Disclaimer: I own only Margaret, Sulwen, and Calin

Margaret walked the dirt path that she knew lead to the bridge over the small stream. It had been about a month since she had her meeting with Elrond. The memory of her mother was not forgotten, but the grief had lessened considerably. Still, it was not gone. Still, Margaret cried herself to sleep.

Sitting down on the wooden bridge, Margaret stared into the bubbling stream. The water splashed over the small rocks and ran swiftly past. Little tad polls could be seen swimming in the shallow parts of the water. A little ways up the stream, a family of ducklings played along side their mother. Nature painted a beautiful picture.

Margaret felt the hot sun beating down on her. She stood up, and walked along the edge of the stream until she came to a large, flat rock. Removing her shoes and socks, Margaret sat on top of the rock, and stuck her feet into the water. She enjoyed the feeling of the cool water against her warm skin, and thought about what had happened the past few weeks.

She had begun her lesson in Elvish just a few days after Elrond had told her that she would be educated. It was actually Sulwen who was teaching her. Margaret had learn many new phrases and words. She could greet someone in Elvish an ask how they were or how there day was going. She could also answer the question if someone asked her. Margaret met Sulwen twice a week for lessons, but sometimes, when Sulwen helped Margaret to ready for the day, she would speak to her in Elvish.

Then there was the lessons in Elvish lore. Elrond and Glorfindel had looked horrified the day Margaret had told them she had no idea who or what Eru and the Valar were. The next day Elrond insisted she start her lessons on history and on Arda.

The day Margaret had gone for the lessons was a scary one. Glorfindel had told her that she would be learning about the Valar and how they created Arda. He said she would learn all about the First Age and the world that was. Margaret had never been to school before, but she was quite sure that the children, who went to school in New York, never learned about this.

So Margaret had timidly knocked on the great oak doors that lead to Elronds library. She had greeted her teacher in an Elvish fashion, the way Sulwen had taught her. The teacher had kindly greeted her back, and introduced himself as Calin.

Calin had begun the lesson by teaching her who the Valar were and what they did for Arda. He taught all about Eru, the creator. By the time Calin was done, Margaret was frustrated at how she would remember all this.

Calin had simply smiled, and handed her a book. " Here are all the names and gifts of the Valar," he had said, " This book goes into a more extensive description of them. Read it and study it. In two weeks, I will give you an exam on the Valar. I trust that I do not need to remind you who Eru is?"

" No," Margaret had replied, " But Calin? How am I suppose to read this? It is written in Elvish."

" You are learning Elvish, are you not?"

"Yes."

" Then have Sulwen help you," said Calin.

So Margaret had ended up asking Sulwen to read the book on the Valar to her. She knew now, why Elrond and Glorfindel had been so horrified. She smiled, knowing that she would never again forget.

Now, Margaret had been very restless sitting around Elronds home. So, with permission, Margaret had gone outside and explored every nook and cranny in Imladris, or so she was in the process of doing. The small stream with the bridge over it had become her favorite spot so far. It was very peaceful, and Margaret took that in with a pleasurable amount of joy.

Looking up the stream, she saw the ducklings waddle to shore behind their mother. 'Perhaps,' Margaret thought, ' I can be happy without my Ma. I can be happy living in Rivendell.'

A/N: Ok, short chapter. Im sorry. Thank you to all my reviewers! Oh, I dont know if Im going to post during the holidays. Ill see what it comes to. I do know that there should be at least one chapter up before the 24.

By the way, does anyone know if my contraction marks are showing up? Ex. Im, we re, cant...>

Replies to reviews:

elfiehead: I was happy to see a review from an author whos story I enjoy so much!You re right, Laura ia a great name, which is why I chose to use it. Im glad youre liking the story!

aknightofni: No, Elrond doesnt believe her : ) I thought that reaction was the better one to take, considering he is an elf from the first age. Im sure he would know if New York existed, and for him, it doesnt. Thank you for your review!