The Blue Mountains

[Auriel Haevasawen]

It was that the travellers crossed the remainder of the meadow in silence. Rothallë stared ahead as she rode, her eyes focused upon the edge of the wood as it began to close in on them once more. Radagast kept his eyes and ears about him. Every movement between the swaying grasses, every sound upon the air, the old man seemed to listen or watch intently and yet never slowed his pace. It was as if he were tracking something and not merely acting as a companion to the shape-shifter.
"Slow your pace Rothallë, there is something on the road ahead that will bring distress to your horse. Hold his head high, so not let him smell the earth."
Rothallë was both surprised by the instruction and the fact the elderly wizard had finally used her name and not some ancient title she had not come across in what felt like centuries. Still, she did as she was bid. There was something in his tone of voice that gave her warning, but it was more than that. She could smell something. It was deathly, foul and un-natural. Even one as brave as she felt uncomfortable as her nostrils filled with the stench.
They entered the forest once more and left the sunny clearing behind them. The road was nevertheless well lit and nothing around them bode evil intent. The horse side-stepped, disquieted. They paced steadily along the narrow track, side by side where it permitted; Rothallë in front where it did not.
As their foreboding grew the track widened a little and they were once more able to walk abreast. It rose gently to a blind summit and the sight that met them at its crest was unwholesome indeed. They had come upon the remains of a butchered horse. Rothallë in her horror forgot the words of Radagast and let her own mount see the carnage. It reared wildly in fear and anger.

[ September 02, 2002: Message edited by: Auriel Haevasawen ]