The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 147 Taking Pictures of Theodore

High-quality paintings are often completed in the simplest way.

An hour later.

While completing a personal photo album for Theoton, Ino began to photograph the scenery with great interest, including the White Tower that holds the Crystal of Truth, the Hall of Regents in Gonzaga, and other buildings on the top floor.

You should know that without the Crown Prince of Rohan guiding him, he probably wouldn't have been able to even get up to the sixth level of the inner city, let alone take a picture.

Just as he was about to capture a photo of a swift flying above the White Pagoda, he heard a dissatisfied complaint from beside him.

"It's my turn! We agreed that each person gets one turn! You've already drawn twice in a row." Theodore looked a little annoyed.

"Alright, alright! You draw it!" Upon hearing this, he decisively stepped aside from the shooting position, because in that moment of distraction, the swift had already flown away without a trace.

Seeing Theoton squatting enthusiastically by the camera, Ino found it both amusing and deeply moving.

This future King of Rohan, a valiant ruler, was indeed accomplished. He managed to break free from the control of Saruman the White through sheer willpower, and although this was with Gandalf's help, it was something to be proud of for a mortal to do.

Not to mention that he kept his promise later on. Even after just experiencing a war, he still led the Rohan cavalry to support Gondor without hesitation, truly demonstrating what it means to lead from the front and die without regret.

But right now, he's just a playful young man in his early twenties, clutching his camera like a precious treasure, snapping photos here and there.

Seeing that Theoton was clearly past his allotted time and still wouldn't let go, Ino didn't bother to say anything. He took out a cream toffee from his pocket, and as soon as he unwrapped it, the candy in his hand vanished.

"I'll have one! We'll pay together later!" Theodore snatched the candy and stuffed it into his mouth, then nimbly ran to the camera.

It's a bit speechless, but that's normal.

During today's conversation, Ino also learned about Theoton's background, which, to put it bluntly, is all the fault of his ancestors.

Théoden's father and grandfather had a falling out, and in a fit of anger, Théoden fled to Rohan and settled in González, where he was treated with great courtesy by the then-regent of González.

Against this backdrop, in the year 2948 of the Third Age, which was seven years after the War of the Five Armies, Théoden was born in the White City.

It truly proves the saying: born here, raised here, finally led the army to support Gangze, and now rests here forever.

……

It was dusk, just as darkness was falling.

Lights were lit on the seven-tiered walls of Minastillis, twinkling like stars and bathing the entire city in a soft glow.

As night fell, Ino made it back to the third level of the outer city without incident before the inner city gates locked, and walked safely down the wide street.

Suddenly, he quickened his pace, almost jogging back to his stall.

On the empty street, a short old woman stood quietly at her stall, holding an oil lamp, while a thinner little girl nestled beside her.

"Aunt Julia!" Ino called softly, since shouting was not allowed at night in Saint White City.

"Brother Ino!" Before the old woman could respond, the little girl beside her ran over with her short legs.

He picked up the little girl and walked to the stall: "Why don't you go back? These things aren't worth much, and nobody cares about them."

"I'm not showing you anything, I'm just worried you won't be able to find your way back!" the old woman said, raising the old oil lamp in her hand.

"After all, you haven't been here long! With this, you can come back! Back then, Lily's father..."

"Let's go home! I'll give you candy! I made quite a bit of money today." Without hesitation, Ino interrupted the old woman.

Yes, he lived in the old woman's house for two silver coins a month, with room and board included.

"Okay, time for candy!" The little girl in her arms chimed in at just the right moment, which made the old woman laugh as well.

Although she was smiling, her mouth didn't stop making muttered complaints:

"All you do is eat! Do you know how hard it is to earn money? You don't even save any. How are you going to marry Lily in the future?"

……

night.

In a dilapidated room made of piled stones in the outer city on the third floor, Ino sat quietly in a chair, while opposite her were an old man and a young girl, two figures eating candy.

The house is small, perhaps less than 10 square meters. Although there is not much furniture, it is clean and orderly overall, and even the rough stone walls have been carefully polished.

Even though the room's furnishings were somewhat excessively simple, there were still several hand-painted oil paintings hanging on the walls. Although the colors were faded, one could still feel the stories and emotions depicted in the paintings.

"Aunt Julia, I might be leaving soon!"

The sudden sound stunned the old woman, who didn't even notice when her cherished candy fell to the ground, while Lily beside her looked like she was about to cry.

"Come with me! Take Lily with you, let's go to the homeland of the Hobbits, and settle down in the Shire."

Seeing that the old lady was in a bad mood, Ino quickly finished speaking in one breath.

Humans are not plants or trees, how can they be without feelings?

Today, upon seeing that guiding oil lamp, he made his decision. He would take the grandmother and grandson away from Minas Tirith, away from this future land of war.

The old woman may not have seen the war, but decades later, Lily was in the prime of her life.

When Sauron's orc army breaks into the city, how can any egg remain intact when the nest is overturned?

"Charles? Why do we suddenly have to leave?" The old woman didn't refuse immediately, but instead asked for the reason.

"Because I am a human wizard, I foresaw that this place would be ravaged by war in the future, so I want to take you away in advance."

Without any concealment, Ino drew her wand as she spoke, a small flame burning quietly at the tip.

This magical scene did not elicit any exclamations, because the grandfather and grandson opposite were gazing at the flames in a daze, as if they saw the beauty of the world in the flames, and the corners of their mouths unconsciously curved into a slight smile.

After a long while, a sigh of relief escaped:

"Lily and I will go with you! I believe in you, and they believe in you too!"

……

The Anduin River flows gently west of Minas Tirith, its waters clear and sparkling.

The Charles is also located to the west of Saint White City.

After crossing the river, Ino waved his wand, and through the power of Transfiguration, he transformed a boulder taller than a person into a small carriage, and then used the same method to create a dwarf horse to pull the carriage.

"This is amazing!" Lily exclaimed.

"There's something even more amazing! But you'll only see it when you get to the Shire. Now, behave and get in the car."

Ino ruffled the little girl's soft hair, picked her up and put her in the carriage, then helped the old woman onto the carriage.

(End of this chapter)