Chap 84

I listened to a whole list of Chinese songs by Karen Mok. Then hammerfall- way of the warrior well for friends who know me, I don't require a lot of stimuli, lucky in that sense, to do any creative stuff. The challenge is how to find the niche and harness my talents.

Laira

We had to talk about, should Elena go ahead with her telepathic probes. He was skeptical of magic all the time. His prior concern had been losing us, should the vampire have succeeded. I had pinned the Bethmooran symbol to my collar. He noticed and said it looked really nice on me. The symbol was multipurpose it could be pinned, worn around the neck and we could wear it in a different way. Usually elves had the symbol mounted on the belts and sash. "Thank you! It shows your trust in me! I can feel like a real elf!" I made a cheese sign.

Prince sat down close to me and hugged me. Silly, you will always be a real elf. Half is also good, what matters is the inner quality. I should have given this to you earlier.

No problem. How is it made, Nuada? By hand? It was a complex process of melting and waiting for it to harden.

I read his letter in more detail. This was the second page. Far from the topic of vampires he continued: I am happy that you can improve on public speaking. It'll prove an advantage when you're ambassador for our peoples next time. How long have we known each other? Almost ten years? I cannot believe that, haha. I am grateful for this new chance at living.

Yes, I was obsessed over revenge. You didn't bring it up, I want to talk about it. Maybe that can be put aside for now….. (the rest was concern for me and too personal to write here)

As we had teabreak, I said what if his bad memory could be taken away. "Hm what do you mean? " he frowned.

I explained. Nuada listened but did not reply for ages. "I see. No that is not necessary. I don't want people entering my head." He said, his voice soft and dangerous.

Despite our closeness, I swallowed. There was a flash in the ambers, his fingers stiffened.

Was he worried it'd have after effects? Prince added, "I will forget quite soon with more things to handle. Why did you ask her?"

"No no. I just wanted to help. Please don't be angry." I pouted and placated him. Elf was silent but he did not rush out like that time. His inner voice was soft.

I see… Thank you. Elena is a stranger to me. Our customs don't condone wiping out memory.

"Here, try this food. It's quite delicious," he changed the subject and took out a dark colored piece of cake. It had a hole in the centre like a donut yet larger, like a dish size. I peeled off a bit. Then Nuada avoided my persuasions, deeming it a final no no.

One day my gastric pain got very serious. I awoke in a strange room, feeling groggy. Attempting to sit up caused my swimming vision. "Ooooh." I lay down. A creak nearby as a shadow came into the dim light. I gasped.

The pale hand rested on my wrist. It was warm. "Don't move. You fainted, Laira." It was Faren and he smiled. I screwed up my face. Damn when did that happen? He got me to eat something light and warm. My stomach still hurt a bit.

I didn't want to worry the prince or anybody. "I'll just get up after this."

"No you need rest. It was quite a serious attack and we need to do more examinations. I've already informed your family. Nuada said he'll rush down as soon as he's done." I sighed. Pills were to be swallowed, big ones. Then I had to rest. Faren said I must have starved. Gastric pain had never made me collapse before. I didn't feel anything though!

My phone shrilled. I pressed the button. "Hi?"

The number was unknown. "Hey, how are you doing? I'm calling from a public phone," my friend was speaking, a lot of static and noise. He sounded distant.

"Noowa it's you?" I chuckled.

He snorted. "Who else would I be. Has Joe come yet? I'm being delayed. "

"Aww. It's alright, don't rush. I am better, I dunno why I fainted. Faren won't let me leave."

The static got very loud. Why didn't Nuada use his cell? I waited. "Can you hear me? Stay safe!" he raised his voice.

"Yes I can. Don't rush." With this volume of sound, I made my words short.

"….now. I'm coming Bye!" The tone was flat.

He was nodding off beside me on the chair. The wind was cold, I felt cold even with my blanket. Elf was wearing his dark uniform. He had not even changed. I was careful not to wake him. I sat up and found my jacket then draped it about his slumbering figure.

At this point, my soulmate blinked. "You're alright?" I nodded. Nuada realized the pink jacket around him. With a frown, he pulled it down to his lap. Heheh, so shy.

"Have you eaten? I'm not that sick, go to sleep." I said, clasping his arm. It's very cold, are you sure you want to keep wearing this? Sweat and all…

As I predicted, elf covered his mouth and sneezed. He sniffed. "Okay. I will be back soon." He left my ward. I drifted. Feeling Nuada settle down after awhile, I peeked without moving. He had worn another dark jacket and placed mine beside my pillow. His hair tickled me.

Wrapper was opened and the delicious smell of food wafted. I shifted.

"Yummy what's that?" I wanted to see.

"Um, the supper I was going to have. But you can't eat this, too acidic." Nuada chewed and also sipped a drink. It looked like plenty of cream with vegetables. Poor thing, he had delayed his eating to see to me. "You don't need to delay mealtime for me," I conveyed.

My usual appetite was not crying out.

"Nah it's not. I was too tired and simply fell asleep. Is it painful?" he stretched.

"A bit. These pills help. Faren was taking good care of me…. I don't know why I fainted. I wasn't hungry."

Nuada frowned. "That means the sensation of pain is gone. Has this, illness always been so severe?" Stomach pains other than the usual reason, were foreign to the fey. They seldom had food poisoning and gastrics. So I guess that was why he phrased it like that.

I shrugged. I could only recall having very bad pain and then when I went to the toilet always felt relieved.

"And I can't drink milk. It's worse," I added.

He looked more worried, that he stopped chewing altogether. "The doctors said they need to give you an xray tomorrow. I'll be nearby. And call me if you want to go anywhere." He sounded sterner than usual.

Oh man! I knocked my forehead.

"But Nuada, you can't always..."

"I will be, tonight and tomorrow morning. No arguments." Elf helped me to the toilet. I was not giddy. I suppose he wanted to return the favor of my kindness. We were both glad for the quality time and I leaned against his warm body. "Is there any cure for this… gastric? I will do anything to find it."

"No. Oh how was the mission?" I pointed to the adjacent bed. Nuada sat down, yawning. He couldn't tell me what happened, only smiled. It meant well.

I was wheeled to the xray room. Barely remembered that, then I woke later. There was a note: I have something to cheer you up. I planned for awhile. I will be free today. (smiley) ring the bell if you need help, don't do things on your own, friend. Salem will visit too.

Cool! I was really excited for what surprise he meant.

Nuada brought the rough sketches of plans he had made and showed them. Aww, he still remembered though I had casually mentioned wanting a dollhouse of my own but never getting to buy one. I really want a house to play with and people inside. The displays at the shops would be so beautiful and the cutie people but I didn't have money to buy them.

Elf only nodded with a solemn expression.

"Wow! We will be making one?" I brightened. Nuada nodded, holding out his hands.

"Don't be too excited. I'll be chased away…yes I need to make sure what you want first. Should it be an open design that is like the inside of a cabinet, or this?" He flipped to a page of a closed house, interiors within. I pointed to model A.

Nuada said, "Hmm, I think model B is feasible. It will be like a clam and opens. Okay."

I said his idea was fine too, didn't want to hurt his feelings. The elf chuckled. "This will be what you wish, dainin. Model A is easier to make. How about the rest? Based on what I've read." The prince was no artist of cartoons, yet his spatial view of architecture and objects was elegant, neat! He could elaborate what each function was for. I daydreamed about the beds, how would they be like? Cotton cloth, to be cut up in small pieces.

Nuada's hand trembled slightly. His eyerings were quite deep too. Guilt and concern washed over me. "Hey, I was thinking, buying one would be okay."

He frowned. "What? I cracked my brains to draw these. Took me such a long time, elendil!" Nuada's voice was higher in tone.

Oh dear, I sounded just like the time when he cleaned the jewels and gave to me. Wasted effort? "Sorry sorry. I only wish, um don't want to use up all your leisure time. I notice how sleepy you are. Lie down?" I made space. My friend watched me, then laid his head on my shoulder. When I say this, you'd get mad at me. I feel sad when people are tired on my behalf. Save energy. But if you're angry it's also not good.

He inhaled deeply. I was sure he understood. After awhile, the weight moved from my shoulder and prince opened to a fresh page. He drew some more. "Bed room, livingroom, bathroom. What else?"

They were exquisite! We discussed ideas, comparing the furniture to positions where to put what and where. At length, he remarked, "I don't feel weak making things. It's a hobby… and I am keen on this project. Haven't made a dollhouse before." I prompted him to continue. His voice was a dreamlike quality. "Oh I made little soldiers, horses, animals fairies…" In our Link they all came to life and animation. I beamed. Elf pressed his back. His friend called to him that he must be aging. Nuada made a face. "I made two each, one for me one for a friend."

Not sister? He was Randal.. "A young dwarf. He sought me out, though we were from different parts of the realm. His family was too serious. We had a wonderful time playing together. No, sister only liked books didn't even want a doll. I did make one. Too bad it was lost." The warrior walked around to stretch his back. Later, I felt his hand stroking my head.

"Yea. Let's sleep. Hmm, I want an alert partner to help me. There's enough space." He conceded and lay down. I turned to face him and played with his hair and ears. Nuada growled. Haha!

I was on the other side of the bed and felt super warm. Yay! Nuada's hand was over my stomach, his legs were apart and his right leg was over mine. I could not move but it was fine. I listened to our breathing. He seldom slept so deeply. I guess it was almost morning.

He mumbled something.

"Hm? Yes?" I whispered.

Nuada licked his lips. I nudged his arm. He turned his back. After a while, the elf replied, "hello. I am waking up."

No need to. I said it was nice to lie in. Moments of peace were often interrupted by the red siren or someone calling Nuada from outside. He'd hang up the phone and leave it off when he slept so they would harass him if not answered.

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