64 Nuada- Myths of silver, sandstone, reminscing
Down the distant road- Ai takahawa (Inuyasha final act ending theme)
Kaze no stigma opening theme (main theme) the winds follow what I wish, what is the choice I will make
Can I taint my hands once again, or will I choose to forgive my enemies? But it is such a challenge.
Nuada
Next day Uriel did not awaken. His initial energy worn off he slept as if his life teetered on the very edge. The healers pronounced that he had covalesced, only he needed more rest to strengthen his frail body. One of the things I said was, I miss your banter and cheer. The sun has returned. Did you see it? At first he still brought up the meager portion and had little appetite. Days later, he could eat better. Laira enjoyed feeding him.
His voice was quite raspy and weak, made him out of breath. I wished I could do better than this.
My friend would be ill, but his gratitude touched me deeply. I noticed the stone under his pillow. That was the stone our nurse gave to sister. He asked for Riselle. I waited outside to respect them. Outside, Riselle's tears were uncontrolled. I let her cry. She said he was afraid.
"I will take care of him. He will recover."
I helped him to stay up while a fresh pillow was propped behind him. Perspiration was a good sign. Uriel apologized for troubling me. "Not at all. I am quite free." I was excused from most duties except the very crucial ones. Since those people were ungrateful I was not going on the trips anymore. One day, I heard birds singing. I had not realized I had lain down on the adjacent bed. He was not in bed!
I called Uriel. The toilet door was ajar slightly, I peeped in. "Are you there?"
"Yes. Need to use it. Sorry."
I laughed. "Argh rascal. Why didn't you wake me? Shouldn't be running around yet."
I put my arm about the other elf. He said I looked sleepy.
"Couldn't bear to disturb you. I was urgent." We went back to sleep. My friend chuckled.
"So it's revenge for how I confined you Nuada?" I hugged him, his bones were more prominent. Before I left, I stroked his brow. Bless him, please.
Sister reminded me to eat and sleep, or she'd collapse from the fatigue too. I said we were not so strongly linked so it shouldn't happen haha. "Is it visiting time?" the Halfling was outside.
Uriel yawned and pushed my hand away. "Yes please. A new face! How to get well looking at my lord's perpetual misery?" I growled and pretended to hit him, damn!
"Hey! It's so heavy. Please open up."
Laira
Those people had instructions for me to bring the thick volumes for Uriel. I tried to tell them he was ill, in no shape to read anything but they slammed the door in my face. Prince barely left and was always so groggy he propped his head on his arms and slept beside the patient. Now he came out to eat. I wanted to talk about our adventure again.
Nuada smiled. He helped me to carry some of the stack. Sick elf was up, paler and his blue eyes were bigger. The robes seemed to dwarf him further. I waved my fist. "Don't bother to read these stuff. Just because I'm short they shut the door on my face, I hadn't even finished my sentence."
Nuada laughed, what a sweet sound. "Yes. One day Halfling will kick them for purist thinking."
He beamed, clasping my hand. Our telepathy fused. Please stay. He's very scary! I chuckled. Nuada clearly heard this. "I shall get something to eat."
"Look like Hell, go and sleep right after. I can stay here. We have a lot to… " I urged. He frowned at my comment and walked outside.
Uriel glanced at me. "A lot of what?"
"To discuss," I replied, sitting down. "I don't understand what was going on. A goddess came to me in my dream, she was his spouse last time. Nuada also spoke to her but I had to keep the secret of what she said. Man it was hard. I'm sorry you got sick.
"Later I will ask the doc if you can take supplements. When taken, they all recovered in no time." I felt his gentle fingers tap my hand.
He lay back. Some blond strands were scattered. I felt his forehead, not too hot. "The worst is over. Thank you. I'd like to drink water." The patient enquired if we got along fine. I beamed. Not always. The patient pushed off the blanket. "Ah, he has a soft heart. If not he wouldn't be here everyday. Just now he hugged me."
The elf smiled. He pointed out the adjacent bed and said I should lie down too. "Take a nap." I arranged the flowers. Glancing at him, he was already fast. It was a signal that Uriel was fatigued and wished to rest.
Afternoon, Nuada sent me a text- I am bringing lunch. Is he all right?
Yes. K, thx. Did we need to have the one person rule? Prince soon brought in food on the tray. We ate. Our fingers touched. "So much happened. Surely someone can answer my questions. Can I find a seer?"
Nuada replied- Another day when he's better. I am his protector, while I'm not here, you are responsible. Honor is at stake. He was all serious mode. I sighed.
Yea yea. Did Iria talk to you again?
"No. Want to find a seer, I will make arrangements." He leaned close to the patient who was speaking. "Laira he's driving me away. Take care of him." Though Nuada's tone was commanding, there was a hint of amusement. He wasn't hurt to be driven away. I reluctantly agreed. First time I felt super-impatient.
At regular intervals, I woke him to eat snacks or take temperature. He did not make a sound of complaint. Watching him struggle to stand, with the help of the bar, I suggested to call for support. "No that is not necessary. I can manage."
His mellifluous voice was inexorable and brooked no argument. Yes, Nuala had been like that too, even if an elf seems a pushover from his or her voice. I knew, but I still walked beside him until he went into the bathroom. "If you feel faint, tell me. It's ok."
"Very well, I'm hungry. Help me order some food. Thanks." Water ran for the shower. I called for room service and anxiously hovered, listening for his breathing. Telepathically, the elf said he felt much better. Uriel wolfed down his meal. I was left astounded. Huh?
"What?" He started on the grapes. Now his pointed tips were prominent. I asked to brush his hair so I could touch them, haha. "Like our ears?"
Yes! Elven hair is so fine and bright. Awesome. I wish I have pointy ears too, sharper hearing.
He burst into mirth. More solemnly, he took my hand. "Lirael all of us can hear well, without the need for the points. I have weakened tremendously. How did you help the princess? Show me."
I just pictured Nuala in good health. I concentrated on remembering him before, active and running errands, his banter…. At some point, throbbing waves radiated through his chest and muscles. He gasped. Focusing on the pain, I showed evergreen forests, sunlight. Uriel inhaled deeply, I felt the movement and looked up. "My pain, is less. A miracle."
"I'm not sure how to explain it. More of a projection," I commented. Actually the suffering was more than he let on. Gently the elf shook his head, when the medical people came in. Not to tell them about his pain, I understood.
"We can give painkillers, it's safe for the fae." Dr. Paulsen said. Uriel declined. He gripped my hand.
Visitors came when he was stronger. Red regaled with our tales, Nuada listened and corrected him. It was so comical. Abe updated on what they did when he was unconscious. Uriel was so pleased, he is sociable. Confinement would make him sad.
I was studying one of my stamp albums when Nuada came into his room. I arrange by theme not country so it's messy. We would be here for a while until the crisis was lifted. He gestured to let him see.
"Where's the set I bought?" he wondered.
I found it. "Recent is behind. I will keep everything, even the extras."
Elf pointed out the designs he found nice. I loved him even more!
"I think there are some classifications… what's yours by, Lirael?"
"By theme, so it's messy. Haha."
Nuada beamed and turned to me. "This one of the selkie and birds. I believe I bought it like… last month."
"Good memory."
Nuada's goldens lowered. "But of course. I'm superior in race. Not a boast but the whole truth." Like that with his usual reserved smirk, this was the image of Arrogant elf. Imagine that.
I managed to keep from guffawing. "Ahem, don't be cocky." For that, Nuada tweaked my hair, not too much that it hurt. I'm offended. I sniffed.
No reaction, I guess he was thinking 'is this a joke'. Slowly, he said, "Who is the more arrogant? A male must have his pride."
I also showed elf FDCs or first day covers. They are special commemorative occasions, on colorful envelopes. Not presidents or people issues but festivals and club anniversaries I kept for the pictures. Mostly I focus on flora and fauna. For a non collector, Nuada listened with piqued interest. Most of my human friends would already interrupt.
"Need the envelopes sent to me? We haven't done letters these days." He opened the drawer and gave me a stack. I accepted them.
"Now we'll be in the same place." I regretted saying that, at his disappointment. When the prince is mildly hurt, he will become silent. In the really- deep disappointment stage, Nuada will make sniping remarks or march away. To strangers, he'd do both.
Now he simply looked tired. "Sorry. Ok, I'll write you short ones and hide them." I sat closer. Elf did not move away, he inclined his head softly.
I just noticed a glint of silver on his left wrist. I brushed some of his mane with my fingers. It's a gesture of trust he lets me do so. Improvement that no good hairs are taken away. "Is that silver? Doesn't it hurt?"
He pulled it off to show me. No blisters.
"Not at all. Those myths are much older … I haven't felt the scalding pain experienced. How will I take a car? I would be sick, but it didn't happen. " he mused. "It must be in those nonsense fictional books."
"I thought they are for real. Malorie Blackman's fae cannot be near silver, and some authors. They have severe allergies and nausea. (Nuada shook his head) I'm glad you're fine. What about being indoors without the green? Will elves be sick?"
My friend lay down on the bed. His chest rose and fell. Oh I should not ask so much, he was sleepy. I did my own stuff. Suddenly, Nuada Sent, Unless we are cooped up in enclosed places. I was a bit disoriented, when I woke up here. If you mean a fae who's outside suddenly comes inside he or she will be sick for a while. Some plants will help ease the feeling, and we go outside every few days. Why?
I don't know, just wondering. Nuada why do elves become… sandstone? Had he felt any pain and anguish feeling the numbness? I left the silver bracelet thing on the table.
Nuada
Why indeed? Sandstone… Since our problems outside, Halfling and I hadn't got the chance to converse deeply about our cultures. Suddenly the atmosphere felt too somber, even for myself. My mind drew a blank. After a while, I grasped her hand.
She was not crying but close to it. "I won't die again. I will be careful. Need tissue?" I gestured to the box. Instead the girl caressed the silver again like a kitten. A friend had made extras and insisted I took it.
Do you know why? Is it painful, I hope it is not too much. Laira said.
Not really. There is no pain when the state comes… I remember feeling weary and then darkness. In the old records, I think we are not made like human. Don't dwell on it, alright?
She took a tissue paper. Trailed her fingers on my throat. "Ok. I won't."
The half elven can bring balance to us, but at what price? I didn't want them to become as bitter as us war veterans. She took out another toy crown to adjust on me. I thought I looked very weird but this made her laugh. I chuckled, sticking out my tongue. "Don't show to anyone. It's for you," I said.
She smiled. "Never saw any elf wearing crowns."
"No, it's voluntary to wear them. People recognize us from our posture and tone- we use more formal gaelic. The royal seal on sash and pendants are enough." I sketched out a rough looking crown. "Looks something like this, my art is bad. Bone. Let's see, the same material as a stag's antlers. Or there are metal crowns which are more rare."
The elendil praised my sketch and asked to keep it. On happy memories, I will not forget the time I awoke to a consoling dark room on the bed. At first, I had planned not to talk to these humans, as they were lower in status than I was. Yet, the children's mercy and my basic needs for bath and food were difficult not to respond to. It was only etiquette. When they followed me fighting the monsters, I realized it was not so simple. Ariadne hadn't spoken to me for a long time. The other day when I saw a woman in a painting with wings, it almost resembled her!
Joe is short for Jonathan or Joshua, he has forgotten which is his full name. I like the sound of Joshua. He was not open to me at first, his mind completely voided against any probes. Although his telepathy is weak, my friend has that gift which is useful.
"Tell me what was your first impression, dainin? The moment we looked at each other."
Laira clapped her hands. "Oh! It was my heart attack. The first thing popped in- yea pointed ears, then second golden eyes woohoo. I love that."
I smiled. One finger on her lips, I took her hand and covered my chest. The only part free of scars. Most of my pale body had been wounded or burned. "What's wrong?" she leaned close.
Nothing is wrong, I only allow this with trusted people. Do not worry. I didn't open my mouth. The internal voice is more meaningful, and significant.
She mentioned that I humiliated her once that she was a child, and she refused to come down from the high-place. "Ah you were so naughty and yet cute! Remember? But I was fuming."
I laughed. The moment was clear. I was worried she would fall down standing on the shaky stool. I placed down the knife and slowly approached, then carried her down. Much laughter. "I was worried. No matter what you're not older than I am. If you sprain or break something, next time it'll hurt more. My fracture still does on cold days." I rubbed my left arm.
"I'm so happy we can bond like this Noowa. Puts mum at ease. She sees our relationship as improvement of my character." Laira took up the silver and began to roll it on the table. Before it fell off, I caught it. She slipped it on my hand.
"That is good to know. Thanks. Did she receive my letter? I wrote a new one." I forgot if I sent her by the internet. She wrote down Sharon's email address.
Perhaps one day as my friends grow up they may tire of me. I don't think of it bitterly, it can be inevitable. As I aged, I was going to be more rigid, stern all those negative traits. Across all cultures males tend to change. "Will you mind? As my words become unbearable," I said softly. Laira shook her head. Under the tree, after I recovered from illness, I revealed that I had killed Father. She was so calm, did not scream or run from me. Even Uriel and Salem had shown judgment on me. I expected no less. Nuala's anger had been scathing as well. Now they have forgiven me. I thought I didn't need that but my sensation was warm.