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

Chapter 50 Everyone is busy

"But I didn't expect Thorin to invite you to attend the dwarf meeting, Tanes. This really saves me a lot of effort to persuade Thorin to retake the Lonely Mountain." Gandalf said with a smile.

Tanes said, "I'm actually quite curious why you're so keen on persuading Thorin to reclaim the Lonely Mountain."

Gandalf said worriedly, "Because all signs indicate that darkness is awakening, Tanis. Although the dragon of the Lonely Mountain serves no one, if it joins the ranks of the dark army, the damage it causes to Middle-earth will be many times greater than before. Imagine the army of the Kingdom of Gondor, which has been resisting the main force of the Orcs in the southeast of Middle-earth, and suddenly a giant dragon appears above their heads and spews fire at them, and their hard-won front will be overturned."

"And another point is that the Lonely Mountain's strategic location is extremely important. If the Lonely Mountain falls into the hands of the dark army, they can use it as a base to march south from the north without restraint. The dwarves of the Iron Hills alone cannot resist the enemies who attempt to retake Angmar and the northern passes of the mountains, and ultimately the entire north will be plunged into war."

Tanes stroked his chin and said thoughtfully, "I understand what you mean. You want the dwarves to recapture the Lonely Mountain and use it as the first line of defense against the enemy in the north."

Gandalf smiled and nodded. "I'm glad you understand what I mean. And hearing from you that Thorin also has the same intention is one of the few good news I've heard recently."

Tanis warned, "Don't be too happy, Gandalf. Although Thorin wants to recapture the Lonely Mountain, he still needs the consent of the Seven Kingdoms of the Dwarves to mobilize the army. Otherwise, he can only go to the Lonely Mountain alone, although I will give him help."

Gandalf said he knew, but he confidently took out an old map and an ancient key from his gray wizard robe.

Tanis asked curiously, "Gandalf, what are these two things?"

Gandalf smiled slightly and said, "Didn't Thorin tell you that the Lonely Mountain is sealed and no one can enter it?"

Tanes nodded.

Gandalf picked up the key and held it in front of him. "These two items are the treasures that allow people to enter the Lonely Mountain. I once met Thorin's father, Thrain. He entrusted me with the key and map to the secret door of the Lonely Mountain and asked me to give them to Thorin at the right time."

It was not surprising to Tanes that there was a secret door in Lonely Mountain. After all, the large buildings and castles in various border areas also had secret passages or side doors.

But Tanis still said: "But these two things are not enough to convince the representatives of the seven dwarf kingdoms to agree to support Thorin's plan. Where does your confidence come from, Gandalf?"

Gandalf still maintained that smiling expression: "You are right, Tanis, the seven dwarf kingdoms may indeed reject Thorin, but they will never reject the king's crown jewel in the Lonely Mountain - the Arkenstone, also known as the Heart of the Mountain. The seven dwarf families have sworn an oath of absolute loyalty to the Arkenstone. Therefore, as long as Thorin can sneak into the Lonely Mountain while the dragon is sleeping and bring it out, he can gather the dwarf army, kill the dragon and successfully reclaim the Lonely Mountain."

Tanis blinked. "So when Thorin first went to the Lonely Mountain, he didn't actually have to worry about killing the dragon? He just had to enter through the secret door, find the gem, bring it out, and return to the Blue Mountains?"

Gandalf reacted: "Wait, when you said you would help Thorin, did you mean you were going to fight the dragon?"

Tanes asked in confusion, "Yes, what else? And when I first met you, I said that since there is an evil dragon there, we should kill it."

Now it was Gandalf's turn to open his mouth, not knowing how to answer.

He could only shake his sleeves, put away the key and map, and said, "I thought it was just some kind of polite remark. After all, I don't think anyone would really want to face a huge, invulnerable, fire-breathing dragon alone."

Tanes shrugged. "Well, that's the way it is. I've already made an appointment with Thorin to attend the Dwarven Council, and there's a conflict in our schedules, so I can't attend the White Council you mentioned."

Gandalf also showed a regretful expression. "I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Lady Galadriel and Saruman the White. Lady Galadriel is a beautiful and wise woman, and although Saruman is a little arrogant, he is also a wise man."

Tanis suggested, "Why don't we try something else, Gandalf? Thorin has already told me that if he sees you, he will invite you to the Dwarfs' Council. So, you and I can go to the Blue Mountains first, and then after the Council is over, I will go to Rivendell with you. How about this proposal?"

Gandalf shook his head. "Before the White Council begins, I have some places to go and some things to do. Therefore, I cannot attend the meeting of the Seven Kingdoms of the Dwarves with you. If you had not told me of Thorin's plan, I would have rushed to the Blue Mountains to find Thorin tonight."

When Tanis heard Gandalf's answer, he could only sigh softly and say, "It is the only way."

"Now that we have discussed the important matters, it's time to talk about some relaxing things. If you are not busy, how about you take me on a tour around your territory?" Gandalf's stern expression relaxed, and a smile appeared on his old and wise face as he asked Tanis.

Tanes nodded happily and said with the same smile: "Of course, don't be too surprised when the time comes."

Then he looked at Roger and D and said, "You should rest well in the territory for the next few days. There is no need for you to go out and search for intelligence for the time being."

Roger smiled easily and said, "I'm still a little uncomfortable with this, Tanes. If nothing else requires me, I'd like to go to the Blue Mountains and take a look."

Tanes asked curiously, "Why did you suddenly think of going to the Blue Mountains?"

Before Roger could reply, D, who was sitting next to him, spoke first, still using his cold tone towards Roger, saying, "Because he complained to me all the way, saying that the scenery he saw on the road these days was nothing but swamps and wastelands, not beautiful at all. He wanted to see some truly beautiful places. I've heard this so many times that my ears are almost covered in calluses."

Roger coughed awkwardly. "Ahem, uh, Dallion is actually right. I'm curious about the world, so I thought I'd travel around when I'm not busy."

Tanes was slightly stunned, and said to Roger sincerely: "I was not considerate enough and ignored your feelings, Roger."

Roger waved his hands repeatedly. "This isn't your problem, Tanes. Look, D never complained. It's simply because I'm too curious and want to explore further afield."

Gandalf glanced at Tanis, whose face was filled with apology, and then said with a smile, "But this is human nature, Mr. Roger. Given Tanis's personality, he certainly doesn't want to see his friends do things they don't want to do because of him." Then Gandalf changed the subject and said, "However, although this world has magnificent scenery, there are also hidden dangers beneath that beauty. If you want to go out and see beautiful scenery, why not go to Rivendell? Lord Elrond is also acquainted with you, and he is also looking forward to having the people of the Golden Tree visit him. The wonderful scenery of Rivendell will definitely not disappoint you."

Tanes' eyes lit up and he nodded, "Well, that's good. What do you think, Roger?"

Roger pondered for a moment and said, "...Rivendell? It sounds pretty good."

Tanes said, "It's settled then. What about D? Do you want to go on vacation with Roger too, just to change your mood?"

D stood up, bowed slightly, and then looked at Tanes with a burning gaze. "Thank you for your kindness and generosity, Lord Tanes. But I am not like a certain fragile-hearted magician who needs a vacation. If you have anything to ask of me, please feel free to ask me. I will do my best to achieve your goal."

Actually, there is no need to be so exaggerated. Although I have no objection if you are willing to work so hard.

Tanis thought for a moment and said, "How about this, Roger, D, after you've rested for a while in the territory, go north and help me bring some books written by dwarves and elves, as well as food and clothing related to the borderlands, to Hobbiton in the Shire. Find a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins and give everything to him. Then, say hello to him for me and say, 'Thank you for the food, Bilbo, for saving Tanis from hunger on his journey.'"

Gandalf also agreed with a smile. "Ah, Hobbiton, it is really a peaceful place away from the world. There are chimneys with smoking chimneys and bustling farms, as well as tranquil lakes and emerald green terraces. If you let me choose where to settle down, Hobbiton would undoubtedly be one of my choices."

Tanis nodded. "Yes, even though I only lived there for a few days, I still can't forget those hobbits who loved life."

D immediately nodded and agreed. "Since he's a friend who helped Lord Tanes, I'll make sure he's satisfied with the gift I give him."

Roger smiled and said, "It sounds like a perfect place to enjoy afternoon tea in the afternoon and read a book slowly while sitting on a wicker chair. If Bilbo Baggins is willing to let me stay, I think I would stay for a few days."

Tanis recalled the hobbit who was almost as tall as himself but very kind-hearted. He relaxed and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "He will, Roger."

However, just one week after Roger and D set off, Thorin suddenly came to the territory of the Golden Tree again.

Gandalf had not left yet. After hearing the news that Thorin had come here, he decided to talk to him about Lonely Mountain.

However, when Tanes saw Thorin coming into the city lord's hall with a gloomy face, he realized that something might have happened in the Blue Mountains.

Gandalf had lived for so long that he had already mastered the skill of reading people's expressions and speaking, so he would not speak rashly before he found out what had happened to Thorin.

So he signaled with his eyes to Tanes, who had a better relationship with Thorin, to ask him what happened to Thorin.

In fact, even without Gandalf's gaze asking, Tanis would know that he cared about his friends.

"Thorin, are you in any trouble? Why do you look so bad? How's the contact with the Dwarf Council going?" Tanes asked.

Thorin downed the ale his maid brought him in one gulp and slammed the glass down on the table. His suppressed dwarven temper finally erupted: "A Dwarven Council? Those cowards didn't even bother to come. They simply wrote back a letter refusing! That evil dragon hasn't appeared in nearly 60 years, and yet the dwarves of the Seven Kingdoms would rather sit back and watch the treasures of the Lonely Mountain be coveted by everyone than agree to my plan to reclaim it!"

Tanes tilted his head and signaled the maid to fill Thorin's beer glass again, then said gently: "Drink another glass of ale to calm down, Thorin."

After Thorin vented the anger he had been holding back on the journey, he sat down dejectedly, drank another glass of ale, closed his eyes and said, "No more. The ore and manpower to forge a large number of black arrows are gone, and Smaug's army outside the main gate is gone. They told me that I am not Durin's king and I have no inheritance to the throne. Only when I obtain the Arkenstone will they recognize the king's rights."

Tanis and Gandalf looked at each other, and Tanis said, "You still have me, Thorin. I promised you, and I have not forgotten, that I would help you myself, whether you have the support of the Dwarven army or not."

Thorin's eyes, which had been filled with loss and anger, softened. He looked at Tanes and said, "You are the most trustworthy human I have ever met, Tanes."

Tanes smiled, and then suddenly said to Thorin mysteriously: "Besides, it's not impossible for you to obtain the Arken Gem."

Thorin's expression was momentarily bewildered. "What do you mean? The Arkenstone is far away in the Lonely Mountain. Not to mention the fact that the main gate to the Lonely Mountain is blocked, it's probably buried in that mountain of gold coins, deep under the feet of a fire-breathing dragon. How am I supposed to get the Arkenstone in this vast sea of ​​gold?"

Gandalf laughed and said, "Therefore, we need to sneak in quietly from the side door of Lonely Mountain and have a skilled thief steal the Arkenstone."

"Side door!?" This was Thorin.

"Snitch??" This is Tanes.

The two men were surprised in different ways. After being surprised, Thorin frowned and looked at the old gray-robed human male, asking about his identity with his eyes.

Gandalf politely replied, "I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey."

　PS1: In the original novel, the Arkenstone is just a beautiful gem and does not imply any right of allegiance. It is the movie version that gives the Arkenstone this right.

　　I thought this change was more reasonable, so I used the movie version.

　　PS2: I bought the movie ticket for "The Battle of Rohan" this Sunday night. Readers who have watched the premiere, what do you think of this Lord of the Rings animated movie?
　　
　
(End of this chapter)