Some people always possess strong initiative, making a decision one second and departing the next.
That very night, two figures galloped swiftly out of the White City on horseback, racing across the great plains under cover of darkness.
Meanwhile, Ecthelion sought out his father, Turgon, to show him the golden apple.
"Does it truly possess such remarkable effects?"
A golden apple that would never rot and could save lives. Whether judged by its magical properties, appearance, or precious materials, it could only be called a treasure. Even by the extensive knowledge of Middle-earth's most powerful human kingdom's ruler, this was extraordinary.
"Yes, Father. I believe Lord Levi wouldn't deceive us about something so important."
Gently taking the golden apple his son handed him, Turgon felt his hand sink slightly with its surprising weight, feeling his heart grow heavy along with this precious gift.
This apple was... significant in every sense of the word.
"Keep it in your care."
After thinking for a moment, Turgon returned the golden apple to his son's hands.
"This old body of mine has no use for such a thing anymore."
"Yes, Father."
The golden apple was soon placed in a custom-made small box and stored in the most secure location available.
After discussing this weighty matter, Turgon asked with renewed interest:
"I heard you held a small banquet tonight. How did it proceed? Did you get along pleasantly with our guests?"
"Very relaxing and enjoyable. Levi demonstrated his superb culinary skills for us. The food was quite delicious. Both Thengel and I couldn't help drinking more wine than usual."
"That sounds wonderful."
Turgon nodded approvingly and asked again:
"Where is our distinguished friend now? If it's convenient, I'd like to visit him again tomorrow."
"He's no longer here, Father."
"When did he depart?"
"Just now. The moment our gathering ended, he pulled Thengel along, and they ran out together. They should be outside the city by now."
"What urgent business took him away so suddenly?"
"He..." Ecthelion was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure what expression to make.
"He said he was going to give the King of Rohan a thorough beating. Thengel agreed with his idea and proposed to accompany him."
"Alright, I understand the situation now."
Turgon responded thoughtfully and fell silent for a while, then said with a slight chuckle:
"What a dutiful son Thengel is."
"Are we just going to ride there like this?"
As night was ending and dawn barely breaking, Levi and Thengel had already crossed the border river "Mering Stream" between Gondor and Rohan, officially entering Rohirrim territory.
Dewdrops adorned the grassland like scattered jewels; occasionally one or two drops affected by vibrations from nearby hoofbeats would roll down with their thin layer of morning frost.
"What else did you expect? You can't fly."
"Alright, but can we rest briefly? I'm having trouble breathing properly." Thengel made a reasonable request.
"That's entirely your own doing."
Levi turned to look at Thengel behind him, who had wrapped himself tightly in wide robes and dark cloth, even covering his head completely, showing no sympathy for his companion's self-imposed suffering.
At the moment, only Thengel's eyes were visible. Anyone not knowing better would think he'd been robbed by bandits.
"There's nobody around here for miles. Can't you remove that thick cloth covering first?"
"No, absolutely not. I don't want anyone to recognize my face."
Thengel insisted stubbornly: "I once declared I'd never return to this land. Even if I'm just passing through now, I don't want to be discovered by anyone."
"Fine, but be careful not to suffocate yourself under all those layers."
"So can we rest for a while?"
Thengel made the request again, his voice muffled by the cloth wrappings.
Well, he really does look about to collapse from lack of air.
The horses stopped, and a small campfire was quickly lit.
Levi pulled out his portable cookware to set over the flames, casually picked two colorful mushrooms from rotting wood by the roadside, and planned to cook mushroom soup with dried meat.
"That mushroom looks far too brightly colored, and the cut surface changes color dramatically. Honestly, I have serious doubts about whether it can really be eaten safely."
Seeing Levi about to throw the freshly washed mushrooms into the pot, Thengel expressed genuine concern.
"Don't worry, it's definitely safe to consume."
"How can you be so certain?"
"I've eaten them before without any problems."
Ate them without getting poisoned, so they're perfectly good mushrooms.
"That's... quite convincing evidence."
Gurgle gurgle. Fragrant aromas wafted from the pot, stimulating both their appetites after the long night ride.
"Even just for this bowl of soup, I feel this entire night journey wasn't wasted effort."
Thengel accepted the bowl Levi handed him and eagerly took a careful sip.
"This mushroom stewed with meat is truly delicious. I'll remember exactly how to make it. Do you mind if I teach this recipe to my family? It would be such a pity for them to miss out on this."
"Do whatever you want, as long as you can replicate it successfully."
"You said it."
Not caring that the soup was still steaming hot, Thengel finished it in two or three enthusiastic gulps, then immediately ladled another bowl for himself.
Whew. After finishing the second bowl completely, Thengel exhaled deeply, releasing all the accumulated heat in his chest, feeling relaxed throughout his entire body.
How long had it been since he'd experienced such a leisurely sensation, like going on a pleasant countryside outing?
Inexplicably, Thengel felt quite cheerful and content, until distant black dots gradually approached their position.
He quickly put down his wooden bowl, donned his concealing robe, and rewrapped his face with the cloth scarves.
Rumble rumble... The ground tremors gradually approached as a group of cavalry smoothly spread to both sides not far from their campsite, completely surrounding the two travelers.
Only then did Levi gently set down his soup bowl and stand up from the rock where he'd been sitting.
"Greetings to you, Riders of Rohan."
He waved cordially to these cavalry gripping their spears in ready positions.
"They mean no harm to us," Thengel whispered beside him reassuringly.
"Their spears aren't pointed directly at us, and..."
As he spoke, someone emerged from behind the mounted riders. The leader first dismounted from his horse, then deliberately removed his helmet.
Removing his helmet signified dropping his guard, indicating friend rather than foe.
"Greetings to you, Legend Levi."
He spoke while bowing respectfully to their famous visitor.
"Judging by the armor style, this is a Marshal of Rohan. Incidentally, 'Marshal' represents Rohan's highest military rank, equivalent to Gondor's Commander position."
The face-covered Thengel continued whispering helpful reminders in Levi's ear.
"You seem quite familiar with Rohan's military structure."
The marshal looked at Thengel with a somewhat surprised expression, but after thinking briefly, recognition dawned, and he exclaimed:
"Wait just a moment, that voice sounds like... is it you, Your Highness..."
"You're completely mistaken!"
A sharp, artificially altered voice suddenly rang out beside him, startling even Levi into turning his head.
Thengel had squeezed his throat dramatically and shouted: "I'm just a passing traveler!"
"Oh, oh... I see the situation now."
The marshal looked meaningfully at the sweating 'traveler' before him and addressed Levi diplomatically:
"Please forgive our interruption. We didn't mean to disturb your meal. You just happened to pass through our regular patrol area."
He pointed toward a direction westward: "That's Helm's Deep, also our main cavalry garrison. If you need a secure place to rest properly, you can accompany us there to settle comfortably."
"I appreciate your generous offer, but I'm traveling on urgent business. I'll continue my journey after finishing this meal."
"Then I wish you safe travels and good fortune."
Nodding respectfully to Levi, the marshal replaced his helmet and mounted his horse.
"By the way." Before parting company, he turned back to ask: "As routine patrol business, may I ask your intended destination and purpose?"
"Going to Edoras to beat up your king."
"What!?" The marshal's eyes widened as he looked between Levi and the suspicious 'traveler.'
"Could you say that again?"
"I said, I'm going to beat up your king!"
"Sorry, the wind is quite strong here, and I can't hear you properly!!"
Several meters away, the marshal shouted at the top of his lungs, turned around, and waved his hand decisively, quickly ordering: "We withdraw immediately!"
They departed as swiftly as they had arrived.