Chapter 384 Celebrating the Victory
"You two little hobbits!"
Gimli, sitting behind Gandalf, shouted: "We were chasing you so hard, and you just sit there eating and drinking!" "And smoking!"
"We are enjoying the fruits of victory. This is the compensation we deserve."
Pippin took a puff of his cigarette and said, "Look at this barley beer from the roadside fort, and salted pork chops, a specialty from the Shire."
“Salted pork chops…”
Gimli muttered the word, looking at the delicious steaks in the hands of the two men, and couldn't help swallowing.
He is hungry.
"Alas...Hobbit." Gandalf muttered helplessly.
They are just like that, preferring to enjoy themselves immediately, which always makes people feel at a loss as to what to say.
"Welcome, young Levi and Lord Gandalf."
At this time, Treebeard, who was cleaning up the battlefield, came over.
Levi muttered quietly: "It's been a long time since I heard anyone say that I'm younger."
Gandalf leaned his head forward and replied, "Me too."
"You are indeed old."
Levi's response was merciless.
"Oh, old man, all right, all right, but you see, there's another one over there who's as old as me."
Gandalf pointed in a direction with his staff.
The main entrance to the Tower of Orthanc.
At this moment, there stood a dejected figure, who else could it be but Saruman.
"Long time no see, Saruman. You look much more haggard."
From a distance, Levi began waving at him.
"Yes, I looked haggard. Anyone who has gone through what I have experienced would not feel good. But you, you look very energetic."
"More energetic than you."
As he spoke, Levi took off the Star Ring on his hand and threw it to Saruman from a distance.
The power receded like the tide, and this feeling made him feel very lost, as if he had lost something precious.
Saruman quickly caught the ring, and when he saw the object in his hand, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"You did surprise me a little. I didn't expect that someone would choose to give up the Ring of Power after experiencing its beauty."
"Not everyone is like you, Saruman."
Levi dismounted and approached, saying, "I said something a long time ago, and I still agree with it now."
"What?"
"There are many things in this world that are more important than strength."
Saruman put on the Star Ring silently and did not respond for a while.
The power brought by the ring alleviated his exhaustion and weakness, and made him more confident.
"but…"
At this time, Levi changed the subject and said, "Can you continue to make this kind of ring? I can provide you with more beacons or netherworld stars."
"Do you think the Ring of Power is a ham in the Hobbit's warehouse that can be mass-produced at will?"
Saruman shook his head and said, "You underestimate the importance of this. The Star Ring is the result of my decades of research. This one has already taken a lot of effort on my part. Even if I could make another one, I'm afraid it would be too late. By the time the second ring with the star of the netherworld is born, darkness will have already enveloped the earth."
"Well, forget it then."
Levi shook his head.
"But regarding the ring, Levi, I have one more thing to remind you."
"What?"
Saruman came closer and whispered, "During the time I faced the Ringwraiths, I learned some things from them and figured out a lot of things."
"About the One Ring..."
"You have to know that the Supreme Ring is not something that is forged according to a blueprint. It is an innovation, a new thing that has never appeared in this world. So far, no one dares to say that they can understand it in its entirety."
"Besides, that thing also carries the will of Sauron. It cannot be measured simply by 'power'. It has many other functions."
“You must not underestimate it.”
"oh?"
Levi was also a little surprised when he looked at Saruman with a serious expression.
It's rare, rare that this guy can provide some useful information. It seems that he has indeed changed a bit during this period of time.
"I see."
When Levi finished speaking, Gandalf stepped forward and announced on the steps: "Isengard has been reconquered. There is no evil left here anymore."
"This battle is a victory for free people."
"yeah--!!"
There were cheers from below, as Gimli and the two hobbits acted as the atmosphere supporter for Gandalf's proclamation.
As for the others, they all looked serious.
They are either stuffy or have hard tree heads.
Gandalf shrugged and didn't care.
That's it.
But Theoden obviously didn't want it to end like this.
He rode forward and said, "Saruman, you are partly responsible for this."
"What do you want?" Saruman asked condescendingly.
Théoden stared at him and said, "You have proven yourself unreliable. Effective immediately, you are stripped of your status as Rohan's advisory wizard, and you will no longer enjoy any special privileges."
"Humph, who cares? I don't care."
Saruman began to speak stubbornly.
Gandalf looked at his old friend and shook his head.
"All this is because of you, Saruman. You have violated a taboo and have gone astray, but there is still a chance for redemption."
"Stay here, stay here to guard Isengard, and help Treebeard and the others restore the green land. Perhaps the judgment you face will be lighter."
Gandalf suggested.
Saruman was silent for a while. He did not answer, but his body inevitably became a little hunched.
When everyone left, he still stood there, saying nothing.
The only ones who were with him were the Ents.
Great victories are always followed by celebrations.
Since the number of defenders in Hornburg was not small and the reinforcements from Water City arrived quite timely, Rohan's losses were not as great as imagined.
Tonight is destined to be a lively night.
The people of Rohan celebrate their victory and mourn those who shed their blood in defense of this land.
Joining them in the celebration banquet were the armies of the Water City.
But it was obvious that no hall in Rohan could accommodate so many people, so after listening to the brief speeches of Theoden and Levi, they went outside and began to set up the banquet venue themselves.
As there were too many people, the city could not even accommodate them, and a large number of people gathered outside the city. For a moment, it created a strange sight of lights and prosperity stretching endlessly inside and outside the city.
This scene was recorded by the historian of Rohan and circulated as a classic story scene.
That day, everyone raised their glasses to salute, and the sound echoed throughout the grassland.
"Fortunately, Rohan has maintained frequent trade with the Free Cities. We have enough supplies for tens of thousands of people to celebrate together."
Inside the hall, Theoden raised his glass and greeted Levi.
Levi didn't want to spoil the fun either. He clinked glasses with him and drank the beer in the cup.
(End of this chapter)
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