Chapter 12: Unsettling Words
Elrond was standing just outside the north gate when Frodo and the others arrived. Elladan and Elrohir were leading the way with Aragorn and Boromir behind them, the hobbits remained close together while Legolas and Gimli followed at the end. Bilbo had decided to wait for them in his room to bring him news. Elrond had his back to them and appeared to be speaking with someone whom Frodo could not see.
"Who do you think it is Mr. Frodo?"
Sam whispered. Frodo shrugged in response. They would find out soon enough. When Elladan had mentioned someone bearing a message from Gandalf he had been unable to provide information on who brought it. What worried Frodo was how Gandalf was unable to come and speak with them himself, where was he and why couldn't he come?
I hope that this messenger has some answers.
The twins stopped before their father and dipped their heads in greeting.
"We have brought them adar." Elladan said.
Elrond turned to his sons and nodded.
"Thank you, you are dismissed."
The twins seemed reluctant to leave but they did not go against their father's orders. Briskly, they turned on their heels and made their way through the gate. Frodo watched them leave before bringing his attention back to Elrond, who was about to reveal the messenger.
"My friends," Elrond began, "I would like to introduce you to Radagast the Brown. He is a friend of Gandalf's and one of the five Istari who walk Middle Earth."
Frodo couldn't keep his eyes from widening in shock. Gandalf had told him about Radagast before, he hadn't ever expected to see him with his own eyes. Elrond stepped aside and allowed the others to see the messenger. He was like Gandalf in some ways, yet very different at the same time. He was cloaked in brown with a dark, grey beard that appeared to be longer than Gandalf's. He had a nervous look about him, as if he were expecting something to jump out and attack them at any moment. He clutched his staff tightly in one hand and in the other a rolled up parchment.
For a moment he simply stood and watched them. His sharp, yet somewhat skittish gaze, passed over each of them before returning to Elrond.
"Are you sure that this is all of them?" he asked.
What did he mean by all of them? Frodo exchanged a look with Sam who shrugged. Elrond answered the wizard in a calm, yet urgent voice.
"Yes Radagast they are all here, and all of them are anxious to hear what news you bring from Gandalf."
Before Radagst could reply Frodo stepped forward, "You have seen Gandalf then? He gave you that?" he nodded towards the parchment in Radagast's hand. He seemed surprised that Frodo had directly adressed him and soon his pale, blue eyes were staring straight into Frodo's. "You can tell many things about someone by their eyes," he murmured absently. Frodo's sharp hearing picked up the odd comment and he found himself shifting uncomfortably under the wizard's gaze. The others seemed to notice Frodo's discomfort (and though they were certain that Radagast meant them no harm) each one stood a little closer to Frodo, letting him know that they were near if he needed them.
After a brief moment Radagast blinked and Frodo felt his body relax.
What happened? What did he do to me?
Instead of an answer, all he recieved was what he could only describe as a warning.
"There is much fear in you young one, do not allow it to consume you or it will not only be your friends who are doomed."
Frodo's throat felt dry, and the Ring hanging around his neck seemed to increase in weight. He looked down at his feet and refused to look at the others. He didn't notice Radagast move on to the others, his gaze did not linger long on Sam and Pippin, though when he looked into Merry's eyes his gaze softened.
"You are in pain, do not hide it from the others, let them help you."
Merry's hand strayed to the arm that had been wounded by the Nazgûl, he rubbed it absently while his eyes stared straight ahead, unfocused and oblivious to what was around him. He was in pain, both in body and spirit. He didn't want Frodo and the others to know how he suffered, he didn't want them to worry. It wasn't their problem after all, it was his and his alone.
Radagast passed by Gimli before settling on Boromir.
"You are filled with bitterness, let go of your grievances from the past and move on before you destroy yourself and those you love."
The wizard's tone was sharp and each word stung. Boromir hung his head as a turmoil of emotions coursed through him. How could he just forget the past? Those who were responsible for his suffering? He could not just let it go and move on, he would not.
Aragorn was next, and Radagast's words for him left him feeling even more conflicted than he'd ever been before.
"Doubt is all I can see in you, why do you doubt yourself? Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has shortcomings, remove this doubt from your mind and you can become the leader you desire to be."
Aragorn's expression remained impassive and he said nothing. A battle was being fought in his mind as the doubts that constantly plagued him kept everything else in his mind in turmoil. How could he remove the doubt from his mind after it had become so strong?
When Radagast went to adress Legolas, the elf averted his gaze and looked off to the side. This action only served to show Radagast exactly what it was that plagued Legolas' mind.
"Secrets will only lead to more suffering. Keeping these things hidden will tear you apart."
Legolas closed his eyes as a single tear ran down his cheek before falling onto the ground. He knew that he carried too many secrets, but some were things that he couldn't bring himself to tell anyone about, simply because he couldn't bear to bring up the painful memories they wrought, and no one knew what had been done to him to ensure that he never shared those secrets.
Those who hadn't been spoken to by Radagast were the only ones to notice the changes in their friends' behavior, and all were concerned with what he had said to them.
Adressing Sam, Pippin, and Gimli, he told them, "Remember what has been said today but do not speak of it to your friends. Stay by their sides no matter what and help them through their trials, they need you more than you could ever know."
The three were startled and a bit surprised by the sudden turn of events, but before they could ask any questions Radagast had his attention turned to Elrond and the trance that Frodo, Merry, Boromir, Aragorn, and Legolas had been seemed to break and they returned, more or less, to their normal states. Frodo tried not to dwell on what Radagast brought up and pushed it all to the back of his mind. Yet he had a feeling that it would return to him later.
Elrond's face remained impassive as he turned to face Radagast. Truth be told, he had been expecting this to happen the moment the wizarf had arrived and requested their presence. Something far bigger was at work here, perhaps even bigger than whatever was contained in the parchment that Radagast held.
I will dwell on this later.
He decided.
"Radagast, you said that you carried a message from Gandalf?" he asked as if nothing strange had occured. Radagast was no longer solemn and was once again skittish as he fumbled with the parchment in his hand. He seemed to have waken up from sort of daze, and if Frodo wasn't mistaken, he almost looked afraid.
"Right! Well, a few months ago I was asked by Saruman to find Gandalf and inform him that he was needed in Isengard. I accompanined him and for a time I was asked to remain nearby just in case I was needed. Days came and went and before I knew it Gandalf had requested my presence at Orthanc. When I arrived he was waiting for me with a parchment in his hand and told me to bring it to Rivendell where eight companions (four hobbits, two men, a dwarf, and an elf to be exact) should be taking refuge. I journeyed north and I would have arrived sooner if the enemy's servants hadn't been roaming about."
"Orcs?"
Aragorn questioned. Radagast startled a bit when he was questioned, but he quickly recovered and nodded.
"Orcs, wicked men, I even saw-or rather felt-the presence of the Nine."
Frodo noticed Merry stiffen out of the corner of his eye and he couldn't help but do the same. He'd seen the wraiths be washed away in the river, yet Elrond had told him that it took far more than water to kill a Nazgûl.
They will be back.
"May I read the message?" Elrond was asking Radagast. The wizard nodded and handed over the parchment. Frodo waited anxiously as Elrond unfurled the paper and began to read just enough for those gathered to hear.
My friends, I apologize for being unable to meet with you in Rivendell as planned, Saruman has brought many things to my attention that needed to be dealt with immediately.
I have been told that Sauron is gathering all of his servants and allies in Mordor, and that he has far more loyal to him than we could have ever imagined. Orcs roam the north freely, men who serve as spies are everywhere, and all of them are searching for a hobbit who carries something that their master desires.
The lands in the north are no longer safe, I was forced to remain with Saruman for my own safety and send Radagast to bring you this message. I have spoken with Saruman and he knows about the Ring. We both agreed that It will not be safe in Rivendell and neither will the one carrying it for that matter.
Therefore, those who are willing must accompany the ringbearer to Isengard where you will be brought safely to Orthanc. Once there, we will decide on a course of action that will determine the fate of the Ring. Remember; as long as the ringbearer remains out in the open he is a target for all those who are loyal to Sauron. Secrecy is our ally in this so only a small group must be sent to protect him.
Tell no one of your mission, and should you be confronted by the enemy protect the ringbearer at all costs. His survival may lie with that of Middle Earth's. I will meet you all in Isengard, until then keep the Ring hidden and safe.
Gandalf
Elrond finished reading, his brow furrowed in confusion. Standing nearby, the others all had the same look. Merry was the one to break the silence.
"It doesn't make sense. If the reason that Gandalf could not meet us here himself was that the lands north were too dangerous, than why would he send Radagast?"
"Perhaps the enemy has been searching for him because he knows about the Ring."
Pippin suggested. Elrond nodded his head slowly.
"That may be the cause Peregrin Took, but how can we know for certain how much information the enemy has gathered concerning the Ring?"
Turning to Radagast he asked, "Was there anything odd about Gandalf when you met with him?"
Radagast looked at him curiously.
"He looked just as he always did, there was nothing odd about the way he talk or anything."
Elrond didn't seem convinced.
"What about Saruman? Did you see him?"
Radagast shook his head.
"I only saw Gandalf."
Silence descended once again over the group. This hadn't gone how Frodo had expected it. His heart had soared when Elladan said that Gandalf had sent word to them, only to become confused and troubled with both Radagast's ominous words, and Gandalf's strange message.
He wanted him to go to Isengard? When the road was too dangerous to travel on? How were they to accomplish such a thing with Sauron's spies lurking everywhere?
It seemed as though Aragorn was thinking the same thing for he said, "We should go inside and discuss this matter in secret, then we may decide what is to be done next."
That seemed to be the best option and everyone was quick to comply, save Radgast who insisted that he must be off.
"I must bring words to the kings in Mirkwood, Dale, and Erebor. Things are transpiring that they must know about," the wizard sighed before adding, "dark times are ahead for us all."
Without as much as a goodbye Radagast departed from their company and into the forest.
Frodo wondered if he'd ever see the strange wizard again.
"Come now, let us go in and decide our next course of action." Elrond led the way and the others followed in silence. A shadow had seemed to fall over Rivendell as if to confirm Radagast's parting words.
Dark times were ahead for all.
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