Chapter 276 The Worst-Case Plan, Gandalf's Request
Aaron was a bit bewildered. What was happening? Was the Woodland King extending an olive branch to him?
The elves' friendship was right before him, but after a moment of hesitation, Aaron still shook his head, "Thank you for your regard, but Thorin and his companions are my friends."
"Legolas can be your friend too." Thranduil smiled, "His temperament is a million times better than those stubborn dwarves; you two will surely get along."
Aaron:...Are you really shameless enough to say that? Who was it that personally locked us in the dungeon?
Pfft!
An ill-timed laugh rang out in the great tent. Billbo blinked, a little embarrassed.
"Uh... many people appreciate him: dwarves, Smaug, humans, and now elves."
"Wait." Gandalf asked in surprise, "Did you say Smaug?"
"When Smaug was in Erebor, he proposed to cooperate with Aaron, and they could create an unprecedentedly vast kingdom, but he refused it."
As his words fell, the human representative, the Elven King, and the Grey Wizard in the tent all looked at Aaron in astonishment, not understanding what magic this child possessed to earn the favor of a dragon.
"Haha, don't look at me like that, it's a bit embarrassing." Aaron said sheepishly, "I'm just an ordinary Wizard, I just know a little bit of Dragon Tongue."
"Who exactly are you?" Bard asked curiously, "Your abilities and age don't match at all."
"Do you really want to know?"
Bard nodded blankly, and everyone else's curiosity was piqued.
"Alright, since you've asked so sincerely, I'll reluctantly tell you." Aaron cleared his throat, puffed out his chest, and said, "I am the sole heir of the Gaius family, and the most outstanding one in a hundred years. Both my father and grandfather unanimously believe I will restore the family's glory, and in fact, I am doing just that now."
Everyone:...He seemed to say something, but also seemed to say nothing at all.
"Let's get back to the point!" Gandalf broke the inexplicable atmosphere in the great tent, "King Thranduil, three days will prove everything."
"But if I don't get what I want, then it can only come to war." Thranduil said, "The elves' wrath will be no less than the dwarves', and I hope you, especially a certain person, do not disappoint me."
"Certainly not." Gandalf promised, "We must go to Erebor and have Thorin inform Dain; he has an even more volatile temper, and it would be disastrous if he couldn't control the Ironfoot army."
"Wait." Aaron stopped him, his expression turning somewhat solemn, "I overlooked a problem. The orcs will arrive at the Lonely Mountain in two days at the latest, but what about the earliest?"
"Then our time is even shorter. If they march quickly, the enemy might arrive tomorrow."
"What time tomorrow?" Aaron pressed, "Morning, noon, or evening?"
Gandalf frowned deeply, pondering, "If nothing unexpected happens, it should be noon."
"And if something unexpected happens?" Aaron looked nervously at the slowly setting sun outside, "This is war; intelligence errors can be deadly. We must prepare for the worst."
Gandalf paused, then after a long moment of thought, said with a hint of urgency, "Dawn. At the fastest, the orc army will be at the city gates by tomorrow's dawn."
"That fast?" Billbo expressed his disbelief. They hadn't even had time to prepare, and the enemy's army was already coming.
"That fast." Gandalf said anxiously, "King Thranduil, please have your army ready to enter a state of readiness at any moment."
Thranduil frowned slightly and mused, "Tomorrow morning, the elves will form ranks before Dale. You must explain clearly to Oakenshield. If he misunderstands, I will not hold back."
"I will do my best to persuade him."
"Bard." Aaron said, "You also have the people of Laketown prepare for battle. Better safe than sorry.
Also, the gold you want might have to be delayed a few days. We'll have to wait until this battle is over."
Bard nodded, then walked out of the great tent.
Gandalf also followed Aaron and Billbo to Erebor.
Upon reaching the city wall, Gandalf looked at the dangling rope and inexplicably felt a hint of malice.
Couldn't they use a pulley basket? He was so old; was it really appropriate to climb the wall with a rope?
"Gandalf." Kili urged from above the wall, "What are you waiting for? Grab the rope, we'll pull you up."
Gandalf shook his head helplessly, tied the rope around himself, and was pulled up by several dwarves.
"Why does his expression seem so awkward?" Billbo frowned.
"It'll get more awkward." Aaron tied a knot for Billbo with the rope, "Thorin isn't that easy to persuade."
"That's true, just thinking about it is troublesome."
The few of them got onto the wall, and a group of dwarves immediately gathered around.
"How did the talks go?" Balin asked, "What did Bard say?"
"If the money is in place, he won't start a war."
"That's good." Balin breathed a sigh of relief, "We can fight the elves, but there's really no need to fight humans."
"Gandalf, where have you been?" Bofur looked at him in confusion, "Why are you only just arriving?"
"Something big has happened, Bofur.
Where is Thorin? He must know about this."
"Thorin, he..." Balin paused slightly, "He's sitting on the throne in the great hall."
"Oh, for heaven's sake!" Gandalf rolled his eyes, "He's following in his grandfather's footsteps, and at this very moment."
"It can't be that bad!" Billbo said, "He agreed for us to give a portion of the gold to the people of Laketown!"
"That only proves he could remain clear-headed before, but now it's really hard to say." Gandalf said with some weariness, "Never underestimate the magic of gold, especially gold that has been long-occupied by a dragon. Everyone who enters this mountain will have their minds tainted by the dragon's evil aura."
"Not everyone." Aaron looked at Billbo, then at the dozen or so dwarves nearby, "Absolutely not. I have faith in Thorin; he won't become his grandfather."
"Let's hope so!" Gandalf sighed and quickly walked down the stairs.
Arriving in the great hall, the three stood amidst mountains of gold coins, looking up at Thorin, who wore a crown.
Thorin at this moment made them all feel a bit unfamiliar, his eyes vacant, almost devoid of color.
Aaron and Billbo exchanged glances. They had only been gone for half a day, yet Thorin's change was perhaps too significant.
"Thorin."
"Gandalf, you've returned. Are you here to celebrate with me?"
"No, I'm here to inform you.
The orc army is on the march; they are preparing to attack Erebor."
"Dain's Ironfoot army will slaughter them. Those who want to steal my gold deserve to die."
Aaron frowned slightly, "What about what you promised the people of Laketown?"
"This, I, this is different." Thorin hesitated for a moment, stammering, "I will give it to them, but isn't one-fifteenth a bit too much?"
Aaron chuckled and shook his head. He hoped Thorin could come to his senses on his own, otherwise, he would have to resort to some unconventional methods.
"One-fifteenth is indeed a bit much. How about halving it again!
One-thirtieth would be good."
"Aaron." Thorin smiled with relief, "That's more like it! You don't need to inconvenience yourself for those unrelated people.
What do you need me for?"
"The orc army." Gandalf emphasized anxiously, "They will attack Erebor by tomorrow at the earliest, or the day after tomorrow at the latest.
We hope you explain to Dain not to start a war with the elves yet, but to face the common enemy together, which is the most urgent matter at hand."
"Understood." Thorin said indifferently, "Dain is my cousin; he will listen to me, but he dislikes elves just as I do."
"There's no problem on Thranduil's side." Billbo said, "The elven army will be stationed in Dale and won't attack Erebor for a while."
"They don't have the ability to." A hint of disdain flashed in Thorin's eyes, "You all rest well. Tomorrow, put on your armor, take up your weapons, and guard our gold."
The three exchanged glances, but since their objective was achieved, there was no need to waste time.
After leaving the great hall, Billbo went to the city gate to tell the other dwarves about their negotiations in Dale, emphasizing that the orcs might attack Erebor and telling everyone to prepare for battle.
Gandalf, however, found Aaron, "I should apologize to you. If I'm not mistaken, the hardest tasks in the company must have fallen to you!"
"Just say what you mean." Aaron rolled his eyes, "Though I'm young, don't try to fool me like a child; you can't fool me."
Gandalf paused, "I'm sincere."
"I am too." Aaron spread his hands, "So, can we be a little more honest?"
"Alright!" Gandalf hesitated for a while, "I can see that you really don't want to participate in the war, but I still hope you can give your all and contribute more to the allied forces."
"Tsk tsk tsk!" Aaron clicked his tongue, looking at Gandalf with a half-smile, "Leaving the company midway, Thorin and his companions were almost eaten by the giant spiders of Mirkwood. You weren't there. I risked my life to lure away more than twenty spiders, saving everyone's lives.
When we were locked in the dungeon by the Woodland Elves, you weren't there. I pried open the cell door, let Billbo go out to find the waterway, and we barely escaped.
We were chased by Bolg, Kili was hit by a Morgul arrow and almost died from the poison. You weren't there. It was the medicine I prepared that kept him alive.
Finally, on Durin's Day, Thorin and his companions couldn't find the secret door. You weren't there. It was I who took out... the magic compass to find the keyhole.
And the most, most, most outrageous thing is, when we were fighting Smaug for our lives, you weren't there. It was I who spent a lot of magic and a magic crystal to set a trap in Laketown and kill him."
Several consecutive 'you weren't there' hammered heavily on Gandalf's heart, making him too embarrassed to look up. The words 'I'm sorry' simply tumbled out, after all, he had left so freely back then, but most of the pressure had fallen on a young boy like Aaron, which was somewhat unkind.
"Although your apology lacks sincerity, I will reluctantly accept it.
However, what I want to say is that I've already shown respect for the elderly and care for the young by refraining from beating you. What gives you the nerve to ask me to contribute more?"
Gandalf:...