The Teacher

Chap 39

Entering her room, Penda began to undress; removing her gown, she
laid it out across the foot of the bed. After slipping into a
nightgown and washing up she opened one set of balcony doors and
stepped out into the cool night air. Leaning against the wall, she
began to slowly release the braids from her hair; as she listened to
the soft music coming from the great hall below. Finishing with her
hair, she went back inside to retrieve a brush. As she did, she
heard a light tapping on the door that connected her room to
Elrond's. As she moved to open it, she stopped long enough to slip a
matching robe over her gown.

Opening the door she saw Elrond standing there. Gone was the circlet
of mithril, the intricately detailed robes and carefully plaited
hair. Instead he wore a light brown tunic, leggings and boots, his
hair unbound, framing his face. Her eyes roving over him, she
suddenly pictured him completely unclothed, and wondered if he would
still be as imposing as he was now. She blushed at the thought.

"Are you alright?" he asked as he stepped past her, into the room.
Penda shook her head, clearing her thoughts.

"Yes, milord," she replied as she turned to him, "I am fine."

Turning to face her, Elrond made a mental note to himself to ask the
seamstress to use a less revealing material on Penda's nightgowns.
Yes, she was wearing a robe over it, as he had asked, but it only
seemed to add to the allure of her well shaped form.

Staring at each other for several moments, Penda was the first to
speak, breaking the silence.

"Was there something you need, milord?" she asked as she slipped
around him, brushing her hair as she did.

"I wanted to apologize for not returning sooner," he said as he moved
to stand behind her. Taking the brush from her, he began to pull it
through her hair, enjoying the silky smoothness of the long tress as
he did.

"My talk with Erestor took longer than expected. When I returned, I
was told that you had retired for the evening."

"No apology is necessary, Elrond," Penda replied, "I am sure whatever
it was that kept you, was more important."

Putting the brush down Elrond turned her to face him. "It was
important, Penda, but no more important than you. Now," he said as
he took her hand in his, "if you are not too tired, perhaps we can
still have that dance."

Looking up at him, she gave him a slight nod and smile.

With that, he took her hand in his, and wrapping his other hand
around her waist, he pulled her closer. With her free hand resting
on his shoulder, they began to move across the floor slowly; as the
music from below filled the room. Eventually, Penda rested her head
against his chest, listening to his heart beat. As she did, his hand
fell from her waist, to rest on her hip. They continued dancing
through several songs, until well after the music had stopped. By
then, their movements had also come close to a stop.

With his head bent down, Elrond rested his cheek against the top of
her head. Standing in the middle of her room, holding each other,
Elrond could not help but smile. It had been a long time since he
had danced like this, and he was sorry that he had to end. Turning
his head slightly, he softly kissed the top of her head.

"Penda…," he said softly.

"Hmmm…"

"The music has stopped."

"Yes it has, milord," she replied, "quiet some time ago."

"Yet, we are still dancing."

"Yes, milord, we are."

Penda gave no sign of releasing him, so they continued dancing, until
finally Elrond stopped. Releasing her hand, he tilted her chin up
and looked into her eyes.

"You are tired, little one, you should get some sleep."

"Yes, Elrond," was her only response.

Dropping his hand from her waist, he led her to the massive bed.
Moving to stand behind her, he slipped her robe off, laying it across
the bed. Penda crawled in under the blankets. After adjusting her
covers, he leaned down and gently kissed her on the cheek.

"Good night, Penda," he said softly.

"Good night, milord," she replied quietly as she drifted off to sleep.

For a short time after she fell asleep, Elrond stood over her,
watching. Then, quietly he left the room, closing the door behind
him.