Those Radagast had called... not summoned;; that smacked of an imperative, and it wasn't his nature to inflict his choices on others... began filtering into the inn. The first to arrive was an old friend... Lady Isile.
She sat at the table with grace, and her words touched him like a waterfall.
quote:
"Greeting old friend. It has been far too long since I seen your smiling face or heard any good tales of your journeys. And to you as well.
She directed the latter to Pico, the chipmunk sitting in the center of the table. Pico chattered right back at her as if he understood everyone word she said. Who knew... maybe he did at that.
"Some days too long, and others not long enough," Radagast replied to her,
"depending on the reasons. I fear this is one of them."
"I would have readily foregone the pleasure of your company if the need was not dire. We shall wait until the others have arrived."
An Elf entered the inn and went to the bar, and Radagast knew her name. It was Sky. Come along way she had, but the darkness reached as far as her home.
The next to arrive was Gwynhwyfar the Fair. Radagast wondered if that was an appellation that she used herself, or one given by others. It was amusingly appropriate in the latter case, for he doubted anyone would have dubbed themselves So-and-so the Ugly.
She came over to his table and introduced herself, but of course he knew who she was. A little bird told him.
"I am glad you could come, M'Lady. I, of course, am Radagast the Brown," he replied with a twinkle in his eye as he used the appellation that others had given him.
"The others will be here shortly. This problem will need us all."
Apparently after getting the lay of the land, Sky then walked to the table.
quote:
"Hello, I am Sky Sheer'een of the woodland elves. For some reason I seem to be drawn to you sir. I have ventured out of the woods to find others who are willing to fight for the land before it becomes a wasteland and dies. Have I made a mistake or am I in the right place?"
"Indeed you are!" Radagast replied to her.
"All Elves are of the woodlands, though some less than others. Nature has sent you here to me, for we are of a like mind. Something foul and dark creeps ever more deeply into the woods. We certainly must stop it!"
He did not tell her to wait for the others, for, reserved as she was, he also sensed she was quite gregarious. Indeed, once she established that she was in the right place, she set about making new friends.
Aerethion was the next to arrive, though he introduced himself to the others as Pathfinder. 'The Fair', 'the Brown', and now the Pathfinder. He barely refrained from a brief chuckle.
"Well met again, Pathfinder. Others are coming." More than that was not needed.
The arrival of a Dwarf caught everyone's attention, and Radagast was relieved to see that no one leaped to the thought that Borun might be the threat. Dwarves and Elves did not always get along, even though the cave-dwelling Dwarves were as much a part of nature as the Elves of the woods.
quote:
"Good evening, sir. You are Master Radagast I presume? I am Borun Redbeard. Master Thordin of the Diamond Heart Academy has sent me. I am at your disposal."
"Hail and well met, Borun Redbeard. How is Master Thordin these days? I haven't been up his way since the Battle of Troll Deep. Any more problems with rock trolls?"
One more arrival was Wren. She’d been lurking outside; the chattering of woodland creatures had told him so. No sooner had she entered the inn than Sky had attempted to make friends with her. It did not go well.
If the Dwarf drew attention, then the next arrival took it to a whole new level. Ro’kath was a Half-Orc, but even though he tried to hide it, Radagast didn’t think there was anyone in the inn that couldn’t detect that. His actions gave them all second thoughts, though.
Then, both Wren and Sky approached Ro’kath… attempting to make a new friend.