“Hush,” came Haldir’s none-too-gentle answer, glancing up from his work for just a moment to level the Man a stern look. “You are safe. That is all you need to know."
The elf felt for a moment for a small pouch attached to his waist. Inside were crushed, dried leaves, tinged purple at the edges. He pulled one leaf with a snap, thrusting it inside the stranger’s opened lips.
"Chew this. It will help the pain.”
Leo grunted as the man shoved something into his mouth, and an acrid taste burst across his tongue. With a grimace, he chewed. It was not the first time he’d had to deal with awful tastes for the sake of wellbeing, but it did not mean he tolerated it too much.
The man’s brash nature was not lost on the boy, but he was only fortunate that the other had bothered to help at all. Leo opened his eyes, staring up for the first time. His gaze zeroed in on the pointed ears. His breath caught. "You’re an–“ On instinct, his body tensed, which only made his wound spasm, dragging a hiss from his lips. The throbbing in the back of his head increased, and he brought a hand to the localized pain, realizing then part of his hair was caked in dried blood. Some of the crust came loose on his fingers.
