The sunset's afterglow bathed the forest in a golden hue.
In a clearing among the trees, Ino sat on the soft grass, with an accordion floating in mid-air behind him.
"The heart lives on the sea, innately seeking a home, steering with the wind, accompanied by waves, unwavering in spirit, unwavering in spirit..."
As the accordion's melody played on, Ino gradually closed his eyes, but his voice continued in a soft chant:
"...seeking a guide, giving direction to life, unshaken by storms; even if hope and patience abandon me, as long as I see the way, life will lead me there..."
This was a foreign folk song, a soul-stirring melody that Ino had adapted and sung for the first time.
About a quarter of an hour later, the accordion finished its final note and slowly came to a stop.
Although the accordion had ceased playing, Ino's eyes remained closed.
Time passed, second by second.
"Perhaps you are right; this time the dwarves were truly blessed. They escaped... under strict guard, they fled the dungeon along the river."
A familiar voice sounded again. Ino opened his eyes to see Thranduil, the Woodland Elf King, who had appeared unnoticed.
"Do as you wish with the rest. Stay if you like, or go to the Lonely Mountain if you prefer. We don't mind an additional melody."
Thranduil spoke with natural pride, then decisively turned and left.
Watching the Elf King's retreating figure, Ino silently thanked him in his heart.
This was the best possible outcome, confirming the earlier divination results.
In high spirits, he turned his head to the elf maiden beside him.
"Doris! I've finished my song, but I have many interesting stories. Would you like to hear them?"
...
The pages of the story turned gently under his fingers, and the words flowed slowly before his eyes.
The bards were responsible for guiding the audience into a series of wonderful worlds.
And time, silently and imperceptibly, slipped away within one story after another. It took away people's weariness, leaving behind joy and anticipation.
On the twenty-third day of arriving in the Woodland Realm.
In the morning, still lying in bed, Ino heard Doris's excited voice outside his room.
"Ino! Get up quickly, my brother sent a message. The dwarves who came with you, they really killed the dragon Smaug, with the help of the men of Lake-town."
"I'm getting up! Just a moment." Ino replied while waving his wand, making the robe on the hanger float to his hand.
Dressed neatly, he opened the door to see Doris looking expectantly for praise.
The young elf's delicate face was full of anticipation.
Seeing this, Ino chuckled, "Doris is amazing, able to hear such distant news."
"Of course! My brother has been the captain of the sentinels since he came of age, for a full 150 years!"
Looking at the proud girl, Ino curiously asked, "That long? How old are you now?"
This question had been on his mind since he first met Doris, but he hadn't found the right opportunity to ask.
Now, taking advantage of the topic, he sought to satisfy his curiosity.
"I'm 49, one more year to grow up." Doris blurted out without hesitation, as if she had been waiting to be asked.
However, as soon as Doris revealed her age, she immediately became downcast.
"According to human years, I have to wait 20 more years to grow up..."
An elf's year is 20 human years.
After some calculation, Ino realized that the young elf girl before him was actually over 980 years old.
Indeed, time was meaningless in the eyes of an elf.
Having satisfied his curiosity, Ino turned his thoughts to the dwarves.
According to Doris, it was clear that the story was nearing its end. The dragon Smaug was dead, which meant the Battle of the Five Armies was imminent.
"Doris, I might have to leave."
Ino looked apologetically at the elf girl. During their time together, he knew she was quite lonely; otherwise, she wouldn't cling to him so much.
Thanks to the longevity of elves, even in the vast Woodland Realm, she had few friends of the same age.
"You're leaving?" Doris was stunned, then her eyes quickly filled with a thin layer of tears.
"Will you come back? I still have many things I haven't shared with you."
Parting was always tinged with sadness. Looking at the girl, Ino hesitated for a moment.
"Sorry! I don't know, but I probably won't come back."
In the end, he decided to be honest.
Although Gandalf had said something about welcoming him, Ino knew that Middle-earth was far from being a place that a Maia (demigod) could dictate.
Not to mention the supreme creator Eru Ilúvatar, Gandalf alone had 15 Valar (gods) above him.
On the other hand, as Ino's words fell, the room plunged into silence.
For a long time.
"Go then! Leave! Never come back, and don't look for me again. I won't share my things with you anymore."
Doris stood up angrily and ran out of the room without looking back.
Watching the girl's retreating figure, Ino opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
But there was really no way around this. Three years of wandering had made him encounter such situations too many times, but it always ended in parting.
There might be brief sadness, but after that, it would be forgotten. Sometimes, a passerby is just a passerby.
...
On the thirty-third day of arriving in the Woodland Realm.
Since the conversation ten days ago, Ino hadn't seen Doris again.
Seeing the elves gathering in groups, he couldn't care much anymore. He could only use the remaining time to do what he could.
In the underground palace, he found Legolas and gave the elven prince all the white fresher essence he had in stock. After instructing him on how to use it, he mounted his broom and prepared to head to the Lonely Mountain.
During this period of interaction, he was no longer worried that Thranduil would foolishly and recklessly go to war with the dwarves as in the story.
With no more worries, his task was to use the remaining time to hide on the walls, kill a few orcs, and witness the famous Battle of the Five Armies in Middle-earth.
"Please wait a moment!"
Just as Ino sat on his broom, ready to take off, a stranger's voice reached his ears.
It was an adult male elf warrior.
"This is from my sister to you! Although I don't agree with her actions, as a brother, I can only try to fulfill all her requests."
It was a bracelet made from cut and woven red maple leaves.
"Thank Doris for me! Also, here's half a bottle of potion for you. If you get hurt, just sprinkle some on."
Ino took the bracelet and wore it on his wrist.
Then he kicked the ground, and like an arrow from a bow, he was in the air in the blink of an eye.