With Boromir's farce over, Mike once again placed the One Ring back on the stone table.
Everyone looked at his calm demeanor as if he were a divine being.
Everyone already understood the power of the One Ring. Even those who didn't before, seeing Boromir's disheveled state, should now understand that the ring represented ill omens.
Mike's ability to calmly pick up and put down the ring clearly surpassed everyone's understanding.
"As expected of Dragon Slayer," Gimli, holding his broken axe, couldn't help but murmur in admiration.
Others had complex emotions in their eyes, including surprise, worship, and confusion, but ultimately chose silence.
In their opinion, Mike was undoubtedly very powerful and perfectly suited to be the Ring-bearer, to destroy the ring in Mount Doom.
However, on the other hand, if such a powerful Mike were to be corrupted by the One Ring, the consequences would be unimaginable.
One slip-up, and Middle-earth would see a "Demon Lord" even more powerful than Sauron.
Therefore, to be safe, a powerful being like Mike was better kept on the front lines resisting the dark forces.
As for the task of escorting the ring to Mount Doom, it was best left to the "insignificant" Hobbits.
In any case, no matter what others thought, Gandalf already had a complete plan in his mind.
So, after shifting his gaze from Mike, Gandalf spoke, "I still propose that Frodo lead the formation of the Fellowship of the Ring."
Queen Galadriel and Elrond needed time to gather their people to evacuate Middle-earth, so they had no opinion on who would be the Ring-bearer.
Therefore, no one spoke up to refute Gandalf.
As for Aragorn and the others, they had even less objection to Gandalf's proposal.
Only Gimli the Dwarf seemed to have something to say.
But in the end, he chose to keep quiet.
He was just straightforward, not truly foolish. Since Mike hadn't actively taken on the task, he must have had his own considerations.
Therefore, Gimli didn't cause any further trouble.
Immediately after, under Gandalf's guidance, the Fellowship of the Ring was officially formed. Besides Frodo, the Ring-bearer, Pippin, Merry, Sam, Gimli, as well as Aragorn, Legolas, and Boromir all joined the team.
As for Queen Galadriel and Elrond, they needed to organize their people's retreat, so they did not participate in escorting the ring.
Mike, on the other hand, had to return to command the Lonely Mountain allied forces, so naturally, he also did not join the Fellowship of the Ring.
...
"Are you leaving?" After the council concluded, Princess Arwen immediately sought out Mike.
"Yes, Lonely Mountain needs me to return and oversee it," Mike said, looking at the reluctant Elf Princess. "If you wish, I can take you with me to Lonely Mountain."
During this time, after the Elf Princess expressed her feelings, their relationship had developed rapidly.
Except for the final barrier not being broken, everything that should and shouldn't be done had been done.
"I..." At one point, Arwen really wanted to abandon everything and leave with Mike, but in the end, she held back her emotions and said, "I need some time to calm down."
The current situation of the Elves was not optimistic.
Although Queen Galadriel respected her granddaughter's choice, she had also pointed out the pros and cons to Arwen.
If the Elf Princess chose to remain in Middle-earth for Mike, in addition to facing aging, she would also be separated from her relatives.
On one side were family and eternal life, and on the other was love; it was indeed a difficult choice.
"It's alright, Lonely Mountain will always welcome you," Mike said, giving his promise after hugging the girl.
Although Mike was a womanizer, once the relationship was established, he still had the responsibility he should have.
After spending some more time with the girl, Mike opened a spatial gate and returned to Lonely Mountain.
"Mike, you're finally back!" Sophia, who had been guarding Lonely Mountain, immediately came forward to greet Mike upon his return.
Warm jade in his arms...
Mike gently patted her back and asked, "Is there a problem with Lonely Mountain?"
"No, not at all. Two siblings from Rohan have come and want to see you," Sophia replied.
During this time, Lonely Mountain had indeed experienced more harassment from Mordor's forces, but it could still cope for now.
However, the news brought by the two siblings from Rohan was not good.
The human defense line formed by Gondor and Rohan could be said to be the first barrier in Middle-earth against the dark forces of Mordor.
However, Rohan seemed to be having some problems now.
This was not good news for everyone in the light faction of Middle-earth.
"Respected Lord of Lonely Mountain, I am Éomer, nephew of King King Théoden of Rohan. I suspect my uncle, the King of Rohan, has now been controlled by dark forces, so I would like to ask for your help for Rohan..."
Soon, the siblings Éomer and Éowyn were brought to the Lonely Mountain Great Hall.
Upon seeing Mike, the legendary lord, Éomer immediately bowed and stated his purpose.
"I... I am Éowyn, respected Mr. Mike, please save Rohan!" Éowyn, after staring blankly for a while upon seeing Mike's true appearance, also stated her purpose.
To the people of Rohan, Mike, who had helped Rohan sixty years ago, was a legendary figure.
Sixty years had passed, and even King Théoden, who was a child back then, was now old and frail.
Therefore, in Éowyn's imagination, Mike should have been the image of a highly respected elder.
However, upon seeing him in person, she discovered that he was so young and handsome.
Compared to his sister's "infatuated" look, Éomer was also surprised by Mike's appearance, but he didn't show it as obviously.
"Tell me the specifics?" Mike, sitting on the throne in the great hall, took in the expressions of both siblings.
"It's like this: as the Orc army is now stirring against Rohan, it's precisely at this time that King King Théoden suddenly changed his temperament, becoming negligent in state affairs and only caring for pleasure, even handing the country over to the treacherous minister Gríma to manage..." Éomer recounted the current situation within Rohan.
Roughly, it was that the king was senile, Orcs were rampant, and the people of Rohan were suffering greatly.
This situation was somewhat similar to Rohan under the incompetent King Fengel sixty years ago.
"I've pretty much understood the situation. If nothing unexpected happens, King Théoden should have been corrupted by dark forces, otherwise, he wouldn't have made so many absurd decisions..." Mike pondered for a moment and then said, "How about this, I'll personally go see King Théoden and find out exactly what's going on."
King Théoden's life was traceable; he was an excellent king.
Logically, such a resourceful king would not become as senile as he is now simply due to old age.
Excluding all possibilities, then only dark forces can be blamed.
Furthermore, Mike also had some historical ties with Rohan, and everyone belonged to the light faction.
Under these circumstances, Mike didn't mind helping Rohan one more time.
"That's wonderful, Mr. Mike. The people of Rohan will forever remember your kindness!" Seeing Mike's willingness to help, Éomer's face showed an expression of pleasant surprise.
Although he didn't know how Mike intended to help Rohan, Éomer knew that as long as the Lord of Lonely Mountain was willing, Rohan still had hope.
"There's no need for thanks." Time was pressing, so Mike naturally didn't want to be overly polite. He then said, "Both of you, come over."
So, without understanding why, the siblings saw the Lord of Lonely Mountain wave his hand, and a shimmering, white-glowing ethereal gate appeared before them.
Looking through the gate, they could clearly see Edoras, the capital of Rohan.
"This..."
The siblings Éomer and Éowyn, who had never witnessed such a magical scene, were astonished by the sight before them.
"Don't just stand there, follow me," Mike said, stepping into the spatial gate.
The siblings exchanged a glance and quickly followed.
For them, this was not a bad thing; the stronger Mike's displayed abilities, the greater the chance that Rohan would be saved.