Originally, when passing by Wayfort, Gandalf and Balin had intended to stop and pay a visit to Garrett. However, upon arriving, they received only one piece of news.
"He isn't here."
To this, Gandalf could only remain silent.
"Then... shall we go?" Balin asked, lifting his head.
"What else can we do? It's not as though someone could drag him back here."
Gandalf let out a sigh.
At that sound, a nearby iron golem considerately handed him a flower, as if to comfort him not to feel too downhearted.
"My thanks. If only your master could be as reliable as you folk."
The iron golem didn't understand these words. After Gandalf accepted the flower, it simply resumed its patrol.
The world often said that Wayfort was unassailable, indestructible, not only because of its towering, solid walls that rose so high one could hardly glimpse the top when looking up from below.
There were also these golems, one of the trump cards of Wayfort and the Free Cities alike.
To deal with them, one would either need specially crafted tools or weapons, or else dispatch an army ten times larger, led by capable commanders.
And even if one could somehow handle this legion of iron golems, there were still the waves upon waves of elite guards stationed along the battlements, keeping watch day and night without interruption, every single one a skilled and disciplined warrior.
"Better to assault the White City than to approach Wayfort."
This had already become a saying among the orcs.
"Wait."
At the crossroads where Wayfort met the Great East Road, just as they were about to continue toward the Shire, Gandalf suddenly stopped, turning to the south.
In that direction, there now stretched a new road of grey stone bricks, each block neat and square, bearing a certain someone's unmistakable style.
"When... did this road appear here?"
"I don't recall there being a crossroads here. At least a year ago, there wasn't."
"This was built within the last year. We call it the 'Grey Road.'"
A passing resident explained.
Seizing the chance, Gandalf stopped him and asked: "Where does this Grey Road lead?"
"To Riverside Fortress. It leads to Riverside Fortress."
"Riverside Fortress?"
Gandalf and Balin exchanged glances, their puzzlement only deepening.
"I've never heard that name before."
"It was only founded within the last year," the resident reminded them.
"Shall we go take a look?" Balin suggested.
"Agreed."
So, at the crossroads near Wayfort, they changed course, setting out southward along the brand-new, wide avenue.
---
Some time ago...
"Build a road directly."
When establishing the new settlement, Garrett had also marked a new point on the map. Then he picked up his pen and drew a line linking that new point with Wayfort.
And thus, it became a road.
Once that line appeared, the residents had fresh work to undertake.
A broad road paved with stone bricks began at the junction of Wayfort and the Great East Road, extending southward toward the river delta.
Because the crafted stone bricks had a greyish hue, people simply called it the "Grey Road." When Garrett later heard this informal nickname, he slapped the table and immediately made it the official name.
And when the Grey Road finally reached its terminus, at the place where three rivers converged, Garrett took action once again, erecting a new stronghold.
A fortress by the water.
Of course, a new structure needed a new name. With a flash of inspiration, Garrett christened it Riverside Fortress.
As its name suggested, Riverside Fortress stood prominently on elevated ground beside the water, visible from far away.
Around it, many future constructions and facilities would arise, shipyards, docks, cranes, and more.
A brand-new shipyard was about to be established.
Here, the accumulated wisdom and latest achievements of Men, Elves, and Dwarves alike would be displayed to their fullest.
In Garrett's hands, the fruits of their collective knowledge could be maximized to their greatest potential.
Even so, no matter how efficient he was, building this place would still take time.
Consider the great cities of the past, were any of them not accumulated little by little over decades or even centuries?
Even if this had now become his territory... it would still take at least several months to construct. After all, the necessary facilities were numerous, and the work even involved reshaping the terrain.
And even once it was finished, the workforce behind it would not be able to keep pace immediately. The grounds might be built, and he might even, in his idle moments, casually craft a whole fleet of ships, yet back at the academy in Wayfort, the very first class of students majoring in navigation and naval engineering had not even graduated.
"...We could establish a branch campus here."
Inside Riverside Fortress, Garrett stood at the window, looking out at the construction site, and considered for a moment.
And then he simply did it.
Once the shipyard here was completed, he would open a branch and relocate the related disciplines.
There were instructors, there were teaching materials; the educational quality and environment would surely be exemplary.
Nothing allows people to improve faster than hands-on practice.
Knock, knock, knock...
Suddenly, the great doors of the castle resounded.
Creak.
"Gandalf?"
He looked somewhat surprised.
"What brings you here...?"
"And me as well."
As the words fell, another voice came from below. Garrett looked down and saw Balin standing there too.
"Oh, long time no see, Balin! Welcome, welcome. Have you finished your duties?"
"No, no, no, don't mention that. That's not a pleasant memory. You have no idea how outrageous those fellows were, they went off to have fun without me..."
Speaking with wounded indignation, Balin gave Garrett a somewhat emotional embrace, like an old friend seeking comfort.
"But really, it gave me quite a shock. I've only been away a few years, and yet it feels as if an Age has passed."
"I almost suspect that time itself flows differently in the two places."
He was deeply moved.
"And here there's even a whole new territory, with a massive new castle."
"Perhaps before long it will become a new city," Gandalf added his own observation from the side.
"This place is very prominent, especially at night. From afar we saw that beam of light. It guided us straight here."
"We didn't even need to ask for directions."
"Yes, it does stand out at night."
After the brief greetings, Garrett stepped aside to welcome them within.
"The journey's been long. You must be tired. Have a bowl of hot soup to warm yourselves."
It happened to be suppertime, and Garrett naturally went to prepare the meal.
"Our thanks."
The two accepted their bowls and glanced down.
Mushroom soup.
"It's wonderfully savory," Balin couldn't help but praise.
"Mmm..."
Gandalf nodded repeatedly, adding:
"Honestly, ever since I had mushroom soup once at a friend's house, I've carried a certain wariness of any dish with that ingredient. But now you've helped me overcome it."
"As long as you're satisfied, what would you like to drink?"
"Wine."
"A mug of ale."
The two gave different answers.
Fortunately, the place had all kinds of beverages, and soon their requests were met.
Soup, roasted meat, vegetables and fruit, bread...
The meal was perfectly balanced in every respect, with nothing to fault in its flavor.
"We originally planned to visit Bilbo in the Shire," Balin began a new topic.
"But when we saw that brand-new Grey Road, we changed our minds and decided to come here first."
"This location is excellent. Of course, I know that even if the terrain weren't ideal, you'd find a way."
"But I must warn you, Garrett."
The white-bearded Dwarf spoke solemnly:
"Right beside this place lies... Khazad-dûm."