As soon as Garrett mounted the 14-speed horse, he immediately felt the difference. The scenery on both sides began to blur past more quickly, and the wind against his face was noticeably stronger. The sensation of speed was far more exhilarating.

He was growing increasingly eager to experience a full gallop.

At this moment, he rode while studying his map.

First destination: Bree.

The distance from his stronghold to Bree was roughly the same as to Rivendell, but the road was in better condition. Plus, he was riding a carefully bred superior mount this time, so he estimated he could arrive before nightfall.

And so he continued westward.

With daylight still holding, he arrived at a small, unremarkable settlement. Not far from the road stood a modest inn.

The Forsaken Inn.

Seeing the familiar establishment, he considered for a moment and decided to dismount and venture inside.

Within the somewhat rustic inn, only a few patrons were scattered about, just a couple of tables occupied by travelers taking their meals. Among them, he spotted a familiar figure.

He walked directly over and took a seat across from him.

The man, who was gnawing on coarse bread with a cup of ale, looked up. Beneath his hood, a pair of keen, weathered eyes studied the one who had suddenly joined him.

“Garrett?”

Halbarad set down his bread and took a sip of ale.

“What brings you here? Do you require assistance?”

He hadn’t forgotten that he’d once given Garrett a silver coin, his pledge. He had personally told Garrett to seek him at the Forsaken Inn if he ever needed aid. But as fate would have it, they had encountered each other purely by chance.

“Nothing urgent. I had a feeling you might be here and came in to say hello.”

“You’ve returned from Rivendell?”

“I’ve been back for some time, actually. Right now, I’m on my second journey.”

“I recall it hasn’t even been a month since you departed.”

“I’ve already been back for half a month.”

“…” Halbarad fell silent for a moment.

That was remarkably swift travel.

“By the way, my kinsmen informed me that about a fortnight past, an orc war-band was marching westward along the edge of the wild lands, heading in this direction. I suspect their target may have been you,” Halbarad said gravely.

A full war-band of over a hundred riders wasn’t easily dealt with.

“I was actually planning to ride to your stronghold to warn you of this.”

Garrett smirked, leaning back casually.

“Your intelligence is outdated. That war-band has already been wiped out by me.”

If my iron golems did it, that still counts as my victory. No question there.

Halbarad fell silent again for a moment.

“I haven’t been active in this region recently, so my information might be somewhat behind. Regardless, I’m relieved you’re unharmed. Where are you heading this time?”

“The Blue Mountains.”

“You just departed elven lands and now you’re traveling to visit the Dwarves?”

“There are some things I need to take care of over there.”

“Very well. You always seem to have business somewhere.”

You’re the most well-traveled man in Middle-earth.

After a brief exchange of news, the two didn’t have much more to discuss. Halbarad quickly finished the remainder of his bread and ale, then stood, saying, “Let me see you off.”

Garrett couldn’t help but notice something concerning, perhaps it was just his imagination, but Halbarad’s movements seemed somewhat stiff as he rose.

“May the road rise up to meet you.”

Outside the inn, Halbarad offered his traditional Ranger farewell.

But Garrett didn’t mount his horse immediately. Instead, he studied him intently, making Halbarad visibly uncomfortable.

“What is it?”

“You’re injured?” Garrett asked directly.

“How did you… well, yes. It’s difficult to avoid some minor wounds when constantly battling the Enemy’s servants. I just need time to recover.”

“Doesn’t look minor to me.”

Garrett glanced at Halbarad’s health indicator.

[12/25]

It was honestly remarkable that the Ranger was still standing. That was literally half his life force depleted.

-1.

As they spoke, the Ranger lost another hit point.

Don’t die right in front of me!

He sighed and retrieved a golden apple that shimmered with warm, inner light. He handed it to Halbarad.

“Take this. It’s… imbued with healing power, might be able to heal you.”

“This is far too valuable,” Halbarad shook his head. If he wasn’t mistaken, this apple appeared to be crafted from actual gold. Whether it was even edible aside, it was certainly priceless.

“No need to argue. Take it. I really don’t want you dying in front of me.”

Garrett’s tone was firm as he pressed the golden apple into Halbarad’s hand.

His condition had been discovered.

Halbarad stopped maintaining his facade. The appearance of strength and vitality he’d been projecting vanished instantly, and all that keen alertness faded away.

“Eat it!” Garrett insisted, watching him intently.

The weary Ranger examined the apple, which truly did appear forged from gold, hesitated briefly, then took a cautious bite.

A burst of sweet, honeyed juice flooded his mouth. Instantly, his eyes widened. As the apple’s essence reached his stomach, his entire body seemed to sing with renewed life. Wounds and poison healed at an incredible rate.

Simultaneously, a golden aura shimmered faintly around his form, filling him with a sense of invulnerability.

A protective blessing.

By the time he finished the apple, his health was completely restored.

[25/25]

“This is beyond precious.” He immediately grasped the apple’s true worth.

“I owe you my life. If there’s anything you require of me, you need only ask.”

Garrett was about to dismiss it as nothing, but paused. Halbarad was a Ranger, constantly roaming the wilderness, and exceptionally well-informed. Perhaps he could…

“In that case, let me think. Do you know of any gold mines?”

“As far as I’m aware, there are mines in dwarven territory, and also within the southern realms of Men, like Gondor…”

“No, no, I don’t mean mines that belong to someone. I’m talking about unclaimed ones. Or if not that, ones occupied by orcs. Even locations in the dark lands would work. You get what I mean, right?”

Halbarad considered this carefully.

“I see. Gold-bearing regions… I recall certain rumors. But it might require time to verify…”

“No problem. I can wait.”

Halbarad nodded earnestly. Clearly, he had accepted this as a matter of honor.

After bidding him farewell, Garrett continued westward, passed through Bree, and traveled by the Barrow-downs. He arrived near the ancient burial mounds just as night was falling.

He paused here briefly, deliberately making noise and showing light.

Unfortunately, no barrow-wights appeared this time. So he moved on.

—

The following day, during daylight hours, Garrett entered the borders of the Shire, riding swiftly along the main thoroughfare.

He didn’t halt until around midday, at the dwelling of a particular hobbit.

He dismounted and knocked gently on the round green door.

“Just a moment, just a moment, let me get this mutton out of the pot first!”

“Oh, my apologies, I wasn’t expecting a caller at this hour…”

The muttering voice drew closer until it stopped just behind the door.

Creak.

The door opened.

Bilbo looked up toward the sunlight, squinting for several seconds before suddenly exclaiming:

“Garrett?!”

The ever-hospitable hobbit immediately stepped forward and spread his arms wide in delight. “Welcome, welcome! Wonderful to see you again! It’s been, oh, well, several months at least since we last met. Come in, come in! Perfect timing for second breakfast, and I’ve got some excellent ale as well. We can share a drink…”

Listening to Bilbo’s cheerful chatter, Garrett felt a peculiar sense of displacement.

This hobbit was still living his peaceful, unhurried life. In the months since they’d last met, neither Bilbo nor Bag End had changed in the slightest. Even the guest room he had once occupied remained exactly as it had been, with the bed and linens neatly arranged.

“You know,” Bilbo said suddenly, studying Garrett carefully, “I feel like you’ve changed considerably. I mean, it’s difficult to say precisely how, but something about you is definitely different. I imagine you’ve had quite a few adventures lately, haven’t you?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep