"This is Thengel."
After the formal council session concluded, Turgon arranged a private meeting with Levi, taking the opportunity to reintroduce one of the commanders from the earlier gathering.
Thengel... That name carried a familiar ring to it.
"He's not Gondorian by birth but commands respect from every citizen of our realm."
"Oh?" Levi studied the commander before him with growing interest.
Right, now I remember that name clearly.
Thengel was the only son of Rohan's current King Fengel, which made him Théoden's father. Calculating the timeline, Théoden probably hadn't been born yet.
"I've heard of you and your situation. You seem to have significant disagreements with your father?"
Levi brought up this delicate matter with characteristic directness.
Immediately, Thengel's smile froze like ice forming on a winter pond, while Turgon and Ecthelion behind him both paused, wondering why he would mention such a sensitive topic.
This wasn't exactly pleasant conversation material.
"Yes, that's accurate."
Thengel didn't attempt to avoid the subject, admitting with straightforward honesty: "No matter who asks, I must speak truthfully. I don't harbor an ounce of good feeling toward that man."
To others, he might feel reluctant discussing such family shame, but before this living legend... social pretenses no longer mattered.
No one could maintain false airs in Levi's presence, and discussing this wasn't truly shameful.
"That man, whom I must call father by blood alone, has ruined Rohan completely. He cares only for himself, eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, never concerning himself with proper governance or family responsibilities. The few times he does take initiative, it's to command subordinates to plunder citizens' wealth, satisfying his endless greed."
Though Levi had asked about this situation, once Thengel began speaking, his mood grew increasingly dark. Perhaps having held these frustrations inside too long without anyone to confide in, he unconsciously revealed more than intended.
"Around him gather only sycophants who endlessly flatter and cater to his desires. Not one true marshal of Rohan or person who genuinely cares for our kingdom's welfare befriends him. Even my two sisters despise his actions."
"I cannot bear watching his behavior harm Rohan's people, yet I possess no authority to interfere with his destructive rule."
The thought of Rohan's royal court's current state made Thengel's brow furrow with deep concern.
"Even when I attempt something meaningful to recover Rohan's losses, he simply orders my arrest and imprisonment."
"I figured rather than continue wasting years enduring this impossible situation, I'd go elsewhere to accomplish something beneficial for the world's people."
"So this explains why Rohan's rightful heir leads soldiers fighting in Gondor's service?"
Levi regarded Thengel with genuine interest and understanding.
"Exactly so."
Thengel's voice carried the weight of difficult decisions. "As long as he remains on Rohan's throne, I won't return home. Actually, I don't really want to go back anymore. Gondor suits me well."
Due to constraints of royal protocol and sacred blood oaths, he couldn't directly overthrow his father. Such action could easily lead to catastrophic consequences for the entire kingdom.
But while rebellion remained impossible, he could choose voluntary exile.
"All of this will eventually reach its conclusion."
"I believe both Rohan and Gondor will prosper increasingly in the years to come."
Clasping hands with Thengel in a firm gesture of mutual respect, the two men were now formally acquainted.
"Does this qualify as a 'wizard's prophecy'?" Ecthelion joked with good humor, making both Turgon and Thengel smile knowingly.
Everyone knew that one of Levi's most famous titles was "Block Wizard," the first epithet that had spread throughout the wilderness during his early adventures.
"Consider it exactly that."
Levi shrugged with casual confidence.
He studied the two men in their prime standing before him with thoughtful appreciation.
Ecthelion and Thengel. One represented the next Steward of Gondor, the other the future King of Rohan.
In later historical records, the former would be recognized as a wise steward who governed with exceptional skill and foresight.
The latter would be called a wise king of his generation. When his father finally died, Rohan's desperate people would request his return to inherit the throne. Despite personal reluctance, he would return to his homeland and, through decades of dedicated rule, make it increasingly prosperous.
Within a few short years, both Gondor and Rohan would welcome their respective wise rulers to power.
The two most powerful free human kingdoms would continue accumulating strength throughout these crucial decades, standing united in opposition to Mordor's growing darkness.
When these two exceptional leaders ended their reigns, it would signal the time for the War of the Ring.
That would also mark the Third Age's dramatic finale, perhaps the end of this grand adventure as well.
Decades... just a few decades remained.
In this hall containing only four people, Levi fell into a brief trance lasting several heartbeats.
In what seemed like a blink, seven or eight years had passed since the Lonely Mountain expedition began.
Really just a blink of an eye. Time moved quite rapidly.
Perhaps too brief a span to show visible effects yet, but the passing years had left no traces on Levi so far. He remained essentially the same as when he'd first arrived, with even his fundamental mindset unchanged. His thoughts still focused primarily on adventure and construction projects.
But unlike his mental vitality, his perception of time was becoming dulled, similar to an elf's experience.
Without conscious notice, so much time had already slipped away.
"I'll leave the remaining afternoon to you young people. I won't disturb your conversation further."
After successfully introducing Thengel to Levi, Turgon walked away with measured steps, leaving the three to regard each other with friendly curiosity.
"Young people."
Levi pondered this amusing term with quiet amusement.
Though Ecthelion had passed sixty years and Thengel approached forty, to ninety-year-old Turgon, both were indeed young men in their prime years for achieving greatness.
As for Levi himself, he appeared younger than both, though no one would believe his true age if revealed.
Speaking of which, if age had to be counted from his arrival in this world, he would actually only be eight years old now.
"Well then, what should we three 'young people' do with our time? Perhaps share a meal?" Levi addressed both companions.
"I agree completely. It's approaching lunchtime anyway."
"Same here. I'm quite hungry after that lengthy council session."
"Then allow me to handle the cooking duties."
Levi gestured grandly, assuming the role of chef with theatrical flourish.
Suddenly remembering something amusing, he chuckled softly.
Interestingly, when he'd first encountered Bilbo, the hobbit had asked if Levi served as some kingdom's royal chef.
Now he genuinely was preparing to cook within Gondor's palace walls.
"You'll cook personally?" Ecthelion's eyes widened with obvious excitement, clearly quite interested in experiencing Levi's legendary recipes and cooking techniques.
Thengel also expressed enthusiasm: "A legend's personal recipes sound quite exciting indeed. But please excuse me briefly. I must inform my family I won't return home for lunch today."
"Why not simply invite them all? I don't mind preparing additional dishes," Levi replied generously.
"In that case, I'll have to bring out my most treasured wines."
Ecthelion's face lit up with anticipation. "I have wines from Dorwinion and Roadside Keep. Quite rare vintages indeed."
"Wait just a moment. Wine from Roadside Keep?"
Levi suddenly turned around with surprise written across his features.
"Yes, wine from your own domain. I thought this would surely give you a feeling of home."
Seeing Levi's genuinely confused expression, Ecthelion also froze with uncertainty.
"You don't know about this? Roadside Keep's trade caravan arrived just yesterday."
"What?" Levi looked completely bewildered by this news.
"How exactly did they manage to get here?"