"From today onward, this place will also be included within my territory."
"All of its protections are available to you as well, and soon someone will come to guide you in the ways of our alliance."
The next day, at the dwelling place of Beorn's people, in Beorn's great hall, Garrett received the oath of loyalty from Beorn and his kin, and from that moment the northern Vales of Anduin also became part of his domain.
The Beornings were officially granted the status of allied subjects.
"The claim is valid."
Once again, Gandalf stood by as witness, his knack for being present at every important moment was remarkable.
From that point, the entire road, from its founding to its maintenance, could be considered complete.
Wayfort, the Beornings, and the people of Dale each took responsibility for maintaining the three sections of the road: beginning, middle, and end. At the very least, safe and smooth travel along the route was now guaranteed, and any trouble could be reported immediately.
"Home. It's time to go home."
Riding swiftly along the Sky Road, Garrett soon passed the halfway point and reached Goblin-town.
Right, it wasn't called that anymore. Now it was named "Midway Station," or sometimes "Halfway Point."
Because of its strategic location within this massive passage through the Misty Mountains, clusters of buildings had been constructed there: supply houses, guard quarters, and various service facilities.
Similar to Halfway Point were "Eastern Station," near Lake-town, and "Woodland Gate," built at the forest entrance high in the canopy above Mirkwood, set aside especially for the Wood-elves.
But though called "stations," these places were more like "waypoints," meant primarily for resupply and as temporary rest stops.
Everything was gradually falling into place.
Beyond Halfway Point lay the western side of the Misty Mountains. To the south was Rivendell, though the valley itself was hidden from the road by surrounding peaks.
Although Garrett, Gandalf, and many Rangers were frequent visitors to Rivendell, most people in the world had no idea it even existed. Even Bard had once believed it to be nothing more than a whispered tale of an "elven refuge, hidden away from mortal lands."
Since Rivendell had little need for trade, and its people cherished seclusion and peace, no special road entrance was ever built there. The nearest access point was near the Last Bridge.
This also kept travelers safe from the trolls of the Trollshaws to the north. Many still dwelled there, but they could no longer pose any threat to passersby on the Sky Road. Nearby settlements and farmsteads had long since been relocated, mostly westward, merging into Wayfort's territory.
And that fortress marked the end of the Sky Road.
In a single day, Garrett rode from the road's eastern terminus at Lake-town all the way to its western end at the fortress.
There, his people were waiting.
"The lord has returned!"
Someone called out, and at the terminus, workers and townsfolk gathered, eagerly watching his approach.
And so, under the eyes of many witnesses, the long-awaited completion ceremony finally began.
Present were: the project's founder and leader, Garrett; the project overseer, Bard; Thorin's company of Lonely Mountain dwarves, who had provided high-altitude construction expertise; Beorn and his kin, as the road's maintenance guardians; Gandalf, naturally, to "bear witness"...
And, most importantly, the countless workers from across the realm who had put in the labor.
From above came the cry of great wings. Under the witness of a messenger sent by the Lord of the Eagles, Garrett delivered his final proclamation:
"All the fruits of this labor belong to the hardworking people, now let us open a new era for the Northern Road!"
Thunderous applause erupted. Every man and woman who had taken part in building the road felt an immense surge of pride welling up inside.
It was their achievement, their work. And both their lord and every future traveler upon this road would remember them, would know that they had helped build it.
In the autumn of the year 2947 of the Third Age, the great Sky Road was completed and formally opened to the public. People called it "The Northern Wonder," and they named its creator and founder "The Wonder-Wright."
"The Wonder-Wright, Garrett."
"My mind can barely keep track anymore. Just how many titles do you have now?"
Gandalf frowned, straining to recall.
"If you can't remember, don't worry about it."
After the completion ceremony, Garrett, Gandalf, Bard, Thorin, and the others left the Sky Road together and entered the stronghold of Wayfort.
It had been several years since Gandalf last visited the fortress, and many new structures had appeared. The old wizard nearly failed to recognize the place.
"Gandalf, haven't you been here before?"
Bard, curiously looking left and right, glanced over to see Gandalf craning his neck around in the same manner, and couldn't help but find it puzzling.
For him, this was his very first time. Ever since he'd heard of this domain, his curiosity had never waned, and now at last he could satisfy it.
"This is truly... far beyond what I imagined."
The cityscape rivaled even the works of the Eldar: fountains flowing endlessly, gardens that never withered, spotless streets, the massive mallorn tree shimmering with golden light, the mysterious tower by the lakeshore rising straight into the clouds, and at the center of it all the oldest and first of all structures, Wayfort itself.
Everything left him in wonder.
The basic infrastructure he could understand, after all, Dale had similar amenities, the standard features of any prosperous realm, but the more wondrous elements were nothing short of miraculous.
"Incredible. Gandalf, Thorin, when you visited before, was it already like this... hmm?"
Bard meant to ask if they had seen the same sights in earlier years, but then noticed: one of them had wordlessly lit his pipe and was puffing away in deep contemplation, looking as though questioning reality itself; the other had his mouth agape, eyes fixed upward in sheer amazement.
"If I recall correctly, it's been less than ten years since my last visit here."
Thorin turned toward Gandalf, who nodded slowly. "To be precise, seven years and four months, Lord Thorin."
"By Durin's beard..." Thorin muttered.
"The title 'Wonder-Wright Garrett' is well-earned. None could dispute it."
For those visiting Wayfort for the first time, like Bard, it was sufficient to marvel that the rumors were true, that the fortress really was as prosperous and filled with marvels as the tales claimed.
But only those who had been here before could truly grasp the scale of its transformation, and be left speechless by it.
"Is it just me, Garrett, or are you... anxious about something?"
Exhaling twin streams of smoke, Gandalf had calmed somewhat, and then he noticed Garrett's unusual demeanor.
"Am I?"
"Yes. You're tense,like a soldier about to face his first battle, nerves stirred by every sound and shadow."
Prompted by Gandalf's observation, Thorin too picked up on Garrett's unease.
"What's wrong?" Bard asked with concern.
"No, it's nothing. It's just... I don't want to get knocked flying. It's grown larger than a full-grown boar now, and I can hardly withstand its enthusiasm anymore..."
"Huh?"
The three of them looked at each other in confusion.