In the Garden

by Sorsha711

Life in the Blessed Land has not been so blessed for Elrond. Can the happiness that has long eluded him be found in a redbound journal, a grieving elleth, and a wish that none thought possible? Perhaps, in the garden…

37. Chapter 37 I Teach

Title: In the Garden, Chapter 37

Author: Sorsha711
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, others implied
Rating: PG-13, ratings will increase in future chapters
Warning: AU (Story set several hundred years after ROTK in Aman); Het.
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive: AFF; FF; OEAM; livejournal
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Lady Victoria for betaing of this fic.

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to Prof. Tolkien. A quick check of my bank account should prove I'm not making anything off of writing my stories. Sigh!
Summary: Life in the Blessed Land has not been so blessed for Elrond. Can the happiness that has long eluded him be found in a red-bound journal, a grieving elleth, and a wish that none thought possible? Perhaps, in the garden…

A/N --- Thanks MK! I can't promise the course of true love will be all smooth sailing… where's the fun in that! More soon!

A/N --- Thanks Jebb! Writing the two perspectives in the journals was a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Poor Elrond is in for a few surprises! WEG!

"I Touch the Future I Teach"

Christa McAuliffe

-----

Chapter 37 --- I Teach

From his position at the top of the main stairs, Elrond watched as children began to flood into the school building, many arriving only a few minutes before the start of the first classes of the fall term. Amused by the reminder that some things never changed, he urged a cluster of elflings chattering excitedly with friends along to their classes.

Smiling in response to the greetings called to him, he slowly made his way through the late arrivals to the back of the second floor to the office he had reserved for his use. He had quickly realised he would be sharing the large, sunny room with most of the other members of the faculty. Opening the door, he found his grandmother had arrived ahead of him.

Bending to place a kiss on Idril's cheek, he reported, "It seems our numbers have not been adversely affected by the scandal my petition to the Valar generated. It looks like we have full attendance in all of the classes."

"You were the only one to fear it would, penneth," she replied, a gentle smile softening her words. "Our students are from the families of Middle-earth. They supported your petition, so the scandal was not a scandal to them. The verdict was a cause for celebration among our people." (young one)

Grinning, he offered, "So, tis a matter of perspective and loyalties, Naneth'ra?"

"Indeed, as it is with most things in life, dear one." Smiling up at him, she announced, "I am meeting with Melpomaen in a few minutes to discuss the next volumes to be copied for our reading library. He has been making good progress in having duplicates made of the books for the elementary classes. Ivorithil and Maereth wish to start giving their classes reading assignments within the next two weeks and he feels his scribes will have the majority of them ready for the children to use."

"Excellent. I wish we could use the books we brought with us, but experience has taught me it is best not to tempt tiny hands with such old and fragile documents," Elrond mused. "Has the list of the books the teachers want copied changed much since I last saw it?"

"Nay… a few books here and there, but it is little changed. Erestor finally settled on the books he will assign." Grinning at the snort of amusement this caused, Idril added, "For such a decisive elf, I was amazed by how long it took him to complete his selections!"

Moving to take a seat behind his desk, Elrond confided, "He was like this when we had the school in Imladris. It became a yearly event to watch Erestor agonise over his assignments. Invariably, he ended up using the same books and scrolls year after year, just as he did this term. None of us understand what causes this one moment of indecision in his character, but it greatly amuses us to watch him work himself into a ball of nervous energy in the days before classes begin."

Chuckling, she agreed. "I had wondered why Glorfindel and Linder seemed to take such pleasure in teasing him about his selections. I now see this is a long-standing family joke!"

Gathering her list and the scrolls containing the class rosters, Idril rose to leave. "Do you have any late additions you wish to add to the list, ion? Since your return from the coast, you have been so busy between the preparations for the term and the meetings with the other leaders of Middle-earth that you have had little time for yourself. The Valar's edict announcing the creation of the Council of Valinor has certainly generated a great deal of tension in some quarters. That is most worrisome." (son)

Sobering at the reminder of the recent spat of unrest in the City, he agreed. "Times are indeed tense. Ingwë refuses to take steps to control the unruly behaviour of the Vanyar youth. He seems to be oblivious to the dangerous atmosphere he is fostering with his ill-considered comments."

"It is not just the youth that need to be controlled, Elrond," the Noldorian Princess observed. "Well you know that there are many among their adults… the King and his middle son most notably, that are the most in need of a reprimand. The news of the Council's formation has only made the divisions more pronounced, for it will greatly curtail the High King's power and authority."

"Indeed, you are right, Naneth'ra," Elrond agreed. "I am convinced that the brush fire that threatened the homes of several of my people last week was the result of arson. I slept better when it was announced that the Valar had activated their sentries to patrol the City. It was only good fortune that one of our guards noticed the fire when she did. Had she not, those homes would have been lost, imperilling many lives. Our warriors are still on alert, but it grieves them so to contemplate defending our people from other Eldar."

"A horrifying prospect to be sure, penneth." Walking around the desk, she dropped an affectionate kiss on the top of his head. "Have faith. We will yet weather this storm and our people will find their place in Aman as the Valar will it." (young one)

Looking up into her loving eyes, Elrond took a moment to reflect upon the changes that had taken place in his life in little more than a year. His relationship with those that had shared his time in the Gardens of Lorien had deepened, finally filling the voids that had long plagued his heart. After millennia spent as a near orphan, he now had his parents, numerous grandparents, uncles and aunts, in addition to the family he had found in Middle-earth. He also had Meril.

Forcing his thoughts back to the discussion at hand, he sighed. "I hope you are right, Naneth'ra, but so much could still go wrong before these differences are resolved. But, I am keeping you. Mel will be waiting."

Nodding, Idril walked to the door. "Do you have any requests for the list? Last chance for now, ion." (son)

"Like Erestor, I will stay with the texts I have used in years past, though I shall spare you the dramatics and offer no last minute hand-wringing," Elrond confirmed, a faint smile teasing his lips.

"That might have been quite entertaining to watch, ion, but, as you say, Mel is waiting." Pausing at the door, she added, "I almost forgot to tell you… Meril came by earlier looking for you. She asked me to tell you she would be in the music rooms when you had time to discuss lesson plans for the advanced music classes. She and Lindir have drafts completed and want your comments so that they can finish them." (son)

Looking up from the paperwork spread across his desk, a bright smile lit his features. "If my choice is to review budgets or spend time with Meril… I will be in the music rooms if I am needed."

His grandmother's knowing chuckle was her only reply.

-----

The soft, lilting tones of a flute drifted out to meet him as he stepped into the central gallery of the top floor for the converted house. To his left, Gwing moved freely about the large, airy room set aside for the art classes. A class of older elflings had begun work on a still-life she had composed in the middle of the room.

In the near corner of the gallery, Glorfindel sat in the middle of a large tarp surrounded by twenty tiny elflings. The group was focused on his lesson in making colours as they enjoyed the messy fun of finger painting. Elrond suppressed a chuckle as he noted the obvious fact that his ancient friend was having as much fun as the elflings.

Turning to his right to follow the sounds of the flute, Elrond slipped quietly past the petitioned classroom where Lindir was lecturing a group of budding young musicians. The dozen or so students sat in rapt attention as the great minstrel assigned parts in an ensemble piece he planned to teach them. A quick review of the class confirmed that it was composed of elflings in their early twenties. This assignment was their first exposure to playing as part of a formal group.

Nodding in response to the morning greetings called to him by the class and its teacher, Elrond resumed his search for the source of the lovely music. Stopping at the doorway into the last of the small practice rooms, he took a moment to enjoy the sight before him. Meril sat in the pool of sunlight that streamed into the room through the open windows, her pale gold hair gleaming in the soft morning light. Lost in her music, the blue fire of her eyes was veiled behind her lashes. Her gentle beauty seemed lit from within by the soaring tune that flowed from her flute.

Content for the moment to watch and listen, Elrond settled his shoulder against the frame of the door and let her music wrap around his spirit. As it always did, the elleth's gift touched in him ways nothing else ever had. He had missed the energy and comfort her company gave him as he had been unable to spend much time with Meril in recent weeks. Other demands had consumed his time and he had spent far too many days denied her company. His spirit drank in the soothing tones of her song like a balm; his heart began to beat a little more rapidly as the nearness of its mate stirred his senses.

Unwilling to disturb her too soon, he let his mind wonder. As they had too often of late, his thoughts turned to the announcement of the creation of the Council. Valinor was still reeling from the shock waves it had caused. Speculation and idle rumours had begun to circulate within hours of the Herald's proclamation. The most troubling of these reports had concerned Ingwë and his immediate demand for an audience with Lord Manwë, the outcome of which had left him in an even more volatile a state than before. Too many had heard his infuriated rantings to discount these accounts as mere rumour.

The weeks that had followed had been marked by an increasingly hostile and unstable atmosphere. Finarfin had moved quickly to embrace the news of the Council and had made it clear he welcomed the elves returned from Middle-earth. His actions had largely calmed the situation among the Noldor.

The same was not the case among the Vanyar and many of the Teleri. Cirdan had achieved some success in counselling his cousin, Olwë, but bitter memories of the Kinslaying at Alqualondë had not abated despite the many millennia that had passed. As with the other groups, the Aman-born Teleri were the most unpredictable.

As his grandmother had noted, the High King's middle son had been as outspoken and incendiary as his sire. Their reckless comments had fired the passions of the idle Vanyar youth. Reports of minor scuffles and not so minor arguments had become a near daily event, most instigated by the Vanyar and Teleri ellyn roaming the City.

Elrond and the other leaders from Middle-earth had been working diligently to defuse as much of the tension as they could. They had organised meetings with their people, especially their youth born in Aman, urging calm and restraint. Thus far, their efforts had kept the situation from disintegrating into total chaos.

/It would seem that Lord Manwë refused to reassure Ingwë that his position would remain unchanged in the new order/ Elrond mused. /I wish I knew exactly what was said, but it cannot have been to the High King's liking. Sadly, he seems oblivious to the fact that he is responsible for much of his own loss of position. The Valar have grown tired of his lack of self-control and have decided he must share his power with those of us from Middle-earth, including the Exiles./

Shrugging off the worry and tension these thoughts generated, Elrond let his attention focus on the elleth before him. Drawn by her music, he quietly moved across the room. Slipping up behind his love, he gently let his hands slide around her waist as he bent to nuzzle her neck. "That is lovely, Lirimaer. You sooth my spirit with your music, even as the sight of you fires my blood with desire for you." (Lovely one)

Tilting her head to encourage his lips to wander, the elleth nestled back against his body as she continued to play. Amused and aroused, Elrond spread a line of kisses over her throat before moving up to nibble the lobe of her ear.

"Ai! Elrond, the middle of a classroom is hardly a suitable place for this, melme!" she gasped as the teasing lips moved on to worry the tip of her small ear. (love)

Chuckling, he pulled back enough to spin her around to face him. "A good point, beloved, but I missed my kiss last night. Erestor and Taerad kept me poring over rosters and schedules until far too late for me to call. Your Uncle and Aunt would not have appreciated my arriving at such an hour."

Reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck, Meril agreed. "Indeed, they would not have. I, on the other hand, would have greatly appreciated your visit."

Giving her a teasing leer, he let her hands tug him down for a lingering kiss. Breaking away reluctantly, he stepped back and pulled her to her feet. "Where are the lesson plans you wanted to discuss? Let us take them and slip away to the rooftop terrace. No one will be there at this hour and we can have a little time to ourselves. We have had far too little of that of late, Meril nin."

Nodding in agreement, Meril moved over to the table that dominated one wall of the room and exchanged her flute for the scrolls containing the lesson plans. Seeing she had found what she needed, he captured her hand to draw her out of the classroom and down a short corridor to the doorway that closed off the steep stairs to the roof. Pulling out the key, Elrond unlocked the door and gestured for her to precede him. Emerging onto the sun-dappled expanse of roof, they took a moment to enjoy the unparalleled view of Valimar that stretched out before them.

The house had been built in the top of one of the highest hills in the City. Fingolfin had taken advantage of that fact and included a private rooftop retreat at the top of the three story house. Ancient ornamental trees grew in massive pots. Summer flowers still bloomed in other containers scattered across the terrace. A towering oak grew next to the house and provided shade for the southern portion of the hidden garden.

Sighing with pleasure, Elrond slipped his arm around Meril's waist and coaxed her in the direction of a grouping of chairs and a small table situated under the trees uppermost branches. Dropping into a large club chair, he tugged her down to sit in his lap. "I wish we had not had to leave the coast so soon… even if we did have to spend most of our time finding ways to hide from my sons. We have so little time together with all that is happening."

"That would have been my wish as well, but I understand that there are many that demand your time, my love. I only want to support you," the elleth offered. "I love you, Elrond. I want to be your partner. I want to help you carry the burdens Eru has placed on your shoulders. Let me."

Shifting to allow her to settle completely against him, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I know this, melme. Until we are married… or at least officially betrothed, we must take care to call no unwanted attention to our courtship. The simple fact that you have cast your lot with me will be enough to make you the target of many vicious gossips that would use you to hurt me and our people's position. I would spare you that if I could." (love)

Twisting to press her lips to the tender skin under his right ear, Meril whispered, "I am not a child, Elrond. I know the gossip our courtship will cause. I have survived worse and then I did not have you to stand at my side. We will weather that storm together. They can say or do nothing that will change my love for you."

Distracted by the teasing kisses, Elrond struggled to refocus his thoughts before trying to answer. "Hannon le, meleth nin. That knowledge means… Ai! Where did you learn that… trick? I thought you were an innocent!" (Thank you, my love)

Pleased with the success of her new skills, the self-satisfied elleth lifted her head to meet his heated gaze. "Humm… did I fail to mention that? I had a long and… enlightening conversation with the other ellith of our family. Gwing and Aunt Silael were particularly helpful and… informative! I was pleased to discover such talks are an ancient, thought seldom discussed, tradition among ellith. It is intended to allow married ellith to share the wisdom of millennia with perspective brides. Apparently, my naneth forbid such a talk during my prior betrothal. I suspect she did not want me to have enough knowledge to finally understand Haldir's conduct and end matters once and for all with him."

Elrond stared at her in shock, and no small amount of horror. "You… talked to the other ellith in our family? About us? About… you asked…?"

Grinning, Meril leaned in to still his questions with a gentle kiss. "Well, of course I did, beloved! And, what do you think I asked, you goose? How else do you think ladies acquire such knowledge? It is not as if I went to your Nana or one of your grandmothers! Besides, Gwing had been waiting for me to come to her and was more than eager to answer my questions."

"Who?"

Tilting her head to meet his eyes, she asked, "Who what, love?"

Swallowing hard, Elrond tried again. "Who else was there? What did… Nay, that I do not want to know! Who?"

Amused by his reaction, Meril fought the desire to collapse against him in laughter. "Well, Gwing and Aunt Silael were there. And Glaurlas, Ivorithil, and Lissë… Taerad, Himiel, and Maidhlos… "

"What? Taerad took part in this… discussion?"

"Indeed. She was most helpful. Lissë, Himiel, Maidhlos and I greatly appreciated her insight and advice on many of the topics we discussed."

Feeling his unease deepen at this news, he sputtered, "My sons and my Ada's ladies took part in this conversation as well? I… wait! Was this the gathering I happened upon in my gardens last week? Please tell me that was not the reason for the laughter that greeted my arrival!"

Loosing the battle to contain her mirth, she began to giggle uncontrollably. /I have never seen Elrond so… He is blushing/ "How would you have me answer this, my love, as you have bidden me not to tell you…"

"All right! I see. And you were asking them about us?"

Pressing a kiss to his throat, Meril sagged weakly against the scandalized peredhel. "Not exactly. In actual fact, they discussed their own mates and… their tricks I believe you called them, for pleasing them. Nothing indiscrete I assure you, beloved. Well, Gwing and my aunt were fairly frank, but it was all most illuminating."

Now speechless at this revelation, Elrond slumped deeper into his chair. /I never knew… Taerad actually… and Silael! Gwing is no surprise, but I do not wish to know what tips she imparted! As for the rest… It is far too early in the day for this conversation! I need a drink, but I can hardly do that at school… in the early morn! I wonder if the others know…

-----

"You knew… and did not warn me!"

Lindir traded an amused smirk with Glorfindel. "Why should we warn you when no one warned any of us? It is a rite of courtship of sorts."

"They have done this before?"

Laugher from the married ellyn spread across the courtyard. Glorfindel offered, "Of course they have… more times than any of us care to consider, meldir. Ellith have been having these talks since the Awakening I suspect. The first time I stumbled into the middle of such a conversation between Taerad and Glaurlas some months before her wedding to Erestor… surely I mentioned something then? I was quite shocked that they would discuss such matters so… frankly. I seem to remember you laughed at my reaction. By the time I married Gwing, I accepted such things as a given." (friend)

"From what you said, I thought they were talking of the wedding DAY, not the wedding night! You were not at all clear on that significant point, meldir! I would have taken due note had you been," Elrond complained. "Did you know this happened, Ada?"

Stunned blue eyes lifted reluctantly to meet his. "Nay, but… it does explain…" A slow smile gradually overtook the former king's features. "Not that I think I will complain, now that I know."

"Surely…"

"What bothers you so in this, Ada?" Elladan asked, a mischievous look passing between the twins. "That they should talk of such matters so frankly…"

"… or that our future wives received the same 'guidance' as yours?" Elrohir concluded.

"I hardly think…"

Breaking into the peredhel's reply before it could become a rant, Erestor demanded, "Where else did you imagine ladies of their station acquired their answers, gwador? Tis hardly a subject we will offer at our school, thought it seems we have a number of possible instructors should that sentiment change." (brother)

"And it is not like ellyn do not talk about such matters themselves. We have all done so and not just discussions of our prospective brides, if I remember correctly," Melpomaen observed, a twinkle in his eyes. "It is a bit a double standard of you to think it wrong of them to do likewise."

"From the grin on your sons and Ereinion's faces, I would say they have already realised the most important part of this ancient feminine tradition," Linder teased. "Judging from the blush on your own face, I do not think it has eluded your notice either. Relax, ion. This is all a part of a normal courtship… something neither of you have ever experienced. Meril only did it out of a desire to please you and the other ellith did it out of a desire to see your courtship succeed. That thought should reassure you." (son)

Gildor's voice broke the sudden quiet. "This is my niece we are discussing. I would ask that we change the topic of conversation… or else Elrond needs to stop hording that bottle of wine he is draining!"

"Ha! I know what you mean, mellon nin!" Glorfindel began. "I felt just the same when I stumbled upon…" (my friend)

Elrond leaned forward to hand Gildor the bottle of wine before settling back in his chair. /I wonder what other shocks I am in for now that I am in a 'normal courtship'? Why did no one warn me/

-----