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-Beginning 'n' End- Glad u like my ideas. Here ch. 6

-Zammy- Look next chapter's ready

Chapter 6: Let the Hunt Begin

When the three younger elves had cleaned up and changed clothes they headed into Elronds study. The study was wall to wall shelves full of books and maps. In the center sat Elrond's desk in front of it were a couch with two chairs on either side if it. The twins sat on the couch, both wearing matching clothing: maroon tunics with sleeves that cut off at the shoulder and dark brown leggings with knee high deer skin boots. Legolas sat on the chair to Elrohir's left wearing similar cloths except his hung more loosely on his thin frame and the colors were that of Mirkwood, light green tunic with dark green leggings and knee high light brown suede boots.

Elrond walked into the study not long after they arrived there. As he closed the door behind him a white blur shot through at the last second. He turned in time to see the white strange eyed cat jump up into Elladan's lap.

Elladan stroked the cat as I nuzzled him in the chest. The cat stood up to lick him in the face, Elladan pulled back.

Elrohir chuckled, "I think she likes you."

Upon hearing Elrohir the cat looked to him. Elrohir stopped laughing when the cat switched to his lap. She wanted to see if the one her master saved was well, after all he must be important if her master would almost uncaringly drop her to go to this one. After looking and smelling at him to be sure he was in fact alright. The cat looked to Legolas, who downright confused her. He had been very kind to her, he scratched her tummy, let her play with his hair, he even carried her most of the way. But his scent was different, he wasn't from here, no he smelled like a jungle and spiders. She was confused by this one.

Elrond took his seat at the desk as the cat jumped back into Elladan's lap. He sighed and said, "Elladan I thought I told you to leave her in your room, correct?"

"Yes ada. I believe me when I say I did."

"And yet here she is sitting on your lap, why is that?"

"I'm not sure I know myself. I left her in my room and even locked the door so no one would accidentally let her out."

"Well it is possible that she found another way out, ada." said Elrohir

"True. Well anyway I'm not here to discuss your new pet, but rather," Elrond's voice became sterner as he looked each elf in eye, "Where you were all of yesterday and last night. And I want the truth."

After what seemed like hours they had told Elrond everything, with the exception of Elrohir's near death by drowning, they had conveniently forgotten that part. Elrond would allow them to go back to the clearing to investigate Elladans findings when Estel arrived home, but for now he was sending out scouts to see what they could turn up. He also informed them of Gandalfs visit soon after Aragorn's arrival. Following that was a lecture of the century about how one should properly treat the property of others.

In Tirgun

Helsing was preparing for his trip to meet with his men they were to meet at the place called weathertop for the trade. Three pieces of gold each for the kit. He was finishing up the last details of packing before he left. In one small bag he placed many different vials and bottles filled with different liquids and potions some to be used for medical needs, some to use on the werecat when he got her and others to be used on her later. Placing this bag into a much larger sac that he put his other travel items. He placed aside four empty water skins to be used on the trip, he would fill those on his way out. H wrapped up his weapons: sward, crossbow, silver daggers, and throwing knives. These were to be carried out of town wrapped in his bed roll so as not to attract suspicion.

He was almost done all he needed to do now was to fill his water skins and ready his horse and he'd be off. He started towards the town well. This was the prime meeting place for the towns folk. Here one could come and fetch water for things and talk with some while they did. The women of the town would often in the early hours of morning would fill their wash tubs and clean their house cloths while giving each other the latest gossip of the day. But it was to hot in the day for them to be out, so they would instead give their daughters the chores of fetching water for their cleaning, drinking, or cooking.

As Helsing walked up all the young girls at the well stopped their work in order to watch him. When he started to fill his water skins they swarmed at him. Saying that it was their job to get the water and they would try and get the skins from him. The others who didn't swarm were faking the need for help in pulling their water jugs from the well. It was then his savor arrived.

"Alright that's enough you silly girls. Leave the poor man alone for once in his life." an elderly women walked through the swarm of girls breaking them apart and away form him all the while saying to them. " On your way, go on, back to your chores."

Finally with groans and moans the girls dispersed. Leaving Helsing and the women alone at the well.

"Thank you Lady Marcy." said Helsing kissing the old women's hand.

"Think no more on it." said Marcy with a smile.

"I was worried you wouldn't come to my aid." Helsing started refilling his water skins

"Oh, Van I can't fight all your battles for you. Those girls aren't so tough. If I can take them then you should to." Marcy smiled.

Helsing liked this women's spirit, though her body may be old and worn by time she still held tightly to her fiery spirit. Plus she would give him food and water if he needed it and even a place to lie down for the night if he wished. He would do things for her as well, bringing in food from the market places, traveling on special errands for her to Bree, last summer he rethatched the roof for her after the spring rains.

Marcy had been only five when the village was first founded. She was also the only one who knew of his double life as Van Helsing and since his day face had no name and most just called him Helsing she would call him by his first name, Van.

How she found out about his other life was quite accidental, but one he was grateful for. He had returned one night from destroying a pack of werewolves that had plans for destroying Tirgun. It had been a brutal fight that almost cost him his life. When all was said and done he was the only one alive, but not without injury. He blindly walked into town on the moonless night, wanting nothing more than to lie done and sleep the rest of his days away. Blood was steadily flowing from many cuts and slash marks, he knew he needed to get the wounds fixed up, but how would he explain them. Deciding that he would bandage them himself and worry about explanations in the morning he opened the door to his house. Or what he thought was his house.

As he looked around he noticed the main sitting room was far bigger then his, the furniture had put in different places, and he had a set of stairs that lead to an upstairs area he didn't know he had. Once he realized that he was in the wrong house, he turned to leave. Unfortunately the world decided to take this time to spin around madly and soon the was heading up to great him.

When he finally regained consciousness he saw an elderly women standing over him, tending to his wounds. He had asked her what had happened and she told him everything from the point about him fighting off the werewolves to when he collapsed on the floor near the front door. He was shocked that she knew of the werewolves he fought, nut he was quickly silenced by her. She also explained to him that he has a bad habit of talking in his sleep. Since she was grateful to him for saving her town she accepted it easily, and promised to tell no one. Since then when ever he came home injured and tired she would open her doors to him and give him any help he needed.

They traveled to the stables to get Helsing's black stallion ready. As he took his horses tact from the wall she asked,

"Where are you going this time Van?"

"To a town that's having problems of the feline kind."

"And where is this town?" she asked, like any mother who wished to know where her children are, because she considered him as a son to her.

"I'm not sure. My men will inform me when I meet up with them."

"I see, well come back in one piece then." and with that she left Helsing had she known what Helsing's true motives were she may not have been so quick to let him leave.

Helsing took his horse back to his house and finished packing and then left.

It was almost dark when he reached Bree. He put his horse up in a local stable for the night and headed to the nearest inn, the one he wanted was just across form the Prancing Pony. Not that he didn't like the Prancing Pony it was just too crowded for his liking. The one he was at wasn't the best inn in town, but the price was cheap and rooms weren't too bad. However, the Prancing Pony had the best food in town.

He was finishing unpacking and getting ready to head for dinner when a knock was heard on the.

"Enter." said Helsing.

A boy with mousy brown hair and only about ten years of age entered. He looked in awe at the man before him.

Helsing brought him back from his reverie, "Yes?"

The boy shook his head, "There was a note left for you up front, Sir." he handed Helsing the letter.

The boy shut the door behind as he left. Helsing sat on the end of the bed as he read the letter.

Helsing,

We failed. The cat got away and her companions slaughtered the others. We no longer wish to be a part of this, the werecats are becoming too much and these were stronger than most. Your on your own for this one.

Those cowardsThought Helsing.

We got this information on your new prey. In cat form she' s as white as fresh winter snow. Her eyes are what set her apart from any others, the left one is an Emerald green color while the right is dark blue. This is all we could get the men were killed before they saw her human form.

Glaring at the letter Helsing reached over to his nightstand where a candle burned, placing the letter over the flame he watched as it turned to ash in his hand.

He then left for dinner at the Prancing Pony.

Aragorn walked into the Prancing Pony before it became crowded. He would stop here for the night then head for Rivendell in the morning. After paying for his room for the night he made his way to a spot in the back where he could watch everything that wet on.

Strider then waved a waitress to him and ordered a house dinner and pint of ale. Dinner consisted of a small loaf of bread and meat.

As he ate his meal he listened to those within hearing range, hoping to hear something of interest. There was nothing but the usual babble. After eating his meal Aragorn pulled out his pipe and weed.

Helsing walked into the Prancing Pony. He ordered his food and ale and went to sit down. The only place left in the room was in the back near a strange cloaked figure smoking on a pipe.

Aragorn watched the man who sat in front of him. Something about this man was strange. He was dressed for travel, yet by the state of his clothes he had only traveled a short distance. They were well worn, torn and reattached in some places. Almost like what rangers wore. But no other rangers were in Bree at the moment, he would know he was their chieftain, they had a habit of checking in with him when they were in the same area. It wasn't mandatory it was just something they did.

After eating his dinner and draining the last of his ale Helsing felt like someone was watching him. Careful not to appear like he was doing so, his eyes traveled the inn searching for someone who was watching. Not seeing anyone in his immediate eye sight, he stood and headed to the bar for another ale.

Aragorn followed his movements.

Helsing returned his mug for refill of ale. Casually turning his back to the bar while he waited for the drink, he scanned the faces of the people looking for the one who he still felt watching him.

There! Thought Helsing eyeing the cloaked man he sat near, though he couldn't see his eyes he could feel them burning holes into him. The barkeep returned with his mug and Helsing went casually back to his seat.

He had been caught. Strider of course had given no indication of such a thing ever happening. He watched the man return to his seat.

Helsing turned his back to the ranger, "You know it's very impolite to stare?"

Strider had been taken aback by this. "Is it I didn't realize." he said calmly

"Oh, yes. Quite impolite," Helsing turned to face Aragorn, "So why don't we instead of looking at one another with suspicion we just sit and talk in order to ease any unease."

Aragorn nodded, interestinghe thought.

Helsing held out his hand as a greeting to the ranger, " Names Helsing."

Aragorn shook his hand, "Strider, ranger of the North. You're a hunter am I correct?"

"Aye indeed I am."

"What do you hunt?"

"Many things, mostly the strange and unnatural." Helsing waved a waitress over to them, "Get me a couple of ales for me and my friend here." The waitress nodded.

They talked for a few minutes, both shocked at how much they were alike when the waitress returned with the drinks Strider stopped him from paying, "Please I insist let me buy these." it was an old trick he used many times and it worked very well he paid the waitress enough to keep them coming with the drinks for the rest of the night. Aragorn would get them drunk enough so that they would spill every secret they had, it was all a matter of time before the alcohol took effect, but it worked very well.

Little did he know that Helsing used a similar tactic.

After several hours and ales later both were still trying to get the other drunk. Strider was still sober, he had a high tolerance for alcohol thanks to Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas, and King Thranduil's wine cellar, but was getting very close to going above that tolerance level. He remembered he had said something funny, but later couldn't remember.

Helsing gave a hardy laugh, which was soon joined by Aragorn's equally hardy laugh. Helsing wiped away the tears of mirth that formed in his eyes and asked.

"Well now, Strider… it is Strider correct?" Aragorn nodded, "Tell me in all your years of traveling with the rangers," Helsing lowered his voice to almost a whisper. Aragorn leaned in close to hear, "Have you ever come across a Bastet?" Aragorn gave him a questioning look. Helsing repeated, "A werecat Strider, a werecat."

Realization dawned on the ranger, yes he had heard of them a few times from both Gandalf and his father, but they never went into detail on them. "I have heard of them once or twice, but only as rumors or brief mentioning. If you are wandering if I ever met one then no."

Helsing nodded, only slightly surprised by the admission. "I didn't expect you to. I'm surprised you've head of them most don't even know what they are." Helsing took a sip of his ale.

"And I suppose you know all there is to know about them?" Strider didn't like the mans

I-know-everything personality.

Helsing put down his pint, "Well not all, I admit, but far more than anyone else you'll ever find." he took another sip and continued, "They're vicious, the whole lot of 'em. And damn smart to. They don't charge head first into a fight like a werewolf would. No. They weigh all the options, most of which end in your demise, then they fight. There's nothing more dangerous than something that thinks during a fight." Aragorn listened to his every word taking notice that Heling's voice had become distant, like he was speaking from past experience. "However if they're just out to kill ya they lie in wait for an opportune moment. They study you, get to know your habits, who your close to, even so much as to getting to know how you run your house. So that when they do decide to strike they get you when you least expect it."

Aragorn chuckled, "You make it sound as if they follow you around and live with you. Surly their prey would take notice."

"You would think that wouldn't you. But see that's exactly how it's done. They hide in plain sight. Take that cat over there." Helsing pointed to a black cat with white feet reclining on the hearth basking in the warm glow of the nights fire.

It's too hot outside how can that animal tolerate laying there. Thought Aragorn.

Helsing continued, "That's how they do it, by becoming seemingly harmless housecats they can easily get into your home. While all you see is a cute little cat or kitten you don't think that they might be very deadly. They have friends everywhere in all sorts of shapes and forms."

"Is that what your hunting?"

Helsing looked at the dunadine in the eye, "How did you know?"

Aragorn took out his pipe and started cleaning it, " You mentioned before you were hunting something and given your knowledge of those creatures I assume that's what your after. You're the type who likes to know his prey before he goes after it."

Helsing nodded, "You're a credit to your kind ranger. Yes that is what I'm hunting." standing up to leave he continued his voice low and menacing, "She's very dangerous. If you see her let me know."

"If she's a cat how will I know her?"

"She will be solid white, almost as bright as snow."

"There are many white cats in this world how will I know this one apart from any others?"

"Her eyes."

"Eyes?"

"Yes one is an emerald green," Helsing pointed to his left eye, "The other a dark blue." pointing to the right eye.

Helsing turns to leave Strider to his thoughts when the ranger asked, "Wait, how will I find you if I see her."

Helsing turned his head "Don't worry my friend, if you do I will find you.

Aragorn shook his head, "I don't understand."

"I have my own sources."

And with that Helsing left the bar heading for his room at the inn on the other side of Bree. Leaving Strider to his watch in the inn, but his thoughts kept wandering back to the conversation with the man Helsing.

Helsing, Helsing. Where have I heard that name before? Then it hit him. Of course! Helsing the demon hunter. The killer of Melkor's most deadly creatures. Interesting.

For the rest of the night Aragorn thought about all he had heard both on what he had been told by Helsing himself and what he had heard on the man, not quite sure if he could trust him or not. When most people had retired to their homes or rooms he went to his. Walking by the hearth, where the cat now looked up at him from, he couldn't help but wonder how much was true.

One week later Aragorn was home. As he rode through Imladris he was met with a familiar sight, the twins and Legolas ran up to great him. After checking to see that he was in fact in one piece they allowed him to pass and great his father, who patiently waited on the top of the stairs leading into the house. As he walked through the Last Homely House he was greeted by various others that dwelled there.

Later that night after all the hellos, greetings, and reminiscing, and a very exquisite dinner, that he missed while with the rangers. Not that their food wasn't good, but it's not like what the elves do. After all they've had thousands of years to perfect their work. Aragorn, Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas, and Elrond retired to the Hall of Fire. All wished to hear of Aragorn's travels and adventures. Likewise Aragorn wished to hear about all he missed while he was away. So they all spent the evening swapping stories.

He was about to hear about Elladan's findings in the clearing when a small bell was heard heading down the hall.

"What's that?" asked Estel curiously

"Oh, that's just Elladan's new pet." said Elrohir as a white cat pranced into the room finding her place in Elladan's lap.

Elladan scratched under the cats chin, "Yes ada said we could keeper." the cat closed it's mismatched eyes and began purring.

Aragorn turned to Elrond, who was sitting near the fire. "You allowed this. Ada, you do remember what happened to their last pet?"

Elrond took a sip of his tea, "Yes Estel, I do, but I couldn't say no to her."

"Why not?"

"She licked his nose." Said Legolas.

"By the way, Elladan have you decided on a name for her. She is after all your pet." asked Elrohir.

"No, not yet. It is very difficult since the only thing she seems to be interested in is me."

"What do mean?" asked Aragorn

"She follows me everywhere and every time I sit down she jumps in my lap. She even sleeps in my bed with me and no matter how many times I try to put her elsewhere for sleep she somehow finds a way into my room."

Elrond smiled, he remembered. The cat did in fact follow him, very much like Estel did when he was young. But he knew something Elladan did not. How the cat would come into his room at night. Elrond would let her in. If he didn't she would sit outside his door all night, occasionally pawing at it, as if it would magically if she tried long enough.

Elrond would open the door for her whenever he saw her sitting there. Though the animal still made him feel uneasy it had caused no problems and made no threats against his friends and family. He would watch as the cat cautiously approached his eldest sons bed, silently jump up on it and make her way towards Elladan's pillow where she would curl up and sleep on the top of his sons head. He had witnessed that if Elladan were about to slip into a troubled sleep the cat would gently lick his forehead and that would calm him.

A yelp from Elladan brought him back to the Hall of Fire.

"Ow." Said Elladan as he jumped up and pulled the cat off him. All eyes turned to him with curious glances as to what had made the oldest of Elrond's sons react that way. Holding the at arms length away form him he responded, "She stretched and accidentally dug her claws into my leg." Turning to Aragorn, "Here Estel , you hold her for a while."

Aragorn took the cat and looked over his brothers new pet. When he saw the cats eyes he stared at them in shock. The eyes coloring was different.

Authoress and Elladan and Elrohir walk out

Authoress: Yay I updated.

Elladan: Took you long enough

Authoress: Sorry, I would've had it up sooner, but my computer hates me.

Elrohir: Excuses Excuses

Authoress: But it's true my computer erased everything and I had to retype.

Elladan: Did you learn a lesson?

Authoress: Yes, now I know why people save every other paragraph. But hey it was shorter then this when I first typed it so some good did come out of it.[ to audience] I know normally Legolas is here with me, but I decided that if you don't want him brutally maimed in the next chapter then you'll Review.

Elrohir: We tied him up in the back so he wouldn't get away.

Thousands of fan girls rush the stage fighting to get to the back to rescue the one they obsessed over and would try and forcefully marry. Once their gone, Legolas pokes his head out from behind the a side curtain.

Legolas: Are they gone?

All: Yes

Legolas: [breaths sigh of relief] Good, Kat tell me did you mean what you said about the next chapter?

All eyes turn to Kat who is grinning wider than a Cheshire cat grins.

Authoress: [in singsong manner] I'll never tell. I'll never tell.

Elrohir: [eyes Authoress] No more late night movies for you.