Winter's Gift, One-Shot
It was now the year 2944 of the Third Age. With the new year, a frost stretched across the Valley of Imladris. Gizzard found Gwen speaking to a middle-aged woman. For a moment, Gizzard could hardly guess Gwen's reasons for speaking to the woman. Still, he had to admire Gwen's enthusiasm with speaking to peoples, to see what they had to offer or needed their assistance. Gizzard followed the two until they reached Elrond's bedroom, where Gwen fled inside. The black cat followed in turn, hardly knowing what to expect.
I would ask what you are doing in here, but I am afraid you would yell at me. He asked Gwen, curiously, What are we doing in Elrond's bedroom?
Shh! I need to show you something, before Elrond discovers us, Gwen thought, approaching a wooden chest with an unlocked gold latch.
What are you showing me, Gwen? Gizzard asked in thought, drawing closer to the tabby cat.
Just as the tabby cat moved the latch upwards, she and Gizzard stopped. Elrond voice brought the two cats to attention. That stopped everything, or whatever Gwen's plan was in the Elven Lord's bedroom.
Lord Elrond, Gwen thought, embarrassed, forgive me for troubling you here… and now, but Gizzard – I mean Ester and I were just…
Gwen was about to show me something you had stashed in here. I was the only one who wanted to avoid entering your bedroom without asking you first, of course, Gizzard thought.
Elrond nodded. "If you two were willing to see something, you should have come forward and told me. But that would risk telling Estel…"
What? You were going to tell Estel what, Elrond? Gwen thought, curious.
"All in good time," said Elrond, sharply. "For now, you two should leave, before I catch you wandering the halls again, without asking me first."
Without question, Gwen left the room first. Gizzard stared at Elrond for a few moments. Stricken by what had just happened, Gizzard fled out of the room. He didn't feel the need to interrupt Lord Elrond's sleep.
*.*.*
Gizzard refused to speak to Gwen for about a week. He couldn't speak to her. Not after what they tried to do with Lord Elrond's chest. Eventually, the two cats did come to speaking terms again, grateful to have found a friendship between them. As the year passed, Gizzard found Gwen attractive. He did not know why, except for remembering the tale of Beren and Luthien. Maybe, just maybe, that's what he was experiencing between himself and Gwen.
In December, of the same year, Gizzard and Gwen wandered through the garden. They weren't in danger, but did enjoy each other's company. The two cats stopped upon hearing a rustling sound coming from a nearby, shaky bush. Who or what that creature was remained to be seen. It didn't stop Gizzard from being wary of this mysterious creature.
"I'll investigate." Gizzard told Gwen, "Stay here until I've returned. It's probably nothing…" His voice dropped as Gwen nodded in encouragement.
"All right," said Gwen, softly.
Slowly, Gizzard advances towards the nearby bush. He jumped back when the mysterious creature flew into a second snowy bush, making the bush tremble greatly. The black cat followed the new smell – a scent of bird – over to the second bush. Gizzard felt eyes watching him, only to discover they belonged to Gwen. The black cat returned his gaze to the bush. Eyes popped out, followed by scarlet feathers. At last, the bird poked his head out through the bushes.
The red parrot did look familiar to Gizzard's eyes.
"Who are you?" Gizzard asked aloud. "State your name, bird!"
"Please, do not hurt me. I am Reyes, but those who know me better, away from the Rainforest, call me Clockwise," said the scarlet macaw in introduction. "What do they call you? Are you Mr. Cuddle-Muffin or Mortar?"
"Mortar is my brother, and I'm…"
"Gizzard!" Clockwise cried in excitement, flying in circles around the black cat.
"Ester, do you know this bird?" Gwen asked, confused, "Are you aware that is Reyes?"
Gizzard started, serious, "No, this is Clockwise…"
"Ester," Gwen said in concern.
"Gwen, I know who he is," said Gizzard, sharply.
"Maybe you do, but you don't know him as well as you think," Gwen admitted, before she returned to the city of Imladris.
"Who is that?" asked Clockwise, freely.
"A grey tabby cat named Gwendolyn. I met her almost a year ago," admitted Gizzard.
"Is she friendly?" asked Clockwise, curiously.
"At times, she can be. Other times, she isn't that way," said Gizzard in reply.
Gwen chuckled happily. "Only from what you have seen so far, Gizzard. Of course, this parrot might prove useful one day. Come Clockwise, you need to see this." She wandered back to the Elven City. Clockwise flew in pursuit, his shadow guiding both Gwen and Gizzard, who fell behind. But even he had to admit: it was good to see Clockwise again.