In the tent at the ruins of Dale Castle, the unconscious Hobbit Bilbo Baggins slowly woke up.
As soon as he woke up, Bilbo reached into his pocket and touched the cool metal ring. He finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to try hard to recall what happened before he fell into a coma.
When the war just started, the frightened Bilbo put on the ring and used the ring's ability to become invisible to avoid everyone's attention, but this did not mean that he could avoid all dangers. The ring could only make him invisible, but could not provide magical protection, let alone resist swords and arrows.
However, relying on his agility and short stature, Bilbo successfully avoided the frontal battlefield and hid in the ruins of the Valley City.
Hiding on the tall walls of Dale, Bilbo had the opportunity to watch the entire battle. He saw the bloody fight between the dwarves and the orcs, the three giant dragons circling in the sky and the divine soldiers descending from the hillside. At the end of his memory, Legolas personally led his troops to support Dale and rescued Bard and the human army who were struggling to resist the attack of the orcs.
Seeing the familiar face of Legolas, Bilbo excitedly took off the ring and wanted to go forward to meet him.
But just as he walked down the steps of the city wall, he was knocked unconscious by Dothraki cavalry who suddenly rushed into the city gate.
Fortunately, the Dothraki cavalry entering the city had slowed down their horses, and he was wearing a mithril chain mail with strong defense and shock-absorbing effects, which enabled him to survive this sudden car accident.
After sorting out his thoughts before he fell into coma, Bilbo quickly sat up from his bed and pulled open the curtain of the tent.
In an instant, bright sunlight shone in from outside the tent.
Bilbo subconsciously squinted his eyes, covered them with his hands, and looked up at the sky through the gaps between his fingers. He saw that the dark clouds in the sky had disappeared long ago, and the midday sun was hanging brightly in the sky, emitting soothing warmth and light.
Outside the tent, people were coming and going in a hurry. The brave and combative human cavalry were cleaning up the battlefield under the command of a group of black-armored soldiers, clearing the corpses of humans and orcs in the ruins.
The melancholy Elf Prince and the silent Dwarf King sat on two stones at the entrance of the tent, each wiping their blood-stained swords and axes, as if they were waiting for him to wake up from his coma.
"Legolas, Thorin!"
Bilbo smiled and waved to the two of them.
Legolas and Thorin stood up together and smiled at the lively Bilbo.
"My friend, I'm so glad to see you're alright!"
Thorin laughed and walked forward, holding Bilbo in his arms and hugging him tightly.
Legolas's expression was more reserved, but Bilbo could sense his genuine joy.
After celebrating the rest of their lives and reunion after the war, Bilbo asked with concern, "How is the war going now?"
Legolas smiled faintly and said, "It's over. The King of the Orcs in the North died at the hands of Thorin. More than 25,000 Orcs were defeated by the combined forces of dwarves and humans. Most of the Orcs were annihilated on the spot. Only more than 2,000 Orcs are still fleeing. I have ordered people to pursue them. I believe that all the defeated soldiers can be captured before sunset."
“That’s great!”
Bilbo breathed a sigh of relief.
Thorin smiled and put his strong arms around Bilbo's shoulders. "Come on, my friend. It's time to meet our partners and discuss the distribution of the treasure of Lonely Mountain!"
Hearing this, Legolas stopped, looked at Thorin and whispered, "Are you really going to distribute the treasure of Lonely Mountain?"
Thorin glanced at him and said calmly: "Of course, I have said it before. I am not my grandfather and will never be consumed by the dragon disease."
Legolas raised his head and said, "You have been swallowed up, but you just pulled your feet out of the whirlpool..."
Thorin curled his lips and said, "You elf who is gloating over other's misfortune, I advise you not to be too happy too soon. The treasure of Lonely Mountain has nothing to do with you anymore. You gave your share to the humans in Long Lake Town. It's too late to regret it now!"
Legolas said calmly: "I won't regret it. I wasn't interested in your money-making junk from the beginning."
Looking at the elves and dwarves bickering and sarcasm with each other just like they did in their first adventure, Bilbo couldn't help but smile knowingly.
As a peace-loving and gourmet hobbit, nothing could make him feel more gratified than the scene before him.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the largest building ruins in River Valley City, which was once the Lord's Mansion of River Valley City.
The hall of the lord's mansion had been cleaned by the soldiers. Although there were still traces of nature such as vines hanging on the walls, the conference table and stone chairs had been cleaned and looked brand new. At least Bilbo would not mind sitting down to discuss issues.
Bilbo happily hugged Gandalf, who looked very relieved, and then sat beside him.
As the new King Under the Mountain, Thorin pulled out a stone chair and sat at the head of the long table.
Opposite him was the silver-haired queen, Daenerys Targaryen, wearing a dragon-shaped crown.
At this point, all the stakeholders had sat down at the long meeting table. They were Daenerys the Dragon Queen, Bilbo the Hobbit, Gandalf the Grey, Legolas the Elf Prince, Thorin the King under the Mountain, Dain the Lord of the Iron Hills, Bard of Lake Town, and the twelve dwarf companions who had recaptured the Lonely Mountain with Thorin, a total of nineteen people.
Looking at the people at the long table with different expressions, Thorin suppressed his reluctance and announced solemnly: "According to the contract signed before, except for the grey wizard Gandalf, the remaining fifteen people in the team will have the right to distribute the treasures of Lonely Mountain. Legolas took the white diamond necklace and gave one-fifteenth of the share to the humans in Long Lake Town..."
Having said this, Thorin looked at Legolas and Bard, as if asking them if they were sure.
Bard was a little hesitant. After all, one fifteenth of the treasure of Lonely Mountain was too much. They didn't need so much money and it would bring disaster instead. But Legolas nodded without reluctance and confirmed the accuracy of this allocation.
Stimulated by Legolas' attitude, Thorin's tone became more natural.
He continued, "Your Majesty, the noble Dragon Queen Daenerys Targaryen, and my cousin, Lord Dain of the Iron Hills, lent a hand and saved Lonely Mountain and Lake Town in the Battle of Five Armies. To express my gratitude, I will take out one-tenth of my share and the share of my twelve companions as a thank you gift to the two of you..."
"I don't have to!"
Dain said with a smile: "As a dwarf lord, it is my duty to respond to the call of the King under the Mountain. There is no need to be polite!"
Thorin shook his head and said, "You still have to show your gratitude. If you don't want to accept the gifts of gold and silver, then stay with your army. I will hold a grand banquet for you to reward you for your contributions and sacrifices in the Battle of Five Armies!"
Dain laughed: "It's settled!"
Thorin smiled slightly and turned to look at the silver-haired queen who was silently observing them.
"What do you think, Your Majesty?"
"Okay." Daenerys nodded and said softly, "But I don't need gold and silver. It would be great if I could exchange all my share for mithril, crystals, and gems!"
"no problem!"
Thorin readily agreed, and then he looked around the long meeting table and said softly: "If everyone has no objection, then I declare that the remaining treasures of Lonely Mountain will be distributed in full accordance with the previous contract..."
"etc!"
Bilbo summoned up his courage, raised his hand and said, "I object!"
Thorin and the others were slightly startled and looked at Bilbo in confusion.
Bilbo swallowed and said softly to everyone, "I want to give up my one-fifteenth share."
"Why?!" Thorin stared at him with wide eyes, incomprehensible, "Do you know how huge a fortune that is? Even many kings in Middle-earth cannot own such a huge fortune. With it, you will become the richest Hobbit in the world!"
“That’s the problem!”
Bilbo pursed his lips, met Thorin's gaze and said seriously, "I am just a hobbit from Bag End. Happiness, delicious food and a carefree life are what I pursue. For me, it is easier to take nothing, because I really can't figure out how to transport the treasure back home without encountering ugly scenes of fighting and intrigue on the way..."
"Mr. Baggins," Daenerys said with a smile, "I admire your courage and kindness. If these are the only problems you are worried about, then I can provide you with help. You only need to spend a very small part of your wealth to hire one of my warriors to escort you home."
Bilbo was flattered, but he still shook his head and said softly, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but no, even if I can really take these treasures home, I don't know what to do with them."
Thorin frowned and said, "So you want to go back empty-handed?"
"Returning empty-handed? How could that be possible!" Bilbo smiled. "Compared to me when I just walked out of Bag End, I now have a precious mail armor made of mithril, a Sting sword forged by the elves, an exciting adventure and wonderful memories. These things are more than enough for a hobbit who has never walked out of Bag End!"
Hearing Bilbo's sincere confession, Gandalf showed a relieved smile on his face.
The others looked at each other, feeling regret, guilt, and a hint of happiness at Bilbo's choice.
After all, not everyone can be indifferent to gold and silver treasures. Although they admire Bilbo's decision very much, it is absolutely impossible for them to follow Bilbo's example and give up their own share.