Chapter 277: Iron Foot Army, Give It a Face
Gandalf sadly turned his face away; he hadn't expected to live so long only to be left speechless by a child.
But thinking of the impending battle that could erupt at any moment, threatening the safety of Middle-earth, he still shamelessly spoke, "Gaius, at this moment, you are the only one I can count on.
The first time I met you, I had a feeling that the peace of Middle-earth might rest on your shoulders."
"Heh heh!" Aaron sneered, giving him a disdainful look, "I don't have much of a sense of mission, and I certainly don't want to be a savior, so don't try to fob me off with such talk."
"How can this be fobbing you off?" Gandalf said, a little anxiously.
"Don't make me look down on you, Gandalf.
I admit you are a good person, with a great sense of the bigger picture, and worthy of respect.
But good people can be so cunning they make bad people cry. Even if I have some ability, I'm still just a child. You can't just rely on me alone!" Aaron said, somewhat exasperated, then started counting on his fingers, "Elrond, Queen Galadriel, Saruman, Radagast—which one of them isn't stronger than me? Can't you ask them?"
Gandalf's face twitched slightly, and he forced out an awkward smile, "Queen Galadriel has overused her magicand is now extremely weak. Elrond is protecting her. Saruman is busy thwarting Sauron's schemes and I don't know when he'll be free. As for Radagast, he's gone to fetch reinforcements, so... you understand, right?"
Damn it!
Aaron felt as if a billion alpacas were stampeding through his heart.
He had thought that if the sky fell, the tall ones would hold it up, but he never expected the tall ones to vanish even faster than him.
"Sorry, I've already done enough and don't want to take any more risks," Aaron said earnestly, "You've really got the wrong person.
No matter how powerful I am, I'm just one person. Against an army, I'd only be crushed; I can't help."
"I'm not asking you to face an army directly," Gandalfexplained, "There will be a melee coming up, and I need someone highly mobile, who can navigate freely among the Elves, Dwarves, and Men, to provide timely support on the battlefield.
Gaius, you are very powerful, and no one is more suitable than you."
Aaron blinked, then immediately shook his head, "No way. Who do you think I am? I just want to stay as far away from the battlefield as possible.
Gandalf, to be frank with you, the fact that I'm choosing to stay and face this with you all instead of running away is already showing the utmost benevolence."
"Within your capabilities," Gandalf quickly added.
"If you put it that way..." Aaron paused slightly, "It's not entirely impossible."
Gandalf let out a sigh of relief, a smile finally appearing on his face, "Rest well!"
After Gandalf left, Aaron leaned against the city wall, feigning sleep, his attention focused on the system's mission panel:
[Defeat the Orc army;
Complete the mission to receive 2000 magic points. There is no penalty for mission failure. Does the Host accept?]
"Accept. Just let nature take its course."
...The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight appeared in the east.
All members of the expedition followed Thorin onto the city wall, and opposite them, not far away, were the golden-armored Elf troops ready for battle, as well as the human forces from Lake-town.
Thranduil, the Elf King, rode a giant elk, and beside him was Bard, riding a white steed. The two slowly moved through the center of their troops to the front line.
Due to the agreement reached last night, Thranduil and Bard cautiously stationed their troops in front of Riverrun, leaving a large buffer zone between it and Erebor.
"Hmph!" Thorin sneered as he watched their troops, "This is a show of force."
"No, Thorin, it's not," Gandalf said, feeling weary, "They are merely preparing for the Orc army that could appear at any moment."
"Is that so? Where are they?" Thorin said indifferently, "Forget an Orc army, I haven't even seen a single Warg.
Even though you and they reached an agreement, their fundamental goal hasn't changed at all: to seize my people's wealth."
"Thorin Oakenshield, can you please not value gold so much?"
"Call me King," Thorin said coldly, "I am King."
Gandalf sighed deeply. He knew Thorin's mental state was problematic now, becoming increasingly autocratic and unwilling to listen to anyone.
But with a great enemy before them, the Dwarves, Elves, and Men absolutely could not fight among themselves.
"Has the Ironfoot Army not arrived yet?" Bilbo asked.
No sooner had he spoken than a black raven flew over and landed on the city wall.
"They're here," Thorin said with a triumphant smile.
Regular footsteps came from the distant hillside, and a large Dwarf legion slowly approached. King Dáin, at the forefront, rode a fierce wild boar.
The Ironfoot Army was the elite of the Dwarves; in terms of both combat power and numbers, they were no less than the combined forces of Elves and Men.
The dozens of Dwarves on the city wall cheered loudly. The arrival of the renowned Ironfoot Army greatly boosted their morale.
"Is that the Dwarf King of the Iron Hills?" Bilbo asked, "He doesn't look very happy."
"Dáin, Thorin's cousin," Gandalf said, "He's even more... irrational than Thorin."
"I'm more curious why he's riding a wild boar?" Aaron asked, puzzled, "That seems a bit unfitting for a king's status, doesn't it?"
"Dáin doesn't care about that," Thorin laughed, "He likes the boar's charge; it's almost unstoppable in a melee charge, much stronger than a horse."
"That's irrelevant, but Thorin, don't forget what you promised us."
"I know, I know," Thorin waved his hand, "I'll make him restrain himself as much as possible, but if the Elves and Men are unreasonable and refuse to retreat within two days, then there's nothing to be done."
The Ironfoot Army stopped in front of Riverrun, confronting the combined forces of Elves and Men from a hundred meters away.
Dáin looked at Thranduil, his face openly mocking, "Good morning, everyone. How are you all?
If you'd be so kind as to give me a moment, I have a small suggestion: could you people please... get out of my way?"
"Get out, all of you, now!" Dáin roared, making the people of Lake-town, who were less than a tenth the number of the Elves, feel a hint of fear.
"Calm down, King Dáin," Gandalf shouted.
Dáin turned his head and looked at the grey-robed Wizardon the city wall, "Gandalf the Grey.
Tell these beggars to clear off, or I'll make them bleed rivers."
"Dwarves, Men, and Elves have no need for such a great conflict. The Orc legions are marching here. Tell your people to remain calm."
"I cannot remain calm in front of Elves," Dáin gave no quarter, pointing his hammer at Thranduil, "Especially that treacherous Woodland Elf; all he wants to do is bring misery to my people.
If he dares to obstruct us, I'll twist off his head. Let's see if he still dares to smirk."
Upon hearing this, Thranduil's lips curved into a cold smile.
He raised one hand, and all the Elf archers drew their bows and nocked arrows, aiming at the Ironfoot Army opposite them.
"Stop, don't be impulsive!" Aaron shouted loudly, then used Apparition to appear between the two armies, "King Thranduil, don't forget what we discussed yesterday."
"I truly wish to resolve this dispute peacefully," Thranduilsaid calmly, "But you've seen Dáin's attitude. He's taking an inch for a mile; it's better to reason with swords."
"The bigger picture, think of the White Gem, Your Majesty," Aaron reminded him. He perfectly understood Thranduil's current feelings; if it were him, he wouldn't tolerate it either.
But now, restraint was absolutely necessary no matter what. If you unleash this volley of arrows, it might feel good, but a full-scale war would truly become unavoidable.
Thranduil took a deep breath, suppressing the displeasure in his heart, and the Elf troops returned to their original formation.
"Who are you?" Dáin asked curiously, "Which Wizard? You're not Gandalf the Grey's apprentice, are you?"
Hearing this, Gandalf gave an awkward laugh.
If he had an apprentice like this, he'd be laughing in his sleep.
"Don't misunderstand," Aaron shook his head, "I wouldn't dare be his apprentice. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have a single good day and would have to support him in his old age instead."
Dáin was stunned for a moment, then, thinking of Gandalf's worn grey robe, he nodded as if by some ghostly impulse.
Gandalf's reputation was high, but his financial situation wasn't great. Taking on an apprentice would definitely make his living standards even worse.
"Then get out of the way, or I'll kill you too," Dáin said, then looked at the Ironfoot Army behind him, "Prepare! Let these bastards taste our might. Assume an offensive formation!"
"Wait!" Aaron immediately said, then pulled out a dark, black key, "I want to ask you to restrain your army, just for its sake."
"A key? How is it in your hand?" Dáin asked, eyes wide.
"I gave it to him, Dáin," Thorin explained from the city wall, "Aaron Gaius is the Dwarves' truest friend; you must not harm him."
"Thorin," Dáin said, somewhat puzzled, "That key is a relic passed down by the House of Durin."
"It has fulfilled its mission. Now it only represents the friendship of the Dwarf race."
Dáin nodded thoughtfully, a hint of respect entering his gaze as he looked at Aaron.
"Everyone, assume an attack formation! Defeat them!"
"Wait, why are we still fighting?"
"Listen up, all of you!" Dáin gave him a reassuring look, adding, "When attacking, avoid the Dwarf's honored guest."
Aaron was utterly bewildered. You can play it like that?
Watching the Ironfoot Army array itself, Aaron quickly snapped back to attention, turning his gaze to Thorin.
Thorin hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke, "Dáin, don't be so quick to act."
"Why?" Dáin asked, puzzled, "Thorin, when did you start fearing Elves?"
"You know me, I have never feared them," Thorin said in a deep voice, "I can give the Elves no face, but I will give my friends the necessary respect.
Therefore, I have decided to give them a few days to determine if an Orc attack will occur. If not, then it won't be too late to fight."