Work Text:
Prompt: “you’re burning up."
...
Rand lay next to a river that he had been following for two weeks. A week ago he had come down with a cold or so he thought. He kept pushing and moving for as long as he could. Sneezing all the way. Two nights before his body temperature raised so much that it made him nearly delirious. It almost made him regret leaving Moiraine. At least if he was with her she could help with his symptoms.
Another regret was that he had not seen Ishamael in almost a month. Somehow the Forsaken had weeded himself right into Rand's life. Every time he moved to practice his swordsmanship alone he watched for Ishamael. Every time he walked alone he waited for the cool calm voice to call out to him. Each and every time he was disappointed.
His missing time did not go unnoticed. Moiraine and Lan had noticed almost immediately. Lan tried to stay with him as much as possible. This annoyed Rand and made him feel like a caged animal. It was what made him run. He couldn't take the stifling overprotection.
Here he wished he hadn't run off on his own. He felt as if he was going to die. The fever was too high for him to recover on his own. He needed medicine but there wasn't any near this river and he was in no condition to search for them.
Cool fingertips touched his cheek. Rand sucked in a surprised breath and his eyes shot open. There as if summoned by his thoughts was Ishamael. Three fingertips still touched his heated skin cooling it.
The man frowned as he declared, "You're burning up."
Rand hoarsely whispered, "I'm sick it's not going away. What's wrong with me?"
Ishamael's fingers left his cheek and a whine escaped him. It was replaced by a cold palm on his forehead. Unconsciously he relaxed against the hand. He could feel the One Power enter his it was a new fire under his skin. It seared through his brain and into his very core.
Rand hissed in pain and tried to get out from under the hand. To get away from the pain as it coursed through him. It only lasted a moment but it felt as if it was a lifetime. Suddenly he tasted blood. He must have bit through his tongue he realized.
Like before the hand left his forehead this time he did not whine. The heat had left him in the same moment the hand had. Had Ishamael taken his fever? He didn't expect such kindness from the Forsaken. Then again many spoke of their cruelty something he had only seen up until their meeting at the Eye of the World. Since then they had regular meetings in person rather than in his dreams. Calm meetings that gave Rand more information than months with Moiraine.
Ishamael allowed him to sit up before he sat on the ground. It was strange to see the man so well put together to be sitting in the dirt. Rand smiled slightly which caused Ishamael to raise an eyebrow at him.
"What are you laughing at, Lews Therin?"
Rand answered easily, "I didn't think you would be one to willingly sit in the dirt, Ishamael. Thank you for taking away my fever."
Ishamael hummed his dark eyes taking in Rand's flushed face, "I did what I can for you, Lews Therin. You are burning from using the One Power. How long have you been ill?"
Not meeting the man's eyes now he answered, "A week. I thought I was done for. I couldn't find the energy to look for herbs or food even. My fever increased two days ago."
"I see," commented Ishamael drily, "Stay here a moment. I'll return."
And like that he was gone leaving a frustrated Rand in the dirt. He was only gone for a few moments before Ishamael returned. In his hands were unfamiliar herbs which were unceremoniously shoved into his hands.
"Stick one on the inside of your cheek," ordered the man, "Then later make a tea out of the rest. It will keep your fever down though not completely. Every person who can channel goes through this. You're strong enough to get through this."
Slowly Rand did as he was told. The herb was bitter but hopefully it would do as the man said it would. Somehow he didn't believe that it was poisonous. Why he was putting so much trust in one of the Forsaken he didn't know.
"Where have you been?" He asked suddenly, "You haven't visited me in a month."
There was a small smirk on Ishamael's face as he asked, "Did you miss me, Lews Therin?"
Rand flushed a deep shade of red. Quietly he answered, "You are the only one who answers my questions."
Slowly the Forsaken nodded as he said, "That is true, Lews Therin. But I have been busy with my own work. Have you made a decision on where you stand yet?"
For the first time when he was asked that he hesitated. There was a brightness in the dark eyes now. Hesitation was a small victory for Ishamael and Rand knew it. He could not take it back and a part of him didn't want to.
"Sleep, Lews Therin," ordered Ishamael and Rand's body grew heavy, "I will visit you more often as you wish. Though it maybe back in your dreams. For now you must rest and regain the strength and stubbornness I know is still in your blood."
"How?" slurred Rand as if he had drunk an entire cart of ale, "How do you keep doing this?"
There was a soft oomph as Rand's body hit the ground. It was no longer responding to him at all and was beginning to grey around the edges. His blinks were becoming slower and slower. It had only taken a moment and he was on the verge of sleep. The cool hand returned to his cheek forcing him to look up into the dark eyes.
"A question for another time, Lews Therin," murmured the man, "Sleep."
And so he did.