Chapter 9: A Wizard's Warning

The night was cool and clear, but the golden glow of the young Erdtree bathed the ruins in a light brighter than the moon. Tarnes, Nepheli, and Rogier worked in its brilliance, clearing away the stubborn weeds and tangled ivy from the stone structures. The buildings were ancient and abandoned but largely intact. With some effort, they could be made habitable again.

"If you don't mind, I can lend a hand," a calm voice called out. Gandalf had approached, seeing their work. "I have no desire to sleep on the cold ground tonight myself. A warm house to shelter from the wind would be most welcome." He glanced up at the cloudless, star-strewn sky and added with a wry smile, "Though it does not look as if it will rain."

"The offer is appreciated, but it is not my way to put an old man to physical labor," Tarnes replied, his voice carrying in the quiet night. "We will clear a room for you. You need only rest."

Gandalf let out a puff of smoke from his pipe. "An old man?" he chuckled, rising nimbly to his feet. "A normal old man would not be riding alone through Minhiriath at night, Mr. Tarnes. And this is simple work. With a wizard's help, the task becomes much more efficient."

He emphasized the word "wizard," then raised his oaken staff and pointed its tip at a nearby stone house shrouded in thick vines. A soft, white light bloomed from the staff. As if alive, the vines recoiled from the walls, slithering away into the darkness. The weeds choking the foundation retreated, burrowing back into the soil.

Rogier watched, his eyes wide with professional curiosity. "Remarkably practical Glintstone sorcery," he murmured. "And quite different from the casting methods of the Lands Between."

In mere moments, the house was cleared, its strong stone bones revealed in the golden light. Gandalf gathered the firewood he had brought and ducked inside. Soon, the warm, flickering light of a hearth fire danced in the windows.

He emerged and gestured to them. "Come. The house is large enough for all of us, and I find I have a great deal I wish to discuss with you."

Tarnes glanced at his companions.

"You two go," Nepheli said, her crimson eyes already scanning the perimeter. "I will stand watch and guard the tree. Besides, I am not one for long talks."

Rogier smiled faintly. "Communication is a simple art. With time, I could teach you a few techniques."

Nepheli shook her head, her hand resting on the pommel of her axe. "No, thank you. I trust my axe more than my words. My foster father tried to teach me such things. He gave up. I find killing my enemies is more direct."

Rogier was momentarily speechless. Tarnes let out a low chuckle and patted the sorcerer's shoulder. "Don't trouble her, Rogier. Let us go and speak with the wizard."

Rogier gave Nepheli a slight nod, then followed Tarnes toward the welcoming light of the stone house.

The warmth of the fire chased away the night's chill. Rogier had already entered and was exchanging pleasantries with the wizard.

"You may call me Gandalf," the old man said, his eyes twinkling. "I am a wizard."

Rogier performed an elegant half-bow. "My name is Rogier. And while I appreciate the compliment to my blade, I am a sorcerer. Swordsmanship is merely a hobby."

"As it is for me," Gandalf replied with a smile.

Tarnes entered then, catching Gandalf's remark. He noticed the tell-tale calluses on the wizard's hand but said nothing. He held up a water skin, some dried vegetables, and a block of cured ham. "May I borrow your fire?"

"Of course," Gandalf said, arranging a few stones to create a makeshift stove.

As Tarnes poured water into his frying pan, he looked at the wizard. "If you have questions, now is the time. And tell me, how is Bilbo? Still hiding in Bag End, writing his book?"

Gandalf's brow twitched. "You need not keep testing me, Mr. Tarnes. You know I bear you no ill will. As for Bilbo… he has the desire to write, but he has not yet put pen to paper. The world is not found in books or on maps. It is outside the window. How can a man write a satisfying story if he has never seen the world with his own eyes?"

At Gandalf's words, Tarnes felt the last of his caution melt away.

Rogier smiled. "My apologies, Master Gandalf. Tarnes has endured much. He is cautious. But once you have earned his friendship, he will never disappoint you."

"I believe it," Gandalf said. "A man who gifts a friend an invaluable amber pendant and a finely crafted blade is a friend worth having. Though Bilbo himself had no idea of their true worth. That medallion, capable of warding off illness and prolonging life… the greedy lords of this world would kill for such a thing."

Tarnes smiled, waiting for the water to boil. "Knowing Bilbo, he did not wear it. He likely left it lying on his desk."

"That he did," Gandalf chuckled. "Amidst ink pots and quills. And the dagger he placed in a storage cabinet by the door. Hobbits are a remarkable people, with no interest in treasure. Only in food."

"I stayed for a single night," Tarnes recalled, "and he ate four meals in my presence."

A shared laugh echoed in the small stone house, breaking the last of the tension. Tarnes extended his gauntleted hand. "I am sorry, Gandalf. It was wrong of me to doubt you for so long."

Gandalf grasped his hand firmly. "It does not matter. Vigilance is an excellent quality. More importantly, you have not lost a heart that is willing to trust."

As the wizard released his hand, he felt something small and cool pressed into his palm. He looked down. It was a pendant, identical in style to the one Bilbo had, but the amber at its center was a deep, captivating blue.

"A small compensation," Tarnes said. "I hope you like it."

Gandalf recognized the power within it instantly. The Blue Amber Medallion would help him focus his thoughts, sharpen his mind during long hours of study. As for its primary effect—increasing one's magical reserves—he had little need for it himself. Perhaps Lady Galadriel could make use of this, he thought.

He let out a long sigh. "I now suspect I am in the presence of two men who do not understand the value of the things they possess. You are full of wonders, Mr. Tarnes, more than I could have imagined."

The water in the pan was boiling. Tarnes dropped in the block of savory ham. "There will be more surprises to come," he said. "Try not to be too shocked. Now, Gandalf. What did you truly wish to tell me?"

The wizard carefully pocketed the medallion, his expression turning serious. "I came to learn if you were friend or foe. That question has been answered. I came because this land is not safe. Darkness festers beneath the light. In the unseen caves and forgotten forests, evil forces are gathering."

Tarnes listened, unimpressed. The Lands Between had been rife with conflict.

But Gandalf shook his head. "The evil I speak of is not mere conflict. It is an absolute. You have seen the Orcs, have you not? They attacked you without reason, without a chance for dialogue. That is because they are creatures of pure malice. They kill for the joy of it. There can be no peace with them, for evil is their very nature."

Rogier frowned. "Then they will find their way here, sooner or later."

"It seems you understand," Gandalf said, relieved. "To resist such a deeply rooted evil, I must gather all the strength I can. That is why I sought you out. And I am glad to find you are a friend to Middle-earth."

If I were not, Tarnes thought, the Creator would not have sent me here. "Where do you go now, Gandalf?" he asked.

"North," the wizard replied. "An evil dragon, Smaug, sleeps in the Lonely Mountain, the ancient home of the Dwarves. I fear he may ally himself with the growing darkness. Should that happen, the entire North will be plunged into war." He looked at Tarnes, his gaze piercing. "If that day comes, I hope you will help those displaced by the fighting and give them the courage to rebuild."

Tarnes considered this, then replied with a simple, direct question that left Gandalf utterly speechless.

"An evil dragon?" he said, a look of genuine confusion on his face. "Since you know he's there, why not just go and slay him?"

***

(End of Chapter)

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