A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

Lind led Aaron outside Rivendell. Just after crossing the stone bridge, an elven warrior led a white steed towards them.

"Tsk tsk tsk! This is way more handsome than my little horse."

"This is a warhorse tamed by elves, with first-class stamina and endurance."

It will automatically return after you find the dwarves.

Aaron took a few gold coins from his pocket and solemnly handed them to Lind, saying, "Consider this the rental fee."

Don't think it's too little; after all, I don't have much money either.

"No need for this."

Lind's eye twitched slightly. He was a trusted confidant of King Elrond and a prominent figure in Rivendell. He felt ashamed to accept money from a child.

"Uh..." Aaron scratched his head sheepishly, "Actually, I'd like you to help me prepare some other things as well."

"What?" Lind looked at Aaron with surprise and doubt. "What else do you want?"

"Food, preferably dry rations."

Water, just one bag is enough, I accidentally lost my water bag on the way.

If possible, a sword, a bow and arrow...

"Wait, I can understand food and water, but don't you have weapons?"

Aaron immediately untied his bow and arrows, and said with a shy smile, "These scraps of metal can't compare to the weapons of the elves!"

Linde was both amused and exasperated, and ordered his men to prepare supplies and new weapons for him.

"Thank you very much."

Aaron, having gotten his fill of fleecing, decisively mounted his horse and chased after them along a small path.

Aaron didn't catch up with them until noon.

"You're actually abandoning me? That's outrageous!"

Bilbo breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Aaron. "I knew you would catch up."

"And Gandalf?" Thorin asked.

"He's busy persuading someone even more stubborn than you, it'll probably take him a while to catch up."

Thorin nodded slightly. "Let's move on."

Because he needed to reach the Lonely Hill before the Turin day, Thorin felt a sense of urgency and chose the narrow mountain path.

The expedition team traversed wilderness, climbed snow-capped mountains, crossed deep valleys, and scaled hills before reaching a cliff face.

However, they had only gone halfway when lightning flashed and thunder roared, and a torrential downpour began.

“This is not a good sign,” Aaron muttered. “I hate this kind of weather.”

“Nobody doesn’t hate this kind of weather, especially on a treacherous road where only one person can pass at a time,” Balin said. “Sorin, we need to find somewhere to take shelter from the rain.”

"I'm looking for it."

"Wait a minute," Aaron suddenly said. "Don't speak yet."

More than a dozen people stopped and looked at him in confusion in the heavy rain.

Aaron used his keen hearing, pressing his ear close to the cliff face, and a few seconds later his expression changed drastically.

"Get out of here immediately, as fast as you can."

"What's wrong?" Dvalin asked, puzzled.

“The path beneath our feet is alive,” Aaron said very seriously. “I just heard breathing, very light but very long breathing, like a mountain.”

Ou Yin seemed to have thought of something, "Impossible, that's just a legend."

"Nothing is impossible, let's go."

“But the rain is too heavy, it would be extremely dangerous to travel at this time,” Nori said.

“Where we’re standing is even more dangerous,” Aaron said anxiously, then looked at Thorin. “You have to listen to me this time. This is a hundred times more dangerous than the trolls. If we don’t run, it will be too late.”

Thorin was silent for a moment, then ordered everyone to continue.

Braving the heavy rain, the group traversed the cliff face as quickly as possible. During the journey, Bilbo lost his footing and nearly fell off the cliff, but Thorin rescued him in time, saving him from serious injury.

They had only been gone for a minute when a huge rock smashed the spot where they had been standing, and a giant as big as a mountain slowly rose up.

During the massive storm, the stone giant remained completely unaffected, like a god.

However, another stone giant appeared in the darkness at that moment, and they started fighting without hesitation after meeting.

Every punch and kick they delivered caused the mountain to tremble, and countless huge rocks fell from above, making their already broken bodies even worse.

To make matters worse, a third stone giant joined the battle, turning the one-on-one duel into a free-for-all.

They threw huge rocks at each other, as if they wanted to crush each other to death.

The giant rocks collided and exploded with tremendous force amidst thunder and lightning, leaving the valley in ruins and the trees within completely destroyed.

Gulu!

The expedition team stared in disbelief at the scene of gods fighting, swallowing hard.

"The legend of the stone giants was true after all," Bilbo murmured in disbelief.

call!

Aaron took a deep breath, suppressing his shock.

He's just a minor mage right now; he can't handle such a big scene. He might be able to protect himself, but he might not be able to take care of others.

Fortunately, they managed to escape quickly this time; otherwise, the expedition team would likely have suffered casualties if they had acted later.

Chapter 244 Stirred up the orcs' nest

Having moved away from the battlefield of the Stone Giants, the expeditionary force began looking for shelter from the rain.

After walking for a while, they were lucky enough to find a cave.

“It looks relatively safe,” Thorin said. “Let’s go check the back; caves usually have inhabitants.”

Dwarin, holding a lantern, carefully surveyed the area. "It's completely empty."

Groin threw down a pile of wood. "I'll start a fire."

“No, don’t light a fire here.” Thorin stopped him. “Go to sleep! We’re leaving at dawn.”

“We were supposed to wait for Gandalf to join us in the mountains,” Balin said, somewhat puzzled. “That was the original plan.”

"Plans may change."

Bofer, you deserve the first update.

"Try to understand!" Aaron patted Balin on the shoulder. "The Day of Turin is getting closer and closer, it's understandable that he's anxious."

Besides, Gandalf is the famous Grey Wizard; he'll follow.

While everyone else was asleep, their snores filling the air, Bilbo quietly opened his eyes.

He packed his belongings, slung the blanket over his shoulder, picked up his wooden staff, and tiptoed out of the cave.

However, what Bilbo didn't know was that Thorin had woken up when he got up, but he didn't say anything and didn't stop Bilbo from leaving.

Bilbo had just reached the cave entrance when Boff, who was on night watch, spotted him. "Where are you going?"

“Of course, we’re going home.” Aaron walked up to Bilbo. “I’m not mistaken, am I?”

Bilbo nodded somewhat guiltily. "Thorin said I shouldn't have come, and he's right."

"I'm not Took, I'm Baggins. I'm overthinking it."

“I understand,” Aaron laughed. “This journey is definitely too much for a hobbit who has enjoyed decades of peaceful life.”

“But you’re part of our expedition,” Boff said urgently. “I know how homesick you are…”

No, none of you understand.

You are dwarves, accustomed to this way of life, traveling everywhere, wandering from place to place, without a home..."

Bilbo suddenly noticed that Boff's expression had turned somewhat unpleasant and immediately realized that his words had been hurtful.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

“No, you’re right.” Bofor paused for a few seconds, then glanced back at his dozen or so sleeping companions. “We have no one to belong to.”

“But you are now reclaiming your home,” Aaron said earnestly. “Losing your home is humiliating, but having the courage to take it back is far more valuable than rebuilding it.”

"Thank you." Boff smiled with satisfaction, then looked at Bilbo. "I wish you all the best."

Bilbo paused for a moment, seemingly not expecting Boff to give this 'deserter' his blessing.

"Wait a moment." Aaron took out a rolled-up dark blue blanket. "This is for you, no, to be precise, it's for you to borrow."

“I have a blanket.”

“Mine is different, Bilbo Baggins.”

"Open it if you encounter danger; it might save your life," Aaron said in a deep voice. "Don't forget, my ancestors were wizards; it's normal for them to pass down some special items."

Bilbo hesitated for a moment, realizing that the blanket was far more valuable than he had thought.

"This is inappropriate."

"No, this is appropriate."

Firstly, I'm only lending it to you; you have to return it to me when I return from Irubb.

Secondly, don't forget the dangers we've encountered along the way: ogres, wargs, orcs. Without some life-saving items, whether you could even make it back to the Shire alive is uncertain.

Since Aaron had put it that way, Bilbo couldn't refuse, so he simply stuffed the blanket into his bundle, saying, "You're welcome to visit my home anytime."

“Tuk may be a great adventurer, but Bilbo Baggins may not be inferior to him.”

Bilbo was about to turn around when he heard Aaron's words, and his feelings instantly became incredibly complicated.

“What’s that?” Boff asked suddenly, his eyes fixed on the short sword at Bilbo’s waist.

A blue light emanated from the sword sheath, standing out conspicuously in the dark cave.