"Home is now behind, the world is ahead."
It was Bilbo's first time stepping beyond the borders of the Shire.
That night, he found himself unable to sleep. He had only lain down for a short while before restlessly rising again.
Gandalf was also sleepless, as was Garrett.
One leaned against a boulder, drawing thoughtfully on his pipe. The other stood watch at an elevated position, scanning their surroundings.
ROAR.
Strange cries and unsettling noises echoed through the mountainous forest valley, making everyone uneasy.
"What's that sound?"
Bilbo asked in confusion. He had never encountered orcs before, so naturally, he had no notion of what they sounded like.
The noise instantly startled several dwarves awake, including Thorin.
"Those are orcs, a vile breed. Judging from the sound, there are at least dozens of them nearby."
Fíli explained to Bilbo, "They're scattered throughout the wild lands. They prefer to launch surprise attacks in the dead of night. Folk are slain silently, never knowing what struck them down."
Bilbo was frightened by this description and began to feel genuinely alarmed.
Scattered throughout the wilds?
Gandalf, who was smoking, glanced at Garrett still scanning the horizon, and silently shook his head.
They used to be everywhere in these wilderness regions. But now... that was no longer quite accurate.
As more orc calls echoed through the darkness, more members of the company began to wake up.
Under Bilbo's puzzled gaze, Balin began recounting some of the battles they had fought, including the origin of Thorin Oakenshield's epithet.
Meanwhile, in a dark, concealed part of the forest, a band of orc scouts fixed their eyes on the distant glow of a campfire.
"Tell the master, the dwarf scum has been located."
The patrol leader gave his orders, sending some orcs to continue tracking the group while he rushed back to report their position.
Swooshing!
The rain came suddenly and fiercely.
The next day, the company rode through the downpour.
"I say, Master Gandalf, couldn't you make this rain cease?"
"It will stop when it's finished raining," Gandalf replied with dry humor, then added, "If you wish to change the weather, you'd be better served finding another wizard."
Bilbo asked curiously, "There are other wizards besides you?"
"Indeed."
Gandalf glanced at Garrett, hesitated briefly, then said, "There are five of us in total. Besides myself, there are Saruman the White, Radagast the Brown, and two Blue Wizards who wander in the far East."
After saying this, he looked toward Garrett again.
Garrett returned his gaze steadily.
Bilbo noticed Gandalf seemed to be watching Garrett throughout this exchange, so he also looked over expectantly.
"Mm, Gandalf is right. I have nothing to add."
"...Very well then."
Seeing Garrett offer nothing further, Gandalf simply continued the previous topic, shifting to discuss the Brown Wizard.
Radagast the Brown, he was the one he had mentioned after observing Garrett's alchemical setup, noting that Radagast also possessed knowledge of potion-making.
However, Radagast's concoctions were typically used to heal woodland creatures and birds.
This Brown Wizard dwelt in the forest year-round, living close to nature. To him, all life deserved equal respect and protection. Even for the smallest creature, he would expend considerable effort to preserve it. Of course, that excluded evil beings spawned from darkness, such as wargs and the giant spiders of Mirkwood.
The rain gradually subsided. After a brief rest, the company resumed their journey.
They passed through Bree, beyond the last settlement of Men, and traveled by Weathertop, heading steadily eastward.
On the road, Gandalf suddenly gestured and said, "Ah, we've arrived. That domain there belongs to Garrett, what he calls Wayfort."
"Domain? Garrett's a lord?" one dwarf inquired.
That was quite impressive. Was Garrett, like Thorin, nobility embarking on a campaign?
"You could say that. Though not just any ordinary lord," Gandalf replied, offering no further explanation.
"So we're near your home now, Garrett?" Bilbo asked with interest.
He'd always been curious about Garrett's residence. Garrett usually visited him, but he had never had opportunity to see Garrett's stronghold himself.
"Yes, my territory is not far from the main road," Garrett confirmed.
"Then might we have a look?"
"I'd be happy to host you all." Garrett nodded.
Bilbo looked around at the others, silently seeking their opinions with his eyes.
"Well, since Garrett has extended the invitation, I've no objection," came Gandalf's voice from ahead.
The dwarves immediately grew excited, they had been curious about this warrior for quite some time.
However, one person had yet to voice his opinion. Curiosity aside, the final decision rested with their leader.
"Since the lord of these lands welcomes us, I have no objections either. And should you ever visit a dwarven realm, you'll be just as welcome," Thorin said to Garrett.
"That would be most excellent."
The dwarves were delighted, they could rest and recover their strength. Bilbo was thrilled as well, finally, he would get to visit Garrett's home.
As for Gandalf, he was already taking the lead toward the stronghold.
---
"Good heavens..."
A short while later, the company stood before massive gates, staring up at towering walls that seemed to stretch endlessly in both directions. Their mouths fell open in awe.
"You mean this... this entire fortress is Garrett's domain?"
"I've never heard of such a massive stronghold in these parts. When was it even constructed? How is there not a single tale about it?"
"It's extraordinary..."
"It's grander than any settlement of Men I've ever seen."
"But... how do we get in?"
"Ho there! Your lord has returned, open the gates!" one dwarf shouted at the apparently empty walls, addressing non-existent guards.
Gandalf reminded them, "No need to shout, there's no one inside."
Then he approached the iron gate, waiting for Garrett to step forward.
The gate appeared strange, it didn't seem to possess a lock, yet couldn't be pushed open. It was clearly secured by some arcane means.
Click.
Garrett operated a lever and the iron gate swung open smoothly.
"Welcome to my stronghold. I think we can rest here for a few days. There are plenty of supplies for everyone."
Their horses and luggage were quickly taken care of.
The dwarves, marveling at the stronghold's craftsmanship, looked around in wonder.
"The architect here must have had a strange obsession, everything is squared."
"I rather like it, actually."
The neat, angular style resonated with dwarven aesthetics. Their own architecture featured clean lines and sharp corners, strong, solid, and dependable.
"What is that?"
Someone pointed at a patrolling iron golem.
Gandalf prevented a dwarf from approaching it and explained, "That's one of Garrett's defensive constructs. They keep the territory secure. I'd advise against testing its capabilities. From what I've observed, one of these could handle ten orcs without difficulty. Perhaps even ten dwarves..."
"Are you serious?"
One of the dwarves looked skeptical. But as soon as a golem clanked its way over, their knees nearly buckled and they huddled together in alarm.
"No, no, no! We're guests! Invited by your master!"
The golem tilted its head thoughtfully. Then, from who-knows-where, it produced a small red poppy and offered it to Balin, who stood at the front.
Everyone was stunned.
"Oh, my thanks," the old white-bearded warrior said politely to the construct.
"They're rather courteous, aren't they?"
Balin observed calmly, as if he hadn't just been shouting in panic moments before.
As they conversed, another golem wandered over and presented another dwarf with a red flower.
"Oh, thank you," the dwarf accepted the poppy and nodded appreciatively.
This was probably the most appropriate flower-gifting by a golem yet, at least they were roughly the same height.
"Don't just stand around outside. I've prepared a feast for our midday meal. Why don't you come in and dine first?"
While the dwarves were still marveling over the flower-presenting golems, Garrett had already laid out a large table of food, waiting for the company to join him.
Bilbo, who had been dumbstruck until now, immediately perked up when he heard there was food.
"Wait for me!" he called out eagerly.
After all, this was a meal prepared by Garrett himself!