Aragorn's Inheritance, One-Shot

Elrond explained further to Aragorn about his Dúnedain lineage. Clockwise, on the other hand, perched himself on an elegant perch, while Gizzard and Gwen took their spots on a nearby bench. That was when the elf lord brought forth the shards of a sword. Elrond explained that the shards were the shards of Narsil, a legendary sword that first belonged to Elendil, which was passed to Isildur before his passing.

It was Gwen who spoke up this time. "Narsil is a talisman's folly, and if Ester chooses to follow Aragorn, he will be the strife amongst his kindred… the cat's kindred strife."

"I'm sure you don't mean that, Gwen," Gizzard said, trying to reassure her.

"Do I?" Gwen asked, snapping at him. "Maybe you don't understand what is happening here. Elrond finally tells Aragorn his lineage, and you want him to bear a folly that Isildur once carried, when he defeated Sauron. I do know what is happening, Ester. I only hope nothing happens after this or to you."

"There is something else you need to know, Aragorn son of Arathorn, about your animal friends," Elrond said.

"What might that be, Lord Elrond?" Aragorn asked.

"Your cat friend Ester indeed has another name, as does Clockwise, but his name will be revealed in due time. Ester's common name in the rest of Middle-earth is Gizzard, and you will need to call him by that name outside Rivendell, Mirkwood, and Lothlórien," Elrond explained. "If his true name is revealed, then his brother Mortar or Mr. Cuddle-Muffin will seek him out and possibly kill him."

"Good point, Lord Elrond," Gizzard said in agreement.

"Why tell me this now, Elrond?" Aragorn asked, confused.

"There was information that needed to be kept secret. Alas, you would not understand when you were a child," Elrond said in reply.

"I suppose he couldn't, but when I first met him he could have learned the truth," Gizzard admitted. Returning to the previous subject, Gizzard asked Elrond, "Now, you were going to talk about my lineage. I'm certain my father was a brutal to Mortar as he was to me. After all, my father was a black cat. Wasn't he?"

Elrond sighed in regret. "We will discuss this later. For now, I wish to speak to Aragorn alone."

"Wait, does this mean I have a lineage? Is this talisman's folly me as well?" Clockwise asked, curious.

Gwen snapped at the scarlet macaw, "Only if you want it to be, Clockwise!"

"Gwendolyn, that's enough!" Elrond cried in fury. To the three animals, he commanded, "You three are allowed to leave this chamber, but do not wander off too far unless you tell me first. Is that understood?"

"Yes, my liege," said the three animals in unison, bowing before the Elf lord.

Midway down the hallway, Gizzard overheard murmurs involving Elrond and Gwen. When he turned his gaze again to Lord Elrond's chamber, Gizzard locked eyes with the grey tabby cat. They stayed that way for a few moments, until Aragorn and Elrond came out of the chamber after Gwen. Breaking the connection, Gizzard darted down the hallway, heading straight for the garden. Even he could admit he was acting a bit strange towards Gwen.

*.*.*

The next evening, Gizzard hid behind a bush. Before him was Aragorn with an Elven princess. The black cat remembering something about Lord Elrond mentioning his daughter, Arwen Undómiel. Her last name meant "Evenstar", but to the black cat it was clear she meant a lot to the young Dúnedain. And yet… upon thinking about Gwen, he spotted her in the opposite end of the garden. How could he do that? Well, even he didn't know…

…

In the days that followed, Gizzard met with Aragorn on many occasions. The Dunedain was preparing to head out into the Wild with Elrond's sons. It was agreed, thanks to Lord Elrond, that Gizzard could travel with Aragorn on his hunting missions. While Gizzard and Clockwise were fine with this arrangement, Gwen was not.

On the day Gizzard was set to leave with Aragorn, Gwen tracked the black cat down.

"Why are you doing this, Ester?" she asked the black cat, "You know which path is placed before you. It might as well be here in Rivendell, where it is safe."

"Nothing is safe for long, Gwendolyn," Gizzard admitted, speaking Gwen's first name fully.

"You don't mean that. Surely Ester," Gwen said, attempting to coax Gizzard to stay.

"I do mean that, Gwen. I mean it above anything else," replied Gizzard, a little saddened.

"I know you're lying to me. So tell me the truth," Gwen said, facing Gizzard with a concerned expression across her face.

Gizzard sighed, regretfully. "I know you think we're meant to be together, but you are part of the Elven race. My place is out there in the world, in Middle-earth. If you wish to accompany me, then…"

"You know why I cannot do that, Ester," Gwen admitted, softly.

"Sadly, I wish I knew more about you, but you have failed so far in telling me the truth," said Gizzard.

"But – you cannot leave Rivendell. You might be killed out there in the Wild," Gwen said in desperation. "Please stay."

"Why should I? I have trained in Rivendell, and Clockwise has the skills needed out in the Wild as well as any eagle or parrot does. He's going to be leaving soon anyway, in search of the Wizard Gandalf. I can only hope one day we'll meet again," Gizzard explained. "I'm sure whatever you keep in your heart you keep it there, safe and sound. I would not allow you to get yourself killed either."

"I have as much skill as you, Gizzard. Maybe one day, we'll be united, but I suppose destiny has another choice set before you," Gwen said, sharply.

Gizzard watched her tear off down the hallway, out of sight and out of his reach. Maybe she would understand someday. For now, there was his journey with Aragorn and the Ranger wasn't about to give up on him. Unaware to him, Gwen was watching him from the Last Homely House's one of many balconies.