72: Recovery

Námo was still there when Finrod returned with Manwen, Kyle Stoner and two nurses. The nurses stopped at the door and gawked. Kyle barely gave the Vala a greeting as he rushed to Alex’s side and began examining him, asking him questions. Both Finrod and Manwen stopped long enough to give the Lord of Mandos proper obeisance. Námo nodded to them both graciously as he stepped out of the way, watching with great interest as Kyle, now joined by Manwen, began a thorough examination of Alex, the two nurses finally joining them.

Alex was protesting all the attention. “Just let me go home,” he said, “and is there anything to eat? I’m starving. How long have I been here this time, Finrod?” He struggled to sit up.

Before Finrod could answer him, Kyle pushed him back down. “Stay still. We’ll release you when we’re satisfied that you’re a hundred percent.”

“I’m fine, just hungry. Now lay off, will you?”

“Alex, stay calm,” Námo said authoritatively, “and let them do their jobs.”

Alex sighed in frustration but did as he was told. Kyle was finishing his examination when the door burst open to reveal Glorfindel there, along with Amroth and Vorondur, all of whom saw Lord Námo and gave him their obeisance as they entered.

“What is this, old home week?” Alex snarled. “Should I be selling tickets? And where’s Felicity? Is she all right? I could swear she was here just now.”

Everyone ignored him while Kyle gave them a brief report on Alex’s condition. “There does not seem to be any brain damage and all his reflexes are normal.”

“Hey! I’m right here!” Alex yelled.

“Yes, you are,” Vorondur said, going over to stand at the bedside. “How are you feeling?”

“Hungry and pissed off, not necessarily in that order, either,” Alex exclaimed. “Get me out of here now, Ron, before I do something we all will regret.”

“It’s nearly midnight, Alex,” Vorondur said calmly. “They won’t release you until morning, so you might as well relax.”

“What day is it?” Alex asked.

“Saturday.”

“Four days?! I’ve been out of it for four days?”

“Do you remember where you were during that time?” Námo asked, stepping forward, giving him a grave look.

Alex blinked at him a couple of times. “I… I’m not sure. There… there was a garden and… and someone… he was with me and we talked.”

“Who was with you?” Vorondur asked.

Alex kept his eyes on Námo as he answered Vorondur’s question. “Atar. Atar was with me.”

“Your father?” Kyle asked in puzzlement, recognizing the word.

Alex just shook his head, still staring at Námo, who answered Kyle. “No. He means Atar.”

“Nate’s Atar,” Alex whispered.

Námo smiled, leaning over to brush a hand through Alex’s hair. “Yours, too, child,” he said gently.

There was dawning comprehension among the Elves who stared at Alex in wonder. Kyle and the two nurses still looked bemused, not really understanding.

Alex gave Námo a puzzled look. “Have I been… there… wherever that was all this time? But I heard Felicity. She wasn’t there.”

“I cannot answer you, Alex, because I do not know,” Námo replied. “If you were with Atar then you were in the Timeless Halls and that is exactly what they are, timeless. Time, as you understand it, does not exist there, and so all times exist simultaneously. You were there and you were here. You were speaking with Atar and listening to Felicity and if your conversation with Atar took four days here, then that is how long it took. It could just as easily have taken only a few seconds of time here. There is no way to judge. The Timeless Halls and this universe are incompatible that way.”

Alex grabbed his head. “My brain hurts just trying to figure all that out.”

Námo smiled indulgently. “It is enough that you remember your conversation with Atar, however long it took. I hope whatever He said to you, you will take to heart, best beloved. Few people ever get a second chance, much less a third.”

Alex looked up at Námo and gulped. “He said, third time’s the charm. But I only met him this once. Yet I’ve died twice and both times by drowning in that damnable tarn. Does that mean I’ll drown there a third time and when I do it’s the last and final time and I’ll really be dead?”

Námo took him by the shoulders. “Calm down, Alex. There’s no need to panic.”

“But—”

“Shh… calm down,” Námo said gently. He leaned further down and kissed Alex on the forehead. Almost at once, Alex began blinking his eyes and yawning. “Shh… it’s all right, child. I think you should sleep for a while.” With that, he began singing an ancient lullaby and a few minutes later, Alex was fast asleep. Námo laid him back down, rearranging the bedcovers before straightening, giving everyone a smile. “He’ll sleep until morning,” he said.

“Did he really speak with… um… Eru Ilúvatar?” Glorfindel asked, glancing at the now sleeping Mortal with no little awe.

“Something you and he now have in common,” Námo answered. “You might want to share that with him. It might help.” And with that, the Lord of Mandos faded away, leaving them staring at the spot he had occupied. Alex continued sleeping.

Finrod was the first to recover, addressing himself to Kyle. “If there is nothing wrong with Alex, I think we can arrange to have him leave in the morning.”

Kyle nodded. “I’ll see that all the paperwork is in order.” He turned to Manwen. “Keep an eye on him,” he ordered and then ushered the two nurses out, leaving the Elves alone.

“Come on, Finrod,” Glorfindel said. “I’ll drive you home. Ron, Amroth, you leaving or staying?”

“Nothing more we can do here,” Vorondur said. He turned to Amroth, giving him a sympathetic look. “Are you all right?”

Amroth nodded as he went to stand at the bedside and brushed a hand through Alex’s hair, gazing down at him with great gentleness. “This is the third time he’s nearly died in the last four months, not the second. Don’t forget how sick he was with the norovirus.”

“The operative word being ‘nearly’,” Vorondur said quietly from the other side of the bed. “Obviously Eru is not done with him, but he does seem to have the worst luck getting himself nearly killed lately. We’ll need to keep a closer eye on him, I think.”

“At least we don’t have to worry about Farrell,” Glorfindel said as the four ellyn exited the room, leaving Manwen to keep watch. “Do you think he’ll ever recover?”

But the others had no answer to that.

****

Alex’s next awakening was many hours later. He blinked open his eyes to see one of the Twins (he wasn’t sure which one) looking down at him with a smile.

“Good morning. As soon as you’ve had some breakfast and taken a shower, we’ll get you out of here. How does that sound?”

“Sounds great,” Alex said a little blearily, still trying to wake up. “Sorry, which one are you?”

The Elf chuckled. “I’m Roy. Now, let me take a quick look at you.” He pushed the stethoscope into his ears and began listening to Alex’s heart as the Mortal lay there. Five minutes later, satisfied with what he found, Elrohir began removing the various IVs and catheters, much to Alex’s relief. Then he helped him to get out of bed. Alex felt a momentary dizziness that passed quickly as he was lowered into a chair with Elrohir covering him with a blanket. At that moment, one of the dining staff entered with a tray and soon Alex was enjoying some pancakes.

“One of the nurses will be in in a little while to help you into the shower. Loren sent over some clean clothes for you. They’re in the closet. I’m going to see to the paperwork. Loren will be around in a couple of hours. You’ll stay at Edhellond for a couple of days.”

“What about Derek? And Felicity? Is she really all right?”

“Derek is staying with us as well and Felicity is just fine. She was released unharmed at about the time you were reaching the tarn. Are you going to be okay if I leave you for a bit?”

“Sure,” Alex said. “I’m cool. I’ll be even cooler once I’ve had a shave and a shower.”

Elrohir grinned. “I’ll see you in a little bit. Don’t try to get out of that chair on your own. Ring for the nurse. Got that?”

“Yessir,” Alex said. “Loud and clear.”

Elrohir nodded and left him to his breakfast.

****

Alex couldn’t believe how weak he still felt after he struggled through a shave and a shower, forced to allow the nurse to help him. It was embarrassing and reminding himself that she was a professional and did this all the time didn’t help. He was glad that she left him to get dressed on his own, but the effort left him breathless and feeling thirsty. He sat in the chair and tried to catch his breath.

The door opened and Glorfindel stepped in followed by Derek, who was carrying an extra coat.

“I was so pissed when I learned you’d woken last night,” Derek said in greeting, “and no one told me.”

“You were fast asleep, Derek,” Glorfindel said mildly. “There was no point in waking you.”

“So you say,” Derek retorted, but then shook his head, giving Alex a concerned look. “You okay, mate?”

“Yeah, mostly fine. Still feel like limp spaghetti though.”

“That’ll pass soon enough,” Glorfindel assured him. “Roy’s finished up the paperwork so you’re free to leave. We have a wheelchair outside for you.”

“I’m ready,” Alex said. He started to get up and both Glorfindel and Derek gave him a hand. Glorfindel held him up while Derek put the coat on him, along with a knit hat and a scarf that had been tucked into a couple of pockets.

“There, all set,” Derek said as he finished buttoning the coat. “Easy now. Take your time.”

It felt like days for Alex by the time they reached the door and found the wheelchair. Alex settled into it gratefully and Derek wheeled him down the hall to the elevators with Glorfindel walking beside them. Soon, they were outside where Daeron was sitting with the van waiting for them.

“Man, it’s great to be out,” Alex said as they drove off. “If I never see the inside of that place again, it’ll be too soon.”

“Well, it would help if you stopped getting yourself nearly killed,” Glorfindel teased with a smile.

“Tell me about it,” Alex said fervently and then lapsed into silence for the rest of the short trip back to Edhellond.

He received a warm welcome with all the Elves there, including Vorondur and Amroth and their wives. Gareth stayed in the background, but Alex greeted him warmly when he saw the younger Elf. Finlay and Sakari were also there. Sakari kissed him effusively, while Finlay just gave him a thumbs-up. They brought him into the library where he was settled before the fireplace. A cup of tea was placed by his side along with some cinnamon rolls that had been made that morning.

Once settled, most of the Elves left him in peace. Glorfindel, Finrod, Daeron, Vorondur and Amroth remained, as did Derek and Finlay.

“Felicity will be over later,” Glorfindel told him, “after you’ve rested for a while.”

Alex nodded as he took a sip of tea. “So, how was I rescued this time?” he asked.

“Well, we had Edward follow you,” Glorfindel began and briefly told him what had happened. “… and then we med-evac’d you to St. Luke’s,” he concluded.

For a moment, Alex sat there contemplating Glorfindel’s words. Vorondur then spoke. “Last night you spoke of being in a garden with Atar. Would you like to tell us about that?”

Alex shook his head. “Not right now,” he said quietly. “I think I need to think things through first.”

“Fair enough,” Vorondur said. “We’ll take it slow. When and if you ever want to talk about it, we’ll be here to listen. Apparently, you and Loren have something in common.”

“Oh?” Alex asked, giving Glorfindel a questioning look.

“I had my own encounter with… Atar… once, a long time ago. Perhaps I will tell you about it, if you’re interested. It might help you.”

“Yeah, I’d like that,” Alex said and then tried to stifle a yawn. “I’ve been sleeping for four days. Why am I feeling so tired now?” he protested.

The others chuckled. “Your body is still recovering from its ordeal, Alex,” Vorondur said sympathetically. “Come on. A nap will do you good and when you wake up Felicity will be here.”

Alex allowed Vorondur to help him up and then he was led to the couch, a blanket thrown over him. Finrod left for a moment, returning with his harp and in a short while Alex was falling asleep to the sound of the harp being played while everyone else tip-toed out, leaving him in peace.

****

When he woke up, Finrod was gone but Felicity was there, sitting beside him. He gave her a smile, stretching out his hands to touch hers. “Are you real this time?”

“This time?” she asked.

“I dreamt of you. I heard you speaking to me, telling me you were okay, but when I woke last night, you weren’t there.”

“That was several days ago, Alex,” Felicity said. “I saw you on Thursday.”

“And you are here now,” Alex said, not really hearing her words. “Are you okay, really?”

“Yes, I’m fine. One of the women police officers has been staying with me, keeping me company, and Dr. Brightman has been around to see me.”

“Who? Oh, you mean, Ron. Yeah, he’s a pretty good shrink… for an Elf.” He gave her an impish grin and she giggled. He struggled to a sitting position. “I’m sorry, Felicity.”

“For what?”

“For what happened. You should never have had to suffer on my account. I…”

“Shh… it’s okay,” she said, placing a finger on his lips, stilling him. “I’m alive and you’re alive and that’s all that matters, right? Now, the thing is, we’ve both missed classes and our students are not happy, so my advice to you, Mr. Grant, is to get yourself all better and back to college pronto.”

“Oh, I love it when a woman gives me orders,” Alex said, lowering his voice in a suggestive manner.

“Oh, you!” Felicity said with a laugh, playfully hitting him.

“Come here, you,” Alex said forcefully, grabbing her around her waist and drawing her closer, planting a kiss on her lips. She struggled for a brief second out of shock at his forwardness and then started kissing him back with great fervency.

“Oops,” they heard someone say as the door to the library opened. “Sorry, everyone, they’re a little…er… occupied at the moment. Let’s give them a bit of privacy.”

They heard several people giggling and the door closing again but paid little attention while they enjoyed each other’s presence. When they finally came up for air, they were both a bit breathless and flushed. Felicity pulled herself out of Alex’s embrace and pushed her hair back out of her eyes. Alex lay back down, staring up at her, giving her an apologetic look.

“Sorry. I’m usually not so… um… sorry.”

“Don’t be. I quite enjoyed it,” Felicity replied, fanning herself with a hand. “I have to say, though, that was rather unexpected.”

“Yeah. I’m not usually so impulsive.”

“Says he who rushes in where angels fear to tread,” Felicity retorted, giving him a sly grin.

He grinned back. Before he could comment though there was a knock on the door. “Is it safe to enter, now?” they heard Glorfindel call out from the other side of the door. They both started laughing. Felicity stood and straightened her clothes a bit, while Alex pulled the covers back and sat up.

“Yeah, it’s safe,” he called out as he stood. The door opened and Glorfindel was there along with Finrod and Vorondur, all three of them giving the two Mortals knowing grins.

“Enjoyed your nap?” Glorfindel asked.

Alex rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I did. Now, if you will excuse me, I want to freshen up a bit.” He headed for the door and the Elves let him pass.

“We’re about ready for dinner,” Daeron told him, “so if you want to join us in the dining room?”

“I’ll be there,” Alex said as he headed for the downstairs bathroom.

“And you’re welcome to join us, Ms Cohen,” Glorfindel said.

“Thanks. I would like that, and it’s Felicity.”

“I’ll show you where you can freshen up,” Daeron said and he led her upstairs.

Several minutes later, they were all congregated in the dining room where they were served chicken and biscuits. “And for dessert, we have your favorite, a chocolate torte cake,” Daeron told Alex.

“Oh, great. Let’s skip dinner and go straight for dessert,” Alex said.

Everyone laughed. Glorfindel raised his wine glass. “Welcome home, Alex,” he said sincerely and everyone else raised their glasses. “Welcome home,” they all said, while Alex sat there looking pleased and embarrassed at the same time. Felicity, sitting next to him, rewarded him with a kiss on the cheek, much to everyone else’s amusement.