Chap 42 Speechless but Determined

New: the she elf's and HB's pov You'll see why.

Skillet- Whispers in the dark and Paramore- Decode

Nuala

During missions, I am most worried for Brother and Abraham. I can't lose them. Not when I have just got my twin back from death and understood his emotions more. When I feel danger approaching, I can warn the others about it through our mutual connection.

But the Link is not always accurate. For example, if Nuada was injured, I only had a slight ache or cut in the same place. His injuries were not life threatening, but this still worried me. Dr Krauss had been researching why this phenomena is as such. Nuada tried to be careful now, he had already learnt his lesson since his over-exertion. He thought: I hate being bedridden! So helpless, never again! His fear is being unable to protect us. I am always indoors, so I urge him to focus on protecting my soulmate and Liz.

I have enjoyed great friendship and a surrogate family. Laira and Joe took such good care of brother unconditionally. The unicorn pendant which I gave to her for her birthday was actually our aunt Keira's for me. It is a waste to have it collect dust. I thought it was more appropriate for a youngling as Laira. She did mention her fascination with our people especially the collection of souvenirs. So I wanted to give this to her. The child had probably not received a good gift in years because of their situation.

Like Mother and Father, we could guide them on this life journey. It feels right somehow, especially that the divine fates granted Nuada a chance for redemption. Usually they want to see Nuada more, but I do not mind. Maybe he has not completely forgiven the human race, but his life has taken a more positive beat.

A wash of pain across my throat. No! My twin, he's in danger. I choked. He can't breathe. I fell to my knees. An undead, Evil! Brother! What happened? I shouted. More lacerations burning. I could see my brother coughing. Can't breathe! Then the room swirled around me. I lay on the floor. Despite my efforts, I could not get through anymore. I called into the intercom, "Liz Liz! Something's happened to my brother. Where is he?"

Gods please keep him safe! Liz replied that they were trying to locate him. I rushed to Dr Manning's office. He helped me into a chair. I fought to control myself. The man nodded gravely as I conveyed what happened. He said, "Don't worry, Red and Krauss are there. They will help him."

Red (aka HB)

Those ninjas were damn swift! I fired with my big baby, two this time. They disappeared and appeared in an instant. Shit shit! The bullets missed. I reloaded again. Nuada was in the same room now, fighting a few of them. I dared not risk shooting or might hit him. Then a couple of black demons swarmed me, I punched them out, flinging the largest one into its lackeys. Waif had gone.

"Burn them babe!" I looked around. More were coming but they were slow to build up. Ha! Fire would be enough. "Hey Abe. Where's waif?"

Abe cocked his head and blinked. "I am trying to find him. This is bad. Nuala told me she felt him getting strangled. Nuada! Nuada can you hear me?"

Nothing. "K I'll go in there. You guys keep them off. Abe remember to hide in the cover or something. Liz's gonna burn." I ran in the right tunnel. So much shit, dead bodies decaying corpses, skeletons. "Nuada! Oi oi can you hear me? Answer!" Was I actually worried for the guy? No shit! If he didn't come out now, I'd kick his ass. I kind of remembered how tense he looked when I was dying. Then the time when he was unconscious and sleeping so still.

Krauss said, "Zhe prince not responding. Agent hellboy. He is completely gone."

"Crap! Nuada! Dammit, answer me!" I stepped on more dead bodies. The scrunch on bones made my dinner feel like coming out. These blood and piss looked worse than mush. I'm a veteran, but it's still yuck! Fresh demons had been sliced. So waif had cut them down. Some way inner, I saw metal glinting. His sword. He always carried two. A laughing sound. I grabbed blindly.

"Ok talk fast, bub! What happened here?" I got a skeleton.

He cackled. "One got away, and came from b'hind him. Then squeezed the air out… oh my. How he suffered. Oooh lala," he was singing! I rattled it and knocked it on the wall.

"Show me where? Where they've taken him!" being son of the devil is useful, I could understand paranormal tongues. The fella pointed me. Zigzag of dark corners. Lots of dead things. Where was he? A chewing sound. Then I took the stairs, boards breaking below me. I jumped up in time and kicked down the door. A man with hairy body chewing something, fuck! Yea don't swear but this warrants it. It roared and then it was the last time alive. Smoking barrel.

Skeleton laughed. I pressed Big baby to its head.

"Wee. You going to free me, Unug un rama? Please do!" it cried.

Of course that's what he wanted. "No! Where is the elf? Stop playing games!"

I lowered the gun. More tense every second. I looked for the amulet I picked up from someone's digsite. The skeleton talked gibberish until it died. Fuck!

Finally I heard a metallic sound, like a blade hitting something. I ran to that direction. "Why don't you die?" a high pitched voice asked gleefully. Hideous bitch. She- a corpse grey thing, tattered clothes, hands spread in red talons. Grey mist. Opposite her, Nuada held his neck, the ichor blood flowing fast. He was miraculously still standing and leaning against the wall. Had she cut him? He was holding on to his spear. Then he moved quickly but missed, for the corpse shifted back and laughed. Waving her hands she was muttering spells.

Ok time to be a hero! I jumped up the box silently. Needed to do one good shot. Then Krauss was in her, his essence. She shrieked. "I suggest you give up hag. You cannot get away. Red shoot her now. Don't stop." He ordered.

The woman jerked spasdemically. I fired many many times. Would the ghost die? Then he wafted out. The corpse disintegrated. Eugh. The air cleared. Nuada wavered, then collapsed. He was losing blood, gasping for breath. I pressed the wound. I demanded what to do.

Waif was breathing. I had to hold him as still as possible, so I cradled him. He felt cold. Liz and Abe came over. Nuada tried to speak. "Shush don't." my girlfriend took a cloth to press to his wound. Liz began to cry. Krauss gave orders over the radio. Abe helped.

Luckily the healers had come. They laid waif on the stretcher. Uriel made some light and Nuada passed out. "Red what happened? Why did they hurt him like that?" she asked in denial. I hugged her.

I thought he would be all right. He's tough as a dragon man! I wanted to kick that hag's butt a hundred times more! Briefly I told them what happened.

Liz Sherman

The prince looked gaunt, his blood loss must be tremendous. He should never have separated from us! It broke my heart. Last night, Nuada had rescued me, I should have been close by! It's my fault too.

Before we reached, Nuada had told me about sighting unicorns at a new pocket of woods and invited me to go with him. It seemed like nothing so horrible would hurt him.

"Abe do you think he'll be ok?" Despite my question, I wanted to hear he was all right not any other condition.

He was worried. "Hope so. He feels fine. Don't cry Nuala, Liz." The elf girl was red eyed. I hugged her.

"I'm sorry. They teleported him from us. And hurt him…"

She nodded. "It's all right. You couldn't possibly predict. I feel for brother."

The children called and wondered why he didn't come to the phone. I had to break the bad news to them. Laira cried. "Is he all right? Tell me he'll be ok?"

I said sorry again. "We should pray. He was still alive. Can you come?"

"I will, soon as this assignment's over. Tell him I'll come tomorrow!"

Nuala was inside. I wanted to, but the healer said he'd be too tired to have more than one visitor. When she came out, I asked if his voice was gone. Not totally, but not above whispering.

Abraham thought both of them are very brave. " Darling, Do you feel his pain?"

The princess said seriously, "Only at the moment. He said he wants to see Laira. Then he fainted."

I nodded. "Yes she will come soon."

An exhausted Uriel glanced to the door before turning to us. "I managed to stitch the wounds close. We removed the barbs, most of them. He should rest, refrain from speaking."

Food was a concern. Could he eat? He advised, "I hope he can get some soft food down. The gullet is not damaged. He must refrain from speaking." Five minutes should be fine.

Nuada's neck was bandaged. No more blood, breathing softly and deep. His long silvery hair dangled off the pillows. I took his cool hand. "We're sorry." I began to cry.

He awoke and smiled. His fingers touched my face, surprisingly gentle. Not your fault. His voice rang clearly inside. He had not spoken like that to me yet. So pragmatic and calm.

Calm down. I'm fine. Will they come? The kids. I miss Laira a lot.

"Yes they will. When she comes, we'll call you. Just rest."

He shook his head. What he didn't want to sleep? To get my attention, Nuada tapped my hand.

Is sister in pain? Wounded?

"No. Don't worry. Sleep." I made to go, but the elf bade me to stay. He looked vulnerable and wistful. I sat down and held his hand. Vaguely, I heard his sister ask me to get rest. I left.

Later with Red, I lay down exhausted but tense. "Red, I was surprised Nuada said not to cry. I wish we weren't too late. I miss his voice already!"

"Yea yea. The monster was some hag. I almost threw up dinner."

"You can go visit. One person at a time." I suggested. The prince must be feeling so alone. If not he would not have held my hand and not wanted to sleep.

"Ack why would I care? Liz he's gonna be ok." My husband murmured through a crunch of chips. He must act so tough, though he looked upset before!

I smiled. "Just go and see Nuada. He isn't that bad. And you're friends aren't you?"

Red muttered something. Then he kissed me. I made him promise.

Krauss pointed out they had a lot in common.

Nuala

I watched brother sleeping fitfully. Everytime crisis happened, I always hung between the balance of my heart accelerating, then calming. Uriel said he should be stable, but could he speak? Nuada was so groggy with the anesthetic. Once I had left, I felt the throbbing start. I wished to share his agony like he would for me. But I could not get through.

Now his hand brushed mine like a butterfly. I awoke. He blinked and struggled to sit up. I propped the pillows for him. Brother's golden eyes conveyed many things.

I opened our Link, strained to hear his voice. Can you speak? If it hurts, tell us.

He moved his lips. "Yes," very faint. He reached up to feel the bandage and grimaced. I felt nothing. Then nothing more through our Link. I fed him some porridge. My brother was usually quiet, but this was remotely different. Perhaps he would be better with rest…. I felt so worried the loss of speech may be permanent. How to put it calmly? Instead I confided, "Let me share the pain. Please."

He smiled brightly and touched my cheek. His golden orbs became deep orange, a sign of

Passion. I joked, Hahaa now you're silent.

To my relief, Brother said loudly, How long? I hope not too long. Eugh. And is the firegirl crying? They should not blame themselves.

I refrained from asking what happened. The healers did not want him agitated and it was best we did not mention the incident. Nuada would get tired, he had only slept because of the drowsy tea. "We shall see. She is fine now."

More tea would be given at intervals. My twin laid back.

I should be more careful. Laira and Joe will be shocked. Is there any way of not telling them? Yet?

Too late, we already did and the girl cried. Nuada Read these and sighed. "They wanted to know. It's best to be honest, brother. Here comes the drink. Use telepathy. I think it will be all right." He obediently took the small cup and drank it all. Nuada must be in a lot of pain to be so good.

Hey sister. Later I want paper and pens. Want to write. My mind will get tired from projecting.

Very well, I replied. Abe asked me to sleep I couldn't! "We have to use telepathy now, and our bond is not that strong. Will it tire him? Do you think?" I paced about the room.

"Nuala he's going to be quiet for a month or so. And he is strong."

I was glad my husband didn't feel the same jealousy as brother felt for me. I know sometimes Nuada would berate him in times of stress. "Be sure to tell the kids. They should be here soon." Abe hugged me and urged me to lie down. He would take care of everything.

Laira

My soulmate hurt! No voice… Abraham told us it would only be a month or so. Not to get too excited, the elf was sleepy most of the time. Why did I not feel his pain? I should have! I was determined not to look teary. I saw Salem. He closed his bag, yawning.

"Hello can I go in? where's Nuada?"

The elf escorted me. "He said he won't sleep anymore. Make sure he takes the tea and lozenges then sleep soon. It causes pain."

I smiled. Salem chuckled. "One more thing, don't let him open his mouth. Must rest his throat." His sis came with Abraham. We met. She was groggy.

"I am sorry it's bad news." I felt her fusion with me. At the moment, they both experienced how the ghost had strangled him and his pain. But it was gone….

I stepped in. some machines were at the side. But Nuada was not hooked to anything, seemed normal. His hair was combed, he wore a silk shirt unbuttoned. He looked up and smiled. I took his hands.

"Hi! Have you eaten? What are you doing?"

Papers with black ink- No, Yes, eat, sleep, toilet. He was scrawling when. Now he switched to a blank paper and wrote: having a headache. Glad u are here!

Then he pointed no (had not eaten). I replied, "Get some rest. I don't mind."

Nuada kissed my cheek. I helped him to gather the papers and pushed back the table. It's a sliding table for food and writing. The patient stretched and lay down. For a while he drifted. When he awoke, I felt a tug of my hair.

"Oi."

Nuada beamed. Paper. Ask me yes no questions. So I did, and it was kind of cool. I had to use closed questions- need anything, painful? The patient pointed to the answers. "I was scared. Almost had heart attack. Stop scaring us." I complained.

No. Sorry. He tapped them, earnest look.

Nuala came in with food. Aromatic and mouthwatering. But our friend scowled. He shook his head and turned away. "This time there are potatoes, sweetened. I made it myself. You need to eat. It's so little, how to get well? Come."

My warrior elf indicated ok and sat up. The princess held the bowl while he fed himself. I suppose he thought it was not nice to eat porridge. After it was done, he asked, where's Joe? How did he react?

"He's coming at five. He wants to hit you. Haha," I teased. Initially that had been bro's reaction. "He was going nuts cursing and swearing."

Nuada closed his eyes feigning terror. Then touched his heart and made a knife gesture. Cute. Tapped a sad face icon.

"Did HB come? I heard he saved you. That's great. I can depend on him." I said.

Not sure, Halfling. It did hurt to swallow because Nuada drank the tea obediently. Otherwise he put up resistance. Nuala announced that Hellboy would come to assist him with things. The prince mouthed shit and rubbed his forehead. He wrote out: what why when how, then looked dismayed. Pointed to why. I shifted to be closer and touched his hair.

No I don't need help. Can walk myself! Nuada insisted and underlined 'myself' several times. He pleaded with me.

"I know brother, but you are drugged to reduce the swelling. Later I will need to attend to matters." We stayed a while as his sister explained other practical matters such as how to be careful with swallowing, not taking hard foods and so on.

Abe came in, and Nuala said she had to go already. "Hello brother in law. Do you need to go now? I'll help."

Yes! Nuada held up the sign and got up steadily. Actually I was relieved that he wanted to do things independently. By evening, the elf wanted to go back to his own bedroom.

Over this week I had more time so I came to visit my best friend. He was always cheerful to see us, even Red. Since he was temporarily mute (Rojo saying he was a mutie with angry silent threats from the elf), he showed his affection by his gazes and holding our hands, or more expressions than usual. My favorite one is Nuada's ambers going fiery when he's exuberant, and his monkey faces. See, he could be a comedian if he wanted!

Monkey faces were because he did not want to eat the same food again.

Usually he was even tempered unless he was groggy. His elven comrades came for 'conferences' and taught him hand signals. They were all English used by the deaf mutes worldwide. Nuada relied on the written signs, though. When Faren gestured 'Why?'

He wrote back: can't remember so many.

I tried out a few. Nuada would sign back I love you. It made me so touched. The hand signs were for moments when he was too exhausted using telepathy and for nontelepathic people.

Once I saw Red fallen asleep on the floor. Whoa he didn't mind? My friend was sulky. Damn! I had to kick him, my foot hurts now. I felt so hot, and the aircon was spoiled. My wound hurt. Here.

Nuada shook his head and gave disapproving stare at said Rojo. The demon snored.

"Haha. Really?Poor thing, you abuser," I said.

Nuada took a pillow and chucked at me. "Glad you're taking it so lightly, Noowa. Oh I can taunt ya and no prob eh? Coz you cannot shout. How is it going?"

I patted the pillows.

He waved his fists like anime. Endure! I want to shout. Don't be bad.

The elf changed his shirt. "It's a silent world now, you and us. Vast divide. But you can communicate with deaf mutes. Show me."

Nuada wrote: u are cruel. What vast divide? I guffawed. He flexed his fingers and showed me the alphabets. I am not going to become mute! It's temporary get it? Hey did you write me a letter? Lazy children.

"Yep here they are. Oh yes, can use email! Comps are good for people like you. Don't need to talk, proven convenience." I pointed out.

Nuada took out the No sign and glared at me. I hate computers more now you talk about it.

"But why?" I feigned dramatic horror. He beamed.

Missions, did he go? Yes! Liz was a little sulky that Nuada wanted to go despite his silence. She missed out because she could not get his telepathic messages. He went along with elves for the stone nymphs cases, Abe and Krauss. They could hear perfectly.

But it was flexible, on some nights, Nuada was tired and did not have to go. I read to him and he was an even better listener. Undivided attention.

The doctors came everyday to check on him closer to anticipated recovery days. Sometimes in the cool mornings or evenings, we still walked to the forest. Nuada wanted Joe to show him what he had learnt. The elf was just smiling ear to ear while we explained our observations. Recovery was going to take quite a long while.

I wondered how much of a transformation the prince's voice would undergo, when back to normal.