"Haha, today you must try my treasured wine…"
Soon after, Tom came out holding a small wine jar like he was presenting a treasure. This "rascal" who never seemed to grow up always exuded a vibrant energy no matter what he did.
Behind him, Goldberry had also prepared food: some fresh fruits she had grown, freshly baked bread with the clear aroma of malt, and a super-sized vegetable salad.
It was full of rustic charm…
"Let us raise our glasses for today's reunion and the addition of new friends!"
After everyone was seated around the table, Tom eagerly poured a large glass of wine for each person.
This fruit wine was brewed from seven different colored fruits, possessing an amber-like texture with distinct layers, while also emitting a rich aroma.
Seeing everyone raise their glasses, Tom was the first to take a big gulp.
Then, after drinking the wine, his face turned bright red, followed by a puff of seven-colored smoke erupting from his nose and ears.
Finally, this childlike forest guardian's face revealed a satisfied smile, and his entire being became even more radiant.
Mike and Gandalf exchanged a look, then simultaneously raised their wine glasses to their lips.
After one sip of the fruit wine, Mike felt as if he had eaten an entire orchard; the flavors of various fruits, after fermentation and precipitation, became even richer.
Instantly, this aroma filled his mouth with nowhere to escape…
Until at a certain moment, the fruit and wine flavors fully bloomed, seemingly penetrating every pore, and the taste was indescribably wonderful.
"I dare say this is the best fruit wine I've ever tasted, even more delicious than the elves' fine wine…" After savoring the fruit wine and feeling completely refreshed, Gandalf, whose fatigue had vanished, couldn't help but say, "Tom, thank you for your hospitality. I feel full of vitality."
"A wonderful experience…" Mike, who was savoring the taste of the fruit wine beside him, also offered his praise.
Mike was certain that even the finest wines from God's abode couldn't be as delicious as this fruit wine.
"Haha, as long as you like it!" Hearing their praise, Tom's face once again broke into a hearty smile, and then he added, "Unfortunately, this wine is very difficult to make, and I only have this small jar left."
"However, if you like it, you can stay here longer, and I'll brew a batch specifically for you…"
It was clear that Tom was a very hospitable forest guardian.
"If I could, I would gladly stay here longer and enjoy this wonderful life…" Gandalf smiled and shook his head, saying, "It's just a pity, I have other tasks. After enjoying this meal, I must leave. Your fine wine will have to wait until my next visit."
As a Maia sent to Middle-earth to maintain the 'balance' of this land, Gandalf's work was not easy, often requiring him to travel to various places.
Living as leisurely as Tom, he could barely even imagine it.
"Is it because of the demonic energy? I can feel that Morgoth's remnants are reviving, and evil forces are about to envelop this land…" Tom's expression sobered as he said, "Unfortunately, my power is only enough to protect this Old Forest; I cannot help you dispel the darkness of Middle-earth."
Tom's power was highly dependent on his surroundings; once he left the forest he managed, his effective strength was very limited.
"By holding this pure land, you have already helped a great deal." Gandalf knew Tom's situation, so he did not press him.
Besides, the Old Forest managed by Tom was geographically located exactly between Rivendell and the Shire, not far from the Grey Havens.
It served as a retreat route for the various races of Middle-earth.
"Forget about these things. Let's talk about something happy. Radagast instructed me to greet you on his behalf when I saw you." Feeling the atmosphere grow heavy, Gandalf changed to a lighter topic.
The Brown Wizard, Radagast, was also a Maia. He was very skilled at communicating with the small animals in the forest.
Being naturally close to nature, he got along very well with Tom.
"Radagast? Is he still living in the Dark Forest? That place is constantly eroded by dark magic, and it's not an ideal place to live…" Tom said, "I once invited him to be my neighbor in the Old Forest, but he seems to have his own ideas."
Dark magic was also a type of evil force; prolonged exposure, even for a Maia, could lead to demonic contamination, and problems could arise at any time.
However, on the other hand, helping Middle-earth resist the erosion of dark magic was also the duty of a Maia.
Radagast was not unaware that life in the Old Forest would be very easy; he simply had a greater sense of responsibility.
He voluntarily stayed in the Dark Forest to suppress the demonic energy…
Next, Gandalf and Tom continued to chat about Radagast and the evil forces in Middle-earth, revealing many unknown secrets.
These two, one had been performing tasks in Middle-earth for over two thousand years, and the other had lived on this continent for an unknown number of years.
Their casual conversation also allowed Mike to learn more about this continent.
So the scene became two old men drinking and chatting, while Mike listened silently on the side, occasionally interjecting with questions.
On the other side, Goldberry was in a similar situation to Mike, quietly watching her husband and friends chat, showing no sign of impatience.
Time passed little by little, and as the sun began to set, the fruit wine Tom had brought out was nearly empty.
And because Gandalf had an appointment to meet the Dwarves tomorrow, after the gathering, Gandalf declined Tom's invitation, insisting on rushing to the Shire that very night.
Ultimately, Tom respected Gandalf's choice, but before seeing his two friends off, he summoned a group of steeds from the Old Forest to serve as transportation for Mike and him.
Gandalf chose a tall black steed, while Mike picked a handsome white horse.
"Goodbye, Gandalf and Mike. Be sure to visit the Old Forest often when you have time. Next time, I'll prepare even more wine for you…" Tom, with his wife, escorted Gandalf and Mike all the way to the edge of the Old Forest.
Watching his new and old friends depart, Tom waved his arms continuously until they disappeared into the twilight.
…
"We have already entered the Shire, and Hobbiton is not far. So we'll rest here first and continue our journey tomorrow morning." Under the moonlight, Gandalf reined in his horse on a small, grassy hill.
In the distance, the outlines of some villages could be faintly seen.
If the Old Forest was seen as a protective barrier, then west of the Old Forest was a protected 'paradise'.
Here, there were no worries about demonic contamination, and even ferocious carnivorous animals were rarely seen in the wild.
This was also why Gandalf had praised Tom earlier; his Old Forest had preserved a glimmer of hope for Middle-earth.
And the Hobbit, who were inherently optimistic and kind, lived precisely within this safe zone.
"Want some roasted meat?" After setting up camp on the grass, Mike couldn't help but take out a few skewers of ready-made roasted meat to satisfy his craving.
Tom's fruit wine was delicious, and the vegetarian dishes were also very good, but there was no meat at all, which always made one feel like something was missing.
"Thanks, but there's no need—" Gandalf shook his head, declining the roasted meat. He found a comfortable spot to lean against, smoking his pipe and gazing in the direction of the Shire.
One could sense that he had something on his mind.
As for Mike, after eating the roasted meat, he set up a comfortable tent for himself and then went to sleep soundly.