Free Web NovelChapter 1153: Chapter 1131: Time to Part
Bilbo was confused by Gandalf’s words, but thankfully, they had been old friends who traveled together for more than a year.
The Hobbit had already adapted to Gandalf’s mysterious and cryptic manner of speaking.
Master Baggins had come up with a rule: When the situation is not urgent, and the Wizard speaks in riddles, it’s best to listen to him.
So, although he was already quite annoyed with the gold, Bilbo still took Gandalf’s words to heart.
They planned to dig up and take the money from an Ogre’s nest they discovered before entering Rivendell, on their way home.
Skin-Changer Bion followed them for a while because it was on his way.
This seemingly fierce big man was about the same stature as Lann; Lann thought if his race could receive formal Druid training, they would have a great future.
However, everyone has their own life and enjoyment, so why should others interfere?
Bion laughed and sang heartily along the way, and once they reached his large wooden house, the three enjoyed his hospitality.
The Skinchanger was large but a vegetarian.
He lived on wheat, nuts, vegetables, and fruits, and he served the three guests with fine mead and milk.
Bilbo and Rong Buqiu struggled with the utensils here, as they were made for people of Bion and Lann’s size.
After saying goodbye to Bion, the three retraced the route of the Reconquest Expedition Team.
The ultimate destination is the Shire, the homeland of Hobbits, a peaceful and tranquil place. Gandalf and Lann couldn’t just leave a Hobbit, Bilbo, to travel alone in the dangerous wilderness.
To be honest, if a place is inhabited by Hobbits, Lann couldn’t imagine it being anything but peaceful and carefree.
Perhaps smoke and the aroma of delicious food would continuously waft out? After all, Hobbits typically eat seven meals a day, and even more if they have a good appetite.
And as luck would have it, the planetary conjunction rift Lann was looking for was in the Old Forest, which was right next to the Shire.
Amidst the fresh air and leisurely journey, Bilbo often dragged his little chest filled with treasure onto the horse’s back, then frantically searched his pack for parchment and a quill.
He would start to ponder and write paragraph after paragraph.
"What are you writing, meow?"
The little cat, who got along well with Hobbits, squatted on the pony’s back, curiously looking at the Hobbit writing words it didn’t recognize.
This added weight to the already impatient pony, but thanks to Rong Buqiu feeding the pony snacks from Bion’s house, the pony didn’t mind.
"I’m writing, well..." Bilbo was initially a bit embarrassed, but after so many adventures, he wasn’t the Hobbit he used to be.
So he finally said candidly, "I’ve always wanted to write a memoir, my memoir. I want to record this entire adventure, every person, every event."
"That way, even when I’m old in the future, I can comfortably sit in a lounge chair at Bag End and look back at things I’ve experienced."
At this time, they reached the hill and plains outside Rivendell.
It was here that Radagast led the way, and Lann met the Reconquest Expedition Team from Lonely Mountain for the first time.
The Dwarves had just dealt with three Ogres, searched their caves, and found three excellent swords from the First Era made by Elves.
It was morning, and they looked back to see the sun shining over the vast land.
The Dark Forest lay in the distance; even in this season, it was deep green.
On the horizon was the Lonely Mountain, whose tallest peak’s snow never melted, still reflecting a dazzling light.
"After the flames come pure ice and snow, even the mighty dragon will meet its end."
The Hobbit summarized their journey with a tone filled with emotion, as if suddenly overwhelmed by fatigue and homesickness.
"I really wish I could lie in my comfortable lounge chair at Bag End right now."
The Hobbit said as he bent down again to capture the inspiration he just received from the landscape and wrote it into his memoir.
The Demon Hunter and Qilin walked past the pony, their heads in sync as they stretched over to observe the Hobbit’s writing.
"How about adding the line, ’All things have an end’?"
The Demon Hunter appreciated Bilbo’s phrases, offering suggestions based on his artistic taste while riding.
But before Bilbo could respond, Lann shook his head.
"No, that’s not good. Leave it as it is."
"A Hobbit’s autobiography should be light-hearted, just touching on deeper topics is just right; this level is perfect."
Master Baggins nodded with a hint of self-contentment, showing appreciation for Lann’s admiration.
"It’s really good writing, Bilbo. The style is casual, natural, and elegant, much better than those overly embellished poetic lyrics."
The Demon Hunter continued to reflect, but Bilbo was somewhat surprised as he looked at Lann.
"Hmm?"
The Hobbit looked at the parchment in his hand, then at the Demon Hunter, with a slightly awkward expression.
"I actually... I actually also used quite a few obscure but fancy suffixes... really not ornate enough... do I mean ’complex’?"
"Trust me, Bill." The Demon Hunter on horseback made a gesture as if pulling an accordion. "No one understands so-called ’ornate literary style’ better than I do."
"I know a very talented poet, but he always uses his mind to write poems to please women. Although he does fulfill his potential, writing too much makes it seem pretentious, you know what I mean?"
"Ah... oh."
Bilbo, who initially wanted to make his memoirs more ornate, now couldn’t say for sure whether he felt encouraged or disheartened. All he could do was nod in resignation.
Gandalf was leisurely blowing smoke rings up front, only occasionally listening in on the poetry discussion behind him, with his old face nodding continuously in agreement.
Then he immersed himself again in the fragrance of pipe tobacco.
The three of them journeyed for several weeks, finally reaching the edge of the Old Forest at a leisurely pace.
Beyond lay the Shire, signifying a silent understanding of farewell.
"May your heroic deeds be forever immortalized in epic tales, Lann."
As they stepped onto the peaceful, lush green land, the Hobbit extended his hand to the Demon Hunter.
The tall Demon Hunter bent down to shake it.
On his shoulder, Rong Buqiu squinted with a smile and waved to Bilbo.
"Goodbye meow!"
The Elu Cat was naturally optimistic and cheerful; though it was reluctant to part with new friends, Bilbo’s return home brought it joy too.
Lann bent over, looking earnestly into the Hobbit’s eyes.
"I must reaffirm, it is an honor to know you, Master Baggins."
"I have a gift for you."
"What?" Bilbo was momentarily taken aback, then quickly shook his head in refusal. "No, no need, Lann. I’ve received more than enough."
"It’s not gold." Lann withdrew his hand but didn’t stand up straight, instead slipping a ring with a square blue gemstone off his finger and handing it to the Hobbit.
"This is a Magic... no, a Soul Stone Ring. It can protect your soul, to some extent."
The magic of the Flame World involves shaping the soul, then projecting it outward to form an attack.
The Magic Square Stone Ring can enhance the wearer’s resistance to magic. To some extent, this enhances the soul’s resistance.
Bilbo was bewildered, unsure why Lann had given him this, seeing as though the dangerous adventure had already ended.
"Gandalf told me along the way that you might need this."
The Demon Hunter nodded slightly toward the old wizard standing behind him.
The old wizard now had a profound yet unsettling smile on his face as he looked at the Hobbit.
"You didn’t think I didn’t notice, did you, Master Baggins? Your ability to come and go unseen, overcoming peril all the way, isn’t just due to luck and courage."
"You obtained a Magic Ring on your journey, right? Though I don’t know who crafted that little thing, I must advise you: use it sparingly."
Gandalf vaguely sensed that Bilbo likely acquired a Magic Ring while crossing the Mist Mountains.
This isn’t a big deal; after all, Magic Rings are precious but also commonplace. The ability to turn invisible isn’t particularly impressive.
However, out of concern for Bilbo, he decided to exaggerate the issue to scare him a bit.
Sure enough, Bilbo, already relaxed from returning to his homeland, quickly waved at the wizard.
"Oh, come on, Gandalf! Why would I use it when there’s no danger?"
"But you should still take it," Lann pressed the ring into Bilbo’s palm, "just in case."
"But this... it’s too valuable, Lann!"
"Take it, as a token of our friendship. Besides, I have one condition."
The Demon Hunter spoke craftily, yet with his silver hair falling across his forehead, he couldn’t be disliked.
"Please, say it." Bilbo’s expression was serious and earnest, as if ready to embark on another long adventure at any moment.
"We will always be true friends, Bilbo," Lann said with a gentle laugh.
"I heard your teatime is precisely at four o’clock, but you know me, I’m unpredictable. If in the future I pass by your door and knock at an odd hour, I hope you won’t turn me away."
The Hobbit looked earnestly at him, exhaling a long breath.
"I will never turn you away, Lann, at any time. Never."
"Ah, the great power of friendship," Gandalf chuckled, hands on hips, "If everyone cherished joy as you two do and scorned gold and silver, perhaps there would be no place for evil in this world."
