In Gandalf's eyes, Luke, this young Wizard who claimed to be from outside Middle-earth, was full of mystery.
When he tried to see through the soul of this mysterious young Wizard, he was blocked by an incomprehensible force, as if hidden in a mist, making it impossible to see the essence of the soul.
Moreover, he also felt a familiar divine power from him—that was the blessing from Iluvatar.
Discovering this secret, Gandalf was very shocked.
As one of the five Wizards sent by the Valar to Middle-earth, and the last Wizard to arrive, Gandalf was sure that besides the five of them, no one else had been sent to Middle-earth by the Valar's will.
But looking at this young Wizard, favored by Iluvatar, he was somewhat uncertain.
Or had the Father of All, who resided in the Timeless Halls, also intervened and sent his messenger?
Feeling Gandalf's soul-piercing eyes, Luke only felt as if he had been seen through instantly, a shiver running down his spine, and he asked with a forced, puzzled tone, "Gandalf, what's wrong? Is there something amiss with me?"
His thoughts interrupted by Luke's words, Gandalf instantly came back to his senses, his gaze towards Luke becoming warm and friendly. He glanced at Bilbo beside him and asked in a veiled, probing tone, "Luke, is your journey to Middle-earth for a mission?"
Luke's pupils constricted, his heart churning. Could it be that he had discovered the system within him?
"Gandalf, I don't understand what you mean?" Luke tried his best to remain calm and show no flaws.
But to Luke's surprise, Gandalf gave him an 'I understand' expression and did not press further. Instead, he proactively said, " Luke , if you need anything, you can come to me for help in the future."
"Uh, thank you!" Luke was a bit confused. What did this mean? Was it not that he had discovered the system within him?
Noticing Gandalf's change in attitude, becoming more intimate and proactive, and recalling his previous words, a guess suddenly popped into Luke's mind.
He looked at Gandalf opposite him in disbelief.
This guy wouldn't have mistaken him for one of his own, would he?
A bit guilty, Luke didn't want to continue on this topic and quickly changed the subject, asking in return, "Gandalf, did you come from the East this time for a mission?"
Perhaps having taken Luke as one of his own, Gandalf did not hide anything. He nodded and said, "I found a dark shadow in Dol Guldur in the East and met an imprisoned Dwarf King. Entrusted by him, I am to deliver his relics to his son."
"An imprisoned Dwarf King?" Luke was surprised.
"Yes, he is Thráin II, the previous King of Durin's Folk. Over a hundred years ago, the Dragon Smaug descended upon the Lonely Mountain, plundering the Dwarf Kingdom there, and Durin's Folk were forced to flee. Thráin II was unwilling to abandon the Lonely Mountain, and while on his way to investigate it, he was captured by Orcs near Mirkwood and imprisoned in the fortress of Dol Guldur, where he was tortured. By the time I went to Dol Guldur to investigate and saw him, he was already on his last breath."
As he spoke of this, Gandalf's expression became somewhat solemn.
Hearing this, Luke also recalled that Thráin II, imprisoned by the Orcs, should be Thorin Oakenshield's father.
So Gandalf's journey this time should be to hand over Thráin II's relics to Thorin Oakenshield, thus initiating the Dwarves' quest to the Lonely Mountain.
This means the expedition to the Lonely Mountain is not far off.
He couldn't help but look at Bilbo beside him. The Hobbit, who was listening with great interest at the moment, would never have imagined that he would soon be the protagonist.
And looking at Gandalf's specific visit to Bilbo's home, it was clear that Bilbo had been pre-selected long ago.
With Gandalf's cunning, this poor Hobbit evidently could not escape his schemes.
Although Luke sympathized with this, he would not stop it.
After all, this adventurous expedition was an opportunity for Bilbo, and also the chance to find the One Ring.
The One Ring was now in Gollum's hands, hidden in the Misty Mountains. If not for Bilbo, the chosen one, even Luke, the foreteller, would have no certainty of finding it.
After afternoon tea, Bilbo and Gandalf shared Longbottom Leaf. The two old pipe-smokers immediately began puffing clouds of smoke, forcing Luke to retreat a safe distance.
Seeing this, Gandalf laughed heartily and even encouraged Luke to try the taste of pipe-weed.
Luke politely declined and prepared to go to the glass greenhouse to check on his two Mandrake plants.
Upon hearing about the Mandrake's magic from Bilbo, Gandalf was also very curious and wanted to see them.
Upon arriving at the glass greenhouse, Gandalf looked at the transparent glass and immediately recognized that it was transfigured, but still exclaimed, "What wonderful Transfiguration Magic! It actually changed the form of matter, transforming one thing into another. This is a very rare ability!"
Gandalf admitted he did not possess such an ability. Although he could use illusions to change things, he could not transform the form of matter like Luke.
Moreover, he had already seen the enormous potential of this Transfiguration Magic. As long as there was enough Magic power to support it, everything in this world could be transfigured. Even at its most profound level, it might even touch upon the fundamental transformation of matter, at which point transmuting lead into gold and creating something from nothing might be possible!
Thinking of this, Gandalf became even more convinced of his earlier speculation. After all, such authority and ability were not even possessed by the Valar. Besides Iluvatar, the Lord of All, who else could bestow such power?
Upon entering the greenhouse, Luke very carefully first checked the condition of the two Mandrake pots to prevent them from suddenly making noise.
The cries of the nearly mature Mandrake were already very dangerous. The moment Luke removed the glass covers, he immediately cast two Petrificus Totalus spells on them.
If Luke hadn't learned the Ear-Muffling Charm or Silencing Charm, he wouldn't have had to go through such trouble.
Gandalf looked at the human-shaped Mandrake roots Luke had pulled from the pots. Their complete limbs and clear, vivid features made Gandalf marvel. After receiving Luke's permission, he picked up a Mandrake and observed it carefully.
"I feel rich Magic and vitality from it. If I didn't know you cultivated it, I would have thought it was a variant of the Ents!"
Gandalf praised repeatedly, eagerly learning from Luke as he dressed the Mandrake in a baby outfit and then re-potted it with fresh soil.
"I think Radagast would have a common language with you. He is another Wizard, living in the forest, always fond of caring for plants and animals. If there's a chance, I'll introduce you two."
Radagast the Brown Wizard? Luke knew him, a Wizard who loved forests and nature. Unlike Gandalf, who traveled around organizing resistance against darkness, this Brown Wizard preferred to live with birds and beasts.
Precisely because he neglected his duties, he ultimately did not receive the Valar's permission to return to Valinor after the War of the Ring.
However, for this Brown Wizard, perhaps it was not difficult to accept. Compared to returning to Valinor, he might prefer to stay in Middle-earth, accompanied by flowers, birds, insects, and fish.