Chapter 3: Equivalent

"My King," Tauriel felt the need to address him, prod him and take his hand in hers for the hope of some sort of response.

He had been nothing but pliant, limp and compliant since he verbally accepted help and the healers haven't arrived yet. The elleth stayed with him after her and Galion dragged, hauled and supported the elvenking to his bed and was looking at him puzzled and apprehensive, "what hurts? What is the matter? Please tell me what's wrong?" She leaned closer intently.

Thranduil heaved a sigh and turned his head slightly in her direction without opening his eyes, "how is it you don't know Tauriel?" He complained.

"Your Majesty, I don't." She fretted, uneasy and blaming herself for it. She now had his hand in both hers and squeezed encouragingly, "but if anyone can get through it, I know you can, you are the strongest, most resilient, and persevering elf I ever met, considering all the hardship you've been through and the enemies you've faced with limited resources."

Even with his eyelids closed, it was clear he was giving her the eye roll. But he stayed otherwise motionless. His hand, he didn't pull away etiher. "That was the past…the past when I had something to live for…" He indicated quietly. "I had my wife to fight for, battle my way out for and when I didn't anymore, I still had Legolas…"

"Please don't say that," Tauriel was horrified. She had no idea how the proud and arrogant ruler she knew only months ago became this hopeless pile of bones, wretched, sickly and ready to give up, not even bothering to conceal his pain. "You still have Legolas, your subjects who love you. Nations respecting you."

"Legolas is sickened by as much as having to look at me, he has been for a long time. Contempt is all he has."

"That's not true!" The elleth exclaimed, "I have spent a lot of time with the prince and he has confided in me many times. Legolas loves you, he just finds it hard to deal with you sometimes."

Thranduil huffed, "either way, he won't be back."

"He will be back. He won't be away longer than a few decades the most. His heart will pull him back to his kin, and home," Tauriel guaranteed.

"Decades?" Thranduil wondered on a lost voice. "My stomach hurts too much…" He finally moved his other hand slowly, only to place it tenderly on his belly.

"What's wrong with the king?" Tauriel demanded from the entering healer, now very worried that Thranduil had some ailment to do with his stomach, a serious ailment that meant Legolas should be back sooner if he wanted to see his father alive.

The healer walked up to them sombre and silent, well-nigh disregarding her, but at least she was focussed on the patient. She placed a hand on the king's forehead without much ado, held it there concentrating, then put it on his chest repeating the procedure, then finally she put it on Thranduil's abdomen for the same amount of time and the king simply let her, pliant and limp still, not commenting or giving any indication that he gave her any of his attention, apart from a momentary change in his breathing pattern when she touched his belly. Tauriel never let go of his hand, she planned she wouldn't till he pulled it away himself, per chance he needed the support.

The newest arrived elf acted just as dismissive as he was and Tauriel had the feeling the healer seemed angry as she pulled her sack open and produced a few leafs she crushed into a cup and poured some water over them. "Drink. It will calm the roiling of your insides," she promised on a commanding voice.

Thranduil sighed and leaned up on an elbow obediently, braced by a hand Tauriel freed to support his back while the healer manoeuvred the potion down his throat and then as if everything would be in order, she packed up and marched towards the entrance to leave them. "Wait!" Tauriel stood, scandalised. "Is that it? You won't stay with him to assure he will get better?"

The healer looked outright hostile. "I am not playing this game and His Majesty knows that fine well."

"So you just leave him to suffer on his own?" Tauriel challenged.

"He is to blame himself only and yet he insists. Severe alcohol poisoning won't kill an elf. Done repeatedly, he should still recover at this stage, though maybe slower each time." She resumed on her path, but added from the doorway, "the potion will help him rest as well. If you could get him to drink less, that would be good." She advised.

It took Tauriel the amount of time she needed to turn her head to digest the situation. Thranduil was out of control, desperate to numb the heartache, and alternatively, bury himself to escape the hurting. She didn't think any less of him for it, in fact quite the opposite. His protective walls crushed due to recent events, there were no traces of his icy heart left. Exposed, it was shattered and now Tauriel knew with chilling clarity why he had always been reserved and arrogant. It was either that, or this. She looked back to regard him with sympathy and found him with his eyes half lidded, peering at her with a mask of indifference that didn't quite convince. "May I stay with you?" She offered her all, her heart calling out to his, "in case you need something," she justified, fearing he would reject her bid.

Thranduil nodded slowly, absently, already appearing a lot more peaceful than a moment ago. Perhaps the potion was working. "Tauriel…" He mused, "how long has it been since we last spoken?"

"Near enough half an Ioa, My Lord," the redhead answered dutifully.

"My guards report less threats to border control forces. Is that truly the case?"

Tauriel bit her lips on the inside. Did he not remember she wasn't with them anymore? And if she reminded him, would that result in him sending her away? She didn't like the idea of his servants caring for him in this awful state where even memory loss was an issue, they were too scared of the ruler's wrath to do it properly to his advantage. But lying she couldn't. "I wouldn't know Sire. I'm still confined to the Halls by your order."

Thranduil actually blinked at that, startled. He still didn't pull away however and remained limp and listless, turning his head back towards her in a fragmented manner. Tauriel didn't know if that was the effect of the alcohol or the potion, but it felt very wrong seeing him so without control in his feebleness. "A sentence should've been passed," he claimed.

"Well…" Tauriel frowned. She couldn't exactly come out and blame him on the spot, for more reasons than one.

"I didn't know what to do with you at first," he squinted, as if remembering some distant past, not something that was simply a couple of seasons ago. "And in no way I wanted to magistrate in anger. I have no decision for you, Tauriel, if that is what you came for," he finally temporarily reacquired his wits.

"Let me serve you and tend to you," she offered, "as your humble attendant, here in your chambers. No offence to your footmen, but a female's touch is sorely needed around here," she gestured around, "organisation lacks, along with security and the provision of personal care." Was as far as she dared to go. But that somebody needed to insist when he should stop drinking and take care of his health, that is what she meant.

Thranduil perked up enough for a derisive smile at that, "you, a foot servant? You would not be able to bring about the obedience and humility required for that," he challenged.

"Which is exactly why it would be a suitable sentence. Correctional, and if I fail, harsher punishment is fair to be dealt," she held firmly, wanting to help at all costs. If Legolas wasn't around, it would be her duty, as his closest friend to take care of the prince's father.

The older elf stared at her for a moment. "Very well. Consider yourself demoted to handmaiden of the king. I'll let you know Idhrenion is foolish to think his potions are enough to put me to sleep. Bring me honey mead," he gave his first command to her in her new capacity, knowing fine well she would have an issue with it and where Tauriel had a concern, she would speak up.

Tauriel's chest raised in a big breath, in alarm. Honey mead was a lot stronger than wine and she had just promised herself she would put a halt on his alcohol consumption. But it was of course rather foolish of her to think she would be able to start first thing. So after a pause, she nodded and set out on her orders.

tbc

Glossary:

Ioa – elven solar year