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Getting Treated

Submitted by Eliad on October 7th, 2016
in


Eliad limped towards the three, his blade being used as a walking stick.

"H-How is he..?" asked Eliad.

"I'll stay here as long as I need to," said Cassiah, shaking her head.

"Eliad!" exclaimed Brynlegh, glancing up at the sound of footsteps. She moved her hand to squeeze Cassiah's shoulder lightly, "I just mean, if your arms get tired, my dear." She looked back at Eliad, "He's still conscious... We're trying to make sure the bleeding has stopped."

Cassiah nodded before looking over her shoulder at Eliad, grimacing.

"Good heavens...," said Cassiah, looking at his leg. "You, too?"

"What happened to you, Eliad?" asked Brynleigh.

"It's just a cut...," said Eliad, shaking his head as he glanced towards Cassiah. "Aeru is the one that needs the most tending."

Brynleigh glanced Eliad up and down, as if to ensure he was still in one piece, nodding before looking back at Aeruthuil.

"Bryn, take a look at his leg if you will..?" asked Cassiah, sighing.

"You need me to look at you, Eliad?" asked Brynleigh, turning around once again.

"Oh, he'll let you," said Cassiah. "I'm making him."

"Cassie wouldn't take no for an answer so I suppose," answered Eliad, letting out a defeated sigh. "Though, that bastard won't be shooting arrows from now on."

"You got him then?" asked Brynleigh, lifting her eyebrows.

"Is he dead?" asked Cassiah.

"No," answered Eliad, shaking his head. "But the bears and boars would have a meal out of his hand."

"Cut his hand off, I see," said Cassiah.

"So we have a one-handed assassin on the loose then," said Brynleigh, blinking. "My goodness." She looked back down at Aeruthuil as he had not moved or spoken in some time. "Aeru? You still with us?"

Cassiah's eyes went wide as she got distracted. She looked back down to Aeru. Eliad glanced back down at Aeruthuil, deeply concerned. Aeruthuil nodded slowly, grumbling something though even he had no idea what it meant. Brynleigh sighed softly, gently laying his head back down and turning to Eliad.

"All right," said Brynleigh. "Let's see your leg."

Cassiah pulled the cloth away just enough to see if the bleeding was going to start up again. The blood would start to well up again as she moved the cloth. Cassiah winced and quickly held it back on. Eliad let out a soft sigh before moving to sit down, wincing. He set the knife aside before looking at Brynleigh. Brynleigh lifted her eyebrows, waiting for him to pull up his pants leg. She was not about to reach over and do it. Aeruthuil narrowed his eyes as he looked around, letting out a faint whistle before Ararhiem, his steed, would approach and laid down next to him with a huff. Eliad blinked and moved quickly to pull up his pant leg.

"S-Sorry...," said Eliad.

Brynleigh glanced over briefly at the horse, smiling.

"Good boy...," muttered Brynleigh. She turned back to Eliad, waving a hand. "It's all right, but come now. Let me see it. We can't wait all day."

Cassiah blinked, looking towards the horse as it showed up. She took her head, having to stay focused. Her hand pressed up against the wound still with the cloth and dried grass. Eliad raised up just enough to show his wound before glancing away silently. Brynleigh leaned forward to peer closely at the leg. Aeruthuil grunted a little as he went through Ararhiem's manes.

"Need to go to camp," muttered Aeruthuil. "Can't stay here. Not safe..."

"You're not going anywhere, Aeru!" frowned Brynleigh, not turning around. "You could die if we tried to move you right now."

Cassiah narrowed her eyes, wondering if there was more to what Aeruthuil was saying. She looked down as if saying she was listening but she was not about to instantly move him. Eliad's wound was to where only something small had made it. Eliad held up the bloody knife.

"It wasn't too, too deep," said Eliad. "Just stung."

"I suppose it wasn't poisoned or you wouldn't be talking to me right now," said Brynleigh, nodding as her eyes moved to Eliad's face. "Still, you should put some wine or salve on it, so it won't get infected."

Eliad glanced back at Brynleigh with his grey eyes before looking away.
​
"I'll do that once I get back to the inn," said Eliad.
 
"Very well," smiled Brynleigh gently, meeting his eyes. "See that you do." She shifted around again to check on Aeruthuil. "How's the patient?"
 
"Awake and determined, it seems...," answered Cassiah, rolling her eyes but kept the cloth on the wound.
 
​"Determined is good," grinned Brynleigh softly.

​"Depends, really," replied Cassiah, sighing.

Eliad moved his right hand to lower his left sleeve before rubbing his eyes, thinking of his actions from earlier. Cassiah briefly stroked Aeruthuil's cheek with her other hand, then glanced up at the setting sun, her eyes wandering to Aeruthuil afterwards. Eliad glanced towards Aeruthuil, frowning. As soon as they were well enough to travel, they made their way slowly towards a campsite. Aeruthuil had been placed beside the campfire as Eliad sat beside a tent.
 
"I'm so sorry, Aeru...," muttered Eliad, pulling up his hood. "I was that close to you and I should've stopped it."
 
"Don't worry," grunted Aeruthuil a little, shaking his head. "It happens to me more of than people think."
 
Eliad rubbed his eyes, not helping but to give out a small, but bitter chuckle.
 
"How much of coincidence that these events have been," said Eliad. "First, it was the talk about Mother. And now, this."
 
They had fallen silent afterwards. Eliad kept his gaze down at the ground, rather distracted of his thoughts from the events earlier. Brynleigh sat vigilantly, staring down at Aeruthuil's face, watching for any sign of worsening. Her hand steadily stroked his hair back from his forehead, in an almost maternal gesture of comfort. She does not ask him to speak, simply watching his breathing. Her eyes flicked to Eliad every minute or so. Eliad blinked as he felt a gaze on him before glancing up towards Brynleigh. Brynleigh smiled gently when she caught Eliad's eyes. Eliad turned pink but smiled before looking out towards the entrance of the camp. Brynleigh glanced back down at Aeruthuil.
 
​"Are you warm enough?" asked Brynleigh quietly.
 
Aeruthuil sta​red up at her, giving her a small smile when she looked down to him.
 
"I'm fine," answered Aeruthuil. "Don't worry about me."
 
"Fine, my foot," smirked Brynleigh gently. "Who wouldn't worry about you in this condition? Hush now, and rest."
 
Aeruthuil chuckled sof​tly, shrugging though he closed his eyes with a sigh. Eliad rested his hand on his forehead, as if contemplated on a few words from Aduninzil. Brynleigh pressed her hand against his cheek for a moment, making sure his skin was still warm and had good color, before pulling it away finally. She looked over at Eliad curiously.
 
"You all right?" asked Brynleigh.
 
​Eliad blinked as he was snapped out of his concentration.
 
"Just...thinking of a conversation that I had with...someone," answered Eliad, glancing towards Brynleigh.
 
​"Oh...," said Brynleigh, nodding. She lowered her gaze to Aeruthuil again. "Are you thirsty, Aeru? You'll need to keep drinking after losing so much blood."
 
Eliad placed his hand to his right shoulder, as if something was there as he glanced away. Aeruthuil opened his eyes a little and glanced around.
 
"A bit...," chuckled Aeruthuil softly. "Well, always am."
 
Brynleigh smiled gently, reaching his wineskin again. She put a hand under his head to steady him, and held it to his lips.
 
"Here you go," said Brynleigh.
 
Aadyn, a good friend of Aeruthuil's, stepped into the camp, carrying a lot of bags. She had yet to see Aeruthuil laying by the fire, or what the situation was. Brynleigh looked up at the sound of footsteps, her heart pounding. She nearly dropped the wineskin from Aeruthuil's lips. Aeruthuil smiled a little as he started to drink a few sips from the bottle.
 
"Thank you, My Lady...," said Aeruthuil. "Especially for having to bother you with this all."
 
Eliad blinked and glanced over towards the woman that had arrived, remembering her well from the inn. Aadyn stared at Eliad, sitting the bags down. She the looked to Aeruthuil and raised a brow.

​"Calm down," said Aadyn, tilting her head. "I's jus' me. So much for velaxing, aye?"
 
Aeruthuil narrowed his eyes as he looks over to Aadyn.
 
"Oh..," said Aeruthuil, speaking to Brynleigh quietly. "Oh... I'm in troubleeee..." He then chuckled a little, addressing to Aadyn, "I always relax. You know me."
 
"Vha'appened?" asked Aadyn.
 
Brynleigh looked at the woman, her face creased with worry.
 
"He's been shot with an arrow," answered Brynleigh, looking back down. "You shouldn't be talking, Aeru." She then nodded at Eliad, "He was there."
 
Aadyn stared at Eliad again before looking down at Aeruthuil.
 
"By whom?" asked Aadyn.
 
Eliad glanced towards Brynleigh before looking away, rather embarrassed.
 
"Eliad, you can tell her," said Brynleigh. "It's all right." She looked apologetically at the woman. "I'm so sorry. I'm Bryn. I'm a friend of Aeru and Cassie."
 
"He was...a friend...of a woman named Adun," said Eliad, sighing softly.
 
"I know who you are," grinned Aadyn, nodding towards Brynleigh. "Aadyn." She then raised a brow at Eliad, "And vhere is dhis 'friend' now?"
 
"Gone now after I cut off his hand," said Eliad, glancing towards the woman that spoke. "He won't be using the bow and arrow any time soon."
 
Brynleigh lifted her eyebrows in slight surprise, but she said nothing, leaving the woman to speak to Eliad as she gently laid Aeruthuil's head back down. Aadyn sighed deeply and shook her head.
 
"I svear I can'leave jou alone vor ten minutes," said Aadyn, smirking at Aeruthuil. "Is 'e going to be alvigh'?"
 
​"If he'll rest as he should and not try to be a hero too quickly...he might," said Brynleigh, looking down at him.
 
Eliad glanced away as soon as the attention and words were not directed towards him.
 
"Ve all know 'ow tha'goes, aye?" asked  Aadyn.
 
"Mmhmm," smirked Brynleigh gently, looking at Aeruthuil.
 
Aeruthuil quietly whistled, awkwardly looking away.
 
"Ass," smirked Aadyn, nudging his boot.
 
Eliad took out the knife that he had kept from the battle from his robe, looking at it as if in thought.
 
"Aye, now," chuckled Aeruthuil, grunting. "You love me for it."
 
"Really, Aeru," said Brynleigh, putting her hand on his hair. "You must look after yourself. Please. For...for Cassie's sake."
 
"Vell," teased Aadyn, winking while shaking her head. "Vhere is...Nestyl? Jour shadow? Jour better 'alf?"
 
Aeruthuil poked out his tongue at Aadyn and then looked over to Brynleigh.
 
"I'll be fine," mumbled Aeruthuil. "I always am..."
 
Eliad sighed and stood up rather slowly, careful with the leg. He placed the dagger back into his robe. Brynleigh sighed softly and pulled her hand away, feeling she had done what she could and should not impose her nurturing on him further. She pushed to her feet with a soft grunt and brushed herself off. Aadyn reached into her bag and pulled out marshmallows for Aeruthuil, dropping them down onto his chest.
 
"Maybe I'll jus'keep jou eating dhese, an'jou'll ge'fa', and dhen people von'vegonize jou anymore," said Aadyn.
 
She stepped over towards his head and sat down after Brynleigh stood. Aeruthuil grinned a little as he started to eat the marshmallows, slowly but still obviously satisfied with them. Eliad glanced towards the group before moving towards the entrance of the camp, leaning against the tree.
 
"Can you look after him, miss?" asked Brynleigh quietly, looking down at Aeruthuil and Aadyn. "If I'm not needed here, I can be on my way."
 
Aeruthuil looked over to Brynleigh, wanting to say something but does not. He simply sighs.  Brynleigh shifted her eyes to Aeruthuil as he looked at her.
 
"What is it?" asked Brynleigh, tilting her head a bit.
 
"Nothing...," answered Aeruthuil, shaking his head. "Eh, thanks..."
 
"Of course," replied Brynleigh, nodding. "Anytime." She then smiled awkwardly, "Not that...I want you to get hurt again...of course."
 
​"It will happen," chuckled Aeruthuil. "So I'll hold you to your words."
 
"Oh, Aeru...," said Brynleigh, sighing as she cringed. "What a thing to say!" She glanced at Aadyn, giving ​her a tired smile. "I'll be on my way then. Take care of yourselves." She walked and paused to where Eliad had stood, "What a day, eh? Last night, with that girl...and now this."
 
Eliad glanced over towards Brynleigh before nodding in agreement. He smiled a little to lighten up the mood a bit.
 
"I told you we should stop meeting like this...," said Eliad.
 
"Apparently, it's just how it's meant to be," chuckled Brynleigh softly. "You did well to go after that man, though, Eliad. That was very brave."​
 
Eliad blushed deeply in embarrassment before looking away. He could hardly call his experience as "brave."
 
"I was...angry at the person though...," said Eliad.
 
"As​ well you should have been!" said Brynleigh, peering at his hooded face.
​
Eliad glanced towards her once again, giving a small smile again.
 
"Thank you either way though, Miss Brynleigh," said Eliad. "For both your thoughts and words and your care."
 
Brynleigh smiled kindly at Eliad.
 
"Do you...need someone to escort you back to Bree?" asked Eliad.
 
Brynleigh took a breath and glanced about the dark woods suddenly, as if she had not thought about it.
 
"Well...," said Brynleigh. "Yes, I suppose I do. That would be very nice of you."
 
Eliad glanced back towards the camp.
 
"I think that Aeru would be fine with his friend there," chuckled Eliad, pushing himself gently from the tree. "Besides, I think that woman could attack me or stare at me all night, wondering why someone not one of them was here."
 
"Town isn't far anyway," grinned Brynleigh, laughing softly under her breath. "You'll be back before they know you're gone."
 

"Shall we get going?" chuckled Eliad.
 
He began to walk towards Bree, being careful of his leg.
 
"Take it easy now," said Brynleigh, nodding as she followed him. "Don't hurry on my account. Take care for your leg."
 
"Was just a simple stab," said Eliad, waving his hand.
 
"Simple stab," echoed Brynleigh. "Listen to you. Nothing simple about being stabbed."
 
"I was forced to have a tattoo and had two brandings and have a scar," smiled Eliad, shaking his head. "Nothing is ever simple for me."
 
Brynleigh looked at him curiously as they walk, but she does not press him for details.
 
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Brynleigh.
 
"...I...probably startled you the first time we met, did I?" asked Eliad. "It wsa the first day that I had talked to Aeru."
 
"I don't think you startled me," said Brynleigh, cocking her head thoughtfully. "There's nothing startling about you, Eliad."
 
Eliad blinked and glanced at Brynleigh over his shoulder. He then gave more of a smile than earlier.
​
"Thank you, Miss Brynleigh," said Eliad.
 
"You can just call me Bryn, Eliad," said Brynleigh, returning the smile. "Please."
 
Eliad smiled more and nodded as he glanced forward.
 
"Perhaps sooner or later, I'll tell you more about me," said Eliad.
 
"I hope you will," replied Brynleigh, looking quietly pleased.
 
Eliad turned pink but still smiled.
 
"Here we are," said Eliad. "And it's close to dawn, too."
 
"Safe and sound, too," chuckled Brynleigh. "Well done. Thank you, Eliad.
 
"You're welcome, Bryn," said Eliad. "Now I hope the next time, we'd meet in peace without worrying."
 
Eliad added a chuckle after he had spoken that. Brynleigh sighed deeply and nodded.
 
"As do I," agreed Brynleigh. "You be safe now, going back to camp."
 
"I will," smiled Eliad, nodding. "Don't worry."
​
Brynleigh gave him a final smile and nodded in parting, before turning away and heading into town. Eliad smiled more before turning around to leave towards the camp again. He did not want to admit, though, that his leg did hurt a bit on the way back. Once he walked up the hill, he sighed and walked back to the two.
 
"I'm back...," said Eliad.
 
Aadyn looked up at Eliad and raised a brow, before resting back.
 
"Ve are cloud vatching," said Aadyn. "Jou're velcome to join."
 
Eliad smiled and sat down beside the tent, outstretching his left leg.
 
"Ah...," replied Eliad. "I'll do it while like this. Otherwise, I would feel like I don't want to get up."
 
"Dha's vhy ve 'aven'moved," chuckled Aadyn, shifting more comfortably.
 
"Honestly, I'd love to get up," said Aeruthuil. "I just can't."
 
"Dha's vhy I am down 'ere,' chuckled Aadyn. "I's lonely on dhe dirt."
 
​"Besides, I probably would go back to my camp soon once I take it easy for a small bit," said Eliad, shaking his head.
 
"Aye...," smiled Aeruthuil, addressing Aadyn. "I'm lucky then." He looked over to Eliad, "Probably best."
 
"Jou're velcome to camp 'ere, child," said Aadyn.
 
"I thank you for the offer," said Eliad. "Though, I don't think the others would like the idea of... Well, an 'outsider' like me to be here."
 
"Given dhe circumstances, I don'see i'being an issue," said Aadyn, looking at Aeruthuil.
 
"She's an outsider that became an insider," said Aeruthuil, pointing at Aadyn.
 
"You...know what I mean, Aeru," said Eliad, glancing away as he blushed a little.
 
"Aye...," said Aeruthuil, nodding as he grunted a bit. "I know."
 
Aadyn raised a brow at the man but said nothing.
 
"I still thank you of the offer," said Eliad.
 
"I'still stands," said Aadyn.
 
Eliad glanced over towards the two once again as if thinking. Though, his mind had only gone back to Aduninzil's words. Cassiah had sat in one of the trees, shaking her head as she nuzzled her back up against the trunk, looking down at the three.
​
"Perhaps...when things are calmed down, I'll take you up on that," said Eliad. "If that would be fine with Aeru."
 
Aeruthuil looked over to Cassiah, grunting as he shifted.
 
"Are you alright?" asked Aeruthuil.
 
Cassiah was up in the tree, but replied nevertheless with a simple answer, "Aye."
 
Aeruthuil sighed and closed his eyes, muttering to himelf.
 
"I heard dha'," whispered Aadyn, smirking.
 
Eliad glanced at the three before standing up on his feet slowly once again.
 
"I think...that's good enough rest for me," said Eliad.
 
"I'll be back in town later, Eliad..., said Cassiah. "Until then, you be careful."
 
Eliad glanced up towards Cassiah before nodding.
 
"I'm going to stop by my camp first," said Eliad. "I need to take care of something real quick."
 
Cassiah nodded and half-heartedly waved to him.
 
"Get better soon, Aeru," said Eliad, glancing towards Aeruthuil.
 
​"He will...," said Cassiah. "Aeru's a stubborn one."
 
Eliad gave out a small chuckle before slowly making his way to  his own camp. As soon as he was, he stripped himself so he could wash his leggings. He frowned as he scrubs them in the water.
 
"This will take forever to get off," said Eliad, sighing.
 
​He let his pants dry for a while before slipping them on, putting on his robe as well before laying down in order to rest.

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