Blindweed

**Blindweed** is a red deer and a Storyteller of the Home Herd.

## Appearance

Blindweed is an old red deer. He is fifteen years old or older. He has a fine head with nobbly pearled antlers that rise to 14 points on his brow. Clear that his antlers have gone back and will never be as strong as they were in his prime.  He has gnarled antlers , scars , and old calloused lips .

In chapter 8, Blindweed looks very old. His antlers are deeply rutted, like the arms of a weathered oak.  He is practically blind now

## Story

On his way to the council meeting, Brechin comes across Blindweed telling stories to a group of fawns. He is known as the storyteller. Brechin recalls many cold winter nights sitting at Blindweed's feet and listening to his tales. No one is really sure how old he is. Some say fifteen, others even older. He tells the fawns the story of how Starbuck stole the magic antlers.  Blindweed is surprised at Brechin's presence and prompts the fawns to welcome him. He initially decides he's told enough for one night, but the fawns beg him to tell the Prophecy, to which Brechin agrees he'd like to hear. Blindweed is first angry and reluctant to tell the Prophecy to the fawns, for it is part of the Lore and not a mere fable, but upon Brechin's agreement, he recites the Prophecy.

After the fawns leave, Blindweed goes to Brechin, sensing that something is wrong. He is glad that some of the hernling remember the old tales, for nowadays everything has changed, no one listens anymore, and feels Sgorr and the Draila will drive away the spirit of Herne. Brechin praises Blindweed for teaching the old tales so well, and taught them that in those tales lies the secret of the Lore. Blindweed shakes his head as he comments that the Lore is too much abused. Brechin is glad to have seen Blindweed, for tonight it is the Lore he will need.

Blindweed is troubled after Brechin leaves to the meeting place. For two seasons now he has watched the plots of the Draila with mounting disgust. He understands little of politics, but hates what Sgorr is doing to the herd, and knows it will bring nothing but harm. He has spent too long immersed in the legends of the Herla not to carry something of their magic and not to trust his instincts. Tonight his scars ache and the pain in his left foot has returned. He knows in his bones that something is happening. He encounters a group of Draila who confront him for being so close to the Home Oak, but upon seeing it's Blindweed, say they don't have to worry about him. They warn him about a fox before moving on. Blindweed is even more troubled, seeing the Draila's unusual behaviour. He overhears that something is to happen tonight.

Blindweed sets off along the bank, where he finds Bhreac defending Eloin, who is in labor.  After Rannoch is born, Blindweed is taken back when he sees his fawn mark in the shape of an oak leaf, immediately believing him to be the deer in the Herla Prophecy. He covers it up with a smear of mud, warning Eloin that the mark will bring him nothing but trouble. While Bandach distracts Sgorr, who intends to kill the fawn, Blindweed swaps Bracken's dead fawn for Rannoch. Following this, he thinks more of the prophecy, for Rannoch is a changeling.

Blindweed's stories are banned from the herd. He visits Bracken and Rannoch once in a while, watching him grow. He makes sure Rannoch and the other selach hear some of the old tales. He is interested in hearing about Rannoch's adventure in the forest and asks Rannoch questions he doesn't understand. He and Bhreac are often seen arguing together, though have grown very fond of each other and spend many hours grazing in the meadow. Blindweed is rudely escorted by the Draila to the Home Oak, where he is told Drail would like to hear The Prophecy. He recites it, leaving out the part about an oak leaf, but Sgorr catches this, and he is forced to say the verse. He is relieved that Rannoch is still safe, fearing he had been captured. He dismisses the Prophecy as nonsense. Sgorr asks Blindweed to tell them if he hears anything. As Blindweed sees Rannoch and the others leave the herd, he sadly acknowledges the "chased by anger, fear, and hate" verse in The Prophecy.

##### References

1. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 18
2. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 186
3. ↑ Fire Bringer, pages 17-18
4. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 23
5. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 27
6. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 29
7. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 180
8. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 183
9. ↑ Fire Bringer, pages 18-21
10. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 23
11. ↑ Fire Bringer, pages 25-26
12. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 27
13. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 29
14. ↑ Fire Bringer, chapter 4