The Teacher

Chap 27

Elrond set Penda down and began to pace. He wondered what Amros had
done to her. What had driven the guard to do something like this?
Elrond had known Amros and his family for many years. After Amros'
father had been killed by orcs, Elrond had become a father figure to
him. There was only one punishment for something like this,
banishment from the lands of Imladris; but first, the guard would be
given a chance to speak in his own defense. How would he…"

"Milord," he heard a soft voice say, "how is Elladan? I did not see
him before I was taken into…"

Elrond turned to look at Penda; he was shocked by what he saw. She
was facing him, still wrapped in his cloak, looking down at the
ground. Even with his heavy cloak wrapped around her, he could see
her shaking, from her ordeal.

"I do not know, Penda," he answered her, as he walked up to
her. "When last I saw him, he was conscious and able to walk with
some help. Aerandir took him back to camp while we came after you."

Looking up into his eyes, she said, "You should go to him. It's what
a father would do."

"And leave you here, alone?" Elrond asked. "No, Penda, I won't do
that. Elladan is in good hands. He would want me to be here with you.
Your safety was all he was concerned with."

She looked at him, tears coming to her eyes. Turning, she walked a
few yards away, and sat down, staring out across the pond.

A short time later, Elrohir was back with the items his father had
asked for. "How is your brother?" Elrond asked as he took the items
and set them down, noting that his son had also brought his bag of
herbs.

"He is well, Ada. His head will ache for a time, but he will recover.
He is furious over what happened. For a moment, when we got back to
camp… " Elladan said with a soft chuckle, "I thought we would have to
sit on him to keep him from Amros."

"Amros," Elrond said, "What did you do with him?"

"He has been tied up; we had to gag him," Elrohir replied.

"Oh? Why is that?"

"He was saying vile things of Penda." Elrohir paused for a moment
then asked, "Ada, why did he do it?" He found it hard to believe
that another elf could do something like this.

"I do not know, son; but he will be given a chance to speak. When we
get back to Imladris, I will hold a special council."

Elrohir looked over to where Penda sat. He watched her as she ran her
fingers through her hair, trying to get the tangles out. "Ada, did
he…?" he asked.

"I do not know son," Elrond replied. "The only thing she has spoken
of is your brothers' condition. Now, go back, see if Glorfindel needs
any help. I will stay here, and help her get cleaned up."

"Yes, Ada," Elrohir said, and then he turned and headed back to camp.

"Penda," Elrond said as he walked up to her and knelt down, "we
should get you dressed." Offering her a bar of soap and a cloth he
added, "I thought perhaps you'd like to wash before you do."

Taking the offered soap and cloth, Penda stood. "Yes, milord," she
replied. Looking at him, she waited until he turned his back, then
dropped the cloak and waded out into the water. When the water was
just above her knees, she sat down and began to work up a good
lather. The soap he had given her had a pleasant smell. She began to
wash her arm enjoying its fragrance. She had just started washing the
dirt off her other arm when she suddenly burst into tears.

Elrond quickly pulled his tunic and boots off, and then waded out to
her. Kneeling down, he took the soap and cloth and began to help her.
First her arm, then across her neck, giving the spot where the knife
had pricked her special attention. As he moved her hair to wash her
back, he could feel her trembling at his touch. He began singing. The
soft soothing sound of his voice had its desired effect and before
long he could feel her relax.

When he was finished he moved around in front of her again, and
gently washed her face. Then, taking her hand he put the soap and
cloth in it, telling her "you'll want to finish. I'll wait on shore
for you."

"Thank you," Penda whispered.

Elrond stood and headed back to shore. Putting his boots and tunic
back on, he waited for Penda to finish washing. A few minutes later
he watched as she stood up. Turning his back to her, he kept it
turned as she returned to shore. He could hear her as she moved
around, drying off and getting dressed.

"I'm ready, milord," he heard her say softly.

Turning, he saw that she had her head down again. Taking his cloak,
he wrapped it around her again and said, "Penda, I know this is hard
for you. But I want to help you get through this. Talking about it
will be the best thing. But I won't push you. When you are ready,
tell me. I will listen."

"I am ashamed of what happened, milord. Ashamed of what I did."

Putting his fingertips under her chin, he tilted her head up, "You
have nothing to be ashamed of," he said quietly. "Whatever you did,
was done because you had to. You are not the blame of any of this."

"Yes, milord," she whispered.

Taking her hand in his, he led her back down the trail towards camp.