"You have two options: either you stay here in Rivendell for a time or I come to Greenwood with you."
Calavanya, Head Healer in Imladris and advisor to Lord Elrond, is enjoying a break from her duties. However, when the King of the Woodland Realm i...
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Dedicated to @QueenJellyJello Thank you for the kind words and for motivating me to get back to this story!! Enjoy!!
The next morning, Merilwen helped Calavanya get ready for breakfast with the king. Merilwen had taken it upon herself to put an outfit together for Calavanya, who vehemently protested against wearing such fine clothing. Even if she did wear things like this in Imladris, that was different. Here, Calavanya didn't rank as nobility.
"Calavanya, you are to dine with the king! That is no casual matter. You yourself are a lady of nobility from Imladris, not to mention have saved the king's life twice now! He would have you be treated as nothing less than a lady of his court!" Merilwen had known Thranduil for quite some time, and knew that he would be thinking all of these things. After all, he doesn't just privately dine with anybody. Merilwen also voiced this to Calavanya, who finally agreed to wear the dress and circlet.
The dress was beautiful, to say the least. Most of the dress was black, but the sleeves were a deep, rose red with some gold detailing near the shoulders. The circlet Merilwen insisted that Calavanya wear was gold with a red gem in the center. The outfit was completed with simple brown, ankle high boots and Calavanya's hair flowing freely.
Once she was dressed, Merilwen helped Calavanya into the sling that Arandur insisted she wear for the length of her recovery. Calavanya didn't think it entirely necessary, but she thought it best to listen to Arandur. She also supposed the old saying that healers are the worst patients is true.
Merilwen led Calavanya to the king's quarters, telling her she would meet up with her later and to enjoy dining with the king. Calavanya went to knock, but hesitated. Taking a deep breath, she convinced herself this was no different than dining with somebody like Lord Elrond. Even if that wasn't true, that was the only thing that made her actually knock on his door.
A muffled "Enter," was heard, and the guards opened the door. There, King Thranduil stood by the fireplace, his emerald green robes a stark contrast to his platinum blond hair. He wore an understated circlet, the silver wire creating triangular shapes. Thranduil filled his wine glass, and without turning, spoke to Calavanya.
"You should know that I am not exactly friends with Lord Elrond, though I do trust his judgment for certain things. I have looked to him for counsel more times than I dare admit. I shall have you know it is only by his admittance that you are here. I spoke with him before we left Imladris about your life here in my realm." Thranduil took a slow sip of his wine, finally turning to face Calavanya.
He took in her appearance, noting how she held her head high. Her outfit, chosen by Merilwen no doubt, exuded an air of regality. However, it was her eyes that he noticed most of all. Since he wasn't currently dying or in need of medical care, he could really study Calavanya. A distant memory flashed over him, something he thought he had forgotten...
