The Teacher

Chap34,part B

“Ahh, Penda,” Glorfindel said as she stepped outside. “We were beginning to worry that you would miss the noon meal.” He stood and walked over to her. Taking her by the hand, he led her to a chair between himself and Elrohir.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” she said as she took the offered seat. “I was busy…”

“There is no need to explain, Penda,” Elrond cut in. “No one expected you any earlier. We all know how grueling the past weeks have been for you.”

“Would you care for some wine, Penda?” Elrohir asked. Before she could answer, he picked up her glass and poured some for her.

“If everyone is ready?” Elrond asked once the wine was poured.

“Ada, will Arwen andel bel be joining us?” Elladan asked as his father signaled for the servants to start bringing in the trays of food.

“No, son, they have gone riding for day,day,” Elrond replied, “but I expect them for dinner.”

The trays were passed around, and everyone filled their plates with fruit, cheese and bread. The meal had barely begun when the doors were flung open. Penda watched as a tall, young elleth, with long black hair, came rushing in.

“Arwen,” exclaimed Elladan, “we thought you were riding with Aragorn.”

“I will not be riding with him again anytime soon!” Arwen replied as she took her place next to her brother.

“Oh, ohh,” said Elrohir, “do we detect a little lover’s quarrel?”

“That,” Arwen answered as she poured herself some wine, “is none of your concern.”

Penda sat quietly and listened as Elladan and Elrohir baited and teased their sister. A few moments later, a tall, dark haired man joined them.

“Aragorn,” Glorfindel said as the man sat down next to Arwen, “it is good to see you.”

“Likewise, mellon” Aragorn replied as he stared across the table, first at Glorfi and and then at Penda.

“Penda,” Elrond said drawing her from her thoughts, “I would like you to meet my daughter, Arwen, and my foster son, Aragorn.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Penda said as she looked at the couple sitting across from her. “Your father has told me much about you.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Aragorn replied, “and may I offer my condolences at the recent loss of your uncle.”

“May I offer my condolences as well,” Arwen piped in, “to have lost someone so close to your heart, and then to go through the attack.”

“The attack?” Penda asked as she looked from Arwen to Elrond then back at Arwen.

“When the orcs attacked. The one that took Amros’s life.”

“Yes, it was frightening. The death of Amros,” she continued, looking down, “was a great loss.”

“Penda,” Elrond said, trying to change the subject, “I had several gowns sent to your room. Did they not fit?”

“No, my Lord Elrond…” Her voice trailed off, and she felt her face color. I mean yes,” she said after a moment’s pause..

“What I mean is, they look as though they will fit.”

“Yet, you are not wearing one, as I requested.”

”No, milord. I was already dressed, and saw no need to change.

“Very well,” Elrond replied, “but I must insist that you wear one to dinner this evening.” Getting his daughter’s attention, he continued. “Arwen, when you and Penda have finished, please take her to the seamstress. See that a few more gowns are made, and see if they can have one ready for tomorrow night’s feast.”

“What feast is that, Ada?” Elladan asked. He, Aragorn, and Elrohir had been discussing their trip, and the incident with the chickens. But now, with talk of a feast, the chickens were quickly forgotten.

“Your sister,” Elrond explained, “has planned a feast for rrowrrow night, in honor of our return, and to welcome Penda.”

“We will also be honoring Amros’ death,” Arwen added.

Penda paled. She could not believe what she was hearing. They were going to honor Amros, for what they believed he had done. Standing, she quickly excused herself and went back inside. She needed to be somewhere else, but she wasn’t sure where. Finding one of the house guards, she asked for and received directions to the stables. She quickly made her way outside and headed in the direction he had indicated.


“Ada, what did I…?” Arwen said, not understanding what had happened.

“Do not worry, Arwen,” Elrond replied as he stood. “I will go and speak with her.” Walking over to Arwen, he leaned down and softly kissed her on the cheek. “You and Aragorn take care of your differences while I am gone, and I will see you at dinner.” With that, he turned and went back inside.

As he entered the hall, he saw the same guard that Penda had spoken to. After finding out her destination, he returned to his rooms. Removing his robes, he replaced them with leggings and a tunic. A short time later he was headed for the stables. He was not afraid that she would try to leave. Celahir had been released into a large, fenced pasture with several other horses; it would take her some time to find out where, and he knew she would not leave the stallion behind.

He heard her in the barn before he saw her. Not finding Celahir where she felt he should be, she began to take her anger and pain out on the stable hand.

“Who, may I ask, told you to send him out to the pastures?” she demanded. With her back to the door, she did not see Elrond come in.

“Milady, I…” the young man stammered. Looking past her, he saw Elrond standing just inside the door. He was glad. He did not know how much longer he could have listened to her.

“Go about your business, Eli,” Elrond said.

Quickly, Eli stepped around Penda and rushed out of the barn.

Turning when she heard Elrond’s voice, she stared at him.

“You scared him,” he said casually.

Choosing to ignore his remark, Penda asked, “Why did you have Celahir sent out?”

“He needed the rest, as do all of us,” was all Elrond would say.

She stood there and watched as Elrond approached one of the horses standing in its stall, and began to rub its nose. Once her anger had subsided, Penda approached the stall also.
Standing next to Elrond, she reached out and began to run her hand down the horse’s neck.

“Penda,” Elrond said quietly as they continued to pet the horse, “tell me what you are feeling.”

“You know what I am feeling,” she stuttered, trying to hold back the tears.

“I want to hear you say it.”

“Anger. I am angry that Amros will be glorified tomorrow night for something he did not do. He did not die battling the enemy, Elrond. He died because he was unable to defend himself.”

Penda saw that Elrond noticed the tremor in her voice. The horse also sensed it and moved away, knowing her master would help the girl.

“He was tied,” Penda whispered, “because of his attack on Elladan and myself. I know that I asked that his mother not be told, but I didn’t realize this would be done,” she said as she broke down in tears.

Moving closer, Elrond wrapped his arms around her, and drew her to him. Burying her face in his chest, her shoulders heaved with her sobs.

“Those feelings are natural,” Elrond whispered softly. “I know it is hard,” he continued, “having to pretend that it did not happen when you are with others; that…” he stopped speaking when he heard her whisper, barely audible.

“How will I learn to trust anyone?”

“How indeed?” Elrond thought to himself. “In time,” he said as he dropped one arm to rest around her waist, “with the right person, you will learn.” Using his other hand, he tilted her head up. Looking into her tear stained eyes; he longed to kiss the pain and tears away.

“I promise Penda, you will trust again. You cannot let Amros control your life.” Releasing her, he stepped back. “Tomorrow, after the feast, we will all adjourn to the Hall of Fire, where songs will be sung in his honor. You do not have to attend if you do not wish to.”

“Thank you, Elrond,” Penda replied as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

“Now, shall we go back up to the house?” he asked.

Nodding they turned and walked back to the main house; Elrond, his head held high, and Penda with her head down, so no one would see that she had been crying.

As they approached the house, Elrond could see the balconies to both his and Penda’s rooms. Remembering the incident that morning he stopped her.

“Penda, this morning, when you were on the balcony, were you aware that…”

“Aware of what, Elrond?”

“That your gown is…?”

“Is what?”

“To put it delicately, I think you should wear a robe over your gown when you out outside. The view was…”

“The view? Ah,” Penda replied. “Do not worry. I have spoken to Merenwen and she is going to bring me a robe.”

“Very well,” Elrond replied, glad it had gone smoother than he expected, especially after the incident in the barn.

“Is there anything else, Elrond?” Penda asked, waiting to see if he would mention the coverlet.

“No, that is all,” he replied as he turned and continued on his way. “Thank you,” he said as he turned and looked back her. Walking up the steps, he went back inside, Penda following a few moments later.

TBC


Pat
Elven name:Ninde Nenharma

Éomer: Now is the hour! Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken, now
fulfill them all! For lord and land!

Elrond: Ónen i-Estel Edain. (I give hope to Men)

Aragorn: Ú-chebin estel anim. (I keep none for myself.)