The Boss Pays

Prancing Pony Inn!

The bustling hall was brightly lit with candles and filled with the noise of people. Travelers and townspeople alike gathered together, clinking glasses and making a lively scene, listening to adventurers boast and joining in the drinking.

Because of the sudden downpour, the hotel was packed today. Aragorn and Russell sat in a corner, next to a window at the table.

That's right, this table is reserved for the main character. You can't sit here if you don't have a strong destiny, or you'll be proven wrong.

"Aragorn, why aren't you eating?"

Russell shoveled the food from his plate into his mouth. Ever since he got the prescription, his appetite had increased day by day. Even though the food on the table wasn't to his liking, he still finished it all.

"No, I'm full just seeing you eat..." Aragorn stared speechlessly at the messy table. He wanted to eat, but what could he possibly eat?

Every time Russell reached out, he would just scoop up the plate and pour the contents into his mouth. After a few times, he didn't even touch the edge of the plate, but he filled his stomach with water.

"Did I eat too much?" Russell scratched his head, a sheepish smile on his face.

That's right, I've never seen anyone eat more than you!

While thinking this, Aragorn politely said, "It's alright, not too much! If you're still hungry, you can order some more. Don't be shy, it's just a meal, I can afford it."

Because of his mistake, Russell lost his memory, which also caused a slight decline in his intelligence, and Aragorn felt very guilty. So, as soon as he entered, he paid the bill and generously offered to treat everyone to the meal.

"I'm relieved to hear that..."

"What?"

"Boss, another table, please!"

Aragorn: "..."

The hotel owner arrived late. "I'm sorry, gentlemen, the money you just paid has already been... well, you understand what I mean, right?"

Aragorn and Russell, dressed like chivalrous knights, made the shopkeeper uneasy. He'd seen far too many shameless knights-errant in business. They'd be all righteous indignation before paying, thinking they were rich, but then cower like grovelers when it came time to pay, clueless about money, preferring a beating to paying promptly.

"Aragorn, if you can't do it, I will."

"Uh, what should we do..."

"What? You want to pay? Then I won't argue with you! Boss, let him settle the bill!"

"..."

Aragorn sighed, took out the money pouch, counted it carefully, and finally, with a look of exasperation, placed it in the shopkeeper's palm along with the money pouch.

Despite Aragorn being the son of a man-king and having an affair with the beautiful and wealthy daughter of an elven lord in Rivendell, all of that is just a facade.

His ancestors left him only a bad reputation, and as for the elves... a grown man like him couldn't bring himself to be a kept man, and since he never valued money, he was often short of cash.

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen!" The shopkeeper rummaged through his money pouch and realized he was short a little change. However, it was already quite rare for the wanderer to pay so readily, so he figured he could just let it go if he didn't give the change.

After the shopkeeper left, Russell's expression changed, and he said seriously, "Aragorn, are you out of money?"

You finally figured it out!

Aragorn nodded. Rangers were never short of money, but because they were so extravagant, they couldn't save any. He was different from other rangers; while others indulged in eating, drinking, and merrymaking, he helped the poor and would give alms to anyone he encountered who was in need.

Russell nodded vigorously. "Since you're out of money, I won't eat after that table finishes."

Aragorn: "..."

Soon the table was full of plates again. Russell continued to eat and drink heartily, while Aragorn remained gloomy. Ten minutes later, Russell wiped his mouth, still not quite satisfied. "The food was so-so, barely half full, but you're out of money, so that's it!"

Hearing such shameless words, Aragorn couldn't hold back any longer, but remembering that Russell had lost his memory because of him, he opened his mouth but couldn't say anything, "Buddy, if you're not full, you can order another table. I'm out of money, but you are!"

"No, I have amnesia. I've forgotten where I put my purse."

Aragorn swallowed back a mouthful of blood and reminded him, "Check your pockets, the money might be there."

What is a pocket?

Aragorn: "..."

Aragorn, his anger causing him internal injury, leaned against the window, took out his pipe and took a couple of puffs; he needed to calm down. Also, he felt he had encountered a quack; Russell hadn't lost his memory, but rather his sense of shame.

"Aragorn, what's wrong? You've been frowning all the time." Russell ordered a complimentary after-dinner beer.

"I have a friend who was supposed to meet someone here, but he has disappeared. I've come in his place..." Aragorn said worriedly, "His whereabouts are unknown, which is very unusual. I'm afraid he's been murdered."

What kind of friends?

"A Wizard named Gandalf..."

Aragorn stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, and the main door of the hall was pushed open, allowing four short humans to enter.

The Hobbits!

Hobbits have slightly pointed ears and are characterized by their small stature, averaging 1 meter in height. But unlike dwarfs and gnomes, they are a variant, or branch, of humans.

"It's them, the ones I arranged to meet with my friend," Aragorn said in a low voice, pulling up his hat brim as he composed himself.

Russell looked over and saw that the time, place, and people all matched. If he remembered correctly, the Hobbits Frodo among the four was the protagonist of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the One Ring was in his hands.

I wonder if I can resist the temptation of the One Ring?

Russell frowned in thought. He wouldn't mind giving it a try if the opportunity arose. Aragorn kept a close eye on the four Hobbits to confirm whether they were being followed.

At this point, the four Hobbits asked their innkeeper and learned that Gandalf had not been seen for some time. After discussing it, they decided to stay and wait for him.

The four were naive and inexperienced, unaware of the treacherous nature of people and the importance of keeping their wealth hidden. Indulging in their appetites, they ordered a lot of exquisite food, which naturally attracted the attention of those with ulterior motives.

Unlike Russell and Aragorn, who always inadvertently reveal the longsword at their waists!

"Aragorn, they're in trouble."

"Well, I'll find a chance to take them away..." Aragorn knew very well that Hobbits, apart from being fast and good at hiding, had virtually no fighting ability and were in a very bad situation.

The reason they weren't taken away immediately was because an opportunity was lacking. The four Hobbits knew Gandalf, but they had never met him before. Rushing up to him might arouse suspicion and scare them away.

"Aragorn, tell me honestly, why did you come in place of your friend? Is it because they're in trouble?" Russell raised an eyebrow.

Aragorn glanced at Russell and nodded slightly. "Yes, they are being hunted, and I must escort them to their destination."

Does your friend know the destination?

"Know!"

"OK, that makes things easier!"

Russell slammed his fist on the table, drew his longsword, and walked up to the four Hobbits. He slammed the sword down on the table and yelled, "You brats, come with me! Anyone who moves, I'll break their legs!"

Aragorn: "..."