Of Misdirection and Baths
There were not many interesting occurrences that would normally take place in the men's bathhouses in King Turgon's Kingdom of Gondolin.
Bathhouses were, after all, for cleansing oneself and other than idle chatter and the occasional squabble, was all there was to it.
The exciting, stressful or fear-ridden events usually happened outside of the city or to it.
What happened today was not anything particularly fantastical per say, but it was certainly most mortifying.
In fact, Sao was absolutely positive she would not be able to show her face in front of these four Firstborns the next day or the day after. Perhaps never again.
Even King Turgon, who had been so kind as to take an Edain woman such as herself in after she had left her human village, might have found this incident too much to stomach.
Idril told her to meet in the women's bathhouse for a nice soak after the Mid-day meal.
The Elven woman forgot to give her the specific directions to the place before she left and so, Sao was left to her own devices.
Only, she wished she had not been too prideful and just asked the many servants around to point where the bathes were.
For here was Sao attempting to sneak out the two, large doors before she could be spotted as an amoral pervert or deviant.
Alas, fate never liked to play her way. Keen, Elven ears and senses were astute.
It was quiet on their side and no one had felt the need to say anything thus far. But the stares were getting more intense and curious. The flush on Sao's face was getting hotter by the moment.
She desperately clutched her towel – the only item covering her body. She slowly shifted out of her hiding spot; a broad, white column.
A male cleared his throat.
It was the red-headed one that was abnormally tall even for the Firstborn. He made men look like dwarves in comparison.
If Sao thought she looked risqué and scandalous with just a towel, it was nothing compared to the naked (and admittedly very fit) Elves facing her this second.
Coloring deeply, she prudently averted her gaze to the wet, marble floors.
No guards or servants were present so she assumed it was the more important and royal figures' time for rest and leisure.
For she had seen the four exact Eldar men vaguely from afar whenever they were hosting council with King Turgon for the formal meetings, celebrations or war.
She never got the chance to officially speak to them.
Elves were, generally, a beautiful race of creatures. But these men were especially tall, fair and they glowed brightly. She had never felt so small and insignificant.
She recognized the one with dark hair. He was King Turgon's elder brother. At her presence, he seemed quite indifferent and at ease with a female intruder in the baths. He gave Sao a curious glance before returning back to relax in the hot water.
"Lady, can we help you in any way? Were you trying to seek an audience with us? Although I must admit this is a strange way and place to do so…"
It was one of the two Golden Elves. This one's golden head was a shade lighter than the other. Although they were both remarkably handsome, this man's face had softer features and an inherently kind look.
Sao impulsively protested.
"Of course not, my lord. It is just that –"
In the action of defending herself, she accidently looked up only to be faced with their current states of undress once again.
Don't look South. Don't look South. She chimed inside her head whilst she forced herself to hold eye level with them. Thankfully, the steam permeating the air was able to censor some of the…Unneeded details.
"Ah, you are lost then?" It was the other Golden Elf. His hair had a deeper hue and texture that reminded her of sun streaks mixed with molten honey. His amber eyes held a more playful and mischievous disposition than the first.
"Yes! Yes, I am," Sao nodded her head in exasperation.
"Well, that helps explain things a bit. You were looking for the women's bathhouses, correct?" It was the red-head. The various scars and bruises could not hide the comeliness or the power this individual had. Sao avoided staring at his missing limb. It looked too disconcerting and she worried about offending the imposing Elf.
"Yes, my lord. I was supposed to meet up with Princess Idril, but I foolishly forgot to ask where the bathes were. I wandered in here after smelling steam and hearing the sounds of water. I did not realize that well – There was no one here at first, but by then…" She looked away to stare at the wall which suddenly looked very interesting.
"I deeply apologize. I promise I did not intentionally come to the opposite gender's territory to harass or ogle."
Understanding and even empathy crossed over the Elves' expressions. Before Sao could flee, the darker blonde one stepped out of the water and grabbed a white robe to don himself with.
"Wait, lady –" He spoke, catching up to her easily with his long legs. Sao turned to him with shame.
"Sir, please."
"Allow me to escort you to Princess Idril," He insisted, holding out a strong arm to her which she reluctantly took.
"You still don't know the way, right?"
Outside in the hall, the fair, golden one walked her to the female bathhouse just a block away from the men's house. To her chagrin, it ended up being quite simple to figure out.
"You must be Lady Sao; Turgon's other human guest besides Tuor," He stated mildly.
She stared at the Elf in surprise. This grand man knew who she was? This had just become more humiliating and troublesome.
"Yes. You would be correct, my lord. Forgive me, but whilst I have seen you and your three friends back there around court from time to time, I do not know who you are?"
He halted by the entrance. Glancing back, he gifted her a dazzling grin. It took all of her willpower to not look away from the sun's beam less she went blind.
"I am generally called Laurefindil here, my lady. Although others know me by Glorfindel."
The name sounded vaguely familiar to her. She then recalled King Turgon mentioning something about his trusted and fearsome Captain of The House of Golden Flowers a few times along with another. Her stomach dropped and her heart rate exhilarated a bit.
"Then…You must be the infamous Captain Glorfindel his majesty continuously raves about," Sao breathed.
"Oh, how embarrassing to have stumbled and be introduced to you in such straits. I will never live this one down."
The sound of Glorfindel's deep, male laughter was warm to listen to if only she was not so nervous at the moment.
"Yes, well. I cannot say it was not an entertaining day for all of us. After weeks of tension on more serious matters at hand, perhaps today's little episode was exactly the sort of amusement we needed."
"I am glad to have been able to provide the entertainment," Sao replied sardonically with a sigh.
"And…" He regarded her. "It gave me the wonderful opportunity to meet one of the curious, Edain maidens Tuor often talked about during our drinking sessions."
Taking her hand, he kissed the top of her knuckles ever so lightly.
"Lastly, if it is any consideration, most if not all of us did not mind your abashed gaze today in the baths, Lady Sao."
Glorfindel winked and before she could fully process his words in her fluster, he disappeared.
oOo
"Where have you been? I have been waiting for at least half an hour so I already washed and oiled my hair," Idril exclaimed when Sao finally dipped herself into the steaming water.
The Elven woman examined her suspiciously.
"What is the matter? Why is your face already so red like a tomato? You have barely entered the water."
Sao groaned and rubbed her face.
"My lady. Something terrible just happened and I would rather not talk about it if you don't mind. Your favorable opinion of me would disappear."
"Oh?" The Gondolin Lady perked up and smiled.
"I do love terrible things. Try me."
oOo
Author's Note: This fic is completely self-indulgent, self-inserted and pure, shameless fanservice. I expect no Shakespearean prize for this. Inspired by an art trade I did with this artist post/641297489939595264/my-piece-for-an-art-exchange-with-tran-khuetu
To any person of quality expecting scholarly and researched work who managed to make it through this fic, I am sorry.
Translations
Edain, Secondborn – Mortal
Eldar, Firstborn - Elves