RADAGAST

by Munda

 

This cabin is my castle. My fortress. This is the world as I know, like and live it. I’m known as the hermit of this forest, although some call me the healer, or the bird man. I came across this place many, many years ago, when the world was still young, the people innocent, and found such peace and beauty here that I decided to stay.

 

Every morning I wake up to the twittering sound of birds who are waiting for their morning meal by my hand. Not that they need it, just one of those habits passed on from one bird generation to the other. First a bath though.  Everybody should be so lucky to have a natural well within a stone's throw.  After my bath and my daily effort to comb this head of hair some would call a blessing, I feed my winged friends the leftovers from the evening before,  while I listen to their little chit chats. Now that I’ve satisfied my little friends it’s time for my daily stroll.

 

It rained last night, therefore the soil still smells wet. What a gift from nature this smell! While I walk through the forest a couple of squirrels race each other down a birch to greet me, or could it be they only want the nuts I always carry with me?  A wild boar sow and her piglets root up the earth for some food. She does not even notice me anymore, knowing there’s no danger. The little ones look for shelter with their mother, as they are not too sure yet what this strange creature on two legs really is. Only time and their mother can teach them what to fear and what not.

 

I love this forest. The ancient trees whisper of times gone by. In the middle of a glade stands the oldest oak tree I ever laid eyes on. Majestic spreading branches, offering shelter to whoever seeks some, making no difference between animal or human. All living creatures, good of heart, are welcome to find a comfortable and safe shelter here, but beware those with evil in mind! If you think trees are not living, thinking beings, you better watch your step the next time you wander through one of the old forests!

 

I once fell asleep against her trunk. I had been walking through the forest most of the day, exploring the area, only shortly after I arrived here and decided to stay. I was exhausted and the wind seemed to sing a song through the leaves of the old oak tree; "Come my friend, come and find rest and peace". The wind and the oak played their game and hushed me to sleep, like a mother singing a lullaby to her baby.

 

I slept for hours and had the most wonderful dreams of creatures only known to me in legends. When I woke up, the glade was illuminated by torches. Laughter and music filled my ears and I thought I was still  dreaming.  Everywhere I looked I saw magnificent creatures of a beauty no Bard will ever find the words to capture in a song.

 

I had woken up in the middle of a gathering of High Elves. Later they told me they’d let me sleep as the Old Oak had accepted my presence. I was invited to join them in their festivities and tasted their wondrous drink, made of honey and herbs, which made a man feel light in his head and made me feel as if I had dreamed it all afterwards.

 

I listened to their stories of ancient creatures like the Ents, the Keepers of Fanghorn, guided by Treebeard, the oldest Ent of Middle Earth. Beings given their speech by these Elves. I learned about Hobbits, hairy little half human like creatures, with a kind nature and friendly eyes. They spoke of a mysterious person called Tom Bombadil, Keeper of the Old Forest, saviour to be of some special Hobbits, who would appear in his domain years from then.

 

When I almost fell asleep from the drinks and music, one of the Elves came for me and asked me to follow. Under the grand branches of the Old Oak were two seated Elves who were introduced to me as Celeborn and Galadriel.

 

Still after all these years words fail me to describe their beauty, the ancient wisdom I saw in their eyes and the kindness I felt running through the deepest of my being.

 

Celeborn asked me if I had listened to their tales and, when I nodded my head unable to speak, he told me there was a reason for my being there. Up to this very day I remember every word. He said: "Somewhere in the future there will be a conflict between good and evil and even though your part in this will be small, it is of the utmost importance. Are you willing to help us create the best circumstances for the White forces, so they may at least have a chance to conquer the Evil?" Of course I was willing. I was more than willing. How could I refuse? If they had asked me to cut off my hand I would have done it right there and then.

 

What happened next was even more stunning. Galadriel walked towards me and looked into my eyes. Oh those eyes!

 

Pools of ancient wisdom and mirrors to the soul!

 

She laid her hand on my head and said something in her own language, which sounded like my life’s symphony to me. After she was done she said: "From now on your name will be Radagast and you will be keeper of the birds. I hereby grant you the gift of Bird speech. You will be able to understand all birds,  from eagle to sparrow. Use this gift wisely my friend and gather all news from Middle Earth. There will be a day you are needed."

  

What happened after I am not sure, but I vaguely remember the Elves dancing and singing until I must have fallen asleep.  I woke up the next morning cuddled up to the trunk of this Old Oak. If it could only speak the human language, what stories it could tell!

 

During my walks I always search for healing herbs and of course for herbs to make a tasty tea. The people of the village down the valley sometimes ask for my help when a fever won’t go down or a bone is broken, or when they are just plain desperate and conjuring up the spirits brought no solution. Not that I know too much about healing, but all my years in the forest and experiments on myself gave me some knowledge of the distinguishing healing quality of some plants and they like to think I have some answers where they run out of them.

 

I never use any herb I have not tested on myself. I don’t think I could stand the thought of someone dying because of my ignorance.  I’m happy to share the little I know with the villagers and they always welcome me in with a warm cup of tea and a friendly word.

 

Sometimes they even give me some meat or bread. I once received a chicken, but I could not find it within myself to kill it, so she lived with me for a couple of years, providing me with an occasional egg and when she died a natural death, I honoured her by making a good stew and some soup from her body.

 

There’s the mere where you can see the deer, the badger, the wolf, the mouse, all creatures great and small quench their thirst, if you have enough patience to hold very still and wait.

 

On the left hand side of the mere, just behind that weeping willow, there’s a cavern where one of the noblest, grandest, most charming, magnificent and yet when annoyed, the most raging, infuriated, deceiving creature of all times had his lair for a while. Smaug the Dragon, the last of his kind.

 

It feels like it was only yesterday when I accidentally stumbled upon this immense creature. I was exploring the surroundings of the mere and my curiosity took over when I discovered the cavern’s entrance.

 

A good thing I always carry a tinder and flint with me, so I quickly made a torch out of the materials around me. Carefully I entered the cave.

 

A deep darkness surrounded me like a cold blanket and my torch bravely pushed against these dark walls, barely giving me more sight than a few feet. I felt a cold creeping up my legs and was almost ready to turn around when the earth trembled and a deep hypnotic voice resounded through the hollowness all of a sudden; "Who dares to enter my lair without permission?"

 

I thought I’d die that very minute. My knees were shaking and my heart was pounding like a herd of galloping horses. "Come closer", the voice said. "There are some torches, real torches, on your right. Light them and come closer where I can see you."

 

Of course I dared not refuse his request and with trembling hands I managed to light three torches and even found some holes to hold them. When I turned around to behold who or what was behind the voice, I almost fell over from astonishment! I’d never seen anything of such beauty. Even the splendour of the Elves faded.

 

He was grand! Immeasurable in seize and enchantingly beautiful. His entire body and tail were covered with thick scales like armour plating in every possible hue of red and gold. From the softest red, almost pink, to a deep ruby red, merged with the brightest gold and with every move of his enormous body the colours varied like a diamond.

 

I stood there in total awe with my mouth open, unable to produce a sound, when his gigantic head slowly approached me and I could feel his warm breath on my cheeks like little flames.  I looked into golden eyes, reflecting a wisdom and knowledge to which even the Elves seemed young.  "Have you lost your speech?", he almost whispered, probably knowing my head would burn off had he spoken any louder at this distance.

 

"Uh… uhhhh", I struggled to form some words, but could not come any further than; "But… but… you are beautiful!"

 

The entire cavern shook on its foundation. I thought the walls would crumble down and the floor would disappear right from beneath me. I looked around for something to hold onto, but alas, beside the Dragon in front of me, there was nothing to give me any support and I fell flat on my rear, which was rather painful I must admit.

 

The Dragon’s body was shaking from head to toe, causing an overwhelming explosion of colours because of the undulating motion of his body. For a moment he looked like a stream of lava.

 

Smaug was laughing!

 

"Never in all my years have I been this amused and my vanity flattered at the same time by a little critter such as you.  I think I am going to like you. Come closer and let us talk for a while."

 

I’m not sure if it were hours or days we talked. Time seemed to pass without hunger, nor need for sleep while listening to the old stories from Smaug. He told me about the time Dragons were common in Middle Earth and of the days he’d spent playing and battling with his fellow Dragons Daelomin, Leucaruth and Eärcaraxë.

 

He told me of the days of early Middle Earth and how he observed the Elves develop into the noble creatures they had become. He even gave me a glimpse into the future, so I would understand when the time arrived I needed the knowledge.

 

When Smaug spoke of the times his friends passed away, some of old age, but most because they were hunted down, his voice almost broke and his grief hang in the air as an almost touchable object. I felt a great loss and his desolation. "I am lonely and alone" he said. There’s no one left to talk to or play with. My mate died many years ago and I shall never have another. One of these days I shall find myself a new challenge and can only hope I will die in battle."

 

When I left the cavern I felt I would never be the same again. Smaug had lifted some of the veil of his ancient wisdom and endless patience and he had changed something for the better deep inside of me. Unfortunately I never met him again and it was one of the saddest days of my life when I heard Bard Bowman had ended Smaug’s life with his Black Arrow, but I was glad Smaug’s last wish, dying in battle, was granted.

 

Many years have passed since then and I’ve lived many ventures and heard many tales and mysteries. For now the White Forces conquered the Evil and a time of peace lays ahead of us. Dragons are no longer part of Middle Earth and I hardly ever see Elves, Dwarves or Hobbits anymore, although the birds still see them and tell me every little gossip, so I am not deprived of news.  You youngsters of the New World are truly lucky, as one of your time companions wrote the entire epic adventure down in his books; "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of The Rings". The name of this remarkable man? J.R.R. Tolkien! So if you’d ever like to learn more about my world, please do read and I’ll introduce you to all the secrets of Middle Earth.

 

There’s my cabin again. Time for a hot cup of tea. It was my pleasure to have you as my guest today.

 

 

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