Chapter 136: The Letter

Hearing this news, Bilbo was stunned for a moment. Then he looked at Kael with deep gratitude. If not for the small curse Kael had placed on the door lock when they left, by the time he returned, everything in the house would probably have been cleared out completely. Although with his current wealth, buying the entire Shire would be more than affordable, every item in the house held different meanings for him. After clarifying the cause, Bilbo thanked Bungo and led Kael and Legolas into Bag End's yard. Just as he took out his key to unlock the door, Bilbo alertly withdrew his hand and turned to look at Kael with bright, suspicious eyes. "Kael, did you remove the curse on the door? I won't grow hair all over if I touch it, will I?" Seeing this, regret flashed in Kael's eyes. Well, the current Bilbo wasn't so easily fooled either. He had no choice but to draw his wand and wave it at the door lock, removing the small curse with obvious disappointment. Seeing this, Bilbo felt a wave of relief and looked speechlessly at this unscrupulous friend who wanted to see him make a fool of himself. "Childish!" Then, ignoring him, he quickly opened the door and turned to invite Legolas in, reminding him not to hit his head on the low beams. Kael didn't care whether Bilbo had invited him or not. As if coming to his own home, he bent over and skillfully went to the fireplace, waving his hand to light the flames. "Scourgify!" Just as Bilbo picked up a broom to clean the room, Kael cast a spell to clear away the dust and grime. Seeing this helpful magic, Bilbo put down the broom. "I'll go boil some tea water, then head to the village market later. The pantry is empty. I need to buy and stock up on food." Kael watched Legolas struggling to bend over to avoid hitting the beams with his head and asked Bilbo for his opinion. "Bilbo, you don't mind if I raise your roof a bit, do you?" Bilbo naturally noticed Legolas's awkward situation and looked apologetic. "Hobbit houses are indeed a bit unfriendly to you folks. Kael, quickly use magic to fix it!" With Bilbo's agreement, Kael immediately waved his wand and used the Extension Charm to expand the house's space, mainly increasing the height to accommodate their taller guests. Then Bilbo went to the market to stock up on supplies, and Kael and Legolas went along. Especially Legolas, who had always lived in Mirkwood, this trip out with Kael and the others to see the world had made him very interested in various things. After touring around Hobbiton's market, news that this "deceased" person, Bilbo, was still alive quickly spread throughout the village. Especially seeing that he had an Elf and a wizard accompanying him, everyone looked at Bilbo, their formerly quiet and taciturn neighbor, with new respect. Many people were curious about him. Curious about what he had experienced on this long journey that he could even bring back an Elf who had only been seen in stories! On the second day, Bag End suddenly became lively. It turned out that the cousin who had coveted Bilbo's property and house, Otho Baggins, and his wife, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, had come to the door. When he saw Lobelia covered in long hair all over her body, looking like a wild person, Bilbo was also startled. When Lobelia saw Bilbo, she looked as if she'd seen a savior and quickly pretended to be pitiful, pleading desperately. "Cousin Bilbo, please save me! Look what I've become! Covered in hair like a wild person. I don't dare show my face!" "Please be kind! Have mercy and remove this curse!" Though Bilbo was shocked, he wasn't someone who showed misplaced kindness. He snorted coldly. "If you hadn't spread rumors about my death and tried to auction my house, would you be like this?" "Besides, I don't know magic. How could I remove the curse for you?" Lobelia naturally wouldn't give up. She quickly made excuses. "We didn't do it on purpose! You were gone so long with no word. We all thought you were dead and worried your house would be occupied by others, so we wanted to help look after it." "Cousin Bilbo, please be merciful and ask that wizard to remove the curse on me. I know he can do magic. I promise once the curse is removed, I'll never bother you again!" She secretly pinched her husband, Otho Baggins, beside her, signaling him to speak. Otho quickly joined in pleading and promised never to covet Bilbo's property and house again. Hearing their promises, Bilbo also hesitated. Though he disliked this couple, his kind nature felt that several months of punishment was enough. So he looked to Kael for help. "Kael?" Kael had no intention of interfering in Bilbo's family affairs, but seeing him ask for help, he stepped forward and waved his wand at Lobelia. "Done!" "Done?" Everyone looked at Lobelia, who showed no change, and looked at Kael with confusion. Did Kael not want to remove the curse? "She won't grow any more long hair now," Kael explained with a slight smirk. "As for the hair currently on her body, she just needs to shave it off." The couple Otho and Lobelia looked at each other, somewhat doubtful but not daring to question. They could fool Bilbo, but when facing Kael's sharp and penetrating eyes, they instinctively feared and dared not resist. After the two left, the neighbors who had come to watch the excitement also dispersed. Only then did Bilbo inquire. "Kael, did you really remove the curse?" Kael smiled and glanced at him. "Don't tell me you think I deceived them?" Bilbo quickly shook his head. "No, I just feel that with your abilities, you should be completely capable of making the long hair on Lobelia disappear." "I only agreed to remove the curse," Kael shrugged with a mischievous expression. "I never said I'd help them shave off the excess hair." Bilbo immediately understood. Thinking of his cousin-in-law having to be shaved like a pig, he wanted to laugh but held it in. At the same time, he lit a mental candle for her, hoping she could find a skilled barber. Otherwise, if they shaved too much in places, she'd probably not dare show her face for months. Kael and Legolas stayed at Bilbo's house for three days. Then, under Bilbo's reluctant gaze, they teleported directly back to Weathertop through the newly connected fireplace. Kael didn't feel particularly reluctant about this, since there was now a Floo Network connection between Bag End and Amon Sûl Tower, plus the Floo Powder Kael had left behind. If they wanted to see each other, they could teleport directly. Very simple and convenient. Tower first floor. Kael emerged from the fireplace. Legolas, who had arrived first, was chatting with Edward. Seeing him come out, Edward hurried forward with delight. "Lord Kael, you're back!" Kael nodded. "Were there any matters during the days I was away?" "Apart from a few more people arriving at Hogsmeade Village, there were no major events," Edward replied, then handed over a parchment letter. "However, yesterday a letter from Dale appeared in the fireplace. Sent via Floo Powder by someone named Bard." "Bard from Dale?" Kael was surprised and puzzled as he took the letter. Opening it, he immediately understood. It turned out this wasn't a letter from Bard but an invitation the dwarves had entrusted Bard to forward. Since Kael hadn't established a Floo Network at the Lonely Mountain, when the dwarves wanted to contact him, they could only go through Bard. The reasons the dwarves were looking for him were twofold. First, there is the matter of Dáin Ironfoot, Lord of the Iron Hills, who had previously promised to forge dragon armor for Smaug. Second, for building Weathertop Castle. Thorin Oakenshield had previously promised that after reclaiming the Lonely Mountain, he would gather dwarf craftsmen to build a Hogwarts castle for Kael on Weathertop in exchange for Orcrist. Now that Thorin Oakenshield had reclaimed the Lonely Mountain and become King Under the Mountain, the dwarves living in the Blue Mountains and other exiled members of Durin's Folk were gradually returning. So Thorin also had to fulfill his original promise. Seeing the letter's contents, Kael's brow immediately relaxed. He immediately said to Legolas, "I need to go to Dale. Do you want to come?" Legolas shook his head. "I want to return to Mirkwood for a while." Kael nodded. "Remember to bring plenty of Floo Powder." The Woodland Realm also had fireplace connections. As long as there was Floo Powder, it would be very convenient for Legolas to return. So he didn't need to worry. After temporarily bidding farewell to Legolas, Kael grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and threw it at the fireplace. "Dale!" With that, he walked alone into the green flames and disappeared. After a bout of spinning, Kael appeared in Dale's fireplace. Looking at the completely renovated luxurious furnishings around the living room, Kael was momentarily stunned. Wasn't this the house Bard had permanently given him? How had it been redecorated? Puzzled, he walked out of the house onto the street outside. He saw that the surrounding houses had all been rebuilt, people were coming and going on the streets, shops had appeared along both sides, and the sounds of hawking were endless. Besides humans, there were quite a few dwarven figures on the streets, with both sides haggling and exchanging goods. This lively scene also amazed Kael. Clearly, this city-state that had once been destroyed by dragon fire was once again bursting with vitality. Many residents of Dale recognized Kael. Seeing him, they immediately doffed their hats in respectful greeting, drawing curious looks from the dwarves. Kael nodded gently in acknowledgment and, guided by residents, came to the Lord's Manor, where Bard lived. As Lord of both Dale and Lake-town, Bard's residence was naturally exceptional, with guards stationed at the main gate. However, the guards also recognized Kael and immediately gave solemn, respectful salutes. "Wizard Kael!" One of them said respectfully, "Lord Bard said if it was you visiting, there was no need to announce. You could go right in. Please follow me!" "Thank you." Kael nodded and followed him into this newly built Lord's Manor. Before reaching the great hall, Bard came striding out to meet him, saying happily, "I didn't expect you to come so quickly, Kael! Please come in!" Kael smiled and explained, "I had just sent Bilbo back to the Shire and received your letter when I returned to Weathertop, so I came over." "But the changes in Dale really surprised me. In just a few months, there have been such great changes. It seems your leadership has been excellent!" The current Bard had completely transformed in bearing, exuding authority and nobility, truly looking like a lord.