63: The Morning After the Night Before

Ten o’clock the next morning found Alex and Derek at Edhellond. Elrohir answered the door, took one look at Alex and hustled them both in, calling for Elladan and Vorondur. Both ellyn came running, and with them came Glorfindel, Finrod and Amroth.

"What happened?" Glorfindel demanded.

"He woke up screaming," Derek offered. "That was around seven or so. I managed to get him to stop and then he just curled up into a ball, hugging himself, his eyes wide open for almost an hour before I could convince him to get up and take a shower."

"You should have called us or brought him over immediately," Glorfindel said as the Elves led the two Mortals down the hall to the library. Amroth went on to the kitchen.

"Hey! We can’t keep running to you guys every time we stub our toes or something," Derek protested. "I was too busy trying to get him to respond at all to bother calling you. As it was, I had to ask a couple of the guys on our floor to give me a hand. We got Alex shaved and showered and dressed and then took him to the cafeteria and managed to get some toast down him. Jack and the others wanted to come out with us, but I told them I could handle it."

"Bring him over by the fire," Vorondur said. "Dan, where’s that quilt? He’s shaking like a leaf."

Amroth came in with a tray as they were settling Alex in. He was followed by Laurendil and Vardamir. "I have some of Misty’s special tea," Amroth said as he set the tray down. "It should help."

"Do we really need an audience?" Derek demanded angrily. "Alex’s not a zoo specimen, you know."

"Except for Glorfindel and Amroth, all of us are healers of one stripe or another," Vorondur told Derek as he tucked the quilt around an unprotesting Alex. Amroth poured some tea and handed the cup to Vorondur, who then attempted to get Alex to drink, but Alex just shook his head and tried to curl up into a ball.

"No, child. Do not retreat," Vorondur said. "You need to tell us what happened. We’re here to help you."

"Please, Alex," Derek pleaded. "Let us help you."

"No one can help me," Alex muttered in a whisper, curling up as much as he could, tucking his head down so that the quilt hid him almost completely.

The Elves held a quiet discussion among them while Derek sat on the armchair, rubbing Alex’s back, his expression one of distress. He barely noticed when Finrod left while the other Elves continued their discussion. Then the prince returned, carrying a harp. He sat on the hearth and began softly strumming. He did not sing, merely played, and Derek, in spite of himself, felt himself relax and his spirits brighten. He still felt concern for Alex but it was muted and overlaying it was a burgeoning sense of hope. Even as he continued rubbing Alex’s back, he could feel his friend’s body becoming less tense and then he uttered a soft sigh and his eyes closed into sleep. Finrod continued playing for several more minutes before bringing the music to a halt.

He stood and came over to check on Alex, giving Derek a warm smile. "Let us leave him to sleep."

"What if he has the same nightmare?" Derek asked.

"He sleepeth dreamlessly and we will guard him against any darkness." Finrod gave Derek a searching look. "Hast thou broken thy fast?"

"Huh? Uh... no. I had some coffee but I was too busy with Alex to bother with anything else."

"Then, why don’t we feed you?" Glorfindel said solicitously, taking Derek’s elbow and bringing him to his feet. "The others will keep watch over Alex. You might consider lying down yourself. You look exhausted."

"I’m okay, but I could do with breakfast," Derek said.

Glorfindel led him down to the kitchen and made him sit in the breakfast nook while he fiddled with the breakfast, making Derek some scrambled eggs with a side of ham and some toast. He had to rouse the Mortal who had put his head down and was half asleep. Once Derek had eaten, Glorfindel insisted he lie down, and Derek did not protest, but allowed himself to be led back to the library where he stretched out on the sofa, a warm quilt placed over him and in moments, he too was fast asleep.

The Elves continued watching over them both.

****

Alex was the first to waken, blinking blearily as he took in his surroundings, not quite sure where he was or how he’d gotten there. He uncurled himself and found himself facing Vorondur, who gave him a smile.

"How are you feeling?"

"Not sure," Alex mumbled. "What happened?"

"That is what we hope to learn," Vorondur said. "Why don’t you go freshen up and I’ll have some food brought. I suspect you’re starving right about now."

"I guess," Alex said as he climbed out of the chair and stretched. He noticed Derek lying on the nearby sofa and gave Vorondur an enquiring look.

"Derek is fine," the Elf assured him. "He’s just sleeping. I promised I would wake him when you woke up. So go throw some water on your face and I’ll rouse him."

Alex nodded and when he returned to the library ten minutes later, he found Derek was now awake and several Elves were in the room. A tray filled with a plate of scrambled eggs and ham and a mug of coffee was on the table and Alex was encouraged to eat.

"Breakfast first, questions later," Vorondur said. "Take your time."

"What time is it?" Alex asked as he picked up a fork.

"About noon," Glorfindel answered.

"Where are Lawrence and his buddies?" Derek asked. "Did they ever wake up?"

There were some chuckles among the Elves. "All three woke to hangovers," Elrohir said with a grin. "They are staying very quiet today, but they’ll be fine by tonight."

"You mean, you didn’t put them into healing sleep or anything?" Alex asked as he held the plate in one hand to eat.

"Lessons learned," Finrod responded.

Both Mortals nodded. Alex finished his plate and put it on the table next to him, then curled up a bit, wrapping the quilt more firmly around him.

"So, do you think you can talk about it now?" Vorondur asked.

"We can leave," Glorfindel said, indicating the others, but Alex shook his head, staring into the fire.

"I was at the tarn," he said quietly, not looking at anyone, "and I was Artemus."

"You were drowning," Vorondur said.

Alex looked up. "No. I was not, but everyone else was."

Everyone went still for a moment. "What do you mean?" Derek asked gently.

Alex gave him a bleak look. "I... I was helping whatever is in the tarn to... to feed and I was laughing as I watched you and Amroth and... and my mom...."

He hid his face in his hands and began sobbing. Derek gave the Elves a helpless look, noticing their grim expressions mixed with concern.

"We’ll leave you," Glorfindel said quietly to Vorondur. "I think Alex will fare better without all of us around."

"If my Lord Finrod would remain," Vorondur said formally.

Finrod nodded, apparently understanding what Vorondur wished of him, for he picked up his harp and began playing again. Glorfindel took Derek’s arm and pulled him away from Alex. "Let them do what they can for Alex," he told the young Man.

Derek allowed himself to be led away. He was somewhat surprised when Glorfindel turned right instead of left towards the kitchen with everyone else following and wondered where they were going. He did not have long to find out. They reached the foyer and headed up the stairs to the second floor and then took one of the hallways branching out, heading to the back of the house. Derek realized they were heading for the sunroom overlooking the back garden.

When they arrived, they found all the ellith there, quietly conversing as they pored over what appeared to be several catalogs. From what he could see of them, they were of wedding dresses and he suspected that the ellith were discussing Serindë’s upcoming wedding. The ellith looked up and Glorfindel said something to them in Quenya and without a word, they all got up and left. Holly stopped in front of Derek and gave him a hug. "It’s going to be all right, child," she said softly, kissing him on the forehead, which caused him to blush. She gave him a knowing smile and followed the other ellith out. Glorfindel motioned for Derek to take a seat and the others followed suit.

For several minutes, no one spoke. Then, Vardamir leaned forward slightly and addressed Derek. "Thou hast had thine own fears with which thou hast wrestled. Wouldst thou speak of them to us? A burden shared is oft times less burdensome."

For a moment, Derek just sat there, his eyes closed. Then he sighed. "This was supposed to be a lark, you know? It was my dad’s idea. Come to Alaska and do something completely off-the-wall, get out of my naval mindset. Spend a few months going to school and then play Elf to the kiddies." He snorted humorlessly. "I could so see myself at a job interview and the interviewer’s looking over my resumé." He straightened his pose and took on a supercilious tone, pretending to read something in his hands. "Graduate of Berkeley. Very good Mr. Lowell and six years in the Navy. Excellent. Er... Elf Guide? Would you like to explain that one, Mr. Lowell?"

The Elves grinned at his performance. Derek collapsed a bit and sighed again. "It was supposed to be fun, but it’s turning into a nightmare."

"For us all," Amroth said.

"How feelest thou toward Alex?" Vardamir asked.

Derek looked at him. "He’s my friend. We’re gwedyr, as you would say. I have his back and he has mine."

"And Artemus?" Elrohir asked. "What are your thoughts about Artemus?"

Now Derek grimaced and shot a dark look at Amroth. "You people messed him up real good, turning him into an assassin and all. I know the spy business is a necessary evil, but what you did to him was criminal."

"And I regret having to do so," Amroth said. "I did all I could to protect him, and perhaps had I stayed, I could have done more, but I did what I could to give him the tools he needed to survive."

"Alex is stronger than you think," Elladan said. "He’s a survivor and he’s learned to adapt. The trick is to get him to accept what he has had to do these past fifteen years and know that Artemus is not the enemy. He needs to befriend that part of him if he is ever to be wholly Alex."

"And we’ll be here to help him, however long it takes," Elrohir added.

Derek started to comment but was interrupted by the entrance of another Elf. They all looked up to see Findalaurë standing at the threshold looking uncertain, swaying slightly. Derek gave him a sympathetic smile.

"Hey, mate. How’re you feeling?"

"Atto?" the ellon asked, looking to Glorfindel and Vardamir.

"He’s in the library with Vorondur and Alex," Glorfindel said.

"Come here and sit down, mate, before you fall down," Derek said, patting the arm of the chair next to him. Findalaurë hesitated for a few seconds and then complied. Derek gave him a clinical look. "You look like death warmed over and you probably feel like hell. Maybe someone should fix you that hair of the dog that bit you."

"No dog bit me," Findalaurë said, then frowned. "Did it?"

Derek smiled. "No, it’s just an expression. What about some coffee, instead? I think I could use a mug or three myself."

"I’ll go make some," Amroth offered and he left.

"So where are your partners in crime?" Derek asked. "Still sleeping off their drunk?"

"I think so," Findalaurë answered, sounding rather subdued. "Why is Atto with Lord Vorondur and the...and Alex?" he asked.

"Alex had a very rough night full of nightmares of killing people whom he loves," Derek answered before the Elves could reply. "Ron and your dad are trying to help him. You can imagine how upset he must feel."

Findalaurë nodded and lapsed into silence. No one spoke for a time and Amroth returned bearing a tray with coffee and mugs, passing them around so everyone had one. For several minutes, they all concentrated on drinking and Findalaurë appeared less fragile as he sipped the brew. They sat in companionable silence for some time and then Findalaurë glanced at Derek.

"I apologize," he said simply.

"So do I," Derek said. Then he gave the ellon a lopsided grin. "Guess we both learned a couple of lessons, didn’t we?"

Findalaurë nodded. "And Alex? He will be well?"

Now it was Elrohir who answered. "That is our hope. He is very conflicted and there is a darkness within him that we are hoping to drive out."

"He needeth thy help, Finda," Vardamir said.

"My help?" Findalaurë exclaimed. "Why doth he need my help? He despiseth me."

"Nah, he doesn’t despise you, mate," Derek drawled. "Hates your guts. Thinks you’re the bane of his existence. Wishes he could safely strangle you and stuff your body into a deep, dark crevasse where it will never be found. But he doesn’t despise you."

Findalaurë gaped at Derek for several long seconds and then burst out laughing, clutching his head and moaning at the same time while the other Elves gave him sympathetic grins. When he calmed down he gave Derek a slight smile. "Well as long as he despiseth me not, then I suppose it is fine."

"That’s the spirit," Derek retorted jovially. "But to be serious, Vardamir is right. Alex needs as many friends as he can get. He needs to know that we don’t despise him for what he is or for what he has done and he’s been forced to do terrible things."

Before anyone could comment, Finrod appeared. His gaze swept the room and when it fell on his son, his expression softened. "Alex is asking for Derek," he said.

Derek nodded, putting his mug down, then stood, looking at Findalaurë. "Come with me."

"But he hath asked for thee," the ellon protested.

Derek shrugged. "Sooner or later, you two need to make amends. Best to get it over with now."

Findalaurë glanced at Finrod, who nodded in approval and the ellon got up and followed Derek out. Finrod joined them. "How’s he doing?" Derek asked him.

"He is calmer," Finrod replied.

They headed down the stairs and into the library. Derek went directly to where Alex was still seated in the chair, the quilt wrapped around him while he was sipping something from a mug. He looked up at Derek’s approach and smiled. "Sorry to put you through all that," he said by way of greeting.

Derek waved a hand in dismissal. "But you owe me, big time, mate."

Alex just nodded, then glanced to where Findalaurë was standing. "You look worse than I feel," he said. "Hasn’t anyone given you something for the hangover?"

"We were drinking coffee," Derek supplied.

Alex gave a snort of disgust and climbed out of the chair. "That won’t do. C’mon. Let’s raid the kitchen. You guys have tabasco sauce?"

Before they knew it, Alex had Findalaurë by the arm, dragging him toward the kitchen, rattling off a list of ingredients to Vorondur while Derek and Finrod followed. Once in the kitchen, Alex became all business and in short order he was concocting a drink in the blender that he swore would cure everything save the common cold. "If you can keep this down, you can survive anything," he said to Findalaurë as he handed him a tall glass.

Findalaurë eyed it dubiously, but Alex insisted and finally he took it. "Just hold your nose and drink, mate," Derek said with a grin.

Findalaurë did just that, swallowing and grimacing. "All the way," Alex said. The ellon was gasping by the time he finished, but his color began to improve almost immediately and his eyes cleared. He gave Alex a wondering look.

"Couldst thou make some for my gwedyr?" he asked.

"No problem," Alex said, going over to the blender. "Why don’t you and Derek go wake them from the dead and bring them down here and we’ll dose them."

"C’mon, Larry. Let’s rouse those sluggards," Derek said and Findalaurë grinned.

"Thou needs must stand two feet away from Calandil when thou wishest to wake him, for he tendeth to attack anyone who cometh near."

"Yeah, I knew a few guys in the Navy like that," Derek said as the two left the kitchen together.

Finrod gave Alex a considering look as the Mortal set about putting ingredients into the blender. "Thank you," he said.

Alex gave the Elf prince a shrug. "No problem. Now, where did I put the tabasco sauce?"

****

Glorfindel and the Twins, along with Daeron and the other Wiseman Elves as well as several of the Valinórean Elves wandered into the kitchen to an interesting sight. Calandil and Elennen were seated at the breakfast nook, both of them looking as if they’d been dead for three days, as Elrohir not so delicately put it to his brother, who laughed out loud. Standing over them was Alex holding two tall glasses of something that looked nasty, and, Glorfindel suspected, tasted even worse.

"C’mon, Cal, be a man and make your mama proud," Derek was saying as the Elves entered. Glorfindel noticed both Finrod and Vorondur standing to one side looking on, exchanging smiles. Findalaurë was with them, his father’s arm around his shoulders in a casual embrace.

"If Finda can do it, so can you," Alex said, holding out the two glasses. "You don’t want Nell to think you guys are wimps, do you?"

Elennen grimaced. "Nielluin is a pain in the...."

"Yeah, well, some women are like that," Derek said philosophically. "So, let’s show her what you’re made of."

The two ellyn still looked dubious. Elennen glanced over to where Findalaurë was standing. "Thou swearest this is not revenge for my stupidity of last night?"

Findalaurë shook his head. "I swear, Brother, it is not. My father and Lord Vorondur can testify that I have drunk this brew as well and thou canst see its effect on me. So, hold your nose."

"And think of England," Derek added and Alex started laughing while the Wiseman Elves grinned.

Calandil gave them a jaundiced look. "Why would I think of England? I do not even know where it is."

That made the two Mortals and the Wiseman Elves laugh even more. "Stop stalling and drink," Alex commanded and the two Elves sighed almost as one, took the proffered glasses, gave each other dubious looks and almost at the same time, pinched their noses and drank.

"All the way, mates," Derek said, "or it won’t work."

Both of them were gasping by the time they finished drinking and Elennen sputtered something in Quenya that had all the Elves laughing. "Dost thine ammë know thou speakest so, my son?" Valandur asked, looking more amused than upset.

"Sorry," the elllon said apologetically.

"There now. Feel better?" Alex asked solicitously as he took the empty glasses and set them in the sink, turning on the tap to rinse them out before putting them into the dishwasher.

Both ellyn had wondering looks as they realized the truth of Alex’s words. "Yea, I do," Calandil said and Elennen nodded.

"Good," Glorfindel said. "I’m glad to see we’re all being friends again. Alex, how are you faring?"

Alex leaned against the sink and shrugged. "Okay, I guess. I’m not sure why I had that dream. It was so real."

"The Artemus part of you was very evident last night when you assaulted Nielluin," Vorondur said.

Alex grimaced. "I barely remember. I hope she wasn’t hurt too badly."

"Her neck was bruised, but it has healed since," Vorondur answered.

"Let’s hope she’s the forgiving type, or you’re going to be in a lot of trouble," Derek said.

"My niece hath her mother’s temper and doth not easily forget nor forgive," Finrod said, "but I have had words with her and, oddly enough, she feareth me as she doth not even her own father."

"It’s that Light of Mandos look, as Atar Arafinwë used to call it, that you have sometimes when you are angry," Glorfindel said with a smile. "Comes in handy for cowing people."

Finrod snorted and shook his head. "At any rate, I have given her some things to think upon. Now, methinks that you three should return to the Academy with Alex and Derek."

"Must we?" Findalaurë asked.

"It is the only way, my son, for thee to learn the ways of the Mortals with whom we must live," Finrod said gently.

Findalaurë sighed and started to comment, but then Derek’s phone rang. He answered it, then mouthed ‘Jack’ at Alex who nodded. "Yeah, everything’s cool," he said into the phone. "Alex is right here... No, we don’t have any plans...." he gave Alex an enquiring look and Alex shook his head. "Hang on." He turned to Alex. "Giants are playing the Patriots. Bunch of the guys are at the Gray Whaler watching the game. You interested?"

"Hey, my home team," Alex said with a grin. "Sure. What about these three?" He nodded at Findalaurë and the other two ellyn.

"Might as well introduce them to NFL football," Derek said, "but we stick to soda, all of us, okay?"

"No worries there," Alex said. He turned to Finrod. "Okay if they go with us to watch the game?"

Finrod did not answer immediately, but looked at Glorfindel, who nodded. "It’s a Sunday ritual, watching football. We can watch it ourselves, if you’re interested."

"No alcohol," Finrod said, giving the three ellyn a stern look. All three shook their heads. "Then you may go."

"Great," Derek said, then spoke into the phone. "Save us seats. We’ll be there shortly." He turned off the phone, stuffing it back into his pocket and stood. "Well, we’re missing the first half, so let’s go."

Five minutes later, the two Mortals and the three Elves were on their way. Glorfindel and Finrod stood on the porch and watched them drive off. Finrod’s expression was somewhat dubious. Glorfindel gave him a hug. "Hey, it’s going to work out. Let’s go watch the game. I think Elladan is making popcorn for us."

Finrod nodded and they went back inside.