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// Epilogue: paper 
// Story: Animal Friends 
// by Elkia Deerling 
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Just like that, Fluttershy was gone.

Gone forever. 

In a sizzling torrent of magical energy, Radagast had watched her go, for he had peeked, although he knew it would be bright. He was glad that he did, although Fluttershy had looked scared and sad; just the way he had found her.

Radagast figured it would not be a good idea to linger at the spot for too long. Still he stayed for a long time, watching the burned leaves fly away with the wind. He had cried softly in the palm of his hand; his cheeks were wet with tears. Finally, as the moon started to descend, Radagast left.

He went back through the Greenwood towards Rhosgobel, taking care not to take the same route that he had taken with the ponies. Everything that remembered him of Fluttershy lingered in his mind and brought tears of sadness. As he trudged through the foliage, Radagast forced his mind to think about something different. “Come on, Radagast. Man up! You have an important mission to accomplish!” And so he thought about the evil in the Greenwood, and the road that went South. 

He would have to go South towards Orthanc, where Saruman the White resided. Perhaps Saruman would order him to go and find the other wizards as well—maybe Gandalf. Despite his tears, Radagast smiled a little, as the thought of meeting Gandalf cheered him up. He was his friend, and Radagast would tell him all about his adventures with Fluttershy. Not only the bad things in Dol Guldur, but the happy memories as well. Perhaps they would have a nice chat over a cup of tea. 

To distract himself, Radagast closed his eyes and let his spirit wander. He could feel the magical energy flow like a little stream through the trees. His spirit flowed along. For a moment, Radagast was at peace, back in the Greenwood he loved so much. Cheerfulness did find him after a moment, for Radagast could hear birds tweeting. They spoke about merry things. About other animals they had seen, about foxes which were stalking the area, about their neighbors and relatives, about their nests, and about many more things that concerned birds’ minds. Radagast smiled. The forest wasn’t corrupted here.

A few more hours he walked, all the while enjoying the surrounding Greenwood. He took in every sound and scent and stopped sometimes to look at the beautiful scenery. Radagast sighed. He couldn’t suppress the feeling that he would perhaps never see the Greenwood again, just as he would never see Fluttershy again. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t whisk away the lingering thoughts of a sad goodbye to everything he loved. Only the book knew what was in store for him.

After another dense patch of trees, Radagast found Rhosgobel. Much to his surprise, there was a wolf standing between himself and the cottage. The beast shook its shaggy head, pricked his ears, and turned towards the nearing wizard. Radagast wasn’t scared at all, for the beast was limping and hurt. Obviously, he came to seek aid. 

“Greetings and good evening,” Radagast said to the beast. “What brings you to Rhosgobel? An injury perhaps?”

The wolf scowled. “A good evening for you, perhaps, but a bad one for me. I have done nothing but limp around and it’s driving me mad. My hunts have failed all the time because of my wound. You would be wise to help me, or else…” The wolf let out a growl and showed his teeth.

Radagast put both hands up. Panic had not invaded his mind at all, for he knew how wolves were. This one was no different. “I will obey your command,” Radagast said, careful to let the beast have the dominant role, and double careful as not to insult him by trying to make friends. “Let us go inside and see what I can do for you.”

“Very well,” the wolf said, and stepped aside so Radagast could get to his home.

Radagast opened the door with a familiar creak and led the way. He wanted to look around and search for the right herbs and some bandage to help the gruff wolf, but instead his eyes were drawn to the table, and he stopped.

On the table lay a piece of paper, carefully folded in the middle. 

“What’s the matter? You lost something?” the wolf said, although he sounded not at all concerned.

Radagast sat down and grabbed his reading glasses. “No, I think I… found something.” Despite the impatient wolf in front of him, Radagast slowly opened the drawing. 

Because that was what it was. Fluttershy had quickly made a small self-portrait with some charcoal. Her wings were spread out, her mane and tail were flowing and waving in an unseen wind, and she was looking with calm and soothing eyes towards the wizard. 

“Fluttershy…” Radagast wanted to trace his fingers across the drawing, but remembered just in time that he would wipe away the charcoal if he did. Instead, he kept staring at the picture. Suddenly, Radagast noticed that there was something scribbled below it. Radagast read the words, and then he couldn’t help but let his tears fall.  

Now we both exist only on paper.

Your friend, 

Fluttershy

THE END