Tarnes led Rellana and her army into Lake-town, and after Freyja arranged garrison positions for Rellana's forces, she immediately sent word to Dale to notify General Radahn.
When Radahn flew from Dale to Lake-town under moonlight and starlight, he too was quite surprised by who had come to replace him.
Radahn lowered his head, his usually impassive expression finally showing surprise upon seeing that face, which bore some resemblance to his mother.
"Long time no see. I thought you had already... Never mind, let the past scatter with the wind in the shadows of the Lands Between. You've worked hard these years, but how should I address you now?" Radahn asked.
His mind worked quickly. Within less than half a minute of seeing Rellana, he deduced that his aunt had likely gone to carry out some unspeakable mission, which was why even the Carian royal records contained no mention of her affairs.
Of course, Radahn hadn't imagined that Rellana had actually vanished with part of the Carian army to follow her beloved.
Rellana glanced left and right. "For internal matters, you can still address me as before. As for externally... use the title Twin Moon Knight. I also heard about your title from Tarnes. Externally I'll also address you as Starscourge General."
Radahn nodded.
Seeing that the two seemed ready to discuss old Carian matters, and with no other business requiring his presence, Tarnes drafted a document explaining Rellana's garrison at Dale and Lake-town, then bid farewell to both and used the waygate to return to Stormveil Castle.
As for Dale's affairs, when the town's residents awoke in the morning, they would probably discover that the Golden Tree and Redmane banners previously flying on the walls had changed, the latter replaced by Caria's blue banner.
The next day, with Melina's help, Tarnes packed what he needed for the long journey and met Bilbo, who had been waiting outside Stormveil Castle.
Tarnes smiled and greeted him. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Bilbo."
Bilbo smiled and shook his head. "Not long at all. At least you arrived before I planned to eat second breakfast. I'll just have it on the road."
Melina looked at Bilbo with confusion. "Second breakfast?"
Bilbo explained, "Oh, please don't misunderstand, young and beautiful Miss Melina. As you can see, I'm a hobbit, and hobbits eat many meals each day. When I say second breakfast, I mean literally a second breakfast. I prepared some bacon rolls that are convenient for travel. Would you like some when we rest?"
"Thank you for your hospitality, Bilbo, but I already ate quite a lot this morning."
Melina politely declined Bilbo's kind offer.
Bilbo wasn't discouraged and turned to Tarnes without speaking but winked at him.
Tarnes accepted Bilbo's kindness, maintaining his smile. "Then save me a portion to try. By the way, where is Legolas?"
Bilbo mounted the small pony the Elves had prepared for him. "He didn't return last night, but these past few days while you were away, he's been with Mr. Bernahl. As for what exactly Legolas has been doing with Mr. Bernahl, I'm not sure."
Tarnes nodded and helped Melina onto Torrent. "Then that means he has no urgent business with me. Let's go, Bilbo. Time to take you home. Missing your Bag End?"
Bilbo's fingers unconsciously rubbed his old coat beneath the mithril shirt. He suddenly remembered the fragrant smell of morning pancakes wafting from kitchen to bedroom, honey-wrapped sunlight falling through round windows onto quill tips.
So Bilbo let out a long breath and smiled at Tarnes. "I miss it terribly!"
Half a month later, the Shire, Hobbiton.
When Tarnes, bathed in morning sunlight, set foot again in this peaceful place after more than a year, he found the scenery unchanged from his first visit.
Tarnes said to the beaming Bilbo, "Sometimes I wonder if time in your homeland has been frozen. It seems like it will never change and will remain forever beautiful."
Hearing Tarnes praise his homeland, Bilbo smiled with squinting eyes. "Perhaps you're right. Well, you promised me that you and Miss Melina would spend the night at my house today and not depart for Rivendell until tomorrow."
Tarnes smiled helplessly. "I've lost count of how many times you've reminded me. Don't worry, I definitely won't rush off today."
Melina laughed softly behind Tarnes, while Bilbo slapped his forehead. "Ah, but when I left last time, Thorin and the others ate most of the food in my house. I'm afraid I'll need to go to the market to buy some. What would you like to eat? Apple pie or blueberry pie? How about with cheese, roasted pork, and vegetable soup? This season the tomatoes are just ripe. Sour and sweet tomato soup. Oh, just talking about it makes my mouth water."
Tarnes's eyes lit up. "I'll follow your lead. I welcome any delicious food."
Just as Tarnes and Bilbo were discussing what to eat for lunch and dinner, Melina carefully noticed that all the hobbits who saw Tarnes and Bilbo on the road had their faces change slightly before pretending nothing happened and taking detours.
As if they didn't want to see Tarnes.
No, that wasn't right. These hobbits seemed to not want to see Mr. Bilbo Baggins.
Melina instinctively pulled up her hood and gently tugged Tarnes's cloak.
Tarnes turned slightly and asked, "Melina, what's wrong?"
Melina told Tarnes what she had just observed, making him look up toward Hobbiton's paths.
Indeed, as Melina said, Tarnes noticed some hobbits who, while walking, suddenly saw him, or more precisely, when their gaze fell on Bilbo beside him, their faces changed, and they immediately took other paths.
Bilbo noticed Tarnes and Melina suddenly fall silent and asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why do you two suddenly look unwell? Did we drop something on the road?"
Tarnes took a deep breath and said to Bilbo, "Bilbo, you might need to prepare yourself. I'm not sure why the people of Hobbiton show fearful expressions upon seeing you before leaving, but I'm afraid we won't know what happened during your absence until we reach your front door."
Bilbo blinked adorably and scratched his head, wracking his brains but unable to think why his fellow townspeople would fear him.
Only when Tarnes's group reached Bilbo's front door did they understand why.
Because while Bilbo Baggins's Bag End door was open, two hobbits, a male and female, hung outside it.
Their hands and feet were tightly bound with rope, their mouths gagged with cloth, and they were wearing expressions of terror and regret.
Sharp-eyed Bilbo immediately recognized the female hobbit's name and shrieked, "Hey! Why are you at my front door, and why was my door opened by you, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins!"