Apple trees laden with fruit, kumquat trees hung with small lanterns, strawberry vines covered in wild strawberries…
Entering the Old Forest was like stepping into a large orchard, everywhere exuding the joy of harvest.
Small, moving figures occasionally darted through the trees.
A peaceful aura made this place seem like a paradise.
Gandalf seemed to really like the atmosphere here. He picked two apples from the roadside, handed one to Mike, and said, "If there's anywhere safest in Middle-earth, it must be Tom's Old Forest…"
The wizard rubbed the apple on his clothes, took a bite, and continued, "It's just a pity that Tom has the ability to change his surroundings, yet he never takes a single step out of the Old Forest…"
Middle-earth actually has many powerful and Beyonders, but most of them, like Tom, are only willing to live their lives guarding their own small patch of land, with no desire for conflict.
However, evil energy has now revived and is showing a trend of increasing strength.
This undoubtedly added great difficulty to Gandalf's "work."
"Oh, Gandalf. I heard you talking bad about me from a long way off…" As branches swayed, a head suddenly popped out from a fruit tree by the roadside, saying in a playful tone, "And here I made so many preparations to welcome you."
As if asking for praise, the figure in the tree branches held onto a branch with one hand and covered his wide clothes with the other, leaning out halfway from the fruit tree.
This allowed Gandalf below to see that his clothes were filled with many fruits.
"Tom, Tom, I was wrong. I've already felt your sincerity, please come down quickly!" Seeing this, Gandalf, as if afraid the other party would fall from the tree, quickly ran to the fruit tree and extended his hands as if to catch him.
"Haha…" The person in the tree was very satisfied with Gandalf's reaction and burst out laughing heartily.
Then he deliberately performed a few "dangerous" acrobatic moves among the branches, causing Gandalf to be "shocked" repeatedly, before finally sliding down from the fruit tree with satisfaction.
"Oh, my friend, it's been decades since we last met, hasn't it? I'm so happy to see you again!!!" Tom, now on the ground, ignored the fruits in his arms. He immediately spread his arms and gave Gandalf a big hug.
"The last time we met was sixty years ago…" Gandalf also said cheerfully, "I'm very happy to see you're still so energetic—"
Tom Bombadil, as the most mysterious existence in Middle-earth, had lived on this continent even before Gandalf was sent to Middle-earth.
Dressed in brightly colored clothes and wearing a top hat, he looked very festive.
His messy brown beard on his face, coupled with his rosy complexion, made him look even "younger" than Gandalf.
[Power of Nature (Trait)]… [Wood Affinity (Trait)]… [Long-lived Species (Trait)]…
[Nature Energy + 10,000,000]…
Mike, who unexpectedly received countless traits and a large amount of energy, looked in surprise at Tom, who was embracing Gandalf like an old mischievous child.
With the [Power of Nature] blessing, Mike was certain that in this Old Forest, Gandalf was no match for him.
Middle-earth truly had hidden talents…
"Gandalf, this time you even brought a new friend. Quickly introduce him to me." After hugging Gandalf, Tom seemed to just notice Mike.
However, the truth was that Tom, possessing the [Power of Nature], could merge with the Old Forest, and the surrounding trees were his eyes and ears.
When Mike entered the Old Forest, he actually already knew.
But the Old Forest did not reject this young man who exuded a gentle aura, so Tom naturally wouldn't be overly wary.
On the contrary, in that instant, Tom felt a strong sense of kinship with the young man in front of him.
"Mike, a traveler from afar, and perhaps he will become my companion later." Gandalf introduced Mike's identity, then continued, "Tom Bombadil, a forest guardian, is the old friend I mentioned earlier."
Through the wizard's introduction, Mike shook hands with the enthusiastic Tom.
It was this contact that made Tom even more certain that Mike was also a human with a powerful [Nature] attribute.
In Middle-earth, being close to nature represented "justice" and inherently belonged to the light faction.
"Meeting new friends is something to celebrate. Let's have a grand party. I'll bring out my treasured rainbow fruit wine to entertain you…" After meeting Mike, Tom seemed to have met a kindred spirit, and his mood became even happier.
Afterward, the three picked up the scattered fruits on the ground, placed them in a large tray filled with many fruits, and Tom carried it on his head as they walked deeper into the Old Forest.
[Water Element Affinity (Trait)]… [Water Magic (Talent)]… [Long-lived Species (Trait)]…
[Nature Energy * Water Attribute + 6,000,000]…
Goldberry, rumored to be the daughter of the Rhine River God, and also Tom's wife.
She had a pair of azure blue eyes and hair like water ripples. At this moment, she was holding a small shovel, working in a vegetable garden.
Next to the vegetable garden was a brightly colored, mushroom-shaped wooden house.
Yes, this was Tom's home in the Old Forest, full of warmth and childlike fun.
"Goldberry, look who I brought back!"
As they approached the small wooden house, Tom happily shouted, wanting to share his joy with his wife.
"Tom, where did you run off to play wildly again, and you got yourself so messy… Also, you promised me a long time ago that you would renovate our house. It's too small now and leaky everywhere…"
Goldberry, with her mature appearance, couldn't help but scold her playful husband upon his return, while simultaneously summoning a clear stream to help Tom wash away the dust from his clothes and face.
Facing his wife's nagging, which contained warmth, the mischievous Tom immediately quieted down, standing still.
Until his whole appearance was refreshed.
Earlier, Tom had been climbing trees and performing "acrobatics," and he hadn't been well-behaved on the way back either.
Therefore, his boots and the hem of his clothes were covered in quite a bit of dust, and his beard and top hat had some leaves and cobwebs from climbing trees.
After being cleaned by Goldberry's water magic, his overall image finally became clean and tidy.
"Gandalf, and this young gentleman, welcome to our home." After helping her husband tidy up his appearance, Goldberry smiled slightly and said to the two men behind her husband, "I hope Tom didn't cause you any trouble earlier."
Indeed, Goldberry understood her husband's personality very well.
"It's a pleasure to see you, Mrs. Goldberry. Your countenance is like the spring water in this forest, still so gentle and clear." Gandalf spoke politely, "And your husband, Mr. Tom, did not cause us any trouble along the way; on the contrary, he took great care of Mike and me."
Gandalf was very popular in Middle-earth, not only because he was a Maia but also because of his skillful way of dealing with people.
Indeed, hearing his "compliment," Goldberry's smile became much more genuine, and she immediately said, "That's good. Mr. Gandalf and Mr. Mike, please sit with Tom for a while. I'll go prepare some food for you…"
On the other side, watching his wife walk towards the small wooden house with light steps, Tom secretly gave Gandalf a thumbs-up.
Then the forest guardian waved his hand, and a set of tables, chairs, and benches, exuding the fresh scent of wood, appeared in the yard. "Wait for me a moment. I'll go help Goldberry prepare food and also get my rainbow fruit wine."
After speaking, Tom also followed his wife's footsteps, happily walking into the small wooden house.