[Tevildo]

Tevildo spun around and sneered back at the hound. "Perhaps I was personally asked to help out, or perhaps not. That is my little secret. But I can tell from the look on your face that you think my tale to be full of lies. Have it your way, Old Dog. Still, I swear my tale is true. For 'twas not only Melko who gave the order, but Lord Manwe and even the High Lord himself."

"Melko had thought long and hard on the words and tears of Varda. If truth be told, the Dark Lord had a soft spot in his heart for the Queen of Heaven and, though she could be very foolish at times, she was also very beautiful. And he came to her one morning at dawn carrying a heavy basket. And inside, nestled under a woolen blanket, was the sound of gentle "meows" coming from a whole litter of kittens. And whether I was in that basket or not, I shall not tell the likes of you.

But Melko said these words to Varda, 'It is not good that Man should be so proud. Truthfully, I have said this same thing to both Lord Eru and Manwe, yet neither of them would give me the time of day. So they will reap a bitter harvest. Man's pride will bring bitterness to Arda. And yet I do have a special gift here: a precious thing that will help to forestall the day when Man will think that he rules over all.'

Varda peeped inside the basket, but all she could see were soft bundles of fur. 'I do not understand. How could these little creatures stand against Man?'

'Take this basket now, and give it to your husband, for he will understand my meaning.'

Then Varda did as she was bid, and Manwe peered inside the basket. And, seeing the cats, he sighed and shook his head, 'It is bitter for me to admit this, but the Foe may be right.' He scooped up the kittens and ventured high on Taniquetil, even into the sacred grove where the presence of Eru dwelled. And the next day Manwe came down, carrying the kittens under his arm, and a mighty decree went forth.

'So shall it be. The Dog may stay with Man and look upon him with adoration. He may teach Man he is loved, but so too shall the Cat be near. For Man is filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock. He must learn some humility. The Cat shall also be Man's companion from now till the end of time. He will be with him forever and see him as he really is. He will remind him of his limitations, so Man will know that he is not worthy of adoration. And that lesson, too, is valuable.'

So Manwe gave Cat to Man, and Cat would not obey Man. And when Man gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he was not the supreme being. And Man learned a little humility. Manwe was pleased, and even the distant Eru. And Man was slightly improved. And Cat did not care one way or the other......'

Tevildo sat down and went back to preening his fur.