On another note, here's a post to answer our fearless thread-leader
redline2200 with a bit more whimsy, ... following in the creative footsteps of
Elgee.
* Ten feet above the ground, someone strongly resembling an out-of-place brown leaf in midwinter clung one-handed with resigned stubborness to the protruding branch of a hemlock tree. Several wary
crebain, keeping an eye on their home, circled inquisitive caws around the tree as
Radagast wielded a cedar staff like a broomstick. This being
Mirkwood, there was no shortage of cobwebs to be cleared! *
* Stepping out with careful footing upon one creaking branch while maintaining a left-handed grip upon another, the wizard answered his feathered friends. * "To be sure, Swiftwing, I missed The Last Ship as it sailed West. And though I know not whether my choices have left me stranded in
Middle Earth, I see much work still to be done here. So long as monstrous
spiders threaten Mirkwood, Mirkwood needs me. Fear not! Your family's nesting tree will soon be rid of these foul-knotted ropy webs!"
* A blast of the cedar staff turned the spider web into a clear liquid. Soon, all that was formerly webbing had formed into large tear-shaped drops that fell harmless as dew to the ground below. *
* As Swiftwing uttered a cry of thanks, his mate Brighteyes spotted forms moving underneath who just now found themselves wetly spattered by drops of destroyed web. "Visitors!" croaked Brighteyes, "
Goblin! 'Ware!"
* Radagast clutched tighter at his support branch, closing his eyes and wincing at the mention of a goblin. Unbalanced by surprise, he toppled from his perch. Doom smiled on
the brown wizard, for on the way down he caught himself on a lower branch. Though the staff dropped from his clenched fist and the wind was knocked out of him, the only further damage suffered by Radagast when he at last hit the ground was bumps, bruises, and a torn cloak. *
* Radagast picked himself up, brushed away a few sappy twigs and coniferous needles from muddied clothing, and greeted the group. * "Hallo ... who comes to Mirkwood?"