Egfor's knees were screaming at him in protest. He was crouched for gods know how long by the table in his house, trying to coax Cat the Dog out from under the table with a piece of fish jerky- usually his favourite treat. Mortermon adopted this dog from Egfor before they were a proper couple. Since his death, Cat has not left from under the table. He would dart out with the other dogs to do their business just to resume his position under the table. Occasionally he would seek out Egfor or Dem, whimpering and crying and Egfor would try his best to comfort the poor thing.
Cat slowly crept forward to pick at the jerky. Egfor quickly snatched the dog up and stood up with a groan as his knees protested at the sudden movement.
He cradled the dog to his chest as he walked out of the house. He kissed the dogs fur, whispering soft words to him in the tongue of the Lossoth to try and soothe the hound.
Egfor started down the Greenway towards Bree with the dog. About a quarter of a mile walked, Egfor slowly set Cat down to walk beside him and started off down the road again. He glanced over, a frown pulling on his lips and his heart hurting. Cat walked with his head down and shoulders hunched, his tail drooping so much, it dragged on the ground behind him.
"And they say animals don't have feelings. This is very much feelings." Egfor thought to himself as they walked.
Eventually they turned East off the road and hiked into the wilderness some. A familiar stone cairn came into sight.
Egfor had spent his time weaving an intricate tapestry depicting what he believed the night sky of Forochel would look like, as he had never seen it. Greens, purples and blues swirled on a black background. He had worked glass beads into the weaving to represent stars and weaved silver wire through it to draw the constellations. He had laid the tapestry over Mortermon's grave. He had placed other trinkets carved of bone and some furs here as well. Come springtime, he would plant flowers around and perhaps even an apple tree.
The pair approached the grave. Cat froze up, hesitating before creeping forward, sniffing the air tentatively.
All of a sudden Cat flung himself onto the cairn, letting out a heart wrenching howl of anguish. The dog started crying, laying on his master's grave.
Egfor's chest heaved, trying to fight back his own waves of emotions. He knew he wouldn't be able to handle the mourning dog, but it was only fair that Cat got closure as well.
Egfor sank down onto the grass, tears cascading down his face. His fingers worked through the dogs fur as the two sat there and wept.
After what felt like several hours, Cat fell quiet and meek. He lifted himself up and dragged himself into Egfor's lap, pressing himself against the man's chest.
Egfor wrapped his arms around the dog, hugging him tight, whispering, "I know, boy, I know. I miss him too." Cat lifted his head, nuzzling Egfor's cheeks and licking the tears off his face.
Eventually the two silently got up, carrying on towards Bree.
