Some day between the end of Firith and the beginning of Rhiw

Loa 134 o Yen 21, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3014>

Elven Travel Party
You are travelling with a party of perhaps a score elven guards as well as other persons traveling under their protection. Some of the other members of your party include Bleddyn, Charmat, Arehir, Kathalis and Talia.

Bleddyn sits with his back to a tree off from the main group.

Sitting among the small but growing gathering of gear is Radagast, playing a tune on his wooden red flute. Across his lap rests his staff and a small bag lies at his feet. The song is a slow one, reaching to the lower registers of the crude but not unpleasant instrument.

Bleddyn looks over and then takes a second look when he sees the old man. He then stands and walks over and stands waiting.

Radagast continues his song, eyes closed, oblivious, it seems, to anything else but the fingering of the tune and the exhalation of breath that creates it. Once the song has rounded its last turn and resolve in one long low note, he opens his eyes and sees, for the first time, the figure standing before him, but he says, "I wonder where I first heard that tune." To know one in particular, then continues, "Have you heard it, Bleddyn?" His glance rises, as if seeking confirmation of the identity of the legs.

Bleddyn smiles broadly as he hears his name and says "No master, it is new to me but very pleasing to the ear."

"The birds seem to like it," offers Radagast as a pair of small finches alight on his left shoulder. He continues, "I had heard you were here, Bleddyn, but thought it queer for you to be far from our wood."

Bleddyn nods as he stands there and says "Aye, far from my home am I, what is left of it. It is truly a strange tale that brings me here." he looks about at the trees and says "I would that the old tales told by Thranduil's folk would come to life today and that Mirkwood would once again become Greenwood the Great."

Radagast examines the flute, "One of Old Thranduil's folk gave this to me some time ago, and it lay gathering dust among my things." Looking up, he says, "Many wish for such things, Woodsman, but the rest act--as my folk have--living as they may in the Wood. It is not all black, you know well."

Bleddyn nods and says "We move north to less wild parts. And there are other woods such as this that offer some respite. It has been very refreshing being able to linger here.

Bleddyn thinks for a moment and then says 'And even the forest named Fangorn is beautiful in its way. And the strangest of creatures live there." he then becomes excited and asks "have you seen them? Ents I am told they are called and they look like trees!"

Radagast finds a place for the flute among his things, and nods, but his face belies irritation, "Overlong I have lingered among these trees, fair though they are, in order to speak with the Lord." He smiles at Bleddyn's excitement, the moment of irritation gone, "Aye, I know of them, and for their sake I go. Celeborn is concerned for them, so his folk go as well.

Bleddyn finally sits down and leaning forward in an almost childlike manner says softly after a quick look about "The Elves here are a queer bunch. So..." He pauses for thought and then says "Almost clannish and very suspecting of us. How did you come to be accepted by them? Many of them almost seem to hate and deffinately distrust humans..."

Radagast, too, looks around, but speak unconcerned, "It is you I should ask that question, Bleddyn!" He laughs out loud, then continues, "They accept me because they are wise." He winks, the compliment clearly a jest as well.

Bleddyn grins and starts into a short tale "Well, you are wise! As all of my people have found over the years. And as to why they accept me? I am not all that sure. It was oh these many months ago that I was hunted by goblins from the very eaves of Mirkwood where I spied with some of Thrnaduil's folk. We became separated and the goblins took up my trail. I fled west and even had to swim the Anduin to avoid capture. It was then that I met some of the Elves here on the border. None too friendly they were."

Radagast nods in agreement, "They dislike outsiders, even, perhaps, their own kin, but I will not speak of it much here for it concerns me little."

Bleddyn nods at the last comment and then continues "The short of it is that I was wounded in protecting a lady of the wood. One of their healers ministered to me and before I could heal they shooed me away. I traveled around the wood but reentered to find food before heading north and happened upon the Lady of the Wood and was given leave to tarry. Since then much has happened that you are now aware of".

Radagast nods, "Yes, I have heard, I have heard. You strayed as far down as Fangorn, did you?" He looks about the group as two of the folk bring more gear and lay it among what is already prepared.

"Perhaps we are off to war with the fungus." mutters Radagast quietly.

Bleddyn looks over and then resumes his conversation "Yes. that was no accident though. I was asked to go by the Elves here to find goblin activity. I found that and more."

Radagast looks up, and at the folk intently, "They go not forth themselves, but send their guest?"

Bleddyn chuckles "I think they wanted to get rid of me." he then winks.

Radagast looks the Woodsman up and down, "It seems they nearly succeeded. Have you healed this time, then, enough to travel?"

Bleddyn nods and says "Yes. Fortunately their healers are very skilled. I still have a little twinge in my shoulder where I took the arrow but I can travel and fight if necessary."

Radagast says, "That is well. I think I will walk a bit under the wood ere we leave. I have been trading tales with some of the older birds--a fascinating lot they are."

Bleddyn smiles and says "Thank you for your time master. I'll sit here and gather mold while we wait for the Elves..." He then smiles again and gets up to walk over to where his gear is laid.

Radagast seems to float upwards, but has merely uncorssed his legs to stand. Fetching staff and his small bag, he moves off quietly.

Bleddyn
You see before you a human of moderate age who appears to still be healing from some grave injuries. He is wearing a light white tunic with green hose. His feet are shod with light-weight brown leather boots and over all he wears a green cloak. From his belt hangs a small belt knife and a pouch. Over his shoulder he carries a small satchel. His left arm is bound up with a sling and he still favors it.

Carrying: Fire Pit, Silver Pendant, Bow, Gorchrist, Green Cloak, Card Deck

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Radagast
The figure before you is that of an tall man whose build is hidden by voluminous brown robes which hang from his shoulders and cover his feet. His face is young, yet not so--it has the vibrancy of youth but closer inspection shows careworn lines around the eyes. The eyes themselves are dark and deep, betraying a certain nobility in the face of one so simple. He is, otherwise, non-descript--long hair, once brown but now greyed, hangs past his shoulders and his similarly hued beard spills down his chest. His waist is girded with a belt of doubled rope which is knotted in the front. He leans upon a gnarled brown staff.

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