I was looking around the hobbit village. The quaint little houses felt like stepping into a fairy tale. Unlike human villages, the streets were well-kept, flowers were planted, and there were no foul odors.
"Are humans the only dirty race in this world?"
Orcs under Sauron were probably worse, but setting that aside, human villages were deeply disappointing. Perhaps Edoras in Rohan or Minas Tirith might be better.
As I wandered, I found a place that served both food and drink. I went in and ordered a meal. Unlike human villages, this place was clean inside, so I didn't have to worry about hygiene.
"Finally, a proper meal."
Hobbit cooking was edible. But without seasonings, it was a bit bland.
"Hey, look! An elf! He's really handsome."
"Yeah, really handsome."
"He's human. His ears aren't long."
"What? Human? Can humans be that handsome?"
Whisper, whisper...
'Geez, I can hear you.'
The hobbits whispered about me. I tried to ignore them, but they were speaking loud enough to hear.
'Well, I'm staring at them too, so I guess it's fair.'
After finishing my meal and paying, I went back outside to explore. The hobbits were fine in most ways, but one thing was strange β they all walked barefoot. Their faces were cute, but their large, hairy feet didn't quite match.
After walking around for a while, I finally found Bilbo's house β the one I remembered from the movies.
'Oh~ This is where it all begins.'
While I was staring at the house, someone tapped my side.
"Why are you staring at my house like that?"
I turned. Standing there was the hobbit protagonist from the movies β Bilbo Baggins. He was holding a pipe and asked me.
"Ah~ You're the owner. Your house is so beautiful. I was admiring it."
Pleased by the compliment, Bilbo smiled and invited me inside.
"Haha! Thank you. I put a lot of care into it. Would you like to come in for some tea and see the interior?"
"Oh~ I'd love to! Thank you for inviting me."
"Let's go."
We went inside together. It was small, but the interior was charmingly decorated with wood and brick.
"It's wonderful! The light comes in well, and the interior is excellent."
"Haha, you're too kind. Please, sit. I'll make some tea."
Bilbo's smile never faded as I complimented his home. We drank tea and talked β mostly about his house. I just listened.
"This is a gift in return for your hospitality."
I took a teacup set from my inventory and gave it to Bilbo.
"Oh~ Thank you."
Bilbo opened the box and admired the cups.
"Wow, I've never seen such exquisite teacups. They look very expensive. Are you sure you want to give them to me?"
"Yes. I saw a wonderful house, so I should repay you. Well, I should be going."
I stood up. Bilbo saw me out.
"If you pass through the village again, please visit."
"Then, until next time."
After seeing Bilbo's house, I left the Shire, passed through Bree again, and headed to Rivendell. I skipped the human villages.
Upon arriving in Rivendell, the elves were on guard. My face was already known β they all knew I was a dragon.
"What brings you here?"
"Just traveling. Yours is the only elven realm nearby, so I wanted to see it."
"I see. Please wait a moment."
An elf ran off β likely to inform Elrond. I took a chair from my inventory, sat down, and waited. An elf came and guided me to Elrond's house. The elves also lived in well-kept, beautiful houses.
"What business do you have in my realm?"
"Just traveling. I came from the Shire. Your realm is the only elven one nearby, so I came to see it."
"I see. Very well. Just don't cause any trouble."
"As long as you don't attack me, I won't. And here's a gift."
I gave Elrond a teacup set. He accepted it, smiled slightly, and said:
"I have lived a long time β long enough to receive a gift from a dragon. May I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Dragons are known for their obsessive greed. What are you obsessed with?"
"Magic. I have lived alone for a long time, researching it."
"I see. That explains your various magical abilities."
Elrond seemed relieved. Little is known about dragons in this universe, but it's believed each is obsessively greedy for something. Smaug, for example, was obsessed with gold. Elrond was likely worried that I might be such a troublemaking dragon.
Elrond called someone outside. A female elf entered.
"This is my daughter, Arwen. She will guide you through the realm during your stay."
"I see. Very well."
Arwen was a great beauty with black hair, just like in the original. Guided by Arwen, I toured the elven realm. I liked the elven architecture and the clean, tidy realm β but one thing I absolutely did not like was the food. It was incredibly bland. I imagine this is what monk food would taste like if made Western-style. At least the bread was soft.
"How do elves survive eating this?"
Arwen, sitting across from me, nodded in understanding.
"I understand. Compared to other races, we have no meat dishes, and it is rather bland."
"Do elves not eat meat?"
"Sometimes, but it is not a staple."
"I see."
I sprinkled some Magic White Powder (MSG) into my soup and stirred it. Arwen, curious, asked:
"What is that powder?"
"Magic powder that makes food delicious."
"Oh~ May I try some?"
"Sure."
I sprinkled some on her soup as well.
"Mix it well and try it."
"Okay."
Arwen stirred her soup, took a spoonful, and was astonished.
"I... I can't believe it! It's delicious."
"Right?"
"Dragon magic is truly wondrous."
Arwen seemed to think it was magic. Even an elf couldn't escape the umami of MSG.
"I called it magic, but it's not. It's made by refining and fermenting various plants. It makes food taste magically delicious, so I call it 'Magic White Powder,' but it's not really magic."
"Ah, I see. Still, it certainly makes food delicious enough to rival magic."
I gave Arwen a pouch of Magic White Powder as a gift.
"Here, a gift."
"Ah~ Thank you."
It was an odd sight β Arwen of The Lord of the Rings holding a pouch labeled "MSG" and looking pleased.
"Don't use too much. Just a little. Too much ruins the flavor."
"I'll remember that."
We finished the meal and drank tea in a sunny spot.
"At least the tea is good."
"Right? Elven tea is famous. I heard dragons are arrogant, violent, and cruel, but you don't seem that way at all."
Arwen seemed fascinated that I was different from other dragons.
"No, they're right. I used to be like that. I thought other races were unworthy of a dragon's greatness. My own kin thought the same. But as I researched magic, I realized: knowledge alone has limits. So I learned many things, and I came to acknowledge that the world has much worth learning."
I felt like my [Deceiver] ability might rank up again.
"I see. I'm glad."
I stood up.
"The elven realm has much to see. I've enjoyed myself. I'll visit again."
"So soon? I thought you would stay a few days."
"No, this is enough. My presence seems to make many people nervous."
"I see."
Arwen saw me off as I prepared to ride away. She asked:
"If it's not too much trouble, may I visit the Dragon's Tower sometime?"
"Yes, anytime. It's nearby. But I might not be there β I'm traveling these days."
Arwen looked disappointed.
I left Rivendell and headed north, stopping briefly at my tower β the Dragon's Tower. The replica was still standing, and the sign was still in place.
No one had visited. I considered resting, but decided to keep moving north. When I needed to rest, I took out the Talaria RV, turned on stealth, and parked high in the sky. Sleeping on the ground was not an option.
Continuing north, I saw Isengard. Saruman might try something crazy, so I ignored it and passed by. The original story hadn't even started β messing with Saruman felt like too much of a risk.
Continuing on, I saw the White Mountains. I turned east and entered Rohan. Rohan was a land of vast plains β perfect for horseback riding. Perhaps this is why Rohan's cavalry was so strong.
After several days of enjoying the scenery, I arrived at Edoras. Edoras, the capital of Rohan, was built on a hill rising from the plain, visible from far away.
The funny thing was, building wooden structures on such a prominent, windy hill would make them extremely vulnerable to fire attacks. For a nation constantly at war with Orcs, it seemed an odd choice. They didn't even have a moat.
"How strange... Why build your capital here? It's a pile of kindling."
Setting aside my questions, I entered Edoras. Fortunately β perhaps because it was the capital, or because the high altitude allowed for good airflow β there was no foul smell. Seeing the horse dung on the streets, it was probably the latter.
"Geez. Human cities and villages are the biggest disappointment. Can't they clean up after themselves?"
I dismounted and looked around. The locals stared curiously but didn't bother me. Rohan's architecture resembled Viking style. I avoided the palace area β to prevent friction β and just walked around the town.
Seeing the grimy people, I gave up on eating. Hygiene aside, the bread sold at the market was like a rock. I wondered how they ate it.
"Seriously... The hobbits and elves had the best food."
I was about to mount my horse and leave when soldiers approached and stopped me.
"The king summons you."
"Hmm?"
I stopped, entered what could loosely be called a palace β a large wooden hall β and met the King of Rohan. At this time, the king was Fengel, ThΓ©oden's grandfather. Fengel was greedy for food and gold, with a notoriously bad temper. I didn't want to meet him, but he was the king, so I didn't refuse.
Fengel had one son and two daughters. A woman I had seen earlier in the village was now standing beside the king, blushing. I understood the situation. She was probably Fengel's daughter.
"You appear human. How do you have such beautiful features?"
"I'm sorry, King of Rohan, but I am not human."
"Then what are you? You're not an elf."
"A dragon. From the Dragon's Tower."
"W-what??!!"
Fengel was shocked.
"I'm traveling. Visiting various cities."
He didn't believe me.
"You expect me to believe that?"
I created a large fireball and showed it to them. The soldiers drew their swords. The king panicked.
"I'm just traveling. Relax. I have no intention of harming you."
I dismissed the fireball. Fengel, clearly shaken, spoke in a tense voice.
"I-I see. Very well. I'd appreciate it if you left soon."
"I was planning to."
I left the palace, mounted my horse, and rode out of Edoras. Sometimes, showing off your power makes things easier.