The Teacher

By the time they came out a short time later, Elrond and the others had returned. After a simple meal of bread, cheese, and wine, Elrohir and Glorfindel left to go bathe. They had also decided to do a little hunting, hoping to get a rabbit or two, so that they wouldn’t have to worry about meat the first day or two of their return trip to Imladris. They had also talked of stopping in Bree so they could purchase more fresh fruit.

Penda went inside and, with the help of Amros and Aerandir, wrapped and packed the loaves of bread and the last of the sweet rolls. She made sure she kept a couple of rolls out for her uncle; she knew how much he loved them. Will found a few bottles of wine and packed them, along with some tea, into a knapsack. Afterwards he went into his room to rest again. The dull ache in his arm was gone but his chest was still bothering him. Elrond had given him an herbal tea to drink, telling him that it would help ease the ache.

A few hours later Elrohir and Glorfindel returned. They had been successful with their hunting, bringing home several rabbits, and had also brought back some fish they had caugeforefore their baths. The rabbits were already dressed, so all they had to do was put them over the fire and cook them. “I have some seasoning in the house that would go perfect on the rabbit,” Penda told Elrohir; “it makes the meat tender and jucier.” “If you tell me where it is, I can get it,” Elrohir said. Penda told him where to find the seasoning. When he came back out with it she watched over his shoulder to make sure he didn’t use to much. While Elrohir rubbed the seasoning into the rabbits, Elladan and Amros cooked the fish that had been caught and Elrond and Aerandir set the rest of the evening meal out.

With all the commotion Will woke, feeling much better. The ache in his chest was gone. Going outside he joined Penda at the table, and they watched as the Elves did all the work in preparing dinner. After the fish was done Glorfindel put the rabbits over the fire to cook while they ate dinner. Some of the meat would be left with Will, but most would go with them.

After all of the food had been prepared everyone sat down to eat. Elrond, Glorfindel and Will were talking quietly among themselves, while the four younger elves were busy eating and discussing the stop over in Bree that was planned. Looking up, Glorfindel noticed that Penda’s plate was empty. “Penda,” he said, “are you not eating?” She looked at him and started to cry.

Elrond turned to look at her and realized what the problem was. Everyone else had been busy fixing their own plates; they had forgotten that she would need help. With both hands wrapped she was unable to fix her own plate or feed herself. He picked up her plate to start fixing it for her, but Elladan spoke up, saying that he would help her. A few minutes later everyone was eating. Penda was now sitting between Elladan and Elrohir, who were taking turns offering her food and drink.

“Penda,” said Aerandir “can you tell us what Bree is like? We, Amros and I, have never been to a human village.”

“Well, it’s a nice little village. The people there are friendly enough,” she said.
“What will they do when they see us riding in?” asked Amros.

“They will be surprised, that is for sure. We don’t see elves around here that often. But, for the most part, they are trusting. The first time I visited the village with Uncle Will they all treated me as though they had known me all their life,” she said. “We will be able to barter with the eggs, if they are collected; perhaps we can get some dried venison, and some nuts.” she told them.

“We would be more than happy to collect them for you,” Amros told her; “wouldn’t we?” he said to the other three elves. All agreed they would do it.

Later, after the four younger elves had cleared the dishes, Will brought out a tray of sweet rolls and hot tea. When he put a plate down in front of Penda, Elrond, who was sitting next to her, took it and cut the roll up for her. Picking up a piece with her fork, he offered it to her, “Ladies first,” he said. Penda opened her mouth, allowing him to put the fork in. They stared into each other’s eyes as he slowly pulled the fork back out.

“Tea, Elrond, Penda?” Glorfindel asked as he watched them. Elrond shook his head. “What am I thinking?” he ashimshimself.

”Yes, please,” Penda said.

“No thank you . Glorfindel, I believe I will have another glass of wine,” Elrond told him. Glorfindel chuckled. It was good to see his friend finally interested in someone. He heard someone cough; looking towards his sons, he saw Elladan wink at him. Elrond turned back and faced Glorfindel. Fortunately , Will had gone back inside to retrieve more rolls and had not seen what had happened.