The Teacher

Chap 41


The next few weeks went by quickly. In the mornings Penda would join
Glorfindel or Elladan and Elrohir for her lessons in weaponry.
Afterwards she would join her father for their noon meal, and then it
was on to Elrond for her lessons on Middle Earth history; as well as
that of the Elves. Evenings would find her in the stables, either
taking care of Celahir or out riding him.

One evening, as she was leaving the stable on the back of the large
stallion, she was met by Arwen.

"Wait here," Arwen said as she rushed in the stable, "I will join
you."

A few moments later, she reappeared on a large grey stallion and
together they rode off. They had been riding for some time when they
decided to stop for a rest. Dismounting, they loosened the saddles
on the horses and then released them; thus allowing the animals to
graze at their leisure.

"Penda," Arwen said as they sat down beneath a tree, "may I ask you
something?"

"Certainly," Penda replied as she leaned against the trunk,
stretching her legs out in front of her.

"It is rather personal in nature."

"That is fine, milady. What is it you wish to know?"

"Understand, Penda" Arwen began, "I am not prone to gossip. However,
I cannot help but notice that you are spending a lot of time with a
certain elf."

"Yes, Arwen, I am. We have our noon meal together everyday."

"Yes, but…I wonder Penda, if you are, oh, how shall I say this?"

"Say what, Arwen?" Penda asked, somewhat irritated.

"Are the two of you involved with each other?"

"Are we what?" Penda asked in surprise.

"Involved, you know lovers?"

Penda gasped. "No, Arwen, we are…"

"I realize it is not by business to interfere but…"

"Arwen," Penda said again, raising her voice, "We are not involved,
he is my father."

Arwen wasn't listening, she continued talking. "There is nothing
wrong with him; he is pleasant on the eyes after all…"

"Arwen," Penda said as she turned to face the elf, putting her hand
lightly over Arwen's mouth, quieting her.

"We are not lovers. He is my father," Penda said quietly as she
dropped her hand.

"Your father."

"Yes, my father."

"But Penda how did you…?"

"It is a long story, milady. We were not going to say anything until
we have become better acquainted."

"I understand completely, Penda. I will not say a word to anyone,
but is it wise to not say anything?"

"Your father and my father both thought it would be better if we
waited for a short time. I expect that one day soon though, it will
be announced."

"Perhaps," Arwen exclaimed as she stood up, "it will be done at the
Fall Harvest Festival. It is in two weeks. People from all over
will gather inside our lands and there shall will be dancing, singing
and trading of crops. Ada will put out some of the wine that is made
here; it is very popular among the humans."

Listening to her Penda suddenly realized that this was the festival
that Arwen's brothers had told her of when they were traveling from
her uncle's home to Imladris. Standing, she joined Arwen as the
elleth walked over to her horse. After tightening the saddles on
their horses, they mounted and headed back to the stable; discussing
the festival as they rode home.

After returning from her ride, Penda was summoned to Elrond's study.
There she found her father waiting with the Elf lord. They had
decided that evening while she was out, that an announcement would be
made regarding their relationship at the beginning of the harvest
festival.

The two weeks went by quickly. There had been a lot of activity
going on during those weeks; getting things ready for the arrival of
all attending but, Penda was not allowed to help. Elrond had decided
to release her from her lessons during the festival, and so, not
wanting her lessons to slacken off too much; she had asked him to
increase the time she spent with him.

Now, here she stood, dressed in one of her finest gowns, standing
between Glorfindel and Erestor: as Elrond made his customary welcome
speech to all who had come.

"Before I release you good people to your revelry, I have one final
announcement to make," Elrond said as he looked around. Many of you
have come to know Penda in the time she has been here. Recently, it
was discovered that her Elven father, someone who she had never met,
is also living among us. They have spent the last few weeks getting
to know each other." Elrond paused and turned to look at Erestor,
Penda and Glorfindel.
Then turning his attention back to the crowd he said, "You welcomed
her as Penda, my student; now, I ask that you welcome her again, as
Penda, daughter of Erestor."

A gasp and murmur could be heard among the gathered elves. They
watched as Glorfindel turned and said something to Erestor. Then
slowly, several elves moved forward to congratulate them. Soon, they
were joined by more. Penda felt overwhelmed. Some of the elves,
especially the elleths had been somewhat stand offish towards her
these past few weeks; now they seemed to be friendlier. Perhaps, she
thought to herself, these were the elleths that her father was known
to spend time with.

After the crowd of well wishers had gone, Penda, joined by Erestor,
began to explore the various tents that were set up. They had been
walking for some time when the aroma of stew cooking caught their
attention. Entering a large tent, they saw numerous tables and
benches spread about. At the back of the tent was a woman bent over a
large pot.

"Excuse, me," Penda said as she stepped forward, "when will…"

"Gracious me," the woman exclaimed as she straightened up, "is that
Penda?"

Penda watched as the woman turned. "Millie!" she exclaimed when she
saw her old friend. Running forward, Penda wrapped her arms around
the woman; hugging her closely.

"I can't believe you are here," she said stepping back.

"I would not have missed this festival, Penda. When news came that
it was to be held her, I told old Tom that he had to bring me."

"I am so glad you came," Penda replied as they sat down, "I have so
much to tell you."

Hearing someone clear their throat, Penda turned to see Erestor still
standing there.

"Ada," she said as she stood, "I am sorry, in my excitement I…"

"No need to apologize, Penda" Erestor replied as he stepped forward.

"Ada, I would like you to meet a dear friend of mine, Millie.
Millie, this is Erestor," Penda said as Erestor bowed.

Taking Millie's hand in his, he brushed the top of it softly with his
lips, causing her to blush.

"It is an honor to meet you, milady," he said as he stood
straight. "Penda speaks highly of you."

"The pleasure is mine, Erestor," Millie replied, as he released her
hand. "Please sit, both of you," she continued as she stood. "Are
you hungry? I have a pot of stew ready."

Before either had a chance to answer, Millie was up and getting bowls
of stew, rolls and something to drink for all of them. Bringing the
food and drink back to the table where Penda and Erestor sat, she set
the tray down, then setteled down across the table from Penda.

They had been eating for several minutes, when Millie finally broke
the silence.

"Tell me Penda, what have you done since you arrived here?"

Putting her spoon down and swallowing her food, Penda looked up at
her friend.

"I have learned many things, Millie," she said. "Elrond is a
wonderful instructor; I believe Uncle Will would have been proud of
me."

Turning she looked at Erestor before continuing.

"But most important, I have learned that Erestor is my Elven father."

Millie, who had been busy eating her stew stopped chewing and looked
at Penda, then Erestor, and then back at Penda. She quickly
swallowed her food.

"No," she exclaimed, "you don't say."

"It is the truth, madam," Erestor said.

Standing, Millie walked around to Penda. Pulling her into her arms,
she hugged her as she said, "I am so happy for you. I know you have
wanted this for a long time."

Releasing Penda, she pulled a very surprised Erestor into her arms,
hugging him as well. "You must tell me how you found each other,"
she said as she released Erestor.

Sliding over on the bench, Erestor made room for Millie to sit
between them and for the next hour or so the three talked about how
Penda's life had changed, and how Erestor had discovered who Penda
was.

"Tell me Penda," Millie said after they were done, "have you met
someone special yet?"

"Penda is very busy right now," Erestor replied, "with her lessons.
She does not have time to form a serious relationship with anyone at
the moment."

Penda and Millie stared at Erestor, not believing what he had just
said.

"While Erestor, Ada, is correct in my being busy," Penda said looking
at Millie, "there is someone who I am very interested in," saying the
last as she looked at Erestor.

"Oh, really, you don't say," Millie replied, either not aware of, or
choosing to ignore the tension that was building between father and
daughter.

"Well then," she continued as she stood and began to clear the
table, "you will have to tell me about him, and soon. Right now
though, I must get more stew going, people will want to eat."
Turning to face Erestor she curtsied, saying, "It was a pleasure to
meet you sir, I hope that we can visit again before my husband and I
return home."

"The pleasure was mine, madam," Erestor replied, "and I look forward
to seeing you and your husband again." With that he turned and
headed out the door, Penda watching as he did.

"Come back later this evening, missy," Millie said after he had
left, "and we will talk more."

"I will Millie, and thank you."

Stepping out the entrance to the tent, Penda looked for her father,
but he was no where in sight. Deciding to let him fume for a while,
Penda wandered through the maze of tents that had been set up;
eventually making her way back to the main house.

~~~~~~~

Erestor was furious. How dare she make a remark like that! She was
too young to start a relationship with anyone. He wondered who this
person was that Penda had an interest in. He would have to talk to
Elrond. Perhaps his friend could tell him how to handle this
situation.