Chapter 9 Strangers in the Mist

The next few days passed without incident. However, one morning Mararion roused Eladlín and Siriondil from their slumber before the rising of the sun. Both yawned loudly and Siriondil glanced at Haldamir angrily. "Does the word 'sunrise' mean anything to you?" he questioned.

Haldamir looked back alarmed. "I am sorry to have wronged you Siriondil. We do not need to leave immediately if you would like more sleep."

Mararion rolled his eyes. "Ignore him Haldamir. Siriondil does not cope well with mornings. He should be fine by midday."

"Aye, aye, Captain." mumbled Siriondil as he took his breakfast.

"It would do you well to remember that you are in the presence of elves." said Mararion. Eladlín let out a high laugh, his first sound of the morning.

"He certainly has you there." he remarked.

"Same goes to you." replied the rather aggravated seaman. Eladlín laughed again and the pleasant sound shook even Siriondil out of his mood, although he would never admit to it.

"Quickly, then. We have a long day ahead of us. We should not waste it bickering. Hopefully we can leave the mountains by nightfall."

Eladlín finished his meal quickly and mounted Niphredil. "What a welcome change." he replied. A slow whinny rose over the pass, and Mararion turned quickly. Caranaur stepped slowly over the horizon and waited. The sun followed shortly, illuminating his body in a sea of light. The powerful stallion paused for one glorifying moment before continuing down to his master. Mararion embraced him warmly and the horse shook with excitement.

"N(n h(n teli dan. (My child* returns)" The horse snorted softly and pressed its head into Mararion's chest. "I have missed you as well, mellon."

Eladlín stood with his mouth wide open, in utter disbelief that his companion had returned. Haldamir stepped between man and horse, and before long Eladlín was seated upon his familiar mount. Niphredil had been given the excess baggage and the company began the day's journey. Eladlín quickly adjusted to the new girth size, for he was glad to sit at the same height as the others once again. "Your return is a welcome one, Caranaur." he whispered softly. The horse shook its head gently and released a long breath. It seemed as though he was trying to find words to speak, but horses have never held the common tongue.

"I understand." said Eladlín, in a vain attempt to reassure the horse. Rather than continue, the horse stopped and stamped. Midheiliant wheeled around, her eyes flared in terror. Mararion quickly glanced from horse to horse, watching the river of fear flow through them. "Something is coming. The horses sense it." he told the others.

"Could they have tracked Caranaur?" asked Haldamir.

"'Tis very probable. I am sure the horse did not cover his tracks." Suddenly they heard voices over the horizon. "Away to it, boys! We'll have horsemeat before the setting of the sun." The group banded closer together as they watched the landscape fill with Wargs and orcs. For a few moments they sat, stunned.

"Run!" whispered Haldamir. "We cannot face them, we have a child!"

The horses wheeled around as one and struck out at a hard pace. Within moments the packhorses began to fall behind, burdened by their loads. Haldamir adjusted his own mount and leaned over to free Niphredil and Mithôl. He watched the others continue on, but their path was not his to follow. He slowly spun his mount around. "It is time, my friend. Will you go with me?" The horse bowed her head in a motion of respect, and Haldamir rode head on into the approaching crowd.

Mararion paused for the slightest second as he heard the battle cry sweep over the valley, "Herio! (Charge!)"

"Haldamir..." he mouthed silently. He turned in horror as he watched the orc troop swarm around his friend. Suddenly, a figure appeared in the trail. He was cloaked in a sweeping brown robe. The orcs halted suddenly and snarled at him, but they would advance no further...

"Go back to the shadows. You have no place in the world of living things. Leave."

"Aye!" they cackled mockingly, "And who are you to make such a decree?"

The cloaked figure slowly removed his hood. "I am Radagast the Brown, servant of Yavanna. Now leave, before your dirty blood soils the ground."

The orcs growled menacingly, but to no avail. Radagest did not move from his spot, and they were afraid. The leader turned to his troops. "Let's go boys! There is nothing to be had here!" With this orcs sullenly turned their beasts and rode out. Radagast faced Haldamir, and heaved a great sigh. "It is lucky they listened to me, or we would be in a fair amount of trouble. Quickly, we must leave these mountains. This pass is no longer safe." He whistled softly and a deep bay horse stumbled out of the underbrush. "Come, foolish elf. Follow me."

Haldamir watched in amazement as the old wizard led his horse down the winding path. He had just saved his life. But why? Haldamir had not time to contemplate this, however, for Mararion reached him quickly.

"What were you doing? You could have been killed!"

"I know," replied Haldamir, "But if I had stayed with you, we all would have died."

"Then at least we would have perished together. I have told you before, you cannot leave me. I need your help."

Haldamir gave a small, knowing smile. "The world is always at war. Every challenge is just another battle. One loss will not shape the future."

"And you have fought enough for one day!" called Radagast, "Quickly! I do not jest, this road is troubled."

The two elves left the valley with great haste and returned to the other companions.

"And who are you?" questioned Siriondil.

"Radagast the Brown, servant of the woodlands. And you are...?"

"Siriondil, master mariner, and this is Eladlín, my companion."

Radagast allowed is gaze to linger on the child, who smiled heartily in return. "So you are the child who travels to Lindon."

Siriondil shot Mararion an angry look, "You told him? How dare you betray our trust!"

Eladlín shook his head slowly. "Mararion would not have said anything...he just..."

"Knows." finished Radagast, "I assure you, your elven friends have done you no wrong." He turned to Haldamir. "Have you gone long without rest?"

"We had only been traveling for an hour before the orcs attacked."

"I know of a safe place, but it is many miles from here. If we begin now, we may be able to reach it before the waning of the sun."

"Then what are we waiting for?" asked Mararion as he mounted Midheiliant. Radagast quickly followed, and before long the two were involved in a deep conversation.

"How do we know we can trust him?" questioned Siriondil, "How do we know he is not leading us into a trap?"

Haldamir sighed. "I do not know where he is taking us, but I am certain he will not lead us astray. Truthfully, I have only met him once before, but he is a wizard, and their advice should always be headed."

"A wizard?" asked Eladlín. "What are they?"

"Ma(a that were sent by the Gods to protect the peoples of Middle Earth. They have magical powers, and can cast spells when their staff is in their hand. Radagast is known as the Brown wizard because he loves the trees and animals."

Silence followed his speech, as each was too enwrapped in their own affairs to respond. Eladlín watched slowly as the landscape changed. The snow faded away and was replaced with the simple shine of flowers dotting the meadow. The air warmed, and the constant breeze slowed and stopped. The stubby mountain brush was replaced by the flowing grass of the meadows once again, and trees slowly reappeared on the horizon. Soon Eladlín heard the sweet gurgle of a brook, and Caranaur slowly directed him to the banks. As the horse dipped his head into the stream Eladlín heard a high pitched giggle. Curious, he attempted to cross the water, but Radagast appeared from nowhere and blocked his path. "That is not the right way, my young friend. Follow me." He reached out and placed a hand on Caranaur's hand, who, despite Eladlín's wishes, followed the wizard willingly.

"There is something out there!" he protested.

"I am sure it was only the wind. Now, come along, for our camp is just around the bend."

Eladlín took one final glance over his shoulder, as if to remember the spot, and rejoined the others. True to his word, Radagast led them to a sheltered camp a short distance away.

"Were you expecting company?" asked Haldamir, marveling at the impressive spread.

"No. And yes." finished the wizard.

"Right then..." muttered Siriondil under his breath. Soon the company had settled in, but oddly enough Radagast made no mention of their journey. They ate a small dinner and still there was silence. Eventually talk arose of other matters which did not concern Eladlín. He found the conversation tiresome and quietly edged away from the company. He would have succeeded, if Mararion had not stopped him. "You should not wander in these woods. We do not know what they hold." Yet something in Mararion's voice made Eladlín realize that he spoke a lie. Choosing to keep his opinions to himself, he waited for the others to rest. One by one they drifted into sleep until only Mararion and Eladlín remained. He pretended to snore, and Mararion turned his attention to the horses and led them out to graze. Eladlín knew he had to move quickly. He shoved two small bundles under his blanket, so it looked as though he was still there, and struck out for the brook. There was something there. And he had to find it.
This is an extremely short chapter, but I feel badly about the delay (once again) and so I'd decided to post this, even though it is almost insignificant. Any guesses where they have landed? Cookies for the right answer! *Since Mararion has never been married, (and since elves, in my mind at least, hold a shred of morality) he doesn't have little elflings running around his home. So I think he would come to think of his animals as his children, much as many unmarried people do.