Perhaps before long Thorin would leave this place and head to human towns, but probably not now.
At this period, he had only one obsession: to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. Ever since he inherited the title of King of Durin's Folk, his desire to reclaim his homeland had grown ever stronger, tormenting his body and mind day and night like an unquenchable fire.
However, aside from being somewhat heavy-hearted, Thorin was still normal at this time... he possessed all the bearing and skills a king should have.
The dragon was still far from him.
After this brief encounter, there wasn't much to say.
Levi returned to the inn and stayed for several more days, experiencing dwarven customs and culture while browsing the bustling market to buy some local specialties.
He also bought quite a lot of lapis lazuli.
This beautiful blue stone was also produced here among the dwarves, though demand wasn't great. From his observations, they generally used it for flooring or wall decoration. Levi didn't spend much money to get a pile of it.
Like this, browsing and touring, until the remaining silver coins in his backpack were nearly exhausted, he prepared to head back.
Thus, this Blue Mountains journey had come to an end.
"Oh, what a pity... our drinking champion is leaving. You're the human with the best alcohol tolerance I've ever seen, sir. Please tell me your name."
Learning that the human who had traveled from afar was about to leave, the inn owner personally came out to see him off for a few steps.
To be fair, this inn owner's temperament was truly adaptable... polite when politeness was called for, but just as boisterous as other dwarves when it was time to make noise.
"Levi." He left his name.
"Levi... I'll remember that. Welcome back anytime. Haha, next time if you have time, I think we could have a drink together."
Next time... who knew when that would be?
Without lingering too much, Levi mounted his horse and rode along the main road toward the outside of the mountains.
As soon as he left the safe area where the dwarves lived, he immediately donned full armor, galloping through the mountain forests like a silver-gray specter. His gleaming appearance clearly indicated he was not to be trifled with.
Ordinary bandits and scattered lone orcs would probably give him a wide berth upon seeing him.
The current Levi was no longer the naive adventurer who had just left the Shire. He had traveled many roads and seen plenty of blood. He had no interest in playing with bandits who might be watching from the shadows. In potentially dangerous places, he wore armor when armor should be worn.
At this moment, compared to temporary simplicity and aesthetics, he clearly valued safety and efficiency more.
Though this armor actually wasn't ugly either.
The journey passed without too many complications.
A crisp breeze blew by, bringing a hint of coolness that cut through the autumn air.
By the River Lhûn, Levi crouched down and lightly touched the water with his finger.
"It's getting cold."
Autumn was approaching.
Far away in the Shire, Bilbo had the same thought.
He wrapped himself in a coat and sat inside his house, looking through the window at the stars in the sky while smoking his Shire-special pipe-weed.
"It's good, quite good. I can look up and see the stars here, look down and see the garden outside, the grass, and the little river."
Moreover, there was a warm fireplace nearby... even if winter came, there was nothing to fear.
With such good days to live, what more could one need?
He wondered how Levi was doing now... hopefully his journey was going smoothly.
It had been some time since Levi left, but the stories he told seemed to still echo in his ears. He'd said this journey's destination was the Blue Mountains to the west... that must be a very spectacular place.
Thinking this, Bilbo gradually felt his eyelids growing heavy and soon went to bed.
Early the next morning.
Knock knock knock.
The door was being knocked.
"Wait... please wait! Let me flip this fried egg first. Oh, mainly I didn't expect anyone to come at this time..."
Creak.
As the voice approached, the door opened.
Hearing this exchange, Levi felt it sounded familiar. It seemed the next time he visited, he'd have to pick a time when Bilbo wasn't cooking.
"Levi! You're back so soon! Quick, come in... I'm making breakfast. Want to eat together?"
"Haha, then I'll trouble you." He didn't refuse and naturally walked into the house. Under Bilbo's expectant gaze, he took the spatula and began making breakfast.
A moment later, Bilbo, whose face was glowing with satisfaction, let out a contented burp and slumped in his chair, not wanting to move a step.
Every time Levi came, it meant he couldn't control his appetite.
He didn't disturb Bilbo for too long.
After breakfast, and after accompanying Bilbo through elevenses and lunch, Levi prepared to go home.
Bilbo looked regretful.
However, before leaving this time, he left something for Bilbo.
"This is a little specialty I brought back from the dwarves of the Blue Mountains... consider it thanks for always taking such good care of me."
Levi pulled out a large bag and set it down on the floor with a resounding thud.
Was this "little" bit perhaps too much?
Bilbo looked at the large sack, then at Levi.
"Uh, too kind of you. That's what I should do... I'm happy just that you come to see me."
Though he said this, the hobbit still expectantly poked his head into the large sack.
"This is... a sword?"
Bilbo curiously pulled out the dwarven steel sword and drew it with a swoosh. The blade reflected his somewhat bewildered face, and the cold gleam from the edge made this hobbit, who had long lived in comfort, feel somewhat uncomfortable.
"I really can't think of anywhere I could use this thing. Maybe it could be used for cutting vegetables?"
"Use it however you want." Levi shrugged.
"Though honestly, it's quite beautiful."
Shaking his head, Bilbo placed the sword on a cabinet as a nice decoration.
Then he poked his head into the bag again and pulled out a round piece of hard bread, sniffing it.
"What's this?"
"Cram," Levi answered. "Supposedly it's something the dwarven merchant caravans brought back from Dale... a local specialty from there. I thought you might be interested, so I bought extra."
Actually, it was just the Middle-earth version of hardtack.
He added mentally.
"They can be stored for a long time... you can eat them slowly."
Though he was already quite full, Bilbo still tasted this bread called cram.
"Very substantial texture, with a bit of saltiness... salt must have been added. Hmm... very unique texture, feels very fresh. I think it's quite good." Bilbo nodded, obviously approving of this food.
"I'm glad you're satisfied."
In Bilbo's view, Levi was always coming and going in a hurry, never willing to stay long.
It seemed like in just the blink of an eye, he had already disappeared at the edge of his vision, along with his fully armed horse.
Taking another bite of cram, Bilbo looked at the sack of bread on the ground and scratched his head.
"Wait, Levi didn't seem to say how long these things could be preserved. A long time... how long is that?"
Levi indeed didn't pay much attention to food expiration dates.
After all, anything put in the inventory lasted indefinitely.
After leaving the Shire, Levi stopped briefly in the Bree area, asking around and buying a large pile of various books, then buying two sheep from nearby farmers to lead on the road.
It didn't matter whether they were male or female or whether they were wool-producing breeds... after feeding them wheat, they'd all reproduce anyway.
"I'm back..."
Opening the castle gate, he settled the two sheep and immediately toured his territory. Everything was as before... aside from the crops being ripe, nothing had changed.
Now it was time to get to work.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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