The Teacher

Chap 20

They had ben thn the road for a short time when Elrond pulled a small container out of his bag of herbs. Pulling his horse to a stop, he motioned for the others to do the same. He climbed down and walked back to where Fallon stood. Rummaging through one of the packs on the horse, he pulled a small cup out. "Elladan," he said as he poured water into it, then dropped some crusherbherbs into the water, "come, drink this."

Elladan walked up to his father. "What is it, Ada?" he asked as he took the cup from his father.

"Something to help your head; now, drink all of it."

Elladan did as he was told, then Elrond gave him a small package. "This is from Millie; she thought you might like it."

Elladan opened it. Inside he found two biscuits, cut in half, stuffed with eggs and sausage. "Thank you, Ada," he said, smiling at his father as he bit into the first one. Taking them back to his horse he climbed back up. A few minutes later Elrond had rinsed and repacked the cup that had been used, and they were back on their way again, with Elrohir and Amros riding ahead to scout for any trouble.

Penda rode between Aerandir and Elladan and listened as Elrond and Glorfindel talked of the affairs in Imladris that awaited their return. Try as she might, she could not keep her eyes off the Elf Lord. She admired way way he sat on his horse, his back straight as an arrow, holding the reins in his left hand while his right hand lay resting on his tightly muscled thigh, ready to pull his sword from its sheath if needed. Looking at him, she knew he would be a formidable foe; she was glad she would never meet him in battle.

"Elrond," she said when she noticed a lull in his conversation with Glorfindel.

"Yes, Penda?"

"Uncle Will spoke of you often, but he never said how you met. Would you tell me?"

Turning to her, Elrond replied, "Come, ride beside me and I shall tell you."

Nudging Celahir forward she moved into the space that Glorfindel made between Elrond and himself. Elladan and Aerandir moved up also, wanting to here the story.

"I met Will about thirty years ago, Penda,” he began. “He was traveling with a small band of men who were going to Bree. The group was attacked by a band of orcs. Several of the humans died, as did all of the orcs. Will was shot with a poisoned arrow. They tried to help him but couldn't. He was on the verge of death by the time they brought him to me. It took over a week to bring his fever under control, and there were a few times that I thought we would lose him. He spent several months in Imladris, recuperating. While there, we became good friends. He has visited Imladris on several different occasions, but it has been four or five years since I last heard from him. He never mentioned, though, that he had a niece who was half elf."

"He was not an uncle by blood, milord," Penda said in response to his last statement.

"Oh? Then how is it that you came to live with him?"

"It is a long story," she replied.

"Perhaps, but I would still like to hear it."

By this time Elrohir and Amros had rejoined the party. "Your turn, brother," he said to Elladan as he guided his horse to take a place between Penda and Elladan. Then, turning to Penda, he said, "Don't worry, Penda, with Amros and I here to help father and Glorfindel, you are in much safer hands."

"Come, Aerandir," Elladan said as he moved from the group, "let's go find what my brother missed." Then, with a kick from his heels, his horse bolted forward, leaving a gaping Elrohir behind.

With the arrival of Elrohir and Amros, the subject of Penda living with Will had been dropped. She was glad. The last thing she wanted to do was dredge up her past, a past that she would just as soon forget.

"Penda," Elrohir said, breaking into her thoughts, "may I ask, what is in all of the bundles that we packed on Fallon this morning?”

"Well, there's some carrots for the horses, apples, pears, strawberries, some bread and cheese, two bottles of wine and some tea. Oh, and a special treat from Millie."

"What's the special treat?" he asked.

"Oh, you will find out," she replied, "when we stop for lunch.”

"Penda," Amros said after a few moments of silence, "were you ever trained to use any weapons?"

"Will taught me to use the bow and arrow. He was going to teach me to use long knives, but he started having problems with his back, so he was unable to."

"How well can you use the bow?" asked Elrond.

"Well enough to hunt small game. I miss about half the time."

"Then either Glorfindel or I will help you;we will also teach you the long knife if you still wish to learn."

“Yes I would, Elrond, thank you," she replied, smiling at him.

A short time later they were rejoined by Elladan and Aerandir. While scouting ahead they had found a small clearing, off the road, surrounded by a thick growth of trees; a good place, Elladan told his father, to stop for lunch. There was also a small pond; they would be able to refill any water skins that needed replenishing, and there would be water for the horses also.

In a matte min minutes, they had arrived at the location, and, once Elrond saw it, he had to agree, it was a good place. They would not be visible from the road, but, because of their keen hearing and vision, they would see or hear anyone who may approach. Dismounting, Glorfindel checked the water to make sure it was safe to drink, then began to refill the water skins that needed it. Once he was done, the horses were released to graze and drink their fill of the water.

After seeing that Celahir was alright, Penda took her water skin and headed for the woods. "Penda," Elrond called when he saw her walking away.

Turning she replied, "I just need a few minutes of privacy, milord. I'll be right back."

"Don't wander too far."

"I won't, sir," she replied as she turned and walked into the woods. When they had been riding earlier, her left hand had started to hurt. Looking at it now, she saw that the blisters had burst and were now oozing. r tar taking care of her bodily functions, she used the water in the water skin to clean the open wounds on her hand. She would have to be careful. If Elrond saw her hand like this, he would probably insist that she ride with him. Even though she enjoyed riding in the arms of the Elf Lord, the effects on her body were wearing her thin.

After cleansing her hand she made her way back to the clearing. Stepping out of the woods, she saw that Elladan and Elrohir were busy pulling food from the packs. Penda saw Elladan reach for the pack containing the surprise from Millie. "Stop, Elladan, she yelled as she ran to where he stood. Elladan turned to look at her, wondering what he had done. "I'll take that pack," she said, reaching for it, "it's for after lunch."

"What is it?” asked a curious Elladan.

"Oh, you will see," she replied.