"You could say to the universe this is not fair.
And the universe would say: Oh, isn't it? Sorry."

― Terry Pratchett, Interesting Times

48. Plain Answers

Battle raged, and for once Legolas didn't think about the lives he was taking. He mechanically went through the fencing routine; slash, block, duck, parry, stab, but on the inside he was struggling, fighting a desperate mental battle against the numbing terror of the Nazgûl. He couldn't let them get to him.

"The eagles are coming," roared Gandalf, standing on top of a hill, and soon his words were echoed by the other combatants: "The eagles are coming!"

Legolas heard the angry screeches of the Nazgûl as the eagles attacked them, and then he saw something strange: all the winged beasts turned in the air and raced south like eight black arrows. Had their lord called them back?

But it didn't really matter. They were gone and he could breathe easier. Strength returned to his limbs. Then he noticed something changing on the battlefield; the enemy forces began to hesitate, some even falling back – for the first time appearing afraid. The tide was turning.

"Stand, men of the west," came Gandalf's strong voice. "Stand and wait! This is the hour of doom."

As if brought on by his words, the ground began to tremble and a deafening, prolonged thunder roared in their ears. Inky clouds poured from Mordor, forming a huge shadow that hovered above them. For a terrifying moment Legolas thought it would attack, but instead it was dissolved by the wind and disappeared.

Warm, brilliant sunlight shone down through the clouds. He blinked against it. It felt like he had just woken up from a nightmare.

Orcs, trolls and corrupted men howled in panic and scattered in all directions like deer before wolves.

"The realm of Sauron is ended!" cheered Gandalf jubilantly. "The Ring-bearer has fulfilled his quest."

ʕll'ಠ‿ಠ'llʔ

"My precious..." whispered Gollum, tears trickling down his pale cheeks. He was looking where the Ring had just disappeared.

Next to him, Frodo's face mirrored his expression of shock and disbelief. "It's gone...!"

The mountain was beginning to crumble; rocks and pebbles cascaded around them and the roar of the boiling lava below was deafening.

"Come!" Sam grabbed Frodo's arm and turned towards the exit.

"MIAOW!" shouted Kat, indicating Gollum with an urgently waving paw. She must still save him, but she was too small – as usual.

Sam hesitated briefly, but then shook his head in defeat. "Oh, curse you, you stinking thing!" He took Gollum's arm too, and dragged both of them out.

They followed the gravel path down, but it was hard going. Outside, the world shook even worse than in the mountain. Dark clouds, smoke and torrents of rain filled the air; the plains trembled; the nauseating stink of sulfur was overwhelming.

"Look!" Frodo pointed at the sky where something came floating towards them. Eight black, empty cloaks, tumbling like broken bird bird wings in the strong wind.

"The Dark Riders!" breathed Sam. "They are gone."

Then a blaring explosion made them quickly turn around. The cave opening had sundered and from the top summit of Mount Doom gushed a pillar of fire, ash and smoke into the air. They had to press themselves close to the cliffside to avoid being hit by falling stones.

Streams of flaming, sizzling lava began pouring down on either side of them, cutting off their return path completely.

"Well, this is the end." Frodo sat, leaning his back against the rock. His formerly haggard features were calm.

Gollum slid down next to him and hid his face in his thin hands. "Poor Precious," he sniffed.

Sam scowled at him. "Shut up, you creep, or I'll regret saving you."

"Come. Let us forgive him," said Frodo soothingly. "He may yet have a task to do, or why else was Kat sent by the Valar to save him? Not that I can see what that task might be, now."

Gollum looked up, blinking owlishly with misty eyes. "Save... me?"

Kat nodded.

"But... why?"

She shook her head. She didn't know.

"I haven't thanked you for destroying the Ring, Kat," said Frodo. "I wish I could ask you how you found me out here, but I guess I'll have to wait until Legolas can translate. But I am very grateful. I couldn't have done it myself. The quest would have been in vain, even at the bitter end."

Don't mention it.

"And you two..." He put an arm around Sam's shoulders and the other around a surprised Gollum, pulling them closer. "I am glad you are here with me, friends. Here at the end of all things."

/\_ ,._ ,.
( o _ O )

Lying in Gollum's lap again and feeling him stroke her, Kat glanced up at his thin face. His tears had dried and his large eyes were closed, framed by white lashes sprinkled with ash. He was resting his head against Frodo and hummed a melody so quietly Kat could barely hear it. Despite the dire surroundings with an erupting volcano and the world breaking apart, she had never seen him so content and peaceful.

"I don't think this is the end," murmured Sam slowly. "After coming all that way I don't want to give up yet. It's not like me, somehow, if you understand."

"Maybe not. But it's like things are in the world. Hopes fail. An end comes."

The heat from the lava streams was almost unbearable now, and ash fell thickly from the mountain like black snow. It was becoming very hard to breathe.

Was this really it? Had they gone this far, only to be devoured by a volcano?

"What a tale we have been in, Mr Frodo, haven't we?" Sam's voice was faint and rough from the smoke. "I wish I could hear it told." He coughed.

Kat looked tiredly at the murky sky and narrowed her eyes, trying in vain to focus them at a number of dark, vague spots emerging from the clouds.

New Nazgûl?

No, huge birds... And a white rider straddling one of them.

What were they doing here? The rider looked familiar. She tried to think, but her mind had become so slow. The poisonous fumes were getting to her.

Sam had seen the birds too. "It's Gandalf," he sighed, closing his eyes. "He's coming to rescue us..."

Then a huge shape blocked the light and Kat felt something scoop her up and carry her away.

Why must there always be heights, she lamented dizzily.

/\_ ,._ ,.
( ಠ _ ಠ )

The fresh air soon revived Kat, and despite the icy wind beating her face she dared a glance down. It was not as bad as she had anticipated. A bit like being in an airplane, where the height was so great her mind didn't understand that it even was a height.

She saw the volcano and the cloud of ash spreading from Mordor. She saw the oddly square mountain range surrounding the realm. She saw a tower in ruins.

Thank you, sir, she thought, now recognizing her rescuer as the eagle she had once met in Fangorn Forest.

Well done, cat, came his authoritative inner voice.

Then he swooped down in the center of a field, littered with corpses, where an army of grimy, bloodstained warriors stood close together. One of them was achingly familiar.

Thank God, he was alive.

For once ignoring the nauseating feeling as they rapidly descended to the ground, Kat had only eyes for that pale, upturned face framed by long blond hair.

Legolas! she called.

/\_ ,._ ,.
( ಠ ‿ ಠ )

Holding his breath, Legolas anxiously watched the three eagles return. Small forms dangled from their giant claws. A hobbit. Another hobbit. And that must be Gollum with his skinny limbs. And there! So tiny he barely perceived her peeking out between the talons: Kat!

Were they alive? None of them moved.

Gwaihir landed, allowing Gandalf to dismount, and then gently set Frodo down on the grass. Another eagle placed Sam and Gollum next to him.

They were breathing! Unconscious, not dead!

Then he heard a most welcome voice in his head: Legolas!

He started to run, chest tight and eyes burning. She had survived! She had survived her impossible suicide mission, and finally he would be reunited with his best friend. There were so many things he wanted to say to her, but first of all he just wanted to pick her up and hug her close.

A gust of wind hit his face, and another one. Gwaihir was beating the air with his giant wings, rising from the ground.

No.

No, no, NO!

Wait... Please! Come back!

But the eagle had already lifted. He circled the battlefield, gaining altitude before flying west with steady wingbeats. From his claws a tiny tail whipped in the wind.

It was not fair.

Legolas grabbed Gandalf's arm. "Where is he taking her?"

The old man's eyes were kind. "Back whence she came. The Halls of Mandos."

ʕll'ಠ︵ಠ'llʔ

Come back! Legolas' anguished voice rang in Kat's head. She had not even had time to say goodbye.

Somehow her quest had ended without her being allowed to see her friends again, and after everything she had been through it made her feel cheated. It was not fair. Not right!

But there was nothing to do; Gwaihir was only Mr Pretty Voice's messenger. He however, would get a piece of her mind at first opportunity, that was for sure.

As the hours went by, mountains gave way to grasslands, and then more mountains. At one point the eagle swooped down and caught a deer, taking a brief break to eat it. Kat ate too, small slices of raw venison that she hardly knew what they tasted in her disappointed, somber mood.

Night came and went; another day. The eagle flew, stopped to eat and drink sometimes, and then continued. Kat didn't speak much to him, still intimidated by his stern demeanor, and she had a feeling he was no friend of idle chit-chat anyway. Instead she dozed a lot in the warm cradle of his talon, making up for all the lost hours of sleep in Mordor.

She also spent much time thinking. Now that the worry over the quest was gone, her longing after Legolas became all-consuming. She missed his voice, his scent – his beautiful face, which the brief glance at the battlefield had restored in her memory. She missed the days when she had been able to cuddle up to him at will, and she missed their long conversations.

Judging by his voice when she was taken away, he had missed her too, and it hurt horribly to know that she may never meet him again. She only had a vague promise from Mr Pretty Voice that she would be gifted life either in her own world or this – but had she done enough to get it? She had tossed the Ring down, but not much else. Was she worthy of a reward?

If she was, should she really choose Middle-earth and never see Mamma again or the children at school?

No matter what, she would lose people dear to her, and despite her feelings for Legolas it was not an easy choice.

/\_ ,._ ,.
( ಠ _ ಠ )

One night Gwaihir left land and continued across the sea. Here the journey became very odd. Far below, the dark stretch of the ocean started to curve down, while the eagle continued to fly straight. It shouldn't have worked; they should have been going into outer space or something, but somehow they didn't.

Kat thought she heard the eagle mutter to himself: Second star on the right... There we are. And then onwards.

In the morning they approached a group of large islands in a very still, serene sea appearing to float in mid-air. Gwaihir landed on a shore covered in smooth rocks and set Kat down beneath a set of steps leading to a white building. It was square with many pillars like a Greek temple, but much larger. Impossibly large.

This is where we part. Good luck, cat, he said. Choose wisely.

Thank you, sir. She straightened her back. I will do my best, sir.

The eagle flapped away and Kat was alone.

Resolutely she began to jump her way up the stairs, trying to suppress her nervousness with a song: Up, up, up I go. Hopping on a step. Hoppity-hoppity-hoppity hop! Hopping on a step.

She reached the top and walked across a smooth marble floor into a large hall, with the familiar scent of fresh bread prominent in the air, and the same mesmerizing background music she had heard here before.

A tall, handsome – and likewise familiar – Vala came to meet her. "Well done, Miss Katharina," he said in his pleasant voice. "Thy task is completed. Wouldst thou be sent to the world thou recently left, or thine old one?"

Kat stared blankly at him. Must she decide that now? She needed more time.

I... Thank you, my lord. But can I think about it first?

"Why, of course. Come with me."

Full of angry questions, she followed him through a long corridor. Why hadn't he let her say goodbye to her friends? Why was she still a cat? Why had he sent her on a quest with such vague instructions? What had she even achieved?

But somehow, now that she had him at hand, she didn't dare yelling at him. She didn't even dare thinking of him as Mr Pretty Voice as she had used to! For the first time Lord Námo felt real, a powerful being emanating grace and holiness – one that she must be respectful to.

Perhaps she was intimidated because unlike previous times she was here as a cat? By now, was so sick of being one.

They passed many doors with sounds drifting through: voices speaking, someone singing, violin music, childrens' laughter. Then Námo let her inside a small, empty room at the end of a corridor. It had white walls, a white floor, a white table and a white chair; a lot like an influencer's home.

"Whenever thou art ready." He closed the door and left Kat to her troubled thoughts.

Overwhelmed by the enormity of the decision she had to make, she sat on her haunches, feeling weak. Despite all the time pondering over it on her airborne journey, she didn't know what to choose. Her old homeland or her new one? Her old friends or the new? Mamma or Legolas?

What if her love for him was less solid than she had thought? She could not build her life and happiness around one person – especially since he might never return her feelings, or even if he did, never agree to be in a relationship with her. He had sounded rather determined about not marrying.

If she decided to stay in Middle-earth, it must be because she believed she would be happier there, with or without Legolas. And how could she know something like that?

It was impossible.

There was a polite knock and a young man in a tweed suit entered. "Lord Námo said I could find you here. Well done! You really did it!"

Hello, Ronald, thought Kat, wondering if he could understand her in this form.

He squatted, gingerly touching her fur. "Fascinating. I never thought I'd meet a talking cat! I don't even like cats, normally."

Then you can hear me?

"Yes. It sounds like English in my head."

Huh. And I hear you speak Swedish.

"Now I wish I could hear that. Such an interesting language. It's similar to Danish and Norwegian, but with German influences, as well as–"

Ronald, Kat interrupted, not interested in a language lesson right now. Why am I still a cat?

"It's temporary. Lord Námo said your soul will be sent back into your own body in the world of your choice."

My body! Oh thank God, I miss it so much. I am tired of being small and useless.

He chuckled at that. "Oh, you are small, but certainly not useless. This form was perfect for the mission."

She looked up at him. It was?

"The only possible one, I dare say."

Suddenly unable to contain herself, Kat let out her frustration: How? How was I perfect for the mission? For once, can someone give me plain answers! I need to know why I was chosen, and what all this is about. Before I leave to... Wherever I'll go.

"I'm sorry. How thoughtless I am." He indicated the door. "Come, let us walk in the garden and I will tell you the story the way it happened the first time, before Vairë unraveled the weave and started over. Then I think you will understand."

Yes. Please do! Kat gratefully followed him out.

Beyond another corridor they entered a well-tended park, with hedges, flowerbeds and birds singing. There were other people there, but they ignored Ronald and Kat completely – almost as if they didn't see them.

How do you find your way in this maze of corridors and rooms?

"I have been here for a long time." He smiled wistfully and picked out a pipe from his pocket.

Kat wondered why, but figured it was rude to pry. She also refrained from mentioning how unhealthy it was to smoke a pipe.

They slowly walked along the grass lanes and Ronald began his tale. He was a gifted storyteller; reading from his thick notebook with a captivating voice. Enthralled, Kat listened as a complex adventure unfolded; epic, dramatic, frightening, sometimes sad, often humorous, very beautiful. She knew part of the tale from Legolas, and other parts she had just experienced herself, but some were completely different.

"...and then with a shriek he fell. Out of the depths came his last wail – 'precious' – and he was gone." Ronald closed the book.

Kat felt her hair rise. Gollum would have died.

"Indeed. And so would Boromir, King Théoden and Denethor. You also saved Beregond of the Citadel Guard from killing his fellow comrades, and a resulting lifelong banishment from Minas Tirith. Even Théoden's horse is alive today thanks to you."

But how? I didn't save any of them... Well, I may have helped with Boromir, but that was mostly Nellas' doing.

"You see... Sometimes small changes have unforeseen effects. Take Nellas, for example. She followed the Fellowship because you – an intelligent cat – intrigued her, and it was therefore she was around to rescue Boromir. She saved his life several times. Now, Boromir – he was the reason his father survived and rode out to battle. With his eldest son around, Denethor no longer wanted to burn Faramir and himself alive on that funeral pyre, and hence there was no need for Beregond or anyone else to try to stop him, killing fellow guards in the process. And talking of Beregond... He is another good example of those changes I mention, for because he must carry you out of the city that night, he was delayed in the wilderness and joined the battle with the Rohirrim instead of staying in the city. His presence on the battlefield – or rather, that of his horse – caused King Théoden's stallion to throw him off and run away, which meant the horse survived and the king only broke his arm instead of dying."

Kat looked at him, baffled. All that, just because of one small cat... There really was a butterfly effect, it would seem.

"Indeed. The weave is very complex."

But why me? There are countless souls here. Lord Námo could have picked anyone.

"Who could have done it better than a teacher, though? Someone with a sense of duty and responsibility, who would see things through and not give up. Someone who could show others kindness and empathy." He suddenly grinned. "You may remember I was offered the same task before you, but I am glad I turned it down; I don't think I would have managed nearly as well. I tend to get distracted. No, I have thought about this a lot, and think Námo knew very well what he did when he decided to send you."

Feeling a bit flattered, Kat asked: Wouldn't a bigger animal have been more helpful, though? A lion, or perhaps a wolf?

"Do you think Aragorn would have agreed to let a lion or a wolf come near the Fellowship?" He grinned. "Not to mention all the food you'd have needed. And could you have comforted Gollum the way you did in any other form? Thanks to your presence, he didn't try to take the Ring from Frodo until the very end."

I did cuddle a lot, she acceded.

"That was part of your strength. And then, of course, your perfect timing with the Ring. The way you hurled it down with your paw!" He made a sweeping motion with his hand. "Just brilliant. Only a cat could manage that."

I wonder why the Ring didn't affect me. I felt how powerful it was, just briefly, before I sent it over the edge – but I never once wanted to take it.

"That's a very good question, and one I've asked as well. Apparently, if I understand Námo correctly, it's because your fëa is split."

My what is what?

"Part of your fëa – your soul – lingers in your body in your own world, just like part of mine is down with trench fever where I come from. This makes you slightly detached. All this time, you were never entirely there, so to speak, which hindered the Ring from gaining power over you. That is also why it could never hide its wearer from your eyes. You saw Frodo even when he wore it."

Kat had to think about that. Detached? Yes, she realized. She had been kind of distant – and still was. She had been shot, nearly died and sent into a foreign world in a cat's body. It would have taken a lot less than that for a normal person to lose their mind completely! And during her quest, she had seen monsters, blood, death and horrible wounds up close and remained quite fine afterwards, not much worse for wear. It had affected her, but if she had been there as her old self, in her own body, she'd have been horrified, wouldn't she? The fear alone would have made her unable to function properly.

Yet, she had experienced some emotions. Worry, remorse... Heartache.

I wasn't always detached.

During her musing silence, Ronald had taken the opportunity to examine the leaves of a young tree with obvious interest, which made him remind her very much of Legolas. Now he looked up with a smile. "Certain feelings are stronger than others," he said knowingly.

She thought about how it felt to snuggle up close to Legolas' neck. Yeah... Quite. Then another thought struck her. Did Námo intend that too? My feelings for...him. Was all of it planned? Orchestrated?

"No, no. That's not how it works at all. You have always had your free will, in everything. All Námo did was place you where Vairë had foreseen you would be the most useful."

I wish I had such foresight too. She gave Ronald a calculating look. You have seen my future in the loom, haven't you? If I decide to go back to Middle-earth... Will I... we... She was too embarrassed to finish the sentence.

Ronald gave her an understanding look. "You weren't in the old version of the weave, which is the only one I know. But even if I had seen it, I couldn't tell you. Nobody is allowed to know their own future. There was a reason why Námo was so vague in his instructions to you before the quest; he had to be, or your actions might be influenced – which would ruin everything."

So then I'll just have to choose and hope for the best, said Kat disappointedly.

"Isn't that what everyone does, all the time, throughout life?"

I suppose. Yet... Maybe you could see in the new weave what he feels for me? It might make the choice easier if I knew.

"It doesn't matter what he feels now." Ronald knelt so he could meet her eye. "I mean, think of it from his perspective. To him, you're a cat in everything but your mind." He touched her head with his fingertip. "How could he ever feel more than friendship for an animal? But friendship is a good foundation for stronger feelings – later."

You're right... It would be very strange if he was attracted to me. Kat suddenly felt like laughing. I have been rather silly, haven't I? Dramatically declaring my love for him, as if it would be anything but awkward to know that a cat fancies you.

"Nah. That's romance for you. It does things to your head, and you can't help becoming a bit silly in the process." He smiled wistfully, his gaze growing distant.

What do you think I should do? Kat thought after a while. Go back where I belong, or go to Middle-earth?

He sighed. "I'm not the right man to ask... Seeing as I have been here for a long time and still haven't made my choice."

Kat's curiosity returned. What do you choose between?

"Dying or living."

That should be an easy choice?

"It used to be. But... Where I come from, there was war. A huge war, where almost all the world took part. It brought out the worst in us. Not just the enemy; in all of us. In me..." He looked down at his pipe, rubbing it with his thumb. "I was sent home from the trenches, but took all the memories with me. They won't go away, you know. My body struggles in that hospital bed – it is only fever, I could get better, I suppose – yet I hesitate to return to it. It would not feel right that I should live when so many others...are gone. But on the other hand, there is my wife... How could I leave her?"

Trenches? Kat knew of a world war that was infamous for its trenches. Could Ronald be from her own world – in the past?

Was that World War One? she guessed.

He looked at her sharply. "There will be more world wars?"

Uh, I probably shouldn't tell you. Not knowing your future, and all that... But if you were in that war, then there will be peace and good times for a while. Unless you're German...?

"I'm from England."

Good for you.

They continued walking in silence, both deep in thought.

Kat began to ponder over her choices in earnest. She reflected over her journey and how good it had often felt despite the fear and hardships. She had never been stressed, the way she often was in her old life, and her friends had felt more true. The hobbits, Boromir, Nellas. Legolas. She was certain she wouldn't find another such good friend as Legolas again. They were like clay and long straw.

What did she have on Earth?

Mamma and her students, she concluded. She would hate to lose them. Then she had a few friends; Joel being the closest one. Apart from that, it was mostly stupid things she would miss, such as sanitation, electronics, pizza, coffee... Listening to Despacito at top volume. Things that didn't really matter.

If you chose death, what would you miss the most? she thought to Ronald.

"My wife, my studies and writing." He indicated his thick notebook.

I knew you were an author! You told the tale of the Ring beautifully.

"Thank you. Yes, I've been dabbling a bit in the art of literature," he said modestly. "And I have this idea... It's a bit childish, but... Am I boring you?"

Not at all.

"Well, I have been contemplating weaving together old myths with my experiences here, and perhaps even writing a book about it. A fairy-tale for adults; like the Old Norse sagas."

I hope you do! I'm not into that genre but it's very popular.

"Really? Now I wish I could ask about my future. Perhaps my fairy-tale will become famous!" He chuckled as if finding the notion absurd.

A beautiful couple intercepted them; Lord Námo and his wife, Vairë. She beamed at Kat. "I thank thee for thy good deeds. Already changes come forth in Middle-earth; Sméagol hath been healed by the hands of the king, and his love for Aragorn is ignited. The world shall not sunder."

You're welcome. Kat bowed to them both in turn, awed by their presence. It makes me happy to hear he's healed. When we traveled together, I sometimes saw glimpses of who he used to be, and it was always so sad to see that other self take over. Then she added something she had wondered about a lot. But why is he so important? How can a whole world be destroyed just because of one person's death?

"I saw it happen," said Ronald. "Do you remember the visions of the Morgoth cult in Galadriel's Mirror?"

The what-cult? You mean the Illuminati?

"The Illuminati? No, no. The eye is a symbol for Sauron, and the people in orc masks you saw is a cult who worship him. Him, and his predecessor Morgoth, the first Dark Lord. The cult is led by Black Númenorians; men who've been Sauron's servants ever since he rose to power. With him gone, they will scatter, but in the future they regroup, and even gain more followers among the nobility of Gondor. Young, angry men with nothing to do, who are intrigued by the promise of power and supernatural abilities... They kill Aragorn's great grandchildren, thus wiping out all heirs to the crown, and in the following unrest they take control over Minas Tirith. And then they use the palantíri, sorcery and necromancy to bring back Morgoth's fëa to Middle-earth."

Kat was about to ask why anyone would worship and resurrect such monsters, but then she recalled the many messed up cults and sects on Earth and thought better. Of course there were people who wanted to bring back a dead, evil dark lord. If Earth had a self destruction button it would only be a matter of (very short) time before someone pushed it.

We can't have nice things, it seems.

"Quite. There will be a new War of Wrath, and most of the world will be cast into the sea, just like it happened to Beleriand in the past. A disaster."

Kat shivered. But instead Gollum will save those children, as I saw in the Mirror?

"Nay, not he," Vairë broke in. "The Ring hath prolonged his life, but bereft of it he shall begin to age. It was his descendant thou saw, one of the river people he shall give rise to."

Descendant? He's got kids?

Vairë smiled. "Not yet."

Not yet! Are you saying...?

"Aye. He will beget a child."

But he's so... Kat broke off, embarrassed. No matter how she tried, there was no way she could picture Gollum with a child, not to mention conceiving one.

Vairë frowned disapprovingly. "...evil? Deranged? Aged? Unattractive?"

Uh, something like that...

"No one is beyond redemption." Lord Námo's deep, serious voice made Kat ashamed of her thoughts.

"There is healing and forgiveness even for someone as corrupted as he," Vairë agreed. "He hath been called a monster, accused of eating orcs and babes – all kinds of absurdities. Rumors with little truth in them. He did kill his cousin over the Ring, but hath regretted that bitterly ever since, and paid with the loss of everything: his family, his friends, his home, his health. He hath lived as an animal in a hole, feeding on raw fish and worms, forever forced to listen to the whispering of the Ring in his head. That is the way of that object; it corrupts and destroys. But 'tis gone now, thanks to Frodo, Sam and thee."

"Everyone deserves a second chance," added Námo. "Thou also."

At that moment Kat felt very small, as if he could see through her, complete with all shortcomings and weaknesses.

He continued: "Thy body will be returned to thee, healed and renewed, and thy fëa made whole as well. Hast thou made thy choice? Whither wouldst thou go?"

Kat's heart started to pound. This was it. She had to decide now, and perhaps she already knew what it would be, but first...

My lord. Sir... Please. Is there... I mean, would it be possible to... If I could... One last time, just go to the world I must give up? I can't leave everybody without saying goodbye.

Before Námo could reply his wife broke in. "Of course. We cannot rob thee of closure."

Her husband nodded. "Thy wish shall be granted."

In that case I have made my decision.

Vairë apparently already knew what Kat had chosen. "It will bring thee happiness," she said warmly.

Her words filled Kat with calm reassurance. It would all work out for the better, she knew that now.

Ronald kneeled, patting her head. "Goodbye. I wish you all the best."

And you. Good luck with your choice, whatever it will be. She rubbed her face against his hand. I shall look for your name on the book shelves. Though I don't know your last one?

He told her his full name.

Those are a lot of names! I will try to remember them.

Then Ronald and the Lord of Mandos and Vairë became fuzzy as Kat's soul left for its new destination.

A/N:

I know, I know, you hate cliffhangers... Sorry. I'm impossible. Just can't help myself. Bad habit. And you're all so nice too, sending me loads of comments and love after the last chapter. You deserve a kinder author! *group hug*

Anyway, I think you'll enjoy what happens in the next few chapters!

Image Credits:

Screenshot from The Lord of the Rings movies.