Disclaimer: I do not own LotR

Notes: Thanks for the reviews! And thank you for the offers to beta, but I have a beta already. Sometimes she misses some little typo's, but we're working on it.

Also, if anyone enjoys designing cover-art, I was thinking this story could use something less simplistic. If you're interested, just PM me or mention it in a review.

Chapter Eight

Day Two Hundred Forty Four

I have perfected my chowder recipe. I am not a fan of chowder, but I like that I can cook it.

Day Two Hundred and Forty Six

I managed a full conversation in Sindarin today; and it wasn't about mushrooms! It was about Gondor.

Erestor was impressed and even Glorfindel didn't smirk so much when I told him.

In other news, Ruinir, tired of my aversion to raw meat, had me skin and butcher a rabbit. He told me that should I ever marry, I would not be able to expect my family to live off of liquids.

I only roasted the rabbit today. I wanted to burn it a little on the edges, but Ruinir just gave me the you are crazy look.

I suppose only Gorvon understands me.

Day Two Hundred and Forty Seven

Bilba and I had a long talk about the shire today. It was fascinating.

I think he may suspect something is up with me. Every so often he gives me odd looks or drops a random question that is oddly out-of-place. Today, for instance, while talking about tea, he asked me if my mother made tea as the Rohirrim do. I went with my 'sudden bout of amnesia' routine, which I am happy to say is better than it used to be.

He almost seemed convinced.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty

These big milestones always unnerve me.

It has been over half a year since I came here. I have made friends (and an enemy), learned languages, new skills...

But I miss my family. I don't know if I'll ever see them again. I don't think I will. I mean, I don't even know how I got here; I think there must have been some problem with space and time that won't happen again. I'm stuck here and there's nothing I can do.

I ended up spending the day in the garden. Around noon, Lýthril came out with a few peaches and biscuits and just sat with me quietly.

It was nice.

She's not actually as bad as you'd think, if you based your opinion off Erestor's beliefs.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Two

I had a lovely day today. I did not miss a single vocab word in my Sindarin lesson (though I misplaced a few pronouns), I managed to make a tasty (Bilba's judgment, not mine) dish with my newly acquired rabbit-chopping skills, finished my chores quickly, and Glorfindel and Lindir both sang a song about Gondolin that made me tear up in the best kind of way.

It is days like this that make me think less of my family and friends and be a bit happy that I am here. But then I become sad because I shouldn't be happy. Does that make sense?

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Three

I started my period today. It was only awkward because I had particularly bad cramps and Glaewron thought I might be ill and I had to bluff because admitting you are on your period to an elf is one thing, but to a male elf is another entirely.

He seems to be used to me being weird because he eventually let it go.

Oh, and Halbarad got here today, but is leaving tomorrow. I like him; both him and his son are so nice and

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Three, Later

Sorry about just leaving you.

I just remembered. Halbarad dies.

Him and who knows how many other Dúnedain? I am fairly certain that none in Rivendell will die, and I haven't met anyone who will for certain, but all of the Dúnedain are fair game. They aren't even mentioned in the books, so...

Oh, god, what if Gorvon dies? He can't; he simply cannot.

But Halbarad does...and I know that. I know for certain someone's tragic fate. And I can't even say anything, because who know what that might change? I know the downfall of Sauron must be accomplished and that it was a hard task, and I don't even know how Halbarad dies, so...

being in Middle Earth should not be this difficult! It isn't fair that it is. I expected- well, I didn't expect this whole mess, but I knew that language barriers and cultural differences would be a problem, but I should not have to deal with this! I never asked to be here and, quite frankly, I don't want to be. Not if it means this...

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Six

I have been far to upset to write much lately. I am sorry for neglecting you.

I feel so useless. I can't do anything to stop the death of one of my friends. I can't do anything. And the worst bit s I keep sitting around feeling sorry for myself when really, I have much more things to worry about. Like Halbarad dying.

He left a few days ago and told me that while he wasn't sure about Gorvon, Gorven was planning on turning up soon. It's only been about a month, so I wonder how that schedule will work out...

but that's not the point.

The point is that I have little choice but to sit around and wait for my friends to die.

Day Two Hundred and Sixty

I feel a bit better.

I have come to the conclusion that Sauron's defeat will end up sparing thousands of lives, and that it is for the best I don't change anything that could in some way impact this.

It doesn't make me feel much better about Halbarad, but at least I was able to function properly today.

I have managed to cook a full meal; salad (which, okay, was just lettuce and tomatoes), onion soup (it is my specialty. And it's the easiest for me to make), and stewed rabbit. Bilba said I was improving nicely but could go easier on the spices with the rabbit.

Ruinir also began teaching me the basics of pastries so that I can make pies and deserts.

I never much liked cooking back home, but I find that the results are often worth the work now.

Day Two-Hundred and Sixty One

I attempted to garden today.

I failed.

Celegeth has told me to stick to basic human healing. She has reverted right back to treating me like a puppy.

Sheesh, ruin three flowerbeds and lose all your respect.

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Two

Glaewron thought me how to make a paste that helps seal up wounds.

It proved very useful while I sliced my finger open while learning how to butcher cows.

I wish it didn't smell quite so potent.

Also, more elves than I thought are proficient enough in Westron to know what that one word means. They all looked very shocked when I screamed it after cutting my finger.

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Three

Erestor had a long talk with me about using certain types of language and how dialects and vocabularies can paint the image of who you are in society, so I ought to stick mostly to words he or Gorvon or another elf taught me.

Glorfindel explained that some words imply more than just their literal meaning and I should always understand the connotations of what I'm saying.

Nimhel pulled me aside to ask if, perhaps, I was still on my period and therefore had less impulse control.

Everyone needs to get their panties out of a twist.

It's a freaking word.

Day two hundred and Sixty Four

I got to sleep in today. It was nice.

Not much else happened.

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Eight

Guess who I just met?

Gorven!

He looks exactly like his son, except older and with laugh lines.

I was cleaning a hallway floor, when I heard heavy boots behind me. I knew it had to be a Dúnedain, and since most of them have at least heard about me (whenever I meet one they say something like you're the odd blonde woman who has Gorvon so utterly confused!) I turned around and smiled.

I knew immediately he was Gorven, because, as I mentioned, him and Gorvon were very alike.

"You must be Candes," he said, smiling. He's much less serious than his son.

"And I am sure you are Gorven."

I stood up and tucked my dusting rag into my apron pocket.

"Yes, I am. It is nice to meet you after hearing so much about you from my son."

I was a little worried then, because I knew the sort of things Gorvon would say about me.

"I hope you took his every word about me with a grain of salt."

He laughed.

"Do not worry, he has said only good things."

I raised my eyebrows at that.

"Mostly good things," he revised, "But he is quite fond of you."

"I am glad to hear that," I said. And I was glad to hear it. I like Gorvon more that I thought I would. Yes, he is brooding and serious and has moods that change like the wind, but he is nice and took care of me, a perfect stranger, for who knows how long.

Gorven paused for a moment, then said I a low voice, "Candes, I hope you do not mind, but... me and my son are open and honest with each other. He has told me your... well, your real story."

that caught me off guard.

"He- um, he did? oh. That's- well, expected, I-"

"It is quite a strange tale. But if my son, along with Lord Elrond, Mithrandir, and Aragorn all believe you, then so do I." he seemed to notice that things were a little weird- not awkward, but strange, he changed the subject.

"I must go speak to Lord Elrond, but I hope to see you at dinner."

"You will. I never miss a meal."

He laughed and walked off.

I finished polishing the floor.

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Eight, Night

I ate with Bilba and Gorven. The two are, apparently, friends.

I heard a lot of funny stories about Gorvon. That man has the most interesting encounters with hogs.

Gorven got roped into sitting in with Bilba on a 'food tasting'; it's hard to find elven volunteers since they are so damn elvish with their food.

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Nine

Gorven has agreed that my onion soup is on par with any chef he has ever encountered, if not better than. Ruinir chastised me for not making my chowder, but I wanted to make sure Gorven was at least a little biased about my cooking before trying the rest of it.

He thought my stewed rabbit was a little gammy, but very good, and that my beef pies could use a little less spices and a little more cooking, but he enjoyed the meal.

He even asked for the onion soup recipe, but I told him that was a secret I would never divulge, even if Lord Elrond himself asked me. He laughed and said he would have to get me married to Gorvon then, so he could have it whenever he wished. I just laughed and rolled my eyes and maybe sort of blushed a little. It's not everyday that someone implies you'd make a good daughter-in-law, even if only for soup.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy

Gorven told me that he plans on staying for a little while longer, as Gorvon will show up any day now and they will celebrate his birthday in five days. I tried to work out my birthday here. It's October fifth so I must have missed it this go-round. It'll be on day four hundred exactly.

Day Two Hundred an Seventy One

I got the courage to ask Gorven what Gorvon has said about me.

He paused and then told me this:

"He has not spoken too much about you, and what he has said has changed over time. But he has told me you are somewhat outspoken, if too much at times, have no boundaries, but seem to have only good intentions and can be very nice to be around, now that he understands you."

I thought on that for a while.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy Two

Gorvon returned today.

I saw him when he entered the dining hall for lunch. I saw him from across the room and he saw me, and I just broke into a smile, which he returned. We stood there for a moment, and I wondered if I should approach him, but then Gorven came in and they did their reunion thing and I went back to cooking.

I'll speak to him later.

I think I'll mention hogs.

000

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