Of Rangers and Cats
B2MeM
Prompt and Path: I
love the silent hour of night, For blissful dreams may then arise,
Revealing to my charmed sight What may not bless my waking eyes. “
Anne Brontë .Purple Path
Format: Short
Story.
Genre: Romance,
adventure
Rating: PG
Warnings: Very
mild sexual content
Characters: Aragorn,
Halbarad, Butterbur, Arwen,
Pairings:Aragorn/Arwen
Creator’s
Notes (optional):
Summary:Aragorn
and Halbarad seek shelter in a storm.
Feeling
cold, stiff and hungry Aragorn slithered out from under the hedge
where he had been sleeping and joined Halbarad who was already
kindling a fire.
Despite wearing warm clothes and huddling
together for warmth, the two had hardly slept in the bitter East
wind.
As the flames shot up, Aragorn reached his hands towards
them to warm them. He looked up at the lowering sky. “We need
better shelter for tonight as the weather is set to get worse,” he
said.
Halbarad nodded. ”Had I any coin to spare, I’d wager
you whether we were set for rain, snow, sleet or hail.
“Most
likely all four,” said Aragorn, putting a pot filled with water on
the fire to boil.” This weather is too cold for even Orcs to be
abroad.”
“I doubt we can reach the Angle before the clouds
break,” said Halbarad. “I suggest we make for Bree and try to
find shelter there in some deserted outbuilding.”
“Butterbur
should let us have a room,” said Aragorn. “I have sufficient
coin.”
“Oh for a warm bed and a good night’s sleep even
for one night!” Halbarad sighed.
“I wake so often when I
sleep under a hedge that I scarce can dream,” said
Aragorn.
Halbarad laughed. “You miss dreaming! Thus speaks
your upbringing in the House of Elrond, kinsman. I miss my mother;s
thick goose down quilt toto cover me!”
“So do I, so let us
go in search of at least a straw mattress!” Aragorn drained the
last of the herbal tea he had brewed and playfully clapped Halbarad
on the shoulder. The two gathered up their possessions and started
off for Bree.
They had only gone a few miles when the heavens
opened and a mixture of sleet and hail began to fall. The hailstones
stung the Ranger’s faces painfully. They quickened their steps.
Soon the hail and sleet turned to snow, the flakes falling so thick
and fast it was hard to see the way ahead. Luckily, the way to Bree
was a straight road so the two Rangers resolutely trudged
ahead.
There were many travellers on their way to Bree to
escape the storm. The Rangers were thankful that for once the
Gatekeeper was too preoccupied to insult them and simply let them
pass with a glare.
It seemed all the travellers were making
their way to the Prancing Pony. When Aragorn and Halbarad finally
entered they could hardly push their way through the crowded taproom.
When Butterbur finally came to serve them, Aragorn ordered two
tankards of ale, some stew, and a room for the night.
“Ale
and stew there is aplenty,” said Butterbur. “Every room is taken
though.”
The two Rangers visibly sagged.
“Can you
suggest where else we might stay?” asked Aragorn.
Butterbur
scratched his head. ”I don’t rightly know. Everywhere will be
full on a night like this. It was market day and many folk are in
town.”
“Could we sleep on the floor by the fire?” asked
Halbarad.
Butterbur shook his head. “There’s already half
a dozen folks doing that and they won’t want to share with no
Rangers,” he replied.
“So you are sending us out into the
freezing night?” Aragorn could not keep the bitterness from his
tone.”
“It ain’t fit out there for a dog so I reckon it
ain’t fit for no Rangers even either,” said the innkeeper. “If
you don’t mind horses you can sleep in the stable, but don’t be
going and stealing anything, mind!”
“Rangers are honest
men,” said Aragorn with dignity. ”We thank you for your kind
offer.”
“I hope I won’t live to regret it,” said
Butterbur. “Now I’ve got customers to attend to.” He bustled
away.
A serving wench brought the two Rangers their food and
drink which they devoured with relish. All too soon their mugs were
drained and their plates cleared.
Butterbur appeared with a
lantern and showed them out to the stable. One of the stalls was
unoccupied and it was there they prepared to settle down for the
night.
“Now don’t be going a touching anything or
disturbing honest folk in their beds,” admonished Butterbur. He
left, taking the lantern with him.
The Rangers were left alone
in the inky blackness out of which loomed several pairs of gleaming
eyes, yellow, gold and green.
“What the?” exclaimed
Halbarad.
“The stable cats,” said Aragorn with a chuckle.
“You should be acustomed to Lithui in the dark by now.”
“She sleeps in Mother's room,” Halbarad retorted. “At least no rats will disturb our slumbers.”
“A
bed fit for a King!” said Aragorn.
“To think that you
should have to sleep in a stable!” said Halbarad glumly. “ How
low our people have fallen! You, who are entitled by birth to rule
these lands.”
“I have known far worse,” said Aragorn.
“At least we are warm and dry and the straw is clean. Now let us
rest and hope the storm will have passed by the morrow.”
He
burrowed into the hay and closed his eyes. He could hear occasional
sounds from the horses and scuffles as the cats went about their
nocturnal hunting. The stable faded and he was in front of a great
city, which he recognised as Minas Tirith. Cheering crowds surrounded
him and Master Elrond and Gandalf approached. Gandalf carried the
crown while Elrond bore the sceptre of the Northern Kings. At his
side, walked Arwen wearing a billowing silver garment.
“You
have prevailed. Now take my daughter with my blessing,” said
Elrond. Aragorn was just about to express his joy and gratitude when
the scene changed. He was now alone with Arwen in a luxurious
bedchamber. Her silver gown had been replaced by an almost sheer
white garment which accentuated every beautiful curve of her
body.
She lay beside him on the bed and pulled him close.
“Beloved!” she sighed. “How I have longed for this moment!”
Her lips met his and he was filled with a blissful sensation from his
crown to his toes. Just then, a horse neighed loudly.
Aragorn
was just wondering what a horse was doing in the bridal bedchamber
when he found himself back in the stable.
Halbarad was already
abroad and patting a chestnut horse that was craning its neck into
their stall. Sunlight streamed through the cracks in the doorway. ”I
thought you would sleep the day away,” said Halbarad. “I had not
the heart to wake you as by the way you were smiling you were having
pleasant dreams.”
“Very pleasant,” said Aragorn,
reluctantly forcing his mind back to the present. It was hard to
leave the delightful images that the dream had conjured in his brain.
But until his dreams became reality, in his slumbers he could taste
what his heart so yearned for. “Come,” he said. “Let us partake
of breakfast at the inn and be on our way while the sun shines on us.
We should reach the Angle ere dusk.”
Chapter Two -Things that go bump in the night.
Aragorn tossed restlessly. He sighed. He had been looking forward to his patrol duties ending and spending some time under Aunt Inzilbeth’s roof rather than sleeping in the open. Sleep, though was proving elusive. Beside him, Halbarad snored loudly. It was so different from his spacious, comfortable room at Rivendell with the large bed to himself and no sound save the distant waterfall to lull him to sleep.
What was that sound in the corner, a scrabbling and a scuffling? He tried to ignore it and go back to sleep. Minutes passed while the rustling sounds increased and Halbarad’s snoring grew louder. Unable to bear it any longer, Aragorn jabbed his cousin in the ribs with his elbow.
“Um?” Halbarad muttered sleepily.
“You were snoring fit to wake the dead.”
“I was not.”
“And what is that scuffling in the corner?”
“Mice, I assume.” Halbarad yawned.
“Mice indoors? We need a cat,” Aragorn exclaimed.
Halbarad burrowed deeper under the covers. “We have a cat.” The blankets muffled his voice. “Mother is very fond of her.”
“I know she is, but she is half blind with hardly any teeth left.”
“What of it? She is good company for mother.”
“We need a mouser.”
“What now? It’s the middle of the night!”
“I mean in the morning.”
Halbarad’s head emerged from under the blankets. “There is an old woman in the village who feeds all the stray cats. No doubt she could find you a good mouser. I don’t know what you are fretting about, though, there are mice aplenty in the woods and fields and in the stable where we slept last week.”
“That is where they belong!” Aragorn retorted but Halbarad’s head was again buried beneath the blankets. Within moments, his cousin was snoring loudly again. The scuffling grew louder. Aragorn feared the sound was now coming from under the bed. What if it were a rat and not a mouse? There had never been any rodents inside the Last Homely House. Master Elrond would have been horrified. Rats and mice spread all manner of diseases.
He had no objection to rodents in the woods and fields. They had every right to make their home there. He was untroubled by their presence when he was wearing thick boots and gloves. He felt very vulnerable lying here in only his nightshirt and drawers. Aunt Inzilbeth would object though if he wore his boots in bed. He thought of donning his socks, but then remembered they were hanging outside on the washing line. Aunt Inzilbeth always insisted on washing his and Halbarad's socks and linens when they returned from patrol.
Aragorn wondered if he should have accepted the offer of the Chieftain's House to live in. Then he thought of the young family who were living there. He could also have chosen to live with Grandmother Ivorwen, but she had sugested he might be happier with some younger company. Therefore, it had been decided it was better for him to stay with his aunt and cousin during the brief respites he had from his duties patrolling the wilds.
The scuffling seemed to have gone quiet for now. Aragorn closed his eyes and finally fell asleep.
000
Early the next morning, Aragorn and Halbarad made their way to Dame Haleth's home at the other side of the village. Aunt Inzilbeth had proved surprisingly easy to convince that there was a need for a second cat. Stroking Lithui, her old grey cat, she said, “Lithui keeps my chambers free of mice, but maybe she needs some help upstairs in the loft. Be sure you find a nice friendly cat that won't upset her.
Everyone in the village knew Dame Haleth as a lover of cats. The lady had never married, preferring to fill her home with a variety of felines as well as feeding all the strays in the village. It was obviously feeding time when Aragorn and Halbarad arrived as a selection of cats in every size and hue were clustered around her doorstep.
“Do you have a good mouser for my mother, Dame Haleth?” asked Halbarad after they bade the lady good morning.
“She wants a sweet natured cat that will not tease Lithui,” Aragorn added.
Haleth thoughtfully surveyed the cluster of cats around her ankles. Then she bent down and picked up a large ginger tom. “This is Brann,” she said. “He’s a proven mouser and the sweetest cat you can find anywhere. I’m loth to see him go, but I know Mistress Inzilbeth will look after him well.”
“Thank you,” said Aragorn, reaching to take the cat from her. The ginger tom settled in his arms and purred contentedly.
000
That night, Aragorn prepared for bed in an optimistic mood. After inspecting every corner of the chamber, Brann had settled down to sleep at the foot of the bed.
Reassured that no rodents would get past their feline guardian, Aragorn quickly fell asleep. He was lost in pleasant dreams of Master Elrond’s fair daughter when a loud crash rudely awakened him. Brann had leapt from the bed and was tearing wildly around the room.
“That cat makes more noise than the mice,” observed Halbarad, who was also woken by the din.
A squeak sounded from under the bed.
“At least it sounds as if he is dispatching the mice,” said Aragorn. Trying to ignore the bumps and thuds, he pulled the blankets over his face and went back to sleep.
Aragorn was awakened again by a thud as Brann landed next to his pillow. Then a paw tapped him on the head. “It’s not morning yet,” he muttered sleepily, pulling the covers more closely around him.
He was tapped on the head again, this time the paw had claws extended. What felt like a dozen paws pulled at the covers. In the grey light of dawn, he could see a dead mouse on his pillow.
000
Aragorn decided to take advantage of his Grandmother Ivorwen’s invitation to spend a few days with her any time he wished. Maybe Brann would have disposed of all the mice by the time he returned to his aunt’s.
“So how is your mother?” enquired Ivorwen as they ate dinner together that night.
“She was well when I last received a letter from her,” said Aragorn.
“A good girl, my Gilraen, not stubborn like Inzilbeth,” said Ivorwen. “I told her she needed a new mouser years ago. She could have had one of my Emig’s kittens.” She affectionately patted the plump tabby that sat at her feet. “Emig is an excellent mouser.”
“I shall sleep peacefully tonight then,” said Aragorn.
“As I was saying, your mother was always a good obedient girl. She accepted her destiny.”
“Her destiny?”
“To give birth to you, the hope of our people. How it gladdens my heart to have you under my roof this night.”
Uncomfortable at this talk of his destiny, Aragorn pleaded weariness and retired to bed.
Exhausted by his lack of the sleep the previous two nights, the young Chieftain quickly fell asleep.
It seemed he had only been asleep a short time when he was awakened by a scratching at the window. Scratch, scrape, scratch.
Aragorn tried to ignore the sounds and burrowed under the covers. The sounds continued. Maybe it was some intruder?
Aragorn wearily clambered out of bed. Clasping his sword in his hand, he cautiously peered out into the moonlit garden. A large branch from the cherry tree in the garden was scraping across the window in the night breeze.
Aragorn sighed both with relief and frustration. He could hardly risk rousing his Grandmother by pruning the offending branch in the moonlight. He passed a restless night and mentioned it to Ivorwen over breakfast.
“Ah, Dirhael’s tree!” she exclaimed. “He planted it when we were first wed. I love to hear it tapping against the window. You will soon get used to it.”
Before Aragorn could say anything, there was a knock on the door. It wastrol Halbarad.
“Orcs have been spotted near the next village,” he said. “We need to set out on patrol at once.”
“You poor lads!” exclaimed Ivorwen. “You've hardly had time to rest after your last patrol.”
Aragorn struggled to contain his delight as he bade his grandmother farewell. Maybe out in the wilds he might get a good night's sleep.
Chapter Thee - Cat's Tales
Cats' Tales
B2MeM
Prompt and Path: Purple path. Folklore, folk tales, and old wives’
tales
Format: Short story
Genre: Family, humour, tale
within a tale.
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Characters:
Aragorn, Halbarad, OFC
Pairings: None
Creator’s Notes
: Events directly follow “Things that go bump in the Night.” The
story of the tabby cat is inspired by a variety of ancient Egyptian,
Christian and Muslim traditions. The story of the cat and the dog is
widely found on the internet, but I have been unable to discover the
source.
Summary: Aragorn tells tales by the fireside.
With
thanks to Med Cat
The
Rangers had tracked the Orcs for two nights. On the third they caught
up with them and swiftly despatched the vile creatures. They rode
home in high spirits, pleased that the villages were safe and there
had been no casualties amongst them. In fact, the only ailing Ranger
was Aragorn, who was suffering from a slight cold and kept
sneezing.
Inzilbeth warmly welcomed her son and her nephew
home. She prepared a special meal to celebrate their safe return. The
two young men ate heartily. Once the plates were cleared away, the
three settled themselves around the fire for the evening.
“Stay
out of the draught, Halbarad,” chided Inzilbeth when her son took a
seat near the door. “You will catch Aragorn’s cold.”
Aragorn
sighed. ”Aunt Inzilbeth, you are trained as a healer; you should
know that colds are a contagion borne on the breath. Halbarad might
well get a cold from sitting near me, but not from a draught! Master
Elrond taught me that the body succumbs to contagions when overtired
or otherwise weakened.”
Inzilbeth snorted. ”We don’t
all have the advantage of being taught by lore masters. I go by what
I have observed.” Her old grey cat, Lithui, clambered on to her lap
and she stroked her absently. “You, lad, should at least be wearing
a thicker tunic and I hope you didn't get damp feet as that could
bring on a chill.”
Aragorn sighed. “Aunt Inzilbeth, Master Elrond said....”
Inzilbeth
snorted.
Halbarad hastily changed the subject. “How is
Brann?” he asked. “Has he caught any more mice?”
Inzilbeth
beamed. “He has spent most of his time in the loft where you sleep
and has caught at least a dozen. A couple of rats too, which we are
well rid of. Otherwise they'd have been into the winter stores.”
The
big ginger tom must have heard his name mentioned as he chose that
moment to saunter into the room, his tail aloft like a banner. Lithui
stared at him as he passed, then closed her eyes again. Brann made
his way towards Aragorn and settled himself on his lap. Aragorn began
to stroke him and the cat purred happily. “He reminds me of the cat
I had as a child in Rivendell,” he said. “He has similar
markings.”
“I love the way tabby cats have a númen on
their foreheads,” said Halbarad.
“When I was little, my
mother used to tell me a story about why they do,” said
Aragorn.
“I expect that was the same tale our mother told us
as children,” said Inzilbeth. “I can’t recall the details as
it’s so long since I heard it. Something about Elros, I think, or
was it Elendil?”
“This story was about Elendil,” said
Aragorn.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard it,” said
Halbarad.
Seeing the others looking at him expectantly,
Aragorn began. “When Elendil and the Faithful set sail for
Middle-earth, a tabby cat jumped on Elendil’s ship just as they
left the quay. The voyage was long and arduous and much to Elendil’s
dismay, rats had got into the ship’s supplies before they left,
threatening them with starvation. The cat, despite being heavily
pregnant, bravely despatched all the rats. Elendil’s daughter was
heavy with child too. She gave birth to a daughter one bitterly cold
night. It was a difficult birth and as she lay fighting for her life,
the new born child lay forgotten in its crib. Had not the cat jumped
in beside it to warm it, the babe would have died.
Elendil
loved the cat greatly for all she had done to help them. He laid his
hand on her head and the letter númen appeared as a reminder of the
West from whence they came.
Soon afterwards, the cat gave
birth to eight kittens. They all bore the mark upon their foreheads.
At that time, the ships had not yet become separated, so when the
kittens were weaned one went aboard each ship.
Eventually, the
ships reached Middle-earth and Elendil and his sons founded the twin
kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor. The cats too disembarked in
Middle-earth where their descendants bear the númen on their
foreheads to this day.” Aragorn continued to stroke the cat as he
told the story and Brann tilted back his head as if listening to him.
He purred loudly.
“A charming tale,” said Halbarad. “I
wonder how much truth is in it.”
“I am certain Elendil
would have had a ship’s cat,” said Aragorn. “Maybe tabby cats
did come from Númenor along with the royal heirlooms and the plants
he and his folk brought.”
“The heirlooms that are yours by
right, nephew,” said Inzilbeth, glancing towards the Ring of
Barahir on Aragorn’s hand.
“Maybe all the tabby cats in
Middle-earth are yours too,” said Halbarad.
Aragorn
laughed. “Only a fool would claim lordship over cats,” he said. “
When I was a small boy and wanted too much of my own way, Master
Elrond used to tell me a story about the first Elves who woke beneath
the stars who were lonely. Ilúvatar took pity upon them and sent
them dogs to keep them company. The Elves were kind to the hounds who
adored their masters who could do no wrong in their eyes. The Elves
soon became very conceited and Ilúvatar was displeased. The Elves
were then sent cats, who would obey no master and looked down their
whiskers at all attempts to command them. None of the Children of
Ilúvatar can maintain the illusion that they are supreme beings once
they look into a cat’s eyes.” He yawned and shifted himself to a
more comfortable position. Brann opened his huge golden eyes and
glared at him balefully. “Alas, I have offended the great lord
Brann!” said Aragorn. “He looks at me as if I were lower than a
mouse!”
“And less tasty!” said Halbarad.
“An
amusing story,” said Inzilbeth. “Cats and dogs were sung into
being with the Great Music like everything else, though.”
“I
wonder if the desire to create stories is part of the Great Music
too,” Aragorn mused.
“You boys should be in bed,” said
Inzilbeth. “She rose stiffly to her feet. “Rest while you may.
There is much to be done on the morrow. I need you to mend the roof
while you are at home.”
Aragorn and Halbarad bade her
goodnight and made their way to bed.
Aragorn lay down somewhat
apprehensively, fearing a repeat of the last two nights he had spent
here. Brann, though, had done his job well as no scuffling and
squeaking of mice disturbed his slumbers. He awoke at first light
with his cold almost gone and pleasantly warm toes. Brann lay curled
up at his feet. Aragorn smiled, recalling the legend of how Elendil’s
cat had warmed the baby and drifted off to sleep again for another
hour before breakfast.
Chapter Four - Gone Astray
The
morning light was streaming through the window when Aragorn awoke.
His feet were cold as Brann was not curled up in his usual spot. Of
the big ginger cat there was so sign. Halbarad was already out of bed
and donning his clothes.
“Come on, sleepyhead!” he said.
“Mother will have breakfast waiting. Don’t forget she wants us to
mend the roof today.”
Aragorn sat up and yawned. He glanced
out of the window at the gathering clouds. “It looks like
rain.”
“All the more reason to hurry then. Otherwise we
will be sleeping in a pool of water tonight.” Halbarad secured the
ties on his tunic and left the room.
Aragorn clambered out of
bed and pulled on his clothes. When he got downstairs, Halbarad and
Aunt Inzilbeth had begun their meal. Inzilbeth handed him a bowl of
porridge. He glanced around the room as he ate. Inzilbeth’s cat,
Lithui was asleep by the fire. Brann was obviously patrolling his
territory outside.
Aragorn and Halbarad quickly ate their
breakfast and set to work with a will, repairing the thatch on the
roof. Halbarad was the more adept at the task as he had been taught
how to do it since childhood, but Aragorn was quickly learning the
skill, despite the shortage of practise due to a lack of thatched
roofs at Rivendell. The rain held off despite ominous rumbles of
distant thunder.
They finished their task just as Inzilbeth
called them in for the evening meal. Halbarad’s mother had prepared
a delicious meal of freshly caught trout. Lithui mewed and came to
sit by the table, looking at them hopefully with her clouded old
eyes.
Aragorn tossed her a morsel of fish from his plate.
“Where’s Brann?” he asked. “I would have thought the smell of
fish would have brought him running.”
“I’ve not seen him
all day,” said Inzilbeth. “He hasn’t stayed out so long before.
I wonder if he has returned to his old haunts.”
“I’ll go
and enquire if Mistress Haleth has seen him when I’ve finished my
meal,” said Aragorn.
“You fret after that cat like the old
woman!” Halbarad teased.
“Brann is a good mouser, I would
be loth to lose his skills,” Aragorn said with dignity.
As
soon as he had finished his helping of Inzelbeth’s delicious baked
apple pudding, Aragorn donned his cloak.
“You’ll be caught
in the storm, nephew,” Inzilbeth warned as the thunder rumbled
again. “That won’t do your cold any good.”
“My cold is
better today and I shall not be long,” said Aragorn.
Raindrops
began to fall as he walked through the village to Dame Haleth’s
home, all the while looking around him for any trace of Brann.
The
door was wide open and Haleth was ushering a variety of felines
inside. “They don’t like getting their fur wet, poor things,”
she said by way of explanation. She beckoned Aragorn to follow the
cats inside. “I’m afraid I can’t offer you a seat,” she
said.
Aragorn was not surprised as every available surface in
the cottage seemed occupied by cats. There were black ones, white
ones, grey ones, black and white, ginger and white ones, but no
ginger tabbies. “I came to see if Brann had returned to you, but it
seems not,” he said.
“I’ve not seen him,” said Haleth.
“What’s this, though? Have you not been treating him kindly? What
will folk think of a Chieftain who cannot even command the loyalty of
his cat? Arathorn, now, he had a cat for well- nigh on twenty
years!”
“Brann eats as well as I do and sleeps on my bed,”
said Aragorn indignantly. “Never was a cat more pampered.”
“He
must have got lost in the woods then,” said Haleth grimly. “I
don’t like my cats wandering off there. It’s not safe for them
what with the wolves and Orcs roaming around!”
“I shall
find him, I promise you,” said Aragorn in a firm tone. “Good
night, Dame Haleth.”
“You make sure you do,” said
Haleth. “Brann’s a good boy, a cat fit for a king!”
While
Aragorn had been inside the old woman’s cottage the rain had come
on in earnest. Lightning flashed and thunder crashed overhead. It was
madness to go near the woods in such weather. But what if poor Brann
were out there, lost and alone, his beautiful ginger fur bedraggled
and wet and his yellow eyes filled with fear?
Pulling his
cloak tightly around him, Aragorn strode towards the woods. At least
the foul weather meant that there were unlikely to be any Orcs abroad
that night, but that was scant consolation for the water dripping
down the back of his neck.
Aragorn called Brann’s name until
he was hoarse. No cat emerged from among the trees, though. The sheet
lighting illuminated the forest and Aragorn espied several rabbits
and a badger bolting to their burrows. Of Brann, though, there was no
trace.
Gradually, the thunder and lightning subsided, but the
rain continued to cascade down in torrents. Aragorn was soaked to the
skin before he reluctantly abandoned his search. Some ill must have
befallen the beautiful ginger tom. What if he had been eaten by Orcs?
There was nothing beneath the vile creatures.
Weary and sad of
heart, Aragorn trudged back towards his Aunt’s. He had only had
Brann a short time, but how he would miss his sweet face and bright
eyes and the comforting warmth on his feet or his lap. He felt an
abject failure if his father had kept a cat for twenty years and he
could not even manage twenty days. For granted, his cat at Rivendell
was safe and well, but there were few creatures that did not thrive
there. He could take no credit.
Inzilbeth opened the door and
gasped. “Valar defend us! Where ever have you been? I was about to
send Halbarad after you. You look like a drowned rat! Now get out of
those wet clothes this instant!”
“I couldn’t find
Brann,” Aragorn said sadly. He walked into the living room leaving
a trail of water behind him.
“Brann? He’s asleep by the
fire.”
A ginger head was lifted off the rug and unblinking
yellow eyes turned towards Aragorn. Relief flooded through him,
followed by a desire to throw something at the cat.
“Now go
and get out of those wet clothes,” Inzilbeth repeated. There’s
more water coming in now than came in through the hole in the
roof!”
Feeling in a very bad mood, Aragorn dripped his way
up to the loft.
000
A little later, Aragorn’s spirits
were much improved now he was wearing dry clothes and had towelled
his hair. Inzilbeth had insisted on him taking the chair by the fire
and poured him a glass of the mulled wine she usually kept for
special occasions. On his lap sat Brann, purring loudly. Aragorn
stroked him while he sipped his wine thinking him a very fine cat
indeed. Brann blinked at him slowly before falling asleep.