AN I want to thank everyone who took the time to review, follow and favorite the last chapter. I also, want to apologize for how long it took me to update this story. There is no excuse for the long wait. Again, a huge thank you to Raider-K for taking the time to sit down and help me with this story. I know you are very busy, and it really means a lot to me you are doing this!


Rule # 8 Even the simplest act of love can bring comfort

Calaerneth loudly shut her door, tears streaming from her eyes her breathing hitched and coming fast. Her body was trembling but from anger, or fear she did not know. In fact, she had no idea how she even got back to her room. The only thing she could remember was the last words from her conversation she had with Elrond. "They are not dreams Cal; they are memories."

Memories.

Memories of a life she never knew she had. She had a family and possibly a husband, and she never knew. Who was this Ecthelion? Was he her lover, her brother, best friend? Why did she keep dreaming of him? Putting her hands on her face, she felt the wetness from the tears that were falling from her eyes. She had no idea that she had even been crying. Suddenly, Calaerneth heard a soft knock on her door.

"Lady Calaerneth? I brought you some tea. Lord Elrond said you might want some." When the maid received no answer, she spoke once more, a hint of worriedness in her voice. "I will just leave it here for you."

When Cal was sure the elleth was gone, she sank to the floor, and putting her hands over her eyes; she sobbed once more, her mind full of doubt and grief for the loss of something she never knew or remember.


The next day, Glorfindel arrived at the sitting room where Cal led her healing sessions. Knocking on the door, he waited for her to answer and after a few moments of silence, he knocked once more and entered. Right away he was surprised to notice the candles unlit, nor the curtains pulled back. In fact, it looked as if no one had been in this room for days.

Perhaps she is just running late; he thought to himself as he took his usual place on her couch. After some debate, Glorfindel decided he would just wait for her to arrive. While he sat waiting, he concluded he had to come clean to her about his ulterior motives and how his feelings for her had changed. Glorfindel knew that Calaerneth would probably be angry at first, but he could deal with her temper—he had before. She would not be the first female he would feel the wrath of and probably not the last.

As time went on, Glorfindel started to get the feeling she was not going to show up. Having a sinking feeling something was wrong, the golden-haired warrior hurried to Cal's room and knocked. "Cal, are you there? It is I, Glorfindel." When she did not answer, he knocked once more. "Calaerneth, you never showed up for our session. Is everything well?" Glorfindel knew she was there, for he could hear breathing and what sounded like crying. Glancing down at the floor, he noticed the tray of tea and uneaten food.

Something was definitely wrong.

Calaerneth had not answered, was more than likely not going to answer. At least not anytime soon. Sighing with frustration and worry, Glorfindel decided to ask Elrond about Cal. The two worked closely together ever since her arrival, and Glorfindel knew Cal respected Elrond, looked up to him as a mentor. If Cal was upset, Elrond would certainly want to know about it. When he arrived at Elrond's study, however, Glorfindel heard his name from inside the hallway before he ever made it to the door.

"I understand your concern for Glorfindel, but he should not be told, at least not yet. Calaerneth is in shock. She needs time to come to terms with this news."

News?

What on Arda happened to Cal that would cause her not to show up for their counsel sessions or answer her door? Glorfindel wanted answers, and he would get them. As he reached for the door to enter, he heard Elrond continue. "Telling Glorfindel right now would be the worst possible thing we could do; this is not ours to tell, Erestor."

"Normally I would agree with you Elrond, but in this instance, I think you are wrong; however, I will do as you ask and not say anything. I just hope you know what you are doing."

Glorfindel's stomach churned. The very thought of Elrond keeping secrets from him made his heart clench. He knew Elrond would not betray Cal's trust and he respected that; however, Elrond also mentioned his name as well. Glorfindel carefully backed away from the door and made himself draw a long, steadying breath. Determined to get to the bottom of things, he quickly returned to Calaerneth's room and knocked once more. "Cal, I know you are in there. I understand if you do not want to talk to me, but you should not have to be alone. Let me get someone for you."

He was about to knock once more when the door slowly opened enough for him to enter. Across the darkened room, lit only by a trio of candles drowning in their own wax, Calaerneth's bed was crumpled, but decidedly unslept in. When he turned to ask her what was wrong, Cal looked pale and exhausted.

"Cal, what is wrong? Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, feeling his heart break at seeing her so hurt and scared. Cal just shook her head numbly. "Is there anything I can do?" Glorfindel inquired, reaching out to take her hand. He could not help but feel like he was intruding; however, he could not just leave her alone the way she was.

Cal looked up at Glorfindel, her green eyes wet. "I want you to kiss me," she whispered.

Glorfindel nearly reeled back in shock at what he just heard––or thought he heard––come from Calaerneth's mouth. "You want me to what?"

"I do not want to think about this anymore," Cal said a bit angrily. "I do not want to think, period. I want you to pull me into your arms and kiss me, really kiss me."

Glorfindel tried to speak but found that words would not come. Cal turned away, her heart churning. "It was a foolish idea. I am sorry. Forget I said anything," she said, brushing past him opening the door for him to leave.

"There is nothing foolish about wanting comfort, Cal," Glorfindel said quietly, meeting her eyes.

The gentleness in his voice broke something inside her, and fresh tears welled up in her eyes. Swiping at her eyes angrily with her sleeve, Cal watched as Glorfindel advanced slowly toward her, his hands reaching for her. He closed the door, pulled her into his arms. Wiping the tears from her face with his thumb, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Please do not cry. Whatever happened I will help you through this. There is nothing I would not do to see you happy once more," he said tenderly, placing another kiss on her cheek.

She wanted him to kiss her.

Glorfindel had never been so torn. Looking deep into her eyes, Glorfindel had a brief moment where he was unsure whether he should comply with her wish. Yes, he wanted to kiss her, he had since the day at the arbor, but the wiser part of him knew he would be taking advantage of her. But when her green eyes met his, silently pleading with him to take her pain away even if only for a second, all doubts disappeared.

He closed the space between them and kissed her.

As his smooth lips touched hers, Cal felt every fiber in her core ignite, her whole world stop, and all memory of her conversation with Elrond disappear. Letting out a soft moan as she felt his lips consuming hers, Calaerneth leaned into his embrace and ran her fingers through his golden hair. His smell, his taste, his lips, his hands, his body, his mouth on hers, the sweet flavor of honey lembas—Glorfindel crowded out every rational thought in her mind. She did not care whether he was just using her or not. All she knew was she needed him right now, and she would take complete advantage of this moment.

Without thinking, Glorfindel wrapped his arms around her neck and leaned into her kiss more. Until now he did not know just how much he wanted, no, needed to feel her lips on his and from the way Cal kissed her, he was pretty sure she felt the same way. All his senses came alive as he deepened his kiss and held her. Glorfindel was acutely aware of how her skin and hair smelled of cherry blossom, and her lips felt like rose petals. If he had any doubts about how he felt about this elleth before, they were gone now. He knew now exactly how much he wanted her.

Glorfindel's restraint was down to its last thread. If he did not break this kiss off now, he would likely end up doing something they both might regret the next morning. Seeing the confused and pained look on her face as to why he stopped he brushed a strand of her black hair out of her face, her lips plump and pink. "Cal, I respect you too much, and I will not do anything to taint your innocence."

Cal nodded and turned away, still breathing heavily. "I understand."

"Cal, I…" he started to say, taking her soft hands in his.

"Please, do not say anything else. Just...just stay with me, please? I do not want to be alone," she whispered, her voice cracking.

Nodding, Glorfindel, led Calaerneth to her bed. There he held her until she fell asleep.

But sleep would not come for Glorfindel, not for many hours, for he felt a stirring in his heart he had not felt since Luthagwen—the all-consuming desire to have and protect, to defend and possess. He cast his eyes upon the innocent curve of her cheek and silently vowed that no other ellon would ever know the softness of her lips.