One of the biggest perils for the heroes in Tolkien’s stories is knowing who to trust. That is definitely a lesson that Radagast the Brown learned the hard way when he unwittingly helped Saruman trap Gandalf on the tower of Orthanc, almost ensuring the downfall of Middle Earth itself. Unfortunately for the heroes of any epic adventures, it can be hard to tell friend from foe. The villains in these tales aren’t always what they seem, and often pretend to be a friend or an ally as part of their trick. A wizard like Saruman is able to sway the emotions of others with his words, and take on different appearances to suit his purposes.
This theme has been explored in the recent Rings of Power series, with the revelation of Halbrand's true identity as Sauron. He is the prime example of a character that disguised himself to get close to Galadriel in her most vulnerable moments, and was thus able to worm his way into her confidence and her heart. It is the ultimate betrayal, which may be why she doesn’t tell the others Halbrand’s secret once she learns who he is. And in the Lord of the Rings stories, Saruman takes this ultimate betrayal, this twisting of a friendship, one step further. In the beginning, he actually was a friend, and the leader of the order of the wizards for many long years. He was able to abuse this trust and the sway he had over Radagast to further his own selfish desires.
This is a part of the Fellowship of the Ring that is little known, because it isn’t depicted in Peter Jackson’s movie adaptations. However, it is discussed extensively in Tolkien’s original book. When the Council of Elrond gathers to discuss the fate of the Ring of Power and how it shall be destroyed, Frodo questions Gandalf about why he never showed up to meet them like he promised. Gandalf felft Aragorn to meet Frodo and Sam at the Prancing Pony, as well as Pippin and Merry who tagged along for the journey. It is here that Gandalf explains that he was on his way to their agreed destination when he ran into an old friend near the borders of Bree, Radagast the Brown, a fellow wizard who came to Middle Earth to help guide its people against the evil of Sauron.
Gandalf says that it was a surprise to see him after so many years, but Radagast had an urgent message. He had sought Gandalf out at the behest of Saruman, to warn the gray wizard that the nine Nazgul (the ring wraiths) were once again roaming the lands in search of the One Ring, and were headed towards the Shire. Radagast informs Gandalf:
“He told me to say that if you feel the need, he will help, but you must seek his aid at once, or it will be too late!”
This was a very clever ploy of Saruman’s. He used this information to misdirect Gandalf into rushing to the tower of Orthanc in Isengard, rather than going to meet the hobbits as planned. Saruman’s true intentions are to convince Gandalf to join forces with him to serve the Dark Lord and seize power for themselves. When that doesn’t happen, he locks the gray wizard up with no way down from the impossibly tall turret. This is his attempt to waylay him long enough for the Nazgul to reach the shire, kill Frodo, and reclaim back the One Ring. This, of course, would have resulted in Sauron destroying Middle Earth completely.
In being the messenger that hurries Gandalf right into Saruman’s trap, Radagast unknowingly helps Saruman in his evil plan. The white wizard almost succeeds in his own terrible plot. Luckily, Gandalf has the good sense to know that Radagast was an innocent player in the betrayal of the Saruman. He knew that Radagast had never intended to betray him:
“He had concealed his mind and deceived his messenger. It would have been useless in any case to try to win over the honest Radagast to treachery. He sought me in good faith, and so persuaded me.”
Gandalf therefore told Radagast to send a message of any further news to Orthanc so that they could keep in contact about the whereabouts of the ring-wraiths. That’s why Gwahir the giant eagle arrives at the tower, and helps Gandalf to escape from its terrible heights. So although Radagast accidentally helps Saruman almost achieve his evil plan, he helps Gandalf escape too.
It is mentioned in the books that little is seen of the Brown wizard after this encounter. Radagast at the end of the Third Age is thought to have wandered far into the eastern lands of Middle Earth, as the Istari purpose of helping protect the free peoples from Sauron was achieved after the War of the Ring. Perhaps his part, no matter how innocent, in getting Gandalf trapped, was too much guilt for him. As such, it seems he decided to remove himself from the fray in order to avoid being misled and manipulated further.
