The Teacher

Chap 45

Penda sighed. Having completed all of the lessons Elrond had left,
she had gone to the library in hopes of finding something more to
read. After searching thru numerous books, she had finally picked
one and started to read it. Now, two hours later she had become
restless. Closing the book she stepped out onto the balcony and
looked out over the gardens. It had been more than a month since
Elrond's missive had arrived and still there were no sign of him.
Finally deciding that she didn't want to be inside all day, she
picked her book up and left, returning to her room where she
proceeded to change into a tunic and leggings. As she was changing,
Merenwen came in.

"Penda," she said as she entered the room, "some of the other elleths
and I are going to the saunas, would you care to join us?"

"No thank you," Penda replied, "I thought I would go riding; and if I
can find a private place, perhaps go swimming."

"Ah, then I know the perfect place for you," her friend replied.
After giving Penda directions to a small pond where she was certain
to have the privacy she wanted, Merenwen left.

Taking the pack that she had brought to Imladris, Penda put a drying
cloth and her comb in it, along with her book, then headed down to
the kitchen. There, she put together a bag with cheese, fruit, bread
and a bottle of wine and after placing it into her pack, went down to
the barns. Thirty minutes later she was on Celahir and headed out of
the barn.

Following Merenwen's directions, she rode for almost an hour before
she came upon a group of trees. Taking a trail that wove its way
through the trees, she soon found herself in a small clearing with a
pond in the middle. After putting her pack down near the edge of the
water, she removed Celahir's saddle and bridle, knowing he would not
wander too far. After making sure that no one was approaching, she
stripped down and slipped into the cool water of the pond.

At the same time that Penda was leaving the barn, Elrond was
approaching the lands of Imladris. Pulling his horse to a stop, he
looked down into the valley.

"Another hour, Ada," Elrohir said as he pulled up beside his
father. "Another hour and we can all take a hot bath.

Elrond turned and looked at his son, shaking his head. "There are
more important things than a hot bath, son," Elrond replied as he
nudged his horse forward.

"What else is there?" Elrohir asked as he followed his father.

"The warm, soft arms of a female, dear brother," Elladan said from
behind him, "that is more important."

With that remark everyone laughed. They were all glad their journey
would soon be over. Even the horses sensed that the journeys end was
near as they picked up their pace.

Word had been sent ahead of them of their impending arrival and as
they rode into the main courtyard, they were met by a number of
elves. As they dismounted, several elleths stepped forward and
taking the twins by the hands; led them off.

"Mae govannen, mellon" Elrond said as Erestor walked down the front
steps.

"Mae govannen," Erestor replied.

Turning, Elrond scanned the crowd for the one face that had been on
his mind. Not seeing her, he turned back to Erestor.

"She rode out, almost an hour ago," his friend said, knowing who
Elrond was searching for. Following Elrond up the steps he
continued, saying, "She did not tell me where she was going, but
Merenwen may know. I will send for her."

"Thank you," Elrond replied with a quick glance at Erestor.

Once inside they went to Elrond's library where Erestor poured them
both a glass of wine. Settling down in his favorite chair, Elrond
closed his eyes, weary from his trip.

Setting his wine down on a table next to Elrond, Erestor went to the
door and ordered a meal to be brought in.

"That was not necessary," Elrond said as he watched his friend cross
the room, "but it is appreciated."

They sat in silence for several minutes, both in deep thought.
Finally, after the food had been brought, Erestor spoke.

"She has watched for your return, everyday for the past three weeks."

Elrond looked at his friend in disbelief. "I did not mean for her to…"

"I know, mellon," Erestor replied, "But, she has watched for you. I
tried to reassure her, to tell her that you were possibly delayed
because of the weather, but she would not listen."

"When I am done bathing, I will ride out and look for her."

"You should rest," Erestor replied, "let me send one of the guards
out for her."

"Nay," Elrond replied matter of factly, "I will ride out."

Erestor knew there would be no more discussion; Elrond's mind was
made up. Changing the subject, he asked how the journey had been and
if his council with Galadriel had gone well. Elrond told him of a
small skirmish there had been with several orcs. All though they had
all been dispatched quickly, one of their horses had been injured
during the fight and had to heal before they could continue.

"And yes," he continued, "my council went surprisingly well. Now, if
you will excuse me, I need to wash some of this travel dirt off and
then go find a certain red head."

"Of course, mellon," Erestor replied, "I am sure she will be glad to
see you. Shall I send for Merenwen?"

"Yes, please. Tell her to come to my room in one hour; I should be
finished by then." Standing, Elrond left his library and went to his
room; Erestor left to find Merenwen.

An hour and a half later; with a bottle of wine and directions from
Merenwen, Elrond rode out of the barn. His stallion was resting from
its journey, so he decided to take a young grey mare. The horse had
not been ridden for some time, so it took several minutes for her to
settle down. Once she did though, Elrond was able to relax and allow
his thoughts to wander.


Penda was enjoying her time alone. After swimming for a short time,
she stepped out of the water, climbing up onto a large, flat rock and
stretched out; allowing the sun to dry her skin. Closing her eyes,
she imagined Elrond was lying next to her, his hands caressing her
body. It wasn't long before she had fallen asleep, dreaming of him.

She had been sleeping for several minutes when a sound suddenly woke
her. Sitting up, she looked around. After waiting several minutes
she climbed back down into the water, sure that the sound had been
caused by a small animal nearby. Lazily, she swam across the width
of the pond, thinking that she should head home soon. But the
weather was turning cooler as each day went by and soon she would not
be able to go swimming, so instead, she decided to stay and take
advantage of every minute that she could.


Elrond had no problem finding the spot that Penda had gone to. With
the directions Merenwen had provided, he knew exactly where she was,
and he knew a shorter route than the one she had taken. Arriving at
the cluster of trees he released the mare to graze with Celahir.
Making his way through the trees, he stopped just inside the tree
line and watched as Penda swam across the clear pool of water. As he
watched her, he thought of the dream he had had the night before he
left for Lothlorien. He also thought of Galadriel and her reaction
when he had told the Lady of his dream, she had not been surprised at
all.

They had been walking through her private gardens one day, shortly
after his arrival when she had brought it up.

"Tell me, Elrond" she said as she sat down on a low bench, "of the
dream."

"The dream?" Elrond asked, knowing full well what she spoke of.

"The dream that brought you here to seek my council."

Looking at her, he knew he should not have been surprised that she
knew of it. After all, she had her mirror. After a short time, he
finally spoke, telling her of Penda and how she had come to live in
Imladris. Galadriel listened quietly, not judging him, even when he
told her of his dream. When he was done he sat down next to her,
staring off into the distance.

"For once, My Lady, I do not know what to do," he said quietly. "The
joy she has brought me is more than I could ever ask for. She has a
way of getting under ones skin, so to speak."

"It is not unusual, Elrond," Galadriel replied, "for one to take a
lover when their mate has sailed west. You have been alone for more
than five hundred years. There are many who thought you would have
taken one sooner."

"There have been times when I have thought of it," he replied.

"Yet, this is the first time you have acted on it. What is different
about her?"

"I can not place it on one thing. The way a room seems to brighten
when she steps in, her voice as she stumbles over her language
lessons or perhaps it is her ability to forgive someone; even when
they have hurt her."

Galadriel sat in silence, listening to him. She knew that there had
been problems with his marriage to her daughter, which was why
Celebrian had been visiting her; shortly before her capture and
subsequent torture at the hands of the orcs. It did her heart good
to know that perhaps, Elrond had finally met someone who could truly
make him happy. But, she wanted to know more about the half elf.

"Come," she said as she stood, "you shall look into my mirror,
perhaps it can give you the answer you seek."

Leaving her garden, they made their way down to a small clearing
surrounded by massive mallorn trees. Elrond watched as she drew
water from a small pool and poured it into a large, bowl shaped rock.

"Look into the mirror, Elrond," she said as she stepped back, "tell
me what it is that you see."

Stepping forward Elrond did as she said. He watched as a heavy mist
formed above the mirror, then floated away. Looking into it, he
could see himself standing beside a large bed. Galadriel was there
as well, standing off to one side. There was someone in the bed, and
although he could not see her face he knew it was a female; as she
was giving birth to a child. He watched as one child and then
another was delivered; then the mirror went blank.

"What?" Elrond asked as he looked up at Galadriel.

"The mirror shows us what has been and what could be. It is up to
you to decide what this is. Come," Galadriel said, "we shall go for
now. Perhaps, it will reveal more tomorrow."

Elrond watched as she headed for the stairs that would take her to
her home in the trees. With one last look at the blank mirror, he
followed her.