Several days later, they had crossed the entire wasteland, climbed over several large mountains, and skirted countless lakes, passing by Beorn's estate in the middle and even staying there for a night.
Without worrying about supplies, they ate fragrant, steaming delicacies every day. With no Orc army chasing them and no need to worry about danger anywhere, the journey became extraordinarily relaxed and pleasant, much like a very distant sightseeing trip.
Baggins lost the dejection he had felt upon coming and no longer suffered from the listlessness caused by poor food and lodging all day. Every day he seemed full of energy, a carefree smile forever on his face.
Until they crossed the mountain pass and Baggins, walking ahead, suddenly stopped, and his horse let out a long neigh.
"Mr. Aine, the road ahead is cut off," he shouted, then glanced around and added, "This place seems to be the one we walked through on that stormy night."
An Yang urged his horse forward and indeed saw an abyss ahead of them, the small mountain path coming to an abrupt end. The surrounding area was a mess of crumbling rocks and fractured earth, looking as if a massive earthquake had struck—clearly the result of the battle between those stone giants awakened on the stormy night.
"We can't get across," Baggins said. However, he was not worried; instead, he turned to look around. "The mountain pass is a vital route connecting the two sides of Middle-earth. There must be other roads. At worst, we can change direction and go around."
"It's fine," An Yang said.
"Huh?"
Hearing this, the Hobbit froze, then heard a rumbling sound coming from beneath the ground. Emboldened, he looked down.
"Hiss!"
He immediately opened his eyes wide in astonishment, refusing to miss a single detail of