Chapter Three: Radagast and MirkwoodTuor pulled his hand down signalling the advance. After their meeting with Radagast, Tuor and Woodpecker had split up to surround the foul Orcs of Dol Goldur, the remnants of the Necromancer’s reign. Tuor led the forces of Gondor and Rohan from the south. The darkness was oppressive. Tuor, used to clear blue skies and the great bay of Belfalas was chilled. He called his swan knights and two of his captains to him. “Gilant, Dorermin, Swan knights. The scouts have reported the Orc band lies ahead. Radagast prepares to attack from the west and Woodpecker from the south. Gilant, I want you and Dorermin to lead your men from the east. I shall travel with you until we are close to the Orc rabble and then I shall lead my swan knights to come from the north to cut off the Orc escape. Is that clear?” “Aye captain” The band made their way forward until the Orcs could just be seen in a huge clearing. A bird noise came from the other side of the clearing. “Radagast’s signal.” Woodpecker and his rangers, along with some of the Gondorian scouts, took cover on a rise over the clearing. “Bows out men, wait for the signal. You know what to do.” They waited.
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Radagast and the Elves, along with a party of Dwarves, circled around from the west. “Dwarves, on my signal, charge the Orc’s flank; Elves, give them a few volleys.” Radagast released his bird. Tuor then made his move. He signalled to Doreremin who gave a blast on his horn and charged into the startled Orcs. Tuor quickly moved round to the north of the clearing from where he and his swan knights could faintly make out Radagast and some Dwarves charging into the Orcs. “For the Swan City!” cried Tuor, raising his sword and charging into the fray. Woodpecker’s rangers, seeing the Orc column under attack and in disarray, charged down from the hill top. The forest was dark and the Orcs were shocked and panicked by the sudden attack. Soon the few survivors of the Orc party were fleeing and lost in the woods. The three leaders met near the centre of the battlefield. “Well done my friend, the scum have broken!” cried Tuor. “Some escaped. We aren’t done yet,” responded Woodpecker. “Radagast, send out your bird. Tell us where those Orcs are.” Soon the raven returned. “Most of them are lost in the woods to the east. They will not survive. But a few are heading east out of the forest. They must be stopped.” |
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Woodpecker, guided by the Raven, led the elves and scouts quickly towards the party of fleeing Orcs. “Finish them.” Not one Orc from those 800 made it back to Dol Goldur. The army moved out back onto the plain south of Lorien, glad to be gone from the oppressive forest. There they camped the night. The next day a messenger came. Tuor went out the address the camp. “We have received a message from the Horse Lords. There are many Orcs ravaging their land. Let us go and bring aid to them! Prepare to march forth.” The men cheered, glad to be leaving the dark lands of the north to return closer to home. The army marched quickly south, and within 2 days had come to Rohan. They began pushing across the plain of Rohan, heading for Edoras, but suddenly, a group of Warg Riders struck. |
