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Middle-earth Adventure Journal! - 16
🕑 Added 2025-09-23 10:57:51 +0000 UTCChapter 16: Thornfield Village
"Young man, you're dying."
In a thatched cottage filled with herbal scents, a white-haired, robust old Hobbit woman gripped Aedric's arm tightly, carefully examining the savage wound that showed dark bluish discoloration.
"Surely not?" Aedric's mouth twitched as he blinked and replied: "Granny Anna, I only feel somewhat cold, plus some numbness."
The condition of this arm wound had been fluctuating constantly—sometimes painful, sometimes not—leaving him uncertain of its severity.
"You should be feeling pain." Granny Anna released his hand and began selecting from herb-filled bags piled on a nearby table, saying: "After injury, pain and bleeding are normal reactions. Your current numbness and cold stem from the Barrow-wight's power occupying your entire left arm, devouring your flesh to grow stronger while spreading toward your chest."
"When the numbness and cold reach your heart, even my teacher coming personally couldn't save you."
Speaking thus, she threw a great handful of herbs into the boiling cauldron, stirring constantly with a ladle before turning to regard Aedric: "The only reason you can still stand and speak is because some resilient force within you battles the evil. Once it's completely exhausted, you'll die."
"I estimate you won't last until midday."
"What?!" Bilbo's face changed dramatically as he leaped up in panic, asking urgently: "Granny Anna, with your excellent medical skills, you surely have the means to cure Aedric! Right?"
Even with another brain, Bilbo couldn't have imagined things would turn out this way. From this entire journey, unconscious Christina faced no great danger, while Saradoc slept as sweetly as a piglet.
He himself had emerged unscathed, safely returning to the Shire. Instead, Aedric—who seemed strongest and had been their backbone throughout—was dying.
This... this... He could scarcely believe his ears.
Morgan, who was feeding Daisy medicinal soup, also turned to look, his face showing gravity.
Aedric's expression remained relatively calm. Having experienced much, fear had diminished. He patted Bilbo's shoulder, smiling: "No need to worry—I believe Granny Anna will have a solution."
"Hmph, I made no promise to save you." Granny Anna frowned as she ladled a full bowl of medicinal soup from the cauldron.
"However, for little Saradoc's sake, I'll try my best—consider it thanking my old sister through you."
She then handed over the bowl: "Drink this."
"Ah?" Aedric looked puzzledly at the large bowl of multicolored liquid, instinctively leaning backward.
What was this thing? An indescribably foul odor assaulted his nostrils. Never mind drinking it—just looking made Aedric's stomach churn, his face instantly writhing with revulsion.
I'd rather... The thought barely formed before Aedric cut it off. I don't want to eat my words.
Granny Anna urged impatiently: "If you don't want to die, drink it quickly." She then shook her hand irritably.
Aedric swallowed hard, hesitating as he accepted it. Seeing Granny Anna's uncompromising expression, he steeled himself, held his breath, and drained the bowl in great gulps.
"I'd rather be dead!"
This medicinal soup's taste defied description by "unpalatable" alone. Like the most bitter herbal medicine mixed with crushed fresh lemon and two whole chili peppers with seeds. Truly bitter, spicy, sour, and astringent.
After drinking, it burned like fire through his poor throat and innocent stomach. For one moment, Aedric seemed to see a tall woman bearing pure radiance beckoning to him. As if saying: "Won't you return?"
Return where?
Aedric gritted his teeth and endured, his facial muscles trembling as he managed a smile uglier than crying: "Thank you."
The words barely left his mouth when rolling waves of scorching heat instantly flowed throughout his body—even his numb left arm regained sensation.
Pain—great pain—especially severe pain. Initially like sharp needles threading through flesh, it quickly became blades sawing back and forth through skin and muscle.
Even Aedric, who disliked displaying pain before others, couldn't help drawing several sharp breaths. However, feeling pain should be good, right? Granny's medical skills were truly excellent!
"Don't celebrate too early." Granny Anna had been observing Aedric's expressions throughout. Seeing the medicine take effect, she also sighed with relief before continuing: "You must drink this medicine for a month. Moreover, most herbs here are dried with poor effects—fresh ones are needed."
"A month!" Aedric cried out in surprise, then nodded helplessly: "Fine, I'll gather them."
No drinking meant death! Between life and taste, he wholeheartedly chose the former.
"You?" Granny Anna shook her head: "You have more important matters."
She pointed toward a reclining chair in the corner: "Carry that outside, follow the road uphill continuously—the top is Harleth's house. Go sunbathe on his roof all day."
"Who will gather herbs then?" Aedric asked.
"Go, go, go!" Granny Anna urged impatiently: "Just remember to return for medicine before sunset."
"Very well." Aedric said no more, shouldered the corner chair, and departed.
Before leaving, Granny Anna's voice reached his ears: "Master Baggins, among everyone in this house, your injuries are lightest—almost negligible. Your luck must be extremely good indeed. The herb-gathering task troubles you then."
"Certainly, Granny Anna." Bilbo agreed without hesitation.
"Good, I need sun-flowers, flame-fruits..."
As Aedric distanced himself from the herb-scented house, voices gradually blurred until vanishing completely. Only then did he have the opportunity to observe Thornfield village in morning light.
The village was small, situated atop an isolated hill. Windows and various colored round wooden doors all opened toward the sun, nearly each bearing a small courtyard—some with flowers and plants, others with...
Counting carefully, perhaps fewer than a hundred households. A small path spiraled toward the hilltop—village chief Harleth's dwelling.
As Aedric looked about while heading to his destination, somehow the village suddenly grew lively. People would hurry to his side, stopping to offer enthusiastic greetings:
"Good morning, sir."
"May you have a pleasant day."
"Good morning indeed."
Aedric responded to each, yet wondered why he proved so popular. He was merely a stranger!
Children's small heads also poked from windows or round wooden doors, curiously watching the village's only tall human, only to be quickly pulled back by parents.
After walking perhaps two or three minutes more, a lively, lovely little girl blocked his path, raising both hands to offer a wicker basket.
"Sir, this is a gift for you."
Aedric's mind was considering other matters as he instinctively accepted it. When he wanted to ask why, the little girl said, "Have a happy day, sir!" then skipped away.
"This is a gift?" Aedric hung the basket on the reclining chair and lifted the flowered cloth covering it.
Rich, sweet fragrance instantly entered his nostrils, making his mouth water while soothing his recently tormented taste and smell. This was a basket full of delicious honey cakes.
"What's happening?" Aedric's mind filled with questions, yet this didn't prevent him from grabbing a cake and stuffing it in his mouth.
He was thoroughly famished, and Hobbits were famously hospitable—surely they wouldn't harm him.
"Delicious!" The moment he bit down, the cake's crispy exterior crumbled between his teeth, followed by a soft interior that barely required chewing before becoming sweet warmth sliding down his throat into his empty stomach.
"Truly satisfying." Aedric sighed softly and grabbed a second piece.
"Sir, thank you for what you did for Thornfield village."
A well-dressed middle-aged man approached, pressing what appeared to be expensive aged wine into the basket without allowing refusal. He also pointed toward a nearby green round door: "If you have time, I'd like to invite you home as a guest."
"Good, no problem." Aedric nodded in bewilderment, feeling something was off yet sensing these weren't bad things.
"What exactly did I do to become so popular?"
Next, a small boy saying "Sir, thank you for avenging my friend!" brought a tempting roasted chicken. Then an old woman brought a full waterskin of fruit juice, thanking Aedric for helping the village solve troubles.
Following this, an enthusiastic lady told Aedric that if he didn't mind, she could help wash and mend his blood-stained, damaged clothes. Then, muttering, "Must return to make second breakfast," she headed home.
When Aedric finally reached the hilltop, Village Chief Harleth came out to greet him from afar. This was an ordinary-looking old Hobbit of average height. Only a long scar on his face suggested his past wasn't simple.
Facing Aedric's arrival, he showed great enthusiasm, not only bringing an exquisite dining table but also presenting a box of Old Toby. This was Shire-famous tobacco of the finest grade.
Aedric grabbed Village Chief Harleth to voice his confusion. Through brief conversation, he finally understood the reason for everything.
Last night after he and Morgan resolved the hall's commotion, several Thornfield villagers drinking at the inn immediately rode back home. Then the matter spread through the village like wind.
Nearly ten murderous bandits had been based near the village, leaving the previously peaceful Hobbits thoroughly alarmed. So close by—what if they grew vicious and came to kill and burn?
Moreover, the Golden Wheat Sheaf family had originally moved from Thornfield village, maintaining frequent contact as friends, neighbors, and even relatives to many. Morgan was similarly regarded as half the village's citizen.
Previously, those bandits had lied that the Golden Wheat Sheaf family had sold their inn and moved to more prosperous places. Though somewhat puzzled, with Morgan's testimony, people reluctantly believed it.
Now with the truth revealed, people sympathized with Daisy and Morgan's plight while feeling grateful to Aedric, who had eliminated the bandits. Thus, everyone brought their household's finest offerings.
Hobbits found eating, drinking, smoking, and chatting supremely wonderful, so their gifts reflected these characteristics.
"Ha!" Aedric laughed, truly delighted after understanding everything—even happier than learning about his Grey Havens house.
In his excitement, he ate three more cakes and two chicken legs, and gulped down at least a third of the wine. Then he checked his log.
[Third Adventure Log: Shire Encounter completed.]
[The Thain of the Shire hired you for two hundred silver coins to find Christina and Saradoc, who had rashly ventured to the Barrow-downs.]
[You agreed, using this opportunity to meet "young cousin" Bilbo Baggins.]
[He became your guide.]
[You sailed downstream, witnessing Huorns frantically lashing passing travelers with branches, plus the ill-tempered Old Man Willow using song to create hallucinations.]
[Through personal ability and River-daughter Goldberry's aid, you successfully reached the Barrow-downs, rescuing two children just as the Barrow-wight was about to succeed.]
[Christina recovered completely and successfully obtained the herb.]
[You gained half a branch filled with life energy.]
[You obtained a golden belt with special power.]
[During return, you eliminated bandits occupying the Golden Wheat Sheaf inn, earning Thornfield villagers' gratitude.]
[You gained information about an evil sorcerer who stationed shape-shifting subordinates capable of becoming Uruk-hai to monitor Shire-bound roads, plotting unknown schemes.]
[Overall rating: 3 stars.]
[Please choose one reward from the following.]
[1. Thin Númenórean bloodline.]
[If dilute bloodline lets you live to one hundred, thin bloodline lets you retain combat ability at eighty.]
[PS: It likewise cannot increase physical attributes. Thank you. Númenóreans' superior strength comes from befriending elves and learning techniques, not bloodline benefits. Thank you.]
[2. Elementary Quenya mastery.]
[Omitted.]
[3. Invisibility ring.]
[This ring borrows novel ideas from other worlds, crafted by Vala Aulë. Though not powerful, it possesses special functions.]
[Wearing it refracts light, making one disappear under people's noses. Note: it cannot mask scent or sound.]
So 1-star ratings offered one choice, 2-star ratings two choices, 3-star ratings three choices. To see sufficient rewards required better performance, making stories more exciting.
The baseline was the Númenórean bloodline increasing lifespan. How much did this log fear his death from old age?! Fear he'd become a homebody with Bilbo and die of old age at Bag End?
Yet that seemed rather nice too. When young, he could exchange for other items, then when the time was right, obtain the bloodline.
Would he transform from white-haired and aged to vigorous like Théoden? Or perhaps exchange when older? Never grow old?
Aedric stroked his newly sprouted whiskers, pondering.
"Forget it, no rush—sleep first." Aedric reclined in his chair. After eating and drinking his fill, drowsiness overwhelmed him. Basking in warm sunlight, he dozed off.
"Hey, buddy."
Aedric saw his blood-covered childhood friend standing before him again and said somewhat helplessly: "Damn, why are you out again? This frequency is excessive, buddy."
"You seem quite happy?"
"Yes!" Aedric nodded with a smile: "Here, after doing good deeds, people truly come to thank me sincerely, instead of trying to scam me or playing dumb and walking away silently. This feeling is really wonderful!"
"What about me? I was beaten to death just like that, I..."
"Don't spoil the mood!" Aedric groaned and sat up from the reclining chair.
He immediately realized he was still dreaming, covered his face with both hands, rubbed his eyes, and sighed long.
"Had a nightmare?" A voice sounded nearby.
