Malorn turned as a knock sounded on his chamber door.

"Come in", he called, expecting Legolas or possibly Thranduil come to fetch him from tending his weapons for lunch. His smile faltered between a look of joy and apprehension as, not his uncle or cousin, but Glorfindel entered his room.

"Master Glorfindel, you have returned", Malorn said, saluting a bit stiffly. "I hope your patrol went well."

"It went as expected", Glorfindel said, motioning for Malorn to take a seat with him. "I will not ignore the obvious, Malorn. I am aware of what occurred a few days ago. Lord Elrond told me everything as soon as I arrived. How are you?"

"I am alright", Malorn murmured sadly. "I am very sorry for my behavior, Master. After all that I have been taught, I should have had better control over my emotions. I am ready to receive whatever discipline you deem necessary."

Glorfindel nodded. "I understand how unfair and cruel Ascal's actions were. In fact, the words I would use to describe them would be 'thoroughly malicious'. However, your response to what Ascal did was also wrong, Penneth. I understand completely where your reaction came from and had these events occurred anywhere but my training classes, I would be the first to justify your actions. But they did not. You instigated a fight with another student during classes that was not part of the controlled environment. There are many weapons in that area capable of hurting or killing another student and that is why there can be no tolerance for any violence on the training fields that is not overseen carefully by a trainer. Do you understand that, Penneth?"

"Aye, Master Glorfindel", Malorn whispered hoarsely, realizing for the first time just how dangerous his actions had truly been. In their fighting, he and Ascal could have knocked over racks with heavy blades, shields, or armor and hit other students with them. It could have badly injured some of the young elflings that were in the beginner classes, elflings he himself had helped train. The thought made him want to vomit. "I am so very sorry and am ashamed of my lack of self-control, especially in that environment."

"I am glad, Malorn. Those feelings will remain with you when you remember this incident and will help you stay in control in the future. As this was your first offence in my classes and I feel you have already learned a valuable lesson, I am making your punishment as lenient as possible. You shall spend one-hour doing stable duty and one-hour cleaning weapons every day for the next week, beginning today after lunch."

Malorn bowed his head in acknowledgement and acceptance of the punishment.

"As of right now, Ascal is suspended and will remain so until further notice. You will not have to worry about him again."

Malorn shifted uncomfortably. "With all due respect, Master, could Ascal not simply receive a punishment similar to mine? We were both in the wrong after all, it was not just him, and he truly is a talented student."

"I think his actions are more than deserving of suspension, Penneth. He is getting appropriate justice for his actions."

Malorn shifted again. "I know it is just punishment, I would expect nothing less from you, but I have been thinking about many things since it all happened. I…I was deserving of exile, if not death, for my actions in Mirkwood and was given a second chance. Cannot he be given one as well?"

Glorfindel found it hard to argue with that reasoning and slowly nodded. "If that is your wish, then I would see it done, Malorn. I will tell Ascal of your mercy toward him. Perhaps that will also change his view toward you."

"Thank you, Master", Malorn said sincerely.

Glorfindel nodded and the pair sat in silence for several moments.

"Do you intend to return to training tomorrow", Glorfindel asked, finally.

"Aye, if you and the other students will have me. I…I will understand if they do not desire my presence anymore however, after what they have learned about me. It is their classes first and if I will cause naught but problems, I will stay away."

"I do not think that will be necessary, but I think perhaps it would be a good idea to reveal your whole story now. It will help the others to empathize with your situation and see just how much Ascal twisted your past."

"I…I suppose I could", Malorn hesitantly agreed. "It cannot do more harm than what Ascal already did."

"Very good. I think you are making the right decision, Penneth. Now how about we head down to lunch. A long patrol certainly gives an elf an appetite."

Malorn smiled as Glorfindel draped his arm over the young elf shoulders and guided him down to the dining hall, the love and forgiveness he felt, even when having to be punished, warming his heart greatly.

Malorn finished his meal promptly and then asked to be excused as soon as he'd finished.

"What is the rush, 'Lor", Legolas asked. "Do you have plans with Vamir this afternoon?"

"N…No", Malorn hesitated, a bit embarrassed. "I, um, have two hours of stable duty and weapons cleaning for the next week because of my part in what happened with Ascal."

Thranduil shot Glorfindel a look of pure ice that would have any other elf cowering at the ElvenKing's feet. Glorfindel didn't flinch. "Really, Glorfindel! I think Malorn's actions could have been excused given the circumstances!"

"No, Uncle", Malorn said before Glorfindel could respond. "What I did was wrong and dangerous. I have grown enough here to have known better than that. I cannot keep receiving special treatment because of my past. It is time for me to face the consequences of my actions bravely and with acceptance, just like you told me a year ago in Mirkwood, Lord Elrond. Life moves on and what happened in the past is now becoming irrelevant to the future. No matter what anyone else says or does, I must learn to remain in control of me. Since I did not remain in control of myself with Ascal, I will labor as anyone else would that behaved the same and I will think long about why I am there and strive not to repeat my mistakes again. It is time for me to move on and stop excusing my behavior now because of things that happened over a year ago."

The room was silent as the group absorbed what Malorn had told them. Malorn in turn stood silently and let them think, desperately hoping he had not overstepped his bounds. He nervously cut his eyes over to Glorfindel to see if he looked angry that Malorn interjected, but the balrog-slayers eyes shone not with disappointment, but rather pride in his student.

"If that is how you truly feel, then I do not see how any one of us has the right to feel otherwise", Elrond said finally. "As painful as it was for you experience Ascal's verbal abuse, I think it has renewed your determination to conquer your remaining anger and strengthened your trust in those who really do love you. Since that is the case, I think we can hardly view all that has happened as completely a curse. There can be blessings mixed in with pain as well. Go then and do what you must, Malorn."

Malorn breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, turning and heading out to the stables to complete his hour there. Thranduil remained quiet as Malorn's speech replayed in his mind again and again. The maturity Malorn now displayed was remarkable. The anger and fear were leaving and being slowly replaced with responsibility and courage. He didn't think he could possibly feel more pride in his nephew's accomplishments.

Elvish Terms:

Penneth – Young one

A quick note to say a big thank you to margie-me for being my 100th reviewer on To Heal a Broken Heart and AraneltheSilvan for being my 100th reviewer on The Courage to Mend! The fact that over 200 times now people have taken a break from their busy lives to leave me encouraging words on my little rambles means so, so very much to me, so an added thank you to every single person who has ever reviewed any of my works. I always look forward to sharing every chapter of every story with all of you. Thank you again for your awesome support and, as always, please review!