Escanor's first thought upon waking was: Why does it smell like freshly cut grass?
The second thought was: Why am I upside down in the mud?
She opened her eyes slowly, blinking against the morning sunlight filtering through the scattered clouds. For a moment, she simply lay there, processing the strange sensation of existing again. Her body felt... different. Stronger. More solid. As if carved from living stone, even without the midday sun.
He rose onto his hands, feeling the damp earth beneath his palms. Around him stretched rolling hills covered in lush greenery, dotted with yellow and white wildflowers. In the distance, he could see strange structures: round doorways embedded in the hillsides, chimneys from which lazy smoke drifted, stone paths winding through meticulously manicured gardens.
" Where...?" Her voice sounded hoarse, as if she hadn't used it in years.
Then he felt it. The weight of family on his back.
He turned sharply, and there it was: Rhitta, his sacred axe, resting in the grass beside him. And not only that, his full armor lay neatly arranged beside him, the golden plates gleaming in the morning light as if they had just been polished.
"They came with me," he murmured, a smile touching his lips. He reached out and took Rhitta. The weapon responded instantly to his touch, and he felt a surge of familiar power course through his body. "Good. I wouldn't be complete without you, old friend."
He stood up completely, and that's when he noticed something else: his body hadn't changed with the dawn. It still retained its robust , muscular, powerful form. He raised a hand in front of his face, opening and closing his fist. The strength was there, constant and reliable.
"No night weakness," he said aloud, marveling at the sensation. "Then it was true."
But there was something more. When he reached for his power, for Sunshine, he could feel it there, ready to be summoned at will. It wasn't an inevitable tide consuming him, but a fire he could control, increase or decrease as needed.
-Interesting.
I was about to try out this new controller when I heard a peculiar sound: hurried footsteps and a voice murmuring nervously.
"No, no, no. This isn't right. Definitely not right. What will people say? 'Oh, look at Bilbo Baggins, the eccentric hobbit who finds muscular strangers in his back garden.' Gandalf's going to take me on another adventure, I'm sure of it. First the dwarves, now this..."
Escanor turned towards the voice and found himself staring at the most peculiar creature he had ever seen.
He was... small. Extremely small. Maybe a meter tall, with large, hairy feet that were bare. He wore brown trousers, a green vest, and a yellow jacket that had seen better days. His curly brown hair was slightly disheveled, and his round, brown eyes stared at him with a mixture of fascination and utter panic.
"You... you are very big," said the creature, its voice trembling slightly.
Escanor looked down, then back up at the creature. The size difference was indeed considerable.
"And you're very small," Escanor replied in his usual dignified tone. "Though I suppose that's rude to say. My apologies. I'm Escanor. And you are?"
The little creature blinked several times, as if it couldn't believe that the muscular giant was being polite.
"I... I'm Bilbo. Bilbo Baggins. And this is the Shire. My garden, in fact. Well, technically the field behind my garden, but it's still my property and..." He stopped, shaking his head. "Sorry, I'm rambling. I do that when I'm nervous. And you're rather... intimidating."
" Intimidating?" Escanor considered this. "I suppose so. But you have nothing to fear from me, Bilbo Baggins. I don't harm the innocent."
"That's... comforting." Bilbo relaxed visibly, though he still kept a certain distance. "May I ask what you're doing in my field? And where you've come from? You don't look like any man I've ever seen, and believe me, after my adventure with Thorin, I've seen some pretty big men."
Escanor frowned, trying to remember. There was... something. A feeling that he had been somewhere else, lived another life. But the details were blurry, like trying to recall a dream after waking up.
"I don't know," he finally admitted. "I don't remember how I got here. I only know my name, and that…" He touched Rhitta, "…I have a purpose. Though I'm not sure what it is yet."
Bilbo studied him with those sharp hobbit eyes.
"Amnesia, then. That's troublesome. Well, I can't just leave you here in the field. The neighbors have talked enough about me since I came back from Lonely Mountain. If they see you here, I'll never hear the end of it." She sighed dramatically. "I suppose you should come to Bag End. I'll make you something to eat while we figure out what to do with you."
—Bag Closed?
"My home. It's one of those hobbit-holes you see over there." He pointed to one of the round doors embedded in the hillside. "It's not big, but it's comfortable. Although..." He looked Escanor up and down, "you're going to have to duck. A lot."
Escanor considered his options. He had no idea where he was, no memory of how he'd gotten there, and this little creature called Bilbo was offering help. His pride told him he didn't need charity, but his common sense told him that refusing the only helping hand extended would be foolish.
"I gratefully accept your hospitality," Escanor said, bowing slightly. "And I promise not to be a burden."
"Oh, I'm sure you'll eat enough for three," murmured Bilbo, but there was a twinkle of humor in his eye. "Come along then. But please, try not to draw too much attention to yourself. The Shire is a quiet place, and hobbits don't like anything unusual."
Escanor picked up his armor and followed Bilbo across the fields. As they walked, he noticed other hobbits peering out of their doorways or pausing in their gardens, staring in amazement at the muscular giant walking alongside the respectable Mr. Baggins.
"Oh, dear," sighed Bilbo. "Lobelia's going to have a field day with this."
The interior of Bag End was, as Bilbo had warned, definitely not designed for someone the size of Escanor. He had to duck considerably to fit through the circular door, and once inside, the ceiling was dangerously close to his head.
But there was something undeniably welcoming about the place. Polished wood walls, comfortable furniture, soft carpets, and the smell of something delicious cooking in the kitchen.
"Sit down, sit down," said Bilbo, gesturing towards a chair that looked too small for Escanor.
Or better yet, the sofa. It's stronger. Meanwhile, I'll prepare the second breakfast.
— Second breakfast?
"Well, yes. First breakfast, second breakfast, eleven o'clock lunch, lunch, afternoon tea, supper, and late supper," Bilbo counted on his fingers. "Seven meals a day. Isn't that how it is where you come from?"
"I don't remember," Escanor admitted, carefully settling himself on the sofa, which creaked but held firm. "But it sounds... nice."
Bilbo disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Escanor alone with his thoughts. He looked around, studying the details of the house. There were maps on the walls, some very old and worn. Books filled shelves in every corner. And on the mantelpiece, he noticed something gleaming: a simple gold ring.
There was something about that ring that bothered him, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. A feeling of... evil, perhaps. Or dark power. But before he could dwell on it any longer, Bilbo returned with a tray laden with food.
—Here you go. Eggs, bacon, bread and butter, cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, and of course, seed cakes.
Eat as much as you want. I have more in the pantry.
Escanor picked up a fork, which looked comically small in his large hand, and began to eat. The flavor was... extraordinary. Simple, yet prepared with care and love. Every bite was perfectly seasoned.
"This is excellent," Escanor said with genuine appreciation. "You're a skillful cook, Bilbo Baggins."
Bilbo blushed slightly at the compliment.
"Well, I've had plenty of practice. Hobbits take pride in our food. It's one of the few things everyone in the Shire agrees on." He sat down in his own chair, observing Escanor curiously. "So, Escanor. Even if you don't remember where you came from, do you remember anything else? Skills, knowledge, anything at all?"
Escanor chewed thoughtfully, searching his mind.
"I know how to fight," she finally said. "I know I'm strong. Much stronger than should be possible. And I have... a power. Something connected to the sun."
" The sun?" Bilbo leaned forward with interest.
"Yes. When I concentrate, I can feel it. Like a fire in my chest, waiting to be released." He looked at Bilbo. "Would it be too foolish of me to try it here?"
" Yes!" said Bilbo quickly. "Very reckless. Please don't burn down my house. I've had enough of that with the dwarves and their fire experiments."
"Understood," Escanor smiled slightly. "Then I'll try it outside later."
They continued eating in comfortable silence for a few moments before Bilbo spoke again.
"You know, there's someone who should know you. An old friend of mine. Gandalf the Grey. He's a wizard, very wise, and knows all sorts of things about all sorts of people and places. If anyone can help you discover who you are and where you come from, it would be him."
" A magician?" Something about that word resonated within Escanor, though he wasn't sure why.
"Yes. Tall, old, long beard, pointed hat, always causing trouble." Bilbo smiled affectionately. "The best kind of trouble, though, I suppose. He's around here from time to time. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he turned up soon. He has a knack for appearing exactly when he's needed."
"Then I'll wait to meet this Gandalf," Escanor decided. "And in the meantime, perhaps you can tell me about this place. This 'Shire' and the world beyond it."
Bilbo's eyes lit up. Hobbits, it seemed, loved telling stories as much as they loved eating. "Well, where to begin..."
The next few hours passed like this: Bilbo telling stories and Escanor listening attentively. He learned about the Shire, the peaceful land of the hobbits where life went on quietly. He learned about Rivendell, the elven refuge in the mountains. About Erebor, the Lonely Mountain where Bilbo had had his great adventure with thirteen dwarves and a dragon named Smaug.
He learned about the wider world: the lands of men, the realms of elves, the strongholds of dwarves. And he learned about the dark threats that lurked in the shadows: orcs in the mountains, evil creatures in forgotten places, and rumors of a growing darkness in the East, in a place called Mordor.
"Of course, that's someone else's problem," said Bilbo, waving his hand nonchalantly. "Here in the Shire, we're far removed from all that. We live in peace, as it should be."
But Escanor felt a shiver run down his spine. Darkness in the East. Evil creatures. A malevolent power growing.
That's why I'm here , he thought. I don't know how I know, but that darkness... eventually I'll have to face it.
But that thought could wait. For now, she was in a safe place, with a hospitable host, learning about this new world.
"Bilbo," Escanor said after the hobbit had finished describing the Battle of the Five Armies. "Thank you. For your kindness. You had no reason to help a stranger, especially one as… unusual as me. Yet you did."
Bilbo shrugged, though he looked pleased.
"Well, I've learned that the most unusual people often turn out to be the most interesting. Besides, after everything I've been through, what's one more muscle-bound giant?" He grinned. "And honestly, it's nice to have company. This place can be a bit lonely since I came back. The other hobbits think I've gone odd."
"You're not strange," Escanor said with conviction. "You're simply someone who has seen more of the world than they have. That's not strange. That's brave."
Bilbo blinked, clearly not expecting such a direct compliment.
—I... well. Thank you, Escanor. That's very kind of you.
A loud bang on the door interrupted the moment.
" Mr. Baggins?" called a shrill voice from outside. "It's Lobelia Sackville-Baggins. I've come to investigate the rumors that you have a... a STRANGER in your house. Decency demands an explanation!"
Bilbo and Escanor exchanged glances.
"Oh, darn it," muttered Bilbo. "Here we go."
Escanor stood up, having to duck again to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling.
Should I hide?
" Where? In the cupboard?" Bilbo sighed. "No, let's face it. But let me speak first."
Lobelia can be... difficult.
She opened the door to reveal an elderly hobbit with a sour expression and a ridiculously large hat.
His eyes widened when he saw Escanor standing behind Bilbo.
" By Greenlands!" he exclaimed. "That's right! Bilbo Baggins, what are you thinking, bringing along such a... such a...!"
"His name is Escanor," Bilbo interrupted firmly. "And he is my guest. And unless you have come to offer your hospitality as well, Lobelia, I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself."
" Well!" Lobelia exclaimed, offended. "I've never been so insulted! Just wait until the rest of the Shire hears about this!"
"Oh, I'm sure they already have," said Bilbo dryly. "Good morning, Lobelia."
And she closed the door in his face.
Silence fell. Then Escanor spoke:
—It's definitely... difficult.
"That's an understatement," muttered Bilbo, but a smile played on his lips. "Well, now everyone in the Shire will be talking about you. I hope you don't mind being the center of attention."
Escanor considered this.
—Truthfully... no. Let them talk. Their words won't hurt me. I know my own worth. —She paused—.
Is that arrogant of me?
"I don't know if it's true," Bilbo replied wisely. "And something tells me that, with you, it's true."
At dusk, Escanor was in the field behind Bag End, preparing to test his power. Bilbo watched from a safe distance, clearly nervous but too curious to stay inside.
"Remember," called the hobbit. "No burning fields. The farmers are angry with me enough already."
Escanor nodded, then closed his eyes and reached for the power within him. Sunshine. He could feel it there, warm and steady, like a second heart beating in his chest.
Slowly, carefully, she let it flow.
A golden light began to emanate from her body, soft at first, then brighter. The air around her began to ripple with heat. The grass beneath her feet dried and withered slightly.
And his power grew. Not uncontrollably as he vaguely remembered it used to be, but as he guided it. Like turning a valve, gradually increasing the flow.
"For the Green Earth," whispered Bilbo, shielding his eyes from the glare.
Escanor opened his eyes, and they shone with golden light. He raised a hand, and a small sphere of solar fire appeared on his palm, slowly spinning.
"Cruel Sun," he murmured, and the name felt as natural as breathing.
He launched the sphere into the sky, where it exploded in a display of brilliant light before dissipating harmlessly.
Then, as easily as he had summoned the power, he withdrew it. The light faded. The heat diminished. And he remained there, in his normal, robust form, without exhaustion, without weakness.
"It's perfect," he said softly. "Perfect control."
Bilbo approached cautiously.
"That was... extraordinary. And terrifying. Mostly extraordinary." He looked at Escanor with newfound appreciation. "Whatever your purpose here is, Escanor, I believe it's something important."
"I think so too," Escanor replied, gazing eastward where the shadows lengthened with the setting sun. "And I believe we'll soon find out."
That night, while Escanor slept on Bilbo's sofa (the only surface large enough to accommodate him, although his feet still dangled over the edge), he did not dream of lost memories.
He dreamed of darkness. Of fire. Of a battle that had not yet come.
And when he awoke at dawn the next day, he felt in his heart that his true journey was about to begin.
But for now, there was a second breakfast to wait for.
And Escanor, the Lion's Sin of Pride, had learned in his forgotten life that even the strongest warriors needed moments of peace.
Because those moments were what was worth protecting.