Chapter Text
After our parents died of disease I watched over my little sister. We lived with our fellow Elves in a small village outside of Mirkwood. I worked hard to care and provide for her.
Before our parents deaths I wanted to become a bard, but I buried those dreams with them. I was happy to do so, for I loved my little sister. She was so happy and kind, she was my joy.
I was terrified to discover she had contracted the same disease our parents died of. Her fever skyrocketed, she became delirious. I begged the village healer to help. He refused, as I had no money to pay.
I fell down and begged the healer, only to be kicked out and have the door slammed in my face. And I resigned myself to making her as comfortable as possible until the end.
Crying softly I made my way to the river and filled a bucket with cold water. I sloshed through the city as I hurried back to Issil's side, I couldn't let her die alone. In my haste I paid no heed to anyone around me.
Suddenly I slammed into someone. I was sent flying. I looked up to see king Thranduil, dripping wet. He looked furious. I didn't care, all my water was either on him, myself, or the ground. I would have to go back for more. I felt like screaming out my frustration and hopelessness.
Thranduil looked down at me with anger and distain and roared,
"HOW DARE YOU! This has been the worst day! I have been dragged all the way to this DISGUSTING little village only to be drenched in FILTHY water! YOU WILL PAY PEASANT!"
I looked back at him with a steely gaze. How could he punish me? I had nothing left to lose.
I answered in a voice of quiet anger.
"Oh, you've been having a bad day have you? Forgive me if I don't give a damn! My little sister is at home dying and the healer won't come since I have no way to pay him. That water was to keep my sister as comfortable as possible until she dies, and now that's gone too! But poor king Thranduil, such a hard day he's been having! So come on King! Do your worst!"
I turned and, grabbing my bucket, strode away. I collapsed halfway back to the river and sobbed my heart out. I thought; maybe, if I was lucky, I would catch what Issil had and die after her. The thought of my sister stirred me to action. I sprinted to the river, refilled the bucket, and raced home.
Hours past. I periodically bathed Issil's small body in the cold water. More hours past. Frequently, I had to travel back to the river for more water. The sun began setting. My head felt fuzzy, I couldn't tell if it was from tiredness or sickness, not that I cared. I went back for more water. I could just see the flickering light from the single candle as I left.
When I returned, the whole shack was ablaze with light. I raced to the door and barged inside, thinking that Issil, in her delirium had knocked over the candle and set the house on fire. I was shocked to see that instead of flames, candles had been lighted around the room. An elf with a silver circlet in his long dark hair was bent over Issil's form, obviously treating her.
My mouth fell open, tears began to roll down my cheeks. My body grew numb and I distantly heard the bucket drop to the ground. The water sloshed over my feet and legs. I began to sway. I vaguely felt someone grab my shoulders turned to steady me. I glanced up to see the long blonde hair and pale blue eyes of the king I had drenched mere hours before. He ushered me to a chair that I was sure did not belong in my tiny home, and gently seated me.
My head swam, my vision blurred, I finally managed to croak out,
"What's happening? Why are you here?"
A young woman I had not noticed before turned to me. She wore the garb of a royal healer.
"We are here to help your sister at king Thranduils request."
She said kindly nodding towards the man himself, who I just now noticed had sat beside me.
I slumped back in my seat as my adrenaline wore off and relief set in. I tried to stay awake to make sure she would be ok, but I just couldn't. Around midnight I fell into a deep sleep born of exhaustion.
I awoke incased in warmth with the sun shining in my face. I sat up with a start, only one thought on my mind, Issil. I then noticed that I was on a blanket lying on the dirt floor, with another blanket as a pillow. I was certain these we not my blankets as they were of high quality. But most wondrous of all was that, draped over my body, was a magnificent cape. It's rich colors shone in the sunlight, and with a gasp I recognized it. It was the same cape that Thranduil had worn the day before.
I lept up to find myself alone with my sister, who appeared to be sleeping peacefully on the cot. I crept over to her and put my ear to her chest. Sure enough, she was still breathing. I felt her forehead. It felt slightly cool.
"Your sister is recovering well. She is quite strong."
A low melodious voice spoke from behind me.
I whirled to find the dark haired elf standing in the doorway, a kind smile on his face.
"Thank you for saving my sister!" I cried, throwing myself at his feet.
He chuckled and helped me up.
"Ah Elrond, I see our older sister is awake."
Said a voice from just outside.
I jumped up to see Thranduil leaning against the house, a slight smirk on his face. The rays of the sun caught his golden hair making it almost glow. I did a double take. My door opened towards the west. I realized that it was almost sunset.
His smirk grew bigger and I belatedly realised that I was staring. I quickly looked away and bowed my head.
"Thank you king Thranduil."
I said in a stiff formal voice.
He snorted.
"Come on now. Where is the woman who was willing to throw down?"
"My sister is safe now." I replied shortly.
Suddenly I realized something. "I must go! Taron was expecting me at work about noonday. I may have lost my job!"
Fear filled my heart as I spoke. But Elrond seized my shoulders as I slid past him.
"You cannot leave. You need to rest unless you want to contract the disease as well."
I whirled to face him.
"I must. I cannot afford to lose this job! We are orphans, I must provide for Issil, and find a way to pay you for your services."
My head pounded and I was almost in tears now.
Thranduil stepped behind me, boxing me in.
"You will stay here and rest."
He spoke in a voice of commanding calm.
"But...... but......." I began.
"No buts." Thranduil interrupted and guided me back into the house.
I sighed in defeat as I was gently wrapped in a blanket and pushed back into a chair. To be entirely honest my head had started throbbing to much for me to put up much of a fight. I allowed my head to loll against the back of the chair.
The wood felt cool against my cheek. Even though I liked the coolness a shiver ran through my body. I stiffened, but Elrond noticed anyway. He placed a hand on my forehead. It felt icy cold against my skin.
"She's burning up." He murmured quietly to Thranduil. "It is a good thing you sent for a wagon, I will need to treat her as well."
"You may have use of any of the empty rooms. But we must isolate the girls as much as possible. We don't want an outbreak in the palace."
I heard most of this but did not process it. My head was fuzzy and my eyes hurt. And before long I passed into unconsciousness. I stirred slightly when I was carried to a wagon, and again when I was carried from it, but aside from that I knew nothing more.