Original Authors Note: So sorry Kmile…but it was funny XD.
Anyway, here is another chapter! Fun fact…I am OFFICALLY done with this ACT so it should all be out to you by the end of the week if not before. As usual, I just have to read over it and make sure it is all sound and minimize spelling and grammatical errors. We all know how that goes with my story though…since every time I read it I find stupid errors. I was never meant to be an editor. Sigh. See you at the end.
Chapter Eleven
"I do believe this, is what is ailing them. I could not be sure, even with all of your wonderfully detailed accounts, until I saw if for myself." Ivethin passed an old, fraying, tome to Tauriel and Oin who both peered down from where they were standing.
Oin looked up to Tauriel who stared at the tome now open and resting on the table before them, the lettering like nothing he has ever seen before, so he was therefore unable to read what is written. "Lass?"
Lifting her eyes, Tauriel sighed. "It reads Picinauco faire quame." Her tongue rolling out the word in smooth and gentle tones as if it were a song in the breeze. Oin, Thorin, and Dis just watched her quietly, not one understanding the words she spoke which sounded foreign even to her Sindarin language.
"Tha is no' yer normal speech I think I can recognize that much." Oin looked at her in question.
"You are correct." Tauriel smiled. "It is not Sindarin…it is Quenya, another dialect of our elven languages and reads roughly, dwarven death sickness."
"Ah, well, is tha' not jus' a nice name fer it." Nori scratched his head from where he sat across the room. "Do it at least give a remedy or are we all goin' teh die."
Ivethin chuckled. "Nay master Nori. It really is not a well-known illness, but the healers at Lai'Menel, who were the ones who came to the aid of that dwarven settlement many ages ago, made very detailed instructions on what to do. We must get to work quickly and aid the more severely ailing first." She grabbed several things from her bag and spouted out instructions to the team of healers who had come with her. Some of which came straight from Rivendell, curious to both see Erebor and aid in a rare plague among a people who are considered rather reclusive. Others where Ivethin's team from Mirkwood.
"Aye. I believe the worst of them are in the Ukdam." Thorin rumbled from where he stood. He cleared his throat, forcing the burning away. He was rather proud of himself at how clear he got his voice to sound. Although, the very astute healer paused and eyed him, lifting a perfectly white brow at the dwarven king. She grabbed a mug, mixed some herbs into it, and looked down into the tome. Nodding to herself, she took a few more herbs, and tossed it all into a pot then placed it beside some boiling water over the fire.
All eyes in the room watched the healer as she instructed those around her to cut this, mince that, and crush those. Leaves, barks, and even roots were used. Thorin did not want to think on it, but he was quite sure he saw a few insects too, the idea causing his stomach to turn unpleasantly.
Finally, Ivethin pulled out a bundle of bright red flowers with vibrant orange and yellow centers. "I cannot tell you how fortunate you are to have had this illness in the season you did." Thorin cocked his head, waiting for her to continue. He personally did not feel fortunate in any way.
"These, are Naru Lug'loth, the red dragon flower. They only begin to grow when the season gets its hottest, then they bloom for only a week as the weather begins to cool. Lord Elrond had a fair garden of them just about in bloom and was more than happy to donate all that he had. We should have more than we need to save all here and have enough to preserve just in case this pops up again." Ivethin began plucking the petals off and piling them up in a large bowl Oin had provided her. She showed Tauriel what to do, and the younger eleth went to work. "It is the primary ingredient in the remedy. Without it, we would have nothing."
Thorin felt he should laugh at the irony. It was a dragon that lost them Erebor to begin with, and a dragon flower that will now save it. Mahal must enjoy having a go at him. "I will be sure to send my thanks and a gift to Lord Elrond. I cannot thank you enough for coming, Ivethin. We are once again in your debt."
"It is my honor your highness. I have grown rather fond of this mountain and its inhabitants. And though he may not show it, I am quite certain my king, Thranduil, is fond of you as well. Otherwise, I am sure he would not have sent for me directly as expediently as he did. We had only just arrived at Rivendell when we received an urgent message to return with great haste which included details on what was going on. Elrond had been the one to lend me this tome when he gave us the flowers before giving us his fastest horses to get here. I feel we have him to truly thank."
That was news to Thorin. He had assumed Ivethin was on her way back, he did not know Thranduil had been the one to call her home so quickly. Maybe he needed to stop making such harsh judgments when the elven king was involved. He was not an evil forest sprite, rather, a king who looks after what he cares for. "I will endeavor to relay my gratitude, to both Lords." Thorin's voice caught, and he struggled to contain the cough that was forcing its way out.
Ivethin was soon pushing a steaming cup into Thorin's hands. Worry clear in her sapphire eyes. "Drink."
Thorin looked down into the thick, paste like liquid. A bubble formed its way up and Thorin cringed at the potent smell he could not describe. He looked back up at her and she gave him a stern look, pointing to the cup. "It would not do well to have the king of this mountain fall over an illness, after he fought so hard in battle not three years ago to regain it. Now. Drink."
"This should go to others more severe than I." Thorin moved to pass the cup back, but Ivethin forced her hands around his which were cradling the mug, stopping his movement.
"We will have more than enough."
"I can wait…"
"And so can they. If they cannot last a few minutes while we fill cups and trays, I am afraid even this offers them no hope. Drink and we will be on our way." The elven head healer gave a final argument, leaving no more room for his stubbornness.
Looking back down into the mug, Thorin huffed and brought it to his lips, downing it in one go…as soon as it worked its way from the bottom of the cup to his waiting lips that is. The entire experience was beyond foul. Not only was the taste something akin to eating bitter, burnt, leaves, but the texture was almost unbearable on its own. Thick with chunks of roots, herbs, and he did not want to know what else. It slid past his tongue and burned as it fell down his throat. The moment the cup was empty, Thorin dropped the mug and began to double over and cough harshly. Dis ran to her brother but Ivethin was quick and shoved a large cup of water into his hands. "You must drink! It has to stay down, or you will need to take another dose."
Thorin was ready to let it all come back up, but the idea of having to do that again made him force it down as he drained the mug presented to him. It took another two to get most of that putrid flavor off his tongue. "Vile." He rasped out.
"Are you alright adad?" Thorin looked to Tauriel who had her hand on his shoulder, holding yet another mug. This one steaming. Mahal he hoped he did not have to take that again. "It is sweet mint tea. It will help clear the taste but won't counteract the medicine." Nodding gratefully, Thorin took the mug and began to sip the flavorful minty, liquid.
"The medication will act immediately, but will take a day or two for you to begin feeling yourself once more, longer for those in more severe conditions. What it will do is lower the fever, and offer some relief of symptoms to all who take it within moments of it entering their system, as well as promoting rest. You should already be feeling its effects on you by now." Thorin nodded but did not answer apart from that, he just kept drinking the tea, so Ivethin continued. "I believe we have enough to begin administering right away." She looked around the room at the other elves, filling small cups Nori had brought up from the kitchens. "Let us begin with the worst."
"Aye. There are several among the Ukdam who are too near the halls of Mandos for my liking. Let us start there." Thorin rasped. He sat down the finished cup of tea and led Ivethin and several of her elves down to the lower part of the mountain. Tauriel, Dis, and Oin followed and were joined by Aeodhen and several guards to ensure there were no…volatile situations. Thus far, Sudri had been working with Erebor and had even been working with Tauriel and Naurfaer without issue...well…he amended to himself…with only minor issues that is. Although, he had recently begun to show signs of the illness himself, but like any dwarven leader, forced his own discomfort away to do all he could to help his people.
As the group approached the Ukdam, Thorin greeted the guards at the entrance and was glad to see Sudri stalking up to them. "More elves? Can I assume you are here with some medications then?"
"They are. I expect you to give them the upmost respect." Thorin lifted a daring brow to Sudri who remained silently eyeing the elves behind the king, so he continued. "May I introduce Ivethin, head healer of Mirkwood and the one who was kind enough to bring what we believe is the cure to this madness." Thorin eyed Sudri warily who was now looking unsure up at Ivethin. She gave the dwarf leader a warm smile and Thorin had to try and hold back the smirk at the red tinged coloring that bloomed across Sudri's pale face, which had nothing to do with his fever.
"My Lady. I can not thank you enough." Sudri bowed low. Tauriel had to hide a smile into her hand and Dis rolled her eyes at the clearly smitten dwarf.
"Let us hope it will work. May I see those most in need? I do not wish to delay any longer." Sudri nodded and turned, guiding them to the tents linked together to serve as medical structures. Ivethin bowed her head to enter the shorter door and looked about the long, brightly colored, canvas room. It should have been vibrant and filled with life, instead, cots one after another, were lined up with dwarves in varying stages of the illness.
"Hilin, Dorwin, and Sundra. Please take these to the opposite end of the room and begin there. Firthai, Darius, and Cya please take the middle, and I, Tauriel, and Oin shall begin at the other end. If you have difficulties, please defer to king Thorin, Lord Sudri, and Lady Dis." She then turned to the dwarrows. "Will one of you each accompany a team? It will help your people feel comforted. They may not have a clear mind to know where they are at in their feverish state. Be cautious, all of you, and let us be a healing light to those in need." The elves bowed their heads and took trays lined with cures. Dis followed one group, Sudri the group in the middle, and Thorin joined Tauriel and Ivethin's group going to the farthest end.
Tauriel's eyes wandered the room, they had lost some more since she has last been down what felt like only hours ago. She knew, because there were a few more empty beds, and some holding different Ukdam then were here earlier this morning. "Come, let us begin here." Ivethin spoke softly. Tauriel watched as the wise healer lowered herself to the ground near a low cot. Ivethin was a sindar eleth, and taller than Tauriel, who just had to bend a bit to help the ill dwarrow. When it came to living among a shorter race like the dwarves, it was nice to be a short elf. Tauriel watched as Ivethin checked over the sickest of all the Ukdam in the room.
"It is a wonder she is still hanging on." Thorin mumbled. It was Tooka, the dam who had been ill and unconscious from the moment she was brought into the mountain. Her husband, Gronti, was beside her in a cot of his own, as lost to the waking world as his wife. On Gronti's other side, was an even more heartbreaking sight. A small dwarfling sat in a stool between the dwarf and an even smaller figure in the cot beside him.
Tauriel knelt and took the sitting dwarfling's hand. "Aglareb anor eri-dilthen er. Ha na'na n'eithel." A pair of grey eyes looked up at her in wonder. "It means, glorious sun rise little one. All will be well."
"Lady Tauri? Yeh came back!"
"Hello again Regar. Did I not tell you just hours ago I would be? Although, I do believe someone fell asleep halfway through my story so perhaps you did not hear." The small dwarfling ducked his head as his cheeks and large ears peaking from his flopping hat flamed bright red. "Do not be embarrassed dear one. I was not insulted. How are they?"
"Mama is unchanged, but now, da and Toki won't wake up. Please, help them." Tauriel had to bite back tears as she nodded.
"We are here to do just that." Tauriel stood, releasing Regar's hand and gestured to Ivethin. "Regar, this is my friend, Ivethin, she has something you must drink. I will not lie, it does not taste good, but I promise I will give you something to help with the taste."
"Must I drink it?" Regar was eyeing the cup coming towards him.
"You must." Tauriel answered, taking in his pale complexion. She placed a hand on his head and sighed. He needed to take the medication, so she thought a little cleverness may be in need to get the little one to accept what he has been given. "But, in order for it to work, you must not look at it. It is a magical potion. One look and poof, it is rendered useless."
Regar's eyes widened, then slammed shut as he took the brew in both hands. "It is best just to drink it in one go too, my darling, and pinch your nose, it will help with the taste."
"Do ya have yer eyes closed too?" Came his small voice.
Tauriel chuckled. "Only the drinker cannot look at it. Come, do not delay." Ivethin gave Tauriel an amused look as the red headed princess of Erebor guided the cup of bubbling, thick, liquid to Regar's mouth. The dwarfling had one hand on the cup, and the other pinching his nose tight. They waited on bated breath as the small being gulped down the vile, thick, brew in three swallows, coughing and gagging when the cup fell away.
Thrusting her hand in her pocket, Tauriel pulled out a handful of sweet peppermint chews. "Well done! You may open your eyes, it is finished."
Regar's eyes blinked open, but the coughing continued. Ivethin gave him a cup of water, Tauriel helping him drink. Once he was under some control, she placed several chews in his hand. "Eat these, it will help remove the taste."
"It's good Toki' is sleepin', he would no' take tha' otherwise." Regar muttered as he chewed the mint flavored candies Tauriel had given him.
"Would you like to help with your… was it brother?" Ivethin asked kindly.
"Yes, Toki. Can I?" The healer nodded and she lowered herself to her knees and helped lift the tiny being up to sitting position.
"Get behind him." Regar nodded and climbed on the cot. "Good, crawl on up and hold your brother tight. Why don't you tell him a story, or sing him a song to help him feel comforted."
Regar scrunched his nose and looked up at the tall eleth. "But e's asleep. How can 'e hear?"
Ivethin smiled. "Just because one is not in the waking world, does not mean they are far from us. I like to believe when we cannot be awake with those we love, our spirits linger with them instead. He is here, do not doubt that." Regar looked around at the adults around him and nodded in understanding. He then began to sing softly, his voice cracking slightly with a mix of his illness and emotions.
"Far, far away, where the river flows; Skies fill with stars waters reflect from below. A shadow falls across hills and trees. A ship rocks gently or' calming seas.
"It is there you dance across the night; you fly to the moon, so big and bright. Whatever you wish comes right to you; gold, love, happiness, a sugared sweet, or two.
"If that be your wish, if that be your wish.
"Come away, sing and dance until day. Let my voice guide your way. And when the sun beckons you away from sleep. Nay I pray in the dream land youll' keep.
"May my song call you back to me. Wake, and know, I shall always long to be, where I can hear you singing for me, whether under hill or over tree.
"For that is my wish. For that is my wish. That you will always come back to me."
They all listened to the sweet and haunting melody that flowed from Regar's heart. It was a heartbreaking song yet had tinges of hope within. Ivethin lifted the cup to Toki's dry, pale, lips and inclined the youngling's head to help the thick substance make the journey down Toki's throat as she had done with his mother and father while Tauriel was greeting Regar moments ago.
There was no coughing or sputtering, only silence. Tauriel gave Ivethin a cup of water to help any of the thick medicine that may have caught in his throat, go completely down. They could all hear the difficulty the waking dwarves were having taking the concoction. Tauriel just hoped it was going to work. Ivethin gave Toki a once over then lifted herself off the ground and went back to check on Tooka and Gronti before moving on to the next set of cots. "Is it done?" Regar asked as he finished his song and watched Ivethin walk to his parents.
"It is, that was beautiful Regar. Did you come up with that all on your own?" Tauriel asked as he turned back to her. She stood and helped him from behind Toki then hugged him close. She felt him shake his head no.
"Mama sang it to us every night we was sleepin', until she fell ill." He clenched onto her cotton tunic, seeking comfort from her. Tauriel rocked him gently, as she would her own Finli. Motherly instinct was impossible to ignore when one so young and in such a situation was in need of comfort.
"Tauriel? A moment?" Lifting her head from the small blonde hatted child in her arms, Tauriel nodded, indicating that she heard and pulled away from Regar. She kissed him on the head and walked away but turned back. "Why don't you tell Toki a story Regar, I am certain he would like to hear something, or even just speak to him so that he may hear your voice." He gave her a look but moved towards Toki, sitting beside his very still brother and began to tell him a tale of magical elves who saved the world with bubbling mud.
Chuckling, Tauriel moved to Ivethin who was standing over Tooka. "What is it?"
Ivethin had an expression of deep sadness as she indicated to the dam. Tauriel took in the still being and turned to Regar. "Regar, darling, can I ask you to fetch me some cool water from the tap in the hall's washroom? Please?"
"Course!" She watched the child jump away from Toki and run from the tent.
Ivethin patiently waited for him to leave, then gave Tauriel a sorrowful look. "I know the medication is not supposed to work right away, but it should be giving her back some color. I fear, she will not last the hour. We were too late."
Tauriel closed her eyes. "And Gronti? Her mate and husband? The children's father...what of him?"
Ivethin turned towards the dwarf behind her. He had some color coming back into his cheeks and was even beginning to move in his sleep. All good signs. "I believe he will recover well."
"There is nothing to be done then?" Tauriel turned to Thorin who was watching both elves with some trepidation. "For the dam?"
"No. It is likely her fae has already left her and walks your ancestors' halls. She has been ill for far too long and her body lacks the ability to sustain even itself. She had been with child when she fell ill, is that what I was told?"
"Aye." Came a small voice behind them. "Me baby brother. Or, 'e would have been. I go' yer wata'." He placed the cup on the table and looked at his mother.
"I 'ad a dream las' night. Mama came and sang tha' song to me. The one I sang ta Toki. She kissed me head and said to be a good lad. Her good lad, and take care of da and Toki. Tha' they would need me." Regar shuffled his feet and kicked a piece of loose stone, watching as it slid across the ground and settled under one of the tables opposite where his mother lay. "She was sayin' goodbye, I think."
"Oh Regar." Tauriel fell to her knees and pulled him close to her chest, her heart calling out to take him away and hide him from the smell of death and sorrow all around him.
"Me gran use ta say when we are in our las' stage, we can walk away from our bodies an' visit those we love, no matter where they are." Regar added in, mumbling into Tauriel's soft tunic.
"Yer gran was a wise dam to say such things little one. She is absolutely right." Tauriel soothed.
Regar sniffed, trying to hold his tears at bay and be strong, for his family, but tightened his hold on Tauriel's vest, clinging to her as he spoke. "So, she isn't goin' ta make it? Is she?"
The adults all looked at each other, wondering what to say when Thorin got to his knees beside Tauriel, placing a hand on her shoulder as he looked to the young child. "No."
Pulling away just slightly, Regar turned his head to the kneeling dwarven king. "Is...is it cause she 'ad no babe? Like Toki said?"
Tauriel could feel the tears soaking her tunic and small arms secure themselves around her narrow waste when Regar buried his head back into her shoulder. She shook her head in response. "No Regar. Her body just cannot fight any more. She has been working so hard to battle her way back to you, Toki, and your father, but the illness was just too much for her to handle. But, you are not alone. Toki will be just fine, and your da will as well."
"Wha' do I tell 'em?" The young dwarfling asked quietly.
"Regar?" There was a raspy voice, barely above a whisper, and Tauriel turned to see Gronti's eyes fluttering as he attempted to regain consciousness.
"Da?!" Regar pulled away from Tauriel and jumped to his father's bedside, taking his hand as tears streamed down his face. Gronti blinked in the dim light of the tent and looked around him.
He breathed a sigh of relief at his son as he came into focus just next to him. "There's me lad. Ya okay me little bird?"
"Aye da." Regar looked behind him. "Toki is no' wakin' though, but' they said 'e will."
Gronti lifted Regar's hand and gave it a gentle kiss. He turned to Tauriel and Ivethin, then to his wife.
"Gronti..." Tauriel began, but he shook his head, tears in his eyes. He turned his head back to the red-headed eleth.
"I know lass. I can see it in yer eyes." He began to shake with sobs he tried to control as he caught Tauriel's somber expression. He then looked back at his wife. His beautiful Tooka. She stole his heart with her vibrance for life and her beautiful music. Looking at her now though, he knew. He could feel her slipping from him and he had no desire to see her suffering for even a moment more. "Song bird, my beloved song bird. It is alright." He stopped, shutting his eyes hard as tears fell. He gripped Regar's hand tightly and licked his dry lips, forcing air out of his still burning throat. "Let go Tooka. Go to the halls my most beloved. I am here, I will see 'em well. It's alright. The boys, they will no' be alone. Go ahead and find peace."
Ivethin watched sadly as Tauriel tried to restrain the tears sliding down her cheeks. She leaned into Thorin who placed an arm around her and pulled her against him. They then turned their eyes to the dam, Tooka, who was still taking rasping, wheezing breaths. But just seconds after Gronti spoke to her, she hummed softly, then went silent, and completely still.
"Mama?!" Gronti was weak, but still pulled Regar close, securing him in his arms. "Shhhh, shhhh my little bird. She's better off me lad. We have ta let 'er fly."
"I am sorry." Ivethin spoke softly.
"Yeh did all yeh can, I know." Gronti replied. "I would no' be awake if yeh had no'."
"We will leave you in your mourning. Please, call if you need anything." Thorin stepped away from Tauriel and placed a hand on Gronti's shoulder as he held his weeping son.
Gronti nodded and looked to Toki. "He will be okay? Toki?"
"Running around and causing all kinds of mischief before you know it." Tauriel promised.
Gronti turned to Tauriel with a grateful smile. "Thank yeh fer no' judging 'im harshly fer wha' he did to yer babe. Ya have a kind and generous heart, lass."
"It was done in desperation for someone he loved deeply. I see no fault in that. And my Finli was returned to me. No harm done. Besides, your Toki reminds me a bit of my Kili. You may yet have to prepare yourself for much more trouble to come." Tauriel smirked, Thorin nodding in full agreement.
"I had a lush head of dark hair before Kili entered this world, the silver is from him." Thorin bemoaned causing Tauriel to chuckle. "Just Kili?" She lifted a brow and Thorin huffed out a small laugh. "Fili did help." He added, looking at Regar knowingly.
Nothing more was said. What more can you say to someone who just lost their other half but must go on for the sake of their loved ones? Tauriel moved to join Ivethin as they continued to administer the treatments to all in the tent, then move to the lesser of the severe cases.
It took most of the day to get the Ukdam taken care of. They were the worst in the mountain. Erebor has its share of cases, but not in the severity the Ukdam had. Which made sense as the visiting company had been exposed for far longer.
With their worsening states, Kili and Finli, however, as well as Fili and Viltarra were certainly high on the list to be seen as soon as possible. Tauriel held four doses on a tray with some peppermint tea, and sweet mint chews, for her family which was where she was now headed.
"Kili? Meleth nin?" Tauriel stepped through the door to see Naurfaer holding Finli and rocking him as he tried to get the small babe to drink something. Finli kept squirming away and immediately lifted his arms to Tauriel as she walked in.
"How is my sweet darling?" Tauriel scooped him up and sat on the bed beside Kili who was currently placing a tray of what looked like broth beside him.
"I think his arms are upsetting him." Kili rasped as Tauriel looked her babe over. The welts were getting larger and the skin a deeper shade of red.
"I believe I can help with that." She pulled out the salve from her pocket and with Naurfaer's help, rubbed it all over the worst areas. "I also have something for both of you, but I am afraid neither will like it." Tauriel sighed, she was not looking forward to this.
Reaching over, Tauriel grasped one of the small cups and held Finli secure. "Alright my darling, you must drink this for mama okay? It will make you feel better."
Tauriel brought the cup to his lips and Finli immediately began to fight it. "No no, drink it up." He tried to fight more shaking his head no in protest, but now had very little energy to fight, he quickly gave up, making it easy for Tauriel to get the cup back to his lips. The illness had rendered him in a constant state of exhaustion, so it only took a bit of coaxing and finally Tauriel was able to get the entire contents into Finli's mouth then put a bottle filled with the sweet juice from apples in its place gently, and Finli latched on instantly, sucking it until the contents were gone.
"What...exactly is this." Kili looked away from his wife and son, and down into the cup in his hands.
"Something you will not give me grief over and will just take." Tauriel said as she leveled him with a stern look. Kili swilled the thick liquid, if one would call it that, around and was disgusted to note it barely moved. He scrunched his nose and held it a bit away. "Please Kili." Tauriel gave Kili a pleading look and he could see the fear, exhaustion, and sorrow in her eyes. He decided then and there, he would not be adding to it.
"Right." He pinched his nose and tossed the mug back. Unfortunately, that was not all it took as it was so thick, he had to wait for the medicine to slowly make its way out of the tall cup and into his mouth. The moment it touched his tongue, Kili wanted to toss the cup away and run to the toilet, but one look from Tauriel, and he was forcefully swallowing the muck and reaching for the cup Tauriel held out for him. Sweet relief filled his tastebuds in the form of his wife's mint tea, with extra sugar AND honey, just how he liked it.
Kili coughed several times as he pulled a second cup of tea from his lips. "Vile. Just, plain, vile. You know, they could use that as a means of punishment. Nobody would ever commit a crime again."
Tauriel smiled and leaned in, kissing Kili's cheek. She was glad they will be alright. Now, to go to Fili. Kili watched his wife curiously as she shivered in place and a look of annoyance filled her features.
"Problem, my love?" Kili gave her a look as he reached into her pocket when she stood beside him and pulled the ointment out once more, lifting his sleeves and slapping it over his painful rash while Tauriel cradled Finli and watched him. Kili winced and hissed out in surprise as he put the goo over his arms then sighed in relief. He could not wait for those to be gone.
"I am sorry, my Kili." She apologized, lifting his hand and placing a soft kiss on his palm before looking the angry skin over with the arm not holding her son. "It will clear in a few days," She began then groaned. "and…I may have come to you first. Those two cups are for Fili and Viltarra." Tauriel sighed, dropping Kili's hand and nuzzling Finli's head as he rested against her chest; neither completely awake nor asleep.
Kili lifted a hand and traced his son's cheek while Tauriel sat beside him on the bed, facing him. "Will he be alright then? Finli?"
"You both will." Tauriel placed her palm on Kili's brow. "You already feel a bit cooler and many of the Ukdam who were lost in sleep woke within an hour of having the cure. I am sure our mountain will be returning to normal quite soon."
Humming, Kili lay back. "Can you join me for a nap? You look exhausted yourself. You have been eating right? Naurfaer, has she been eating?"
Naurfaer just shrugged from where he had been silently watching the pair from the rocking chair and Tauriel huffed. "I will go make something for lunch just for her, never you fear, I will take care of her as she has likely been too busy caring for others to look after herself." The taller of the elves stood, gave her a knowing look, ignored her glare, and left the room.
"Tauriel?" Kili lifted a brow and graveled out. Even with barely a voice to speak with his tone was filled with frustration and accusation. "When is the last time you ate, amralime?"
Truthfully, she could not remember…which would not bode well for her when Kili was like this. "I will be fine Kili. I need to go give this to Fili and Viltarra, then I will eat and join you. Does that please you?"
Kili gave her a tight smile, but still closed his eyes and shook his head. "It would please me more if you looked after yourself better, but it will have to do for now." He settled himself further into the pillows behind him, laying flat and sighing as the medicine began its work on his already taxed system. "One thing I do know, is I do not envy you giving that to Fili." He attempted to laugh, but ended up coughing. Tauriel tried to pass him some more water, balancing it as she held Fin, but Kili shook it away.
"It's fine amralime. Here, let me take him so you can go see to Fi." Tauriel smiled then tightened her arms around Finli, holding him close for a moment and kissing his head before passing him over to his father. Kili placed Fin on his chest, the tiny dwarven prince coughing into Kilis tunic, then instantly falling to sleep.
"My boys." Tauriel sighed happily, leaning in to place her forehead against Kili's burning one, both closing their eyes and enjoying the closeness of their one. He and Fin were her everything. Pulling away slowly, Tauriel placed her lips on his brow and let them rest there for a moment then placed another kiss on his cheek as she moved to stand. She gave Kili a smile which he returned and left them to go to the one dwarf she was not looking forward to giving this medication too. Fili was many things, kind, compassionate, passionate, responsible, loving, courageous, and funny. But, when he wanted to be, he could be a right pain in the ram's ass too.
Walking down the hall, she opened the door and stepped into the sitting room and peaked through the chamber door. Tarrah was asleep in a chair, a book in her hands nearly falling to the floor. Adjusting the tray to hold in one arm, Tauriel stepped in and checked Tarrah's head but her temperature was normal. She placed the tray on the table, picked up the book, setting it beside the tray and placed a throw blanket over the sleeping dam.
Turning towards the bed, the eleth then greeted her sister. Viltarra was sitting up against the pillows, Fili's head resting in her lap as she placed a cold compress on his burning forehead. The dam looked up and gave Tauriel a tight smile, rasping out, "He is getting worse Tauriel."
Tauriel understood the worry etched on her face. It was the same look she held when she worried about Kili. Lifting the tray from the table and high enough for Viltarra to see, Tauriel edged closer to the bed. "Then let me give you something to get both of you well. As I see you, are not faring better." Tauriel lifted a hand as she reached the blonde dam and rested it on her forehead.
"My mother?" Tauriel followed her gaze to the sleeping Tarrah.
"Is only sleeping. She has no fever, but I will make sure we keep an eye on her for the next week or so. If she starts to show any signs there is more than enough of this to make sure she gets a dose."
Tauriel sat the tray down on the end of the bed and grabbed a cup. "He can keep resting while you take yours. Please know, I have been told its taste is one nearing intolerable. I apologize. However, it is necessary for you to take and keep down." She passed the cup to Viltarra who did not even look at it, instead, gulped it right down.
Viltarra's eyes clenched shut as she slammed her hand to her lips, forcing the thick substance to stay down while her stomach heaved. She felt a mug enter her hands. "Drink this. It will help." Still not opening her eyes, Viltarra brought the mug to her lips and allowed the sweet mint flavor to engulf her senses. It took the entire cup for her to cease from wanting to pass it all back up, but eventually, the spasms in her belly eased and she was able to open her eyes and sigh.
"I do not think I have had anything like that before and I would die a happy dam if I never have to have that pass my lips again."
Chuckling, Tauriel nodded. "I thank the valor I have not come down with it. I do not believe I could hold it down in my condition. I have already begun to have the pleasure of finding several foods he does not like." Tauriel patted her belly and looked to Fili. "Now. How should we do this?"
Viltarra hummed and pulled the wet cloth from Fili's head. "We could just force it down his throat while he rests. Otherwise, he may just pretend to drink it, hiding it in that mahal forsaken pot of his causing his symptoms to worsen until he dies in the most undignified of ways. A coward through and through. He shall be a shame to his ancestors and be forced to live among the elves in Valinor, having not been permitted into the halls of our fathers."
At first, Tauriel thought she was being serious, but the uplifted end of her lips and the amusing glint in her eyes as she stared down at Fili gave her away. What Tauriel had missed was the half-lidded stare Fili was giving her. She was teasing him. She knew he was awake.
"That, was cruel." Came his voice laced with pain and barely understandable. Viltarra chuckled dryly then leaned down enough to place her lips on his damp brow.
"But oh, so true. Now, will you be a good prince and take your medicine, or do I need to have Hiril here sit on you to hold you down so Tauriel can force-feed you?"
The warg lifted her head from where she was hidden on Viltarra's side of the bed. She has only left the room to be taken out to do her business by Naurfaer a few times a day, otherwise, she refuses to be parted from Viltarra's side.
Fili groaned. "Why do you hate me so?"
Viltarra's face went serious, however, as she leaned over Fili. She cupped the side of his head with her palm and Fili was surprised when a drop fell on his cheek. He stared at her and Viltarra used her free hand to wipe the errant tears from her eyes. "I could never hate you. Rather, I cannot be without you Fili. Please take the medicine."
Cupping her cheek, the blond prince thumbed away a tear. "Hey now. I am not going anywhere." Fili's voice was quiet but pained so Tauriel sat beside her brother.
It took help from both Viltarra and Tauriel to lift the prince into sitting position. With not a little trepidation, and praying for cooperation, Tauriel passed the mug to Fili.
"What is it?" He stared at the muck in his mug.
"Best not to ask and just to drink it." Tauriel lifted a brow and folded her arms, expectantly.
"It's moving." Fili cringed and went to push the mug away from him, but Tauriel stopped his hands and added some pressure easing it back into his direction.
"I do not care if it is dancing and singing a jig. You will drink this. Viltarra is not the only one who cannot be without you. If you do not drink this, you will die."
Fili glared at her but lifted the mug to his lips and tilted the cup. Not only did it smell horrible, but the moment it met his tongue, Fili jerked the mug away and gagged. "Nope.." he spluttered through coughing fits. "I choose death."
Tauriel was incensed. "I watched a child take this with no argument. My nearly two-year-old son took it. Kili took it. Thorin took it. Several of the Ukdam took it. You WILL take it." Tauriel shoved the cup back, but Fili was giving her his best Durin family glare. Unfortunately for him, Tauriel by now was completely immune. She did however have to bat away angry tears, damn pregnancy, as she gave a glare right back to Fili.
"I WATCHED a dam die this morning, her body too weak to heal even after we shoved this down her throat. I have held hands of dwarves and dams in the Ukdam company as they entered the great halls of Mandos for the last two weeks because we had no means to heal them. I will NOT sit here and watch you refuse a cure, Fili. I need you, Viltarra needs you. Kili," Tauriel choked. "Kili needs you as much as he needs me. My Finli, needs his uncle. Stop being a stubborn fool and take it."
Fili's eyes widened and he grasped her hand with the one not cradling his mug. "Hey, little sister. Okay. But only if you stop the water works." Tauriel rolled her eyes and squeezed Fili's hand in hers even as he pulled away.
"Cheers?" He muttered and slammed his eyes shut, pinched his nose, and gulped the cure down. He threw the empty cup across the room and Tauriel watched as his jaw tightened. "Fili…"
His hand lifted, silently requesting a moment, even as his eyes remained shut. She tried to hold the cup of tea towards him, but now both of Fili's hands were clenched in the quilt.
"Fili! Open your eyes, muindor! Stop fighting and drink this!"
"No…no I am good. I can live without any more of your remedies for quite some time." Fili's voice was strained and his chest spasmed and choked.
"It is sweet peppermint tea!" She sung, smiling while placing the mug under his nose. Fili lifted one eye and grabbed for the mug, spilling some of the still warm liquid onto the bed in his haste to down the tea as quickly as possible.
"Well, wasn't that just a production." Tauriel chuckled at Tarrah's disapproving motherly voice as she sat holding the blanket and watching the scene unfold. "Will they be alright now?"
"Assuming they don't go and sick it all back up and allow their systems to intake the cure over the next hour? Yes. They both will make a full recovery. Are you well?"
"I am, and Vin is as well. He is just in the kitchen baking some bread for the family. I sent him out because he was pacing so much it was starting to drive me barmy." Tarrah huffed, but smiled. "Thank you." She finally said, looking up at Tauriel.
"Do not thank me, I was unable to figure out a cure. We owe our gratitude to Mirkwood's lead healer, Ivethin. Her as well as her team, Thranduil, and from what I understand, Lord Elrond too."
"Good folk then, they are." Tarrah hummed. "Could have let us die but compassion turned them to help."
Tauriel wished it was that easy, but it was likely a few key reasons that caused Thranduil to help as swiftly as he did. She knew, despite his cold demeanor, he was still rather fond of her. He did help raise her and saw her as…maybe not a daughter…but as a ward? She also knew that he knew Legolas considered her something akin to a sister. For those reasons as well as their new alliance, he did as he did. She will allow Tarrah to believe as she must though, it would do her no harm.
Tauriel stayed with the three of them until fresh, warm, bread was brought in and Tauriel remembered she promised Kili she would eat. Vin laughed heartedly at the look of pure want on the eleth's face when he entered the room. "Little one hungry?" Tauriel shrugged and accepted several already buttered pieces being passed to her. They were so warm, the butter had already melted into the soft, white, bread. She inhaled the scent as she closed her eyes then bit into sliced heaven.
Fili was giving her an amused look, but chose not to comment as she devoured all four slices. Nor did he say a word when she took one more from Vin's outstretched tray. She needed to eat.
Moving to stand, Tauriel gathered the tray she had brought and walked to the door. "I will leave you now. It looks as if you both will hold it down and with Vin and Tarrah here, I know you will be looked after. It is likely you will fall asleep soon anyway, so do not fight the fatigue and let your bodies rest so they can heal. I will check on you later."
Tauriel gave everyone in the room a smile and excused herself to go see to her precious ones. She had a mind to go and help Ivethin and make sure everything was going well, but she remembered the severe look her friend and childhood mentor had given her.
The taller eleth had all but ordered Tauriel to go up to the rooms to rest and eat when the eleth had discovered Tauriel had skipped her meals and sleep cycles in favor of helping her dwarven people. The only indication she had had was when the young eleth swayed precariously and had to right herself using a cot she had been hovering over.
Tauriel sighed and rubbed her belly. Deciding maybe something more substantial than bread was necessary to appease her unborn dwarven son, Tauriel stepped into the kitchen only to nearly run straight into Naurfaer, completely forgetting he was making her something to eat.
"I thought you were in with Kili and Finli?" Tauriel lowered her brow in concern, turning to go to her chamber to check on them, but a gentle hand grasping her arm stopped her.
"They will be fine, Tauriel, for just a few minutes more. Have you forgotten I was making you something to eat, starlight?" He gave her an amused look then nodded into the kitchen as he relieved her of the tray she carried. "Come in and eat something while they rest, which they will likely be doing for several hours yet." Tauriel looked uncertain, but allowed Naurfaer to guide her towards Dis's table and sat her down. She watched him go back to the main kitchen area where she could smell the evidence of both Vin's baking from moments ago, and minced meat pie currently being prepared by Naurfaer. It was one of Dis's recipes and one she loved.
Naurfaer turned from the oven he had just opened and smiled at his granddaughter. "Everything go alright?"
Tauriel returned his smile and sat back in her seat to get more comfortable. "Fili and Viltarra have been given the cure. They should be on the path to be well soon enough just as Kili and Finli will. Ivethin also made Thorin take his dose."
Naurfaer lifted a brow. "That must have been a sight." He chuckled. "And you?" Naurfaer asked with a smirk, knowing the eleth well enough to know she tends to put others, especially those she cares about, before her own wellbeing.
Huffing indignantly, Tauriel folded her arms. "I am fine." The taller elf chuckled again, grabbed a plate and piled it with several slices of mincemeat pie which oozed with gravy and potatoes, then added another slice of Vin's bread before passing the plate to Tauriel. Naurfaer shook his head as the eleth tucked into her meal with enough enthusiasm that would match any dwarf in this mountain, or any other mountain for that matter.
The door opened and both elves turned to watch Vin walk in with a now empty tray. He nodded in greeting and set to cleaning his dish while Naurfaer plated some of the mince meet pie onto a clean tray for him to take back to Fili, Tarrah, and Viltarra. Vin nodding in gratitude as he placed a tea kettle on the stove and turned to wait for it to boil. Viltarra had requested some tea to help settle her stomach.
Once her plate had been fully cleared…twice, Tauriel sat back and closed her eyes, humming in contentment. "I need to go deliver some medicine to Leotti and check on the company." She finally said. "Do you mind keeping an eye on Kili and Finli for a bit longer?" Tauriel rose to stand but her head spun, and she had to close her eyes once again and wait for the dizziness to pass. Maybe that was too much food.
Naurfaer lifted a brow and folded his arms as he watched her steady herself, ready to help if needed and Vin gave her a worried look. "Or, you can go and rest. You have been at it for much too long and have barely had more than a nights sleep in the last week." Naurfaer's voice was stern and steady. "I will go see that Leotti receives some medicine, as well as those in the company who are ill. You go tend to your family and for Valor's sake, please rest Tauriel, or shall I get Dis? Perhaps you would listen to her better."
"He is right ya know." Vin quirked a brow. "You're not just you. Working yourself to the bone and not eating is bad enough for anyone, add all your restless nights and worry over the mountain and your family…it is just not a good recipe for your condition. Even I can see that, and I am no healer. Go get some rest lass."
The red-headed eleth glared angerly at the two males, then huffed. She was not going to win this. She knew it, and they knew it. Without a word, Tauriel turned on her toes and left the kitchen.
"I do not miss those days." Vin sighed and grabbed her plate from the table.
Chuckling, Naurfaer leaned back in his chair. "Just wait, you are not over them yet. You have a daughter, remember?"
Vin blanched and groaned but then paused and a broad smile spread across his face. "You know…" He sat beside Naurfaer. "As terrifying as my Viltarra will likely be as an expecting mother, I cannot wait."
"Let us hope Fili can handle it." Naurfaer stood. "But grandchildren are the greatest of blessings. Even the stubborn ones." He winked at Vin and left the kitchen to go check in with Ivethin and make sure Leotti and Thorin's original company gets their dosages, before his stubborn granddaughter decides to bypass him and do it herself. Blessings indeed.
Original Authors Note: So I just realized I used Muindor, which is Sindarin for Brother if I have never told you that before. Pretty much everything else I had translated in the chapter. OH BTW, any poetry or song lyrics are my own. So I did make up that song Regar sings and I have a few more…I think two…in the coming chapters. Ya, I am not really a poet but I do write my own music on occasion….all for fun. I certainly won't be making a career with it.
See you soon for another chapter which I will post as soon as I finish proofing it tonight or tomorrow.
Love you guys and thank you again for staying with me and my craziness.