493A/N I have always wanted to write a Glorfindel romance story but never knew where to begin or how to start. That is until I got together with the very talented author Raider-K, who took the time to sit with me and plan this story from start to finish. Without her, this story would not even be possible so a HUGE thank-you and hug goes out to one of my closest friends. You are awesome!
Healing Rule #22: Always be respectful of your patient's sense of privacy.
Calaerneth had just settled into her bath enjoying the way the steam curled off the water in wisps around her face. Letting out a long sigh, she began to reflect on her journey to Rivendell from Mithlond, glad to have the opportunity to learn from Lord Elrond.
Shaking her head to herself, she could not believe how she had just left her parents' home. Not even bothering to tell them where she went, all she did was leave a note saying that she needed to make a life for herself. Calaerneth had spent plenty of long nights deliberating over the decision, but ultimately she had to make this choice for herself alone.
Cal had been born into a respectable family. Her father Gaeron was a well renown shipbuilder who had been taught under Lord Círdan. Her mother Calithileth was a healer but had decided after she had married Gaeron that she would settle into the role of housewife and once her older brother Gelon was born, mother.
Cal frowned at the memory of her brother. Her perfect, can never do anything wrong, brother. Valar, she loved him, but he set a precedent in their family that was difficult to live up to. At a very young age, Gelon had shown extraordinary talent at healing. As he grew, he also was talented at learning new languages, carving, and even being irresistible to the ladies. And how could he not attract the ellyth with his long chocolate brown hair, grey eyes, and a dimple that made the ellith swoon when he smiled.
As Cal grew up, she tried to make her parents' proud. Even though she showed great talent in the arts of healing, her efforts never seemed to be enough to make her parents take notice. Even her tutor Nestor, who was one of the greatest healers in Mithlond, tried to encourage her parents to let her travel abroad and learn more under other healers, but they had refused.
When she had reached her majority, her father had told her she needed to start thinking about finding a husband, but Cal frowned at the thought of marrying. When she had not shown any signs of settling down her, father decided to promise her to her father's best friend's son Rodwen.
At this Calaerneth gagged. Rodwen. Even the very thought of him made her feel sick. She would have rather married an orc than that pompous, egotistical ellon...if he even was an elf. Sure, he was attractive, smart and the son of a Lord, but those qualities only seemed to add to his self-centeredness. Rodwen was more concerned about a world which revolved around him and his needs, rather than how he could help someone else.
When Cal had tried to explain that she could never marry someone as self-centered as Rodwen, her parents told her that sometimes you had to make sacrifices, even if it meant marrying someone you might not love at first. Cal had begged and pleaded with her father to end the betrothal discussions, but he would hear nothing of it. The two fathers had even set up a date near the end of summer where they would publicly announce their children's betrothal.
It was then that Cal had decided that she needed to leave. Frantic for a solution, her mind wandered to Nestor, her friend and mentor. Surely, he would know where she could go. He corresponded regularly with many healers who took on apprentices and perhaps he could write to one on her behalf. After much pleading on her part, Nestor had sent off several letters. When Lord Elrond replied expressing interest in taking on a healer who specialized in counseling, Cal packed her bags that very night.
The sound of the bathing room door opening and swinging shut brought Calaerneth back to the present. She lazily propped one eye open. In the entrance to the bathing room, stood an elf clad in nothing but a narrow strip of towel. Now both her eyes widened. He was tall, undeniably built in ways that spoke of years of training with weapons. His hair was the color of the morning sun on the sea...and she realized he was staring right back at her with a look of pure shock on his face.
She did what any reasonable lady caught in a bathtub unawares would do. She screamed.
He stumbled backwards at the sound of her startled yelp and let go of his towel causing it to fall completely from his waist.
Stumbling with his hands to reach for the towel, he turned the deepest shade of red. "Forgive me, I—"
"What are you doing in here? Get out!" she shouted, trying desperately to sink low enough into the water that he wouldn't be able to see anything.
Awkwardly grabbing his towel, the ellon ran from the room in complete humiliation, with both elves praying that this incident never got out.
Calaerneth sank down into the water, her cheeks burning. She was so embarrassed. Who was he? She hoped he was someone unimportant, someone she would hopefully never have to see again on a regular basis. Although…. she smiled to herself—he could easily rank as the most perfect specimen of Elf ever created. He was just...well, the sort of elf that dreams were made for. Sure, she did not know his name, but for now, he could be 'Golden Delicious.'
The next morning found Calaerneth up bright and early taking in the sights of Rivendell with eager eyes. Last night she and the others had arrived fairly late, much too late to take notice of how beautiful the Hidden Valley was. Perhaps since it was her first night in a real bed in quite some time, Cal had slept amazingly well, and if her dreams had included 'Golden Delicious'-well, that was her secret to keep.
She had met Lord Elrond only briefly last night when she arrived, and truth be told, was ecstatic about the possibility of learning from him. This moment right now was what she had always dreamed of-the opportunity to travel and learn and be exactly what she wanted to be. Calaerneth was ready to get started, and even though she had only just settled in, she was eager to see the Healing Ward. After stopping to ask directions a few times, Calaerneth found herself heading through a lovely courtyard across from the main house, where she knew Lord Elrond and his family resided, when she slowed down and then completely stopped in her tracks.
For heading across the lawn and up the stairs, two steps at a time, was a tall golden-haired elf dressed in what appeared to be some kind of light armor.
Calaerneth brought her hands up to her face to check if it had suddenly caught on fire. It might as well have, her cheeks felt so hot. It was him. Golden Delicious.
And by the looks of things, he wasn't just a random nobody. He was a somebody. Somebody that Lord Elrond was apparently very good friends with, if the way the Lord of Rivendell had come out onto the stairs to greet him was any indicator.
Calaerneth sank down onto the closest bench. Her time at Rivendell had just become immeasurably more complicated...and awkward.
And here she was hoping to have left all the awkward at home behind her. But no, despite her objections, it had followed her right to Rivendell.
