The Teacher

Chap 24

The next morning Penda was woken by the sounds of the elves moving around, breaking camp and getting the horses ready.

"Penda," Elrond said as he walked up to her, "it's time to get up. We need to get an early start."

"Just a few more minutes, milord," she said as she rolled over and tried to go back to sleep.

"Nay, Penda," he replied, "it will be a long, hard ride today. Now, up with you." Then, taking a corner of her blanket, he pulled it off her, causing her to become chilled.

Penda shrieked when the cool air hit her. "You didn't have to do that," she said as she jumped up, glaring at him.

"Yes, Penda, I did," he said, smiling as he shook out the blanket.

Penda turned and headed for the woods. When she came out a few minutes later, Elrohir walked up with some bread and fruit. "Ada said we are to leave shortly," he said as he handed her the food. "I thought you might be hungry."

"Thank you, Elrohir, I am," she replied as she took the offered food. "Why does he want to leave so early?"

"He has decided to ride around the edge of the marshes; doing so will add a few hours to our ride," Elrohir said, then he turned and left her to eat in silence.

A short time later they were packed up and ready to leave.

"Penda," Elrond said as he saw her prepare to mount Celahir, "you will be riding with me today."

Penda turned to look at him. "Elrond, I..." she began to say.

Elrond put his hand up, silencing her. "We discussed this last night. Your hand needs to heal; you will ride with me. Elrohir," he said turning to his son, "take her over, help her onto Lölinder, then wait with her.”

"Yes, Ada," Elrohir said; then turning to Penda, he quietly said, "come Penda, do as he says." Then, taking her by the hand, he led her over to the large grey stallion. Putting his hands around her waist he lifted her up into the saddle, then stood and waited for his father.

Having seen what happened, Glorfindel approached Elrond. "Her hand isn't that bad, is it?" he asked.

"No," Elrond replied, "I could see last night that it is alright. But I have a sense of foreboding where she is concerned. I want her as close to me as possible."

"Then I will tell everyone to keep up their guard," Glorfindel replied.

"No, mellon," Elrond said, “no need for that. It is just a feeling, nothing more."

"But, Elrond, we need to be on guard. If anything happens..."

"Yes, I know. Tell everyone to be on their guard while we pass the marshes, no one will suspect anything."

"Yes, milord," Glorfindel replied, then turned and walked over to speak with Elladan and Aerandir.

Elrond went to where Lölinder stood waiting; taking his reins he pulled himself up behind Penda. "Elrohir, we will need to keep our guard up while we pass the marshes, pass it on to Amros," he said to his son, before Elrohir walked away.

"The others have been told, milord," Glorfindel said as he joined his friend.

Wrapping his arm around Penda's waist, Elrond turned to see that everyone was mounted, then with a nudge of his heels, he was off, the rest of the company following behind.

Penda didn't like the idea of riding with Elrond again. Every time she sat near him those warm feelings would start, and this time was no different. Deciding to make the best of it, she leaned back into his chest.

Thinking back to her actions the night before, she realized that she had behaved no differently than the girls at the Prancing Pony. She was ashamed of herself. She had offered herself to Elrond and he turned her down. What must he think of me? she thought to herself. Later, when she had fallen asleep, she had dreamed of him again. It had been a pleasant dream, he had...

"Are you comfortable?" Elrond asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Yes, Elrond, I am, thank you," she replied.

"We did not have time to look at your hand earlier; I will check it when we stop for our noon meal," he told her, then he became quiet.

They rode in silence for a few more hours. Elladan and Elrohir had ridden ahead to scout for trouble and to see if they could find a good place to stop and rest. Eventually, Penda dozed off.

When she woke, she looked off into the distance. She could see the marshes that Elrond had talked about.

"Did you sleep well?" Elrond asked, almost whispering in her ear.

"Yes I did, thank you," she replied. "Elrond, how far will we get today?

"We should arrive at Amon Sûl late this afternoon."

"That was the watch-tower, right?"

"Yes, Penda. Do you know of its history?" Elrond asked.

"I know some of it. Uncle Will was teaching me of its history, shortly before you arrived," she replied.

"You like history, then?"

"Yes, I do. I look forward to learning of the history of my Elven ancestors," she told him.

"As I recall," he said, "just a few days ago, you were determined not to learn. What has changed your mind?"

Penda turned and looked at him, then faced forward again. "What you said last night. About me not being able to change my past," she replied. "I want to apologize, Elrond, for my behavior these past few days. I did not mean to cause you any problems."

"While your apology is accepted, it is not necessary, Penda," Elrond replied. "Under the circumstances, I can understand your reluctance to leave." They both became quiet.

A short time later, the twins rode up. There was no trouble to report of, and they had located a good spot for their afternoon meal. There was plenty of grass and water for the horses, too.

As they neared the location the twins had spoken of, Penda decided to stretch. She slowly raised her arms above her head, causing Elrond's hand to move up, his thumb brushing against the bottom of her breast. Putting her arms back down, she began to move around in the saddle, her bottom brushing up against Elrond, causing him to moan softly.

Seemingly oblivious to what her actions were doing to him. Penda leaned forward, so that she was lying along Lölinder's neck. Elrond tightened his hold on her. On impulse, he looked down, and wished that he hadn't. Her firm little bottom was now snuggled deeply between his legs. He swallowed hard. He could feel himself growing hard, and knew she would too if this continued.

Just then, Glorfindel rode up. Seeing the compromising position Penda had put herself in, he quickly dismounted and walked up to Lölinder.

"Penda," he said as he put his hands up, "let me help you down, before you fall."

As she sat up, she felt Elrond's arousal against her backside. Quickly she turned to look at him. "I am sorry, Elrond," she said quietly, "I didn't..."

Quickly she slid intorfiorfindel's hands, allowing him to help her down. As soon as he released her, she walked off.

"Did she do that on purpose?" Glorfindel asked. looking up at Elrond.

Elrond looked down at his friend. He had decided to stay on his horse until his nerves, and his body, had calmed down.

"Her lack of experience," he said as he watched her disappear behind some trees, "where men are concerned would lead me to believe that she did not
D
Dismounting, he gave his reins to his friend. "Get the food out; see that everyone refills their water skins. I will go talk to her," he said. Then, stepping around Glorfindel he followed the path that Penda had taken.

He found her sitting on the ground among the trees. When she saw him approaching, she quickly stood, turning her back to him.

"Penda," he said quietly as he walked up behind her, "we need to..."

"Milord," Penda said, almost whispering, "I want to apologize to you, first for what just happened and for last night."

"Last night, Penda?"

"You reme whe when we were down by the pond, on the boulder when I offered myself to you."

"Ahh, that," Elrond said quietly. "There is no ..."

"Please, Elrond," Penda said as she turned to face him, "let me finish, before I lose my nerve. I don't know what I was thinking last night," she said as she began to pace in front of him, "offering myself to you the way I did, like one of the girls from the tavern. I was foolish to think you would want me. After all, you are a mighty Elf-lord. You probably have a court full of elleths throwing themselves at you." She stopped, looked at him, and then started to pace again. "They are more experienced in pleasures of the flesh; you could have anyone that you want. Where as I, I am a mere child compared to your years. Inexperienced when it comes to those needs."

"Penda, I..." Elrond said, trying to interrupt her, but she kept talking.

"Then, what I did a few minutes ago. I didn't realize what it would do, what it was doing to you."

"Penda," Elrond said, raising his voice, trying to get her attention, but it didn't work. She continued pacing and rambling.

"Penda, please!" he said, louder this time as he stepped in front of her.

"Ohh," she exclaimed as she bumped into him.

He grabbed her by the arms to keep her from falling.

"Elrond, I..." she began.

"Please, Penda, listen to me," he said as he released her arms. "I believe you when you say that what happened a few moments ago was not done intentionally. As far as last night is concerned, you are not foolish. I do not think any less of you. Your inexperience has nothing to do with my turning you down."

Penda turned her back to him but he continued to talk. "I am honored," he said quietly as he stepped up behind her. Putting his hand on her shoulder, he gave it a soft squeeze. "that you wanted me to be the one who introduces you to the beauty of two bodies joining. But it would have been for the wrong reason and, as I said last night, you would have regretted it this morning. Do you understand?"

Penda turned to face him. "Yes, Elrond, I do."

"Now, I don't know what you have heard, but I assure you, there's no court full of females throwing themselves at me. What I do have are several close advisors, and they are all males; Glorfindel is one of them."

"Should I tell him how I feel? What his closeness does to me? "Elrond, I..." she started, then stopped. No, she would not tell him.

"Yes, Penda?" Elrond replied, arching his eyebrow.

"I think...that is..." she stammered.

Elrond looked down into her eyes. "I think," he said softly, taking her injured hand in his, "that your hand has healed enough for you to ride Celahir this afternoon."

"Yes, I think so, too," she replied gratefully.

"Nowbelibelieve we should go back before the others eat all of our lunch, don't you?" he said as he offered her his arm.

Without answering him, Penda put her hand on his arm and allowed him to lead her from the woods.

~~~****~~~

He watched as Elrond came back with HER. He had seen what she had done to the Elf-lord while on his horse; he knew Elrond had become hard because of it. How could he have not? That firm backside of HERS snuggled deep between the Elf-lords leg’s. They had been gone for some time. Had he taken her again? He pictured in his mind, HER pinned against a tree, while the mighty Elrond took her from behind. Did she enjoy it? Regardless, if she did or not, she would pay for her actions. He would teach her a lesson she would not soon forget.