"Where's the pleasure in bein' the winner
if the loser ain't alive to know they've lost?"

― Terry Pratchett, Witches Abroad

29. The Seeing Stone

When the door slammed behind the defeated wizard, something rolled out from a window higher up and landed on the stair beside Gandalf, cracking the stone step in several pieces. It was a black glass globe, perhaps a decimeter in diameter, and apparently unharmed by the impact, for it bounced down the rest of the stairs and continued towards a puddle.

The rolling ball activated Kat's hunting instincts and she could not resist running after it. She saw now that there was a red fire burning within, and felt a strong desire to peer deeper into it and discover the source of that glow.

Before she could touch the thing, Pippin hurried past and took it. He turned the smooth glass over in his hands with curiosity, and Kat stood on her hind legs to try to catch a glance as well.

"Here, my lad. I'll take that." Gandalf swiftly snatched the globe from the hobbit and hid it somewhere under his robes.

With that, it was time to leave Orthanc. It had probably been Wormtongue who threw the globe, perhaps in an attempt to kill Gandalf – and his master would not be happy when he discovered that one of his treasures was gone. It was not safe to linger in case more objects were thrown out.

The remaining ents came to meet them by the broken gates. Gandalf introduced Legolas, Gimli, Kat and Aragorn to the ent-leader, who greeted each of them in turn.

Kat had to stretch her neck far to meet the gaze in Treebeard's kind, brown eyes.

"A woman in a cat's body, you say? Hrum! Don't sharpen your claws on me, I beg you."

I wouldn't dream of it, she thought, wondering if he could pick up her thoughts like an elf.

Treebeard leaned forward, squinting as if he heard her at a great distance. "Hoo! What was that, hm?"

Kat focused on her thought, thinking carefully on each word: I. Would. Never. Scratch. You. Sir.

"Good. Good. You seem like a polite little one."

Next, he turned to Legolas. "And you have come all the way from Mirkwood, my good elf? A very great forest it used to be!"

"It still is, but not so great that we who dwell there ever tire of seeing new trees." Nervously shuffling his feet, Legolas ambled closer.

Kat remained at a distance where she couldn't overhear their conversation. She knew how awkward it was to meet a celebrity, and felt certain Legolas would prefer not to have too many witnesses.

They talked for a while, and then Legolas pushed Gimli forward. When the dwarf bowed, he dropped his axe on the paved ground with a metallic clang. That clearly was a bad thing to bring before an ent, and Treebeard suspiciously glared at it, but after some soothing words from Legolas he relaxed. They parted on apparent good terms.

When Legolas came back to Kat a while later, his step was light and his face cleaved by a smile from ear to ear. He invited me to see his home! And I can bring Gimli too, after I explained he only cuts orc necks with his axe. Oh, I cannot wait for the war to be over!

That's great. Kat tried not to sound jealous.

Even in his excitement, there was no hiding things from Legolas. Anything wrong?

Of course not.

He regarded her closely, and then nodded thoughtfully. You want to come with us.

Don't be silly. I don't even know if I'll still be here after I finish my quest, or whether I'll be a cat or a woman, thought Kat with feigned indifference.

An unwed woman cannot travel alone with two males; that would be very improper, but if we defeat Sauron, and you are still a cat, and linger in this world – then I would be glad to explore Fangorn with Gimli and you.

Those are many ifs. Kat sighed. I do want to travel with you, no matter in what form, she admitted. Maybe I could bring a chaperon... Or how it's done around here.

We'll see. Legolas looked a bit uncomfortable. But let us not speculate about the future. We know nothing of it.

/\_,,_,.
( ಠ_ಠ )

It was sunset when they left Isengard to the care of the ents, who promised to guard the tower and its two inhabitants well. Gandalf had decided to return to Helm's Deep. What they would do when they arrived, he could not yet say – it all depended on Sauron's next move. His eye would probably turn to Isengard and Rohan now when Saruman was defeated.

The ambience when the company departed was quite different from when they came. On the way here, everyone had been somber and silent, full of thoughts of the battle, and mourning the loss of their friends. They must still feel those things, yet now they joked and laughed, glad to know that at least one of their enemies could not threaten them anymore.

Kat felt happier than in a long time. It was satisfying that part of the Fellowship was reunited, and she looked forward to spending time with the hobbits again. She just had to make sure they really were okay after their trauma. Especially Pippin – who was unusually silent where he rode behind Aragorn.

"Do you think Saruman is still a threat?" asked Aragorn after a while. "I know the ents will guard him, but what if he seduces them with his voice? It seemed quite influential."

"The ents are resistant," Gandalf replied. "But even so, Saruman's power was broken with his staff. Should he escape somehow, he might dupe people, and perhaps he can do some mischief that way – but never again can he do any lasting damage. I do not worry about Saruman."

"Ha!" Gimli chuckled. "They'd have to be very gullible indeed to trust his slick words. Right, lad?" He slapped Legolas' shoulder in a comradely fashion. "Your tree-friends are not so stupid, I'm sure."

"Uh, nay, I am sure they would not be fooled." Legolas blushed hotly.

"Quite a shame Saruman will go unpunished though," said Gimli.

"I agree." Éomer was riding beside them. "Gandalf is a kinder victor than I would have been."

"Oh? I dare say his punishment is most severe," said Gandalf mildly. "He has lost everything: his army, his staff and rank in the Order, his freedom, his power. Proud as he is, it must be horrible to live with that knowledge. He also worries over what Sauron will do to him after his failure, and as if all those things are not enough, he is imprisoned together with Wormtongue who will nag and argue with him endlessly."

"They got each other for their sins," Aragorn smirked.

"Maybe they'll enjoy it. They can do some bareback riding." Éomer wiggled his finger suggestively.

Gandalf gave him a stern look. Behind him, Merry tried to suppress his laughter.

"What do you mean?" asked Théoden and Legolas.

"Nothing." Éomer quickly moved his horse to the front.

A couple of hours before midnight they finally halted, and began to make camp in a comfortable little valley covered in thick bushes. Kat gratefully jumped down, stretching her stiff limbs. Riding was not her favorite pastime in this form, for sure.

After a simple meal, silence soon ensued as everyone except for the watches laid down to sleep in the bracken.

I look forward to coming back to Helm's Deep, Kat thought and sauntered over to where Legolas was rolling out his blanket. It'll be nice to see if The Stillness Before Dawn has settled with Yngling.

The what?

The Stillness Before Dawn – Tommy's real name. I thought you knew?

Hum. He did not tell me. Legolas sounded slightly affronted.

It's probably a cat thing. Us cats gotta stick together, and all that. Kat smirked.

I thought you wanted to be treated like a human? He pulled the blanket over him.

Being a cat has its perks. She snuggled down against his neck and began to purr.

/\_,,_.,
( –ᆽ– )

It was late at night, but Kat was still awake. She was in the middle of a very pleasant daydream, where Legolas was undressing like yesterday, only this time she stayed to watch – and more. In her mind, she saw herself back in her real body, tracing his smooth skin with her fingers. She had noticed he had no hair on his chest, the same way his chin was beardless, and now she tried to imagine how it would feel to the touch. Probably like caressing a woman but without the soft parts; with those chest muscles, Legolas' body would be anything but soft.

A shrill shriek abruptly drew Kat from her dream. Around her, people stirred and mumbled, trying to locate where the sound had come from.

Gandalf found the source first. "So this is the thief!" He threw his cloak over the black ball, which had rolled from Pippin's limp hands. The hobbit's eyes were open and vacant where he lay.

Bending down, Gandalf made sure the hobbit was alive, all the while mumbling to himself with a distressed voice. This was bad. Bad news indeed! What mischief had Pippin done to himself – and to all of them?

Finally Pippin woke up and stared at the bystanders with wide eyes. When his gaze met Gandalf's he whined in a voice totally unlike his own: "It is not for you, Saruman! I will send for it at once."

"Peregrin Took!" cried Gandalf. "Come back!"

Blinking several times and clinging tightly to the wizard's hand, Pippin begged: "Gandalf! Forgive me!" Now he sounded like himself again. "I-I took the ball and looked at it."

Gandalf had to struggle to calm Pippin and coax from him what had happened. In a shaking voice, the hobbit admitted he had not been able to forget the curious globe he caught outside Orthanc, and so when everyone slept he had managed to snatch it from the wizard's robes to look into its depths. First he had seen nine dark shadows against the sky, giant, batlike creatures – and then he saw him, Sauron himself. The Dark Lord had initially seemed to assume Pippin was Saruman, and when Pippin said he was a hobbit it had excited the other to no end. He had instructed Pippin to tell Saruman that it was not for him, and that Sauron would send for it. The 'it' was the Ring of course – Sauron must think Pippin was the hobbit who carried it, and that he was captured in Orthanc by Saruman.

When Pippin had finished, Gandalf nodded thoughtfully, looking almost pleased. Pippin had been protected by his good luck, and thankfully his theft might even benefit them. Firstly, because it had saved Gandalf from making a grave mistake – he had been meaning to examine the globe himself, and clearly that had been very unwise for him to do, for then Sauron would realize he was alive. And secondly, it had bought them time. Sauron would hurry to Isengard now, and not look at Rohan or Gondor again until he learned of his error.

Gently, Gandalf carried Pippin back to his bed and urged him to rest. The experience had been very draining – but him being a stout hobbit, he would probably soon be no worse for wear.

When Gandalf returned to the others, he and Aragorn discussed the Orthanc stone and what to do with it. Aragorn called it a palantír, and said it was an ancient communication device once owned by his ancestor Elendil. There used to be several of them, originally made by Fëanor – the same elf who also created the infamous Silmarils that caused so much trouble in the early history of Middle-earth – but over the centuries many had gone missing. Sauron must have gotten hold of one of the palantíri, and that was how he knew so well what happened in the world. Saruman had then found this palantír, and by using it he had become corrupted by Sauron.

Gandalf decided that Aragorn would guard the globe for now, but hidden away so that nobody else was tempted to use it.

They had just settled this when a huge shadow blotted out the moon. Several of the riders cried out in fear and fell to the ground, covering their heads with their hands.

Kat's fur bristled and her limbs grew weak as she was filled with profound dread. She recognized the winged beast as it flew past; Legolas had shot down one such on the Anduin river. Sauron's messenger had come to Isengard impossibly fast!

"Nazgûl!" cried Gandalf, confirming what she already knew. "The storm is coming."

A bustle of activity ensued. They must hurry to get as far away from Isengard as possible now, or Sauron's ringwraiths might find them. Gandalf would ride in advance with Pippin, and the rest of them must gallop to Helm's Deep as fast as they could.

Don't forget me this time! Tell him. Legolas, tell him!

"Kat says you must take her too."

Gandalf stared at him with incomprehension. Then he seemed to remember. "Right. Of course. She comes with me as well. Put her on Shadowfax while I go get the hobbit."

Legolas placed Kat on the white fur. The Meara gave her a suspicious glare, but thankfully didn't throw her off.

Can't you come with us too? Arod is nearly as fast as Shadowfax.

Not even close. He grinned. But it will only be for a short while. I shall catch up with you at Helm's Deep.

Aragorn and Gimli came over. "It seems Gandalf will take another path than ours," said Aragorn. "Galadriel's gift to Kat – do you still have it, Legolas? I think the time has come."

Kat stared at him. The time has come. No. It was too soon! She wasn't ready!

Frowning slightly, Legolas rummaged in his pack and took out the small harness Galadriel had given Kat in Lothlórien. It had pockets full of lembas that she could eat on her lone quest.

While Legolas worked with the harness straps, Aragorn placed his hand on Kat's head. "Don't worry; the Valar will protect you." His voice was unusually soft. "Good luck."

Kat nodded in reply. Her heart was beating at twice its normal pace. This was so abrupt. She needed more time; time to think, time to say goodbye... And Legolas. She must tell him...

"Dear lass." Gimli sounded a bit hoarse. "It's been an honor to know you." He slipped something into one of her pockets. The geode – that glittering stone he had found in the Caves. "Just a trinket for luck."

Kat wanted to reply something, but her mind was blank. She didn't want to leave her friends. Not Gimli, not Aragorn, not Merry after they had just been reunited. And Legolas...

Gandalf came hurrying back to them, carrying a sleeping Pippin. "There is no time to lose!" He jumped up behind Kat.

"Well then." Gimli cleared his throat and rubbed his eyes. "Until we meet again."

Gandalf turned Shadowfax and made ready to leave.

"Just a moment." Legolas bent forward and touched Kat's forehead with his own. I know you are afraid, but it will be alright. I promise.

How can you promise that? Kat was trembling heavily.

I trust Námo. And I trust you. You can do this, my friend. My little human.

"Hurry!" growled Gandalf.

"Farewell, adanig nín," mumbled Legolas. "I shall miss you." Turning to Gandalf, he said in a louder voice. "Farewell! Be safe."

Kat's chest constricted. It was now or never. Wait, I must tell you something. Important. Truth is... You're an amazing person. My best friend. And... Also... I love you, Legolas.

His eyes widened in surprise, and he opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out.

"Farewell!" Gandalf moved Kat to where Pippin lay in the folds of his cloak. "Away, Shadowfax!"

In a great leap, the white horse thundered off at a speed only possible for a true Meara.

I love you, thought Kat again, though he was probably out of thinking range now. I love you with all my heart.

Shadowfax galloped on into the night, increasing the distance between them second by second. Nobody could say when – or if – Kat would ever see Legolas again, and hear his reply.

A/N:

No more secrets. If (when) they meet again, those words can't be unsaid... o_O The next chapter will be partly from Legolas' point of view. How will he react, do you think?

Image Credits:

Screenshot from The Lord of the Rings movies.