When willow branches sprouted tender buds, the roadside snow had completely melted away, revealing fresh green grass beneath. Dale welcomed a joyous day as Bain's wedding ceremony commenced in the great hall.
Under the collective witness of numerous relatives and friends, the tall, handsome groom and his pure, beautiful bride exchanged vows. They exchanged rings, pledging lifelong commitment to one another.
Beside the couple, Bard stood dressed in formal attire, leading the applause with an expression of profound paternal satisfaction.
Other relatives and friends gathered below, along with many residents who'd come to share in the celebration, and they applauded enthusiastically, filling the hall with warmth and joy.
Normally, at a wedding ceremony, the newlyweds standing in the most prominent position would command everyone's complete attention.
But strangely, on the couple's other side stood a figure impossible to ignore. Many people's gazes kept drifting toward that direction despite their best efforts.
"Excellent, truly excellent."
Levi also clapped, offering his heartfelt blessings.
Simultaneously, he fell into reminiscence.
Thinking back to the first time he'd met this boy, Bain had been only eleven or twelve, forced to crane his neck upward when speaking, his eyes full of childhood innocence.
The first time the child called him uncle, Levi had extended his hand and barely had to raise it to ruffle the child's hair affectionately.
Now, Bain stood no shorter than Levi himself, requiring Levi to reach up considerably just to pat his shoulder in congratulation.
Those once-naive eyes had gained maturity and steadiness, along with a determined ambition for everything life offered.
This was what growth looked like.
The ring exchange ceremony concluded. Bain led his wife through the gathered relatives and guests, finally arriving before Bard and embracing him tightly.
This marked Bain's formal establishment of his own household, making him truly independent and possessing his own family.
Bard's face radiated satisfaction, smiling so broadly that laugh lines creased his forehead.
After embracing his father, Bain brought his wife toward Levi. The two bowed respectfully to him together.
Just as Bain's expression showed hesitation about proper protocol, Levi proactively opened both arms, giving the young man a warm embrace.
Bain startled momentarily before immediately relaxing into a genuine smile.
Of course. Uncle Levi was never some unapproachable, distant figure.
Even if some random resident suddenly wanted to embrace him, they probably wouldn't be refused, provided they meant no harm.
Hiss, that's hot!
Bain quietly shifted his hands to a safer position.
After the embrace ended, Levi gently pushed Bain and his wife forward, encouraging them to continue their rounds.
"Go on, live well together."
Levi instructed warmly, "Come back and visit anytime. We're all here for you both."
Bain met his eyes and nodded with emotion.
As the newlyweds departed, watching their retreating backs, Levi raised an eyebrow when he noticed that Bain's complexion seemed somewhat pained.
His hands, in particular, appeared noticeably reddened.
Levi glanced down at the dragonfire steel armor he was still wearing.
Oh. Forgot to change out of this. That embrace just accidentally burned the poor kid.
Well, just consider it additional willpower training for him.
Levi found this convenient justification for his oversight.
When evening breezes blew through the bustling, lamp-lit banquet hall, the grand and joyous wedding celebration finally reached its natural conclusion.
After remaining in Dale for several more days, Levi traveled to the Lonely Mountain for another visit.
This place had genuinely experienced dramatic ups and downs, rebuilt from catastrophic damage twice already in recent memory.
Touring the completely renovated buildings and grand halls, Levi looked around approvingly and nodded.
"Very sturdy construction."
"Of course it's sturdy."
Thorin replied with mild exasperation, "We specifically reinforced and altered some critical structural areas. Next time, even if another dragon or Balrog somehow appears, they'll find it extraordinarily difficult to simply charge straight through our defenses."
"Additionally, we've prepared quite an arsenal of specialized weapons for dealing with such massive threats. Next time, if there even is a next time, any intruders foolish enough to invade Erebor will taste dwarven steel and ingenuity."
Probably no next time, Levi thought silently.
Since the Balrog's death, the dwarves had never sensed any similar abnormalities or underground threats. Its severed head remained mounted prominently on the city walls as both trophy and warning. Even if the cold drake populations dwelling in the northern wastelands suddenly decided to collectively fly south seeking conquest, they'd have to seriously consider whether they were stronger than the fallen Balrog before attempting anything.
Barring catastrophic accidents, the dwarves would develop in stable prosperity henceforth, at least free from enemies beyond their capabilities to handle.
After completing his tour of the Lonely Mountain's restoration, this round of visits and territorial inspections concluded satisfactorily.
Levi stepped through the Nether portal once more, returning directly to Roadside Keep.
As the weather shifted from warm spring to scorching summer, then from oppressive heat to the slightly cool and refreshing air of early autumn, people recognized that autumn, the season coexisting with both harvest and desolation, was arriving steadily.
Mid-September.
Levi mounted his horse and rode westward, heading straight for the Shire.
His destination was naturally Bag End in Hobbiton.
Knock knock knock.
The round green door was rapped firmly.
Creak.
Bilbo opened it and looked upward.
"Oh, Levi!"
"It's been far too long!"
He rushed forward excitedly for an embrace. Levi quickly switched to his regular traveling clothes, ensuring this aging hobbit wouldn't accidentally get burned.
"Long time indeed, Bilbo."
Levi bent slightly to return the hug properly.
"Seeing you still so spirited and full of life puts my mind completely at ease."
"I'm doing wonderfully!" Bilbo, now bearing quite obvious wrinkles across his weathered face, gave this emphatic answer.
"Ha! My current age is precisely when a hobbit possesses the most vigor and strength."
"Now don't just stand there at the door. Come inside immediately. Your timing is perfect. I'm just preparing a magnificent afternoon tea spread."
Bilbo spoke energetically, then without another word turned and headed straight for his kitchen.
"At your service." Levi nodded slightly with the traditional courtesy, stepping inside the familiar hobbit-hole.
When he spoke this particular phrase, Bilbo's body paused momentarily in recognition.
Then his face showed deep nostalgia.
"I haven't seen them in so terribly long."
While organizing fresh vegetables he'd purchased earlier, Bilbo continued wistfully, "Nineteen years have passed since I last saw Balin and Gandalf. I've been counting the time, you know."
"They must be extraordinarily busy with important matters. But speaking of visits, I'm actually planning to travel east and see them myself next year..."
"By the way."
As Levi examined that perpetually empty guest room he'd once occupied, Bilbo suddenly asked with curiosity, "Why did you suddenly decide to come visit now?"
Levi turned back from his inspection, walking to Bilbo's side in the cozy kitchen.
"Take a guess."
He simply looked at Bilbo with an expectant expression.
Bilbo maintained a perfectly straight face, meeting his gaze with theatrical seriousness.
The two remained completely motionless, engaged in this absurd staring contest for an extended period.
"Pfft."
"Hahahaha..."
Levi broke first, unable to maintain the facade, and burst into laughter.
"I would never forget an old friend's birthday celebration."
Hearing this confirmation, Bilbo also abandoned his pretense. His face filled with delighted surprise and genuine joy.
"Oh, I knew it! I absolutely knew you'd remember."
As the certified riddle champion who'd bested Gollum himself, Bilbo's thinking remained quite sharp. It's just that certain things said by oneself lacked the element of wonderful surprise.
As always, Levi hadn't disappointed his expectations.
Today happened to be September 21st. Bilbo's birthday would arrive tomorrow, September 22nd.
Levi spent one comfortable night in that empty room Bilbo always kept prepared for unexpected guests. The next morning, he produced an enormous pile of culinary specialties he'd brought all the way from Dale and the Lonely Mountain.
Blueberry pie, lemon cake, apple crumble, almond candy, cherry tarts, cream crumpets, honey bread, an enormous bone-in roasted meat joint with special seasoning sauces, and much more...
When Levi finally placed a large, beautifully decorated cake he'd personally baked in the table's very center as the crowning glory, the entire surface was piled impossibly high with delicacies.
"My dear Bag End! When will we ever manage to eat all this magnificent food?"
Bilbo had gained one wonderful new problem to occupy his thoughts.