Disclaimers: See Preface to Book Five for more info.

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Sorry for the delay. I was updating my stories. :) Now we're with Gizzard, Rosalina, Aragorn and company. :)

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Chapter Two:

The Grey Company

Gandalf and Boromir were gone, taking Hakim, Pippin and Clockwise with them. Gizzard watched them until they were out of sight. He wondered if he would ever see them again. Just seeing Rosalina, the blue macaw, in pain reminded him of his own hurt. Would he ever see the grey tabby cat Gwendolyn again? She was in Rivendell, trapped until the end of Sauron's reign. He would ensure she was safe and sound. With luck, the Ring would be destroyed and Frodo would return.

Until then, the black cat hoped they would all survive this fight.

"We shouldn't tarry." Aragorn said, helping Gizzard on his horse.

"If we're lucky, we'll find my brother." Gizzard admitted, serious.

"We'll find him." Aragorn smiled. "We're journeying to seek him out. Although, I doubt we'll meet him again." He told the black cat, "You can't hope to find him. He's corrupted by the Ring."

"No." The black cat shook his head. "I saw a sliver of hope. He'll change. Mortar wouldn't give up. He'll break free and be the good cat I know he is." He couldn't help remembering when he and his brother were kittens, and how Mortar convinced him to paddle out in the water, far from shore. It was such a horrid trick. No. Mortar wouldn't change. He'd always be the same evil cat he was when they were together. But if there was a chance he changed, it would be a miracle. For now, he wondered about his brother's fate.

"We'll find him." Rosalina said, encouraging the black cat. "I may not know your brother, but you have a good heart, Ester."

"Thank you." Gizzard nodded, smiling at her. "I appreciate that, especially coming from a pretty bird as you."

"I'm a macaw." Rosalina added with a smile. "And thank you."

"For what?" Gizzard asked, curious. "You and I are the same. We both have mates that are out fighting their battles. In the meantime, we're stuck here."

"Well," Rosalina said, as Aragorn mounted his horse, "if it's any consolation and if something should happen to us, I just want you to know that you're a good cat. Don't trouble yourself with me. I'll be fine."

"Will you?" Gizzard asked, as they rode out. "I have to wonder that. You've been alone in Fangorn Forest for many years. You can't go on alone. You need companionship."

"I know how that feels." Merry pointed out.

"We'll be fine." Gizzard told them. "Trust me."

"Well, we won't be alone for long. Look!" Rosalina flew on ahead.

Gizzard did. Fifty paces away from Isengard, the black cat and the host spotted horsemen approaching. Aragorn stopped his horse and greeted the travelers. It was Halbarad and the Dunedain. The twin, dark haired elves Elladan and Elrohir were present. They weren't alone. There was a grey tabby cat with them. Gizzard knew her. How? How was this possible?

"You. Gwen!" Gizzard announced in shock. "I don't understand. How are you here?"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you every detail about my past." Gwen added. "I met Mortar, your brother, on more than one occasion. He sent me to Rivendell. He's the reason I was stuck there. I wasn't allowed to leave Imladris until he changed and he has changed. He's a good cat." She added, "I've come here to help."

"She could be lying!" Rosalina stated.

Gwen laughed. "Is she a friend, Ester?"

"Rosalina." Gizzard announced. "She's Reyes' wife."

"Gizzard!" Rosalina spoke, warily. "How can we trust her?"

"Because I can help you." Gwen said. "You can trust me. I came here to help you and Aragorn." She told Gizzard, "Gizzard, please, you have to listen to me. Our paths connected for a reason."

"What reason?" Gizzard asked, confused.

"Time is being restored. The items dropping are returning to their worlds. Readers are coming in and out, healing the wounds." Gwen explained. "Soon, we'll be caught up with them." She shrugged. "We'll forget everything. The balance will be restored. We won't even know Middle-earth exists. I'll be back in the Dark Ages, and you'll be back in the twenty-first century." She paused. "Look, this could be my only chance to stop Sauron. I won't go down without a fight. Are you with me?" She looked at Gizzard and Rosalina. "Are you both with me?"

"We might get separated." Rosalina admitted. "I'm following the Rohirrim. You two do whatever you want."

"Rosalina!" Gizzard tried to stop her, but couldn't. She was already perched on Éomer's horse. He turned to Gwen again. "Wherever you go, I go, too."

"Agreed." Gwen nodded, smiling. "You look like something's on your mind. What is it?"

Gizzard faced her, serious. "Well, let's just say a lot has happened since our last meeting."

"Why? What have I missed?" Gwen asked, confused.

"You'll see." Gizzard said, leaving Gwen in a state of confusion. Well, he hoped they would learn something when they returned to Helm's Deep. He hoped it, but then anything could happen on this day. Anything at all.

.

At first, there was nothing but grey mist and the sound of citizens cleaning their clothes. A blue light sprang forth on the stone wall. It grew in strength as Gizzard and the host returned to Helm's Deep. The light grew brighter, enveloping into a shape. The shape that was a feminine figure, draped in blue hunter's clothing. The light disappeared, revealing a black-haired girl with pale skin and blue eyes. She looked down at the host, confused and alert.

"Where am I?" The young woman asked, bewildered. "What – it worked! This is Helm's Deep."

"Hullo Erita Rashkin." Gizzard announced.

"Do you know her?" Gwen asked, alarmed.

"Why, yes I do. She's Mortar's master or was." Gizzard smirked. He looked at the young woman, telling her, "You'll have to forgive me. You're not used to talking animals. Are you?"

"Whoever you are, climb down and we'll discuss this in private." Aragorn said, getting the girl's attention.

"I am Erita Rashkin." Erita said, serious. "I only know moderate fighting. I'm not very good at it. Jessica's worse. She's hardly fought a day in her life. If this is Middle-earth, as you say it is—" she asked the black cat, "—I'm sorry. Who are you?"

"Gizzard. I'm Jessica Nytch's cat." Gizzard addressed her. "I'm also known as Ester in this world. It's my true name."

"Oh." Erita smiled, sheepishly. "I didn't know that was your true name."

"You're taking this rather well." Rosalina admitted. "Are you not frightened of us?"

"Ester!" A female Burmese cat approached the group. "I've looked forward to seeing you." She smiled at him.

"Oh, that's the surprise." Gwen said, rhetorically.

"Renee, I found my love, my mate," Gizzard told the Burmese cat, doing his best to keep calm. "We can't be together."

Renee's smile melted a little. "Come on. You're joking."

"No, I'm not." Gizzard said, serious. "You have to lead your own life. I'm sorry."

"I don't believe it." Renee told him, firmly. She glared at Gwen. "You're choosing her over me."

"She is my mate. She always has been." Gizzard answered, calmly, "I wish you the best. I really do."

"Fine." Renee took a few steps back. "Good luck." She ran back inside the fortress.

Gwen sighed. "Well, that went well."

"I had to let her off easy." Gizzard said, relieved to put the past behind him. He grinned at Gwen. "I love you. I always have. I don't want you to forget that."

"Shall we go?" Théoden asked, riding on indoors.

"Yes. I believe we shall." Aragorn said, following the king inside the fortress. Gizzard sighed, hoping the worst was over. He had no idea how wrong he was until it was too late.

.

The host didn't stay in Helm's Deep for very long. As soon as they were ready to travel, they made their way across the road to Dunharrow, where they were greeted by Lady Eowyn. Gizzard noticed a change in Renee. She looked content to yell at him some more, but she kept her distance. Was it understanding that she felt or something grander? Still, he had to find out.

"Renee, I'm sorry." Gizzard told her, as soon as they made camp. "I didn't mean to… hurt you. My destiny is leading me down another path. We can't be together."

"I know!" Renee cried. "My brother Rune spoke to me. He told me this was the right path for you to take. You mean a lot to him." She said, "Go. Your destiny is more important. You deserve to be with your bride. Your mate. You don't need me to guide you." She walked away, leaving him with questions, questions that did not need answering. Gizzard returned to Aragorn and the Grey Company, wondering if he and Renee ever got together in the first place.

"Are you all right?" Aragorn asked Gizzard.

"Together again, huh?" Gizzard asked.

The Ranger laughed. "I wouldn't dream of it." He pointed to Erita, who was busy talking to Rosalina and Gwen. "I would talk to her, before we travel."

"Right." Gizzard said, stopping a few feet away. "Is Erita important? I mean, she came here by a blue light made out of particles. What could it mean? Gwen said something about the Readers advancing on Middle-earth. Items disappearing. Sooner or later, the talking animals, who weren't from Middle-earth, will have to return to their first homes. Those of us who lived here, I'm sure, don't want to leave Middle-earth. This is our home. I will not see it fall to ruin."

"That is not your decision to make." Aragorn said, getting the cat's attention. "Whether you believe it or not, you are important to this cause."

"It all has to do with fate." The black cat shook his head. "I won't go down without a fight! Not here, not now. Not ever. I promise that we will survive this."

"I have no doubt of that, my friend." The Ranger told him. "We're leaving in an hour. Get Erita ready. She's coming with us."

"And Gwen?" Gizzard asked him. "Do we just leave her behind? Or do we take her with us?"

"That's up to her." Aragorn said, softly. "I'll get my horse ready." He walked away, leaving the black cat confused.

Right. How was he to do this? Gizzard huffed. Maybe talking to the strange woman was best. He hadn't learned much about her, other than she had been to a remote place, far from time and space. Erita was Mortar's master. Hakim had a thing for masters, since he was owned by Raulin Clarke for a short time.

How were they doing? Were they okay? What did he know of this Raulin Clarke? He must have been a powerful sorcerer or else Erita wouldn't have gotten here. He had to find out what she knew about his brother and the book portal. Maybe there was a way to get them back to their time. But would he want that? He couldn't ask for that. This whole mission was impossible. Still, he had to ask Erita what she knew about Safe Haven. Apparently, her item dropping days were over… or were they?

He did find her, shortly after Gwen and Rosalina left her alone. It was time to talk to her, see what she knew. He hoped they wouldn't have to leave.

"Erita," Gizzard got her attention, "I know you must think me mad for saying this…."

"Then say it!" Erita said, sharp but serious. "Go on. You know you want to ask me about home." She sighed. "I miss Mr. Cuddle-Muffin, too."

"His name is Mortar. He hates that name you've given him." Gizzard said, furious. "Apparently, so do I. Who, in their right mind, gives a cat that name? It's no wonder he's so ornery."

"My mother and I picked out that name." She shrugged. "Actually, I forget who gave him that name. My mother, probably, but I like it."

"And now?"

"Now…" she sighed, "…now, I just wish we were home." She paused, giggling. "But wishing is not going to get us anywhere. Jessica and Teresa are somewhere in Middle-earth. I have no idea where, let alone anyone else." She bit her lip.

"What?" Gizzard asked her. "You look like you're about to say something."

"It's silly. Besides, I can't say anything until everything is put right. It would ruin things." Erita told him. "Why are you asking me all these questions?"

"How are you not freaked out?" Gizzard asked, groaning.

She shrugged again. "Maybe I've adjusted. I've always been the mature one. Teresa and Jessica aren't very good at keeping it together." She waved at Legolas and Gimli. "Ah. They're good guys." She smiled. "I'm surprised no one else knows we're here. The fangirls would go nuts if they knew I was with Legolas and Aragorn." She sighed, dreamily, before snapping out of it. "I'll get my horse. You can ride with me. Come on, Gizzard. Gwen's meeting up with Elrohir, riding on his horse. I suppose Rosalina's staying behind."

"It's her wish to be here." Gizzard shrugged, catching up to the young woman. "I can't decide for her." He asked her, "Will we all meet up at Minas Tirith?"

Erita shook her head. "I can't tell you that information. It'd ruin the plot, ruin the story. We wouldn't want that." She placed the black cat on her grey horse.

"No. I suppose not." Gizzard said, quizzical. He looked up at Erita as she rode after the Grey Company, straight into Dwimorberg, the Haunted Mountain.

.

The Dimholt was a place where the Oathbreakers lived. The King of the Dead was among them. Gizzard gasped when he saw him. This meeting reminded him of the Barrow-wights, living in the Barrow-downs. Thankfully, they were taken care of months ago by Tom Bombadil. This situation was totally different. He had no idea if the King of the Dead would let them pass, join up with the company, or do nothing. In the end the King chose to follow them, all thanks to Aragorn and his magic sword. The black cat turned to Erita. She managed to calm down. A miracle. Erita wasn't afraid. Why wasn't she afraid?

As they rode, Gizzard spoke to her. "Erita! Why aren't you afraid?"

"Afraid of what?" Erita asked, confused.

"The dead." The black cat asked, alarmed. "Why aren't you afraid of them? I thought girls seeing the dead would be frightened of them."

"Some girls are, some girls aren't." Erita said, turning to the auburn-haired dwarf. "Gimli, are you afraid of the dead?"

"Me?" Gimli spoke up. "Of course I am! And yet, I have the courage of twelve dwarves to face this lot!"

"Keep going!" Aragorn said, chasing the dead up a hill.

"Come on! We can't stop!" Erita said, riding after the Rangers, the elves and the dwarf. Gizzard couldn't believe it. He could not imagine seeing the dead like this. Still, the company camped by the Stone of Erech, hardly finding the will to sleep. For a moment, the black cat nearly saw ghosts. He was quite right. Erita shook her head, smiling at him. "We'll be all right." She petted him. "Just sleep."

"And dream of things to come." Gwen told the black cat.

Gizzard smiled. "Well, I do hope we see more of the living." He whispered. "I hate it here. Too many shadows."

"Shh!" Aragorn shushed him. "We need not talk of the Oathbreakers in that way. They are here to help us."

"I hope so." Gizzard said, unconvinced.

"We all do." Legolas told him.

"As do we." Elladan and Elrohir said in unison.

"Let's try to sleep." Halbarad answered.

Dawn came. They rode on, drawing ever closer to Mordor. They would reach Minas Tirith in due time. The Dead followed them without question. Gizzard sighed. He hoped this day turned out well. He wondered if he would become a corpse, just like the King of the Dead and his army. For now, he was more than happy to be alive, just the way he wanted it.

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Thanks for reading. :)