The Teacher

Chap 40

Most of the inhabitants of Imladris were up by mid morning the
following day. After getting up and taking a long, relaxing bath.
Penda dressed in one of her more modest gowns that had been made for
her. Taking the gold band with her, she went in search of Elrond,
hoping he would be willing to translate the inscription.

After checking the balcony where he usually took his meals and not
finding him, she went to his private study. Tapping lightly on the
door, she heard his familiar voice beacon for her to come in.

"Good morning, Elrond" she said as she walked in, "I hope I'm not
interrupting you."

"Good morning, Penda," Elrond replied as he stood and walked around
to meet her, adding "I am never to busy for a visit from you."

"I am glad, milord, as I have a favor to ask."

"Oh? What can I do for you this morning?" he asked as he motioned for
her to sit down.

Taking a seat, Penda handed him the band. "This band has an
inscription on the inside, which appears to be written in the Elven
language. I thought perhaps you could translate it for me."

"Wait one moment," Elrond replied. Going to the door, he opened it,
said something to the guard standing outside, and then came back.

"This is a fine piece of jewelry, Penda," he said as he sat down
beside her, turning the bracelet in his hands. "If you do not mind my
asking, where did you get it?"

Penda related the story of her mother and Elven father as best as she
could remember. "When he left, he gave my mother that band," she
said as she finished her story.

"And your mothers name?"

"Her name was Elisa," Penda replied.

Turning the band over, Elrond read the inscription. Looking up at
Penda he said, "The inscription is very private and personal, meant
for the eyes of two lovers only."

"Oh," Penda replied as she slumped back, feeling defeated.

"However, it does reveal the name of your father."

"It does?" Penda said as she sat up quickly, "You are sure, milord?"
she asked, not believing what he had said.

"Penda," Elrond continued, "before I reveal his name, you should know
something. He is here in Imladris. He was at the feast last night
and saw the band."

Penda could not believe what she was hearing, her true father, and
here, in Imladris. Standing, she began pacing back and forth in front
of Elrond.

"I have already spoken to him about it," Elrond continued, "and
naturally he is anxious to meet you, to get to know you: if you are
willing."

Stopping in mid stride, Penda turned to face Elrond, "If I am
willing? It is my choice?" she asked.

"Yes, it is your choice. He will respect your wishes."

Sitting down again, Penda sat forward, leaning her head into her
hands. Turning her head, she peered at Elrond.

"Did he tell you, Elrond? Did he tell you why he never came for me?"

"Yes," Elrond replied, "in great detail, but that is for him to speak
to you of."

"It has been a dream of mine; to one day meet him, but only a dream.
I never truly believed it would happen," Penda said quietly. Then
looking at Elrond she said "yes Elrond, I want to meet him."

"Very well, Penda," Elrond said as he stood. Handing the bracelet
back to her, he went to the door. After speaking with the guard
again, he came back and sat down next to her.

"I want you to know Penda, that he regrets not having been there when
you needed him. When he spoke of you, there was gladness in his
eyes, yet sorrow also for he knows what your life was like. He…"

Hearing the door to the room open then close softly, Penda stood. As
she turned to see who had entered the room, Elrond also stood and
took her hand in his.

"Penda," he said quietly, "this is your father; your Ada."

Penda could not believe who was standing there.

"You have your mother's eyes," the elf said as he stepped
forward, "and her hair. How I enjoyed running my hands through it.
It was so soft and thick."

Penda opened her mouth then shut it again quickly. Momentarily
speechless, all she could do was stare at the elf as he walked up to
her.

"You? You are my father?" she asked when she was able to speak again.

"Yes, Penda, I am your Ada," the elf replied as he took her hands in
his.

"I remember your mother as though I saw her yesterday," he said as
they sat down, "her hair was red also, but not like yours. I had
never seen anyone with hair the color of hers, or yours for that
matter."

Clearing his throat, Elrond spoke up. "I will leave the two of you,"
he said as he turned to leave.

"Thank you, mellon," Penda's Ada replied.

Penda quickly turned to look at Elrond, "Stay, please," she said.
She needed him there for the moral support she knew he would give her.

"Of course, Penda, if that is what you wish."

"It is Elrond, and thank you," she replied.

Father and daughter looked at each other. Several long minutes
passed before either one spoke.

"Never in my life," he said, "did I believe this would happen. There
is so much to tell you, where do I begin?"

"Tell me," Penda replied, "how you met my mother."

"Ahh," the elf sighed, as he sat back, making himself more
comfortable, "that was by luck. You see, I was injured after a small
skirmish with several orcs. It happened near the village where your
family lived. I was directed to her by several villagers, as she
worked with herbs and healing potions."

Hearing someone moving, Penda turned to see Elrond settling back down
behind his desk.

"Elisa was very knowledgeable," he continued, "and within a few days
I was healed. I stayed with her and your brothers for three weeks,
regaining my strength, as I had a large amount of the orcish poison
in my system. During that time I never saw her husband. She told me
that it was not unusual for him to stay away for weeks at a time.
After my healing was complete, I helped your mother around her home
for repairs needed to be done."

Closing his eyes, the elf became quiet for a few moments. Deep in
thought, and then he continued.

At night, we would talk; tell each other about our people. As each
day went by, I grew to care for her. Eventually, we became lovers.
You, Penda, are the result of our love for one another."

"Did you know of me, of my birth?" Penda asked.

"I received news that Elisa had borne a child, after my stay with
her. I hoped it was true. When I went in search of an answer, I was
told by several villagers that you had died shortly after birth. I
was, to say the least, devastated. I had asked your mother to come
with me when I first left. I would have raised her sons as my own
but, she refused."

Penda looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"He told you I was dead?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes, Penda," her father replied, "had I known that he lied, I would
have come for you after your mother died but, that was not meant to
be." Reaching up, he wiped the tears from her eyes, hen continued.

"I gave your mother that band the day I left. I told her to use it to
get in touch with me if she ever changed her mind. That if she could
make her way here, then someone would contact me. I recognized it
last night when you wore it to the feast."

Penda stood and walked over to the windows. Looking out, she
wondered how different he life would have been if she had been raised
here, with her true father.

Standing, Elrond walked to the door. After ordering a meal to be
brought in, he turned and spoke.

"I will leave the two of you now. I have sent for your noon meal,
and I will leave instructions that you are not to be disturbed."

"Thank you, mellon" Penda's father said, "for everything."

"Penda," Elrond continued, as he walked up behind her, "if you need
anything, call for me."

"I will, Elrond," she replied as she turned to look up at him, "thank
you."

After leaving them, Elrond made his way up to his rooms, where he
changed into leggings and tunic; then taking his sword, he went in
search of one of his sons to do some sparing.

Several hours later, as he made his way back from the practice
fields; he saw Penda standing on the balcony of her room. Making his
way up to his own room; he had just entered it, when he heard Penda
tapping the connecting door. Opening it, he saw that she had been
crying hard.

"What happened," he asked as she stepped into his room.

"Nothing Elrond, I mean," she replied as she paced the floor, "we
talked, father and I, for a long time. I cannot believe that my
foster father lied to him about me. All my life Elrond, I have
wondered why he had forsaken me; all those years wasted."

Taking her by the hands as she walked by him, Elrond pulled her close
and held her.

"He knew who my father was."

"Yes, he did."

"He could have sent a message at anytime that my mother had died, to
come get me."

"Yes, he could have," Elrond said softly, "but perhaps the Valar
wanted you to stay with your foster father."

"Why would they want that?" she asked as she pulled away from him.

"That is not for us to question, Penda. Perhaps they felt it would
mold you into the person you are now but, that is not something to
dwell on," Elrond said as he turned to face her. "You know who your
father is and he wants to be a part of your life; use this time to
learn of each other. Now, the evening meal will be ready soon; you
should change. When you are done I will walk you down."

"Thank you, Elrond" Penda said as she kissed him softly on the cheek.
Returning to her room, she quickly changed for dinner and was ready
when Elrond called for her a few minutes later.

As they made their way down the hall, they were met by her father.
Together, the three of them continued on to the dining hall, deciding
on the way that until they had a chance to get to know each other
better; the identity of her father would be kept secret.