anything. And I'm well trained and I learn quickly and I'd really like to be of assistance, if you'd allow me." Kate could feel the blood rising in her cheeks and she just knew her entire face was as red as Nestaron's hair.
He sighed loudly and turned to regard her as a mother would an exhausting child who asked too many questions.
"Yes. I was told you would be relieving me of a large amount of my supplies."
"Um, yes."
"And, yes, I have had been informed that you had incurred some favor with Lord Elrond, though I have no idea why." He continued and his eyes went pointedly to her very rounded ears. She touched them self-consciously. "However, a few weeks of instruction does not a healer make. Would you even know how to start?"
"I thought all Elves were supposed to be accommodating and kindly?" Kate replied curtly, her embarrassment turning to irritation. The corners of Nestaron's mouth turned up in repressed amusement.
"If you are looking for The Last Homely House you have made a wrong turn, my lady." He quipped and Kate couldn't help but smirk in reply.
"Well, like I said, I've never done surgery on an elf, I'll be honest. They're not all that common where I come from, and yes there are a few physiological differences but the basic anatomy is the same. Before I left I instructed them not to push the organ's back into the cavity, but as they didn't have anything to clean it with I let it be. Ordinarily I would have cleaned it first, and applied a wet and slightly warm dressing over top, but nothing constricting, before he was taken into surgery." She said, feeling slightly more sure of herself. Nestaron inclined his slightly, not willing to give anymore affirmation than that.
Kate could hear they troupe coming now, most concerning to her was that the injured Elf had seemed to have gone quiet now. Nestaron turned to wash his hands, spurred to action as he called out to in elvish to the troupe outside.
"I can just hand you things if you don't trust me. Please, I'd really like to help." Kate practically begged as they carried him into the healing house.
"I would except all the help you can, mellon nin." Legolas called out to Nestaron, who turned to him with a shocked and delighted smile spread across his face.
"Prince Legolas? I did not look to find you here!" Nestaron exclaimed, and Legolas returned his smile despite the emergent situation.
"It is good to see you! It has been so long! I would very much like to continue this conversation after you are finished. It would be a great privilege to me if you would allow my dear friend, Lady Kate to learn from you in this. She travels with us as our healer and any advancement in her knowledge would greatly benefit us all." Legolas plied, actively avoided Kate's gaze.
"Prince?!" Kate mouth incredulously. Oh, we are soooo coming back to that Legolas, you can't avoid me forever! Kate thought. Legolas was a prince?! Who knew elves even had Princes?
Nestaron's mouth set in a firm line until finally giving a begrudging nod.
"Go wash your hands." He ordered and Kate hurried to the wash basin in the corner. I guess they don't have surgical gloves she thought, cringing a bit at the thought. She scrubbed harder in response, as if the mechanical action would single handedly prevent the spread of any and all infections from everyone. "Do not touch anything unless I tell you. And please, if you are going to be sick do not come back."
"I won't be sick. This is not the first time I have seen this." Kate breathed, trying to fight the smile that was working its way across her face and moving to the side of the patient where the supplies where.
Her eyes met Legolas from across the room, who inclined his head in farewell as Haldir, the other Elves and he began to exit. Kate winked at him, a bold move on her part but was satisfied at the confused blink it prompted from the Elf. Yes, they were most definitely coming back to that but for now she was fully immersed in the task at hand.
"How are your stitches? Tell me honestly?" Nestaron asked administering a clear liquid to the injured elf who had passed out and had grown distressingly pale.
"Not bad. They aren't perfect but my instructors have seemed pleased with them for where I was at in my education." She said, watching as the patient's breathing slowed and he appeared visibly more relaxed. Was that some type of anesthesia? Kate wondered in amazement. The things she could do with that here in Middle Earth!
Nestaron gave a curt nod and began cleaning the wound slowly, assessing the skin around it, and the part of the small bowel that had been exposed. He seemed happy enough with his assessment.
"Orcs often poison their blades, though if that were the case he surely would have faded by now. His fae is strong though. I believe he will heal well."
Kate nodded, watching intently. This wasn't exactly new instruction to her, she had seen it before but she didn't care. Her heart lurched as she watched the familiar process. She had missed this, she didn't realize just how much until it was right in front of her. Thoughts of home and of her hospital spilled into her mind, and she fought to push them back. This wasn't the time or place for that!
"Alright. Let us begin." Nestaron declared to Kate, and she instantly recognized the familiar glow in his eyes. That adrenaline and thrill she had seen reflected in her eyes as well as the eyes of her colleagues just before the first cut. It wasn't a happiness that someone had been injured but just the excitement of being able to do something to fix it! To satisfy that burning need to help people!
Kate gave a small smile as she nodded her head and handed him the item he requested.
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Kate washed her hands, and began to help clean up the supplies as Nestaron inspected the stitching she had been allowed to do. Kate was a bit nervous, the thread that was used was much thicker than she was used to but all in all she felt pleased. More than pleased, she was thrilled really!
"I can see where you struggled here at the beginning, see here?" Nestaron assessed, calling her over to illustrate his point. Kate frowned at the stiches; less than ideal.
Man, I am really out of practiceKate thought worriedly. "But there, you can see that you have eased into it. A more natural flow. Those are quite good. It is important to maintain consistency; you would not want anyone to assume you had just been lazy, correct?" He continued, arching a thin eyebrow at her.
"No, no I wouldn't want that. Yea I can see that, jeez. Sorry, it was a little thicker thread than I am used to, we used a bit smaller. And I might be a bit out of practice…" Kate excused, biting her lip as she studied her stitches lined up next to Nestaron's perfect uniform ones. She had thought she was a lot better than that…she was a lot better than that…wasn't she? Kate pushed those self-deprecating thoughts to the side and turned her attention back to Nestaron. "I'm sorry, I missed what you said."
Nestaron's face displayed its usual annoyance once again.
"I asked how is it that you came to know such a skill. It is not common for human women to have such knowledge when it comes to an injury such as this." He asked. Kate bite her cheek. She really needed to come up with a better story for this.
"Uh, it's a family business I guess you could say. My great grandmother was a pretty great surgeon and it was just always my desire to go to school to be a surgeon so…that's pretty much it." Nestaron frowned, confused by her words.
"And by surgeon you mean healer? I did not know there was a school who taught mortal women the art of healing…where is this exactly?" He asked, he could hear her lies and yet there was truth there, the evidence was in her skill.
"It…is very far away." She answered.
"And you have kin nearby?" He asked, leading away from questions of her home. He would inquire again at another time. Kate shook her head. Better just give him the microwave version of the truth. She thought, watching him warily as he began preparing another draught for the recovering elf.
"Only Aragorn, my uncle. I am his sister's daughter. She died when I was young, my father is gone too, and my aunt recently passed…I did not know I had an uncle, my family had lost each other, so we have only just met a few months ago in Rivendell." Kate explained, keeping as close to the truth as possible.
"You are the niece of Aragorn?" Nestaron asked skeptically, but that skepticism lasted only a moment. Nepotism actually made a lot more sense, he thought wryly. "Now I understand why Lord Elrond saw fit to teach you…and why the Lady Galadriel offered you aid. So, I am now right to assume that you travel with the Fellowship? That is how you know Prince Legolas? And why he was so desirous of your continued education."
Kate frowned, uncomfortable with the continued questioning and the assumption that people were only interested in her because of her lineage. She kept forgetting that Aragorn was some long-lost King of Gondor, it never really stuck in her mind. Apparently, the Elves were all too aware of that fact.
"Well I didn't know he was a Prince, that's for sure." She muttered, just loud enough for Nestaron to hear. I kissed him! It was just a little kiss but still! God, he must have been so revolted! Can't people be killed for that? For getting too comfortable with royalty? Nestaron sniffed indignantly, but then relaxed.
"No, I suppose you would not have been privy to that information…since you come from so very far away…" He finished, raising an eyebrow at her, an open invitation for her to explain further but when she did not respond her turned her attention back to the patient. "He will rest here, I will monitor his progress but he will be just fine. A few days and he will be back out on patrol."
"A few days?!" Kate gasped, quieting herself when the patient groaned in his sleep and receiving a scathing glare from Nestaron. "This kind of thing would take at least a week for humans, maybe more, and God forbid there be an infection!" Nestaron smirked as he handed her the contents of the mixing bowl and instructed her to add a vial of liquid into it and continue mixing. When he was satisfied that she had performed that task correctly he explained.
"There is not such a risk of infection for Elf-kind. We do not fall sick in the body, only in the mind and heart. Elves can, of course, suffer injury in battle which can be quite debilitating but we heal quickly, much quicker than mortals. You may see for yourself in two days' time he will be able to go to his home. Another day hence and he will be ready to return to the border, as I said his fae is very strong; those of the Galadrhim do not lack in spirit that is to be sure! Keep mixing that please, it should not settle." Kate nodded and picked up her pace.
"So…" She started, clearing her throat. "How do you know Legolas? Don't give me that look, you asked me a lot of questions, it's only fair." Nestaron barked out a laugh.
"I suppose, though you have not confirmed that you travel with the fellowship…? It matters not I have discerned that for myself." He said, crossing his arms and regarding her curiously. She was an odd woman, even for a human.
Her mannerisms, her way of speech, she almost reminded him of…no, of course not! They would not know each other, that was impossible. Still, he wondered, he would like to know more, to satisfy his own curiosity more than anything. "I have known Legolas since the day he was born." He answered, a smile ghosting his lips as memories danced about in his mind's eye. "I was the healer in the Greenwood, I helped his mother give birth to him, his father and I were not so well acquainted then. His father, King Thranduil is a dear friend of mine now, I am honored to say and when I left, I went with his blessing." Kate smiled at the thought of young Legolas, running around in his homeland and shooting off tiny arrows with his father.
"I didn't know that Elves had Kings, I thought they were a strictly Lords and Ladies type." She mused, more to herself than anything. "What is King Thranduil like?" Nestaron cracked a smile now, laughing to himself as he motioned for Kate to hand back the mixture, which he poured onto the bandaging of the sleeping elf. Kate assumed the gel like consistency would provide just enough moisture to keep the damaged skin healthy and aid in healing.
"What is King Thranduil like? Let me think…stubborn, cold, arrogant, ill-tempered…and the kindest, most caring and benevolent King I have ever known." He said, turning to clean the mixing bowl and wash his hands he continued. "I had only really conversed with him at the time of his wife's delivery and found him to be just as disagreeable then as the next time I met with him. Though now that I have the clarity of knowing him…I suppose his rage, as misplaced at it was, was probably wrought out of fear for his wife and unborn child…and that is a forgivable thing. Though there was really nothing to worry over!"
"It is a natural thing." Kate agreed, bringing his attention back to the story at hand.
"Have you ever seen dragon fire burn? No, no I suppose you wouldn't have. I had not seen it either, I would not have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes…a Fire Drake, great serpents from the North they are…I had never seen such a thing! I was very young, a few hundred years and perhaps not the best suited to heal such an injury…but I was the only one there and I suppose he trusted me after the safe delivery of his son. Maybe it was that he had attached me to a memory of his wife, she had long since passed…tragedy. Well, either way it sorted itself but he was in such pain…a dragon burn…well when I say elves heal fast…a dragon burn…this is a bit different. This took a lot of skill. He yelled profanities at me such as I never heard when he was awake, throwing things and screaming…and when he would sleep ..he would cry for his child and faded wife. Had I not been there while he slept I believe I might have had a difference of opinion of my King, but it turned my heart. He was in agony…mentally and physically, but he did heal. He is stronger for it, wiser too I believe, for my part anyway."
Nestaron paused for a moment, he had forgotten himself, so caught up in his tale as he was. He had said too much, it was infuriatingly easy to talk to the human woman. She was not so dull witted as most humans he had known, she had a better grasp of hygiene too. Still, he assumed it had mostly to do with her uncle, Aragorn who himself had been named elf-friend.
"I tell you this not as a friend, but as a healer and I expect that you will handle that information as a healer would." He admonished, drying his hands on the towel. Kate gave a curt nod, knowing that she never would have repeated it anyway. It seemed odd to know so much of Legolas's father and so little of Legolas himself. "Good. You may leave now, we are finished here. Your assistance was…tolerable." He dismissed and returned to his work. Kate wondered to herself if perhaps Nestaron wasn't more like his King Thranduil than he thought. She turned to leave, accepting her dismissal before memory struck her.
"Oh! I forgot!" She exclaimed, pulling out the letter from the pocket in skirt. "This letter, from Haldir! It just asks for your help with supplies…which seems a bit useless now…since you already know …so…" She held out the letter lamely while Nestaron regarded it with a raised brow. When she still held the letter out to him after a few moments the elf begrudgingly took it, ripped it open and stared down at it imperially.
"Yes of course Haldir knows that should he ask on behalf of the Lady Galadriel I will say yes, I cannot say no!" He muttered to himself, flipping to the other side of the letter where the Lady herself had apologized for any inconvenience and promised full compensation if he would but allow the mortal women access to any and all supplies needed. Nestaron's face softened as he read her letter, fingers lightly brushing her signature.
After a moment he straightened up, accepting the inevitable and bid her follow him to a smaller room in the back.
His supply room was lined in shelves top to bottom, with bottles from of all different sizes and colors, an elvish writing neatly labeled the contents. The room smelled like the pages of an old book, and she inhaled deeply, a shiver of anticipation rolling over her. Just like an old book, the room promised to tell her it's secrets and provide her with invaluable information.
"Make note of what you will need, I will be in the front." Was his clipped instruction, and then he was gone. Kate gave a low whistle of appreciation as she surveyed the room. Slowly she made her way forward, afraid that any sudden movement would thrust her into the shelves and have them crashing down around her.
Gingerly she touched the vials, opening the corks to smell the contents. Some she recognized, despite the elvish labeling. Garlic, Comfrey, Rosemary, and Athelas and a few others she had learned from Lord Elrond; but the majority of the vials meant nothing to her. She turned her attention to a few spare surgical tools, and clean bandages, a few containers of salve, items she recognized.
Kate suddenly felt deflated, she bit her lip, nervously scanning the shelves. Oh, buck up, Mackenzie! She mentally chided What would you do if you didn't know a medication at the hospital? You looked it up! Well the closest thing you have to a database is Nestaron, so suck it up and ask him you ninny!
Slowly she moved toward the front. Yup, you are an intern again. Absolutely! Because you're not in Kansas anymore, Toto!
"Umm, hi…Nestaron?"
"Yes." Came his drawn-out reply.
"Funny thing…I don't actually read Elvish either and at the risk of sounding like a complete fool…I know…maybe ten of those herbs and only know how to mix three…to make a salve and a couple for calming and antiseptic tinctures." Nestaron pursed his lips, but continued on with his work. "So, if you wouldn't mind teaching me about a few of them I would really, really appreciate it." She said.
"I am being compensated for my supplies not my tutelage." He replied, not bothering to look up at her.
"Right. Yes, of course." She said, lamely. But…she needed this information! If this was her life now she needed to know!
After losing Gandalf and the horrors of Moria she would not risk harm coming to her friends, not if she could prevent it! She was a good surgeon, a great one even, in her world; but that was just it. She was not in her world anymore. Everything was different here and things that were a part of everyday life here, like mixing your own medicines, were unheard of in her world!
In fact, if she had seen that in her world she would have called it quack medicine and closed the book on it. Here, however, she had the chance to learn from great healers like Lord Elrond and Nestaron who had healed a King from a dragon burn. A freaking Dragon! She would not pass this up!
"Sooo the thing is, I really need to know what these things are. If you helped me I know that Legolas would really be thankful for it…and when I speak with the Lady Galadriel I will be sure to tell her what a help you were." She ventured, playing whatever card she could.
Nestaron's back was to her, so Kate did not see the amused smile forming across his lips. Yes, he did like her, he was reluctant to admit it but she was charming in her own odd way.
Humans were so fickle, he believed, and most didn't last long enough to truly master the talent of healing, he refused to waste his time with the simply for that matter…it was a poor investment. However, this woman…she was not so easily deterred; he could see the hesitation, the uneasiness that he wasn't sure came from a lack of knowledge of being uncomfortable in her environment. But, there was a fire there, he could see it, a determination in her that appealed to him…something that reminded him of the only one he had ever really taken under his instruction. He knew that they had shared that passion and drive to heal others, he could see it in her eyes! That seemed enough to sway him; of course, the favor he'd earn from Lady Galadriel couldn't hurt either
"How long will you stay in Lothlorien?" He asked, still not facing her.
"Don't know. A week maybe more? I spend the morning training, before the sun is up but I can come right after every day up until I leave. Every day. And I am used to being up most nights, I worked late at the hospital so I have no problem staying late if you need me to!"
Nestaron shook his head, only a week? That was not nearly enough time to really give her the information she needed.
He fought back a frustrated groan…maybe if she did not tell anyone he had taught her, they might forgive whatever disaster she might incur by mishandling the medicinals. He shook his head again, a mental battle waging within him. No, she was not so foolish as that, surely! Exasperating yes, foolish no.
"I do not know this hospital you keep saying. I am not often that busy, like I said, Elves are not usually troubled with fever or illness. This situation was quite rare. So, if I agreed, if, you would simply be learning how to mix the tonics and such. What they are, how they work, very nominal tasks." He explained, his resistance waning
"I don't mind, that's exactly what I need to learn!"
"I suppose I might find something to help your stitches improve." He added, and Kate bristled under the criticism. At one point, she had been most proud of her stitching, the best in her class!
"I will happily learn anything you are gracious enough to teach me." She knew she was sucking up, sucking up big time, and she knew he knew it too but she didn't care. If this was what she had to do, to be a better doctor here than she would do it. And who knew, maybe she could use those skills when she arrived home too!
She stood there quietly waiting for his reply.
"Fine. Come back tomorrow after your training." He relented, after a few more moments of agonizing silence.
It took everything in her to hold back a triumphant squeal of delight!
"Thank you! Thank you so very much! You will not regret it!" She gushed, a little too loudly. The patient stirred and she gave a sheepish grin to Nestaron.
"Then, please, leave before I begin to." He said, fighting back a smile of his own. "And for Eru's sake, Lady Kate, learn some Elvish if you please!"
A/N: This chapter was a lot of fluff and I took some liberties with the characters and backstory of Thranduil but it was fun to write! I would really like to explore Thranduil's character more! Hope you all enjoyed reading it! Thank you in advance for the reviews!