A ficlet for Shirebound, for a terribly belated birthday wish
A little while ago, shirebound posted a YouTube link of a cat purring. It inspired a delightful ficlet from elwenlj, which in turn prompted me to write this. It has been a long time since I've written in LotR, so please forgive my rustiness.
So, a very happy and very belated Birthday to you, dear Shirebound. Perhaps heaven consists of a Pip-dog snorting softly and happily in her sleep and curled up by your legs, and a purring kitten by your tummy.
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Healing in the Quiet
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'I trust I do not disturb you.'
Frodo looked up from his book. He sat in a chair by the open window, and sunlight streamed in through the shutter slats.
Faramir stood in the doorway, carefully holding a small bundle covered in cloth.
'Faramir,' said Frodo gladly. 'You could not disturb me.'
The Man came forward and sat in the chair opposite Frodo's. 'Your kinsmen spend the day outdoors. Even Sam trots around with them, exploring the city. Do you not wish to join them?'
Frodo did not reply at first. He looked out the window to the great expanse of the city falling away in ever lowering circles to the open land beyond. He turned away from the sight.
'I do not need to see the city,' he said. 'This book is more than enough new adventure for me.'
Faramir gazed at him steadily for a moment. 'And yet a book can be read in any place. But once you leave this realm, your chance is gone forever.'
Frodo looked away and said nothing.
Faramir nodded slowly. 'Forgive me, Frodo, if my guesswork is unseemly. But I have wished to say this to you for some time now.'
Frodo looked back at him and frowned slightly. 'What is it?'
'When I was in the Houses of Healing, recovering from my wounds, I felt great unease. The reasons were many, and I will not trouble you with them. But two things brought me comfort. One you may guess. The other was quite unlooked for!'
At this, Faramir uncovered the bundle. Frodo leaned forward. Inside, nestled amongst the gathered cloths was a kitten.
'A cat,' he said and he drew back. The kitten yawned, showing tiny sharp teeth and a pink gullet.
'You are puzzled. I can see it.' Faramir reached forward and put the kitten, cloths and all into Frodo's arms.
Frodo held it stiffly.
Faramir chuckled. 'I do not teach well. Look. Let it sniff your fingers and then, if it wills it, rub it under its chin.'
Frodo did so and stopped. He looked up. 'What do I do next?'
'There is no next. Keep stroking. It will tell you what to do.'
And it was as Faramir said. As soon as Frodo rubbed under the chin, the kitten leaned its head hard against his hand. He rubbed a little harder, and the kitten answered by stretching out its chin a little to the left. Frodo obediently stroked along its right jaw, whereupon the creature pressed hard against his fingers and almost twisted its head backwards.
Wondering, Frodo scratched lightly under its right ear. At once, a tiny rumble issued forth.
He laughed. 'It's purring. I never knew cats were so quick to happiness.'
'Not all are. But this one is. And now, lie down on your bed. Take the kitten with you.'
Marvelling silently at the Man's odd words, Frodo did as he was bid. Rather uncertain, he propped himself up on his side amongst the cushions. He watched as Faramir took the kitten and laid it against Frodo's chest.
'Stroke the creature as you did a moment ago.'
Frodo did so, and the kitten purred once more. This time, however, Frodo could feel the purr through his chest. It truly was a little rumble, and Frodo instinctively drew his arm around the kitten as if to bring it closer. He could feel himself curl and bring his knees up to make a protective circle around his new charge.
All this while, the kitten purred against his chest, and the vibrations went through him. Each little breath of the animal rumbled in and out, steadily and contentedly as if it had done so since the dawn of time.
'Oh my,' said Frodo. He closed his eyes, and his world shrank to just this new feeling. Or perhaps it was that the mighty purr of this small being expanded to push out all else. All worries and half-formed uneasy thoughts fled and his breathing slowed.
He only faintly heard footsteps leading away from the bed and a slight scrape of the chair legs by the window.
And the kitten purred on. It breathed in and out, in and out. For just a moment, Frodo laid his fingers lightly at the kitten's throat and the fur quivered with feather-light, rapid-fire pulses, all so quick and delicate, and never ending.
But soon his hand rested back down and his body felt heavy with utter languor. The bed never felt so soft, and his limbs never felt so limp.
And the kitten purred on.
***
Frodo did not know how much time had passed, but the sun had moved around and beams no longer lit the room.
Faramir stood by his bedside.
"Come! I will show you something, Frodo, that I think will please you."
Frodo reluctantly extracted himself from the animal which promptly nestled further against the sides of the pillows.
Never fear,' said Faramir. 'He knows a friendly being and the two of you are well met. He will stay. And we will not be long away.'
Frodo nodded and obediently followed Faramir as the Man quit the room.
Their path wound through many corridors and stairs. Faramir took care not to go any faster than Frodo's legs could carry him. And at last they came out along a small balcony that overlooked the back ways of the inner rings of the city.
The parapet was low enough that Frodo could look out with ease across to the inner wall between the city circles. Across the alley below and up on the wall beyond, he could see cats. Some were below, clustered around small vessels placed upon the ground. Distant mews came to him.
'A charwoman feeds the beasts regularly.'
Frodo looked at Faramir as he spoke, and he could see a gentleness in the Man's face. He returned his gaze to the activity below in time to see the woman issue forth, bringing another dish to place on the ground. This one held water - clean, clear water. She sat down nearby.
Frodo nodded, and he felt a new calm spread through him.
'Look to the wall,' whispered Faramir.
Frodo did so, and he beheld a brave sight--a midnight-black cat perched upon the corner of a sloping roof just beyond the wall. It gathered its body into a coiled, tense bundle, trembling with purpose. And then it leaped! Its body stretched as it traversed the distance, fur gleaming and rippling in the sun.
It landed on the wall, four paws finding purchase and shuffling for counterbalance. It did so elegantly and assuredly as if it had not flown over a depth that would have killed if its body had been dashed against the stones therein.
Frodo let out his breath that he did not know he had held. The creature now twisted itself around to lick the fur on its lower back, quite unconcerned that it still perched upon a height. As it attended to its bathing, its fur glistened with each movement.
'I never thought of the cats in the Shire,' he said quietly, half to himself. 'Dogs are much loved there, or at least with some hobbits. But...'
When he went no further, Faramir spoke. 'Dogs have always been held in high esteem amongst Men, as in the Shire. I regret that it is not the same for cats. They may not be as obedient as dogs, but once a cat's loyalty is earned, it is constant and true. I find the trust of a cat, well-earned, to be of great value, perhaps more than that of a dog bred to follow. Perhaps it is not as useful, and hence the regard held for these creatures is lessened. Nevertheless, if a man,' and here he turned to Frodo, 'or a hobbit, can win a cat's esteem, then they must be worthy.'
Frodo nodded. The cat on the wall stretched, head low and tail like a mast far above its raised hindquarters. It then extended a quivering leg stiffly back. Gathering itself back in, it trotted along the wall and jumped down to something beyond.
Below, the charwoman still sat and passed a gnarled hand over the back of one cat. Another had jumped on her knee and she rubbed her fingers along the beast's jaw. The cat pushed its head hard against her fingers. Its delight was clear to see.
'That such things can still happen freely,' said Frodo, but he did not finish.
'Such small things,' said Faramir. 'Yet they are what we protect. Not only the fortunes of the mighty, but the smallest moments unseen and unsung.'
'That is why I wish to return to the Shire.' Frodo clasped his hands together upon the parapet. 'I feel that... that it is time to go. But Aragorn...'
'Aragorn knows, Frodo,' Faramir said softly. 'Give him a little more time. He does not ask you to wait needlessly.'
'Then I will wait.'
And they both turned back to watch the cats jump and writhe and mew far below.
The end.
So, a very happy and very belated Birthday to you, dear Shirebound. Perhaps heaven consists of a Pip-dog snorting softly and happily in her sleep and curled up by your legs, and a purring kitten by your tummy.
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Healing in the Quiet
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'I trust I do not disturb you.'
Frodo looked up from his book. He sat in a chair by the open window, and sunlight streamed in through the shutter slats.
Faramir stood in the doorway, carefully holding a small bundle covered in cloth.
'Faramir,' said Frodo gladly. 'You could not disturb me.'
The Man came forward and sat in the chair opposite Frodo's. 'Your kinsmen spend the day outdoors. Even Sam trots around with them, exploring the city. Do you not wish to join them?'
Frodo did not reply at first. He looked out the window to the great expanse of the city falling away in ever lowering circles to the open land beyond. He turned away from the sight.
'I do not need to see the city,' he said. 'This book is more than enough new adventure for me.'
Faramir gazed at him steadily for a moment. 'And yet a book can be read in any place. But once you leave this realm, your chance is gone forever.'
Frodo looked away and said nothing.
Faramir nodded slowly. 'Forgive me, Frodo, if my guesswork is unseemly. But I have wished to say this to you for some time now.'
Frodo looked back at him and frowned slightly. 'What is it?'
'When I was in the Houses of Healing, recovering from my wounds, I felt great unease. The reasons were many, and I will not trouble you with them. But two things brought me comfort. One you may guess. The other was quite unlooked for!'
At this, Faramir uncovered the bundle. Frodo leaned forward. Inside, nestled amongst the gathered cloths was a kitten.
'A cat,' he said and he drew back. The kitten yawned, showing tiny sharp teeth and a pink gullet.
'You are puzzled. I can see it.' Faramir reached forward and put the kitten, cloths and all into Frodo's arms.
Frodo held it stiffly.
Faramir chuckled. 'I do not teach well. Look. Let it sniff your fingers and then, if it wills it, rub it under its chin.'
Frodo did so and stopped. He looked up. 'What do I do next?'
'There is no next. Keep stroking. It will tell you what to do.'
And it was as Faramir said. As soon as Frodo rubbed under the chin, the kitten leaned its head hard against his hand. He rubbed a little harder, and the kitten answered by stretching out its chin a little to the left. Frodo obediently stroked along its right jaw, whereupon the creature pressed hard against his fingers and almost twisted its head backwards.
Wondering, Frodo scratched lightly under its right ear. At once, a tiny rumble issued forth.
He laughed. 'It's purring. I never knew cats were so quick to happiness.'
'Not all are. But this one is. And now, lie down on your bed. Take the kitten with you.'
Marvelling silently at the Man's odd words, Frodo did as he was bid. Rather uncertain, he propped himself up on his side amongst the cushions. He watched as Faramir took the kitten and laid it against Frodo's chest.
'Stroke the creature as you did a moment ago.'
Frodo did so, and the kitten purred once more. This time, however, Frodo could feel the purr through his chest. It truly was a little rumble, and Frodo instinctively drew his arm around the kitten as if to bring it closer. He could feel himself curl and bring his knees up to make a protective circle around his new charge.
All this while, the kitten purred against his chest, and the vibrations went through him. Each little breath of the animal rumbled in and out, steadily and contentedly as if it had done so since the dawn of time.
'Oh my,' said Frodo. He closed his eyes, and his world shrank to just this new feeling. Or perhaps it was that the mighty purr of this small being expanded to push out all else. All worries and half-formed uneasy thoughts fled and his breathing slowed.
He only faintly heard footsteps leading away from the bed and a slight scrape of the chair legs by the window.
And the kitten purred on. It breathed in and out, in and out. For just a moment, Frodo laid his fingers lightly at the kitten's throat and the fur quivered with feather-light, rapid-fire pulses, all so quick and delicate, and never ending.
But soon his hand rested back down and his body felt heavy with utter languor. The bed never felt so soft, and his limbs never felt so limp.
And the kitten purred on.
***
Frodo did not know how much time had passed, but the sun had moved around and beams no longer lit the room.
Faramir stood by his bedside.
"Come! I will show you something, Frodo, that I think will please you."
Frodo reluctantly extracted himself from the animal which promptly nestled further against the sides of the pillows.
Never fear,' said Faramir. 'He knows a friendly being and the two of you are well met. He will stay. And we will not be long away.'
Frodo nodded and obediently followed Faramir as the Man quit the room.
Their path wound through many corridors and stairs. Faramir took care not to go any faster than Frodo's legs could carry him. And at last they came out along a small balcony that overlooked the back ways of the inner rings of the city.
The parapet was low enough that Frodo could look out with ease across to the inner wall between the city circles. Across the alley below and up on the wall beyond, he could see cats. Some were below, clustered around small vessels placed upon the ground. Distant mews came to him.
'A charwoman feeds the beasts regularly.'
Frodo looked at Faramir as he spoke, and he could see a gentleness in the Man's face. He returned his gaze to the activity below in time to see the woman issue forth, bringing another dish to place on the ground. This one held water - clean, clear water. She sat down nearby.
Frodo nodded, and he felt a new calm spread through him.
'Look to the wall,' whispered Faramir.
Frodo did so, and he beheld a brave sight--a midnight-black cat perched upon the corner of a sloping roof just beyond the wall. It gathered its body into a coiled, tense bundle, trembling with purpose. And then it leaped! Its body stretched as it traversed the distance, fur gleaming and rippling in the sun.
It landed on the wall, four paws finding purchase and shuffling for counterbalance. It did so elegantly and assuredly as if it had not flown over a depth that would have killed if its body had been dashed against the stones therein.
Frodo let out his breath that he did not know he had held. The creature now twisted itself around to lick the fur on its lower back, quite unconcerned that it still perched upon a height. As it attended to its bathing, its fur glistened with each movement.
'I never thought of the cats in the Shire,' he said quietly, half to himself. 'Dogs are much loved there, or at least with some hobbits. But...'
When he went no further, Faramir spoke. 'Dogs have always been held in high esteem amongst Men, as in the Shire. I regret that it is not the same for cats. They may not be as obedient as dogs, but once a cat's loyalty is earned, it is constant and true. I find the trust of a cat, well-earned, to be of great value, perhaps more than that of a dog bred to follow. Perhaps it is not as useful, and hence the regard held for these creatures is lessened. Nevertheless, if a man,' and here he turned to Frodo, 'or a hobbit, can win a cat's esteem, then they must be worthy.'
Frodo nodded. The cat on the wall stretched, head low and tail like a mast far above its raised hindquarters. It then extended a quivering leg stiffly back. Gathering itself back in, it trotted along the wall and jumped down to something beyond.
Below, the charwoman still sat and passed a gnarled hand over the back of one cat. Another had jumped on her knee and she rubbed her fingers along the beast's jaw. The cat pushed its head hard against her fingers. Its delight was clear to see.
'That such things can still happen freely,' said Frodo, but he did not finish.
'Such small things,' said Faramir. 'Yet they are what we protect. Not only the fortunes of the mighty, but the smallest moments unseen and unsung.'
'That is why I wish to return to the Shire.' Frodo clasped his hands together upon the parapet. 'I feel that... that it is time to go. But Aragorn...'
'Aragorn knows, Frodo,' Faramir said softly. 'Give him a little more time. He does not ask you to wait needlessly.'
'Then I will wait.'
And they both turned back to watch the cats jump and writhe and mew far below.
The end.