Kindred's Strife

By Aria Breuer

Disclaimers: All material from The Lord of the Rings book trilogy and Appendices belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien. All original material belongs to the author of this fan fiction one-shot chapter story.

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Welcome to the second prequel in the Item-Insertion Parody Anthology. This story is a companion piece to Wandering Encounters and Talisman's Folly. What's different here is that, instead of seeing things from a villain's perspective – in this case Mortar – we are treated to the hero's storyline – in this case Gizzard or Ester. The upcoming story, Talisman's Folly will focus on the parrot Clockwise and go through his backstory.

For now, here's Kindred's Strife.

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Prologue, One-Shot

Ester did not know why his eldest brother, Mortar, always liked to play pranks and mean tricks. Perhaps it was because he was the first born of the litter, but this was not to be so. It could have had more to do with their parents favoring him, Ester, over his eldest brother. And while Ester proved to be the calm sort, most unusual in their litter, Mortar behaved more on the silent side of matters. The fact that Ester was kind went against the black cat superstition, but then again he couldn't condone with Mortar's jealousy. Eventually, Ester grew tired of Mortar's ignorance, thinking it better to trust their parents' judgements.

Oh, how wrong he had been, unaware that Mortar was already formulating a plan. It was this plan that made Ester fear that Mortar would try anything to see him gone.

One day, while he played near the lily pads, Ester looked up. His brother Mortar joined him over by the pond. Although he did not mind his brother's company, Ester learned that Mortar's behavior was rather strange. He knew his brother for more than playing the nice kitten routine. He was suspicious of Mortar, as if he knew something wicked was up the eldest black cat's sleeve… if animals had sleeves.

"Say Ester," Mortar told his brother, happily, "I heard there was a golden frog sitting on one of the lily pads. If you can bring the frog to me, only swimming over instead of climbing on the deck, maybe we can be brotherly friends. What do you say?"

"Do I have to jump on the lily pad to catch the frog, Mortar?" asked Ester, hesitantly.

"If you want to catch this frog, then yes. Who knows? You might get a prize for catching the golden frog," said Mortar with confidence in his speech.

"How do I know this isn't a trick?" asked Ester, growing further suspicious.

"Come on, Ester. Are you a cowardly cat?" asked Mortar, encouraging his brother.

"No," Ester protested. He would get that golden frog yet. Plunging to the water, at first all he could see was a water world. No golden frogs. Finding the strength inside him to move, Ester surfaced… only to find that his brother Mortar had rushed off to get help. Oh Mortar. But no. He needed their mother. "Mother!" He yelped a cat meow. A few times he did this until help arrived. It was his mother. She had come to save him.

"Ester, can you swim?" his mother told him.

"Yes," Ester meowed.

"Come on, Ester. Paddle like this," his mother said, showing him the right way to paddle.

Kicking his feet, Ester propelled forward. He was doing it. He was swimming. And not a moment too soon. When he arrived on land again, with help from his parents, Ester shook himself off, removing any excess water he could find. He was cold and wet, but at least he learned a valuable lesson: keep an eye out on Mortar and his tricks.

-.-.-

Inside the barn, Mortar was punished for what he'd done. It led up to a scramble between Mortar and his father, which included batting each other in and out. Ester watched the scene, as his mother licked him clean. He knew Mortar deserved his punishment, as far as punishments between cats went on. However, Ester couldn't help but notice Mortar was learning his lesson. But one glance between the two brothers taught Ester to keep watch over his brother.

There was good in Mortar. Wasn't there? Ester wasn't just blinded by brotherly love… if that sort of moment did occur between them. But time would tell what happened next in Mortar and Ester's life.

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Thanks for reading. :)