the Stowaway (Hobbit fan-fic)

Chapter 5

Radagast saw me and stopped his sled, which was being pulled by Rhosgobel Rabbits. I smiled and put my weapons away as he got off his sled, hurrying towards me.

"Oh, my dear friend!" he cried, wrapping his arms around my waist. "It has been a long while since I have seen you. How have you been holding up? Staying out of trouble?"

"Hardly," I laughed. "I'm shadowing a company of dwarves and a hobbit."

"How exciting! Whatever for?"

"Gandalf has requested it. He wants me to protect them."

"Gandalf is near?"

"Yes." I looked at the wizard and saw worry in his eyes. I knelt down so I was eye level with him. "Radagast, is everything alright?"

"I'm afraid not. I must speak with Gandalf. Can you take me to him?"

I nodded. Radagast returned to his sled and I took off running back towards the company. Radagast quickly caught up with me, making me smile. When we were close, I came to a stop, causing Radagast to look at me confused.

"He's just up ahead," I stated. "The company does not know I am following them, thus I must stay hidden. You must pretend like you have not seen me, Radagast. It is the best for everyone."

He nodded, slight sadness in his eyes. I gave him a quick hug and smile, before climbing into a tree. As Radagast continued towards Gandalf, I followed.

"Thieves!" I heard him shout. "Fire! Murder!"

I chuckled, knowing he was already doing a great job of keeping me a secret. I watched as he pulled to a stop and Gandalf hurried towards him.

"Radagast!" Gandalf exclaimed. "Radagast the Brown. Ah. What on earth are you doing here?"

"I was looking for you, Gandalf. Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong."

"Yes?"

The brown wizard opened and closed his mouth multiple times. I put my face in my hand, but smiled. He's forgotten what he was going to say. Typical Radagast.

"Oh, just give me a minute," he said. "Um, oh, I had a thought, and now I've lost it. It was, it was right there, on the tip of my tongue." He stuck out his tongue. "Oh, it's not a thought at all; it's a silly old..." Gandalf pealed a bug off of his friends tongue, making me shudder. "-stick insect!" Gandalf and Radagast move away from the company so they can talk. I follow behind them, wanting to hear what they say. I know Gandalf knows I'm there, and I'm thankful he does not make me leave. "The Greenwood is sick, Gandalf. A darkness has fallen over it. Nothing grows any more, at least nothing good. The air is foul with decay. But worst are the webs."

"Webs? What do you mean?"

"Spiders, Gandalf. Giant ones. Some kind of spawn of Ungoliant, or I am not a Wizard. I followed their trail. They came from Dol Guldur."

"Dol Guldur? But the old fortress is abandoned."

"No, Gandalf, it is not. A dark power dwells there, such as I have never felt before. It is the shadow of an ancient horror. One that can summon the spirits of the dead. I saw him, Gandalf. From out of the darkness, a Necromancer has come." Radagast shakes his head. He had been so caught up telling Gandalf his discovery that he had zoned out. "I'm sorry," he apologized.

"Try a bit of Old Toby," Gandalf recommended. "It'll help settle your nerves." Gandalf cleaned his pipe and let Radagast breath in the smoke. "And out." Radagast sighed, looking more peaceful with a slight smile on his face. "Now, a Necromancer. Are you sure?"