save the bachelors

Chapter 5023 5026 [The team officially set off]

"I'm fine, just let me be quiet for a while, I'll be fine soon." Bilbo lay in the chair, holding the hot cup of tea in both hands, so as to bring him a little warmth.

He was really scared. Once he signed the contract, he would most likely be injured or even killed. After all, that was a dragon, a dragon that was powerful enough to rival a country and that everyone feared.

"You have rested long enough," Gandalf said to him. "Tell me, Bilbo, when did the tablecloths and your mother's dowry become so important to you?
I remember the little hobbit who always wanted to meet elves in the woods, always coming home late, walking through mud, through jungle and fireflies.

The little hobbit wanted nothing more than to explore the world outside the Shire, but that world wasn’t in books or on maps; it was out there, and you had to go out there to find it.”

"But I can't go on the road with you like this. I'm a Baggins and I should live in Bag End all my life," Bilbo refused.

The Baggins family has always been law-abiding and would never take risks in doing anything.

"But you are also half Took." Gandalf waved his hand, "Your great-great-great-grandfather, Took the Bull, was six feet tall and could even ride a tall stallion.

He fought in the Battle of Oz, led the charge, and knocked the orc leader's head off with a club. The head flew hundreds of yards and rolled into a rabbit hole, and that led to the invention of golf."

"I know you're making it up." Bilbo said, clearly not believing it.

"Every story needs polishing," Gandalf said with a smile. "When you return from your adventure, you will have your own legendary story."

"Can you guarantee that I will come back safely?" Hearing him say this, Bilbo looked at Gandalf and asked seriously.

Gandalf was startled, then shook his head.

Although he is a Maia, a god, he does not have the ability to predict the future. Moreover, his power in Middle-earth is greatly limited. He cannot even protect himself most of the time, and naturally cannot guarantee Bilbo's safety.

"That's what I thought." Bilbo nodded. "So, I'm sorry, Gandalf, I can't sign this contract. You got the wrong person."

After saying that, he got up and went back to his bedroom.

……

"It seems we have lost our thief." Balin sighed and said, "But it's better this way, he is not suitable for taking risks.

Everything can't always go our way. After all, who are we? Miners, blacksmiths, small vendors, toy makers..." He looked at the dwarves sitting around him, some fat, some thin, some short, some small, "None of them looks like a hero."

"We still have some warriors." Thorin waved his hand.

"A bunch of defeated soldiers." Balin shook his head.

Some of them were indeed warriors, but they were no match for the evil dragon Smaug. They were just the remnants of the soldiers who were defeated and collapsed by him.

"Compared to the army of the Kingdom of Iron Hills, I would rather have people like you following me. They always respond to my call. Loyalty, honor, enthusiasm..." Thorin disagreed with Balin's words, but looked at the dwarves in front of him with burning eyes.

"In fact, you can choose not to go." Balin advised, "You have been supported by our people. You have led us to start a new life in the Blue Mountains, a peaceful and tranquil life. All of this is more precious than the gold of Erebor."

After the Durin Dwarves drifted to the Blue Mountains, their lives were not as prosperous as those in Erebor, but at least they were peaceful, stable, and safe. For the Dwarves, this was enough.

"It has been passed down from my grandfather to my father, and now to me." Thorin said solemnly, "They have always been thinking about the dwarves regaining their homeland. There is no other choice, Balin, I have no choice."

He is the leader of the Durin dwarves, and he must inherit the will of his ancestors, retake Erebor, and repeat the glory of the Durin clan. This is his responsibility, and if he fails to accomplish it, he will not be at peace even after his death.

"Then we will respond to your call, live and die together, and never surrender!" Hearing Thorin say this, the dwarves stood up and said in unison.

……

"Climbing over the icy peak of the foggy mountain

Go to the dungeons and ancient caves quickly
At dawn

Chasing the lost treasure of old
The sound of the 100-foot-high pine waves is roaring

The cold wind at midnight is also sad
The flames spread across the sky like blood

The trees are burning like torches in the darkness
......"

The dwarves then sang an old ballad. This was a ballad they created when they were driven out of Erebor and wandered around, and it was passed down from generation to generation. It reminded the dwarves not to forget their homeland and that they would one day retake Erebor.

Their deep singing echoed in Bag End, mournful and yet full of fighting spirit, and even Bilbo, who was about to go to bed, felt his heart surge.

"Okay, everyone go and rest. We will set off early tomorrow morning." Thorin then said to everyone.

Everyone nodded, found a place, and fell asleep.

Dwarves were naturally thick-skinned and could sleep peacefully no matter where they slept. Bag End was a cozy, warm little house, so they fell asleep quickly.

Only Xiang Nan didn't fall asleep so early. He was thinking about something.

For him, not to mention the evil dragon Smaug, even the final boss Sauron, were not difficult at all.

It can be said that if he wanted to, he could kill them instantly with just one finger.

But if that's the case, it always feels meaningless.

It's like playing a game, without experiencing the previous plot at all, and directly rushing into the BOSS's lair with invincibility to kill the BOSS instantly. That would be completely meaningless.

It would be better to follow the dwarf team and treat it as a trip to Middle-earth.

Of course, he couldn't just sit there and do nothing and not show any of his abilities.

After all, traveling can be divided into poor traveling and rich traveling. He doesn't want to be tortured for nothing and make things difficult for himself.

But how should I explain my abilities?
Xiang Nan thought about it and suddenly had an idea. Then he made up his mind and fell asleep peacefully.

……

Time quickly came to the next day.

In the morning, the dwarves got up, ate some cereal, packed their luggage, and rode on their ponies to set off.

Their ponies were much shorter than tall horses, and were just right for dwarves to ride. And although the horses were small, their carrying capacity was not weak, and it was easy for them to carry a dwarf and his luggage and baggage.

Meanwhile, Bilbo was still soundly sleeping in his bed, and was not awakened by the actions of the dwarves.

"It seems that he will not join us." Balin said when he saw him sleeping.

"I agree too." Groin nodded.

"That's right, he is not suitable for taking risks." Oin nodded.

"I think he will join us," Gandalf said with a smile. "I'll bet on that."

"Bet? Okay, I agree. One to one. If he comes, I lose a gold coin to you. If he doesn't come, you lose a gold coin to me."

"The odds are unfair, it should be one to ten..."