Chapter 7 - The School Days :: September 23rd, 3018
"Oh, does the poor princess have a scratch? Is that why everyone is waiting on her hand and foot, while she stays home?" Morwen teased, as I walked through Caras Galadhon with my father the next day.
Since I was injured, both my mother and father insisted I stay home, and Haldir decided to take a day off, leaving the role of Captain to Orophin for the day.
I growled at her. "I would rather be out in the woods than at home, you know that." I hissed.
"You would not be Assistant March Warden had you been the daughter of another." Morwen commented snidely.
"Yes I would." I answered stubbornly.
"No you wouldn't, look how weak you are. A few scratches and you are spent for the week." I raised my eyebrows.
"A few scratches?" I asked, I unraveled the bandage around my arm to show her the hole crusted with dried blood. I distinctly saw her flinch at first glance, but she sooned regained her snobby posture. "A thick Orc arrow through my arm is a scratch?"
"Yes, I would have easily been able to recouperate." Morwen replied. "You are simply weak."
"Weak?" I repeated angrily. "Say that again to me when you have to face dozens of strong Uruks alone on the South Western borders. Say that again to me when you have to keep fighting for your life with an arrow through your arm. Say that to me again when you get slashed in the side and pass out. Say that again to me when." I was cut off.
"You are weak." Morwen hissed.
I raised my arm to strike her in my fury, but my father stopped me. "Violence is not the answer. Let Morwen think what she wants, you already know what she says is not true, so why do you care?" My father said. He was right. I turned around to leave after casting one last glare Morwen's way.
"You are weak!" Morwen called after me.
"If I am weak, Morwen, then you are as helpless as a blind puppy," I answered over my shoulder. I heard her growl in frustration. I was proud of myself for standing up to her and winning the fight without trouble. Much unlike a did years ago.
*~*~*~*~*~*~* :: 3008 Morwen and I have been arch rivals since that first day of school, I'm not quite sure why, I think I just had a bad feeling about her from the beginning. In Caras Galadhon, school is offered if parents want to educate their children from ages 4-12. My father sent me to school once I was 4 years of age, and I was taken out at the age of 10 once I decided I wanted to guard the woods with my father.
I was not exactly a very good student. I got in trouble a lot not just fights but my homework was often not completed. I would be very absent minded during History save when we were learning about great battles, but after that, I would slip back into my own thoughts in boredom. I was a little more attentive, however, in Languages, I found the cultures interesting but homework for this subject was still rarely completed. The only subject, I remember, that I actually enjoyed was Weaponry. To me this was somewhat like play time, we practiced archery, fencing and other arts. The only thing that annoyed me about it was that we had to wear a lot of safety equiptment since this was after all, school.
Notes from the teacher was a regular almost every day. They mostly said things like: 'I am a little worried about Halkira, she does not pay attention in History class and her homework is almost never completed.' Notes about fights (verbal fights, screaming, yelling, arguing) were only sent home every other month. I had trouble keeping my anger in, especially since some of the other Elflings teased me about all the times I get in trouble by the teacher.
My father would tell me that I needed to meditate more and concentrate on keeping my anger in, I was a child! I did not have time for such things. My regular schedule of the school days would be, school, lunch, recess, more classes, another recess, more classes, note from teacher, then home. I would have to wait for my ada to get home from duty, then as soon as he'd walk in the door, I would shove the note into his hands. Haldir would glance at the note then look down at me. "Not another note, Halkira." He would say with disappoitment in his voice. I would nod my head. "Go on up to your room and get ready for bed, I'll sign the note and put it in your school bag." My father would sigh, walking to get a quill pen from the table in the hall.
My mother wasn't exactly pleased either with all the notes I brought home from school. Nor was my Uncle Orophin, my Uncle Rumil seemed to be the only one who thought this was a joke. "I didn't like school much either. It was so boring. Remember all those times I got in trouble, Haldir? Of course, it is probably easier to get away with it now. Back in the days I was going to school, you got hit on the hand with a piece of leather for not listening in class. These days, however, all you get is a note." My father would glare at his brother in a meanigful way. "Rumil, at the moment, all you are doing to help is encouraging Halkira's behaviour." "So?" My Uncle Rumil would ask. "I'm just saying she had best make use of the lack of discipline there is now." "You know how much she looks up to you, if Halkira sees you approve of her behaviour she will continue." My Uncle Orophin said. My Uncle Rumil would shrug him off and go back to play games with me.
One day at school, I got into the worst trouble I have ever been. At recess, Morwen and her group of 'friends' and me and my friends (including Enelya) got into a feud. "My Ada's better than your's. My Ada has a sword." Morwen said. "Yeah, well Halkira's Ada's a March Warden, he could beat your Ada easily." Enelya replied. "Halkira's Ada is stupid." One of Morwen's friend's spat. "He's smarter than you!" I shouted. "No he's not." The girl answered. "Yes he is." "No he's not." "Yes he IS!" "Stop both of you!" Morwen yelled. We all looked at her. "I hate your Ada, he's a dumb Orc." That did it for me. I jumped ontop of Morwen and started punching her. It did not take long for her to start fighting back. We got to our feet, and kept pushing and hitting. All I remember of the fight was grabbing a sword out of the stack in the yard where we practiced for school, unsheathing it, and pressing the blade to Morwen's throat. "Halkira! Just what do you think you are doing!" Shrieked the teacher, striding quickly over to the commotion. She took the sword out of my hand, and grabbed my wrist sternly, pulling me along to the school house.
"I want this note signed and taken to me this night by your father himself. We need to talk." My teacher said, handing me a note to put in my bag with a very stern look upon her face, replacing the normally cheerful and kind smile. "Yes, Ma'am." I grumbled as I stuffed the note into my bag with my head hung so I would not have to meet my teacher's gaze. I slung the bag over my shoulder, mumbling to myself in anger and kicked the door open moodily before beginning to walk home. The other children were also on their way home, they all shot me sympathetic glances, except for Morwen and her group: they just looked back at me and giggled.
I got home and reality hit me with a sharp pang to my stomach: father had said no more archery lessons if he got anymore notes. I put down my bag, took out a quill pen and several pieces of paper. I tried over and over again to forge my father's signature, but I had no luck at all. I sat cross- legged on the floor with the pieces of paper bearing attempted forgeries of my father's signature surrounding me as I tried to think of something that could get me out of this. Uncle Rumil crossed my mind, maybe he could sign it and take it to my teacher. but she said she wanted to talk to my Ada. Perhaps we could say he was sick. but what if she asked him about it someday?
Suddenly, the front door creaked open and my father entered the house. He stopped in his tracks and looked down at me. "What's all this paper?" Haldir asked. "Um. homework." I answered hopefully. Thankfully, he bought the story, and smiled at me. "Any notes from the teacher today?" I glanced guiltily at my bag, then shook my head. "No." My father smiled again and ruffled my hair. "I knew you would come through sooner or later." He said, before setting down his weapons. My father walked passed me and I closed my eyes. Now what would I do?
Later on that evening, I finally mustered up the courage to tell him the truth. "Ada?" I asked, opening the door to his room. "Yes?" My father answered, looking up from his book as he sat in a chair in the corner of the room. "Um, I haven't been completely honest with you today." I said. "What do you mean?" Haldir asked, setting his book aside. "I'm sorry I lied to you, but I thought you would get mad at me." I said, close to tears. "Whatever could you mean, Halkira? Come," My father said, patting his lap. I walked forward and he pulled me into his lap. "What did you lie to me about?" Haldir asked, I looked up into his eyes, he didn't look mad at the moment, just curious, so I pulled out the note from the teacher. "What's this?" "A note from my teacher." I replied, hanging my head, and handing it to him. My father took the note and read it over. "Oh, Halkira, you didn't." He sighed, putting the note down and turning to me. I nodded slowly, this was the first time my father had received any notes about physical fights. "Why didn't you give this to me to begin with?" My father asked. "I was afraid you would be mad at me." I replied, tears starting to fill my eyes again. "Well, of course I am mad," Haldir answered, and with that I bursted out into tears. "But not mad enough yell at you." I hated it when people yelled at me, it made me feel helpless and alone, and my father knew that. "Then, what are you going to do?" I sniffled. "I suppose I will sign the note and talk to your teacher as she requested, but you know you will have to be punished." My father replied, I started crying even harder. "But I won't tell your nanna if you don't want me to." I turned my tear filled eyes back up at him again. "Really?" I asked. "Of course," My father replied, standing up and getting a cloth from the bed side table. "Here, I can't stand to see you cry." Haldir wiped my tears away gently. "But I'm sad, I can't help but cry." I said. "You won't be sad for long." My father answered. I gave him a confused look, before he lifted me up into the air. I giggled and laughed at the sensation. "I didn't know you could fly!" My father exclaimed playfully. "I can't," I giggled. "Only birds can." My father played with me for a bit and everything seemed back to normal.
I had practically forgotten about the note before my father finally said it was getting late and he had better go to see my teacher. My face fell, but I was more happy when Haldir promised he would take me out for an archery lesson before school the next day. Yeah! So he wouldn't take away my archery lessons after all! After my father had left, the house felt rather eerie. It was dark, except for the moonlight that poured in shadows through the windows. I went up to my room and lit a candle. Getting ready for bed, I searched my bookshelf for something to read. Elfling's book, Elfling's book, too easy and boring. I tried to think of something else I could read that was in the house which was not a small fairy tale. The book Ada was reading before I told him about the note. Anything Ada was reading must be of some interest. I hurried down the stairs to the living room; sure enough the book was still there, and I took it up to my room.
I jumped onto my bed in excitement and looked at the book's cover. It looked like a biography of some Elf named Glorfindel. Curiously, I opened the book and started to read. Glorfindel was a wonderful Elf, I came to understand, a noble Elf of Gondolin and chief of the House of the Golden Flower. Glorfindel fled the fall of the city Gondolindrim with Tuor and Idril, and his battle with a Balrog in the Encircling Mountains secured their escape with their son Earendil. Wow, I thought, Earendil was the father of Elrond, Glorfindel was so brave. It is said that he was slain in the Fall of Gondolin, but I find that hard to believe. The door to my room opened and my father walked in. "Halkira, have you seen my boo.k." Haldir's voice fell as he looked upon me sitting on my bed and reading the obviously very advanced book. I looked up at him. "This is a good book, Ada." I said. "You understand it?" My father asked. I nodded. "I think Glorfindel is the greatest Elf ever." I said. "This book is for adults, you know that right?" I nodded. "But it's so interesting." "You are only 6, how could you be capable of reading such an advanced book?" Haldir inquired. I shrugged my shoulders. "I just opened the book and started reading. It's my favourite book now." I said, smiling. My father just stared at me with stunned eyes. "Read to me a paragraph, let me see if you can." Haldir finally said, motioning to the book, leaning against the door way. I picked up the book and read my favourite; when Glorfindel slain the Balrog. When I finished I set the book back down. "Wow, Glorfindel is so brave." I breathed. "It is time for bed now." My father said slowly, walking towards me with awestruck eyes. "Aw, but I want to stay up and read some more!" I pleaded. "It is late, you will not be able to get up early for that archery lesson before school tomorrow." Haldir replied, taking the book from me, and setting it aside. He pulled the blankets up and tucked me in. "Dú maer, muin ield nîn." My father said, kissing my forehead. "Dú maer, Ada." I replied. Haldir blew out the candle and closed my door, leaving me to sleep. I drifted into dreams about Glorfindel and his battle with the Balrog, he would become my idol, next to Ada of course. *~*~*~*~*~*~*
When I wrote this part, I thought it would be fun to try writing something about Halkira's childhood. So, what do ya think? Good? Bad? PLZ REVIEW!!!!
Translations:
Ada: dad/daddy/papa, etc.. (u guys should know that 1 by now!) Dú maer, muin ield nîn: Goodnight, my dear daughter Dú maer, Ada: Goodnight, daddy/dad/papa etc..
"Oh, does the poor princess have a scratch? Is that why everyone is waiting on her hand and foot, while she stays home?" Morwen teased, as I walked through Caras Galadhon with my father the next day.
Since I was injured, both my mother and father insisted I stay home, and Haldir decided to take a day off, leaving the role of Captain to Orophin for the day.
I growled at her. "I would rather be out in the woods than at home, you know that." I hissed.
"You would not be Assistant March Warden had you been the daughter of another." Morwen commented snidely.
"Yes I would." I answered stubbornly.
"No you wouldn't, look how weak you are. A few scratches and you are spent for the week." I raised my eyebrows.
"A few scratches?" I asked, I unraveled the bandage around my arm to show her the hole crusted with dried blood. I distinctly saw her flinch at first glance, but she sooned regained her snobby posture. "A thick Orc arrow through my arm is a scratch?"
"Yes, I would have easily been able to recouperate." Morwen replied. "You are simply weak."
"Weak?" I repeated angrily. "Say that again to me when you have to face dozens of strong Uruks alone on the South Western borders. Say that again to me when you have to keep fighting for your life with an arrow through your arm. Say that to me again when you get slashed in the side and pass out. Say that again to me when." I was cut off.
"You are weak." Morwen hissed.
I raised my arm to strike her in my fury, but my father stopped me. "Violence is not the answer. Let Morwen think what she wants, you already know what she says is not true, so why do you care?" My father said. He was right. I turned around to leave after casting one last glare Morwen's way.
"You are weak!" Morwen called after me.
"If I am weak, Morwen, then you are as helpless as a blind puppy," I answered over my shoulder. I heard her growl in frustration. I was proud of myself for standing up to her and winning the fight without trouble. Much unlike a did years ago.
*~*~*~*~*~*~* :: 3008 Morwen and I have been arch rivals since that first day of school, I'm not quite sure why, I think I just had a bad feeling about her from the beginning. In Caras Galadhon, school is offered if parents want to educate their children from ages 4-12. My father sent me to school once I was 4 years of age, and I was taken out at the age of 10 once I decided I wanted to guard the woods with my father.
I was not exactly a very good student. I got in trouble a lot not just fights but my homework was often not completed. I would be very absent minded during History save when we were learning about great battles, but after that, I would slip back into my own thoughts in boredom. I was a little more attentive, however, in Languages, I found the cultures interesting but homework for this subject was still rarely completed. The only subject, I remember, that I actually enjoyed was Weaponry. To me this was somewhat like play time, we practiced archery, fencing and other arts. The only thing that annoyed me about it was that we had to wear a lot of safety equiptment since this was after all, school.
Notes from the teacher was a regular almost every day. They mostly said things like: 'I am a little worried about Halkira, she does not pay attention in History class and her homework is almost never completed.' Notes about fights (verbal fights, screaming, yelling, arguing) were only sent home every other month. I had trouble keeping my anger in, especially since some of the other Elflings teased me about all the times I get in trouble by the teacher.
My father would tell me that I needed to meditate more and concentrate on keeping my anger in, I was a child! I did not have time for such things. My regular schedule of the school days would be, school, lunch, recess, more classes, another recess, more classes, note from teacher, then home. I would have to wait for my ada to get home from duty, then as soon as he'd walk in the door, I would shove the note into his hands. Haldir would glance at the note then look down at me. "Not another note, Halkira." He would say with disappoitment in his voice. I would nod my head. "Go on up to your room and get ready for bed, I'll sign the note and put it in your school bag." My father would sigh, walking to get a quill pen from the table in the hall.
My mother wasn't exactly pleased either with all the notes I brought home from school. Nor was my Uncle Orophin, my Uncle Rumil seemed to be the only one who thought this was a joke. "I didn't like school much either. It was so boring. Remember all those times I got in trouble, Haldir? Of course, it is probably easier to get away with it now. Back in the days I was going to school, you got hit on the hand with a piece of leather for not listening in class. These days, however, all you get is a note." My father would glare at his brother in a meanigful way. "Rumil, at the moment, all you are doing to help is encouraging Halkira's behaviour." "So?" My Uncle Rumil would ask. "I'm just saying she had best make use of the lack of discipline there is now." "You know how much she looks up to you, if Halkira sees you approve of her behaviour she will continue." My Uncle Orophin said. My Uncle Rumil would shrug him off and go back to play games with me.
One day at school, I got into the worst trouble I have ever been. At recess, Morwen and her group of 'friends' and me and my friends (including Enelya) got into a feud. "My Ada's better than your's. My Ada has a sword." Morwen said. "Yeah, well Halkira's Ada's a March Warden, he could beat your Ada easily." Enelya replied. "Halkira's Ada is stupid." One of Morwen's friend's spat. "He's smarter than you!" I shouted. "No he's not." The girl answered. "Yes he is." "No he's not." "Yes he IS!" "Stop both of you!" Morwen yelled. We all looked at her. "I hate your Ada, he's a dumb Orc." That did it for me. I jumped ontop of Morwen and started punching her. It did not take long for her to start fighting back. We got to our feet, and kept pushing and hitting. All I remember of the fight was grabbing a sword out of the stack in the yard where we practiced for school, unsheathing it, and pressing the blade to Morwen's throat. "Halkira! Just what do you think you are doing!" Shrieked the teacher, striding quickly over to the commotion. She took the sword out of my hand, and grabbed my wrist sternly, pulling me along to the school house.
"I want this note signed and taken to me this night by your father himself. We need to talk." My teacher said, handing me a note to put in my bag with a very stern look upon her face, replacing the normally cheerful and kind smile. "Yes, Ma'am." I grumbled as I stuffed the note into my bag with my head hung so I would not have to meet my teacher's gaze. I slung the bag over my shoulder, mumbling to myself in anger and kicked the door open moodily before beginning to walk home. The other children were also on their way home, they all shot me sympathetic glances, except for Morwen and her group: they just looked back at me and giggled.
I got home and reality hit me with a sharp pang to my stomach: father had said no more archery lessons if he got anymore notes. I put down my bag, took out a quill pen and several pieces of paper. I tried over and over again to forge my father's signature, but I had no luck at all. I sat cross- legged on the floor with the pieces of paper bearing attempted forgeries of my father's signature surrounding me as I tried to think of something that could get me out of this. Uncle Rumil crossed my mind, maybe he could sign it and take it to my teacher. but she said she wanted to talk to my Ada. Perhaps we could say he was sick. but what if she asked him about it someday?
Suddenly, the front door creaked open and my father entered the house. He stopped in his tracks and looked down at me. "What's all this paper?" Haldir asked. "Um. homework." I answered hopefully. Thankfully, he bought the story, and smiled at me. "Any notes from the teacher today?" I glanced guiltily at my bag, then shook my head. "No." My father smiled again and ruffled my hair. "I knew you would come through sooner or later." He said, before setting down his weapons. My father walked passed me and I closed my eyes. Now what would I do?
Later on that evening, I finally mustered up the courage to tell him the truth. "Ada?" I asked, opening the door to his room. "Yes?" My father answered, looking up from his book as he sat in a chair in the corner of the room. "Um, I haven't been completely honest with you today." I said. "What do you mean?" Haldir asked, setting his book aside. "I'm sorry I lied to you, but I thought you would get mad at me." I said, close to tears. "Whatever could you mean, Halkira? Come," My father said, patting his lap. I walked forward and he pulled me into his lap. "What did you lie to me about?" Haldir asked, I looked up into his eyes, he didn't look mad at the moment, just curious, so I pulled out the note from the teacher. "What's this?" "A note from my teacher." I replied, hanging my head, and handing it to him. My father took the note and read it over. "Oh, Halkira, you didn't." He sighed, putting the note down and turning to me. I nodded slowly, this was the first time my father had received any notes about physical fights. "Why didn't you give this to me to begin with?" My father asked. "I was afraid you would be mad at me." I replied, tears starting to fill my eyes again. "Well, of course I am mad," Haldir answered, and with that I bursted out into tears. "But not mad enough yell at you." I hated it when people yelled at me, it made me feel helpless and alone, and my father knew that. "Then, what are you going to do?" I sniffled. "I suppose I will sign the note and talk to your teacher as she requested, but you know you will have to be punished." My father replied, I started crying even harder. "But I won't tell your nanna if you don't want me to." I turned my tear filled eyes back up at him again. "Really?" I asked. "Of course," My father replied, standing up and getting a cloth from the bed side table. "Here, I can't stand to see you cry." Haldir wiped my tears away gently. "But I'm sad, I can't help but cry." I said. "You won't be sad for long." My father answered. I gave him a confused look, before he lifted me up into the air. I giggled and laughed at the sensation. "I didn't know you could fly!" My father exclaimed playfully. "I can't," I giggled. "Only birds can." My father played with me for a bit and everything seemed back to normal.
I had practically forgotten about the note before my father finally said it was getting late and he had better go to see my teacher. My face fell, but I was more happy when Haldir promised he would take me out for an archery lesson before school the next day. Yeah! So he wouldn't take away my archery lessons after all! After my father had left, the house felt rather eerie. It was dark, except for the moonlight that poured in shadows through the windows. I went up to my room and lit a candle. Getting ready for bed, I searched my bookshelf for something to read. Elfling's book, Elfling's book, too easy and boring. I tried to think of something else I could read that was in the house which was not a small fairy tale. The book Ada was reading before I told him about the note. Anything Ada was reading must be of some interest. I hurried down the stairs to the living room; sure enough the book was still there, and I took it up to my room.
I jumped onto my bed in excitement and looked at the book's cover. It looked like a biography of some Elf named Glorfindel. Curiously, I opened the book and started to read. Glorfindel was a wonderful Elf, I came to understand, a noble Elf of Gondolin and chief of the House of the Golden Flower. Glorfindel fled the fall of the city Gondolindrim with Tuor and Idril, and his battle with a Balrog in the Encircling Mountains secured their escape with their son Earendil. Wow, I thought, Earendil was the father of Elrond, Glorfindel was so brave. It is said that he was slain in the Fall of Gondolin, but I find that hard to believe. The door to my room opened and my father walked in. "Halkira, have you seen my boo.k." Haldir's voice fell as he looked upon me sitting on my bed and reading the obviously very advanced book. I looked up at him. "This is a good book, Ada." I said. "You understand it?" My father asked. I nodded. "I think Glorfindel is the greatest Elf ever." I said. "This book is for adults, you know that right?" I nodded. "But it's so interesting." "You are only 6, how could you be capable of reading such an advanced book?" Haldir inquired. I shrugged my shoulders. "I just opened the book and started reading. It's my favourite book now." I said, smiling. My father just stared at me with stunned eyes. "Read to me a paragraph, let me see if you can." Haldir finally said, motioning to the book, leaning against the door way. I picked up the book and read my favourite; when Glorfindel slain the Balrog. When I finished I set the book back down. "Wow, Glorfindel is so brave." I breathed. "It is time for bed now." My father said slowly, walking towards me with awestruck eyes. "Aw, but I want to stay up and read some more!" I pleaded. "It is late, you will not be able to get up early for that archery lesson before school tomorrow." Haldir replied, taking the book from me, and setting it aside. He pulled the blankets up and tucked me in. "Dú maer, muin ield nîn." My father said, kissing my forehead. "Dú maer, Ada." I replied. Haldir blew out the candle and closed my door, leaving me to sleep. I drifted into dreams about Glorfindel and his battle with the Balrog, he would become my idol, next to Ada of course. *~*~*~*~*~*~*
When I wrote this part, I thought it would be fun to try writing something about Halkira's childhood. So, what do ya think? Good? Bad? PLZ REVIEW!!!!
Translations:
Ada: dad/daddy/papa, etc.. (u guys should know that 1 by now!) Dú maer, muin ield nîn: Goodnight, my dear daughter Dú maer, Ada: Goodnight, daddy/dad/papa etc..