Chapter 319: Talks on Moria
"Don't go. It's not very safe there."
2989, Lonely Mountain.
When Balin, who was eager to try, proposed to lead people to retake Moria, Gandalf, who happened to pass by, warned him.
"Think about the tragedy thousands of years ago, Balin."
Gandalf lit his pipe and said, "You cannot expect the Balrog to sleep forever. Think of Durin VI and Nain I. Nain I, Durin VI's son, also thought that the Balrog was asleep and would not suddenly appear again. As a result, he was killed as soon as he was crowned King of Durin."
"But I heard that you, Levi, and many other expedition teams have been in there, and there's nothing there?"
Bahrain was still somewhat unwilling.
Gandalf patiently explained: "Perhaps it is feasible to pass through it in normal times, but as a place to live, Moria is not safe."
"And it's very unsafe. Very unsafe."
At Gandalf's repeated emphasis, Balin sighed deeply and his shoulders drooped.
"Well, I'll follow your advice then, Gandalf."
"But...if we have to give up on reclaiming Moria as long as the Balrog is still there, then when can we go back?"
"The 'Bane of Durin'..."
The Balrog of Moria is just like Levi. Once he lies there, even if he doesn't show his face, as long as they can be sure that he is there, basically no enemy dares to stay for long.
Very helpless.
"This matter is indeed a headache. Both Levi and I have gone in to investigate more than once, but we just can't find that guy."
Gandalf blew out a round smoke ring, and as the smoke ring got farther and farther away, it became fainter and fainter until it disappeared.
The two of them sat at a stone table in silence for a long time, no one spoke.
“I still want to try…”
"No, don't go."
Gandalf's answer was quite decisive.
"Balin, stay at Lonely Mountain. Maybe you can witness the end of this era."
"Perhaps you will think that I am too suspicious or cowardly, but honestly, I don't want to lose a dwarf friend."
The longest-lived dwarves can live for more than 300 years, and Balin is now 231 years old. Perhaps because living conditions have become very good in recent decades, this dwarf is in very good health and still has strength. He can pick up the axe and chop off the heads of two orcs with a casual swing.
Clearly, he was no short-lived dwarf.
The same goes for Thorin, who is only less than twenty years older than Balin.
"By the way, Levi also said that it is not recommended to take any action against Moria now."
Seeing that Balin seemed still a little hesitant, Gandalf mentioned it again.
"All right."
These words completely crushed the last bit of excitement he had left.
——
"But it's not impossible to consider."
Unexpectedly, when Levi knew about this, he said this.
Balin's eyes widened instantly.
Gandalf frowned.
I have persuaded you to stop, why do you still regret it? But soon, what Levi said made him feel relieved.
"Indeed, you can come to the Water City first and enter through the west gate. The west gate of Moria and the entire Eregion are under our surveillance. Nothing can be hidden from us."
Levi said calmly: “If anything happens to anyone here, just come out and ask for help.”
These words gave Bahrain some hope.
"That…"
"but."
Levi interrupted him.
"Although we have people monitoring that place, the safety is limited to places that can be seen in the wild. To a certain extent, it is indeed safe to pass by there. Well... or to be more precise - 'relatively' safe."
"But if we want to colonize Moria and establish a base for long-term operations, if something suddenly happens, even I won't be able to know immediately."
"If you get attacked by something while you're asleep and you don't even have time to run, that would be terrible."
Levi has the confidence that the Water City can resist the attack of the Fire Demon even without him.
But the dwarves can't do that, not even during the peak period of their race, let alone just a colonial team.
"You know what I mean. I'm not talking about orcs or trolls or anything like that."
"oh--"
Balin shook his head, deflated.
"I understand. I understand."
"I'll go back and tell them. Oin and Ou Rui are both very interested in this matter. Now I have to spend some time to persuade them to stay calm for the time being."
"I hope you can figure it out."
Levi nodded.
Balin went back with a sigh.
"Gandalf."
After discussing Bahrain's affairs, Levi took the initiative to bring up another matter.
"Rangers in the Shire and near Eregion reported seeing a figure in a gray robe. Have you been there recently?"
"I?"
Gandalf frowned.
"I have been to the Shire quite often recently, mainly because I am concerned about Bilbo. I believe you have noticed that compared to a normal Hobbit of his age, he seems too energetic. Although he looks a little old, if you look closely you will find that he doesn't even have many white hairs."
"I have seen many hobbits, and have been friends with the oldest of them, the one I have spoken of, old Túrin, who lived to be a hundred and thirty years old."
"But that was just an exception. Most Hobbits only lived to be 80 or 90 years old and died peacefully. They were not a very long-lived race."
"I know." Levi nodded in response.
"And you know that it is probably because of the ring he has on him. As long as he has it, he will probably outlive all the hobbits, and even set a new record."
"But that's not what I want to discuss with you. Um... I'll just assume that what they saw in the Shire was you. What about Eregion?"
"Eregion?"
Gandalf was obviously confused.
"The last time I passed by there was many years ago, when I entered Moria to investigate, but I just passed by and didn't stay."
"That's very strange."
Levi fell into thought.
"I believe my people. They said there is indeed a mysterious old man in a gray robe there, and this old man has also appeared in Shire."
"Mysterious?"
Gandalf caught a key word.
Levi explained: "Yes, in secret, such as at night when visibility is poor, or in the more hidden bushes, but no matter how hidden, it cannot escape the eyes of the rangers and nomads."
"No, no, no." Gandalf immediately shook his head in denial.
"I just go wherever I want to go. How can it be so 'secret' as they say?"
"That person is definitely not me. I usually take the main road when it is brighter."
"That's odd enough."
This time it was Levi's turn who couldn't figure it out.
(End of this chapter)
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