Leisurely Days

The next morning.

When Morgan woke, it was already broad daylight.

The warm autumn sunlight filtered through the trees outside and into the elegant windows, scattering patches of light across the polished floor.

Every so often, a clear, pleasant birdsong drifted in from outside.

An elegant room, decorated in a distinctly fantastical style.

A soft bed, with pristine white sheets and blankets.

Taking in the unfamiliar, peaceful surroundings, Morgan sat dazed on the bed, fresh from a deep sleep. For a moment, he couldn't quite gather his wits. "Where am I? It feels like I've had a very long dream."

Soon, his groggy mind snapped back to life, and memories surged in like a tide.

That was when Morgan remembered that he was in Rivendell, the legendary city of the Elves.

The system, the wizard Gandalf, the Dwarves, and the Orcs that had appeared in his dream hadn't been some fleeting fantasy.

They were all things he had experienced firsthand over the past two months.

He had simply slept so deeply that it took him a moment to come around.

"Phew."

He let out a long breath and sank back onto the soft bed.

At last, he'd gotten a proper night's sleep. His whole body felt lighter than it ever had before.

Before the Orcs' nighttime raid, the Expedition Team's journey had been fairly smooth.

But they had still been out in the wild.

Morgan had always been cautious and wary.

Even when someone was keeping watch at night, he'd only ever slept lightly, just skimming the surface of sleep.

Besides, everyone in the Company had to make do with nothing more than a thin blanket to wrap themselves in or lie on. How could anyone sleep well like that?

But now that they were in Rivendell, things were different.

It was one of the mightiest and safest places in all of Middle-earth.

Morgan had no reason to worry while sleeping here.

Only by letting down his guard could he get the deepest, most restful sleep.

Morgan lay in bed for only a little while before getting up.

He hadn't forgotten that the White Crow Swordsmanship and Archery the system had just enhanced for him were still skills he hadn't mastered.

Now that he had some rare free time, he naturally had to make the most of it and train.

The fact that he'd slept until dawn instead of being woken in the middle of the night by the Dwarves meant that the extended version of events from his memories was the normal one.

Morgan knew that much.

He had no idea exactly how long the Expedition Team would stay in Rivendell.

But from certain scenes in the events he remembered, it seemed they would be there for quite some time.

However long their stay turned out to be, Morgan wouldn't forget his habit of training every day.

The Elves had prepared toiletries for him the day before.

After washing up and getting dressed, Morgan opened the door and headed for the rooms where the Dwarves were staying.

The Elves had handed the Dwarves their breakfast provisions the day before.

The Dwarves had asked for them themselves; they simply couldn't stomach the food the Elves usually ate.

So, after the evening feast, they had brought it up with Lord Elrond.

Knowing the Dwarves' habits and understanding their tastes, Lord Elrond had readily agreed.

Morgan could eat the Elves' vegetarian food, but only once in a while.

With his current appetite and the energy he needed for all the exercise he did each day, he'd get hungry again far too quickly on a vegetarian diet.

By comparison, the Dwarves' meat-heavy diet suited Morgan much better.

His room wasn't far from where the Dwarves were staying.

As soon as he stepped outside, Morgan spotted two bonfires burning in a nearby garden.

A cooking pot hung over one fire, while a grill sat over the other.

Bombur, the Expedition Team's "cook," and Ori, his "assistant," were busy at work.

Some of the other Dwarves were sunbathing, some chatting, and others gathered around playing cards.

Morgan knew the Expedition Team didn't have any cards.

The only explanation was that the Dwarves had gotten them from the Elves.

"Good morning, Morgan."

"Morning."

"How did you sleep last night, Morgan?"

"Very well. What about you?"

"Not so well. The Elves' beds are too soft."

"Good morning, Morgan."

"Morning, Dori. You look a little tired."

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep last night."

"Why not?"

"The Elves' beds were just too soft. I couldn't fall asleep."

"."

The Dwarves greeted Morgan as he walked over.

The weather was lovely, and everyone in the Expedition Team seemed to be in good spirits.

No, it wasn't just that they seemed happy. They really were.

Rivendell had a beautiful setting and lovely scenery, and even the Elves they passed on the road were all handsome or beautiful. Add in the wonderful weather, and it was enough to lift anyone's spirits.

"Good morning, Morgan."

A voice sounded from behind him.

Morgan turned and saw Bilbo standing there, looking full of energy.

"Morning, Bilbo. How did you sleep last night?" Morgan asked with a smile, settling onto a bench the Dwarves had carried outside.

"Very well. It's been a long time since I slept in a bed that soft and comfortable," Bilbo said with a smile.

"I can tell."

"Where's Gandalf?" Morgan glanced around and asked.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him since last night."

"But he seems to know this place well, so perhaps he's with Lord Elrond now," Bilbo said.

As soon as Bilbo finished speaking, a familiar voice rang out.

"I'm not with Lord Elrond. I've come to keep you company instead."

At the sound of the voice, Morgan and Bilbo turned. Gandalf was walking over, smiling, his staff in hand and his broad gray robes billowing around him.

"Good morning, Gandalf."

"Good morning, Dori. You look a little tired."

"Morgan just said the same thing. I couldn't sleep."

"Oh, what a shame."

"Morning, Gandalf."

"Good morning, Fili."

Gandalf greeted the Dwarves as he came over. Looking at the two seated on the bench, he smiled. "How about you two? I take it you didn't have trouble sleeping like Dori?"

"Of course not. The Elves' beds are so soft. Last night was the best sleep I've had since leaving Hobbiton," Bilbo said quickly with a smile.

"What about you, Morgan?"

Gandalf sat down on the bench and immediately took out the pipe hanging from his belt.

"Same as Bilbo. It's been a long time since I've felt this relaxed."

"By the way, Gandalf, how long will we be staying here?" Morgan asked with a smile, then added quietly.

Hearing Morgan's question, Gandalf fell silent for a moment before smiling and replying, "Well, let's stay for now. We've had a hard time of it lately."

His old friend, Lord Elrond, had told him the night before to wait for someone in Rivendell, but hadn't said who.

Since even he didn't know who it was, he couldn't very well tell Morgan.

"That works out perfectly. It's not every day I get to visit Rivendell. I should take the chance to explore it properly," Morgan said with a nod and a smile, sensing that Gandalf might have something on his mind and choosing not to press him.

"It really is a rare opportunity," Gandalf said with a smile, tapping out his pipe.

Just then, a rich aroma drifted over from the fire nearby.

Their first breakfast in Rivendell was ready.