The Teacher

“Penda,” Elladan said as he took a second roll off the tray that Will had brought out.

“Yes, Elladan?” she replied.

“These rolls are some of the best I have ever had,” he told her.

“Thank-you, Elladan, I…”

“When we get back to Imladris, will you make more?” he asked.

“Yes Elladan, I will make a full tray of them just for you,” Penda said.

“I’d like some too, please,” Elrohir said.

“And we would…” Amros and Aerandir said in unison.

Elrond put his hand up to silence them; looking at the four, he said, “While I can’t deny that they are very tasty, and I can understand why you want more, but she will be busy with her lessons. I suggest one tray for you to share, if she is willing, agreed?”

“Yes, Ada, we agree,” said Elladan as he turned to Penda. “Agreed,” she said “one tray for you to share.”

They finished eating in silence, enjoying the sounds of the night. Afterwards, Glorfindel, Amros and Aerandir left to make sure the horses were setteled in for the night ;then they were going to patrol the property lines one last time before turning in. Everyone else went inside, as the air was getting cooler. The twins helped Will wrap the rabbit meat and finished packing the provisions. Penda had wanted to help, but Will had lovingly scolded her for trying. “You will cause the pain to come back if you try using your hands,” he told her.

“But Uncle, I want to help,” Penda said, “I hate felling so helpless.”

“I know, I know, but we don’t want to aggravate your injuries” he replied; “now go, sit by the fireplace with Elrond.”

That was the last thing she wanted to do. Every time she was near him , she would start feeling strange. She wished there was another woman around that she could talk to about these feelings. They had her so confused. Quietly, she walked over and sat down in the chair across from Elrond. She didn’t want to disturb him, as he looked as though he was deep in thought.

She was busy daydreaming when suddenly she felt someone touch her knee. She opened her eyes to see Elrond leaning over towards her. “Penda,” he said, “may I see your hands? I’d like to change the bandages and put more salve on them.” He knelt down in front of her, and began to slowly remove the bandages. Penda winced when he finished with the second hand as the bandage was sticking to her skin. “Don’t worry,” Elrond said, “we can soak your hand in some warm water which will loosen it. Stay here and I’ll bring what I need.” He stood and went to her uncle’s bedroom, where his pack was. When he came out he had two small bags with him. She watched him as he moved around the house, gathering bandages, towels and finally two bowls, the larger one filled with warm water. He brought all of the items back over to where she was sitting and set them out on a small table.

“Milord, may I ask, what’s in the bags?” she said as he pulled a stool over so that he could sit in front of her.

“Herbs, Penda,” he replied. “One to soak your hands in- - it will keep the skin soft-- and the other I will mix with water to make the salve.” He poured some of the warm water into the smaller of the two bowls and set it aside. “Now,” he told her, as he put some of the herbs into the other bowl and setteled it on her lap, “put your hands in the water. I promise, it won’t hurt.”

She did as she was told and was amazed that she felt no pain. After a few minutes he was able to pull the rest of the bandage off without causing her any pain. “We will let them soak for a few more minutes, and then we can redress them,” Elrond told her as he mixed the salve. When the time came, he gently lifted each hand from the water and dried it. Then he spread the salve across the worst parts of the burn. “So strong, so gentle,” Penda thought to herself as he applied the salve then re-wrapped her hands. She fought the urge to reach out and put her hand on his. She began to feel warm inside because of his nearness.

“You will need to keep them both wrapped for at least another day, Penda,” she heard him say. She shook her head to clear her mind. “After that we can take them off your right hand, but the left hand will need to stay wrapped longer.”

“Thank you, milord,” Penda replied; then ,standing up and stretching, she said, “I am going on to bed now, Uncle Will.”

”Fine, Penda,” Will replied, as he came out of his bedroom and walked over to where she stood; “you get plenty of rest, you will need it.” Giving Will a kiss on the cheek, Penda turned and said her goodnights to the Elves and once again thanked Elrond for taking care of her hands; then went to her room.

An hour later Will said his goodnights. He wasn’t feeling well and the ache in his chest was back. When he went into Penda’s bedroom he saw her lying on the pallet, the light from the full moon shining down on her. He wished with all his heart that he didn’t have to send her away. She had told him once of all the moves she had been forced to make through the years, but he knew his time was short, and he wanted her safely in Imladris as soon as possible. Slowly he undressed and crawled into bed, hoping the ache in his chest would be gone by morning.


He lay there later that night thinking of HER. By the Gods, he had to have her, and soon. He felt himself grow hard with the thought of her. He reached down to touch himself but stopped. Someone might hear him. He closed his eyes and imagined her lying beneath him. Her legs wrapped around his waist, clinging to him, gasping each time he thrust his hard member into her. Moaning with the pleasure he brought her. He knew he had to stop thinking of her. He had to stop looking at her when no one was watching. There would be plenty of time for that when they returned to Imladris. There would be time for a lot of things. He slowly calmed himself down and went to sleep.