'It was a man, or so it must have been in life. It put me in mind of the tales my people tell of Vagári the Wanderer, the spectre that stalks the vales; do you know the story? It is said he appears in the mist from time to time, but few have seen him with certainty and none have gotten near enough to hear him speak. Marhairu Winter-hair of the Northmen followed Vagári for a time, but he was missing for a year and when he returned he remembered little of the experience.'

Badwila frowns at you and tests his injured leg.

'Nay, it is not just this Orc-wound that troubles me, ${PLAYER}. I said the shade reminded me of the tales of Vagári the Wanderer, and it does, save one difference. As it approached I felt an overwhelming sensation of hatred, not just for the Orcs but for all living things, and it spoke without breath. It slew every Orc, chanting in its terrible voice, and I feared it would slay me as well were it to pay me any heed. But I feigned death and it did not notice me. Had it done so this Orc-wound would be the least of my troubles, and you would have only a corpse to bear back to my father!

'The words it spoke were not addressed to me, nor I think to the Orcs, but as it set about dispatching its foes it muttered these words without breath: \qson-of-no-blood,\q it said, \qson-of-no-blood,\q over and over. I am chilled to remember it!

'The tales my people tell of Vagári the Wanderer are different. That shade seemed to pose no ill will toward Marhairu Winter-hair, and his account contained no report of such malicious intent or frightening chant. What can it mean, ${PLAYER}? I think my leg is well-enough to carry me home now, but the memory of this encounter will haunt me until the end of my days! Will I become as Marhairu Winter-hair did, scorned by my people? But I know what I saw, and I know it is true!'

Elrond is outside the Beorninghús.

Objectives

• Talk to Visitor

Gandalf is inside the Beorninghús.

Objectives

• Talk to Gandalf