It takes me a month to reach the Shire.
A month of endless green hills, winding paths, and occasional curious glances at the stranger in a red cloak. Hobbits are simple — overly friendly when comfortable, overly fearful when confronted with anything different. I am very different.
Which works perfectly in my favor.
My plan is simple:
Get close to Bilbo Baggins.
Let rumors spread.
Ensure Gandalf hears them.
Get invited on the quest.
The Quest of Erebor — gold, glory, the greatest reputation boost in Middle-earth. The beginning of my legend.
I spend the first week establishing myself as a wandering wizard. Helpful enough to stir curiosity. Mysterious enough to inspire fear. Word travels fast among Hobbits — faster than the gusting wind over their gardens.
I mend a farmer's plow with a flick of my wand.Light torches in the town square with a murmured charm.Heal a child's scraped knee using a minor healing spell.Conjure floating lights and illusions during the evenings to entertain curious onlookers.
They call me:
"The Red Wizard.""The Cloaked Enchanter.""The Tall One Who Speaks Fire."
All good. Fear blends with awe — my favorite mixture.
Soon, whispers reach Bag End.
Bilbo Baggins, that surprisingly rich Hobbit with an unexpectedly adventurous bloodline, steps outside one evening as I perform a simple "harmless" light show above Hobbiton. A sky filled with phoenix-shaped fireflies and swirling beams of red illumination.
His eyes widen — the Took in him stirring.
We lock eyes from across the hill.
A spark — destiny recognizing itself.
Later, at The Green Dragon Inn, I drink quietly while the Hobbits gossip openly around me. They speak of dragons, dwarves, treasure, and the sudden increase of "strange folk" in the world.
Perfect.
Exactly what Gandalf needs to hear.
I can already feel it — the wizard of the Grey will soon arrive, drawn here by Bilbo… and by me. My presence is too loud to ignore. My magic too unusual. My cloak too bold.
The Shire may be small…but rumors have grown vast.
And when Gandalf arrives, he will not simply see a wizard.
He will see a force he desperately needs.
I sip my drink and smile into the rim of the mug.
The game has begun.And I'm already winning.