"Racism was not a problem on the Discworld,
because—what with trolls and dwarfs and so
on—speciesism was more interesting."

— Terry Pratchett, Witches Abroad

16. Leaving Lothlórien

"Would you look at that! How pretty." Gimli filled his hands with smooth stones from the bottom of a small stream, and proudly presented them to Kat and Legolas.

They listened politely while he told their names and characteristics. "This one is gneiss. Very common. It's striped, as you see there on the other side, and that's how you separate it from the spotted granite, which I have one here. The granite is often pink like that. Oh, and the white band on that larger gneiss stone is milky quartz. If we're lucky I'll find one of clear quartz, which can be shaped into very nice prisms. For jewellery and such."

"How exciting." Legolas did not quite manage to keep a straight face.

"Aye, isn't it?" The dwarf good-naturedly ignored the other's smirk. He seemed to feel about minerals the way Legolas did about trees, but Kat actually found his mineralogy lessons quite interesting – and Legolas plant lessons too, for that matter. Who would have thought trees greedily breathed back in the oxygen they had created, using most of it themselves? This and other tree-and-stone related things she had learned today.

It was such a relief to be away from the confinement of the garden, and Kat had enjoyed herself immensely so far. Looking back, this was probably the best day she had had on the entire journey – beginning with that surprise gift from Legolas this morning, and continuing with a lovely tour through Lothlórien.

Legolas and Gimli were very enthusiastic guides, who showed her all the beautiful places they had previously discovered. It was strange to think that only a couple of weeks earlier, the two of them had almost been enemies – for no other reason than an ancient feud between their peoples.

Kat could see why Legolas had warmed up to the dwarf, for underneath his rough surface, Gimli proved to be a warm, caring person, and a good listener. She had thought him grumpy before, but maybe he was just introverted.

They followed the stream for a while, stopping now and then to let Gimli add to his growing rock collection, until they entered a sunny glade full of the pretty golden flowers which seemed so common in Lothlórien.

"Ah! They remind me of her hair." Gimli picked one and placed it behind his ear.

Kat smiled inwardly. She could never have guessed the hardened dwarf warrior was such a romantic at heart. He seemed to have quite a serious crush on Galadriel.

Legolas, who had seated himself on a fallen log, frowned slightly. "Why did you pick it? Now it cannot make any seeds and spread."

"Sorry, my lad. Didn't consider that." Gimli's apologetic smile did not look very sincere, and Kat suspected he too found the elf's obsession with everything living rather cute. Why he had begun calling Legolas 'lad' was beyond her comprehension, however; he was both taller and many times older. Perhaps it was the beardless chin that prompted it?

A rustle in the grass made her temporarily forget her companions, and Kat soundlessly sneaked closer. She was just about to pounce on an unsuspecting wood mouse, when she caught sight of her face in the pendant around her neck, and came to her senses.

What was she doing? She was a woman. Women don't hunt mice.

Fervently hoping the others had not noticed, she jumped up to sit on Legolas' lap. He started like she had burnt him, and his cheeks turned red. What– Oh. You should not sit there. He gently moved her to the log beside him. That is better.

Kat must have looked very unhappy, for Gimli sat on her other side, and stroked her head soothingly. "What's wrong with you, then?"

She glared at Legolas. Yes, what's wrong with me? Explain that, elf. But seeing him blush even more, she regretted her harsh words. He had been so nice to her this morning when he drew her portrait. Sorry. I understand you're uncomfortable around me after what you saw and all. Never mind.

Nay, I... overreacted. Again. He picked her up and returned her to his lap.

Kat gratefully began to purr and knead his thighs. She had been afraid there would be no more cuddles, but maybe Legolas would come around like he had before, and get used to having her close. She knew she would have to continue alone eventually; Mr Pretty Voice had said so, and the Mirror had shown it as well, but until then she did not want to be devoid of body contact.

"What just happened?" asked Gimli. "Why do you look so embarrassed, and why's she so pleased all of a sudden?"

"That is... hard to explain." Legolas looked away.

"It's unfair only you can speak with her. Probably saying things behind my back," he huffed.

I'd never say things behind Axe Guy's back, Kat thought smugly. Such as how funny he looks with that little flower in his messy hair – I wouldn't dream of saying such things about him.

"She says she is very impressed with your hair. And that the flower suits you. Ouch!" He gingerly removed Kat's claws from his thigh.

"Aye, the lasses often like my hair. And my beard." Gimli puffed up his chest and proudly twirled his braided moustaches.

Actually the beard is impressive. It's so long, and wide, and with those lovely braids too! Tell him I said that.

No need to inflate his ego further. Legolas frowned. What's so great about beards anyway? I am sure they get in the way when one's eating. And too warm in the summer.

You're just jealous you can't grow one.

Me? Of course not. I would not want a beard even if I could.

I'm sure a beard would look great on you, though. A short, neat one. It would give your face character and maturity, and– Hey! Don't push me down. I'll stop teasing. Promise. Gosh. Didn't know this was such a sensitive topic.

It is not.

/\_,,_.,
( ᵔ ᴥ ᵔ )

When the three explorers returned to Caras Galadhon in the evening, and entered the Fellowship's pavilion, they met Frodo and Sam coming from another direction. Both looked thoughtful, troubled even – Sam in particular.

"Anything the matter?" asked Aragorn, looking up from the sword he had been polishing.

"We were offered to gaze into Galadriel's Mirror," said Sam. "My poor old gaffer! Bad things happened back in the Shire. After we finish this quest I must hurry home and put a stop to it."

"What things?" asked Merry and Pippin in unison.

"They had built a tall brick chimney with ugly smoke pouring out, and the Old Mill was gone. And Ted Sandyman was cutting down trees! That sweet old avenue, shading the road to Bywater."

"He did what?" asked Legolas incredulously.

"I saw frightening things too, and did not understand half of them," said Frodo. "Worst of all was a huge eye – yellow, with a narrow pupil. Could it be the same you saw, Kat?"

You mean that eye the Illuminati people had on their masks? Yes, it could be.

Legolas translated, and Frodo replied: "Galadriel said it's the Dark Lord's eye, searching for us. For me; for my Ring."

At the mention of the Ring, Boromir frowned. "He knows you have it?"

"I don't think so."

"What if he does, though. And we will be taking it right under his nose... Folly." He clenched his fists. "If the people Kat saw in the Mirror had painted Sauron's eye on their masks, then maybe they were his followers. That could mean he will win this war."

"Or he loses, and those were surviving evil men who honored his memory in some twisted way," Aragorn objected. "Besides, Galadriel said not everything one sees in the Mirror comes to pass."

"Whatever you say." Boromir muttered sourly.

They had no time to discuss the visions in the Mirror further, for now an elf entered to tell them they were again summoned to the house of Galadriel and Celeborn.

Kat swallowed a lump in her throat at the thought of climbing up there a second time, but to her relief Legolas carried her like he had before, allowing her to hide against his neck.

It felt a bit strange to be so close to him after recent events, and he was stiffer than he had been the last time, but his smell was comforting and Kat almost enjoyed herself despite the sheer drop below. She knew it was stupid to nurture her crush on him when it could never be anything between them, yet could not stop herself. She wanted so badly to be near him – all the time.

If it even was only a crush anymore.

The main room of the treehouse looked the same as the last time, with its many elf courtiers and the Lord and Lady seated on their throne-like chairs.

Kat felt Galadriel's eyes on her, and heard her rich alto in her head. Tomorrow, the Fellowship leaves Lothlórien. There is still time to change your mind and stay here, if the quest feels too daunting, or too hard. What choose you?

I'm going with them.

Galadriel smiled. She turned to the others, meeting their gaze one at a time, and then said to her husband: "They are all resolved to go forward."

Celeborn said something, and Boromir and Aragorn replied. They were using complicated words that Kat did not understand, and Legolas seemed too engulfed in the conversation to translate. As far as she could tell, they were discussing the Fellowship's further journey, and which route to take.

After Galadriel had bid them a good night, the company gathered down in the pavilion again. The discussion continued, and now Legolas translated to Kat. Celeborn had offered them boats to travel some of the way by the river, which would be much faster than on foot. But the debate was whether they should go to Minas Tirith, and delay taking the Ring to be destroyed, or hurry to Mordor directly. Boromir wanted the first option, but Aragorn was ambivalent. Though he did want to aid Gondor with his sword, with Gandalf gone, he felt he had to help Frodo instead – and Frodo was undecided what to do.

Boromir mumbled thoughtfully that if Frodo only wished to destroy the Ring, then the armed strength of Gondor was of little use to him, but if he wanted to destroy the Dark Lord, then it was folly to go unarmed into his realm, and throw away... lives. He looked very odd when he said that last word, like he had meant something else. Throw away... what?

A soft snore interrupted the conference; Merry and Pippin had fallen asleep, and the others decided to follow their example. They could think more about this tomorrow.

Kat tentatively padded up to Legolas where he was preparing his bedroll.

Is it very wrong for me to sleep here with you? I've spent so many nights alone lately...

It is highly inappropriate, aye. For some reason he was smiling, and Kat looked suspiciously at him. His smile grew wider, and he added: I shall pretend you are a cat. Come.

Breathing out in relief, Kat happily rolled up beside him, feeling him spoon his body around her. Can't you always pretend I'm a cat? I do look like one.

I cannot – even if I wanted to.

Why don't you want that?

Because you deserve to be treated like a person, not an animal.

Kat felt a warmth inside at his kind words. This was what she had wanted all along; to be seen as a woman. Though, right now she was thankful he didn't...

Being treated as a cat has its benefits, she thought, purring contentedly.

Such as?

This. If I was in my human body and felt lonely, you'd never allow me to lie beside you.

He was silent a long while, and then chuckled faintly. That would make it much harder to pretend you were a cat, but... If you needed it, then aye, I would.

Kat's chest constricted. Dammit, Legolas. Why are you so nice?

It is what friends do. He stroked her back.

Friends. Of course. But if he continued acting sweet like this, Kat was not sure she could keep up the pretense of not feeling more than friendship much longer. And what would he do then?

She knew the answer. Without doubt, if he knew the depth of her feelings, Legolas would push her away. Kindly, of course, for he was a considerate person, but also firmly. A clean break. For her own good.

A/N:

Lots of readers voted for the second option haha (surprise!). The cuddles will remain, as you can see. :D But Kat is certain they are very chaste cuddles. Is she right? Or is Legolas deceiving both himself and her about feeling only friendship? Let me know what you think. :)

Guys' brains are a great mystery to me, so I'm not even sure myself (not kidding).

Image Credits:

Screenshot from the LOTR movies.