I reforged the glory of the magic ring in Middle-earth

Chapter 103 Mercenaries, or?

When Tanis and Gandalf came out from the corner, they saw Fili and Kili just coming out of the guest room.

Kili's familiar smirk returned to the young dwarf's face when he learned that his uncle Thorin's father had been rescued.

"Where are you going?" asked Tanes.

Kilitai said without hesitation, "Oh, Thorin asked me to go to the market in Long Lake Town with Fili."

Balin came out at this time and said, "Of course, there's me too. Thorin doesn't feel comfortable letting just the two of you go out."

Balin then bowed to Tanis, and when he looked up, he asked with a smile, "It seems that you and Gandalf have discussed what you want to say?"

Tanes nodded, but found that neither Balin nor Fili and Qili asked about the result, but continued to walk downstairs.

Balin seemed to see what Tanes was thinking and added with a smile, "Thorin told us not to ask you about the outcome. He said that, ultimately, it was the dwarves' business. And you've already provided enough help. No matter what choice you make, he will regard you as an eternal ally."

After he finished speaking, he called Fili and Kili to go downstairs.

The dwarf brothers also left after paying respectful tribute to Tanes.

Gandalf waited for the three of them to come downstairs before saying with some surprise, "It seems that you and the dwarves got along very well while I was away. This is the first time I've seen dwarves actively refuse help from their allies."

After all, the dwarves refused to return Thranduil's jewels and thought the elves had betrayed them when the elves did not send troops to help them.

Tanes thought about his interactions with the dwarves over the past few months, and with a tired expression on his face, he replied, "I deserve it."

Gandalf immediately understood how Tanis had been getting along with the dwarves over the past few months, and had an "I know what you mean" look on his face.

After Tanis greeted Millicent and Bernard outside the door again, he and Gandalf walked back into the crowded guest room of the dwarves.

Thorin looked over and asked, "Do you still have time to complete Bard's commission?"

Tanes smiled faintly and nodded: "Of course, this matter must be completed from beginning to end."

Gandalf reminded: "But Tanis only has two days at most, and after that..."

He didn't finish his words, but Thorin understood what Gandalf meant.

He nodded and said, "Balin has taken Fili and Kili to the market. They have enough manpower for the time being. So please go with Bilbo to Lake-town and gather some information."

Tanis nodded, then looked at Gandalf: "Are you coming too?"

Gandalf shook his head quickly and said cunningly, "Please spare my old bones. I haven't rested all these days in order to find you. And when I entered Long Lake Town, I used some tricks and no one noticed me. If I showed up with you, it would definitely attract troublesome attention."

Tanis curled his lips. When he saw Gandalf's expression, he knew that the old man didn't want to go out.

So when Tanis and Bilbo walked out of the inn door and breathed the cold air of Lake Town, only Millicent followed them.

Bilbo opened his mouth and closed it again.

Tanis noticed Bilbo's expression and asked curiously, "What do you want to say, Bilbo?"

Bilbo folded his arms, glanced around, then moved closer to Tanis, stood on tiptoe, and said in a low voice, "Well, I heard the conversation between you, Thorin, and Gandalf. Is a war going to break out here?"

Tanis leaned over and whispered, "I'm not sure, but judging from what Gandalf said, it's likely true. But Bilbo, don't worry. I will get you to a safe place before the war starts."

But Bilbo said in surprise: "Me? Oh, no, I'm not worried about that."

He whispered again, "What I mean is, if you need to steal something from the enemy, maybe I can help. I like you and those dwarves very much. Although those dwarves are a bit stubborn and sometimes rude. But, I don't want you to lose, so I also want to help."

After hearing Bilbo's words, Tanes was stunned for a moment until Bilbo coughed lightly and came back to his senses.

He looked at the hobbit whose eyes were no longer filled with fear, sighed softly and said, "You have really grown a lot, Bilbo. The hobbit who used to just want to stay in Bag End and read, eat, smoke, and while away his time has now become a man who wants to help his friends, even if that choice may mean sacrificing himself."

Then Tanes patted Bilbo's shoulder hard, and the other's body only shook slightly.

If it were in the past, Bilbo would probably cry out in pain, right?

With this thought in mind, Tanis stood up and walked forward, motioning Bilbo to follow him: "Don't worry, if I really need you, I will ask for your help."

Bilbo showed a pleased expression, then thought of something and hurriedly chased after him and said, "I think what you just said is ambiguous. I don't intend to sacrifice myself for you. I just want to do what I can."

It seemed as if at this moment, he was still the same hobbit as before.

Tanes smiled and shrugged: "Of course, being alive must be a good thing."

Bilbo muttered, "I don't think you understand me..."

Millicent, who had been following behind the two of them, heard Tanis's soothing voice and Bilbo's whispered complaints, and a slight curve appeared at the corners of her mouth.

Just when the three were planning to go to the fish market south of Changhu Town to try their luck, they were stopped by a sneaky middle-aged woman.

She wore a tattered, faded orange veil and an equally worn, thick grey cotton-padded jacket. There were bits of fish scales stuck to the corners of her clothes, giving off a slight fishy smell.

When the middle-aged woman spotted the three strangers, Tanes and the others, she hid by a wooden house on the street. After peeking around and finding no guards nearby, she cautiously waved, "Hey, you three, yes, you three, come over here and talk."

Bilbo looked across suspiciously, then blinked at Tanis.

When he couldn't figure out the situation, it would be better to just give up thinking and let Tanes make the decision.

Tanes narrowed his eyes slightly and studied the middle-aged woman. Meanwhile, Millicent whispered beside him, "Her hands clearly show signs of wear and tear, and her movements don't seem trained. She's also quite sturdy, so she probably often helps with heavy work."

Tanes nodded calmly, "Yes, but we still have to remain vigilant. They might be the mayor's lackeys."

After he finished speaking, he made a kind expression to the middle-aged woman and walked in front of Bilbo.

At the same time, Millicent came up behind Bilbo, protecting the hobbit between the two of them.

Tanes didn't breathe a sigh of relief until they reached the corner where the middle-aged woman was and no one else showed up.

When the middle-aged woman saw Tanes and the others coming, she immediately asked impatiently, "You three came in from outside Changhu Town, right?" Tanes nodded. There was nothing to hide about this.

The other party has lived here for many years and will definitely be able to recognize the face at a glance.

The middle-aged woman showed a delighted expression, then said worriedly, "That's great! What's the situation outside now? Ever since the evil dragon attacked Changhu Town, the mayor won't let anyone go out. Even if you go out fishing, you have to be accompanied by his guards."

Tanes frowned. Instead of answering directly, he asked, "Why wouldn't the mayor let you go out?"

The middle-aged woman showed a confused expression and shook her head. "I don't know about that. Especially after Bud and some of his followers were expelled, the mayor became even more aggressive."

Tanis pointed at Millicent and said, "The situation outside hasn't changed much, but the news of the dragon attack on Lake Town has spread. She and I are mercenaries hired by a dwarven caravan owner. We originally planned to go directly to the Iron Hills. But after hearing that there was a dragon attack here, we thought there might be many things you need that can be sold for a good price. However, after hearing that the dragon in the Lonely Mountain had awakened, more caravans all took a detour and headed elsewhere."

This was not something Tanes made up, but when he was in the Woodland Kingdom, he heard the elves complaining that the recent caravans were afraid to come.

After all, the Woodland Kingdom isn't too far from the Lonely Mountain.

The middle-aged woman's expression grew even more distressed after hearing this. "Hey, how can we afford to buy your boss's stuff? Your boss is definitely going to lose money, and the mayor might even find fault with you and seize your merchandise for various reasons. If only Bard were here. Before the dragon arrived, he was helping us fight the mayor, trying to find ways to make our lives better."

Tanes skipped over her description of Bud and asked in confusion, "Why is the mayor seizing my boss's goods?"

The middle-aged woman continued to shake her head, indicating she didn't know. She rambled on, "Who knows? Maybe the mayor is trying to raise enough gold to build a statue for the dragon. Ever since the dragon arrived, everything's been in chaos. Not to mention the mayor kneeling before the dragon and swearing his own name that he wouldn't betray it. Since then, the mayor has intensified his extortion efforts, leaving the people of our town miserable and penniless. That's why I said hiring your dwarves would be a loss, because no one can afford your wares."

Tanes nodded lightly to show that he understood, and then politely said goodbye to the middle-aged woman.

The middle-aged woman said with some gratitude, "You are the first group of outsiders willing to talk to a nagging old woman like me about what's happening outside. If it weren't for the dragon incident, I would have invited you to my home and let you taste the local specialty fish of Changhu Town. Unfortunately, my home is ruined now, so I can only stay with relatives..."

Bilbo was about to leave when he found that Tanes had stayed where he was.

"What's wrong?" Bilbo asked curiously.

Tanes replied thoughtfully, "There's something I'm quite concerned about in what she said."

Then he turned to the middle-aged woman and asked, "Aren't we the first group of outsiders you've seen entering Changhu Town?"

The middle-aged woman nodded and replied, "Of course not. Just the day before yesterday, a group of people came in from outside. But they were all wrapped up so tightly that I couldn't tell what they looked like. They ignored me even when I spoke to them. They also looked like they hadn't showered in a long time and had a strong, foul odor. Later, I heard from others that these people seemed to be mercenaries hired by the mayor to fill the vacancies left after Bard and his followers were expelled from the town."

Then she waved her hand: "Anyway, that's what everyone says. I don't know the specific situation."

Tanes nodded, reached into the cloth bag at his waist, hesitated for a moment, exchanged the gold coin he had touched for three silver coins, and handed them to the other party.

"Do you know where they usually rest?"

The middle-aged woman's eyes suddenly widened. She rubbed the corner of her clothes vigorously, then reached out and took the three silver coins.

She originally wanted to rub it a few more times, but then she thought of something and her face changed immediately. She looked around and was relieved to see that no one else was looking at her. She quickly put the silver coin into her pocket.

The middle-aged woman thanked him first, then whispered, "Don't blame me for not telling you. Don't do this to other people lightly. They might just be the mayor's lackeys, reporting your wealth to him. The mayor is obsessed with money, and even if you're outsiders, he won't be able to get your help. You'll definitely cause trouble for your employer. As for those outsiders you're talking about, they live in a house near the mayor's house."

Tanes quickly said that he knew.

After they left, Bilbo asked, "She was the one who questioned us at first, so why did you give her money later?"

Tanes smiled and said, "Because the question I asked is indeed very important. Let's go and visit the place she mentioned."

Bilbo looked confused and trotted after Tanis. "Wait, I'm still not sure why your question is so important."

Millicent smiled and explained for Tanis, "Mr. Bilbo, since that lady said those people might have been hired by the mayor to fill the vacancies left by Bard and his men, and also mentioned that Bard had been helping them fight against the mayor. If you were to detain the mayor who imprisoned Bard's daughter, would you rather let those outsiders guard Bard's daughter, or let people from Long Lake Town fill these positions?"

Bilbo answered without hesitation, "They must be strangers. They don't know Bard and haven't received any favor from him. According to what the lady said, Bard has a high reputation in Lake Town. If they choose someone from Lake Town, it's very likely that Bard has done him a favor. What if they let Bard's daughter run away?"

Then Bilbo looked at Tanis and blinked. "Is that what you think, Tanis?"

Tanes shrugged and said with a smile, "More or less."

The three continued walking on the streets of Changhu Town. The mayor's house was very easy to identify, so they soon arrived at the alley near the mayor's house.

"Oh, they are the outsiders hired by the mayor?"

Bilbo huddled around the corner, watching the men walking down the street, their bodies completely enveloped in light black leather armor.

Tanes nodded thoughtfully, "Yes, but why do I feel that the way these people walk and communicate seems familiar... I feel like I've seen them somewhere."

Then he looked down at Bilbo and asked, "Do you remember anything?"

Bilbo poked his head out again, then drew it back again. "No, I certainly don't know these people who won't even show their faces... Why are you staring at me?"

He noticed that Tanes had been staring at him since he peeked in, and couldn't help asking.

Tanis pointed to Bilbo's waist and said hesitantly, "Did you get any glowing sapphires from Thorin and the others? There's always a blue light shining around your waist."

Millicent agreed, "Yes, it has been shining since the beginning."

Bilbo raised his eyebrows, looked at his waist in surprise, and twisted his body to reveal a short blade.

He said nonchalantly, "Ah, it's not a gem, it's just the Elf sword you asked me to choose from the Troll Cave last time. I remember Gandalf said it would glow as long as there were Orcs nearby..."

Bilbo finished his words, his eyes widening as he looked at the mercenaries who were wrapping their bodies around him.

This silenced Tanes, but he said, "Don't worry, let's get away from here first..."

Before he had finished his words, Bilbo was gone from his spot, carrying the elven short-blade, and running up the street from which he had come.

Tanis and Millicent both noticed that the elven short blade in Bilbo's hand dimmed again.

Then as Bilbo approached Tanis and Millicent, the elven shortblade lit up again.

Tanes narrowed his eyes at the outsiders hired by the mayor and said, "The situation is getting a little complicated... What on earth is the mayor of Long Lake Town up to?"

　PS: Dear readers, thank you for your hard work on the first day of work after the New Year.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)