My respected Lady Galadriel, what you saw might not be a blank expanse, but a pair of eyes looking at you...
This matter was terrifying upon deeper thought.
Levi stiffly raised his hand and waved at the being in the water mirror, as a greeting.
Slightly different from what Levi imagined, the him in the water mirror didn't do anything extraordinary, just smiled gently. A meaningful smile that upon closer inspection seemed to carry a hint of tenderness.
He nodded, responding to Levi.
At the same time, ripples stirred in the basin.
The mirror image disappeared.
"What did you see?"
Galadriel curiously approached, finding the water basin had returned to normal.
"Nothing much, probably just got startled by some kind of prank from my future self."
"..."
Lady Galadriel silently put away the silver water pitcher in her hands, momentarily unsure how to comment.
Frightening one's past self... one could only say it was very much in this ally's style.
"I hope your future is filled with beauty."
"Thank you, and you as well."
The small episode passed like that.
That day, Levi didn't sleep but found a treetop platform with nice scenery and lay there watching the view all night.
Though it seemed somewhat enclosed below, the scenery from the trees was quite good, especially from this rather tall tree where one could see the scene above the forest.
Whether night or day, it was quite beautiful.
At sunrise, Levi got up and walked toward the guest room.
When he reached the base of the tree, he just spotted an elf standing at the door of the house, raising his hand as if preparing to knock.
"I'm here!"
Levi waved at him.
"This is...?"
The elf had brought over two large sacks. When Levi opened them, he found them full of square little biscuits wrapped in mallorn leaves.
"So many..."
Two large sacks, at least several hundred pieces.
They were really generous.
"Please convey my thanks to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn."
Hearing this, that elf showed an expression of understanding.
"The Lady foresaw your words. She said not to take it to heart. As long as you're willing, you can come visit here anytime."
Levi smiled.
"I understand."
"Please wait..."
After Levi stored away the lembas, this elf suddenly said:
"I've heard many stories of your deeds. Actually, I have a personal request..."
"Go ahead."
"May I borrow your sword to look at?"
"Of course, that's nothing."
Levi took out Nemesis and handed it to the elf.
"Thank you."
The elf took the long sword, drew it out, and examined it carefully from top to bottom, gently stroking it and feeling its edge.
"I can sense there are blessings from our kinfolk upon this."
"May the master of this precious sword cut through thorns and darkness, cross through flames and abyss."
A blessing joined within.
The sword returned to its sheath and was handed back to Levi.
"I'm the one who should thank you."
Levi said sincerely.
"May I ask your name?"
The elf shook his head, saying: "No need to mind that, friend."
"I can feel that dark forces are growing stronger day by day, like gradually heavier musical notes, slow and heavy. Though temporarily retreated, they will soon return."
"If this blessing can help you in any way, that would be the best reward for me."
After speaking, this elf walked away without looking back.
Ah...
Levi stood there in a daze, watching his retreating figure.
"Alright, I will. I promise."
However...
Sometimes the mysterious airs and reserve of elves were indeed quite annoying, not even willing to leave a name.
But this didn't stump Levi.
He directly found an acquaintance: Haldir.
"Do you know the elf who delivered lembas to me?"
"Oh?"
Haldir thought for a moment, then said: "I did see an elf carrying two large bags toward your room. If I'm not mistaken, that should be Celebdil."
"What about him?"
Levi described what happened this morning.
Haldir smiled and said: "Not surprising. He's quite independent even among us. If you got up early enough, you could see him gazing at the sun from the highest platform. If you got up early every day, you'd see him every day."
"I see, an elf who yearns for light."
"Yes, that's how he is, quite fond of brilliant things."
"Brilliant things..."
Levi suddenly realized something.
"This journey has been quite rewarding, but I should set off now."
He bid farewell to Haldir and went to the central hall to greet the lord and lady.
"May the sun and moon illuminate your path."
They saw Levi to the door, pointing out the direction to leave.
Before long, Levi appeared on a large plain full of flowers outside the forest. However, he didn't hurry home but changed direction and headed straight for Lake-town.
Border of Mirkwood.
People constantly went up and down in the elevator, while minecart tracks rattled as they transported cartload after cartload of stone materials.
"Right, right, install it like that. Put that stone down. Good! Next one!"
At the construction site, dwarves directed residents in road-building work, providing various safety guidance and experience instruction.
"You over there! Remember to tie your rope securely. Don't worry, it's as solid as my beard. It definitely won't let you fall."
Even more worried now!
That person didn't know whether to laugh or cry but felt inexplicably much more relaxed.
For some reason, upon hearing the dwarves' rough voices and their occasional dwarf-characteristic humorous colloquialisms, the residents building roads at the very front felt much less fear of heights. Some even gradually adapted, able to work while responding to dwarven jokes.
It must be said that with the dwarves' experience instruction and various equipment and tool support, the construction progress of this wide and high road had indeed accelerated considerably and was getting faster.
"At this rate, building it won't even take ten years. No, not even five years, no no no, it could be even shorter..."
Lake-town, the mayor's office. Bard looked at recent reports and sighed.
"Isn't that right?"
Levi gently pushed open the door and walked in, saying: "Thranduil simply allocated all the airspace the viaduct passes through directly to me. That area counts as my territory, quite safe."
"When everyone supports something, it's hard for it not to succeed."
"Unless those people are your enemies."
Bard added.
"How have things been lately?" he greeted Levi.
"Not bad. I went to Azog's old home, but his family members weren't very friendly."
"And there was a big guy inside, even harder to deal with than dragons. We fought for several days without determining a winner."
"A guy who could fight you for several days?"
Bard was genuinely curious.
While pouring tea for Levi, he said: "I'd really like to see that. If needed, my bow can still serve you. I've never stopped training."
"No need."
Levi drank down the still-steaming tea in one gulp and said: "Though I believe you could muster the courage to fight it, that thing really isn't something mortals can handle."
No matter how capable the mortal.
"Whether it's your bow, the dwarves' crossbows, or even the Black Arrow, ordinary attacks would be melted before they could even get close."
"Dragons are just mounts to him. Do you understand?"
"What exactly are you talking about? Is it really that terrifying?"
Bard was somewhat unconvinced.
"That's a being even Sauron must speak carefully with, a powerful evil from ancient times, the culprit behind the destruction of the dwarven kingdom of Moria..."
"The Balrog."