The Teacher

When Penda walked into the room, she saw Elrond kneeling on the floor next to the bed. Quietly she walked up to him, placing a bandaged hand on his shoulder. “He looks so peaceful,” she said as she leaned over to kiss Will on the forehead. Then she got down on her knees beside Elrond and bowed her head. Elrond stayed with her for a few minutes, then stood and left the room, leaving Penda alone. He joined Glorfindel by the fireplace.

“She is talking of not going to Imladris,” Glorfindel said, staring at the wall. “I told her she should discuss it with you later, but she already knows you will not allow it.”

“She is in shock, but she is also right, mellon,” Elrond said, “It was Wills last wish that I take her to Imladris, and I intend to honor that wish.

A short time after Elrond left the room, Penda got up and sat on the bed next to Will. She gently held his hand between hers as she wept. It was hard to believe he was gone. Hard to believe that she would never see his smiling face across from her at the dinner table, or hear his voice booming through the small house in the morning when she tried to sleep in but never managed to do. So many things she had taken for granted, things that she would never do again. Now she wished she had behaved differently when he had told her the reason for Elrond’s visit.

Elrond. What was she going to do about him she thought to herself? Would he let her stay? With her uncle gone there was no reason to go to Imladris, but she knew the Elven Lord would not leave her behind. As much as she wanted to stay, truth be told, she knew she could not stand the loneliness and isolation. No; perhaps, in a few years she could return to this place, but in the mean time she would honor her uncle’s wish and go to Imladris; she would learn the Elven ways.

Hearing someone tapping on the door, she turned to see Elrond walk into the room, followed by Glorfindel.

“Penda,” Elrond said, “it is time.” She nodded her head, then stood up and stepped away from the bed. Elrod covered Will with a blanket, then picked his old friend up and carried him out. Penda followed behind with Glorfindel, his arms around her for support. Once they were outside, they were joined by Elladan, who offered to help carry Will. No, Elrond would carry his friend to his final resting place.

As they approached the grave, Amros stepped forward with some flowers he had found and offered them to Penda. After Will had been lowered into the ground Penda dropped some of them onto his body. The rest she would put on his grave after the burial. Elrond said a few words honoring Will and the friendship they had shared

Penda was weeping harder now. It was time for one final goodbye. Time to say goodbye to the only person, other than her mother, to show her any kindness. As the last of the dirt was put over his grave she stepped forward and placed the rest of the flowers on the grave, keeping one for herself. Glorfindel, Elladan, Elrohir, Amros and Aerandir each paid their condolences to Penda, then walked back towards the house. Penda stayed behind, Elrond standing with her.

“I’m all alone now,” she said as she watched the elves walk away.

“No, Penda, you are not alone. You have us. You have your Elven family,” Elrond told her as he took her hand in his, being careful not to hold it to tight. “And, you have your father.” He continued.

“My father?” she asked.

”Yes, perhaps one day you will let me search for him. At least find out his name for you. But I will only do it if you ask,” he said.

“Thank you, milord,” she replied as she looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied softly, “I am ready.” They turned and walked away, following the rest of the group as the headed for the house.

By the time they got back to the house, Glorfindel and Elladan had brought the horses out and were preparing to leave. Penda noticed they also had Wills gelding, Fallon, out. They would put their packs on him.

“Where is everyone?” Elrond asked. Suddenly they heard the chickens cackling.

“They are trying to catch the chickens, milord,” Glorfindel told him. They walked to the back of the barn just in time to see feathers flying. They watched as Elrohir and Amros caught the chickens and Aerandir put them into small crates.

“Why are young tng this?” Glorfindel asked when he could be heard over the chickens.

“I told them to,” Penda said, “We can’t leave them here, so we can take them to Bree, perhaps trade them for more food for the trip back.” Then she turned and went back to the house.

Elrond followed a few minutes later. He found her making another pack of some of Will’s belongings. She had also gathered a few blankets that they would take with them.

“Penda,” Elrond said as he walked up to her, “Glorfindel has told me that you talked of staying behind.”

“I did milord,” she replied, “but I have decided to honor Uncle Will’s wish, I will go to Imladris.”

“You have made a wise decision,” Elrond said, “I know Will would be proud of you.”

A half hour later, everything they were taking with them had been packed onto Fallon, and the elves were all mounted. Everyone, that is, except Penda, Elrond, and Glorfindel. Penda looked at Celahir, wishing she could ride.

“Penda,” Elrond said “it is time to go. You will ride with me.”

“Yes, milord,” she replied.

Elrond mounted first, and then Glorfindel lifted Penda up, placing her in front of Elrond, and then mounted his own horse. The group slowly made their way up the road. Penda looked back towards the hill and her uncle’s grave until they rounded a bend in the road. Silently she said good-bye to another way of life, and wondered what life in Imladris would bring her.

They had been traveling for several hours when Elrond pulled his horse to a stop. “We shall stop here for a shot time,” he said as he dismounted. He led his horse over to a group of large boulders and dropped the reins. Penda, who had been starring off into the distance, looked down at him when he touched her leg. “Penda, would you care for some lunch?” he asked as he put his hands up to help her down. Penda nodded, and then leaned down, allowing him to take her by the waist and pull her off the horse.

Once on the ground he released her. “Thank you, milord,” she whispered.

Having ridden with them as long as she had, her legs felt like jelly. She leaned back against Elrond’s horse, hoping to use him for support, but the horse shifted his weight, causing her to fall. Elrond, seeing what was about to happen, grabbed her by the waist and pulled her up to him. She stood there, in his arms for several minutes. He was reluctant to let her go.

Penda was the first to make a move. Clearing her throat she slowly stepped out of his arms. “Thank you again, milord,” she said.

“Penda,” Elladan said “you didn’t eat anything this morning, come, sit with Elrohir and I and I will get something for you.” Elladan took her by the elbow and guided her to one of the smaller boulders. Putting his hands on her waist he lifted her up, not letting go until he was sure that she was setteled on the boulder and wouldn’t fall off.

Elrond stood by his horse and watched as his son’s took care of Penda.

“It looks like you may have a little competition,” Glorfindel said quietly as he walked up behind Elrond.

“What do you mean?” asked Elrond.

“You know what I mean. I have seen the way you look at her, mellon,” Glorfindel said.

“Why I…” Elrond stammered, looking exasperated.

“I saw you last night when you were helping her with the rolls she made, and just now; when you stopped her from falling.” Glorfindel said.

“I was only trying to…” Elrond said, but Glorfindel interrupted him.

“Do not worry. I think she sees your sons as friends, nog mog more. You should make a move on her; stake your claim so to speak, before we get back to Imladris. Once we arrive, there will be plenty who will want to dally with her. No one there would go against you, nor blame you,” Glorfindel said as he watched Penda, laughing at something Amros said.

“I have no intention of ‘dallying’ with her,” Elrond said. “She deserves better than that.” With that Elrond walked off to join the others and to get something to eat.

“Then stake your claim on her, or I just might do it,” Glorfindel said to himself as he followed Elrond.