Dale housed significantly more subjects than Roadside Fort, a population that would require considerably more time to adapt to their new reality.
After delegating the territory's development affairs to Bard's capable management, Levi prepared to return home through the Nether portal. The journey that would take any normal traveler weeks of dangerous road travel was reduced to a mere two-hour ride through the crimson dimension.
Had anyone witnessed him covering over 1,100 kilometers in mere moments—journeying from Dale to Roadside Fort as effortlessly as walking through a doorway—they would have been rendered speechless by the impossibility of it.
However, for the subjects of Roadside Fort, such miraculous travel had already become routine. From their perspective, their lord had departed for less than a single day, simply leaving the territory that morning to handle business somewhere distant and returning by evening, as reliable as the sunrise.
The weather was definitely starting to warm.
Emerging from the Nether portal, Levi could clearly sense the subtle shift in the air. The roadside snow had begun mixing with small amounts of melted water, creating a slush that froze hard during cold nights but softened again when the sun climbed high.
This winter was finally approaching its end.
Clatter.
The city gate ground open with familiar mechanical precision. Levi glanced toward the sound and observed several transport carts entering the settlement one after another, pulled by horses whose eyes looked somewhat dulled by long travel and hard work.
The trading company had returned from their expedition, bringing carts loaded with exotic foreign goods and stories from distant lands.
"Sir, this trading expedition exceeded all our expectations," the lead merchant announced, spotting Levi waiting near the gate. He immediately leaped down from his cart to deliver his report with obvious pride.
"We passed through various towns throughout Bree and spent considerable time in the Shire. People in these regions showed tremendous interest in our goods, and the entire trading process proceeded more smoothly than we dared hope."
His weathered face lit up with enthusiasm as he continued: "After that, we traveled westward until we reached the great harbor where the elves maintain their final stronghold in Middle-earth."
"The elves there treated us with extraordinary friendliness. They welcomed us through their gates without even questioning our purpose or origins, and they purchased nearly half the goods loaded on our carts."
"They paid generously with silver coins and various precious items: jewels, coral, and diamonds. Everything valuable is secured on the front cart for your inspection."
As the merchant spoke, he guided Levi toward the wagons with obvious satisfaction. Indeed, the elves of Lindon had proven remarkably generous in their transactions. Several small chests contained more diamonds than most kingdoms saw in a year.
"Excellent work. Continue collecting diamonds during future expeditions, as many as possible."
"Understood completely, sir."
"Oh, there's one additional matter," the merchant added, his expression growing more serious. "There was an elderly elf with a distinguished gray-white beard who appeared to be the lord of that realm. He specifically asked me to convey a personal message to you."
The merchant straightened, clearly reciting memorized words: "Círdan sends his respectful greetings to Your Lordship and warmly welcomes the founder of the Free City-States to visit Lindon at your convenience."
Círdan the Shipwright? This represented unexpected and significant news. The ancient elf lord rarely concerned himself with political matters beyond his harbor domain.
"I understand the message. I'll make that journey when circumstances permit."
"If I haven't departed by the time your next expedition passes through Lindon, please relay this response and send my respectful greetings to that noble elf."
Several merchants acknowledged this diplomatic task with appropriate gravity. One of them continued the comprehensive report:
"Following our business in the elven realm, we traveled to the Blue Mountains. The dwarves dwelling there showed particular interest in our merchandise, especially the tough leather goods, which seemed perfectly suited for some specialized craft they practice."
"They purchased nearly our entire leather inventory."
"We also observed something significant: numerous dwarves were actively packing their possessions, preparing for a major migration eastward. When I inquired about their intentions, they showed no desire to conceal their planned route. According to several dwarven leaders, they intend to cross the Misty Mountains and traverse the river valley this spring, then journey north to reclaim their ancestral homeland."
"The Lonely Mountain, or more properly, Erebor," Levi supplied with understanding.
"That region was only recently liberated from dragon occupation and desperately needs skilled manpower for reconstruction."
Levi briefly explained the situation at the Lonely Mountain, including the restoration of Dale, causing the gathered residents to express genuine surprise and pride. Their lord commanded not just their beloved home but another territory beyond distant mountains, across treacherous wilderness that most would never dare traverse.
While the merchants continued reporting trading company affairs and engaging Levi in detailed conversation, the expedition guards had already removed their travel armor and begun systematically unloading goods from the carts piece by piece.
Among the treasures were the precious jewels and diamonds Círdan's people had provided. Upon learning that their lord specifically needed diamond supplies, everyone demonstrated remarkable conscientiousness, carefully packing everything valuable and transporting it directly to the castle without keeping even the smallest gemstone for personal use.
However, after examining the glittering collection, Levi selected only the diamonds for his own purposes. The other gems, while undeniably beautiful, served no practical function beyond decoration in his current projects.
These surplus treasures were left for the residents to allocate and handle according to their own preferences. Anyone who desired sparkling ornaments could claim whatever appealed to them. Levi refrained from participating in the specific distribution negotiations, trusting his people to reach fair agreements without his intervention.
After all, Levi possessed no shortage of precious stones. If he brought forth all the gems stored within the Lonely Mountain's treasure chambers, they could literally flood his castle's lower levels.
This trading expedition had returned with more than mere goods and profit. They had also guided several dozen additional people to Roadside Fort: refugees robbed by bandits, roadside vagrants, and displaced families seeking new opportunities. While the trading company hadn't physically transported these people, they had provided guidance, food aid, and directions when their paths crossed during the journey.
Over the entire winter season, the territory had gained more than a hundred new residents before and after various arrivals. By now, all had successfully adapted to territorial life and integrated into the collective labor system that kept their community thriving.
When all administrative affairs had been properly handled and the expedition members had enjoyed several days of well-deserved rest, the trading company gathered once more to discuss their next venture. Topics included optimal goods selection, potential new travel routes, and lessons learned from their recent experiences.
Notably, this time the company's personnel roster required some adjustments. Two guards expressed a desire to return home to agricultural pursuits and chose to leave the team during this rest period. However, two different residents eager for travel and adventure quickly volunteered to fill the vacant positions, maintaining the expedition's full strength.
The merchant positions remained unchanged, still staffed by the same four experienced individuals.
"I've always dreamed of traveling like this," one team member said with obvious contentment. "This arrangement is absolutely wonderful. We never worry about goods failing to sell, never stress about insufficient silver coins, never need to calculate narrow profit margins, and our safety on dangerous roads is practically guaranteed."
"We can freely walk through various regions, witnessing local customs and culture through honest trade. When conversing with people we meet, we never lack for interesting topics. There's simply too much we can share about our remarkable homeland."
"I'm already anticipating our next journey with great excitement."
"Let's wait for the road snow to melt more completely," another person suggested practically.
"Besides, the lord seems to have something important to announce. I wouldn't want to miss whatever he plans to share."
"Really? Then I'm heading over immediately!"
In the central square of Roadside Fort, water flowed continuously from the ornate fountain's peak, cascading down in an endless stream. Yet somehow the pool below never rose even slightly, despite the fountain appearing to lack any special drainage mechanisms that might explain this phenomenon.
At this moment, every single person in the territory stood in the large open space surrounding the fountain, staring at Levi with rapt attention, ears practically straining forward to catch every word he might speak.
"My subjects!" Levi began.
Even that simple greeting triggered immediate cheers from the assembled crowd. Specific content seemed almost unnecessary. Simply seeing their lord standing before them was worth this enthusiastic reaction.
Levi quickly gestured for quiet and continued: "Do you know what next month represents?"
The residents looked at one another in confusion, unable to grasp what special importance he was implying. February was nearly over, March just around the corner. What could be so significant about that particular time?
Levi stated with calm authority: "Two years ago, in the spring of 2940, Roadside Fort was first established here."
"Oh!" The crowd exploded with sudden understanding and excitement.
"Foundation Day!" someone shouted from the gathered masses.
"That's truly a day worth grand celebration," others agreed enthusiastically.
Some residents had already guessed what was coming and were visibly trembling with anticipation.
Levi gestured for quiet once more and announced with ringing authority to the entire crowd:
"That's absolutely right. Foundation Day!"
"It's decided. On the first day of next month, we'll hold the first annual Roadside Fort Foundation Banquet. I declare that everyone can rest from all labor for seven full days starting in March!"
"Seven consecutive days of feasting and celebration!"
The impact of this news was like explosive powder thrown into deep water. The crowd erupted again, even more enthusiastically than before. Discussion and cheers echoed throughout the square, carrying far into the distance and probably reaching neighboring valleys.
After announcing this momentous news, Levi jumped down from the fountain with a satisfied smile, walking toward the wine cellar warehouse through extremely enthusiastic cheers and crowds that parted respectfully before him.
He called for volunteers to help transport the strong liquors that had been aging and brewing throughout the winter months.
The next few days would undoubtedly witness quite a lively scene throughout the territory. People wouldn't need to work or busy themselves with routine tasks. The only concerns would be preventing anyone from bursting their stomachs with rich food or getting so excited they passed out drunk in the streets.
The residents threw themselves into banquet preparations with infectious enthusiasm, spontaneously beginning to decorate venues throughout the settlement. Colorful banners appeared between buildings, tables were constructed in the square, and everywhere people could be seen planning entertainment and special dishes.
Levi also returned to his castle, retrieving gunpowder supplies to craft beautiful fireworks for the celebration. But upon examining the explosive charges, his thoughts turned to distant friends who would enhance any celebration.
The first person to come to mind was Gandalf. That resourceful old man was remarkably skilled at pyrotechnic displays. His magical fireworks far exceeded anything Levi could craft through mundane means.
Unfortunately, calculating the timing, Gandalf should still be investigating somewhere beyond the Misty Mountains and would definitely lack time to make such a journey.
The same applied to other dear friends: Thranduil of Mirkwood, Thorin of the Lonely Mountain and his company of dwarves, plus Bard, the Great Eagles, Beorn, Radagast the Brown... none of these cherished companions could possibly attend.
After all, this so-called "Foundation Day" was something Levi had decided spontaneously. Even the holiday's name had been borrowed from his residents' creative suggestions. There simply hadn't been time to send proper invitations across Middle-earth.
It seemed only Bilbo lived close enough to potentially join this celebration.
But just as Levi was contemplating this limitation, an unexpected guest arrived at Roadside Fort's main entrance.