Chapter 48 Expedition Invitation
"Our meeting wasn't accidental, was it, Gandalf?"
"Of course, it's not a coincidence."
Gandalf said slowly, "Things about the Lonely Mountain have been worrying me, Thorin."
"The evil dragon has been lingering there for too long. Sooner or later it will attract some more evil eyes."
Gushan is a very important line of defense.
If it was conquered and occupied by evil forces, they could go north through the Lonely Mountain all the way to Angmar.
By then, it might even be possible for the Witch Kingdom of Angmar to be rebuilt.
Through this route, the minions of evil will cross the southern defense line and reach directly into the peaceful land west of the Misty Mountains.
By then, even places like Lindon and the Shire, which have always been far away from the center of war, will face huge threats, and places like Gondor and Rohan will be attacked from all sides.
The lips and teeth are interdependent, and no one can be immune.
"I met some ignorant guys on Green Avenue and they mistook me for a homeless person."
"I'm sure their end will not be very decent."
Thorin knew a little about how powerful some wizards were.
Gandalf nodded and pulled out a piece of sturdy parchment.
"I found this on them, a reward."
"What's the reward?"
"Your head—someone wants you dead."
"You can't wait any longer, Thorin. You are the heir to the throne of Durin, the King of the Dwarves. If you unite the various armies of the Dwarves, you will have the power to retake Erebor."
"Convene a meeting of the seven tribes of dwarves and ask them to fulfill their oath."
Thorin was silent for a moment. Theoretically, as long as he could gather the dwarf army, it would be possible to retake Lonely Mountain, but...
"The Seven Armies of Dwarves swore allegiance to the bearer of the King's scepter."
The so-called king's crown jewel is the Arkenstone. However, this beautiful diamond, known as the Heart of the Mountain, is now being guarded by a dragon.
"Only with the Arkenstone can I gather them together, but have you forgotten that the Arkenstone was taken away by Smaug long ago?"
Gandalf stared at the two rogues next to him until he forced them out of the house, then he said:
"What if I help you get it back?"
"How can I get it? It's under the feet of a dragon."
"Yes."
"That's why we need a burglar."
Gandalf had a feeling that this operation required a Hobbit, which was very important.
They are short in stature, walk lightly and silently, and can easily blend into the surrounding environment. They are natural hiders and are very suitable for the role of "snitch".
The wizard silently decided on the candidate for the thief in his heart. He lit his pipe, thought for a moment, and continued, "And a brave warrior. He might be willing to go with him."
That guy would be interested in this matter - Gandalf's intuition told him so.
The outline of the plan was thus drawn up.
Thorin, who had just returned from a long journey in the wilderness of Dunland, and Gandalf, who had just finished a long journey, continued to travel together without stopping, heading to the Blue Mountains to discuss specific plans and to gather expedition members.
In April, after all discussions were completed, Gandalf took the lead in setting out on his journey.
"I have to go find a friend first. After that, we will meet in the Shire."
"I'll leave a mark on the door."
Gandalf left, and soon after, Thorin and the twelve dwarves who responded to the call, fully armed, set out on the same journey as Gandalf.
April, 2941 of the Third Era, area near Roadside Fort.
Gandalf stood on a high ground, leaning on his cane, looking at the huge and seemingly quiet territory from afar, and frowned.
As I watched, I couldn't help but light my pipe.
"Where am I? Is this still a roadside fort?"
This "roadside" doesn't look like a roadside at all.
Even though he hadn't entered the territory yet, the greenery spreading from the city walls and some of the scenery in the corners had already aroused Gandalf's visual senses.
As he looked, Gandalf suddenly noticed a man on the city wall waving at him.
Gandalf raised his staff and waved it twice in response.
On the city wall.
Levi walked to the door, pulled the lever to open the iron door, and waited for the wizard to arrive.
"Haha, how are you doing lately, Levi?"
From a distance away, just close enough to hear the voice, Gandalf began to greet them.
"Not bad, um, probably. I haven't felt time pass so quickly in a long time."
At this moment, Levi was only wearing a pair of netherite boots enchanted with fall protection level 4 on his feet. There was no armor on other parts of his body, just ordinary clothes.
Looks like a casual small town dweller.
It's actually pretty relaxing, um... except for some phantom pain in my liver.
"Oh, oh my god, this is incredible."
As he approached the city gate, Gandalf was immediately attracted by the scenery inside. He couldn't help but lean his body and look back, bypassing Levi.
"Is this still the Wild of Eriador? I thought I was in Rivendell."
"Thank you. I did build up the territory a bit during this time."
"a little?"
Gandalf raised his eyebrows. "You really know how to use words."
When a friend comes, of course he can't be left standing at the door. Soon, Levi welcomed Gandalf into the castle. After a short rest, he cooked a few dishes himself.
The two of them were eating and talking at the table.
"To be honest, if I didn't know you, I would have thought this place was a new home built by the elves."
“I did borrow some of the style from Glen.”
"So this is what you've been busy with these past few months?"
Levi nodded.
After his continuous construction and planning, this territory now truly looks like a huge city with people managing it, rather than a patchwork of empty land except for a few specific places.
Gandalf looked at the complicated scenery outside the window and commented: "Everything is good here, the only pity is that it is too quiet. There is no one except you."
"Also, I suggest you polish the corners of some buildings. Although they look nice now, they are too square. If someone accidentally bumps into them, it will definitely hurt."
"Speaking of what that big pool over there is, I hope you don't mind my being blunt. That thing really doesn't look right in this scenery."
"Very useful advice. That's the ice rink over there. I use it to collect ice in the winter. Spring came so suddenly that I didn't have time to dismantle it."
"Ice harvesting?"
Is this how ice is harvested?
Gandalf felt a little confused, but he was relieved when he thought it was Levi.
The meal was taken at a leisurely pace, with the two chatting idly. Gandalf talked about his experiences in the north of the Shire, the blind bandits on the Greenway, and the current situation of the scattered vagrants there.
"Homeless."
Levi muttered something and asked, "Do you know a homeless man named Farodan? I haven't seen him for a long time since we last parted."
“I don’t know him.”
Gandalf shook his head. He had many friends, but not so many that he knew everyone in Middle-earth.
"But I can inquire for you. I will tell you if I have any relevant information."
"Oh, that's not necessary. I just asked because you mentioned the vagrant. With his skills, nothing unexpected should happen to him."
"I hope so."
Ending the topic, Gandalf ate the last piece of meat on his plate, put down his cutlery, and said, "Actually, I came here this time to ask if you are interested in joining an expedition."
"Expedition?" Levi suddenly remembered something.
Yes, that's right, it's time.
"I know wizards don't visit without a purpose. Can you tell me more about the expedition you mentioned?"
(End of this chapter)
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