Chapter 2

Elf-Care

Kyra had been right. It had taken Kandomere some considerable amount of cajoling and threatening to get the nearest elf hospital to take the unconscious human in his arms. His position certainly helped them make up their minds about treating her, as they were assured that he would be paying for any bills that would be produced.

Whilst she was being treated, he took a call from Montehugh, informing him that the attacker, Faltorin, had called his lawyer and would be fighting the charges. Kandomere had laughed humourlessly. The attack had been witnessed by a dozen patrons, as well as the restaurant staff. There was nothing to fight. An abuse of power was something he abhorred. Human or not, she didn't deserve to attacked so violently.

Alice was x-rayed and monitored for brain damage. Fortunately, the socket was intact, as was her eye. The bruising and swelling would be extensive, but she would recover. An MRI performed also showed that her brain was fine. No swelling or fluid build up. She had some cuts to the backs of her arms from the broken glass. He only hoped she would wake up soon so he could take a statement for prosecution.

He sat by her bed in the private room he'd arranged and wondered on the situation. It was his job to protect the public, but to go to these lengths for a human? Montehugh would certainly have some choice words to say about it. He looked at the battered face of the waitress. It still sickened him to think about what could have happened. It was well known that Elves were far stronger than humans. It was still amazing to him that she had no broken bones. She was strong in ways he hadn't realised, which only served to increase his fascination with her.

Everything was blurry when she opened her eyes the next morning. Her head was pounding and her right eye was still pulsing painfully, especially when she tried to force it open fully. She could hear voices several feet away. Turning her head, she saw the blurry outline of the blue-haired elf she'd served in the restaurant. Why was he here? Where was here? She listened more closely. Elvish. He was speaking Elvish to some doctor. Wait... she was in an Elvish hospital? How would she even be allowed to be here? She tried to sit up, hissing and wincing as the bed slid against the cuts on her arms and back.

Kandomere heard the hiss and came to check on her.

"How did I get here?" Her voice cracked as she spoke, her throat dry and sore from her hours of unconsciousness.

"I brought you last night. You needed medical attention." His voice was even, logical, and betrayed nothing of his innate curiosity.

"I don't have insurance, especially not for elf-care."

"You needn't worry about that. It's taken care of. Do you think you feel up to giving a statement?" he asked politely, taking a seat next to her bed.

"A statement? What for?" She was confused. What did she need to give a statement for?

As he walked closer and sat down, she saw he'd divested himself of his jacket. Still clad in his crisp shirt and waistcoat, she could fully appreciate the broadness of his shoulders. He wasn't the tallest of elves she'd seen. Norkas was remarkably tall, but also remarkably slender. The blue-haired elf was broader. Well-built. His body screamed strength and skill. Her unswollen eye lingering on a little too long, she began to think she had some head trauma.

"For prosecution, of course. Faltorin assaulted you."

Alice blinked a moment, though given only one could manage the action, it looked stupidly like she was winking at him.

"That's a joke, right?"

Kandomere frowned. "Why would I joke about such a thing?"

"He's a high born. He's never going to see the inside of a courtroom for slapping a human waitress. Besides, I'd lose my job if I even considered reporting him. Norkas would never stand losing his best customer. No job means no home. No home means I'd have to find a place near the ghetto. Even in the human district, prices are astronomical. No. I'm not reporting him. No statements." She looked away, feigning interest in the wall.

Kandomere sighed heavily, momentarily annoyed by her apparent cowardice. But she was right. High borns were virtually untouchable. Even if by some miracle they could make the charges stick, Faltorin would just pay off the courts and then sue the city for libel. If there was one thing he hated, it was feeling helpless. She didn't deserve to be so badly treated for standing up for her friend. What he did want to know was why it was needed in the first place.

"The elf you were protecting... Faltorin has a problem with her?"

Alice looked back at him.

"She's the elf equivalent of an unblooded orc. Her parents were Inferni. They were killed by MTF when she was a child, and she was sent to live in human foster homes. Not exactly a traditional elvish upbringing. She's treated worse than I am, and I hate it. She's been beaten down by it over the years."

"Surely you must have known what would happen if you stood in her place?"

"Of course I did. But, I made the choice to do it. She doesn't have the choice. I made the choice to work in the district, knowing what most elves here think of humans. I did it to live better. I knew what I was getting in to."

It was admirable. Her strength of will. To put herself through such abuse so willingly, so she could live a better life. He didn't know too many humans who would willingly submit themselves to the ire of rich elves.

"Surely there are prospects within the human community? Educational institutions? There are any number of jobs you could do."

"Education is expensive. My family aren't rich, and they don't live in California. Waitressing in the human district pays very little. I thought about police work, but I wouldn't pass the fitness tests. I have asthma. It's not bad. But, I wouldn't last on a prolonged chase. If I can save up enough money, maybe education is something I can consider one day. But, I need a good paying job to do that," she explained, watching his eyes as they never once left her face.

Even with the bloodshot hazel eye looking back at him, he could see the assured passion in her. He was so used to the humans he worked with, he never really thought about the general population. He lived in the Elf District himself, owning an entire top floor of a wealthy apartment building. He certainly had no money trouble himself, and he'd never really thought deeply enough about those who weren't as fortunate. Perhaps it was narrow-minded. Out of sight, out of mind. It was a little shameful, if he was being truthful with himself. He looked down at the cufflinks he was wearing. Expensive. Platinum. One of a kind. Not something very many humans would ever be able to own.

As he was looking down, he didn't notice Alice shift in the bed, attempting to get up.

It was her job she was thinking of when she made the decision to get up. She wouldn't stay any longer than she had to, not least because the dirty looks from the nurses outside were starting to annoy her.

Kandomere shot out of his chair and was by her side before her feet had touched the cold floor.

"You are not fit to get out of bed yet. You're still healing," he said gently, holding her arm as she fumbled with the drip.

"Am I broken? Got broken bones?" she replied, looking up at him, a little startled by the concern.

"No, nothing is broken. But still..."

"I'm fine. They can't fix bruising here. I can heal just as well at home or work." She finally stood up, letting out a cold sigh. She was in nothing but a hospital gown, and her feet were cold.

Covered by blankets, he hadn't been able to see much of her body. The gown wasn't exactly flattering, but it left little to the imagination as it hugged her figure, refusing to allow his eyes to linger on her nipples, the cold of the room clearly affecting her. He cleared his throat and retrieved her clothes.

"Here. You are certain you want to leave?"

Alice pulled on the black trousers, slipping off the gown. She was too tired to worry about propriety. Besides, he was an elf. She was sure she would be the last thing he would ever be interested in.

Kandomere cleared his throat and turned his back. This was not how he expected his morning to go.

She hissed as she pulled on her shirt over the cuts. They'd been cleaned and dressed, but they'd likely be sore for some time. All she wanted was a shower. And to call Norkas. She knew she'd be deducted money for leaving early, regardless of the reason why. She was already planning on asking for extra shifts, even if that meant washing dishes.

Kandomere turned back to find her tugging her shoes on. She'd been out for 12 hours, but she still looked exhausted.

"I'll arrange for your release and drive you home." He took one final look at her before slipping his jacket back on, leaving the room to talk to the attending doctor. Unsurprisingly, the doctor was all too happy to release her, giving Kandomere a prescription for pain killers and the full responsibility of her ongoing care, should she need it.

Upon leaving the hospital, the sunlight was almost blinding in its intensity. Taking out his sunglasses, he handed them to Alice, who took them gratefully.

"Which apartment building is yours in the human community?" he asked, buckling himself into his seat.

"First on the left. Fourth floor. It's not a bad place. One good thing about living in the Elven District, no one wants to see run down buildings, even if they are for humans. It's no Hilton, but it's clean and well maintained."

Pride. She liked where she lived, and took pride in it. He was curious to see how she lived.

He turned in to the complex of moderately tall buildings. She was right. They were well maintained and clean. Simple gardens and grey stone paths. Nothing ornate. Even the architecture of the buildings themselves was simple. Clean lines, nothing grandiose. No balconies.

He parked up and let her lead the way to her apartment, keeping close just in case she took a funny turn. He found it curious that there was no concierge in the lobby, just a few cameras. But, it didn't surprise him. The elevator ride was equally as simple and quiet, and the hall leading to her apartment was similarly simple in its decor. No art on the walls, no fancy curtains on the windows.

Alice unlocked her door and let it swing open, letting out a small sigh as she stepped into her domain. Curiosity getting the better of him, he wandered around her living space. The living room was connected to the kitchen. Open plan. He wasn't massively keen on multipurpose rooms, but the space was large enough. What struck him most was the number of pictures she had on the walls. Photos of almost everything. Nature, people, cars, planes. She had a keen eye. Every person in her pictures was captured in some form of emotional display. Happiness, sadness, envy, despair, exhilaration.

Her subjects were also from every race she could safely capture. The centaur police officer made him smile. He'd braced his gun on his shoulders and held up a peace sign with his free hand. The irony.

"You're a photographer," he remarked, turning to look at her as she slumped on the sofa.

"Not really. Maybe one day. I won't get a job here though. And I'd need more than a few diplomas." She kicked her shoes off.

Kandomere moved to hand her the pills he'd been given in the hospital. "Just in case. I can't imagine your eye is particularly comfortable."

"Oh. Thanks." She took them gratefully, popping two into her mouth.

He handed her a card with his contact details. All his details were in English, Elvish, and Orcish.

"Kandomere..." she said quietly.

"And you are Alice, yes?" he replied.

She looked up, nodding. "Just in case?"

"Just in case you change your mind about the statement."

"I appreciate that. But, it wouldn't make a difference."

"Perhaps. But, we'll never know," he answered, turning to leave. "I'll leave you to rest."

She thanked him and watched him leave. She couldn't understand why he was so fixated on her making a statement about what happened. Being an elf himself, surely, he knew how the world worked? She shook her head. It was making her headache worse just thinking about it, so she did exactly what she'd wanted to do since waking up. She showered and tumbled in to bed, setting her alarm for four hours, knowing she'd have to face the music at work.

/ For anyone who also reads fanfic on other platforms, this story is also published on ao3. I am also working on updates to Time Heals and Dark Moon!