The Teacher

Chap 35

After leaving Elrond, Penda headed back toward her room. As she made
her way down the hall she nearly ran into Arwen.

"Penda," Arwen said as she walked up, "I am sorry if I said something
to upset you. That was not my intention."

"Do not worry, milady," Penda replied. "I am fine. The events of
these past weeks have been overwhelming."

"I am glad you are okay," Arwen replied, taking Penda's hand. "Now,
we shall go to the seamstress and get some gowns made for you."

"Arwen, I really have enough," Penda said. Spending the afternoon
being fitted for gowns was not how she wanted to spend her first day
in Imladris.

"No, we really must go," Arwen replied as they walked out the door
and towards several smaller buildings. "Besides, your build is very
different than ours and they will need to alter the gowns you already
have. We also have to make sure they can have one ready for tomorrow
night."

Knowing Arwen was right and that she would not win this argument,
Penda gave in, and allowed herself to be led to the seamstress's
rooms.

They spent the next few hours looking over various fabrics and trims.
Having spent the better part of her life in leggings and tunics,
Penda could not understand all the fuss that was being made. After
all, it was just materiel being cut into a shape to properly cover
ones body—as she told the seamstresses.

"A gown," remarked Lessian, the head seamstress, "is more than that.
While being beautiful on its own, its beauty must bring out, not
overwhelm, the inner and outer beauty of the one wearing it. Each
gown made is different, as each of us is different."

"Besides that," Arwen interjected, "there will be many eligible male
elves at the feast, all wanting a glimpse and, perhaps, a dance, with
the female atan that Ada brought back."

"Arwen," Penda replied as she shook her head, "I have no interest in
starting a relationship with anyone." Except with your father, she
thought to herself.

They continued looking through the fabrics, choosing several. Arwen
selected a few also, asking for a few more gowns to be made as well.

When it was time to get her measurements, Penda balked at the idea of
removing her tunic in front of the other females.

"It is done all of the time," Lessian said; "there is nothing to be
ashamed of."

After several more minutes of coaxing and reassurances that no one
else would come in, Penda removed her tunic.

Shortly afterwards, Arwen left. "I must talk to Aragorn before he
leaves again," she asked before leaving. "Will you be alright?"

"Yes, I will be fine. When I finish here, I am going back to my room
for a nap," Penda replied

Once Lessian was done getting the measurements, Penda was allowed to
put her tunic back on.

"Lessian," she said as she did, "is it possible to have a few more
tunics and leggings made as well?"

"Yes it is possible," Lessian replied, "but why would you…"

"I have worn these most of my life," Penda replied, "and I am most
comfortable in them. I will wear gowns for the evening meals and
important occasions."

"Very well, but I will require more measurements," the seamstress
replied.

As she took the required measurements, she asked, "Penda, do you have
any jewelry that you intend to wear tomorrow night?"

"I have a band of gold that fits around my wrist," Penda
replied. "Why do you ask?"

"I want to make sure everything blends together."

A short time later Penda left with an assurance from Lessian that her
gown would be ready by the next afternoon. Intending on taking a nap
before the evening meal, she made her way back to the main house. She
opened a door she had never used before and soon found herself lost.
Entering, she was happy to discover that she was in a large library.

Scanning the titles of many of the books, she soon discovered that a
majority of them were written in an elvish language. Finding one
written in Westron, she setteled down intending on only reading the
first few pages.

Penda woke with a start. Looking down, she saw that her book had
fallen to the floor. As she bent over to pick it up, she glanced out
the window. Seeing that it was already dark outside, she wondered how
long she had slept.

Taking the book with her as she left the library, and once again
wandered down several halls until she found one she was familiar
with. From there she made her way back to her room.

Setting the book down on the chaise lounge, she opened the doors to
her balcony and began to undress. Entering her bathing room, she saw
that several more drying cloths had been set out, as well as some new
soap.

After a long warm bath, Penda put on one of the sheer gowns Merenwen
had brought her and began to brush out her hair. As she gathered the
long thick tress's in her hands to braid it, she heard someone softly
tapping on her door. Pulling all of the hair to one side, she draped
it over one shoulder, allowing it fall down in front of her.

Opening the door, she saw Elrond sanding there, in a tunic, leggings
and soft boots.

"Milord," she said as she stepped aside to allow him in, "I thought
everyone had gone to bed."

"Most of the others are down in the Hall of Fire, however I was on my
way to bed," Elrond replied as he stepped into her room, "when I saw
the lights on under the door." Looking at her, he could not remember
when he had seen anything more beautiful. Her soft, pale skin glowed
through the sheer gown that she was wearing, and her hair. All that
long red hair, pulled to one side, covering one breast as it fell
down past her hips to stop just below her knees. He felt himself
begin to grow hard.

"We missed you at our evening meal tonight," he remarked as he moved
further into the room so that she wouldn't notice, he stopped and
turned to look at her.

"Yes, I feel asleep in a large library and only returned a short time
ago," Penda replied. Just then her stomach chose to growl, causing
her to blush.

Elrond smiled when he heard the sounds coming from her empty
stomach. "You have not eaten then?"

"No, I haven't. I am not sure of the way to the kitchen."

"Then allow me to show you the way," the elf lord replied. "I am
feeling a little hungry myself."

"Thank you, Elrond" Penda replied as she stepped out the door.

"Penda," Elrond called out softly.

"Yes milord?"

"I think perhaps you should come back and put on a robe to cover
yourself a little more," Elrond replied. He admitted to himself that
he was enjoying the view that the gown was giving him. But he also
knew he would never make it to the kitchen and back if she stayed
this way.

Looking down, Penda gasped, wondering what he was thinking. Rushing
back into her room, she found the gown's matching robe and slipped it
on. As she was struggling to pull her hair out of the robe, she
sensed Elrond step up behind her. Gently he pushed her hands away and
took her hair in his, then pulled her hair out, releasing it to fall
down her back.

So soft, like silk, he thought to him self as he did.

"There," he said as she turned to face him, "much better. Now, shall
we go?

Bending his left arm, he slipped her hand up into the elbow, and
together they walked out, headed for the kitchens.