"We followed the North-South Road, passing through Tharbad, crossing through Dunland, then over Isengard and Rohan's southern highway, all the way to Gondor's capital."
After the two Roadside Keep apprentice Rangers departed with cheerful spirits, caravan leader Charlie approached Levi with his detailed travel report.
"The first half of our journey proceeded smoothly until we entered Dunland territory. That's when a group of hostile locals with dark, threatening gazes blocked our path."
Charlie's weathered face grew serious as he recalled the encounter. "They wore crude clothing fashioned from animal hides, carrying primitive stone spears and axes. They burst from both sides of the road, attempting to spook our lead horses into panic. Obviously, they had completely misjudged their targets. Roadside Keep's horses fear nothing."
"Despite their failed intimidation tactics, we were still forced to halt. Their numbers were simply overwhelming, creating an impenetrable human barrier across the entire roadway."
"Just as our guard warriors drew their weapons and bitter combat seemed inevitable, a white-robed elderly man appeared from nowhere. He introduced himself as Saruman and specifically requested that I convey his regards to you personally."
"Those savage Dunlendings were held in check by his presence alone. Not only did they abandon their attack plans entirely, but they actually provided escort all the way to the Isen ford, only departing once we safely reached Rohan's border."
At this remarkable turn of events, Charlie shook his head with genuine amazement.
Our lord truly maintains friendships everywhere he travels. He's welcomed wherever his name is known.
"Dunlendings," Levi muttered the term thoughtfully.
The Dunlendings themselves weren't the crucial detail here. The real significance lay with Saruman's involvement. Had this particular wizard already begun forging alliances with them so early in the timeline?
Perhaps certain pivotal events were beginning to unfold ahead of schedule.
"Saruman remains our ally for now," Levi responded carefully.
For now, indeed...
Charlie immediately caught the subtle emphasis in those words. It seemed they couldn't afford to lower their guard completely around anyone. Filing this observation away, he continued his previous report.
"Within Rohan's borders, our travels initially proved quite pleasant. The local people welcomed us warmly, showing particular enthusiasm for our apple wine and various woolen goods."
"Everything proceeded without incident until we reached Rohan's capital city of Edoras."
Charlie's expression shifted to something difficult to interpret, a mixture of frustration and diplomatic restraint.
"Was there some problem with Rohan's capital?"
"My lord, I hesitate to speak poorly of any nation's ruler, but the King of Rohan's conduct was... rather challenging to describe diplomatically."
"Speak freely without concern," Levi reassured him with calm authority. "Don't overthink the political implications. I'm here to support you."
This simple statement filled Charlie with complete confidence to continue honestly.
"Very well. Initially, our trading activities in Edoras proceeded without difficulty, until King Fengel learned of our presence. He arrived with a substantial force of soldiers who surrounded our entire caravan and then began demanding details about our pricing structure. I can guarantee our prices were entirely fair and reasonable throughout. Look around you; our goods are priced almost identically to Gondor's local market rates, yet the quality far exceeds what's available here."
"However, that King of Rohan accused us of being dishonest merchants with malicious intent to disrupt the local economy. He demanded we surrender our entire inventory as forfeit, along with our guards' weapons, and even attempted to confiscate our horses!"
"We nearly faced the prospect of walking home on foot, completely stripped of everything."
"Indeed?" Levi positioned himself sideways on the cart's edge, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the wooden boards as he processed this information in contemplative silence.
Thengel's father was behaving with remarkable rudeness. This was essentially planned theft disguised as royal authority.
Such conduct differed little from common bandits and highway robbers.
"The surrounding Rohirrim citizens grew visibly angry at that point. Of course, their anger wasn't directed toward us. I could sense they were primarily furious about their king's shameful behavior. I also remained confident we'd committed no wrongdoing whatsoever. Before entering Rohan, we'd carefully studied all local laws and regulations in advance. I can swear upon my honor that we followed Rohan's legal requirements absolutely."
"I'm well aware of the Rohirrim king's reputation and past actions. This situation wasn't your fault in any way," Levi stated firmly. "His greed should have reasonable limits."
"However, observing your current situation, it appears your goods weren't actually confiscated after all."
"Correct, my lord." Charlie's relief was evident in his voice. "A Rohirrim marshal noticed your signature displayed prominently on our caravan's banner. He strongly advised King Fengel to allow our departure, and subsequently several cavalry captains arrived to collectively counsel their monarch against his intended actions."
"The political atmosphere grew extremely tense during those moments. I genuinely feared they might attempt open rebellion against their king's authority."
"Under mounting pressure from his own subordinates' unified opposition, that king finally permitted our departure. We didn't dare linger anywhere within Rohan's territory afterward and traveled here with all possible speed."
Even though the caravan's security forces were elite warriors equipped with gear matching elven regular army standards, their numbers remained limited. Forget facing large military units; even a single cavalry squadron would pose serious threats.
No reasonable person would gamble with such odds.
"I understand the situation completely now."
Levi filed this troubling matter away in his memory for future consideration. A new destination had quietly appeared on his travel itinerary.
"Well, since you've all arrived safely, please relax and enjoy yourselves. Gondor represents our formally established allied partner. I was preparing to share dinner with friends here."
"May you enjoy an excellent appetite and fine company."
With Levi's personal assurance of protection, Charlie finally felt completely at peace, returning to coordinate his caravan members in their ongoing sales activities.
Seeing no other pressing matters requiring his attention, Levi waved farewell and prepared to depart. Of course, before leaving, he also selected various ingredients and several bottles of Roadside Keep's specialty wines, perfect additions for the upcoming meal.
Swoosh.
Firework sounds echoed across the city as Levi swiftly returned to the palace's highest level, rejoining Ecthelion and Thengel in the appointed meeting chamber.
"I've brought some excellent provisions from the caravan's inventory."
When they gathered in the reception banquet hall, Levi carefully arranged the wines from his backpack, selecting one barrel of each variety the caravan had transported to Gondor.
Before this intimate gathering officially began, both Ecthelion and Thengel brought their families to meet Levi personally. This included young Denethor, and even Thengel's recently weaned infant daughter was carried forward to receive introductions.
For this innocent little one who couldn't yet speak coherently, Levi presented a delicate silver accessory from Roadside Keep's finest craftsmen, taken from the caravan's luxury goods selection.
"She'll treasure this gift always," Thengel's young wife responded gracefully, curtsying slightly while thanking him on her daughter's behalf. Her bearing demonstrated refined elegance and natural nobility.
Her striking black hair and tall, graceful figure created an impressive presence.
This Rohirrim prince's wife possessed extraordinary heritage herself. Thengel had introduced her earlier as Morwen, a woman carrying a noble Númenórean bloodline, which meant significant Dúnedain ancestry flowed through her veins.
This genetic inheritance would manifest in their children as exceptional height surpassing average Rohirrim stature, combined with distinctive darker hair coloration.
"A modest gift to express my sincere feelings," Levi replied warmly.
Regarding his thoughtful present for her daughter, Morwen smiled with genuine appreciation. "Anything bestowed by your hand carries more precious value than the finest treasures."
One could easily imagine that whenever her daughter attended social gatherings in future years, even if other noble children wore exquisitely crafted golden ornaments or jewelry set with the most precious pearls and gems, none would dare display their wealth ostentatiously in her presence.
All earthly riches would become meaningless when compared to that seemingly modest little accessory bearing Levi's personal blessing.