A Hobbit Footwarmer

I don't own anyone or anything, other than my imagination. The rest belongs to JRR Tolkien.

"Hello, Frodo." Aragorn settled upon the bench at Frodo's side within the shelter of a little pavilion, at the foot of the sweeping lawns to the side of the large house. Here it was possible to watch the winter sunset whilst still being protected from the worst of the winter weather.

Frodo smiled up at him. "Hello. You're back." His blue gaze grew pensive. "Elladan said yesterday that you had gone to check on something beyond the borders. I'm pleased to see you returned whole."

Aragorn's shook his head. "I was in no great danger, Frodo. The paths I was tasked with surveying were some of those least likely to be used by our enemies. Do not fear for me. I have walked the trails through these mountains since I was a very young man."

A huge marmalade cat leapt nimbly from the low wall surrounding a fountain and picked her way across a bare winter flowerbed toward the pair. Frodo immediately forgot his dark thoughts and even Aragorn smiled. It always amazed him that a creature so large and fat could be so dainty on her feet. He had seen smaller bears. The cat made straight for Frodo, insinuating herself between and around his legs, and the Ringbearer reached out absently to let his hand slide along the length of her broad back.

Aragorn's grin widened. "I see that you have met Tithen. And a more unlikely name for this huge creature I could not imagine." He held out a hand and Tithen leaned in to sniff before butting her head into Aragorn's palm. He stroked her obligingly and Tithen purred loudly as she walked a figure of eight around two sets of legs, earning herself caresses from two hands.

Frodo scratched a finger beneath the cat's snowy chin and was rewarded with an even deeper rumbling purr as she rubbed warmly against his exposed legs. "Lord Elrond introduced us yesterday. Do you know who she belongs to? She has hardly left my side, other than to slip out through the window for a few minutes occasionally."

Tithen apparently decided that she had been stroked enough and promptly sat down upon Frodo's foot, wrapping her long tail neatly about her own feet. Frodo did not object, for his feet were growing cold and Tithen was warm.

Aragorn watched with continuing amusement. "Elrohir would tell you that she belongs to him but if Tithen could speak I think she would tell you otherwise. I do not think anyone could own Tithen."

The huge cat looked up at Aragorn for a moment, her whiskers twitching in apparent agreement. Then she turned to watch a blackbird cheeky enough to sit upon the edge of the top basin of the fountain, just within Tithen's striking distance. Frodo felt the cat's weight shift slightly and feared that she would leap at the bird, but Tithen was wise. She knew that with just one slip upon landing, she would be nose first in icy water. She was also mindful of the rules set by the master of the valley. Birds, fish and mice were off her menu. Not that she complained over much. The kitchens here provided some very choice food.

Elrohir had once tried to put her on a diet, for the only sleek thing about Tithen was her fur, as Frodo was discovering. (His foot was tingling and would soon be numb.) Tithen was a wily cat, however, and when she did not seem to be growing any smaller Elrohir decided to follow her. He soon discovered that his pet was, in fact, the pet of half the valley. She stalked a daily round from elf to elf and was fed tidbits by each. It was clear that Tithen would be dictated to by no-one, so Elrohir gave up trying.

Aragorn slipped his hands between his knees to warm them. "Are you not cold, Frodo?"

Frodo grinned. "I am getting rather chilled I must confess. Despite my foot warmer here." He reached out again to stroke Tithen's head, almost level with his waist. "I am beginning to feel a little hungry too. You don't suppose it is teatime yet, do you?"

Aragorn stood, offering a hand to Frodo. Tithen remained seated upon Frodo's foot however, twitching her whiskers disdainfully when he tried to wiggle his toes to dislodge her. Frodo looked up at the tall ranger for assistance but Aragorn only chuckled at her antics. Frodo cleared his throat. "Tithen . . . nice Tithen. Do you think you could get up so that I can go in to tea?"

Tithen's ears twitched this time but she remained firmly where she was. Aragorn finally took pity upon the small hobbit, mouthing silently, "Offer her food."

Frodo stroked the marmalade head again, adopting his most coaxing tone. "You are invited too, of course. They usually provide some nice chicken sandwiches and there may even be cream."

"Cream" was the word that did it. Tithen lifted her huge bulk and Frodo sighed with relief as he accepted Aragorn's proffered hand. When he arrived at the tea table a few minutes later, Frodo was still limping a little but Tithen stepped up, as daintily as ever, to her saucer of cream.