Disclaimer: I do not own LotR.

Notes: Thanks for the reviews! There is a giant time-skip in this chapter and another little one, sorry if it's jarring. But hey, at least you won't have to wait a hundred some odd days for Gorvon to show up! (according to general consensus, he is liked.)

Also, the stories tone will be changing a little; I won;t have time for certain aspects of I once things get good, so I'm throwing it in now.

Chapter Seven

Day Two Hundred and Three

Before I begin- I AM SO SORRY FOR NEGLECTING YOU FOR THIS LONG!

Here's what happened, you see; I lost you, and by the time I found you I was so used to not writing in you that I put it off and put it off until it just slipped my mind completely...

I am so, so sorry. I will never lose you again. Ever. I promise.

To be honest, I don't know what to write. I suppose my life here in Rivendell has settled int a nice routine.

I wake up around eight in the morning, give or take. Then I get to bath and brush my teeth and get all nice and clean; I almost always ware the ribbon Rose gave me. I have some new dresses now, a red one and a beige one, which were tailored for me since the weather became freezing. It's now the twenty-seventh of March, so spring is just beginning.

After I'm ready I go to breakfast, which I usually eat with Glaewron before we go to work in his lab. Sometimes I work with Celegeth instead, and she has been teaching me a great deal about healing. I am still far from being an expert, but I am on a steady learning curve.

After that I usually have my Sindarin lesson. Erestor says I am learning at a good rate. I guess I have little choice in the matter. I need to know this language to function here.

I then go to the kitchens and Ruinir will let me watch him cook, and will show me certain tips and tricks. I am still not doing as well as I would like, but certain dishes (mostly soups) I have grown quite good at. Ruinir says that if I stick to it and just work hard, I will be able to cooks someday. I hope he's right; this is the kind of place where cooking is an essential skill for women.

After that comes lunch, which I eat with Nimhel and Lýthril, usually, and then come the chores. I am a regular part of the cleaning crew as I am of very little use in other chores, ones that involve fixing things and the like. I mostly wash clothing and floors. I can't manage the speed or efficiency of an elf but it makes me feel like I am at least trying to earn my keep.

Usually my evenings are random. I sometimes have tea with Bilba or walk with Glorfindel, who teaches me about history and listens to my stories patiently. I also listen to Lindir singing, which is always fun. As it turns out, not only can I not sing, but any musical instrument given to me is doomed to a tragic end (my first few gold coins went to repairing a loot. Lindir wanted to forget it but I insisted). Anything at all artistic usually falls flat, to be honest.

Dinner is always a pleasant affair and I usually go with whoever I was with before.

I only sometimes go to the hall of fire. Something about that place makes me thing of home, and that always makes me a bit sad. But when I do go it's nice for a while. I only understand a few of the songs, but they sound just as pretty when I have no clue what they're saying.

Whenever a Dúnedain stops in, I make a point to get to know them. Gorvon has not been back yet (I heard from Baradir that he is rangering left, right, and center these days, but plans on returning in the near to distant future. So specific, he is.) but he did at one point send me a pair of legit ranger gloves, made of some soft skin and lined with fur; I ware them whenever it's cold. I have, however, seen many of the Dúnedain I met at Aithron's party. They make a point of trying my cooking and asking about my progress in healing. I make a point to ask them about everything.

I told Erestor that they are officially my favorite people in all of Middle Earth; he told Aragorn and the future king has considerably warmed up to me. Not that he's ever here for any length of time, but when he is he makes a point of joining my walks with Glorfindel and answering my questions. But, as I said, he's usually off with Gandalf.

Speaking of the old wizard, it's been some time since I've seen him. He's off doing important things, I know. Still. You'd think my case would have caused him more worry, but I guess in the grand scheme of things it's just a peculiarity.

I have done whatever I can to prepare myself for everything that is to come; but seeing as I still don't know what to divulge, it's difficult.

I am feeling a little under the weather. That is why I have so much time to write. Celegeth gave me a jar of scented oil that, apparently, has medicinal properties if inhaled. I still don't feel to well and am just lying down today, taking it easy.

Day Two Hundred and Four

Feeling considerably worse.

I slept until ten and when Nimhel came to see if I wanted breakfast, I was practically green in the face. All I could stomach was a peach. She seemed very worried, but I told her it was probably just a passing virus. She had Celegeth come see me anyways.

Celegeth just looked worried and sighed and nodded a lot. She gave me a small...elixir (for lack of a better word) and it tasted horribly biter, but I feel a little less uneasy now.

Day Two Hundred and Four, later

I lied. I think I just threw up half of my intestines.

Day Two Hundred and Twenty-Six

Once again, sorry for neglecting you.

These past few weeks have been hell. I have been oozing out of every place it's possible to ooze from. Yes. Literally.

I have spent my days in the bathroom, sitting in a warm tub in my shift. The water needs frequent replacement, as it gets cold and noticeably disgusting. Let me tell you, you don't know the meaning of the word embarrassing until you're soaking in your own filth in front of a bunch of elves.

I have been on a strict regimen of medicines, fresh fruit, and only Ruinir prepares my food to make sure that it is cooked exactly as it must be to cater to human well-being, or something along those lines.

Now that I am slightly better (less leaky) I am allowed to stay in bed all day. Elrond came to visit, being the best healer in like, ever, or something along those lines. He told me that I was probably exposed to something that has died out by my time and I have no immunity to. He said that may also be what happened at Mildburg's, to a lesser degree.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty

I am finally feeling better. I am still a little weak and have yet to be returned to the cleaning schedule or my cooking lessons, but I can go outside a little, and practice my Sindarin. The break has helped in some ways and hindered in others, but I am relatively on track.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty One

I was sitting in the garden today, reading over the poetry book. It's an odd process; I have to read the poem over in Sindarin, then in Westron to understand it better, and then again in Sindarin to better grasp it. But in the end I like the way it sounds.

I knew I must have looked pathetic; my color still hasn't returned and I've lost more weight then I would like (I never have looked good when I was thin). My hair was a little greasy and braided back and I was in my beige dress, with a white and green shawl wrapped around me like an old lady. I wasn't going to wear it but Celegeth insisted and she kind of scares me.

Anyways, I was sitting around, minding my business, when I heard footsteps. I knew it had to be a human; elves and hobbits are much quieter. So I looked up and wondered if Carathor was back, because I knew he was doubling around this way after heading back from Gondor, but when I looked up I realized it was none other than, and I suppose you can guess by now who, Gorvon!

I was very happy to see him; it has been a while and I guess I missed him.

He smiled when he saw me, but a he got a better look his expression faded. The moment he reached me, he asked "Candes, are you well?"

"Gorvon! It is so good to see you! I hear from Baradir that you have been riding around half of Middle Earth!"

Yes, I know, bad distraction. So sue me. It's not like it worked.

"Candes, are you ill?"

I sighed and shook my head.

"I am quite alright, Gorvon. I was a little sick but am now on the mend."

"You are very pale."

"I am fine."

"And you've lost weight."

I could tell he would not budge on this. I have learned he can be very broody and serious and stubborn. So I sighed and patted the bench next to me, and he sat down.

"Lord Elrond speculates that some diseases have died out by my time, so I am not immune to them. One hit and I got a little-" I saw his expression then, and rolled my eyes "very sick. But the elves have taken good care of me and I am getting better. I am almost as good as new."

He raised an eyebrow in speculation.

"Look, Gorvon, these past weeks I have had to bare all to the elves- yes, all. It was very humiliating and painful and I was sick on top of the embarrassment, so I don't want to think about it. Alright?"

He sighed and nodded, but I think he brought it up later with one of the elves I am closer to.

"So," I said. I realized then and there that I did not know what to say to him. I mean, on the road we only really talked about Westron. And last time I saw him we spoke briefly about a number of things that just so happened to come up.

"How do you like the gloves I sent?" he asked suddenly.

"They are amazing. Very warm and soft. Thank you, by the way."

"It is the least I could do after..." I knew he was thinking about the whole left-me-to-be-slave-driven thing. So I just patted his arm. He smiled at me. I smiled at him. It was all very touching in a hallmark kind of way.

And then, clearly uncomfortable with our deep bonding friendship moment, he launched into a story of where he had been up to. He told me all about Rohan and Gondor and why it had taken him so long to head back. He claims that he wanted to check on me; that made me stupidly happy. I mean, I really shouldn't be this thrilled I have friends. It's not like I never had them before or anything like that.

We stayed out talking (I eventually began to ask questions and the like) until Glorfindel found us and told us we'd best head in for dinner, and that I really shouldn't stay out for to long. Gorvon looked very guilty then but Glorfindel just made a quick save; something about how I was only almost out for to long. It would have sounded ridiculous from anyone else but that ellon is very believable.

After dinner Gorvon went to the Hall of Fire and I came back here to sleep. I am very tired.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Two

I spent today with Gorvon.

I asked about the Dúnedain and Arnor and rangers, and he seemed all to thrilled to answer me. He asked me what I had been up to, other than being ill, and I told him about how I was working with Celegeth and Glaewron to study healing and it was widely agreed among the Dúnedain and Bilba that I made some of the best onion soup in Middle Earth, especially since I "came up with" the idea to melt cheese over it (hey, it's not like I said I invented it. It was just implied. Heavily.) He said that once I was allowed to cook again he'd be sure to try it. I warned him he might get roped in to tasting everything I cooked, and that he'd best be careful. He shook his head and laughed.

I must say, when he isn't in serious-ranger-in-the-woods mode he is very sociable.

He helped me with my Sindarin a little and then, once he chose to breach the subject, helped me think of reasons why I might be here. We couldn't think of any food ones.

But he did say this; "Candes, sometimes we do not see the reason for some things, but we must accept that they have happened and do what we can. I think you have done so."

I felt proud.

He's leaving tomorrow but promised to be back within the next two months, as he was trying to meet his father here for the latter birthday. I am excited to meet this Gorven. One must be a curious character to raise that man.

Day Two Hundred Thirty Three

Gorvon just left. We didn't have a sentimental goodbye. I just sort of waved to him.

Celegeth told me that I would be back to full health within the next two weeks. I am glad.

Oh, and I saw Ruinir melt cheese over some onion soup. I feel more pleased than I probably have the right to be.

Day Two Hundred Thirty Nine

I am back on my cleaning schedule.

I am not sure if I mentioned this, but I always wear Mildburg's dress when I'm cleaning. I would have to spoil any of my other ones

Day Two Hundred and Forty Three

I have passed the ultimate test of health, I am back in the kitchens.

A secluded, lonely part of the kitchens, but still.

000

Sorry for another short chapter. I wanted to establish location and all the like.