Perhaps because he was recovering from a serious illness, or perhaps because the bed he slept in last night was incredibly comfortable, Bilbo was finally able to sleep peacefully without worry for once.
Therefore, when Bilbo opened his eyes, the first ray of morning sunlight was just filtering through the window, gently kissing his eyelids.
"Mm... ah..."
Bilbo sat up in bed, stretched satisfyingly, and made comfortable sounds.
Then the Hobbit nimbly dressed himself. His clothes had been taken by the Elves to be cleaned while he was unconscious and left at his bedside.
Bilbo agilely jumped down from the bed that was nearly two-thirds his height, his big furry feet landing on the soft carpet. His eyes full of curiosity, he pushed open the door and walked out.
The morning sunlight filtered through elegant tall windows, casting dappled patterns on the stone walls of the Elven palace.
The air was filled with a faint scent of pine, making Bilbo feel physically and mentally comfortable.
Delicate vines wound around the stone pillars near the statues, swaying gently in the soft light, telling of the passage of time.
In the soft light, the landscapes in the murals seemed to come alive. The lush forests, winding streams, and distant rolling mountains danced on the stone walls.
Oh.
Bilbo immediately widened his eyes, enchanted by this morning scene.
Because it had been night yesterday, Bilbo hadn't noticed these details.
Since there were no Elves in the palace, Bilbo figured he might have gotten up too early and they were all still sleeping, so he walked somewhat stealthily through the Elven palace, being a curious observer looking left and right.
As he walked, a mural caught Bilbo's attention.
This mural was different from the other landscape paintings. Its content seemed more like a record of real events that had occurred.
The painting depicted a brave human warrior in armor, holding aloft a broken white holy sword, facing a dark knight swinging a war hammer at him among the corpses of fallen comrades.
Even though the dark knight was merely painted in the mural by Elves, it made Bilbo feel sinister, terrifying, and hair-raising.
He could almost hear the desperate cries of warriors on the battlefield, the harsh and urgent sounds of clashing swords, blood splattering, and screams echoing everywhere.
Bilbo's heart pounded wildly in his chest, as if he were in that blood-soaked storm himself.
Then his gaze was drawn to the dark knight's finger, because other colors suddenly appearing on an entirely dark figure would naturally draw attention.
A ring? Is that a ring?
Bilbo only looked twice at the circular shape constructed of golden paint before losing interest and looking away.
He turned around and saw beneath this mural of interweaving light and shadow a finely crafted white statue of a human woman standing quietly opposite the mural.
Her countenance was beautiful and serene, so exquisitely carved that her long eyelashes seemed to tremble gently, as if telling ancient stories.
Bilbo stood on his tiptoes and saw that on the stone tablet held in the human woman's hands, a broken sword was placed on pale blue brocade.
Even though the long sword was shattered, its fragments still gleamed with cold light in the morning sun, its former glory and honor undiminished.
After that, Bilbo felt he had seen enough of the palace's contents, so he nodded contentedly and walked outside, swinging his arms relaxedly.
He walked along stone paths dotted with mottled moss, through pavilions with cascading waterfalls, and finally came to a spacious balcony where he closed his eyes among the lush surrounding trees and happily took a deep breath.
Elrond, who had finished handling morning affairs, noticed the Hobbit and slowly walked over, asking gently: "Not with your traveling companions?"
Bilbo was startled by the sudden voice and recognized Elrond.
However, facing this lord of Rivendell, he wasn't particularly nervous.
First, because of the other two lords he knew, Tarnes and Thorin. The former usually acted like his friend, while the latter would join in singing when the Dwarves were happily singing together.
This made Bilbo's concept of "lordly dignity" very vague.
Second, because Elrond himself was a very gentle and wise lord, making Bilbo feel very relaxed when facing him.
After thinking for a moment, Bilbo replied: "The Dwarves should still be sleeping. Tarnes and his friends went somewhere I don't know, and Gandalf, uh, I also don't know what he's up to."
Elrond nodded gently and said no more, his gaze turning to the scenery of Rivendell beyond the balcony.
Bilbo also looked outside, though he clearly had more to say.
Moreover, he wasn't particularly good at keeping his thoughts to himself, and perhaps Bilbo really needed to confide in someone. Elrond's timely appearance made Bilbo feel he was someone he could confide in.
Therefore, Bilbo couldn't help but say quietly to Elrond: "Actually, except for Tarnes and Gandalf, everyone else basically thinks I shouldn't have embarked on this journey."
Elrond looked gently at the Hobbit and asked softly: "Is that so?"
Bilbo nodded.
Elrond moved a small step closer to Bilbo and continued gently: "But I've heard that Hobbits are very adaptable to their environment."
Bilbo was stunned and asked somewhat uncertainly: "Really?"
Elrond made a faint "mm" sound and looked seriously at Bilbo a few times: "I've also heard they greatly love the comfort of their homes."
Bilbo showed a proud smile at this statement, though he quickly controlled his expression, looked around, and deliberately lowered his voice: "I've also heard that seeking advice from Elves isn't very wise, because their answers contain both yes and no."
Now it was Elrond's turn to look at Bilbo with slight surprise. Bilbo's expression immediately changed, feeling he had just offended the Elven lord.
Oh, Bilbo, look what your mouth has said.
He lowered his head, not daring to look directly at Elrond, complaining to himself.
"Ha ha ha."
Who would have thought Elrond would actually laugh softly, making Bilbo look up in surprise.
The lord of Rivendell raised his hand and placed it gently on Bilbo's shoulder, saying: "Bilbo Baggins, we would welcome you to stay here for the rest of your life, if you so wished."
Then Elrond left as quietly as he had come, leaving Bilbo alone and stunned.
"Clang! Clang!"
Suddenly, the sound of clashing swords from not far outside the balcony reached Bilbo's ears, attracting his attention.
Following the sound, Bilbo saw Tarnes wearing simple but sturdy knight's armor, holding a basic one-handed sword, and practicing swordsmanship with someone opposite him.
Mr. Bernahl and Miss Millicent also stood nearby with crossed arms, watching Tarnes spar with that person.
But Mr. Igon wasn't there. He'd gone somewhere unknown.
However, Tarnes' sparring partner was obscured by green tree branches, preventing Bilbo from seeing clearly who was training with Tarnes.
Or should I say teaching? I don't think anyone could match Tarnes in martial skills. Even Mr. Bernahl isn't as capable as Tarnes in my mind.
Yes, that's right.
Bilbo thought to himself. He squinted, changed positions, and stood on his tiptoes, trying to see clearly who was sparring with Tarnes.
But when Bilbo finally saw the figure clearly, his expression became surprised.
Wait, the one sparring with Mr. Tarnes is actually... a child?
Bilbo's mouth opened slightly as he looked at the child wearing child-sized armor but wielding a sword meant for adults, sparring with Tarnes, and falling into shock.
But after the brief amazement, he immediately became interested.
So Bilbo ran over with pattering steps.
"One, two, one, two, one, two, three. Very good, you've grasped the rhythm quickly. To be able to wield weapons meant for adults so skillfully at seven or eight years old, it seems you've practiced quite a bit on your own. Who taught you?" Tarnes sheathed his sword and stepped back a few paces.
He was generous with his praise, complimenting the little boy who had been sparring with him.
Tarnes habitually did morning exercises upon rising, and Bernahl and Millicent, being warriors with strict self-discipline, had also come here to practice.
Finding that just exercising alone couldn't satisfy him, Tarnes suggested a three-way melee to the other two.
Bernahl and Millicent naturally agreed, but halfway through their bout, this obviously human little boy suddenly ran out, looking at Tarnes with admiring eyes and asking if he could teach him a move or two of swordsmanship.
Tarnes had originally wanted to refuse, thinking it was just a normal boy's momentary impulse from watching them spar.
But soon all three of them noticed the thick calluses on the little boy's palms, something that only came from long-term weapon handling.
So Tarnes nodded and agreed.
As Tarnes praised him, Millicent also raised her hands to applaud lightly, and Bernahl nodded gently as well.
The little boy removed his helmet, revealing black tousled hair and a tender face covered in sweat.
However, he was clearly very tired. After panting a few times, he reacted by sheathing his sword and respectfully performing an Elven gesture of respect to Tarnes a few steps away, answering: "Thank you for your guidance, honored Mr. Tarnes! My swordsmanship was taught to me by Lord Elrond and his two sons, who are also my two brothers, Elrohir and Elradan."
Bernahl smiled: "A very polite little fellow, and your body has talent and gifts. How about it, Tarnes? Should I teach him instead?"
Tarnes waved his hand: "Let him rest first, Bernahl. He's not Fili and Kili. He's still a child. Your training methods would actually be counterproductive and prevent his body from growing normally in the future."
"But I also want Uncle Bernahl to teach me some moves, and Sister Millicent too!" The little boy immediately said in panic, afraid that the three of them would leave.
Tarnes showed the little boy a reassuring smile: "Don't worry, I just want you to rest for a while. I'm sure Elrond has told you about not rushing things, uh..."
He was about to call the little boy's name but realized he had never asked since meeting him and was momentarily speechless.
The little boy immediately said understandingly: "Estel. That's my name, Mr. Tarnes. Please forgive me for not introducing myself first. I was too excited seeing your three's swordsmanship. I heard your names from Lord Elrond."
Tarnes nodded: "It's fine, Estel. Rest for now; then how about we have breakfast together?"
Estel immediately nodded, his gray eyes filled with childish excitement: "Great! I love the miruvor the Elves drink most. It's very sweet, but Lord Elrond only lets me have a small sip each time."
"That's because the growing body of a human child cannot yet bear the energy contained in miruvor, Estel." Elrond's voice came along with his footsteps, making Estel's excited face immediately tense up.
"Good morning, Elrond. And Bilbo, how do you feel?" Tarnes raised his hand in greeting.
Now it was Elrond's turn to widen his eyes in surprise as he looked behind him, only then noticing that the Hobbit had somehow followed behind him.
Hey, that's more like it.
Seeing Elrond's shocked expression at Bilbo being behind him, Tarnes felt very satisfied.
I can't always be the one startled by Bilbo's stealth talent.
Bilbo immediately said: "I saw Tarnes sparring with a human child and was interested, so I came over to watch."
Then he answered Tarnes' question: "I feel fantastic, Tarnes."
Tarnes nodded with relief: "That's good."
At this moment, Estel alertly blinked and looked at the Hobbit who wasn't much taller than himself, actively greeting: "Hello, Mr. Bilbo Baggins."
"Hello. By the way, why is there a human child in Rivendell?" curious Bilbo asked directly.
Estel's gray eyes dimmed, and Elrond sighed: "His father fought bravely to the end in a battle against Orcs. I adopted him."
Bilbo quickly apologized to Estel: "Oh, sorry, I'm sorry."
Estel showed an understanding smile: "It's alright, Mr. Bilbo. I understand what you mean."
Elrond's eyes showed an expression of tender affection as he patted the boy's head, then looked at Tarnes with a smile: "Actually, I was planning to introduce this child to you, Tarnes. I just didn't expect you two would meet ahead of time. Is this fate bringing you together early?"
Tarnes looked at Elrond in confusion, somewhat puzzled.
Elrond continued smiling and asked: "Tarnes, would you be willing to take Estel as your disciple?"
Note 1: Estel is Aragorn, but at this time Elrond hasn't yet told him his true name and identity.
Note 2: Miruvor is a kind of nectar wine brewed by the elves of Rivendell, a warm and fragrant liquid that can relieve fatigue and restore hope and vitality to the drinker.