Disclaimer: I do not own LotR

Notes: Thank you for all the reviews!

One or two reviewers pointed out some similarities between this story and boz4pm's Don't Panic. I started this story and had it mostly planned out before reading DP, but I am painfully aware of their similarities. While I am not going to completely change the course of the story, I am taking steps to make sure that the style, characters, and overall feel and pacing of the stories remain completely different.

I enjoy boz4pm's work and respect her as an author, and I assure you I am not trying to rip her off. I think that once I get past the Rivendell stage of this adventure (and fear not, she isn't a tenth walker) the differences in plot will become much more apparent.

Chapter Nine

Day Two Hundred and Seventy Two, Night

I had a very nice night.

After saying his hello to his father (which was very sweet and adorable to watch. I can tell they have a good relationship) Gorvon approached me.

We just smiled at each other again, and I suddenly had the urge to hug him. I didn't, because that might be considered inappropriate here. But I just... wanted to. It was strange.

"Hello," I said, breaking the moment before it got awkward.

"Hello," he responded.

Such good conversationalists, the two of us.

"I met your father," I told him, which of course was the most ridiculous thing to say, so I added "He had some very interesting stories about you."

The color drained from his face; it was truly comic to see.

"Oh?"

"Yes. I did not know you were such a fan of roast ham." He glared at me and I smiled wider. Eventually he cracked a smile.

"You cannot blame me; roast ham is delicious." he must have had this conversation many a time, because he seemed to be resigned to it. I decided not to torment him too much.

"Personally, I prefer rabbit."

"You burn it."

"It tastes better that way!"

"And what do the elves think of this strange taste of yours?" he raised an eyebrow, probably glad that he was now making fun of me. I put my hands on my hips and prepared to get in his face.

"Nothing; they are all to awed by my amazing soup-making skills that they don't say a word." that was a lie, of course. Ruinir has warned me that if a try to burn a perfectly good rabbit again he will exile me to butcher duty.

"Ah, yes, your onion soup. Every single Dúnedain seems to sing its praises. Even father likes it."

And here things got a little weird for me. Because I remembered the last conversation I had with Gorven about the soup and how he was all marry Gorvon so I can eat and I was all ha, ha, that's so weird. But I remembered it when he mentioned my soup.

So it was a bit internally weird.

I just said "You'll understand once I make it for you."

He smiled.

Then Gorven came over and we all ate dinner.

I skipped out on the hall of fire and came to write in you. I figured the Gorv's (aren't I so clever with nicknames?) needed some father/son time.

Besides, chicken makes me sleepy.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy Three

Gorvon officially joined my Onion soup fan-club (though he agrees that I need to work on my other recipes. Jerk).

Ruinir rolled his eyes and muttered something about mortals and onion soup.

He's just jealous.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy Four

I spent the day with Gorvon, because I knew him and his father were going hunting tomorrow for the latter's birthday. He updated me on all of his rangering and I told him of my humdrum life here; my lack of any form of artistic skill, my steadily improving healing skills, and my cooking prows.

He agreed with Ruinir that I will need to be able to make more than just soups and chowder (though he admits it is very good soup and chowder). But he can't really help me with my cooking, as his abilities in that area extend to putting an animal on a stick and roasting it over a fire until it looks ready.

I told him I liked his cooking and he just chuckled and made fun of my penchant for burnt rabbit.

I really don't know why I tolerate him sometimes. I give him a compliment and he laughs at me.

Then he said, "Oh, Candes, don't pout. It makes me feel bad."

"You should feel bad."

He just sighed, but I could tell he wanted to laugh.

"Stop laughing! I don't run around making fun of you."

"Oh, I am sure that diary of your is filled with very snarky comments about me."

I was stupidly shocked. I mean, of course he knew I had a diary. He's seen me write in you. Hell, he's seen me write in you about him.

I just scoffed and said "Don't flatter yourself."

"Oh, no, I am sure that you have the most interesting things written in there; I would pay good money to see what is written in it, were it in a language I spoke."

"Reading ladies diaries is impolite," I told him.

"But I would be reading your diary."

I just gaped at him as he smirk at me. Then I swatted his arm.

He just laughed and changed the subject.

He's a jerk, but what can I say? I like the guy.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy Five

The Gorv's (see? I did it again. So clever) are on their hunting trip. Personally, I don;t see the appeal, especially since they hunt all the time in the wild. But apparently it's different when it's for sport and not survival, and you're not going to stick whatever you catch on a twig to roast it over a fire.

I spent the day bathing and prettifying myself, because every girl needs to be pampered every so often. I finished up my chores and then went to work with Glaewron, who taught me how to make a sort of elvish vapo-rub. Then an elleth named Eregeth who I sort-of-kind-of-not-really know showed me how to make perfume. Now I smell like roses and have a pretty bottle.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy Five, Night

The Gorv's are back (no, I will not get tied of that). After much-needed baths they came down for an early diner, and I was recruited to make onion soup. I swear,with the reaction this soup is getting I might as well be Martha Stewart. I wasn't allowed to make anything else, though.

I ate with them and listened to them talk about their home and friends and family. It was nice, but it reminded me of my family... my little sister, my mom, my dad... we had this tradition where we could do whatever we wanted on out birthdays, but only after we ate lunch with the family. I miss that.

Gorvon must have noticed I was a little sad, because he asked if I was alright. I just smiled and said "Your home sounds really nice." which it did.

"Someday we will take you to visit." Gorven said this, both causally and not so causally.

"I will hold you to that." was all I cold think to say.

He just sort of smirked and then began telling more hog stories about his son, and Gorvon couldn't even protest because it was his fathers birthday.

He just shook his head and smiled at me.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy Six

Gorven left today, but Gorvon decided to stay another day just to rest up before heading back home for a while.

We talked a bit about what was going to happen- well, in as much detail as I would allow myself, which wasn't much.

"Lord Elrond wants to keep an eye on you, so you'll probably stay here until things take their course."

"That wont be for a while." was all I said.

I figure I'll probably stay here until the war is over, which is in a couple hundred more days. Then... who knows? I'll probably go to Gondor or Rohan and live there for a while. Maybe I'll even stay with the Dúnedain for a little. Or I'll just rot here in Rivendell.

He just nodded and looked very somber. I wanted to tell him to cheer up, that it would all turn out okay in the end, but I knew I couldn't.

I just patted his shoulder.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy Seven

Gorvon left today. I told him to have fun at home and to have a safe trip. He smiled and told me to work on my cooking.

We laughed for a second, but then I faltered. He was all, "Candes, are you well?"

And then I just felt really, really thankful to him. For finding me, for taking me to Mildburg's where I was (relatively) taken care of, for bringing me here... and for just being my friend, despite everything. I wanted to tell him this and I did, but it came out sounding unbelievably cheesy and I thought he would laugh at me, but he didn't.

He hugged me.

It was my first hug from anyone in Middle Earth.

It felt nice.

I miss him.

ooo

please review! Like I said, it really helps me figure out what aspects readers like and dislike.

Pleasedon'thatemefortheblatantshipping Ireallycan'thelpmyself.