"Different people are chasing happiness in different ways and different ways, so they make for themselves new ways of life and kinds of government."

Aristotle, 384-322 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher

•Last time•

"And if I helped you shake it up?"

"How? The Arkenstone lies half a world away, buried beneath the feet of a fire breathing dragon."

"Yes, it does. Which is why we’re going to need a burglar."

"A burglar, uh? And suppose you already have someone in your mind. Am I right?"

"Observant as always, my friend. This is an extremely talented burglar. Tell me, what do you know about the Hobbits?"

"Apart from the fact that they only live for lead an easy, absolutely nothing."

"Exactly! You don't know anything about the Hobbits. Smaug too. He's never seen Hobbit in his life, so their smell is unknown. That means it's our best choice to recover Arkenstone without side and unnecessary losses."

Thorin had to admit that this idea was risky. If a mission had to be organized for the recapture of Erebor, it required brave and experienced warriors ready to give up their lives for this sacred purpose. The Hobbits could by no means be described as "warriors" for one reason only: for thousands of years the Orc threat never reached the gates of the Shire, so their peace was never disturbed to the extent required. their education in the art of war. The wizard had to be incredibly crazy or desperate to turn to the help of a Hobbit for the role of burglar.

Taking a deep breath, Thorin answered Gandalf as calmly as possible:

"Do you have at least someone special in mind?"

"Yes, but I have years to see him. I think it's a perfect opportunity to test his skills."

"That's what I'm going to judge, wizard! In order to claim Erebor from the dragon I need the best of the best. I will not sacrifice the hopes and dreams of an entire race for a rook!"

Gandalf could only accept Thorin's condition. This battle was his. It was his duty to bring back the people of Durin to their old glory. As a leader, he knew that his move would determine the outcome of the mission. So he had to have the last word in every detail.

With great care and delicacy, Gandalf turned his attention to the young boy who was watching their conversation silently. Their eyes met for a moment. As if reading his thoughts, Zeno nodded his head to the magician.

That's it.

The time had come to play his hard card.

"Very well. We will find the right burglar in due time. I dare say that recovering Arkenstone is not the only thing that worries you, Thorin."

"Your plan is very promising, Gandalf. However, you forget a few small but important details. Even if we take Arkenstone in our hands, Smaug still remains a threat hidden in the depths of Erebor. How to get rid of the dragon once and for all?"

Thorin was not an idiot. In the 194 years of his life he knew that no plan was perfect. As many parameters as possible would be examined and covered, but there would always be something that did not count. Something that would seem insignificant but depend on the victory.

All the while they were discussing Erebor's recapture and finding Arkenstone, but there was a gap in this plan that could not be overlooked. Nothing was capable of killing a dragon. Even if they managed to extinguish Smaug from Erebor, no one could guarantee that they would not return or destroy neighboring kingdoms as an act of revenge.

"It looks like you've thought of everything. It can't be! Something must have escaped you! There is no justification for so much peace and tranquility!"

Whatever reaction he was expecting, he was not prepared for Gandalf's response.

"I'm glad you ask, my friend. I've been predicting that too. For a long time I can count, strange and interesting rumors have been spreading in the Middle East. Rumors of a young king named Hiryuu who, with the help of four warriors, declared the end of a long war and brought peace to his homeland. Having nothing to lose, I traveled to this newly established kingdom with the aim of concluding a future alliance between Kouka's Kingdom and the Seven Races of the Dwarves."

"[Kouka's Kingdom. Isn't this the boy's homeland... how did we say they called him?... Zero... Zelo... Zeno... yes! Zeno!] Why? What are the only four warriors? compared to an entire army!"

"The rumors that are circulating are not clear about the true plot of events, but they all agree on one thing. These warriors have acquired superhuman powers by drinking the blood of a dragon."

For the first time since his dialogue with Gandalf (probably after the loss of Erebor) began, Thorin could not hide the faint smile on his face.

A smile of hope.

If the warriors of the so-called King Hiryuu drank the dragon's blood, then that would mean that they somehow managed to kill him without using a black arrow. If only the king and his four warriors could take the side of him, the nightmare called *Smaug* would be over.

He couldn't believe his luck.

"So? What happened? Will they help us? Do we have Hiryuu's support?"

For awhile, a silent silence prevailed at the table before Gandalf gave an apologetic smile to the Prince of Dwarves.

"I'm sorry, Thorin."

Hearing these words, all the excitement and joy disappeared from Thorin's heart, like the traces of the sand on the beach due to the waves. He had no high expectations, but he did not remember the last time he heard news of the slightest positive reversal of his return to his homeland.

And that was what hurt him the most.

"They won't send any help. Hmm, I didn't expect anything less. They left us helpless then, they leave us now. After all, what job do people in a foreign land deal with the Dwarves have? I'm sure *Great King* Hiryuu considers that to my people for help of little to no importance for his duties! Uh! Why spoil his sweet life!? A bastard mor..."

A powerful blow to the left side of his face was enough to interrupt him before completing the phrase he was saying. After recovering from the shock, he slowly turned his attention to the man who had hit him.

Zeno was standing upright against Thorin with the only obstacle between them. His fist, which he had previously marked with Nano, was carefully piled high on his heart with a slight tremor. His sapphire eyes were completely covered by the shade of his forehead hair, yet everyone could see the tears streaming freely on his cheeks.

"With what right... with what right do you offend someone when you haven't met him in person? Hiryuu-ou was a loving and just leader! He was willing to listen to the problems of his subjects and offer his help without second thought and consideration. HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY KING'S MEMORY!?"

"Zeno, that's enough!"

They both turned to look at Gandalf, who decided to intervene before the situation worsened. This seemed to shock the young Ouryuu as he wiped the remaining tears from his face and returned to his place.

"Sorry, Gandalf-dono. It won't happen again."

Still feeling his cheek sore from the blow Zeno had previously given him, Thorin resisted the urge to retrieve it and returned to his position.

Taking advantage of the relative peace that was at the table, Gandalf continued the discussion from where he left off.

"The mistake in this case is exclusively mine, Thorin. I should have made this journey 20 years earlier. Then we would have been sure of the alliance."

"What do you mean with that?"

"King Hiryuu died 20 years ago. Without the king to whom they had sworn allegiance, his exquisite warriors would no longer have a place in the new order of things. So everybody went their own way, and to this day, no one knows what happened to them."

Then he understood the meaning behind the last phrase Zeno uttered. He really had to stop judging someone before he heard the whole story. Everyone was telling him.

"If we don't have Hiryuu's help, then why do you sound so optimistic?"

"You can tell it was a will of fate, but the moment I boarded the ship to go back to Middle-earth, I found an equally capable warrior for the task of killing the dragon."

"Really!? WHO!?"

Gandalf didn't respond. Instead, he turned his gaze on Zeno with enough discretion that Thorin unite the puzzle pieces.

Forgetting for a moment his anger about what had been said a while ago, the young boy looked at Gandalf and then Thorin in an attempt to understand where the conversation was heading.

"Um... why are you looking at me like that?"

•One year later•

"Here's your tobacco and tea, Bilbo-dono."

"Thank you! Is that what I asked you for?"

"With bitterness, sage, marjoram, lemongrass, chamomile, cinnamon and cloves. Your favorite one."

"Your tea varieties are by far the best I've tasted, Mr. Zeno! Before I came, I heard on the street talking about a new order you are expecting these days. Is that true?"

"Indeed. In particular, I expect a special selection of tea straight from the mountains of Fuuga Village. The famous Da Hong Pao Tea. Ah, the most delicious tea you will taste in your life! And the most expensive one. Only a few and elite have the honor to enjoy it."

"Why that?"

"Like wine, Bilbo-dono, the tea becomes more expensive as it matures. Although in Fuuga you can find many varieties of Da Hong Pao at much more reasonable prices, the value of which leaves the tea grown above. authentic, first-rate trees in the area With only a few of these original trees left, the value of authentic Da Hong Pao is prohibitive to most people. The price of authentic tea is so prohibitive that rich collectors use an entire a network of dedicated brokers to find willing sellers. Fortunately, I have high links back to my home country, so they are happy to offer me the best deals to promote their products in neighboring countries."

"When you say *prohibitive*, what do you mean?"

"I'll tell you one think. You pay for every gram of this variety..."

As Zeno whispered to Bilbo the price of Da Hong Pao on the market, the latter's face whitened in shock. He couldn't believe what his ears were listening to. Practically it meant that every gram of tea was sold on the market more than 30 times its weight in gold!

"As you can understand, Bilbo-dono, Sair has the highest honor to enjoy the taste of this exotic beverage before anyone in the Middle East."

"Incredible!"

It was just a whisper, but Zeno could only smile in the pride of his friend's words.

It's been a year since he decided to settle in Shire. At first everyone was staring at him, as there were not many people who wanted to live in their places for a long time. As time went on, however, Zeno quickly adapted to the Hobbit community and made many friends. Among them is Bilbo Baggigs.

During his stay in Shire, he had learned some interesting information about the Hobbits.

The height of a Hobbit was about 0.61-1.22 m, with an average of 1.07 (2 - 4 feet). He even heard that the Bandobras Took was 4.5 feet long and could ride a horse. They were not as brave and muscular as the Dwarves, but they tended to be somewhat euphoric with slightly pointed ears. They had fine faces, wide and cheerful, with lively eyes and red cheeks. Most had no beard, with the exception of some Chondrocalcans. Their legs were wide, covered with curly hair and had hard toes. They used to dress in fancy colors, with a particular preference for yellow and green.

The young Hobbits were about turning their 33rd birthday. They have usually lived for over 90 years, with a life expectancy of 100 years.

One thing that made him almost identifiable with them was the fact that the Hobbits presented themselves as lovers of an adventurous, bucolic and simple life, with the main interest being the crops, the well-tended gardens, the food (they preferred six meals a day if they could). they have them, which he considered funny), beer, good tea and socialization. However, they were able to courageously defend their home if needed. They were rumored to be good in bow, very good with slingshot and indestructible in throwing stones.

They were so reminiscent of his 17-year-old self before drinking Ouryuu's blood. At a time when he could still hear the Voice of the Gods as a young priest.

Along the way, taking advantage of Hobbit's love of tea and smoking, he decided to open his own home-based sales company, *Nature's Beauty*. Needless to say the store has quickly become popular in the poeple.

"I have to go. Thanks again."

"No need to thank me, Bilbo-dono. I'll get to see you as soon as I close the shop."

"Okay! Good morning!"

With that, Bilbo left the store and headed for his home.

The rest of the day rolled smoothly for Zeno, as his products were sold one after another. He was about to close the store and return home when he saw a well-known figure passing by.

Gandalf turned around to meet Zeno and smiled at him before continuing on, following the path leading to Bilbo's home.

However, it was not unnoticed that the small white paper fell from the sorcerer's mantle with noble delicacy.

As Zeno approached, he took the paper in his hand and read its contents.

It was just four words.

"The time has come."

Hello, dear writers and readers!

I know I have a long time to raise capital, but there was a serious reason I would officially announce at the end of the month. Today's chapter is one of the biggest I've written, but take it as an apology for my absence.

~Until next time~