The Teacher

Chap 18

Crawling out of bed, Penda slowly got dressed. On the bedside table was a pitcher of water next to a wash basin. Pouring some of the water into the basin, she quickly splashed her face with the cold water, hoping to rid her eyes of some of the red. The she heard someone tapping on the door. “Please don’t be Elrond,” she thought to herself. She heard the tapping again, a little louder this time.

Going to the door, she opened it. There was Millie, hands on her hips, her aprons covered with flour from baking, with a somewhat stern look on her face. She was ready to give Penda a good scolding, but when she saw Penda’s swollen, red eyes, the scolding was forgotten.

“Penda, what ever is wrong?” she asked as Penda stepped aside to let her in.

“Nothing, Millie,” she replied as she turned and walked over to where her pack was and picked it up.

“Don’t tell me that, young miss,” Millie said as she walked up behind her, “your eyes aren’t red from lack of sleep.”

Penda tried to hold back the tears, but it was useless. “Oh, Millie,” she said as she turned to the woman, “I just don’t know how…”

“Now, now, my dear,” Millie said as she wrapped her arms around Penda and led her to the bed, making her sit down; “this has been a trying time for you. What with the loss of your uncle and then having to leave your home and your friends, to go to a strange new place. Of course you would be upset. But you will make new friends, perhaps even find a nice young man, I mean Elf. If the ones downstairs are an example of the Elves in Rivendell, then you are very lucky indeed. Why, if I was younger, a few pounds lighter and didn’t have old Tom downstairs, I’d give that one with the golden hair, Glorfindel, I believe is his name, a turn or two. If you know what I mean.”

“Millie!” gasped Penda.

“What, I may be old and heavier than I should be, but lass, let me tell you; when I was younger I had young men calling on me all the time. But that’s another story. Noshe she said as she brushed the hair from Penda’s tear-stained eyes, “you listen to me. If you have any problems in Rivendell, if you don’t like it there, then you send me a message. Tom will come after you and bring you back. You will always be welcome here.”

“Thank you, Millie,” Penda said as her sobbing subsided, “you are a dear friend. I’ll keep your offer in mind.

“What offer would that be, may I ask?” a deep voice said. Both women turned to see Elrond standing just inside the door, his hands behind his back.

“That, Master Elf, is between Penda and I,” Millie said, then turning back to Penda she whispered in her ear, “I believe this one is sweet on you but is afraid to do anything about it. He looks like he could be a lusty one.” Then she stood and walked towards Elrond, leaving Penda, blushing, sitting on the bed. Stopping in front of him she said “If you say anything to make her cry, or bully her into telling you what we were discussing, then you will hao deo deal with me.” Then, with a swish of her skirt she stepped around him and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Elrond turned and looked at the closed door then back at Penda; walking towards her he asked “What was that all about?”

Penda sighed, then looked down at the floor, trying to avoid his eyes. “Nothing, milord,” she said quietly. She stood and walked over to the wash basin and once again splashed the cold water on her face. “I will be down in a few minutes, sir, I just need to clean up,” she said as she washed her face. She did not hear him as he stepped up behind her, gently resting his hands on her shoulders.

“Take your time Penda, we are in no rush,” he said softly. “Besides, I believe my sons would appreciate the extra time to recover from last night.”

Penda chuckl“The“They aren’t moving very well this morning, are they?

“No, apparently the girl that stayed with them last night wanted to make sure they would not soon forget her.” Then, stepping back and dropping his hands, he added, “If there is anything I can do for you, you will let me know, won’t you?”

“You can take me to bed and make slow, passionate love to me,” she wanted to tell him, but instead said “I will, milord.”

“Penda, has something happened since last night to cause you to not call me by my name?”

“No, milord, I mean Elrond.” Only the most amazing dream I have ever had, she thought to herself. “I am sorry, I just forgot.” She walked over to stand by the fireplace, trying to keep some distance between them, as those warm feelings she got from him, were coming back. “When I woke this morning I upseupset, not thinking clearly,” she said as she looked into the fireplace.

Assuming she had dreamed about the death of her beloved uncle, Elrond said, “It is understandable. Quietly he walked towards the fireplace, once again standing directly behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “In time, you’re sadness and tears over Wills’ passing will fade and you will remember all of the good times you shared with him. Now, I will leave you so you may finish.” Giving her shoulder a soft squeeze, her turned and left the room.

Shortly after Elrond left the room, Penda gathered her belongings. Walking towards the door, she stopped and turned; then looked longingly at the bed one last time. She shook her head to clear her mind, then turned and left, closing the door behind her.