The Teacher

Chap 42

Returning to her room, Penda immediately changed, then headed down to
the kitchen. Once there, it took some coaxing, but she was able to
talk the head cook into allowing her to make some sweet rolls.
Afterwards, she wrapped most of them up, so that she could take them
to Millie. The rest she left in the kitchen for the cook.

Finishing in the kitchen, she went to her room where she studied
until she heard the bells signaling the evening meal. As she left
her room she was met by Elrond.

"I have not seen you since this morning, Penda" he said as they
headed downstairs, "may I assume you were at the festival?"

"Yes, Elrond, I was," she replied, "I also spent some time in the
kitchen making sweet rolls for Millie."

"Like the ones you made at Wills?" Elrond asked.

"Yes milord, the same kind. Millie enjoys them, but she does not
make them for herself very often," Penda replied. "I left some in the
kitchen, I am sure the cook could be persuaded to let you have one or
two if you would like."

Glancing at her, Elrond smiled. "That will not be necessary.
However, I would like it if you could make some for us to eat during
your studies one day; after the festival ends."

"It would be my pleasure, milord," she replied as they entered the
dining hall.

Dinner that evening, as far as Penda was concerned, was a disaster.
Erestor, still upset over her earlier remark, glared at her
constantly. Becoming weary of his glares, Penda left early and
headed for the kitchen. After retrieving the rolls she had made, she
went to find Millie.

Arriving at Millie's tent a short time later, Penda found her busy
cleaning up. Setting the rolls aside, she pushed her sleeves up and
grabbing a bucket and cloth; began to wipe down the tables.
Together, they finished the work quickly and then sat down for some
hot tea and rolls.

"So lass," Millie said as they setteled down, "tell me of this elf
that has caught your eye."

Without revealing Elrond's name, Penda told Millie of her feelings
for him.

"Does he feel the say way for you?" Millie asked.

"I do not know, Millie," Penda replied, "and from Erestor's reaction
earlier, it could cause problems."

"Do not let your father's feelings get in the way," Millie said, "you
are of age now and able to make your own decisions. As far as your
feelings for this elf, give it time. Is he a good elf?"

"Yes Millie, he is."

"Then he will be worth the wait. Give it time and he will see you
for the caring young woman you are. Now come, they have a clearing
set aside for dancing and I am in the mood to kick up my heels."

Laughing, Penda stood and cleared the table; then together they
headed off to dance.


After the evening meal, Elrond made his way to his room. Having
missed the festivities earlier in the day, he had decided to attend
them in the evening. As he was changing from his robes to a more
comfortable pair of leggings and tunic, he heard someone knocking on
his door. Opening it, he saw Erestor standing there.

"Erestor," he said, stepping aside to allow his friend to enter the
room, "is something amiss?"

"No, Mellon," Erestor replied as he walked in. "You are going out?"
he asked once he had noticed that Elrond had changed.

"Yes, I thought I would go down and see how the festival is going."

"I do not want to keep you, milord," Erestor replied as he turned to
leave.

"Nonsense, still, tell me what is on your mind."

"Very well, milord, I need your council on an important matter."

"Oh, concerning what?" Elrond asked as he sat down to slip on his
boots, motion for Erestor to sit as well.

"Not concerning what, milord it is more concerning whom?" Erestor
replied.

"It is Penda. I do not know what to do about her."

"What has she done?" Elrond asked, settling back in his chair.

"She has done nothing wrong, Mellon, however; this morning as we were
talking to her friend Millie, she declared that she was in love with
someone here."

"Oh?" Elrond asked, as he leaned forward, "is that what she said?"

"Well, not in so many words, milord. She said that there is someone
she is interested in."

"Being interested in someone and declaring her love for someone,"
Elrond replied, chuckling, "are two very different things."

"I know Elrond, but I do not know how to handle this; it is
different."

"How so?"

"She is my daughter, Elrond. You have a daughter, what would you
do?' Erestor asked as he stood and began to pace.

Elrond remained quiet for a few moments, deep in thought. He
wondered who it was that had caught Penda's eye.

"I am afraid," Erestor continued, "that I will lose her again."

"Penda is young, Mellon" Elrond said as he stood, "she has never been
in a position such as this. Perhaps, this is just an infatuation.
There is one thing I am sure of though. If you forbid her to see
him, you will lose her."

Sighing, Erestor sat back down.

"Tell me this, Erestor," Elrond continued as he poured them each a
glass of wine "is there anyone here in Imladris that would be a bad
choice for her?"

Erestor thought for a few moments, "None," he finally said, "that I
can think of."

"Then my friend let it rest, trust her judgment. She had a hard life
before coming here, so she has had to learn how to judge people on
her own."

"You are right, of course, Elrond," Erestor said as he stood to
leave, "this parenting is new to me. I believe it may drive me to
sail west before the year is out."

Elrond laughed. "No it will not make you do that, although it will
test your resolve."

"If you will excuse me then, milord, I feel weary from this issue. I
am going to retire for the evening."

"Rest well then, Mellon," Elrond replied as they both left his
room, "and do not worry about Penda."

They walked together for a short time. Reaching the wing of the
house where Erestor's room was, they bid each other good night and
went their separate ways.

Leaving the house, it was evident that the season was changing. The
air seemed crisper and cooler. As he made his way down to and thru
the maze of tents, he spoke to most of the people he saw; biding them
welcome. Hearing a large crowd of merry makers, he made his way to
the clearing that had been set aside for dancing. As he stepped up
to the crowd that was gathered, several people and elves stepped
aside; allowing him to move to the front.

"Would you care for some ale, milord?" he heard a familiar voice ask.

Turning, he saw Millie standing there with a smile on her face and a
large tankard of ale.

"Millie, it is good to see you," he replied, "and yes, I would like
some ale."
Taking the offered drink from her, he took a long drink. It tasted
good. Not sweet like the wine produced from the grapes in the
Imladris vineyard, but good none the less

"You have done wonders with Penda, milord" Millie said as he lowered
the mug from his lips, "her uncle would have been proud."

"Thank you, Millie," he replied, "but all I have done is present her
with new experiences. She is the one that did the work."

They continued speaking as they watched several people dance around
the fire. Suddenly a flash of fiery copper caught his eye. He
watched as Penda was lifted up from where she sat across from him and
was whisked merrily around the fire by one of the humans. After
several trips around, she was released; as the man chose another
partner. Elrond watched as she continued to laugh and dance around,
until she came to a sudden stop.

Lifting a small child into her arms, she continued dancing; causing
the child to laugh as well. Making her way around the fire, she
stopped in front of him; noticing him for the first time. He watched
as the swell of her breasts rose up and down from her heavy
breathing. As his gaze moved upwards, he caught her smiling at him.

After nodding her head, acknowledging his presence she whispered
something to the girl in her arms. The child looked at Elrond and
shook her head. Penda whispered again, and still the child shook her
head. Elrond wondered what she was up to. He would not have long to
wait.

With a burst of laughter, Penda was off again. Making one more trip
around the fire, she once again stopped in front of him. He watched
as the child she held, brought her hand to her lips and then blew him
a kiss. With a smile on both of the girls' faces, Penda danced off
again to return the girl to her mother.


Elrond was stunned. He had not expected that. Feeling someone nudge
his arm, he turned to see Millie watching him.

"New experiences indeed, milord" she said, "well, at least she has
chosen well."


With that, she turned and walked off, not given him time to respond.
Turning back to the fire, he noticed that Penda had disappeared and
wondered where she went. He was still watching the dancers when he
sensed her move up to stand next to him.

"Good evening, Penda," he said without looking at her.

"Good evening, milord" she replied.

They stood next to each other, arms barely touching for several
minutes and then, without a word Elrond turned away and began to walk
back towards the house; Penda walking beside him. As they made their
way back thru the maze of tents, they stopped at a few that were
still open for trading to look at their wares. Finding one that was
selling some type of sausage, Penda purchased enough for the both of
them and encouraged Elrond to try some. He did, but silently wished
he hadn't. Not used to the spices used in the meat, he offered the
rest of his to Penda; which she gladly took. He watched as she
finished off the meat, the juices rolling down her chin. Grabbing a
cloth quicker than she could, he wiped it away.

"Thank you, Elrond," she said quietly as she licked her lips, "I was
a bit sloppy."

Elrond swallowed hard. If only she knew what those small actions did
to him. How he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her until
they were both gasping for breath, and the other things he wanted to
do with her; to her.

"It is alright, Penda," he replied, "I am glad to see that you are
enjoying yourself. Now" he continued as he stood, "if you are done,
shall we continue on our way?"

Nodding her head, Penda stood and together they went back to the main
house. Once inside they made their way to the stairs. There, Elrond
bid her goodnight, saying he had some business to attend to in his
office. As he watched her mount the stairs, he was mesmerized by the
gentle sway of her hips. Feeling himself grow hard, he quickly
retreated to the privacy of his office; where he spent the next few
hours trying his best not to think of the red headed vixen sleeping
upstairs. He was not very successful.

The next few days went quickly. In the mornings, after the morning
meal, Penda would spend several hours reading the books that Elrond
had given her for her studies. Although he had told her she could
dispense of all studies during the festival, she had chosen to
continue with the reading; as she wanted to surprise him. When she
was done she would seek out Elrond or Merenwen and then head for the
festival grounds. For his part Erestor decided to heed Elrond's
words, at least for now; telling himself that it was only natural for
her to grow feelings for someone. The last thing he wanted was to
drive her from his life.

The day before the festival was to end and at Elrond's suggestion,
Penda invited Millie and Tom to take their evening meal in the main
house. Afterwards, Penda showed Millie around the house, including
her room; while Tom joined Elrond and Erestor for some wine.

Later, as they prepared to leave, Millie told Penda that they
intended on leaving for Bree the next morning.

"We are getting old; lass," Millie explained, "and we want to get
started before the roads become crowded."

After saying their goodbyes, Elrond and Erestor went back inside,
giving Penda privacy to say good bye to her friends; knowing the
three friends would probably not meet again.

"I truly wish you could stay longer," Penda said, fighting the tears.

"We wish we could also, Penda," Millie said as she hugged her, "but
we left out oldest in charge of the tavern, and we want to get back
before he sells the place."

"I do not think he would do that," Penda replied, laughing. "But I do
understand."

With one last hug and a promise that they would return the following
year, Millie and Tom headed down the trail that would take them back
to the festival grounds. Penda watched until they disappeared around
a bend in the path and then went inside.