Chapter 274 The News Brought by the Gray-robed Wizard
A rope was thrown down from the walls of Erebor, and Aaron and Bilbo descended it one after another to the outside of the city.
The two walked along the main road to Riverrun, and neither humans nor Elves stopped them. They were busy organizing their weapons or practicing combat, the entire city was almost fully mobilized for war.
Alfred walked out of a dilapidated house, and upon seeing the two, he walked over impatiently, "You actually still have the guts to come here."
"We are here to negotiate with Bard," Bilbo explained their purpose.
Alfred immediately showed a mocking smile, "Do you think you are qualified to negotiate now?
You only have a dozen people, you can't guard those gold coins at all. You should surrender early and give up Erebor."
"I hate lackeys," Aaron rolled his eyes, then drew his magicwand and pointed it at Alfred, "I'll only ask once, where is Bard?"
Alfred looked at the magic wand, and backed away a few steps nervously, "I, I'll take you there."
"Wouldn't it have been easier to just do that earlier?" Aaronsaid disdainfully.
Alfred cursed inwardly, but still led them to a large tent, "My Lord, they wish to see you."
"My Lord?" Aaron raised an eyebrow at Bard, "Did he get a promotion?"
"The people elected me. It's an appointment in a time of crisis!"
"Understood, but this fellow, if you don't have to use him, then don't," Aaron said, pointing at Alfred, "He serves no purpose other than bullying others and damaging your image."
Alfred:... Bard gave an awkward smile, dismissed Alfred, and then looked at the two seriously, "Has Thorin Oakenshieldchanged his mind?"
"He won't," Thranduil walked into the tent, "Oakenshieldwon't part with those gold coins."
"That was the original plan," Bilbo nodded, "but we successfully persuaded him. Aaron offered his reward from this expedition to fulfill the King's promise. One-fifteenth of the treasure is enough to rebuild Lake-town and even Riverrun."
"Is what you're saying true?" Bard was overjoyed. If it weren't absolutely necessary, he wouldn't plan to start a war. After all, the people of Lake-town could only muster a few hundred fighters, which couldn't withstand any losses.
"This is quite surprising to me," Thranduil sat in a chair and asked curiously, "How did you persuade such a stubborn Dwarf?"
"By appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him," Aaron said earnestly, but seeing Thranduil's teasing gaze, he couldn't help but add, "The most important thing is... sincerity."
Hearing this, a few black lines appeared on Thranduil's perpetually cold face.
At least look at the person you're being perfunctory with. Did he really think Thranduil didn't know what kind of person Thorin was?
However, the King's composure still calmed him down, and he didn't directly curse, only sneered, "That's truly incredible."
"Dwarves may be stubborn, ignorant, difficult, suspicious, and secretive," Bilbo shook his head with a wry smile, "They have many bad habits that ordinary people can't imagine, but they are brave, kind, and have a loyal heart.
Gandalf was right; you'll grow to like them once you get used to them."
"Can you tell me why you're doing this?" Bard looked at Aaron in confusion, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to kill Smaug alone. You have great kindness towards the people of Lake-town; you owe us nothing."
"Actually, I owe you a promise," Aaron spread his hands, "The promise Thorin made was spoken under my guidance, and I have a certain responsibility to make him fulfill it."
"Thank you, truly, thank you very much."
"It's too early to say thank you," Thranduil interjected, "How will Thorin send out the gold? Will he open the city gates?"
"He won't open the city gates.
But I will use magic to bring the gold out. Bard, you just need to bring carriages to move it."
"Alright," Bard smiled and nodded, then looked at Thranduilsomewhat awkwardly, "King Thranduil, I may have to apologize.
If the King Under the Mountain is willing to keep his promise, then I have no reason to lead the people of Lake-town to attack the city."
"Say no more, I understand," Thranduil waved his hand, "Elves will not give up because humans give up. You only need to remain neutral."
Bard sighed slightly, feeling inexplicably that he was being a bit ungrateful.
When the people of Lake-town were most in need of food and clothing, the Elves provided them with aid, bringing enough supplies for them to live. But now, they were withdrawing from the alliance.
Although there was a valid reason, it felt a bit indefensible in terms of sentiment.
"Aaron, Bilbo," Bard looked at the two seriously, "I wonder what price we must pay to obtain the White Gem?
If the King Under the Mountain is willing, we can ask for half the gold."
Thranduil's pupils widened slightly, feeling a sense of relief.
Humans still knew how to repay kindness. Regardless of the outcome, Bard's actions had not disappointed the Elves.
Aaron and Bilbo, however, exchanged glances. Given Thorin's prejudice against the Elves, let alone asking for less gold, he wouldn't care if you gave him an entire mountain of gold.
"This... it's not just difficult, it's extremely difficult," Bilbosaid, "The Elves' inaction in their time of need has left a deep thorn in Thorin's heart."
"It was the Dwarves who were first unjust," Thranduil said dismissively, "They took our nation's treasure and have no intention of returning it.
Now I just want my own things back. Is that wrong?"
"No, it's perfectly justified," Aaron said, then changed the subject, "But the timing is not right."
"Is that so? I think there's no better time than now.
The Dwarves have no retreat, and the Elves can reclaim their national treasure with the least cost." Thranduil spoke righteously, then looked at Aaron and Bilbo, "I also don't want to wage war. This might allow others to exploit the situation, but I cannot miss this opportunity.
You can try to persuade Thorin. As long as he returns the White Gem to us, I will immediately withdraw my troops, and the Elves can also re-ally with the Dwarves."
"King Thranduil," Aaron pursed his lips, "I must admit you are very rational, but you may have misunderstood my meaning."
"What did you say?"
"This is our main purpose for coming here..." Aaron was about to explain when he was interrupted by a voice from outside.
"Pointy-hat, I'm talking to you!
No idlers, beggars, or vagrants are allowed to wander here. We have enough trouble without you.
Now go! Get on your horse?"
"Who's in charge here?"
Aaron and Bilbo exchanged glances. They could tell the first sentence was spoken by Alfred, his tone extremely arrogant, and the latter sentence was asked by their old acquaintance.
"Gandalf?" Bilbo murmured, "He's back."
"Heh heh! He's certainly back at a timely moment," Aaronsaid, quite speechless.
Gandalf was nowhere to be seen when the dozen of them risked their lives fighting Smaug, offering no help at all.
Now that the Dragon was slain and everything had settled, he knew to return to make his presence known.
If it weren't for knowing that Gandalf's departure might be related to the peace of Middle-earth, Aaron would have every reason to suspect that this was a cowardly old scoundrel shamelessly coming to share in the spoils of victory.
Bilbo gave a wry smile, opened the tent, and waved to Gandalf, "Gandalf, we're here."
Upon seeing Bilbo, Gandalf's expression softened a little. He disdainfully shook off Alfred and entered the tent.
Aaron had originally intended to scold Gandalf thoroughly, but seeing his face covered in blood, the words caught in his throat, "What happened to your injuries?"
"It's a long story."
"Then make it short."
"I went to the tomb of the Witch-king of Angmar, which was completely excavated. The real clue points to Dol Guldur..."
"You mean Dol Guldur?" Aaron interrupted him, playfully, "Let me guess, did you see the Necromancer there?"
"Yes!" Gandalf nodded, then asked in confusion, "How did you know?"
"Smaug told me. The Necromancer is recuperating in Dol Guldur," Aaron chuckled, "Don't tell me you went alone?"
Gandalf froze for a moment, opening his mouth as if to speak but then hesitating.
"Ha! It seems I guessed correctly.
Gandalf, are you an idiot? Or has the peace of Middle-earthlowered your IQ?
The fact that Radagast could bring the Morgul-blade out of there is enough to indicate it was a trap, and you stupid went straight into it."
"I did have my suspicions, but some things can only be clarified by putting oneself in danger."
Aaron:... "Are you sure you weren't just walking into a tiger's den?"
"I just didn't expect things to be much more serious than I thought," Gandalf said with lingering fear, "If Saruman, King Elrond, and Queen Galadriel hadn't arrived in time, I might have lost my life there."
"That's because you're stupid," Aaron said scornfully, "Don't you know the saying, 'A wise man does not stand under a tottering wall'?
If I were you, I would have called Saruman, King Elrond, Queen Galadriel, and Radagast all together. No matter how powerful a Necromancer he is, facing a righteous ganging up, he would only have to flee."
Gandalf was speechless, filled with immense regret.
He had thought that going alone, though dangerous, would allow him to escape unscathed, especially since Radagasthad successfully escaped. He was stronger than Radagast, so there was no reason he couldn't escape.
But he never expected to encounter 'hell mode,' with the ultimate BOSS Sauron personally taking action against him, and even using him as bait to lure others to their rescue.
If Queen Galadriel hadn't expended a huge amount of magic and used the Ring of Water to repel Sauron, they might all have been annihilated.
However, despite suffering greatly, it wasn't without any gains. At least he learned of Sauron's objective and his upcoming operational deployment.
Thinking of this, Gandalf looked at Thranduil seriously, "King Thranduil, your grievances with the Dwarves must be put aside for now. War is about to begin.
The Orcs of Dol Guldur have launched a full-scale attack. You face utter destruction."