An Unexpected Companion
Chapter 13
Radagast the Brown
Tiki arched an eyebrow as she stood next to Gandalf. So far, she had seen many strange things in Middle Earth. She had met quite a few stranger people, with Gandalf himself being high on the list of curiosities for her.
Radagast the Brown was on another level.
He appeared more like a wild man than a wizard. His long beard was unkempt, snarled, and twisted, with bits of it mattered around his jawline by… unknown substances of some sort. There was a crazed look in his brown eyes. A more feral expression, unlike the much more steady Gandalf. Insects crawled in and out of his patchwork of brown robes, and dried bird dung crusted the knotted hair beneath his hat.
Meanwhile, he spoke as a man possessed. Fear drove his words from his lips as he stammered to both Tiki and Gandalf.
"And there I was, Gandalf, moving through the forest and-"
"Yes, the Greenwood," Gandalf nodded.
"Mirkwood, now, Gandalf, keep up!" Radagast huffed, hobbling along, most of his weight on his gnarled staff, keeping it steady. Tiki saw why. At the top, she saw a small nest of twigs with a bluebird perched comfortably inside.
"Mirkwood, yes. I prefer the other name though," Gandalf mused as he followed Radagast. Tiki followed him.
"So do I, but there is no point in denying reality. The Greenwood- Mirkwood- whatever wood we are talking about, is sick. There are webs, Gandalf. Spiders!"
"Spiders?"
"So, did you step on them?" Tiki asked, but her question was completely ignored as Radagast continued raving.
"Ungoliant's spawn!" Radagast exclaimed as if uttering a wild curse. "They came from Dol Guldur."
"Yes, you said as much in your message-"
"I went to see what was the cause of it all myself, you know," Radagast interrupted, making Gandalf utter a heavy sigh. The shorter wizard paused as they neared the edge of Mirkwood, the gargantuan forest that sat between them and the Lonely Mountain. "Nasty bit of business that was."
"Yes, your message said you encountered a Necromancer."
Radagast whirled around, disturbing the bluebird perched on his staff. His eyes, already wild thanks to eyebrows that grew like overgrown weeds, looked near feral. Tiki grimaced.
"Not just any Necromancer, Gandalf. A normal necromancer, well, that would have been simple enough to handle, as I'm sure you know. Dispel their tricks and nonsense and you're left with nothing more than a shambling specter playing with some old bones," Radagast shook his head. Tiki's frown deepened as she watched Radagast's gaze grow distant. A deep fear settled over his face. The kind that scarred a man. "He didn't play with bones. He played with spirits."
Gandalf reached into his robes, drew his pipe, and placed some pipeweed inside. With his finger, he lit the weed and placed the tip of the pipe to Radagast's lips.
"Try some Old Toby."
Radagast inhaled, long and deep, then he held his breath. When he did, his wild gaze dimmed, his eyes crossed, and smoke streamed out of his nostrils and ears. A pleased hum rumbled from his lips as the pipe fell away from his bearded lips.
"Better?"
Radagast slowly nodded. "Much."
"Good," Gandalf snuffed out the pipe, placed it in his robes, then turned his attention back to looming Mirkwood. "Forward we must go."
He stamped his staff and marched. Radagast trailed close behind him, leaning on his own gnarled staff as well. Tiki gave the dark edge of the forest one more cautious glance before nodding and following the two wizards.
As soon as they entered the forest, a deep, unsettled sensation gnawed on Tiki's mind. The path they walked was narrow, winding, and clearly treacherous, disappearing beneath thick layers of fallen foliage whenever it wanted to, often doubling back on itself in places. Thankfully, Gandalf and Radagast knew where they were going.
However, Tiki's mind drifted to the others. Bilbo, Thorin, and the dwarves; would they be able to navigate this place? Even she, with her heightened senses and two wizards, felt disoriented and she had only just entered Mirkwood's dark shadows.
I have to trust them.
Worry gnawed on her gut. She shook her head, trying to dismiss the feeling.
We have a job to do.
They didn't build a fire. Radagast was entirely against the idea of an open flame anywhere near the flaking, mossy bark of Mirkwood's trees. In his words, a fire was meant for an oven with plenty of stone around it to keep sparks contained. If that were his feelings, then Tiki had a feeling he really did not want to know his feelings about fire-breathing dragons.
She brought a piece of bread to her lips and bit. It was bland, entirely unsatisfying, but it would have to do. There wasn't time to hunt for game. Besides, Tiki did not feel comfortable venturing away from Gandalf or Radagast. Not in this forest.
Her emerald eyes flicked around. She wasn't sure how far they had ventured into Mirkwood, but she knew they had covered a fair distance. When they first entered the vast forest, some sunlight managed to penetrate the canopy. There were still some greenery and life in the trees. Birds still sang, small animals scampered, and insects scuttled along roots and logs. But, now, Mirkwood showed why it had such an ill moniker.
Darkness swallowed the forest, casting a gray shadow, even in daylight. Barely a wink of sunlight managed to slip through the thick leaves over Tiki's head. The trees appeared huge and ancient, their twisted limbs grasping at whatever open space they could find. The trunks of some trees looked like faces, warped and carved into hideous scowls and howling shrieks of pain, as if a sickness had taken hold of them.
She nibbled on her bread again, grimacing.
I've seen places like this far too often in my life.
Old Toby grazed her nose. She sniffled then glanced at Gandalf and Radagast. Both were puffing on their pipes as they lounged against a fallen log. Gandalf blinked when he noticed Tiki.
"Oh, where are my manners?"
"I'm fine," Tiki replied, raising a hand as Gandalf reached for more pipeweed. Her sharp eyes darted when she heard some rustling in the thickets. So many sounds, so many scents. She couldn't keep track of them all.
A worried expression crossed Gandalf's features. "Lady Tiki, are you well?"
That was a difficult question for her to answer. She felt fine. Whatever healing Gandalf did worked wonders. Her draconic blood made her heal a little faster too. Physically, she would be in tip-top shape within a few days.
But, that was not what Gandalf asked.
Tiki drew in a deep breath, the damp air swarming her nose. "I lived in a place similar to this once."
Radagast blinked. "Oh? Did you? Name the forest. I may know it."
Tiki shook her head. "I don't think you would know this one. The name of the forest was… was…" She blinked and leaned back. "I forget. Huh… well, I know it was in Old Valentia- well- Valm, now. Within the borders of the ancient kingdom of Zofia."
Radagast looked befuddled. He leaned toward Gandalf. "I have not heard of such places."
"Neither have I," Gandalf nodded, pipe sitting in the corner of his mouth.
"They're real?"
"Oh quite."
Radagast shifted in his seat. "I don't suppose the two Blues-"
"No."
"Thought not. Laggards," Radagast harrumphed. Tiki wasn't quite sure who they were talking about, but she had a feeling they were not on the best of terms. Radagast cleared his throat. "So, what was living in the forest like for you, Lady Tiki? For me, I quite enjoy it. Nature is wonderful, you see. So much life to be found. You can study nature for many ages, and it will still come up with ways to leave you in awe."
"You are correct when you say that," Tiki chuckled. "As for me, I lived atop the Mila Tree, which might have been the largest living thing in the entire world." Her eyes glanced up. "It was so tall that you could not see the top from the ground. The roots were so massive, horsemen could ride side by side atop them without falling off."
Radagast's eyes filled with wonder and delight. "Incredible…" He removed his pipe from his mouth. "You must tell me how it became that way. I've seen many massive trees, but one like that? I'd say only the Valar may know of such a thing nowadays."
Tiki gave Radagast a sad smile. "The story behind the Mila Tree is not a happy one, I'm afraid."
She folded her hands and her mind lingered back. Not to the recent past. That was far too close. It drifted to a time when she was a child, locked within the ice caves with Ban-Ban. Sequestered away due to her mother's fears of prophecy. Back to a time when freedom from that cave's confines was a recent, newfound phenomenon. Where Marth had only recently passed on to the next life, and other rulers had taken up his heroic mantle.
"I was not in Valentia when it happened," she began, "I was in Archanea, helping to Shepherd a fledgling kingdom that had been established by a dear friend of mine. But, I heard the news from Valentia. Tall tales, hearsay, and whatnot."
"Always most reliable," Gandalf said, making Tiki snicker.
"That depends on who is delivering the tales. But, I suppose there are still grains of truth within their fantastical nature. Regardless, news from Valentia at the time was ill. At that time, two dragons ruled the continent and the dominant kingdoms. Mila, the Earth Mother, ruled Zofia-"
"She sounds lovely," Radagast said before blinking. "Wait a moment… dragons!?"
"A different land and time, Radagast."
"But Morgoth-"
"Different land, different time, old friend," Gandalf repeated, soothing his fellow wizard, for now.
"Yes, where I come from, Dragons are not entirely evil. In fact, many were good, such as my mentor and my mother," Tiki said. "Mila and her companion, Duma, who ruled the Valentian land of Rigel, were that way once as well. They were much more… free-spirited than a lot of my kin, though."
"Free-spirited?" Gandalf inquired as Radagast's face pinched in confusion.
"They despised dragonstones," Tiki replied. "Called them abominations of magic and science. From what little I can recall, and I was extremely young for this schism of the dragon tribes so I don't know much, they said that my mother was meddling with powers that should not be trifled with. That a dragon's nature should not be suppressed but embraced. That we shouldn't fight against our natural fate and power. They also believed that because of our great power, we were meant to rule, not just guide, humans."
Radagast shook his head. "Good hearts. Fair intentions, perhaps. Ill-conceived ideas, though."
"Very, considering my kind's propensity for madness as we grow old," Tiki remarked. "Which is what happened to them, Duma especially. They degenerated. Grew so old and so powerful that their minds could no longer handle it. As a result, the Kingdoms they ruled fell into war, famine, and strife. So many died…" A pang of sadness tugged on Tiki's heart. "In the end, mankind rose up under the banner of a brilliant young man named Alm. He overthrew Duma and slew him. Mila died before him, though almost no one knew it. Both of them were buried where the Mila Tree now stands."
Understanding dawned on Radagast. "The tree grows because of their power…"
Tiki nodded. "A dragon's power grows swiftly but erodes slowly. In our madness, we can scorch great forests. In our grief, we can flood mighty rivers. In our fury, we can be the wind that shapes the land. In death, we can give life. Such power can be… tempting. Intoxicating. It takes a great deal of discipline and self-control to not indulge it."
"And a great deal of wisdom to know when to use such strength," Gandalf nodded.
Radagast nodded in agreement. He opened his mouth to reply then paused. Slowly, his dark eyes widened to the size of saucers.
"Lady Tiki, are you implying that you are…"
Tiki gave him a toothy smile, allowing her fangs to briefly flicker from behind her lips. "I don't suppose you'll help me find some meat now? My stomach does feel rather empty."
Radagast bolted, scampering to the fringes of their campsite, muttering about finding meaty mushrooms. Even in his afraid state, he wouldn't dare harm the creatures of the forest. Tiki admired him for that.
A low hum came from Gandalf. Tiki glanced at the old wizard.
"What?"
Gandalf puffed on his pipe and grinned, laughing when they heard Radagast shout at them that he was searching for something more filling than bread. A slight twinkle danced in Gandalf's eye, and Tiki smiled.
Despite the darkness of the forest, she was glad that Gandalf was still able to enjoy a good joke.
Tiki opened her eyes.
She was atop the Mila Tree.
A full moon hung above her, its pale-blue light streaming through the thin leaves at the very peak of the gargantuan tree's height. It passed through a little skylight Tiki had built into her hut, which allowed light to enter and smoke from her cooking fires to leave. Stars innumerable twinkled around the moon like rubies, diamonds, and sapphires. Even after so many centuries here, the sight still took her breath away.
A knock sounded on her door. Her heart jumped.
"Tiki?"
And his voice soothed her. She rolled over and smiled when she saw Robin standing in her doorway. He arched a pale eyebrow and then chuckled, shaking his head.
"You said you were grabbing the last of your things."
Tiki shrugged. "I am." She rolled onto her back once more and stared up. "This is the last of it."
Robin's boots tapped against the wooden platform beneath her hut. With a slight groan, the Shepherds' tactician sank to a seat beside her. Then, he laid down on his back as well, staring up through the small skylight.
"Wow…" he breathed.
Tiki chuckled. Absently, she reached for his hand, letting her fingers intertwine with his gloved ones.
"You're giving up this view?" He asked.
Tiki's emerald eyes flicked away from the stars and moon to her love. His snow-white hair shimmered in the pale moonlight. His amber eyes, so kind and gentle, glowed with warmth in the darkness. His lips were tugged upward in a wonder-filled smile as he looked up. Her heart thumped in her chest. After so long, the Valm War was over. Walhart the Conqueror was defeated, and she was going to a more permanent home. A home that she wasn't put at because she needed to be there, but one she wanted to go to. A place she chose to be.
Her other hand reached for his cheek, gently caressing it and causing Robin's eyes to close.
"I'm heading for a better one," she whispered.
Mirkwood's dark canopy greeted Tiki as she awoke with a gasp. For a moment, she felt a phantom sensation against her hand. A gentle touch that made her heart ache. Then, like a passing breeze, it was gone.
Rustling sounded next to her. Radagast and Gandalf were already on their feet, hats donned, cloaks over their shoulders, and staffs grasped. The Gray Wizard stooped over Tiki and offered her a hand.
"We are nearly there, Tiki."
Tiki eyed his hand. With a grimace, she reached out and grabbed it, letting the wizard pull her to her feet. When she rose, Radagast stamped his staff.
"Come," he said. "There is a rise in the forest up ahead."
Quickly, he marched away. Tiki and Gandalf followed. True to his word, they reached a steep incline in the forest. The trail scaled a tall hill. At the top, the forest thinned just enough for Tiki to see into the distance.
Not far away, jutting out of the forest like a spike of black stone, stood the ruins of a once mighty fortress. Jagged towers ripped through Mirkwood's canopy. Crumbling walls sat in a ring around the main keep. Even from this distance, Tiki could see large spiderwebs sprawling away from the walls. When Tiki looked at it, a pit formed in her stomach.
"Dol Guldur," Gandalf breathed. "Once a mighty fortress of the Wood Elves, and now home to a Necromancer."
"It must be cleansed," Radagast rumbled.
Tiki found herself in agreement. Dol Guldur was a sickness, a cancer, rotting Mirkwood from the inside out. It couldn't be allowed to fester.
It was time to confront the Necromancer.
And chapter! A little bit of a shorter one, but I think this one really packs some punch (a style of writing I've been working really hard on)! Exploring Tiki's character like this is becoming a real treat, and this story is feeling like a real breath of fresh air. It's going to be interesting seeing what our favorite Manakete is going to do in the face of the Necromancer.
Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed it! Have a nice day!
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