For this story, there are places where it's jagged. Hopefully, it'll be much smoother as we go along Gizzard's tale.

*.*.*

First Truth, One-Shot

Later that evening, back inside the Hall of Fire, Clockwise relayed to Gizzard and Gwen an account of his adventures. The red parrot's journey included a trip to the Lonely Mountain and finding a black cat inside the Misty Mountains. As the red parrot continued the tale of his exploits, Gizzard watched Estel, who was fourteen-year-old and tired. Figuring it was time to leave, Gizzard roamed out of the hall and down two corridors. However, he was caught by Gwen, who tackled him.

"Where are you going, Ester?" Gwen asked, just as Gizzard threw her off of him. The black cat spoke politely to her,

"Listen, I am sorry if Clockwise is as annoying as I did not expect him to be…"

"He is not as annoying as you give him credit," replied Gwen in a calmer tone. Lowering her voice, she asked him, "Ester, when are you going to trust in what others have to say?"

Gizzard looked away. "The next time my brother crosses my path, then I'll believe what I see."

"Why are you so fearful of me?" Gwen asked, curtly.

"I'm not fearful of you. I'm jealous and furious with you. And the fact that you can understand elvish words, when I cannot. What credit do you have for a newcomer?" Gizzard asked.

"A newcomer?" Estel asked from behind. Gizzard spun around in the same time as Gwen. Estel cried out, stopping the two cats from their flight, "Wait… Please do not leave. You two are the first cats I have seen that can speak out loud. I thought I was crazy for hearing animals speaking to me by thought but… can this be true?"

Clockwise arrived right on time. Perching on a stone bench, the red parrot stared at the two cats. Gizzard was stunned to see him, and yet the red parrot had a few words to say to him and Gwen.

"You mean you two can speak aloud to humans? You didn't tell me we could all speak to every human that crossed our path."

"Estel is human, but not in the way it seems. Besides, you spoke to the Wizard Gandalf the Grey, Clockwise," Gwen said, protesting.

"That was different. He – it doesn't matter anymore. They should all be noted as humans, while we're – nothing more than animals, creatures that can speak and think for ourselves," Clockwise cried in a serious tone, before he flew off down the hallway in fury. However, he was stopped by Estel, who spoke to him, Gizzard and Gwen joined them moments later.

"Ester, I didn't know you could speak," Estel admitted, calmly.

"Then maybe next time you won't hear me, Gwen, or Clockwise speak aloud at all," said Gizzard, sternly.

"Why didn't you tell me when we first met?" Estel asked, stopping the black cat in his tracks, "I mean, it would be better if we…"

"Better?" Gizzard asked, stunned. "Do you think hearing an animal speaking aloud is better? Besides, I thought the rules were that all animals cannot speak out loud."

"The Eagles in this world can speak, as can some animals. The horses cannot, Ester," Estel admitted.

"Oh, then that's reassuring," Gizzard said, sarcastically.

"Why are you attempting to pick a fight with me? What trouble have I caused you?" Estel asked in concern.

"I cannot tell," Estel said, calm but serious, "but it must be enough to irritate me." He made a quick recovery. "I'm sorry, but this is not your fault. I should have told Clockwise from the beginning that creatures are not allowed to speak to beings. It's the way things are supposed to be treated, especially with the way this world's headed."

"So, you don't want to believe the impossible can be possible?" asked Estel asked, curious.

"I just want things back to the way they were, but I know I cannot have that wish," Gizzard admitted. "Why are you still talking to me?"

"Because I want to be your friend and loyal companion." Estel replied, "Besides, Lord Elrond, my foster-father, needs me out in the Wild, to help his twin sons. I will return when I can."

"You're leaving me here, alone?" Gizzard asked, stunned.

Estel shook his head. "You have friends already, Ester. You should appreciate what you have. I will return one day and find out any news from Elrond. I will come back."

"So, does this mean we are friends?" Gizzard asked, growing suspicious. "Or are we enemies?"

"No, we won't be enemies unless you stand against me," Estel said. He stood up, returning to the Hall of Fire a few minutes later.

*.*.*

Seven more years passed in Middle-earth.

During their time in Rivendell, Gizzard learned much from Gwen and Clockwise. However, on some matters, Gwen and Clockwise remained tight-lipped. These were the matters they kept to themselves. As for Gizzard, half the time he spotted Estel with Elrond's twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir. When the time came, Elrond revealed to Estel his true name: Aragorn son of Arathorn, the heir to the throne of Gondor. Eventually Gizzard, Gwen and Clockwise were also called to Elrond's chambers, where they would soon learn the truth about Aragorn and his past.