Chapter 573: The Arrival of the Fellowship and Hancock's Composure
The sudden, resonant timbre of the aged voice caught everyone in the dining room off guard. Ren paused, a familiar sense of deep wisdom washing over him. For a fleeting second, he was reminded of Dumbledore; the sheer magical weight carried in that single sentence felt entirely on par with the legendary headmaster.
Hancock blinked in surprise. She had no idea what kind of elderly figure had just arrived, but her sharp instincts told her that not a single guest who crossed the threshold of Ren's restaurant was ordinary.
Footsteps echoed lightly against the floorboards. A man stepped into the warm glow of the room, his medium-long hair swept back, dressed in crisp, neatly tailored garments that still carried the faint, rugged air of a king who had fought for his throne. Lucifer and Ren both stared in pleasant surprise.
Aragorn stood at the doorway, his gaze finding Ren across the room. A gentle, weary, yet triumphant smile touched his features. "My friend," he greeted, his voice rich and steady. "We meet again."
Riven tilted her head, her brow furrowing slightly. "Ren, you know him?"
Ren chuckled, stepping out from behind the counter to close the distance. As the two men stood face-to-face, the contrasting yet equally striking auras of the casual restaurant owner and the newly crowned King of Gondor made for a remarkably picturesque scene.
"Congratulations, Aragorn," Ren said, extending a hand.
Aragorn clasped it warmly. "The congratulations belong to all of us, my friend. It looks like you've brought some new guests with you this time."
"Indeed."
Two more figures crossed the threshold, their attire just as immaculate. One possessed an ethereal, flawless beauty with sharp, observant eyes, while the other was stout, heavily bearded, and unapologetically rugged. Legolas and Gimli had arrived.
Legolas stared blankly at the gleaming modern interior, his elven senses trying to process the strange environment. After a long, stunned silence, he murmured, "Unbelievable... to think such a place actually exists. You must be the store manager who aided us, correct?"
Ren smiled. "Let me guess. You're the vegetarian of the group."
"I suppose I am," the elf replied with a polite bow of his head. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Legolas."
"Ren."
Gimli peered around, his hands resting on his hips as he let out a booming laugh. "By Durin's beard, this is far more beautiful than the grand banquet halls of Gondor! And I am not exaggerating in the slightest. A pleasure to meet you, lad. I'm Gimli."
Ren nodded in greeting. Before he could reply, a towering figure draped in pristine white robes stepped through the door. Gandalf halted the moment his boots touched the polished floor, letting out a loud gasp of pure wonder.
"Oh! Incredible, simply incredible! By what magic is this room so brilliantly illuminated?"
Aragorn chuckled, gesturing to the modern fixtures. "What do you think of this place, Gandalf?"
The wizard's keen eyes darted everywhere—taking in the spotless environment, the faint, soothing fragrance of fresh flowers, and the glowing electric bulbs overhead. The tables and chairs were flawlessly crafted, and the floor beneath his feet was smooth, a far cry from the dirt and cobblestones of Middle-earth.
"A miracle," Gandalf breathed, leaning slightly on his staff. "I can find no other words for it. You must be the master of this establishment?"
Ren nodded in affirmation.
Gandalf offered a deep, respectful smile. "To witness the shape of another world, and to meet a human from beyond our stars... I am deeply honored. I am Gandalf."
"Welcome," Ren said warmly. "It looks like it's just the four of you today."
"Indeed," Aragorn said, his shoulders relaxing. "But this time, we are in no rush."
Legolas and Gimli shared a knowing smile.
"Then please, make yourselves at home. Find a comfortable place to sit," Ren offered.
The Fellowship didn't stand on ceremony. They claimed a nearby table, and the moment Gimli hoisted himself into a chair, he let out a satisfied grunt. "Hahaha! Sitting in this strange contraption is vastly more comfortable than it looks!"
Gandalf nodded in agreement, running a hand over the smooth wood of the table.
"What would you like to eat?" Ren asked, pulling out a notepad. "Last time, I only provided convenient takeout for your journey. But since you are dining in today, we can arrange a proper, formal feast."
Aragorn deferred to their host. "We trust your judgment, my friend. You may decide the order. Though, as you noted, we do have a vegetarian among us."
Legolas chimed in, a faint smile playing on his lips. "There is no need to be overly cautious. Have you forgotten? Elves also partake in the hunt, provided the meat is not overly greasy or dripping with blood."
"That makes things much easier," Ren noted, jotting down a few lines. "I'll prepare a balanced spread of meat and vegetable dishes. What about drinks? And dessert?"
"Do you serve wine here?" Legolas asked. "Or perhaps a fruit wine?"
"Naturally. Would you prefer it chilled?"
"Chilled?" the elf repeated, unfamiliar with the concept.
"It makes the flavor much more refreshing," Ren explained.
"Then I shall trouble you for that."
Gimli slammed a heavy hand on the table. "What more needs to be said? Bring out your strongest, finest ale or wine! You wouldn't dare serve us water, would you?"
Aragorn shook his head in amusement. "Certainly not. I will have wine as well. And you, Gandalf?"
"I find myself leaning toward a good vintage too," the wizard agreed.
Gimli rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh, you lot are entirely too refined... But as long as no one is drinking water, I suppose I can tolerate it. As for dessert? Does bread soaked in honey count?"
Legolas suggested something akin to a berry jam.
Ren laughed, snapping his notepad shut. "Alright, it seems I should take the reins on the dessert menu as well. Please wait just a moment."
Aragorn nodded his thanks. As soon as Ren disappeared into the kitchen, Gandalf shook his head in lingering disbelief. "I must admit, I harbored my doubts, but seeing is believing. I have often pondered the nature of other realms, yet this... this is immeasurably grander than anything my mind could conjure."
Legolas swept his gaze over the soft lighting. "Agreed. It possesses a beauty beyond imagination, and there is a deep warmth to it."
Aragorn leaned back, a wistful look crossing his face. "This is why we fought. I hope that in this new era... the Age of Men... there will come a day when every family's hearth and home can be as peaceful and welcoming as this place."
The others nodded in solemn agreement, a deep sense of relief settling in Gandalf's ancient eyes.
From the neighboring table, Lucifer swirled the dark liquid in her glass and offered a polite, aristocratic smile. "Congratulations to humanity on their final victory, Aragorn."
Aragorn bowed his head slightly. "You have my thanks for the kind words, madam..."
Lucifer waved a slender hand dismissively. "While I am quite pleased you address me as 'madam,' allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Lucifer, one of Ren's lovers, and the Queen of Hell."
"What?!"
The four heroes of Middle-earth blurted out in unison, their relaxed postures instantly stiffening.
Gandalf gripped his staff, his eyes wide. "Hell?! Is it the Hell I am currently picturing?!"
Lucifer let out a soft, amused sigh and took a moment to explain the cosmic differences between their respective realms. By the time she finished, the four men visibly slumped, exhaling heavy sighs of relief.
Gandalf wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. "I had always believed Hell to be a fiery pit crawling with malevolent spirits. I certainly did not expect it to look... quite like this."
"The Hells across different dimensions are vastly different," a tired, professional voice chimed in. Pandemonica adjusted her glasses, her tone flat. "At the very least, our branch of the underworld operates nothing like yours."
"And you are?" Aragorn asked cautiously.
"Pandemonica. Another of Ren's lovers, and the customer service representative of Hell. In your mortal terminology, I am the receptionist."
The four men nodded slowly, still processing the sheer absurdity of the situation. Riven offered a polite wave and introduced herself as well, though she modestly omitted any mention of being a lover.
Hancock, however, refused to be outdone. The Pirate Empress immediately shot up from her seat, raising a hand high. "This Empress is also Mr. Ren's woman!"
Pandemonica's brow twitched. Her hand began to rise, a sharp retort resting on her tongue, but Hancock instantly snapped her head around, fixing the demon with a terrifying, domineering glare.
The sheer weight of the Empress's gaze forced Pandemonica to reconsider. With a quiet click of her tongue, the tired demon slowly lowered her hand.
Hancock offered a triumphant, radiant smile. For now, she would play it safe and maintain her regal composure—saving her true affectionate outbursts for the exact moment Ren walked back out of the kitchen.
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