Heavy rain poured down. Falling on tents made of black canvas with crackling sounds, playing an extremely pure melody. Hobbits would certainly love this rain.
May was a critical period for many crops' growth. Without this timely rain, it might affect the entire year's harvest. Then they could not eat seven meals a day!
Aedric was somewhat absent-minded, his thoughts scattering widely. He was soaked all over, left hand holding a bowl of hot soup, right hand unconsciously stirring the spoon.
Milky white steam rose in curls, carrying bacon's distinctive smoky flavor and traces of spicy stimulation. The soup was clear and bright. Fine meat fragments and wispy egg flowers floated quietly. Hard bread broken into pieces was half-submerged in soup, slowly softening.
Flames danced in dug trenches, warming the entire tent while smoke drifted out through exhaust holes at the trench ends.
After a long while, Aedric's expression finally showed some change as he muttered silently: "It can actually let me go to Aman?"
[Begin Recording]
[Fourth Log: Shadows Suddenly Appear.]
[Time: Third Age 2939, Stirring Month, Location: Woody End, Shire West Farthing.]
[After a series of events not worth recording, you suddenly discovered an orc tribe hidden in Woody End, merely three days' journey from your convalescent village—with forced marches, perhaps less than two days.]
[Next you planned to prioritize reconnaissance of enemy conditions.]
[As wise men have said: know your enemy and know yourself, and victory will never be in doubt.]
[Your teammate Morgan accepted this task. With the invisibility ring's help, he learned the orc tribe numbered several hundred.]
[This was troublesome.]
[Because every orc was a soldier—though weak, this was true.]
[At this time, your friends came to support.]
[Elrohir, Elladan, plus your first friend met in this world, Luna, and ten Dúnedain Rangers.]
[Your plan was simple—overall, draw the snake from its hole, feint east, attack west, secretly cross, layer interceptions, and slay the enemy leader.]
[The plan succeeded smoothly. You successfully defeated this evil force invading the Shire, rescuing Thornfield village from impending invasion.]
[You killed a group of Snaga, one Black Beast, and one orc chieftain.]
[You rescued most captives and provided necessary assistance.]
[You paid Colm's overdue compensation and wages.]
[You destroyed the orc lair.]
[You obtained information about the dark sorcerer, learning he possessed abilities to breed monsters and his base was in the Lone-lands, with Lindon elves searching for his traces.]
[Overall evaluation: four stars.]
[Please choose one reward from the following.]
[1. Thin Númenórean Bloodline.]
[Omitted.]
[2. Elementary Quenya Proficiency.]
[Omitted.]
[3. Twilight Circlet.]
[Materials for forging this circlet came from Aman—sturdier than mithril, lighter than pine.]
[Of course, this is not important. What matters is the circlet is set with a twilight gem. Wearing it allows humans to have the same vision in darkness as daylight, while daylight remains unaffected.]
[PS: You need to keep it in sunlight constantly, because it needs Laurelin's fruit to replenish energy. However long it absorbs sunlight provides that duration of dark vision.]
Seeing this, Aedric was already sufficiently surprised. Words becoming reality? Then I want a great war machine—need not be particularly advanced, preferably powered by the very flames of the earth with enchanted shields and blazing swords.
If possible, matching siege engines and supporting fortifications. This way, Frodo would be unnecessary. I alone could destroy Mordor, then kick down Barad-dûr.
Naturally, the journal gave no reaction. Just calmly provided the next reward.
[4. Invitation to Aman (cumulative percentage: one percent).]
[As everyone knows, Middle-earth humans cannot achieve immortality even by reaching Valinor. Death is not a curse but Eru's gift to the Younger Children. Then they will escape Arda's bonds, leave the noisy world, and head to unknown destinations.]
[However, Aman remains a place full of joy and happiness. Accumulating sufficient percentage allows travel to Aman for living. Moreover, as visitors from other worlds, your fate might be more exciting. For instance, traveling to other unknown worlds with Eru's help.]
[PS: Only four-star or higher evaluations produce this reward.]
[PS after PS: This reward needs no multiple exchanges—reaching a four-star evaluation automatically accumulates, and one exchange completes it.]
What is this? Even a journal wants to make grand promises for me? Learning nothing good, only merchant's methods!
Aedric complained internally while raising his bowl to drink soup. After softening, the bread absorbed the delicious broth, sliding into his mouth like dense, soft white porridge. Egg flowers and meat fragments mixed within added different textural layers. Soft, tender, and chewy.
Hot soup warmed his stomach—even his leg wound seemed less painful.
"Not bad." Aedric's eyes brightened. He raised the warmed meat soup, drinking it clean in gulps. After setting the bowl aside, his wrist turned, revealing a circlet gleaming silver-gray in his palm.
A pale golden gem was set in the center, glowing faintly under firelight. Not dazzlingly brilliant, but after long observation, gave feelings of sinking into it.
Grand promises aside, when actually received, it was quite valuable. This "Twilight Circlet," though not as powerful as legendary artifacts, could solve his lack of darkvision troubles.
In the future, he would frequently need to drill caves, crawl tunnels, and fight dark minions like orcs in pitch-black places.
Qualification for Aman was similar. If he could really visit, even travel to other worlds, should he not exchange for Númenórean bloodline first to live long enough?
This way he could endure until the War of the Ring ended. Moreover, without participating in the War of the Ring, he probably could not accumulate enough for this invitation!
Working desperately for several days only earned one percent—what nonsense? He nearly got slapped to death by a Black Beast!
Aedric weighed the seemingly weightless circlet, falling into thought. Outside, rain still pattered, though much gentler than before—no longer so urgent.
"Master Aedric." Halladrak's voice arose. "Is it convenient to talk?"
"Please enter." Aedric casually stuffed the circlet into his breast, speaking invitingly.
The hour was late—he planned to wear this thing tomorrow morning, first "charging" it.
The tent flaps lifted, and the patter of rain swelled to a roar. Halladrak ducked inside, water streaming from his cloak, then the flaps dropped closed, dampening the sound to its former whisper.
"Sit." Aedric pointed to a stool beside the fire trench, asking: "Such urgency - what brings you here at this hour?"
"There is one rather important matter." Halladrak lifted his hood, revealing his weathered face: "Master Aedric, you are injured and need rest. I also have many tasks, so I will speak briefly."
"Please speak." Aedric nodded, showing a puzzled expression.
Besides Thornfield village matters, he actually had little interaction with Dúnedain. What important business required discussing now?
"You are a person of respectable character with clearly visible capabilities." Halladrak's expression grew serious as he drew a silver pin from his breast. Under firelight, it resembled a radiating star.
This was not the Dúnedain Star. Dúnedain Stars had eight points, while this had ten.
"If willing, I hope you will accept this 'Star of Hope' and become a friend of the Dúnedain."
"Friend?" Aedric did not immediately accept but felt surprised: "Did we not just defeat an orc tribe together? Does that not count as friendship?"
"No, no, no." Halladrak explained: "You misunderstand. I mean friends who can truly provide mutual assistance in this moment when darkness returns and situations grow turbulent."
"I do not understand." Aedric looked at the star, frowning.
No "Star of Hope" existed in the materials—he knew of the "Great Star of Hope." One of the Silmarils, still floating in the sky.
"Master Aedric, since you understand our identity, you should know our current situation." Clearly Halladrak possessed patience as a virtue, continuing explanation: "To avoid dark minions' pursuit, our whereabouts are uncertain, but we station people in every important town. Wearing this 'Star of Hope,' wherever you go, someone will actively contact you."
"Then we might need your assistance. Naturally, if you need it, we can also provide help. Whether money, equipment, or personnel—whatever you need."
"So simultaneously." Aedric showed understanding, reaching to accept the silver star: "I must also provide equivalent compensation to obtain this aid, correct?"
Aedric approved of the Dúnedain. They guarded Eriador's peace and freedom, sacrificing much. Not mentioning past contributions—just in that recent battle, Aedric had watched two young Rangers permanently close their eyes in painful struggle.
Yet very few people knew of these contributions. Besides themselves, only Aedric as a human, plus Luna and the three elves. Dúnedain would not publicize these deeds, and those knowing likewise.
As Halladrak said, they were avoiding the dark minions' pursuit—specifically fleeing Sauron's faithful servant, chief of the Nazgûl, the Witch-king of Angmar. Over a thousand years ago, he had personally ended the kingdom of Arnor.
Now with Sauron's return, learning Númenórean descendants remained active in the north, he would certainly send his most capable subordinates to stir trouble. Then Lord Elrond's hair would grow even sparser.
"Naturally." Seeing Aedric accept the 'Star of Hope,' Halladrak showed a brief smile before it vanished completely: "So we are truly 'friends' who can help each other!"
He had heard conversations between Aedric and the three elves, personally witnessing Aedric's killing of the orc chieftain. Though acquainted briefly, this did not prevent considering him a potential Dúnedain friend. The more such friends, the better.
"Understood. I am honored to receive this 'Star of Hope.'" Aedric pinned it to his chest, asking curiously: "Halladrak, I want to ask - are there many people with this star?"
"Not many." Halladrak shook his head: "Very few actually—only several in the entire north, like Shire Thain Fortinbras II Took."
I know him—I even helped find his niece. Aedric nodded.
"Also Buckland's Master, Gorhendad 'Oldbuck' Brandybuck. If you visit Buckland, this 'Star of Hope' should earn you distinguished guest treatment at Brandy Hall."
Aedric was unfamiliar with this hobbit—probably some relative of Merry's from generations past.
"Right, there is one special existence." Halladrak said: "If you encounter him, you will easily recognize him. He is called Gandalf, a wizard reportedly living very long, wearing gray robes and blue pointed hat, often drinking at Bree's Prancing Pony."
"I have heard of him—the wizard's fireworks and stories are famous in the Shire."
"Indeed so." Halladrak thought and agreed with a nod, then immediately continued: "Right, if you are interested in visiting Bree, there is a favor you might help with."
"About Chieftain Arador?" Aedric asked.
This favor could not be helped—the person could not possibly be alive.
"Yes." Halladrak grew somewhat excited: "We hope to find any clues about Chieftain Arador, whether alive or... or..." He could not speak the word "dead."
"More people helping is always good." For one moment, Aedric understood the other's feelings.
Once upon a time, he too had stood outside emergency rooms, praying to all known deities that friends who grew up together could survive. Though circumstances and identities differed, feelings should be identical.
"Good." Aedric nodded agreement: "When I reach Bree, I will speak well with friends there."
[Begin Recording]
[Fifth Log: Dúnedain Request.]
[Time: Third Age 2939, Stirring Month, Location: Woody End, Shire West Farthing.]
[According to Halladrak, most Dúnedain are now searching the Coldfells for Chieftain Arador's traces, remains, or more likely relics. You agreed to help, but first you must reach Bree.]
[Next...]
"Most grateful." Having spoken, Halladrak stood to take leave: "Since matters are concluded, I will not disturb your rest. Master Aedric, farewell."
"Next meeting, just call me Aedric—no need for such courtesy."
"Very well." Aedric rose, seeing off Halladrak.
Then he touched the silver star at his chest, smiling softly: "This place grows increasingly interesting."
Heavy rain ceased. Dúnedain in camp came and went. Several days later, matters reached a conclusion.
Most escaped orcs were caught by the elf twins. With the Dúnedain Rangers' help, they were eliminated one by one. Without their powerful chieftain, they were like sewer rats—seeing sunlight only made them flee desperately. Even gripping weapons, they could not stir the slightest waves.
Naturally, injured Aedric did not participate. Under Luna's care, his leg wound gradually recovered, improving daily. Though he still limped when walking and needed support, or wounds would easily reopen.
Morgan also successfully returned from Willowdale, bringing back the remaining money. Fifty gold coins and twelve silver coins remained.
Without boasting, when a pile of gold coins with dwarven heads on front and hammer-anvils on back gleamed with gold's unique brilliant radiance under firelight, Aedric's eyes grew somewhat dazzled.
In his previous life he had some money—not much, several tens of thousands—being single with few expenses. But he had never bought gold. Those rising prices truly brought tears to listeners.
The small pile of silver coins beside it drew less attention. However, these gains were not entirely Aedric's. He called Luna and Morgan to the tent, preparing to discuss distribution.
Though he had never personally experienced it, he had seen enough stories. Dramas of mutual killing over uneven distribution had played out countless times in tales and histories. Surely such mistakes should not be repeated.