The Teacher

Chapter 38


Penda gasped in surprise when Merenwen nudged her
through the doors to the main dining hall. She was not
ready to face everyone on her own. Turning to leave,
she stepped into Elladan's waiting arms.

"Penda," he exclaimed, "you look beautiful." Taking a
step back, he turned her in his arms. "Come," he said
as he looked her over, "I shall introduce you to
several of our friends." Placing her hand in the crook
of his elbow, he led her away.

"Elrohir," he called out as they approached a small
group of elves, "look who I have found trying to leave
before the festivities begin."

"Ah," Elrohir said as he walked around the group to
where Penda and Elladan stood, "we can not have that,
can we brother."

"No we can not," Elladan replied, "and we must enjoy
her company while we can; before Ada comes to take her
away from us."

Turning his attention to the group, Elladan began to
introduce Penda to everyone. He had just finished when
Elrohir motioned for him to be silent. With her back
turned, Penda did not see Elrond approach the group
until he spoke.

"Good evening, Ada," Elladan said, as Elrond stepped
up behind Penda.

"Good evening, son," the Elf lord replied.

Penda turned to face him.

"She is a vision," he thought to himself as he
swallowed hard. Slowly his eyes roved down her body
and then back up. He watched as the swell of her ample
breasts, exposed by the low cut gown, rose and fell
with each breath that she took. Looking into her eyes,
he smiled. She was blushing lightly, no doubt caused
by his perusal.

"Penda, would you do me the honor of joining me at my
table?"

"The honor Lord Elrond," she replied as she looked up
at him, "would be mine."

Stepping forward, she laid her hand on his offered
arm, allowing herself to be led through the crowd
towards his table. Along the way, she could hear the
soft murmur of the elves voices, all of them wondering
who this woman was that had so captivated their
beloved leader. Arriving at the table, she was seated
to Elrond's right. Once she was settled, Elrond gave a
signal for a bell to be rung, that would start the
festivities.

They were joined by Glorfindel, who sat to Penda's
right, and Erestor, on Elrond's left. Penda watched as
Arwen and Aragorn made their way through the crowd, to
the table, where they took the seats next to Erestor.
Looking out over the other tables she noticed that
Elladan and Elrohir had chosen to sit with the
friends. Once everyone was seated, the food was
brought out. So that all of the inhabitants of
Imladris could enjoy the feast, a number of servers
from a nearby village had been hired to serve the
food. Several trays loaded with various meats, cheese,
breads and fruits were put out in front of Elrond.
Taking Penda's plate, he filled it with something from
each tray. Once he was done with it, he fixed his own.
Looking up she noticed that most of the others were
already done, but had not started eating yet.

"They are waiting for Elrond to finish," Glorfindel
said quietly as he leaned towards her, "they will not
start until he does."

Penda nodded her head in understanding. She watched as
Elrond set his plate down. Then picking up his glass
of wine, he took a long sip. As if on cue, everyone
else began to eat. Taking her fork, Penda began to
push the food around on her plate and after a few
moments she began to eat. Elrond spoke with Erestor
for a few minutes then turned his attention to Penda.
From the corner of his eye, he watched her as she ate
quietly, sipping her wine occasionally to wash the
food down.

Stabbing a piece of meat with his fork, he turned to
her. "Try this," he said as she set her wine glass
down. Opening her mouth, she allowed him to feed her
the morsel. Closing her mouth around the offered meat,
she could not get over the flavor. She knew it was
rabbit, but wondered what they had done to enhance the
flavor.

"It is quiet good, milord," she said after swallowing
the tender meat. "I would be interested to know how it
was seasoned."

"I believe that can be arranged," Elrond replied, "our
cooks are always willing to share their knowledge."

"Have you tried the berries?" Glorfindel asked from
her other side, "they are delicious."

"Yes," Elrond agreed, "eat one, then wash it down with
some of your wine, it helps bring out the flavor."

Picking a large red berry up with her fingers, Penda
bit into it, then took a sip of her wine, as Elrond
had instructed. As she did, a small amount of juice
trickled down her chin. Not wanting it to make a mess
on her gown, Elrond took his napkin and quickly wiped
it away.

"Thank you, milord" she said after swallowing the
fruit and wine.

"My pleasure," he replied as he watched her finish the
fruit.

Picking up another berry, she bit into it and once
again took a sip of her wine. "You were right Elrond
and Glorfindel," she said as she finished the second
berry, "it is delicious."

The two elves continued giving her their undivided
attention, causing some to wonder who would win her
affections. Others, those who knew both of them
better, knew there would be no competition between the
two. They knew that Glorfindel would step aside and
that Elrond would be the victor.

When the meal was finished, Elrond stood and announced
that they would adjourn to the Halls of Fire, for
music, dancing and laments to be sung for Amros.
Penda watched as everyone filtered out of the dining
hall.

"Penda," Elrond said as he knelt down next to her,
taking her small hands into his, "you do not have to
attend."

"I know Elrond," she replied quietly, "but I must if I
want to put this behind me. The people here will
always remember Amros as he was when he left here."


"Very well," Elrond replied releasing her hands as he
stood, "but, you will stay with me."

Taking her hands in his once again, he held them as
she stood. Together, they walked through the crowd,
out of the dining hall and into the Halls of Fire.
Once there, he showed her where she should sit, and
then stood beside her as everyone came in. Several
musicians entered the room, and after settling down,
began to play. As the music filled the room, several
couples ventured out to the middle of the floor and
began to dance.

Sitting forward in her chair, Penda watched as the
elves moved gracefully; marveling at the way they
seemed to glide across the floor.

As Elrond sat down, his eyes scanned the room. Once he
was sure that everyone was enjoying themselves, he
relaxed settling back further into his chair. As he
adjusted his robes, his eyes fell on Penda. He watched
her as she sat forward, her hair falling around her
shoulders.

"She is beautiful," he heard a familiar voice say from
behind. Turning, he saw Erestor standing off to the
side and behind him, also watching Penda.

"Yes, she is," Elrond replied as he motioned for his
friend to sit beside him.

Erestor declined, saying, "I thought perhaps, with
your permission of course, that I would ask her for a
dance."

"You do not need my permission, mellon," Elrond
replied.

"Oh? Are you sure about that?" Erestor replied before
moving to stand next to Penda, giving Elrond no chance
to comment on his remark.

Sensing someone behind her, Penda looked up to see
Erestor standing closer to her. Looking up at him, she
smiled.

"Penda," he said as he looked down at her, "would you
care to dance?"

"I would love to," she replied, "but I never really
learned how. Uncle Will tried to teach me, but I
always stepped on his feet."

Erestor and Elrond both chuckled. "Do not worry,
Penda," Erestor replied as he took her hand, helping
her to her feet, "they have been stepped on many
times. Now come, let us see if we can teach you to
move as gracefully as the elleths who are here."

Leading her to the edge of the dance floor, Erestor
turned to face her. Placing her right hand on his
shoulder, he took her left hand in his and then placed
his free hand at her waist. A short time later, after
a few instructions on how to move her feet, they moved
onto the dance floor.

Looking down at her as they moved, Erestor could not
help but smile. With her petite height, small waist
and ample breasts, not to mention her hair, it was
easy to see why his friend was so attracted to her. In
all his years he had never seen anyone with hair the
color of hers. Yes, he had seen humans with red hair;
one woman especially came to mind. But hers was not
like Penda's, and he had never seen this color on an
elf. If not for Elrond's interest in the girl, he
would probably pursue her himself, he thought.

"You are doing very well, Penda," he commented as they
moved across the floor. "You learn quickly."

"Thank you, Erestor," Penda replied, "I only hope I
can learn the history of the elves and middle earth as
quickly."

"I am sure you will," Erestor replied, "Elrond is very
knowledgeable regarding our history. You could not ask
for a better teacher." Having noticed the band she
wore on her wrist earlier in the evening, he commented
on it. "It is a fine piece of jewelry, Penda; it
matches your gown perfectly."

"Thank you," Penda replied, "it was a gift from my
mother, long ago. It is all I have left of her."

"If you do not mind me asking, where did she get it?"
Erestor asked, intrigued.

"I do not mind Erestor. From what I understand, my
Elven father gave it to her. It has writing on the
inside that I hope will give me an idea of who my
father is. One day soon I will ask Elrond to translate
it for me."

"It just might, Penda," Erestor replied, "is that
something you wish to know?"

"Yes, I have wanted to know for a long time, but I
have never had the opportunity to show it to anyone,
until now."

Erestor became silent as they continued to dance. When
the music stopped a few moments later, he led her back
to where Elrond sat. As they approached Elrond, they
were met by Elladan.

"Dance with me Penda," he said as he took her hand and
led her back out to the dance floor.

Elrond watched as his son began to dance with Penda.
He had thought of doing the same but had become
distracted. By the time he was free, she was already
with Elladan. As he watched them move across the
floor, Glorfindel joined him.

"I thought you would have danced with her, mellon," he
said as he sat down next to his friend.

"I intend to," Elrond replied, "when she has had a
chance to rest. Even now she is dancing with a third
partner, and there are more waiting their turn."

Turning his attention back to the dance floor,
Glorfindel saw that indeed Penda was now dancing with
someone else. Looking around he noticed that a small
group of elves were standing to one side, all
apparently wanting to dance with the young Peredhil.
After a few moments, the music stopped and Penda made
her way back to where Elrond and Glorfindel sat.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Elrond asked as she setteled
down next to him.

"Yes, milord, I did," Penda replied as she turned to
look at him.

"Would you care for something to drink, Penda?"
Glorfindel asked from behind Elrond.

Nodding her head, Penda waited quietly as Glorfindel
poured the offered drink into glasses for her, Elrond
and himself.

"Perhaps," Elrond said as he passed her drink to her,
"you would do me the honor of a dance after you have
rested."

"I would like that very much, Elrond," she replied as
she drank her wine.
They sat in silence, drinking their wine and listening
to the soft music being played. A short time later one
of the musicians announced that they would be taking a
short rest but would return shortly.

As the musicians left Penda heard Erestor speaking
softly to Elrond.

"Penda," Elrond said when his friend was finished, "I
must leave for a short time. However I will return in
time for that dance."

Penda looked at Elrond and then Erestor. "Do not rush
on my account, milord," she replied, "I know you have
more pressing matters to attend to."

With a slight nod of his head, Elrond turned and left
the room, followed closely by Erestor.

"Would you care for more wine?" she heard Glorfindel
ask from where he stood behind her.

"Yes, please," she said as she turned and handed him
her goblet. After pouring the wine, Glorfindel sat
down next to her and for the next few minutes they
talked about the schooling in weaponry that she would
receive from him. Hearing music, Penda looked up to
see that the musicians had returned and were once
again playing. Within a few minutes, the hall was once
again filled with some of the most beautiful music she
had ever heard.

As the music played, she was approached by Elrohir,
Elladan and several of their friends, each asking for,
and receiving, a dance with her. Even Aerandir came in
for a short time. As Penda danced across the room with
him, he explained to her that he would be leaving the
next morning for the Grey Havens.

"I will be escorting Amros's mother," he said as he
spun her around, "and, after much thought, I have
decided to sail West with her."

Penda stopped and looked up at him. In his eyes she
could see the loneliness and despair he felt out of
losing his closest friend.

"Aerandir," she said softly, as they left the dance
floor, and walked out onto one of the many balconies,"
are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes, Penda," he replied, "I am. My parents await me
in the Undying Lands. They sailed West many years ago.
Now with Amros gone and his mother leaving, I…"

"I understand, Aerandir," Penda replied, "what it is
to lose someone dear to the heart"

As they turned to go back inside, Penda began to yawn.
"Would you like me to walk you back to your room, or
are you going to stay a bit longer?" he asked.

"No, it is not necessary. I am a bit tired; it has
been a very long day. But you stay and enjoy
yourself," Penda replied. As she moved to leave,
Aerandir took her hands in his.

"I will not see you again, Penda. I hope that you find
what you seek." Leaning down, he softly kissed the top
of her hands. "Farewell Penda." With that, he turned
and left the room.

Finding Glorfindel, Penda explained to him that she
was tired, and would be retiring for the evening.
After turning down an offer from him to walk her to
her room, she turned and left, in time to see him
closely on the heels of one of the most sought after
elleths in the land.

As she left the Halls of Fire, she realized that some
of the Elves were singing, possibly laments, before
anyone could stop her she quickly headed up the
stairs to her room.