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Middle-earth Adventure Journal! - 3
🕑 Added 2025-09-17 16:02:00 +0000 UTCChapter 3: A Commission
She really had no time to waste.
Everything had happened too suddenly. By the time the sentries noticed something was wrong, the orcs with the children had already plunged deep into the forest, followed by hundreds of orcs jumping out from hiding to intercept the pursuers.
In the rush, Lord Círdan first dispatched his personal guards to pursue immediately, while commanding messengers to summon more elite forces from throughout Lindon.
However, Eriador's other name was the Lone-lands—a vast and boundless wilderness. Over a hundred elves scattered into it were like scattered leaves in a storm, unable to stir up even the slightest ripple.
The cunning orcs had split into multiple small groups, leaving chaotic and complex tracks to confuse the pursuers, forcing the elves to continuously separate in their search.
Until Luna separated from her teammates and pursued alone.
Just now, she had extracted the children's whereabouts from Grashk's mouth. But rescue and tracking were two different matters.
Going alone was too dangerous. Even if she could kill those damned orcs, there was no guarantee the hostages wouldn't be threatened or harmed in the process.
She couldn't go alone, nor did she have time to wait and regroup with other companions. Fortunately, there was a suitable candidate right in front of her.
A human who could survive a chaotic battle, whose words and actions were courteous and polite. More importantly, he not only had a grudge against the orcs but also acknowledged the ancient alliance between elves and humans.
He should accept the commission.
"Alright, I'll take it." After just a few seconds of consideration, Aedric agreed.
Being in the wild forest, he actually didn't have many good options. He spoke: "Don't mention payment. I already have unfinished business with those orcs, and I thoroughly despise the act of kidnapping children. Anyone who does such things deserves to die."
"Moreover," Aedric turned his head to look at the completely unfamiliar surroundings, stating frankly: "I actually don't know how to get out of this forest either. Being able to travel with you is also a good thing for me."
Having always lived in a concrete jungle, he hadn't learned wilderness survival skills.
"Excellent." Luna's brow relaxed, silently admiring his noble character while her face showed delight. She said excitedly: "Aedric, then let's depart as soon as possible."
"Not yet." Aedric helplessly shook the chains on his hands, saying: "I can't just set off with you like this, can I?"
With that, he walked toward Grashk. The interrogated orc hadn't died. His eyes were evasive as he crawled backward two steps. Just as he was about to say something, Aedric's blade flashed, making Grashk swallow his words permanently.
"One less to deal with." Aedric muttered quietly, throwing down the curved blade.
[First Adventure Log: Cage Escape, completed.]
[...Next, you planned to exploit the orcs' chaotic nature, adding fuel to their infighting.]
[Under the Valar's gaze, you succeeded.]
Ah? Seeing this, Aedric's heart nearly skipped a beat. Then, realizing the other party hadn't struck him down with lightning but had actually helped, he calmed down and continued reading.
[You successfully escaped and found weapons, decisively eliminating 3 Snaga, 2 Uruk-hai, including Grashk, who had captured you.]
[Revenge completed.]
[You successfully escaped and survived to the end.]
[You obtained information about a certain sorcerer who can command orcs and is conducting human and elf experimentation.]
[Rating: 1 star.]
[Please choose one reward from the following.]
[1. Sindarin.]
[The most commonly used Elvish language in Middle-earth during the Third Age. Learn it, and whether in Rivendell, Mirkwood, or Lothlórien, you can communicate smoothly with elves.]
[PS: Unredeemed rewards will carry over to the next log completion. Redeemed ones will be replaced with new rewards.]
[PS: If there's only one reward, you don't need to think too much.]
Aedric looked back at Luna's expectant face. Perfect, he could use Elvish to communicate with her and build rapport.
Among humans, only nobles learned this language, which would save him the trouble of fabricating an identity. Speaking Sindarin naturally represented status.
Speaking Sindarin naturally represented status and education. Among humans, only nobles learned this language, which would save him the trouble of fabricating an identity.
Suddenly gaining a lot of knowledge in his mind, Aedric felt no discomfort. But he had learned Sindarin. It felt like suddenly remembering long-forgotten memories.
He then bent down to search the corpse. In less than half a minute, he found another key and two dirty silver coins. Aedric's eyes lit up as he pocketed the silver coins safely.
He used the key to unlock the chains, then quickly walked to his collected pile of junk, picking through it while shaking his head and sighing.
Luna noticed this scene, a flash of confusion in her eyes before sudden understanding. She reached down to unbuckle her long sword, offering it to him: "Aedric, if you need a weapon, you can use this one for now."
Aedric accepted it without ceremony. He desperately needed a new weapon.
Though orcs understood some forging techniques and could make mechanisms, weapons, and armor, their lazy nature meant most of their creations were of questionable quality. Most weapons on the ground had prefixes like "rusted," "cracked," or "deteriorated."
Only Broken-tooth's broadsword was decent. But it was covered in pitch-black foul blood, scattered filth, and strange traces emitting a nauseating stench. Even without being a germaphobe, it was completely unusable.
Luna's sword, however... The scabbard was crafted from fine wood, polished to a lustrous sheen.
Clang. Aedric drew the sword, his wrist turning to create two flourishes in the air. The gleaming blade's cold light flickered, captivating the eye.
"Excellent sword!" He couldn't help but praise it, then examined it carefully.
Perhaps because elves generally stood between six-three and six-six, the sword's blade was quite long—nearly a meter. The three-finger-wide blade gleamed silver in the moonlight, with the gray-green hilt wrapped in silver wire.
The crossguard center held a thumbnail-sized red gem. The dim firelight flowed within it, then spread to the diamond-shaped runes on the blade. It reflected Aedric's reasonably handsome face.
"Huh? How did I get younger!" The numbness and dullness left by work and life had completely disappeared. Though slightly tired, he was very energetic.
"There really are transmigration benefits!" Aedric thought secretly, though he couldn't figure out in the short term who had granted these benefits.
Was it Eru? Or another Vala? Or whoever had brought him here? Whatever the source, I'll not waste this second chance.
Aedric stopped overthinking, sheathed the sword, and turned to the elf: "This sword is excellent; I should be able to use it. Let's set off."
Luna nodded, about to step away but stopped, taking out provisions and a water skin to hand to Aedric before turning toward the forest. Aedric accepted them gratefully.
Having been imprisoned most of the day and experiencing an intense battle, he was thirsty, tired, and hungry. "Thank you."
[Beginning record.]
[Second Log: Forest Commission.]
[An elf named Luna begged you to help rescue elf children kidnapped by orcs. Having just escaped the cage, out of inner adherence to goodness, hatred for orcs, and the desire to better navigate this forest, you accepted this commission.]
[Next...]
Time passed. The two traveled in silence, like pale gray shadows under starlight, winding through the dark, quiet forest.
Bright moonlight filtered through leaf gaps, forming patches of dappled light and shadow on the ground. Even humans like Aedric could see easily in this dim light.
Luna led the way ahead, softly humming a light, cheerful song. She deliberately slowed her pace so Aedric could keep up.
When elves wished, they could move silently through forests at great speed. Normally, humans couldn't possibly keep up. Even Aedric, whose body had been enhanced after transmigration, was no exception.
After running for about an hour, Aedric felt his heartbeat accelerate, his lungs increasingly burdened, and his legs like lead—each step like beating a drum.
However, when he heard Luna's song, the accumulated fatigue miraculously lessened considerably, and his steps became lighter. It felt magically wonderful. Perhaps it truly was magic.
He couldn't understand the song's meaning—it probably wasn't Sindarin but the more complex Quenya.
At this moment, part of Aedric's mind focused on keeping up, his eyes constantly scanning around, firmly memorizing everything along the way. Tall trees, low cliffs, dark caves, and bushes covered with pale white flowers.
Another part of his mind pondered the current situation. Throughout the journey, Aedric had been conversing with Luna. The occasional Sindarin phrases had quickly brought them closer together.
He'd also learned much information. Currently, he was in Eriador, on the southern border of the Shire. Commonly called Middle-earth's starter village.
The time was spring of the Third Age 2939. If he remembered correctly, the Quest of Erebor—The Hobbit's story—would occur in two years, in 2941, ending that same year.
Currently, Frodo hadn't been born yet. Aragorn was only eight or nine years old. Legolas was in Mirkwood being his hot-tempered prince.
Even Sauron hadn't opened that terrible great eye, lurking in Dol Guldur, directing his servants to search the Gladden Fields for his precious. The One Ring!
Of course, according to Aedric's knowledge, Gollum had long ago taken his precious and hidden quietly in the depths of the Misty Mountains, awaiting his fate.
"In that case, there are still two years. Maybe I can see the dwarven halls piled with gold and silver treasure and meet that dragon!" Aedric thought secretly.
After all, since he was here...
Suddenly, Luna ahead stopped, her left hand signaling to halt while her right quickly drew the longbow from her back. She turned and whispered: "Aedric, I hear orc footsteps. They're nearby. Follow me, and watch your step. We'll approach quietly from downwind."
She crouched low, moving like a prowling cat, soundlessly weaving between trees. Aedric said nothing, nodding and following.
Elves and humans looked similar and had no reproductive barriers. But in physical attributes and abilities, elves had crushing advantages.
Like Legolas—as long as his view wasn't obstructed, he could accurately count a cavalry squad's exact numbers from nearly twenty-five kilometers away. His hearing far exceeded humans', able to distinguish desired sounds in quiet, dark forests.
Aedric didn't know if Luna was as powerful as Legolas, but her abilities in this area definitely far surpassed his own, so he didn't doubt her judgment.
He quietly drew his long sword, eyes fixed on the elf's agile form, constantly watching his footing to avoid stepping on branches and bushes as he silently followed.
About ten minutes later, a group of thirty to forty Uruk-hai appeared before them. Their heavy footsteps made sounds even Aedric could clearly hear now.
The entire group walked through the quiet forest, looking left and right, maintaining constant vigilance. At the front of the group, two elf children with golden and black hair, no taller than Hobbits, were carried like sacks on Uruk-hai shoulders, their wrists and ankles tightly bound with ropes.
Suddenly, two pale little faces lifted sharply, looking together toward where Aedric and Luna were hidden. Their gray eyes showed delight.
Obviously, they sensed that rescue had arrived and was nearby. Then the two children exchanged glances, seeming to communicate silently.
Behind the dense bushes, "Aedric." Luna lowered her voice: "We have no time to waste. Besides this group, other enemies are wandering nearby. We must fight quickly."
"What do you plan to do?" Aedric asked quietly.
"I'll charge in directly to draw their attention while you rescue those two children."
So simple and brutal? Aedric considered briefly, then said quietly: "That's not good."
"Mm, I know." Luna nodded bitterly.
There was actually a safer approach—leave markers along the way and wait for more companions to join her. She had left signs but had no time to wait.
Because the Baranduin River flowing through northern Eriador was nearby. Any delay might let enemies board boats and head south. Then they'd be impossible to catch.
No matter how fast elves could run, they couldn't outrun boats. Moreover, no one could predict where the Uruk-hai might land or whether more orcs would provide support.
The longer they waited, the more dangerous it became. They had to gamble!
"Aedric, I know this is too dangerous for you, but..."
"No, no, no..." Aedric raised his hand to interrupt, quietly adding: "Not for me, but too dangerous for the two children."
Luna's face showed confusion before hearing his explanation.
"They're all Uruk-hai—they act much smarter than Snaga. If you charge in directly, the most likely result is half the Uruk-hai staying to block you while the other half quickens their pace to leave. If that happens, I probably won't even get a chance to charge forward."
Charging ahead would be useless anyway. Aedric knew his own abilities—he couldn't snatch people from over a dozen Uruk-hai and escape unscathed. He wasn't Aragorn.
But he couldn't say this directly—he had his pride!
"Then is there another way?" Luna asked. After hearing his explanation, she immediately realized her approach wouldn't work.
"Can you rapid-fire arrows?" Aedric asked: "Shoot many arrows in a short time, accurately?"
"Yes!" Luna nodded: "I can shoot six arrows in one breath, each hitting its target precisely."
"Good." Aedric's lips curved up. He knew that in this Third Age period, virtually every elf could be an archery master.
"I don't need you to shoot six arrows consecutively, but to lurk in the shadows and follow quietly. When you get a chance, shoot three arrows in rapid succession, then immediately change position and shoot three more, making those orcs think a six-man squad or two three-man squads have caught them."
"This way, the orcs can't continue traveling under constant death threats. Whether they send most people to search and stop your shooting or scatter and flee separately, I'll have a chance to act."
"How does this plan sound?" Aedric finished confidently, then added: "Also, don't get entangled—escape quickly and regroup with me."
"Good." Luna didn't hesitate, nodding before turning to leave directly.
So decisive? Aedric was startled, then called quietly: "Stay safe." He turned and quickened his pace to follow the orc group.
Their strategy discussion had taken about two minutes. But suddenly chaos erupted in the Uruk-hai group.
"Ah! My stomach hurts; I'm dying!" The black-haired child suddenly cried out, his face showing pain, features contorting together.
The golden-haired child was stunned momentarily before reacting, also shouting: "I'm dizzy, nauseous, aching all over, and I'm dying too, dying!"
The children's sharp voices echoed above the forest, breaking the original silence.
"Quiet!" One Uruk-hai carrying them said viciously: "Damn little brats, keep yelling and I'll stuff your cursed mouths with dung-soaked rags."
Another threatened: "Don't try any tricks. Any problems and I'll teach you with my whip." He shook a long whip stained with black blood.
The two children completely ignored them, acting even more convincingly. They knew kinfolk were nearby. Humans and Uruk-hai might not hear those subtle footsteps, but as fellow elves, they could identify them precisely.
Facing a chance to escape, no one could easily give up, not even children. Only they were completely surrounded by tall Uruk-hai, making escape extremely difficult.
If they could somehow reach the group's edge or cause chaos, it should make the rescue easier.
"Ptui." The black-haired child spat bloody saliva. To maintain the act, he bit his tongue hard, actually hurting himself and wailing loudly.
"It hurts, so painful!" The golden-haired child kept dry-heaving: "No good, I need to vomit."
Then with a "wah" sound, he actually vomited food remnants all over the Uruk-hai's head and face. Being carried on shoulders for most of the day was already extremely uncomfortable from bouncing. Vomiting on command wasn't difficult at all.
Crying, tantrum sounds, angry roars, and the chaotic noise from Uruk-hai crowding around to watch blended together like a discordant symphony, instantly shattering the forest's silence.
Several birds disturbed from sleep took flight with rustling wings toward the sky.
