Long Lost Leaves - Part III

[Earniel]

When Tabrîl and Barufiniel arrived back at the old camp, they found everyone all packed and both ready and eager to be off. After what seemed like a long journey to the impatient wizard, they finally descended one after the other down the slope towards the sunken field. Tabrîl and Barufiniel led the way, followed by Radagast and the others. Hedrim, still moping for not having brought back the promised deer from his hunt earlier, brought up the rear.

Everyone greeted their three companions in the field with enthusiasm. For a moment they exchanged compliments and shoulder-pats while they surveyed the sunken field.

Radagast left the camp-building to others as he examined the field and the stone wall a little bit closer. He agreed with Magor's observation that this would have been the starting point of that strange whirlwind they had seen and experienced earlier. So where were the creatures he presumed had caused the whirldwind? They had travelled an equally long distance as the adventurers to come to this spot, but clearly they had not succeeded in entering. The rock face was damaged where rocks had hit it, but otherwise intact. No doubt the shadow-martens would still be around, perhaps waiting for Radagast and the others to create an opening, just as they appeared to have been waiting to be released from their prison in Dol Guldur.

It remained to be seen whether they would be friendly. But Radagast had an unshakable trust in all animals, whether they were corporeal or not quite so much, so he decided to chance it.

Which brought up the problem of locating the Entwives back on top of the priority list, as he told the others later when they had all gathered to share their meal.

"The papers found in Dol Guldur suggested there would be caves," Radagast said. "And since this wall was marked centuries ago with the Eye of Mordor, this would be a good point to start digging."