Chapter 6: Next Stop, Tuckborough
Five days passed in the blink of an eye.
Corwin spent most of that time in his inn room, relentlessly practicing the wandless Wand-Lighting Charm. His progress was remarkable. He could now conjure a flash of white light so brilliant it would momentarily blind an enemy. He had even learned to combine the principles of the charm with his raw magical control to create a stable, self-sustaining orb of light that could hover in the air, detached from his hand.
The day of the anniversary arrived, and a joyous atmosphere filled Michel Delving. The town was adorned with flowers, and cheerful music drifted from every corner. Men rolled barrels of beer and ale from their cellars, while women prepared their most delicious recipes.
As night fell, the entire town gathered in the spacious Great Hall to celebrate.
The hall was a sea of people, with tables groaning under the weight of food and drink. Children darted happily through the crowd while the adults danced to lively folk music. Corwin was given a seat of honor next to the Mayor, with Constable Robin on the Mayor's other side.
The Mayor, a Hobbit of great standing in the community, rose to give a long and heartfelt speech. He concluded by gesturing to Corwin.
"And let us give a warm welcome to Wizard Corwin, whose presence at our feast is another great reason to celebrate!"
A thousand pairs of curious eyes turned to him. Corwin rose with a smile and gave a slight bow. It was the first time he had seen so many Hobbits in one place. The hall's high ceiling allowed him to stand at his full height, and looking out over the sea of people who barely reached his waist gave him the bizarre sensation of having wandered into a land of miniature folk.
When the feast was at its peak, the Mayor, his cheeks flushed with ale, made his request. "Wizard Corwin, would you do us the honor of showing us the wonders of your magic on this joyous occasion?"
Beside him, Constable Robin gave a subtle wink. Clearly, this had been planned.
Seeing the expectant, shining eyes of the crowd, Corwin's lips curved into a smile. "Of course."
He brought his hands together. As the crowd watched in breathless anticipation, a brilliant light erupted from his palms. Just as the glare was becoming almost too bright to bear, he clapped his hands together. The light shattered, exploding into a thousand tiny motes that danced and swirled throughout the Great Hall.
"Whoa!"
Everyone stared, their eyes wide with wonder. The braver children reached out, laughing as they managed to catch the glittering specks of light.
"A truly stunning display of magic!" the Mayor exclaimed in admiration.
The other Hobbits looked up at the wizard with newfound awe. Seizing the moment, Corwin made his request for the mail-shirt from the Mathom-house. The Mayor immediately put the question to the crowd.
Unsurprisingly, not a single voice objected. To the Hobbits, the items in the Mathom-house were sentimental clutter. Giving one to the wizard who had provided such marvelous entertainment was a trade they were happy to make. The Mayor officially declared the mail-shirt a gift to Corwin, a reward for his magical performance.
Both parties were delighted.
With the mail-shirt secured, Corwin finally relaxed, letting himself be swept up in the festive atmosphere. He drank toasts with the Mayor and Constable Robin, and for the first time since arriving in this world, he got well and truly drunk.
"Wizard Corwin, are you certain you won't stay a bit longer?" Constable Robin asked the next morning, trying to persuade him. "The Midsummer festival is just around the corner. It would be a shame for you to miss it!"
Corwin shook his head. "I am sorry, Constable. The hospitality of Michel Delving has been a true delight, but it is time for me to continue my journey."
He had what he came for. The mithril-shirt was already on his body, a cool and impossibly light weight beneath his robes. He had tested it earlier, commanding his cleavers to strike the mail with all their force. The hardened steel blades had failed to leave so much as a scratch, their edges instead sporting several new nicks. With the shirt on, he felt a profound sense of security.
Seeing that he could not be swayed, Constable Robin gave up. "Very well. I wish you a safe journey, then!"
"Thank you, and farewell, Constable!"
After saying his goodbyes, Corwin left Michel Delving and headed south. His next destination was the town of Tuckborough, in the lands known as the Tookland. Corwin knew of the place because it was the ancestral home of Peregrin "Pippin" Took, one of the four Hobbits in the future Fellowship of the Ring.
Tuckborough was not far, and he arrived after half a day's walk. Unlike most Hobbit towns, which were nestled in valleys, Tuckborough was built atop a high hill, offering a commanding view of the Westfarthing. The entire town looked more like a fortress than a village, complete with a militia patrolling its borders.
The moment he arrived, he was stopped. "Who are you, and what is your business in Tuckborough?" a Hobbit guard asked, his hand resting on the hilt of a short sword.
Corwin was unfazed by the wary greeting. "I am the wizard Corwin. I have come from Michel Delving to pay a visit."
The guard gave him a skeptical look. "Please wait here," he said, before hurrying into the town to report.
After a few minutes, a stern-faced Hobbit with curly, golden-blond hair emerged, accompanied by the guard. He sized Corwin up with a shrewd gaze before stepping forward with a welcoming, if formal, smile.
"Welcome to Tuckborough, Wizard Corwin. I am Paladin Took."
He continued, "I received a letter from Bilbo a few days ago mentioning you might be coming. We began to think you were delayed."
Corwin was taken aback. He never expected Bilbo would have written ahead. "A pleasure, Mr. Took. May I ask how you know Bilbo?"
"Bilbo's mother, Belladonna Took, was my aunt," Paladin explained. "That makes us cousins." He gestured toward the town. "But enough talk at the gate. Please, Wizard Corwin, you must allow me to offer you the hospitality of my home."
At Paladin Took's insistence, Corwin followed him. He was led to the Great Smials, which was essentially a vastly larger and more elaborate version of Bag End. It was a massive, tunneled complex deep within the hill, a veritable underground kingdom with countless rooms and passages, housing a great number of the Took clan. Paladin's own residence was the largest and most luxurious of all.
As Corwin soon learned, Paladin Took was the Thain of the Shire—the hereditary chieftain of the Took clan and lord of Tuckborough and its surrounding lands. The Tooks were an ancient, wealthy, and powerful family, vastly different from other Hobbits. They were known for their fiery tempers and adventurous spirit; they were, by all accounts, the most warlike of the Hobbit clans. It was this Took blood in Bilbo Baggins that had drawn Gandalf to him for the quest to the Lonely Mountain.
The moment Corwin stepped inside the Great Smials, the familiar text appeared before his eyes.
[Hogwarts Legacy System: Location Acquired – The Shire – Tuckborough. Do you wish to Attune?]