Chapter 61: The Brown Wizard

With the nearby troll caves cleared, Kael used the Palantír one last time to scan the surrounding lands. The remaining trolls were scattered far and wide, and there were no more captives to be found. After a brief discussion, he and Gandalf agreed there was no more to be done here. It was time to go to Rivendell. As the saviors of the company, and with Gandalf's firm insistence, even Thorin, though still reluctant, did not dare to object. After the harrowing encounter with the trolls, he was more eager than ever to reach the Lonely Mountain, retrieve the Arkenstone, and rally the Dwarves to his banner. The detour to Rivendell, once a point of contention, was now a necessary inconvenience. And so, the company packed their belongings, left the Trollshaws behind, and continued their journey east. News of the trolls' demise spread like wildfire. A story took root among the surviving trolls—a tale of a monster that hunted their kind, a creature that ate their hearts and wielded fire. Anyone who crossed its path met a swift and certain end. The rumor, growing more terrifying with each telling, sent the remaining trolls fleeing into the deep mountain caves, too frightened to descend into the lowlands. As a result, the roads became far safer for travelers and merchants. At the same time, the rescued villagers began to share their own stories. Some took boats down the Hoarwell River, carrying tales of the wizards' deeds to the southern kingdoms. Others journeyed west, spreading the word of the Grey Wizard and the Black-Robed Wizard who had slain the trolls and saved them from certain death. Throughout the lands of Eriador, their reputations grew, and the title of "Troll-slayer" became widely known. Not long after leaving the forest, a commotion erupted in the distance, and the company immediately drew their weapons, their senses on high alert. They soon realized it was a false alarm. A figure on a wooden sledge pulled by a team of large, swift-moving rabbits burst from the trees. The sledge, as if gliding on flat ground, navigated the rough forest terrain with impossible ease and came to a stop before them. "Radagast," Gandalf said, a hint of surprise in his voice as he recognized his old friend. "What are you doing here?" Radagast was as tall as Gandalf, but far more disheveled. He wore a wide-brimmed brown hat speckled with bird droppings, and his dirt-brown robes were covered in mud, grass, and twigs. He looked wild, almost unhinged. "I was looking for you, Gandalf," he said, his voice frantic. "Something is wrong. Terribly wrong!" "What is it?" Gandalf asked, accustomed to his friend's eccentricities. "The Greenwood is sick," Radagast explained, his words tumbling out in a rush. "A shadow has fallen over it. The trees are withering, the air is foul, and the river water has turned to poison. And spiders, Gandalf... giant spiders have appeared. They must be the spawn of Ungoliant." Ungoliant was an ancient evil, a primordial spider-spirit nurtured in the void before the world began. She had once allied with Sauron's master, the first Dark Lord Morgoth, to destroy the Two Trees of Valinor, plunging the world into darkness. Her offspring, Shelob, was a creature of such terror that even Sauron dared not provoke her, instead sending Orcs as tribute to sate her hunger. "I followed the spiders' tracks to Dol Guldur," Radagast continued, his eyes wide with fear. "There... I found signs of the Necromancer. And this..." He pulled a leather-wrapped object from his robes. "The Necromancer..." Gandalf's expression hardened. He took the bundle and unwrapped it. Inside lay a jet-black, ancient sword, its metal seeming to drink the light and radiate a palpable aura of chilling, malevolent power. "A Morgul-blade," Gandalf breathed, his voice grim. "This is the sword of the Witch-king of Angmar." He looked up, his eyes meeting Kael's in a silent, shared understanding. Ever since their encounter with the Barrow-wights, Gandalf had suspected the Witch-king still lingered in the world. Now, with this blade in his hand, his fears were confirmed. The Witch-king was a servant of Sauron. His presence in Dol Guldur, combined with the rumors of a Necromancer, pointed to a horrifying, undeniable conclusion. But before Gandalf could voice his thoughts, a wolf's howl cut through the air. "A wolf?" Bilbo asked, a quiver of fear in his voice. The dwarves tensed. "That's no ordinary wolf," Thorin growled. "That is a Warg!" In the next second, a massive, monstrous wolf leaped from the forest, its fangs bared as it lunged for the company. But before it could land, a jet of light struck it mid-air. The Warg froze, petrified, and crashed to the ground, where Gandalf's flaming sword swiftly ended its life. Another Warg that charged from the trees met a similar fate, cut down by Kael's blade. "Quickly!" Gandalf shouted. "These are scouts! A large Orc pack must be close behind!" "We cannot leave!" Dori, the dwarf in charge of their supplies, cried out in despair. "The horses have bolted!" Only Kael's pony, Patches, true to its placid nature, remained, still hitched to its cart. But a single cart could not carry them all to safety. "I will lead them away," Radagast declared, his voice suddenly firm. "You must take this chance to escape." "But these are Gundabad Wargs!" Gandalf protested, his concern for his friend evident. "Are you sure, Radagast?" A confident smile touched the Brown Wizard's lips. "I have the Rhosgobel Rabbits. Let them try to catch me." "Then I will draw off another group," Kael said, stepping forward. "I will take the cart. It will split their forces and give you all a better chance." "Who is this?" Radagast asked, looking at Kael with curiosity. "This is Kael, the Black-Robed Wizard," Gandalf introduced, then turned to Kael with a worried frown. "Kael, are you certain? This is an Orc army, not the disorganized rabble we faced before." Kael's smile was unwavering. "Do not worry, Gandalf. I can protect myself. Once we've drawn them away, you must all run for Rivendell. Cross the Ford of Bruinen, and you will be safe within the borders of the Elves." (End of Chapter) *** [Check Out My Patreon For More Chapters On All Of My Fanfics!!] [www. [email protected]/meowthtl] [+300 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!]