What Have We Learned?

Disclaimer: I don't own the Silmarillion. That's Tolkien's.

I started writing this after watching the movie "Anna and the King," which, while it had absolutely nothing to do with the Silmarillion, gave me an idea for a story.

Please review! (I'm cool with getting criticism, but if there is a problem with this story, please be specific about it so I can fix it. Thanks)

Chapter 1: Employment

My dear Lady Lumenna,

I was extremely relieved at your offer. Lady Nerdanel and I have had an incredibly difficult time getting a tutor for our sons, so we were pleased to have someone volunteering for the position. Please come to our house this Sunday at 10:00 AM to meet the boys and receive your instructions.

Yours gratefully,

Feanor son of King Finwe of the Noldor

Prince Feanor's letter was very short and to the point, but the effect it had on Lady Lumenna of Alqualonde was profound. She screamed and nearly jumped a foot in the air.

"Valar preserve us, what is it, child?" said her mother, Tasare.

The young woman collapsed into a chair opposite her mother. "Oh, it's amazing, Ma! I've gotten the job!"

"And what job might that be?" asked Tasare, not bothering to look up from her embroidery.

"Ma! Please pay attention to me, I've been talking about this for weeks!" exclaimed Lumenna, pushing a few strands of golden-brown hair off of her forehead. "The job as tutor to Prince Feanor's sons."

Tasare glanced up. "Good heavens! Why on earth would you want that for a job? Tutoring seven boys…I'd never survive. Why can't you just stay home and help me with the housework like a good girl?"

"We've gone over this before, Ma," said Lumenna. "This job will be a chance to get out of Alqualonde— to try new things— to help people. I don't want to sit around the house doing embroidery and waiting for someone to propose to me. I want to go out and do something!"

"All right, all right, child," said Tasare amiably. "If that's what you really want. But it won't be easy, I warn you. These Noldor can be awfully stubborn, from what I've heard."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Lumenna checked the clock and stood up sharply. "My stars, is that the time? I'd better get packing. I'll be moving to Tirion tomorrow."

"Moving?" said Tasare, sitting up straighter. "You never said anything about moving!"

"Ma, I must've told you a dozen times! 'If I get this job,' I said, 'I'll be moving to Tirion and coming home on weekends.' Weren't you listening?"

"I can't be expected to keep everything straight," said Tasare. "I'm only one woman. But enough talk, let's get packing."

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The next day, Lumenna grabbed her bags, bid farewell to her mother, and got on the carriage that would take her to Tirion.

"So, milady," said the carriage driver, a dark-haired gentleman with thick, bushy eyebrows. "Why are you off to the City?"

"I've gotten a teaching position with a very wealthy family there," explained Lumenna. "I want to earn a bit of money for myself, before I settle down, you know."

"That's wise," said the driver, nodding approvingly. "I think that it's good for a girl to work for a while before she gets married. Get used to the world and all. So who will you be working for?"

"I'll be teaching Prince Feanor's sons," said Lumenna.

The driver frowned. "You'll have your work cut out for you then. I've heard that those boys are nearly impossible. The oldest's a devil, and the second one is just odd. The other five…they're just as bad. Stubborn as their father and spoiled rotten."

Lumenna was unnerved a bit at hearing this, but kept her composure. "I'm sure I'll be fine."

"You're a brave girl," said the driver with a shrug. They spoke no more for the rest of the long ride.

Several hours later, the carriage arrived in Tirion and pulled up beside a large, fancy-looking white house. Lumenna could feel her heart starting to beat faster. This was it…this was the house she'd be living in five days a week from now on. If she survived, that was.

"House of Feanor, milady," said the driver. "Need help with your bags?"

"Oh…no," said Lumenna quickly. "I can get them." She pulled her heavy bags out of the carriage and smiled at the driver. "Thanks for the ride."

He nodded. "Anytime, milady. Good luck…" The carriage drove off before he finished his sentence, but Lumenna knew what he would have said— you're going to need it.

Summoning up all her courage (of which there wasn't much), she knocked on the door. It was opened a second later by a woman in a grey dress with disheveled copper hair and emerald-green eyes. She brightened when she saw Lumenna.

"So yer here, then!" she said in a strong Northeastern accent. "Ye are the new tutor, aren't ye? Lady Lumenna?"

"Er…yes, I am," said Lumenna.

"Excellent! I'm Lady Nerdanel. Come in and put down yer bags."

Lumenna was temporarily shocked. This friendly, down-to-earth woman was Feanor's wife? If so, maybe working here wouldn't be too bad. She set down her luggage in the entrance and followed Nerdanel down the hall.

Nerdanel knocked on the third door they came to. "Feanor? Lady Lumenna is here."

"Ah, yes. Bring her in."

Notes: Same as with my other story— I know that Nerdanel has a weird accent. It just worked for her. Don't kill me.

And I use English names for the days of the week instead of Elvish, because I forgot the Elvish names for the days of the week and what does it really matter anyway?