The Conversation Between Radagast and Amroth
Most of the heroes have lain down for the night and Radagast has snuffed many candles out. The small cottage has grown quieter but there are reassuring woodland sounds coming from both within and outside the cottage.
Amroth turns to the wizard and speaks. “Now that we are alone, firstly, I offer you again greetings, on behalf of the Lord of the Woodland Realm. I sense that your culture gives little value to what must seem like the overly formal tones and passionate words of Elves. For this I do not apologize. Ours is a culture steeped in customs and manners that stretch back since before the Edain ever thought about settling into the Greenwood’s loving arms.”
To his surprise, Radagast replies in Sindarin. "Greetings you, Amroth of Caran Rhaw. And, yes, I love best those that speak plainly and simply and those that speak not at all." He gestures to the many animals that also call the cottage home. You are not the first elf to ask for my council, nor the first I have asked for aid or obligation. A foretelling is on me; we will speak of weighty matters tonight and before the end your heart will speak to you and you will make an oath with me as witness. And, doubtless you do not need to be told, oaths are mighty things when freely given!"
Amroth considers this for a moment and then says “I took your earlier words for insult and judgment levied against me. Why you have chosen to do this I can only guess; to nip what you think to be some ill-gotten pride? Here is a group of men and women who by nothing more than the joy in their hearts chose to stand together against a common threat, and yet I can find little more than condescension in your remarks on our deeds. Certainly no praise, and even less confidence. It is true that the muster at the Old Ford was hardly a stand against the Dark Lord, but should our courage be criticized? For strong roots can only grow when they meet resistance equal to their mettle. I, for one, am proud to have stood side by side with them. If you will not see it, then I say the greater shame is upon you.”
"Oh yes, pride I take in all those who stood at the Old Ford. Not just Brannock who may yet to grow Wise; nor Bergmál who will see both Fire and Shadow before the end. But also our young bear Bjarndor, the ever-eager Adalgrim and the stout unyielding Norori. And, yes though I may tease him, Broyan of the Curved Blade and Silver Tongue also has my respect. As do you, Amroth the Sleeping Lord. Though you are not sleeping now; have you had too much of late?" The wizard asks this with a bit of a smile and a wink; this last was said in Westron.
“My Lord and King has tasked me with this errand, and I shall see it through. If you will employ it, then you have my loyal service. If you will rebuke my ‘flights of fancy’ then I shall report your disinterest back to my King, and you will be burdened with the foolishness of Elves no longer. But now I have spoken plainly and made my insult known. I will harbor it no more.”
Radagast again switches to Sindarin. "You misunderstand me, Amroth. Flights of fancy forge swords, win wars, woo hearts and, sometimes, craft jewels more beautiful than almost anything else in Middle Earth. Discount not flights of fancy, please! Take no offense, I am, after all, only a silly old man!" Radagast remains speaking Sindarin but the last statement is accompanied by another wink.
Amroth responds, “But you have asked for news of the wider world, and I will tell what little I can, for I have slumbered 2,000 years and missed all the history of this world. Thus have I no news to share with you. But I believe I have been gifted with visions; with revelations, with dreams that tell of events of the past, present and future. I implore you; hear them first! And make your judgments afterwards, to either cast me away as a mad fool or as a speaker of truths. For with or without your blessing, it is my belief that a threat stirs in this land, and I go to hinder it where I may. But whatever your decision, do not mock me, and certainly not before my companions.”
"Very well, tell me of these... revelations."
