Page 37 of Troll Queen

Farrendel flinched, but he did not seem to be in pain.

Essie cleared her throat. “You must be proud, having a daughter who became queen of the elves.”

“Of course. But I was proud of her even before she married Weylind.” Taranath had his eyes closed as well, as if he was seeing what his magic was showing him. “My late wife and I thought we would never have children, but then we had Rheva late in life. She has been my pride and joy ever since.”

The warmth in his voice made Essie smile, even if he couldn’t see it. He had the same parental pride about Rheva that Essie heard in her mother’s voice about Essie and her siblings.

Hopefully Essie wasn’t distracting Taranath with talking. The last thing she’d want to do was distract him into making a mistake while he was using magic inside of Farrendel’s head.

Taranath withdrew his hand and the green glow faded. “All done. You may sit up, though I suggest doing it slowly.”

Farrendel swung upright, and something in his expression seemed less tight and worn than it had been a few moments ago.

Taranath returned to the countertop, muttering to himself as the green glow surrounded his hand again as he filled one of the jars with the light pink liquid and stirred in some of his magic. A moment later, he did the same with a deeper burgundy liquid.

After capping both jars, he returned to the table and held the jars out to Farrendel. “Take one dose of the pink, strawberry-flavored medicine each morning. The other jar is a blackberry-flavored sedative. Take one dose before bed for at least the next week, and as needed after that. Lack of sleep just aggravates your nightmares.”

Essie made a mental note of those instructions. Hopefully Farrendel would do it on his own, but she didn’t know what to expect out of him lately.

Farrendel let go of Essie’s hand to take the jars, studying them with a frown.

Taranath crossed his arms. “It is not weakness to accept help. If a warrior returned from battle missing a leg, you would not tell him that he should be tough enough to walk without the help of a crutch. He needs that crutch to restore what he lost and help him live his life. This”—Taranath tapped one of the jars—“is your crutch. Your wound from the war is to your mind, but that does not make it less real. Maybe someday you will be able to wean off the medicine, as you did before. Maybe not. But, for now, this is what you need to function.”

Farrendel still stared down at the jars in his hands, but his legs swung like he was a child too short for a chair.

Taranath glanced between Essie and Farrendel before he focused, interestingly enough, on Essie. “There is something else I would suggest. It was not an option last time, but the treaty with Escarland has changed that.”

Now Essie was the one frowning. “There’s something in Escarland that can help? I would have thought you elves were the most advanced in regards to medicine?”

“Yes, we are, though few elf healers can examine the chemical level the way I can.” Taranath shrugged, as if that wasn’t a boast, but a statement of fact. “But, the mind is more than just chemicals. There is also your heart and your soul, which I cannot heal. Yet, without having the access to healing magic, the physicians in Escarland have made some amazing strides in that regard. Recently, I have heard of an Escarlish couple who specializes in counseling warriors who have struggles like yours, Farrendel.”

Essie straightened. “My brother Julien mentioned them. At least, I think it is the same couple. Though, I wouldn’t think there are too many other couples working in that field, so it must be the same people. He’d heard good things about them as well, and he was looking into whether they were legitimate.”

“If they use the counseling methods I have heard about, then I believe they are. They might be able to help your mind while I help your brain.” Taranath nodded sharply, his white hair sliding across his shoulders. “Years ago, I would not have recommended Escarland’s primitive methods. They were based more in superstition than knowledge. But this couple seems to have done their research, and I would be interested in learning more, if you would share once you return.”

“I guess we need to go to Escarland.” Essie met Farrendel’s gaze. “If you’re all right with that?”

His rooms in Tarenhiel were his sanctuary. He might not want to leave their safety, not even to travel to Escarland.

Yet, after a few seconds, Farrendel nodded. “If it is necessary, then we should go.”

Perhaps Taranath’s magic was still in Farrendel’s system, helping him feel more like himself, if he was agreeing to packing up and leaving so readily.

Essie gestured to Taranath. “Why don’t you come with us? You could observe their methods yourself.” And make sure what they were doing was not something harmful rather than helpful to Farrendel. But she didn’t say that. She didn’t want Farrendel to worry.

“Really? I could come along?” Taranath eyes lit up.

Essie waved at herself. “Of course. I am the princess of Escarland.”

Taranath turned back to his countertop. “This will be such an opportunity.”

Essie glanced at Farrendel as they stood there for a moment, ignored as Taranath bustled around, already packing.

After a minute, he seemed to remember they were there and hustled them outside, all but shutting the door in their faces as he continued muttering to himself.

Leyleira stood, her eyebrows raising in a question. Essie gave a quick explanation and ended with how they were leaving for Escarland.

Leyleira patted Essie’s shoulder. “Do not worry about anything. I will have the train ready shortly.”

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