Chapter 4: A Knight's Proposal

The rapid sound of hoofbeats broke the tranquility of Hobbiton as twelve fully-armed men rode along the path.

"Are you sure this is the way, Carlos?" the young knight Roland asked, scolding his entourage.

"Yes, well, maybe... The country roads here are quite winding," Carlos, the dragon knight, hesitated.

"What's wrong with you? Are you out of your mind?" Roland couldn't hold back his frustration.

"Sorry, brothers, that wasn't meant for you," Roland quickly apologized to his men.

"Let's keep asking for directions. We need to find this blasted Bag End hole," Roland said, sullenly.

...

"Hi! Excuse me, friends, do you know where Bilbo Baggins lives?" Roland asked each passerby.

After several fruitless inquiries, Roland muttered, "Who said Hobbits are so friendly?"

"Hello, do you know Bilbo Baggins?" Roland asked a hobbit sitting in his yard.

"Baggins? Why are you looking for him?" the young hobbit asked, surprised.

"Uh, well, because a group of dwarves and a wizard will visit him soon, and I want to meet those dwarves," Roland explained.

"Okay, I am Bilbo Baggins. I don't know about any dwarves coming, but a wizard did visit today. He wants me to go on an adventure with him and even more absurdly, to be a burglar! I don't know how to fight at all!" Bilbo Baggins explained.

"Ah, this..." Roland was stunned. He glanced at Bilbo with sympathy.

"Mr. Baggins, see you tonight," Roland said with a smile.

"Um, sir, you mean you'll be my guest tonight?" Bilbo was surprised.

"Yes, you just need to prepare food for me. My entourage won't join. Oh, and my name is Roland," Roland smiled kindly.

"Okay, Sir Roland. I will be expecting you tonight."

...

"The Fetters of Destiny: Achieved! 90 apprentice knights will be rewarded! You can summon them at any time," the system announced.

"90 knights... plus these 10! A hundred apprentice knights, and the next knight order is complete," Roland thought with satisfaction.

Finding a corner to summon the knights, Roland hurriedly used the gold coins rewarded by the system to book a larger hotel for his entourage.

The crisp sound of horses' hooves arrived, and Roland marveled at the system's efficiency. These knights came from the wasteland, and no one knew they were summoned.

As the sky faded, Roland asked Carlos to arrange accommodations for the knights, while he prepared for the banquet.

...

"Ding ding ding!" Roland rang the doorbell of Bag End.

"Boom!" The door opened, and the aroma of food mixed with the sound of a chaotic party greeted him. The dwarves had already started their revelry.

Roland twitched the corners of his mouth at the mess. He hesitated but then saw Bilbo's frustrated gaze.

"Sir Roland, do you know what to order... and the food I prepared for you..." Bilbo said, embarrassed.

"It's alright, Bilbo," Roland comforted him and stepped inside.

He immediately recognized Gandalf. The robe and staff were unmistakable.

"Mr. Gandalf, hello!" Roland greeted.

"Should I call you Thorin Oakenshield or King Under the Mountain?" Roland asked, looking at the dwarf king.

Thorin stood, fists clenched, but Gandalf quickly intervened. "Thorin, calm down," he urged.

"Young man, I can't see through you..." Gandalf said, amazed.

Roland smiled noncommittally. "The blood of Durin, grandson of Thror, son of Thrain, can you still be called the King Under the Mountain?"

"Bang!" Thorin slammed the table, ready to fight, but his companions restrained him. His nephew, Kili, stood up. "Are you here to cause trouble, sir?"

The other dwarves looked at Roland warily, while Gandalf watched thoughtfully.

"Cause trouble? You don't deserve it. I just don't want to see the end of Durin's line," Roland said, knowing the future plot.

Roland sensed everyone present. Besides Thorin, a berserker, the others were apprentice warriors. This lineup was no match for Roland's knights.

"Enough! State your purpose!" Thorin demanded, stopping his men's accusations.

"Happy to. I am the head of the Holy Light Knights, seeking a territory to settle my knights. I need funds," Roland stated calmly.

"What? Knights?"

"My God! He has a knight order..."

The dwarves were shocked, and Gandalf's confusion deepened.

"Mr. Roland, this joke isn't funny. Do you know what constitutes a knight order?" Thorin asked solemnly.

"Of course. Mine is the weakest, with 100 apprentice knights and a knight commander," Roland said proudly.

"So... what do you propose?" Thorin's tone softened.

"I will lead my knights into battle, killing our way to the Mountain. You pay a commission, and if there are casualties, you cover pensions. If we fail to retake Erebor, you owe nothing," Roland's eyes burned with ambition.

"If you agree, I can call my entourage now," Roland continued.

Thorin pondered, and Gandalf whispered, "Promise him. The road is fraught with danger. A knight order's protection can ensure our safe arrival."

Thorin nodded. "Mr. Roland, I will draft the contract now."

As the dwarves prepared the contract, Roland noted it was even longer than Bilbo's initial contract. Finally, they signed it.

"Then, I wish our expedition a smooth journey," Roland said, pocketing the contract. He declined Bilbo's offer to stay and left.

"By the way, tomorrow morning, I will wait for you at the edge of the forest!" Roland called out.