"Achoo!"
Far across the other side of the Misty Mountains, Gandalf wiped his nose and pulled his grey robes tighter around him. He crouched beside a piece of rotted wood, warming himself by a small fire.
"The weather grows warmer, spring approaches, yet there's still no sign of the Ring. Perhaps it truly isn't here anymore."
This place had lost its value for investigation.
He stood up, gazing eastward toward the dark forest, then south toward the end of the mountain range.
Dol Guldur had only recently been cleansed, and there hadn't been any strange occurrences since.
So... should he investigate Isengard?
As the thought crossed his mind, he couldn't help but light his pipe, his expression growing troubled.
If possible, he really didn't want to encounter that sharp-tongued White Wizard again. But unfortunately, the wisest tomes in Middle-earth were mostly housed in the tower of Orthanc.
There was no avoiding it.
"Sigh."
With a long sigh, he finally chose to head south, making his way toward that dark tower.
---
Meanwhile, as Gandalf changed his route, an unexpected visitor arrived at Wayfort.
"Legolas?"
At the stronghold gate, Garrett called out in surprise.
Legolas nodded and gave Garrett a respectful bow. "Greetings, my friend. How have you fared of late?"
"Recently? Pretty good. But I really didn't expect you to come."
"It was my father who directed me here."
Seeing Garrett again, Legolas also felt a wave of emotion. The Battle of Five Armies had produced many legends, most of them centered around Garrett.
Master Builder, Bane of the Orcs, Great Enemy, One-Man Army, Golem Summoner...
There were so many titles, it was difficult to keep track of them all.
"Thranduil, eh..."
Garrett had a favorable attitude toward this very supportive ally.
"In that case, come on in and have a look around."
"Speaking of timing, yours is impeccable. We're about to hold a week-long feast to celebrate the founding of Wayfort. Would you like to join us?"
"A feast? Certainly."
Walking alongside Garrett into the settlement, Legolas looked up at the sky, as if reminiscing about something.
"Days like this, full of significance, are perfect for holding celebrations like our Starlight Festivals."
"I'd be happy to take part."
"It's unfortunate you've never witnessed one. The outside world often claims elves never kindle fires when they dine, but I must say: that's pure nonsense. At our festivals, you'll see plenty of things roasted over grand flames."
"For the next Woodland Realm Starlight Festival, I sincerely hope you can attend. Though I must ask your pardon, I might not be present myself."
"I'll go if I get the chance."
Garrett gave his word, and Legolas said no more, instead quietly observing the bustling territory as they walked.
When they reached the castle, it happened to be mealtime. Garrett prepared some relatively light dishes and brought out fresh fruits and vegetables to treat his guest.
With just one bite, Legolas paused.
"This surpasses anything of its kind I've ever tasted."
Coming from an elf, that statement carried genuine weight.
"If it's good, then eat more."
Garrett was somewhat curious whether elves could even gain weight. He had traveled quite a bit in this world and had encountered many elves, but not a single one had ever been out of shape.
"Whew."
After a satisfying meal, Legolas sat at the table, staring at it in silence, lost in thought.
"What's wrong? Was there something that didn't suit your taste?"
Garrett opened a barrel of fine wine from Dorwinion, poured a generous glass, and handed it to Legolas.
"No, I cannot find a single fault."
Legolas shook his head, accepted the glass, examined it, then leaned in to inhale its aroma. The scent was thoroughly pleasant.
Unlike his father who was quite the wine connoisseur, he rarely indulged. But since Garrett had personally offered it, and it smelled quite appealing, he hesitated briefly, then slowly began to sip.
Before long, the glass was empty.
Seeing Legolas still looking like he hadn't had enough, Garrett chuckled and refilled it for him.
Perhaps it was the wine, or perhaps he was finally relaxing, either way, Legolas began to open up.
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Even now, I still don't truly understand what love is, or family, or friendship..."
"I've tried to search for the answers. I went to Mount Gundabad, Erebor, Lake-town, and Rivendell... but I still couldn't find them."
At that, Garrett poured himself a glass of wine as well. Sitting across the table, he gently clinked glasses with Legolas and said, "Well, I don't have much experience either, but if you ask me... Love isn't the path beneath your feet, and it's not something that stays fixed in one place, just waiting to be found if you travel far enough or see enough places."
"It's something you feel from within, an experience that flows outward from your heart."
"It's not something you just suddenly realize one day. It's like a cup, if you look from the outside, you can't tell whether there's any wine inside. You only know when it's full and begins to overflow. That's when you realize, 'Ah, so that's what it is.'"
"I think it's something that builds up over time."
"Is that so?" Legolas asked, finishing the wine in one gulp, then fell into deep thought.
"Uh… I think so?"
Garrett scratched his head, feeling somewhat awkward, fingers drumming the table, nearly enough to crack it. After all, Legolas had come on Thranduil's suggestion. If he simply sat idle and offered no guidance, it wouldn't seem appropriate. At the very least, he could offer this bit of emotional counsel.
"I still don't quite comprehend it."
"Then stay here for a while."
Garrett pointed out the window at the lively scene outside. "Live among the people. Try to blend in."
"Don't worry, they're all good folk, and very welcoming. No one will reject you."
"Listen, feel, reflect."
"Perhaps that will help."
"I understand." Legolas set down his cup and said, "Please assign me a task. I'll do my utmost."
"Well... I'm not sure what you'd want to do, or what would suit you. Tell you what, go find the community representative, Wade. New arrivals in the territory usually begin by receiving guidance from him."
---
Legolas, being who he was, still retained a bit of an impatient streak.
Garrett had barely finished speaking when he was already hurrying out of the keep, asking around for this "community representative" Garrett had mentioned.
To his surprise, Wade was actually quite easy to locate. When Legolas arrived, he found him in his backyard... tending a garden.
So humble?
"Good day."
Legolas stood at the gate and politely greeted him.
"Good day there, young, ah, wait, an elf?"
"Well, you're surely older than me. How may I assist you?"
"Garrett asked me to find you. He hopes you can assign me some work."
"I see..."
Wade set down his tools and straightened up, his demeanor becoming more serious. Judging by how the elf addressed the lord, their relationship clearly wasn't ordinary. At the very least, his status must be quite elevated.
The lord himself asked me to give him something to do... Perhaps assign him something light?
Then again, there aren't really any demanding jobs in the whole territory. Everything's relatively straightforward.
After thinking for a moment, he spoke, "Please, follow me."
The community representative decided to proceed by the standard process. After all, with the kind of person their lord was, direct and straightforward, there was never any need for guessing games or subtle hints.
Given that, doing one's job properly was enough.