THE LAST HOBBIT'S

5 - Traveling

...'The Giant Veridis is named An. He's a naive, yet gentle-hearted giant.'...

...*****...

Inside the cavern, Arslan sits on a stone chair and is served food by mistress Germina Bunt. The woman from the dwarf race told about events in the past that made her think back to the tragedy she had been trying to forget.

"That can't be said to be your fault, Arslan. Because you're... The races survived the destruction that the dragon inflicted. Without you with that sword... Middle-earth may not exist anymore,"

"But because of the sword there was also a split between races," Arslan felt a pain in his throat as he said, "Much more people lost their lives back then. L'm.... Still vividly remember how they died, right before my eyes."

Arslan closed his eyes for a moment before saying, "The heirloom that should be the protector of the world... It turned out to be the cause of the division of the races. What happened to An.... And also the dwarf race is a mistake I made."

Mistress Germina Bunt stared at Arslan for a moment before beginning to exhale. He said, "I met An two years after your departure. If you say that what happened to An is also your fault, then that is not true at all. The Giant Veridis race was often hunted by other giant races and the elves also disliked them,"

Lady Germina Bunt said, "I helped An as she was chased by wolves. You know, An obviously has great power but he doesn't want to hurt those wolves. Because I saved him, he followed me and we stayed here."

Madam Germina Bunt continued, "I haven't seen me in a long time. I'm looking for you with An, but there's nothing I can do. Going too far can make us meet trolls. An... He could not fight the famous wild and ferocious trolls. Her... Too kind of a heart,"

Arslan noticed the creature from the giant race that was seen burning wood very carefully. An narrowed his eyes and lifted one of the woods to look at the very small caterpillar at the end of the wood. He slowly lowered the wood in his hand so that the little animal could go down to find a safe place.

".......... Is correct. He is very kind," Arslan opened his voice. "I actually wanted to ask him to take me out of the valley, but he said he wanted to see his mother first. What's he... Think of Madame Germina as her mother?"

"Well... You could say that," Germina Bunt smiled and said, "Despite her large stature, but she was still quite young. He's alone in this place and I'm not sure if there's a Giant of the Veridis type anymore alive today or not, but-"

"I'm the only hobbit left in Middle-earth" Arslan interrupts and leaves Madame Germina Bunt shocked. The woman from the dwarf race bowed miserably and tried to hold back her voice while crying.

"Arlan..." Germina Bunt reached out and held firmly the hand of the young man sitting in front of her. He said, "You don't feel like this is the end. You can change it. You have that ability,"

"I've always lived in regret all this time..." Arslan said softly, "They drove out my race for unacceptable reasons. We tried to leave, but were still hunted down to be finished off. Hobbits are not as brave as dwarves, we have no power whatsoever, to be honest we are weaker than humans. L'm... Always feeling... That this is all my fault. Because of me and my stupid idea... Many lost their lives."

Arslan rubbed his face and again said, "I want to die but do not have the courage to meet them all in nature there. They will definitely curse me for choosing to die so easily. That's why I'm trying to stay alive until it's really time to disappear from this world,"

"You're torturing yourself..." Germina Bunt said, "They have forgotten the great service you have done. The chaos caused by the Dragon would not have ended if it had not been for the sword you carried. Even though the races united their strength.... The dragon cannot defeat,"

Germina Bunt took a breath and said, "It is true that because of the sword as well... An even greater second war was created, but this cannot be called your fault. Those greedy people... To blame,"

Arslan lowered her gaze and shook her head slowly, "No Madame Germina. Even if I deny that this is not my fault... The dead cannot be revived. The destruction of my race... It's proof that this happened because I brought the sword..."

Arslan took a breath and said, "Right now... Word got out that the sword was coming back and the races were trying to get it. I myself did not want to get involved anymore with the world, but master Gearl Howl came and said that I had a chance to obtain an honorable death. I ..."

Arslan looked at the woman before him and said, "Mrs Germina. Do you think I made the right decision? I've been hiding for a long time and don't even know what the conditions are out there. I don't know... Whether my appearance will have a good influence or just.... To be the cause of world chaos again."

"Arslan, the past is history. While the future... It is the secret of the sky. And in the present... I can convince you of this... You're the only one who can stop dark history from repeating itself in the future,"

!!

Germina Bunt took a breath and said, "I'm sorry if I say this. But you carried the sword until it became known to the world. Now it's... You're the one who has to stop it from being owned by anyone. To be honest, I don't believe in any other taste than you. Even if in the past... It was the Elf race who wore the sword. Just you .... Who really deserves to be the owner of that sword."

Arslan lowered his view. What Germina Bunt said is true. He was the one who had brought the sword to the battlefield. And the fact that the sword was formed with his own two hands.

Is correct. The Dragon Conqueror Sword is very famous and even still contested until now.... It was a weapon forged by Arslan himself. He was the first hobbit to know how to make weapons. He was different from most hobbits who only knew how to farm, even including laymen in the art of war.

"Mrs Germina..." Arslan looked at the woman before him and said, "I don't have the same courage as your race. I'm not even as good as the elves with their magic skills. Hobbits only know how to avoid conflict by hiding, we even only know how to cook. What can be expected..."

"How can you lower yourself?" Madam Germina Bunt said, "I see you as brave as the dwarf race. Even your courage is more than I could have imagined. You are also a very passionate person, especially if you learn new things. Your skill in forging that sword... It's proof of how hard you've been doing all this time,"

"The spirit of my youth has long since melted away due to time, Mrs Germina. Just like the past becomes history... I can't go back to how I used to be, either,"

"But at least... You have made your first step towards change. You are not ignoring the world.... Like you've been doing all this time,"

!!

Arslan. He could not deny the words of the woman before him because what this subject was saying was not entirely wrong. It was because if he ignored the world, then he couldn't possibly be in this place.

Germina Bunt said, "You've been hiding all along. But when you know that the world needs you... You didn't ignore it. This proves that you still care about everyone's safety,"

"My intentions are still half-hearted, Mrs Germina. I'll be home soon if this trip makes things worse with my presence."

Germina Bunt watched Arslan closely before opening the sound. He said, "What's your plan now...? You're the one who forged that sword. You know the secret in it better than anyone else. Have you thought of a plan?"

!!

"Artan...."

"I can't think of any other way, but I want to try to find an object that can destroy that sword. If the Dragon Conqueror Sword is destroyed.... The races won't fight each other for it."

Gemina Bunt was surprised to hear Arslan. He said, "You... Can it really destroy that sword?"

"........... I don't know. But I think I can try even this... It will be a long and difficult journey. My life can be in danger at any time,"

Germina Bunt lowered her gaze before taking a breath. He said, "You can invite An to accompany you. He can help you and will never leave you,"

"Mrs Germina, but An is a giant of the verdinis kind. It looks striking if I take it to the settlement. He might be... Be the target of another race's assault,"

"You don't worry about that. I had already taught her a simple magic that could make her appearance change," Germina Bunt turned her head and called An over to get closer.

"Lady..."

"You accompany Arslan and protect him in his mission. You might be able to meet someone of your race on the way. It's time you saw the world,"

"Mom... Arslan's..."

"Arslan will take care of you too. You have to follow what he says, okay?"

"Mom...."

Arslan watched the green-haired giant creature and looked towards Germina Bunt. She said, "I thank you for asking An to accompany me. But what about Mrs Germina herself? Thou... Don't you want to come?"

"I have things to do. I'll help you investigate the matter about the sword and any race involved in its quest. Really, Arslan. The outside world has changed a lot from what you've seen. You have to be careful with whoever you meet,"

Arslan nodded slowly. She thanked Germina Bunt and asked permission to leave immediately. Germina Bunt himself wrapped food for Arslan and drove the young man out of the cave.

"Mrs Germina, you have to take good care of yourself. May we meet again,"

"Mom...."

"Go and take care of yourself, too,"

Arslan is again lifted by An and lowered on the giant's shoulder. He looked at Germina Bunt who waved at him before finally looking ahead. An started walking.

Inwardly, Arslan never expected to meet someone from his past and was not even alone on the way. Although An did not say much, but this figure understood what he said and the same as what Germina Bunt said... An is a good-natured giant veridis.

This giant was even cautious several times in stepping. It felt as if An did not want to feel uncomfortable on his way out of this forest.

"Arslane... Eat..."

"Are you hungry?" Arslan opened the package given by Germina Bunt and then blinked. He's feeling confused.

"How is this, An? The provision of Mrs Germina Bunt seems not to make you full,"

"An.... Small..."

"What?" Arslan frowned. He could feel a change in An's body. He held on firmly and gasped as the green fur covering An's entire body disappeared.

An's body became smaller. He was 2 meters tall now and was very different from before. But even so, for Arslan-the subject is still so big. Moreover, An has a body that contains.

An himself did not lower Arslan off his shoulder, he still brought the young man even now if he wants to lower this subject... He uses both hands.

"An, is this the magic Mrs Germina Bunt taught you?" Arslan asked and An was just about to answer when suddenly a screaming voice sounded.

!!!

Arslan and An were shocked. They heard the screams again and grew louder. Arslan held on tight when An started running. They rushed towards the origin of the sound.

...******...