Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 1037 1019. River Daughter’s Asylum
"please forgive."

Tom Bombadil, who was walking merrily ahead and leading the way, repeated it again.

"Excuse me, my guest from afar."

This forest does not look 'friendly', with many shadows cast by tree branches covering the path, and most of these trees have twisted and proliferated wood burrs.

Just like the old willow tree, after looking at it for a long time, these wood tumors seem to have the outline of a human face. He was looking down at the people passing by on the path.

But Lan En only looked left and right occasionally. On the contrary, Qilin and Linbuqiu, who were following behind, seemed to be looking at the surrounding trees with great vigilance because of the old willow tree.

As if afraid that there would be another branch that looked like a living thing, it whipped it suddenly and violently.

"No, Old Tom." Lan En said softly, "What do you want me to forgive you for? I don't quite understand."

"Ah" Tom Bombadil smiled a little awkwardly, raised his hand and scratched his forehead under the brim of his pointed hat.

"Excuse me, I brought you here, but when I went out to pick you up, I was enjoying the flowers and grass on the road and completely forgot about the main business."

Walking with Tom Bombadil, no one would probably feel awkward or reserved. Although Lan En and he had only known each other for a few minutes, their conversation was natural and comfortable, without forcing the topic or worrying about the atmosphere. feeling of fatigue.

Old Tom said apologetically.

If he told Lan En that he forgot about business because he was admiring the scenery, Lan En would probably not believe it.

"It's just a matter of name." Lan En shrugged indifferently. This simple action made Tom laugh again.

"You call this phenomenon [the convergence of the celestial sphere]? Ah, this is actually not very accurate. After all, the world was not spherical as it is now many years ago, but the sky was round and the square was square!"

As we walked, the slope of the path began to rise, and the sound of gurgling water entered our ears.

And 'I brought you here'?
"Tom, you mean you modified the connection point where the celestial sphere meets the rift?"

All the 'unfriendliness' they had felt in the woods before disappeared. The forest had come to an end, and they stepped onto a circle of green grass.

But strangely, following Old Tom, Lan actually felt that this statement was not inconsistent.

This man had a unique temperament that made Lan En feel relaxed and happy.

If faced with ordinary aborigines, Lan En would most likely say that he 'comes from some distant country', which is quite effective most of the time.

The lady in the lake said that she had made friends in this world, probably a very long time ago.

This was one of the reasons why Lan told Tom the truth directly.

But this at least shows that this world is not absolutely hostile to visitors from outside the world.

Tom raised the brim of his hat and turned his head back, showing Lan En a kind and happy smile.

The meandering river became turbulent here, seeming to welcome their arrival with a smile.

The little old man walked briskly and happily in front of the tall demon hunter, as if just walking made him feel happy.

"I call it 'Little Waves of the Void'."

If in the Magical Middle Ages, an old man could dispel the thunder clouds summoned by Qilin without making a sound, and beat an ancient tree man with a wooden stick until it looked like his erring grandson.

If someone made his words so clear, Lan En was no longer prepared to be careless.

On the other hand, Qilin and Flanbuqiu kept observing their surroundings, looking a little tired.

Lan En took a step forward and stepped onto the grass at Tom's warm invitation. The grass is soft and neat, and must be taken care of regularly.

The path was now a lovely stone path, leading all the way to the top of a dome, and then up and down the top of the dome to a warm light.

Tom was warm and attentive, as hospitable a host could be.

He led the witcher, the ancient dragon, and the Elle cat to where the light was, which was Tom Bombadil's home.

As soon as they stepped onto the stone path, a crisp and beautiful song came over them. The beauty of the song was almost like gurgling water.

"Ah! Goldberry is also welcoming you, guests! Come quickly!"

Singing, even though they had only arrived in this world a few hours ago, Lan En and the others had already heard three pieces of singing.

Old Willow relied on singing to unleash illusions and confuse people. Tom always sang cheerfully, and now it was a beautiful voice.

They walked across the path, and Flannel Ball and Lan entered the house at Tom's invitation.

Qilin was not led to the stable. Old Tom opened the window of the living room and prepared a thick and comfortable cushion for Qilin by the window.

This is extremely meticulous care.

Velvet Ball stood in the hall and looked up curiously, while Lan En had to lower his head slightly to avoid looking directly at the oil lamp hanging on the ceiling.

This is a long, low room, with oil lamps and candles on the table emitting warm light.

At the other end of the room, a woman was sitting on a chair facing the door.

She has shiny golden shoulder-length hair, and a green dress dotted with silver threads that sparkle like dewdrops. At her feet were many clay pots with beautiful and fragrant lotus flowers floating in them.

Lan En and Velvet Ball almost felt like she was floating in the lotus pond.

"Come in quickly, my good guest!"

As soon as she spoke, her voice matched the touching singing voice before. "Hello, beautiful lady."

Lan En bowed slightly forward and saluted.

But he performed perfectly, and the flannel ball was not so good.

The kitten was at a loss and meowed softly, looking at its boss as if asking for help.

It felt that it was simply clumsy now. Originally, it thought it was going to a simple forest hut to ask for some water, but as a result, the door opened, and what came out to greet was a figure like the Queen of Elf.

But before the velvet ball almost stretched out its claws from the flesh ball in embarrassment, the hostess lightly stepped over the water basin at her feet and walked towards them. Her skirt followed her steps and blew in the breeze across the river. Music as sweet as a flower bed.

She first raised her head and smiled at Lan En, then squatted down and held the two front paws of the flannel ball.

"You're welcome." She held the flannel ball and brought the helpless kitten to the dining table. Qilin's big head happened to stick out from the window next to it.

"I am the River Daughter, Goldberry."

Jinberry looked at Qilin and Velvet Ball.

"It seems that you are still wary of the xenophobic wild creatures outside? Don't worry, because this place is under the protection of Tom Bombadil!"

She declared this with a sense of matter-of-factness in her tone.

'River Daughter' and 'Shelter'. These two unusual words made Lan En understand something in his heart.

"Sit down! Sit down, everyone! Let us greet you!"

Tom shouted enthusiastically, and at the same time he and Goldberry began to rush in and out. It's just that Jinberry's movements are always as graceful as dance, and can even make those watching feel an auditory hallucination with a soundtrack.

But Old Tom was much more lively and unrestrained. And it is undeniable that the two of them always match each other even though their styles are different.

Qilin also put his head in the window and looked at it curiously. Its hooves thumped on the wooden floor outside.

Then he raised his head, and the Qilin's horns hit the window frame, making a 'bang' sound, and Qilin himself screamed in surprise.

"Oh, it seems that this friend is still a little uncomfortable outside. Come on, let Old Tom adjust."

With that said, Tom ran out on his short legs, mumbling and singing a ditty as he walked.

"Old Tom is a happy guy~He is wearing a light blue coat~The yellow boots are warm~"

"Ms. Goldberry, please forgive my foolish question."

Lan En looked away from the back of the short old man who had just left the house, and after considering the address, he spoke cautiously.

Jinberry placed the plates on the polished black wooden table and looked at Lan En with a smile.

"I have a general idea in my mind, but I still want to confirm it with you."

Lan En pushed the silver hair that fell in front of his eyes behind his ears. Jinberry looked at his face with eyes of praise and appreciation.

The witcher asked seriously with a smile.

"Tom Bombadil, who is this person named?"

"That's him." Jin Berry still maintained an elegant smile and movements. "The man you look at as he walks out the door. The owner of the woods, the water, and the hills."

"Then the above-mentioned 'forests, rivers and hills' and the entire land belong to him?"

"Of course not, dear guest."

The smile on Jinberry's face gradually faded. This was the first time since they met.

"That is too heavy a burden. All creatures born and raised here have autonomous rights. Tom Bombadil is just the master. No force can interfere with him. He is just the master."

"That description seems a little too poetic."

As Lan En spoke, he took the silver tableware handed over by Jinberry and helped arrange the flannel balls next to him.

"It's good for poetry, but for self-introduction, please forgive me, I can't quite understand it."

"Then why don't you ask him yourself? He must know everything about you."

Jinberry smiled kindly.

"Yeah! Why don't you just ask me?"

Old Tom opened the door with a creak and his short figure walked in with a high head.

"And what's wrong with poetry? Poetry and music, I say, there is nothing more uplifting in the world!"

"Goldenberry! Are we ready for dinner? Is the table covered with yellow cheese, pure honey, white bread, and fresh cream?"

"Of course, everything is ready."

Goldberry pulled out a chair for Tom, and Old Tom was not polite. He jumped on it, turned his head and turned behind him, and smiled gratefully at Goldberry.

"Then eat and drink, guests. Eat, drink, chat, and get to know each other. Ha! I haven't seen the guests for a long time!"

(End of this chapter)