After the Balrog battle at the Lonely Mountain, peace settled across the region for an extended period. The next several years passed without major incidents threatening the Free Peoples.
During this time, Rangers stationed near Roadside Keep in the Ettenmoors finally mapped the geography of this vast wilderness and began advancing steadily into the wasteland's interior each year.
As their patrols pushed deeper, they discovered many damaged buildings and ruins from the fallen Arnor Kingdom scattered throughout the desolate landscape.
Using these ancient structures as foundations, Rangers established new fortresses atop the ruins, continually strengthening defenses and standing firm against Angmar's remnants to the north and orc tribes from Mount Gundabad at the Misty Mountains' northern end.
The Lone-lands enjoyed newfound peace.
From the South Downs to the North Downs, from the Weather Hills to the Trollshaws near Rivendell, this entire region no longer showed a trace of orcs or trolls prowling the wilderness.
But this security came at a cost.
The orcs expelled from these lands were driven into the Ettenmoors' heartland, converging with the Witch-king's scattered remnants and hill trolls there. Together they formed a considerable and increasingly desperate force.
The Ettenmoors' southern border garrisons faced mounting pressure. They had to remain constantly vigilant of northern movements and always maintain sufficient forces, never giving their massed enemies the opportunity to launch a coordinated assault and breach the defensive lines.
As new fortified positions were established one after another, the orcs' living space continuously shrank. This contested region saw increasingly intense fighting, with skirmishes and battles occurring almost nightly along the disputed frontier.
Compared to previous years, warfare along the Lone-lands' northern frontline had obviously intensified considerably. Those most able to perceive this escalation were the Rangers themselves. The number of warriors evaluated and promoted to excellent Ranger status in recent years has nearly doubled.
This tense situation continued for some time.
Just as both sides pondered how to break the grinding stalemate, Levi, restless at home with little to occupy him, wandered over to investigate.
He surveyed this gloomy, perpetually snow-covered wilderness and observed the heated, disputed frontline with its constant back-and-forth fighting.
After brief consideration, he pulled out his building blocks and began connecting the fortresses Rangers had established atop the old Arnor Kingdom outpost ruins, then continued extending the construction to both flanks.
He simply kept building like this for several years, eliminating countless orc assault waves along the way, cutting down innumerable trolls, and systematically destroying enemy strongholds that threatened the work.
Year 2967, spring season.
A Great Wall traversing the entire breadth of the Ettenmoors stood completed, blocking the vast numbers of enemies from Angmar and Mount Gundabad outside the protected lands.
Facing this towering barrier with no visible end in either direction, the orc hordes felt only crushing despair.
The long stalemate was finally broken.
It had become a dead end for the forces of darkness.
Using the Great Wall as a solid backing and an impenetrable barrier, the Rangers' operational pressure decreased dramatically. They garrisoned the former outposts and fortresses in relative safety, continuously conducting patrols and operations from this secure position.
Conflicts never truly ceased along the frontier. However, this time the Ranger forces possessed an absolute guarantee as their safety net and fallback position.
Correspondingly, these Roadside Keep warriors' activity patterns also evolved somewhat. Some Rangers rotated off the active frontline to specifically garrison the Great Wall's numerous fortresses, conducting surveillance and maintaining vigilant prevention against any breach attempts.
Over time, these soldiers permanently assigned to wall duty were separated organizationally, becoming an important specialized branch of Ranger forces.
They were called the Watchers.
Some aged historians exclaimed, exhausted, "I've never been this busy recording events in my entire life!"
Yet they quickly took up their pens again, continuing to organize materials and meticulously record these momentous changes one by one for posterity.
Distant residents from various Free Peoples regions marveled at tales of the north's new architectural wonder. Meanwhile, nearby Rangers who'd witnessed the construction firsthand could never forget the scenes they'd personally observed.
That solitary figure, placing block after block with tireless determination, continuously building walls day after day across impossible distances, became imprinted permanently in many people's minds. The memory transformed into stories that spread far and wide across Middle-earth.
Another year passed in relative tranquility.
Year 2968, spring. Levi wandered south to visit Dale.
As always, the lakeside city looked prosperous and thriving.
For perhaps the hundredth time, he settled into his customary chair by the window, waiting comfortably for Bard to finish brewing fresh tea.
Because he invariably chose this spot during each visit, the seat had essentially become Levi's exclusive domain. Others instinctively avoided it out of respect.
Even Bard himself always worked from the opposite seat when handling administrative duties. This arrangement meant that no matter when Levi arrived unannounced, he could sit down immediately without a formal greeting. If there was business to discuss, they spoke directly. If not, they simply chatted companionably while sharing afternoon tea.
Sometimes, Bain joined them as well. He'd retrieve a chair from elsewhere in the room, positioning himself at the modest table's side. There he'd assist with part of his father's paperwork while listening to the two men's conversation, occasionally finding moments to contribute his own observations.
"I was far too naive in my assumptions."
Rummaging through the cabinet for household snacks, Bard continued, "I never imagined that after just several years, the world would gain another structure worthy of being called a true architectural wonder. I genuinely want to travel north personally and see with my own eyes just how far that 'Great Wall' truly extends."
"It's really not that extraordinarily long."
"I don't believe those modest words for a moment."
Bard walked over, carrying an assortment of snacks, and arranged them across the table.
Regarding this particular topic, Levi didn't pursue it further. He sipped his tea and asked about more immediate concerns. "How has Erebor been faring recently?"
Bard, just settling into the seat opposite while organizing the refreshments, replied, "Most damaged areas have been fully repaired by now. Everything looks quite renewed and impressive. You should visit later to see for yourself."
"That's quite good to hear."
Levi nodded approvingly, then turned his attention toward Bain.
This young man (no, he should properly call him a mature, proven warrior now) had continuously served at Dale since graduating from Roadside Keep's academy. He currently holds the prestigious position of Dale's military commander.
Without receiving any special favoritism from his father's position, Bain had earned the role solely through his demonstrated abilities and strong citizen recommendations.
"Time passes remarkably fast. That eager young student from years ago has achieved full maturity and proven himself worthy of significant responsibility."
Levi felt genuinely moved by the passage of years.
Bard echoed the sentiment with subtle meaning behind his words. "Yes, he must indeed shoulder even greater responsibilities soon."
"Will you be staying longer this visit?"
Quite unusually, he extended a specific invitation to Levi with an obvious purpose.
"Of course I will." Levi readily agreed, though curiosity sparked in his expression.
He recognized that this careful 'Bowman' wouldn't speak without good reason.
Bard didn't maintain any suspense. He reached over and patted Bain's broad shoulder warmly, announcing with obvious pride, "Our young man is getting married next month. To a kind, beautiful woman he truly loves."
"Oh?"
Levi's face broke into a genuine smile as he looked at Bain directly.
"Excellent news. Truly excellent. Congratulations to you both."
He placed his own hand on Bain's other shoulder, adding warmly, "Then I'll definitely stay an extra month to properly witness this loving couple's union."
Under the affectionate, slightly teasing gazes of two father figures flanking him from left and right, Bain appeared somewhat overwhelmed, his hands nearly tangled together from nervous fidgeting.
No matter his actual age this year or how impressive and commanding his presence was in his official capacity, at this particular moment in this room, he was simply a young man facing life's momentous transition.
However, despite the two men's gentle teasing, which made his expression somewhat constrained and left him uncertain what to say, Bain felt profoundly reassured from the core of his being.
Before him sat two pillars of his life. One was his biological father. The other, though unrelated by blood, had been like a second father throughout his life. At all the most important times, Bain could sense his presence and experience his guiding grace.
In the company of these two men, Bain felt completely secure and deeply warm.
Especially considering that next month would mark one of life's most joyous and important moments, he couldn't prevent his mouth from curving into an unstoppable smile.
Isn't this the happiest moment of a person's life?