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

Chapter 84 Escape
Tanis fell into deep thought when faced with Elrond's question. Even Bilbo thought that Tanis would agree as a matter of course, but his answer was beyond everyone's expectations.

"Sorry, Elrond, I'm afraid that's not possible for now." Tanes replied, shaking his head.

When Estel heard that Tanes had rejected him, a look of disappointment appeared on his young face.

However, Elrond did not show any surprise, because he heard the word "temporarily". He smiled and said, "Are you rejecting my proposal because you have an expedition coming up?"

Tanis nodded seriously. "You are right, Elrond. The final enemy of this expedition is Smaug, the dragon of the Lonely Mountain. Although I am confident that I can defeat him, he is still a dragon after all and cannot be underestimated. Because before the expedition is over, I don't have the extra energy to teach others."

What he meant by teaching people was like Fili and Kili in the Golden Tree Territory, where Tanes would teach them slowly and personally, instead of practicing with Estel like he just did.

That's just stretching your muscles at best, not teaching at all.

Elrond nodded. "That is precisely what I was thinking of asking you to do after this expedition."

After hearing Elrond's words, Estel's eyes shone and he pleaded with Tanes, "Please, Teacher Tanes."

Bernard chuckled at this scene. He shouted to Tanes, "This kid has already asked me to be his teacher. What do you say? If you don't agree, then I will steal your student. Anyway, I taught Fili and Kili their fighting skills. This kid's talent and ability are even higher than those dwarf brothers. I am very tempted. Maybe he can inherit my mantle."

Tanes glanced at Bernard unhappily. "It'll take at least another six or seven years before I can safely hand Estair over to you for training. I told you he's just a kid now, he can't handle your torment."

Estel understood the meaning of Tanes' words and asked quickly, "Do I understand that you are willing to accept me as your student?"

Tanes nodded gently. "You are willing to call me 'teacher', and you are neither lacking in talent nor neglecting training. I have no reason to refuse."

"Great!" Estel waved his hands excitedly.

Elrond also nodded faintly and said to Tanis, "Thank you very much, Tanis. Rivendell owes you a favor."

As soon as Elrond said this, Tanes, Bernal and Millicent immediately looked at him in surprise.

It seems that the identity of this little human boy is not simple, and it is so worthy that the Lord of the Valley says that he owes Tanes a favor.

Except Bilbo didn't think anything of this, he just looked at Estel with a smile, feeling happy from the bottom of his heart that this human boy could become Tanis's student.

I'm also a good friend of Tanes. Should I take the initiative to go over and say something?
Bilbo was still thinking in his mind, but his body took the initiative to move and walked towards Estel.

He felt in his pocket and asked, "Would you like an apple?"

Estel turned around in confusion and looked at the hobbit who was only slightly taller than him. He didn't understand why he suddenly came over and asked him if he wanted an apple.

Bilbo realized that what he said was a bit abrupt, and he immediately tapped his toes and explained awkwardly, "Uh, well, Tanis is my good friend, and you are his student. I thought I should say hello to you. This, um, this is the way hobbits greet each other."

Then Bilbo actually took out of his pocket a shiny apple, which he had asked the elves for last night's snack after returning from the pavilion.

After all, hobbits had to eat many meals a day, and Bilbo felt that there was nothing wrong with his request.

Elrond smiled and patted Estair's shoulder, motioning him to take the apple from Bilbo's hand.

Tanes then said, "Elrond, when I go on my expedition, you can send Estel to my territory ahead of time. I will draft a letter for you, telling Neferi Lu and the others that Estel is my student, so that he can get used to life in my territory ahead of time."

Elrond nodded in agreement, "Well, that's a good suggestion. I remember there are still some of my people living in your territory, and Estel has elves there to take care of him."

Then he leaned over and asked Estelle, who was already biting into the apple, "What do you think, Estelle?"

Estel swallowed the fruit in his mouth and said, "I will listen to you and Teacher Tanes, and I can take care of myself."

Elrond stood up and said to Tanes, "I will send my two sons with a cavalry escort to escort him. Estel is in your territory, so I leave it to you to take care of it."

Tanis was about to agree when he heard Gandalf's loud voice: "Why are you all gathered in this little place instead of enjoying a good breakfast?"

"Gandalf." Elrond welcomed Gandalf, and Estel also stood behind Elrond and saluted in a formal manner.

After Gandalf returned the greeting, he said to Tanis, "Tanis, I have finally found you."

Tanes walked over and asked, "What's the matter that makes you so anxious to find me?"

Gandalf pulled Tanis over, said "Excuse me" to everyone present, and took Tanis to another deserted pavilion.

The confusion in Tanis's eyes grew even more intense. He didn't understand why Gandalf had dragged him here alone.

He asked, "What on earth is it that requires you to avoid telling so many people? Are you trying to get me to do something shameful?"

Then Tanes thought seriously and asked, "Could it be that you have a crush on an elf girl, but are too embarrassed to tell Elrond?"

Gandalf resisted the urge to strike Tanis on the head with his staff and said in a low voice, "Stop your banter, Tanis. What I have to say is of great importance."

Tanis said he was all ears, and then Gandalf's words made Tanis' eyes widen.

Before Gandalf spoke, he checked to see if there was anyone around who was eavesdropping, especially a hobbit who liked to sneak up on them and avoid being discovered. Then he said to Tanis, "I need to take your friends and Thorin and the others and leave Rivendell by evening."

"Ah?" Tanes exclaimed in surprise, then immediately closed his mouth.

Fortunately, the sound he made just now was not loud and did not travel too far.

Tanis also lowered his voice and asked in confusion, "What's going on, Gandalf? Why did you suddenly ask me to take Thorin and the others away from Rivendell? Didn't Elrond say we should wait a few days and meet the guest?" Gandalf whispered, "The reason lies in the 'guest,' Tanis. I stayed up late last night and figured out who Lord Elrond invited. It's very likely Saruman the White."

Tanes was still a little confused and asked in a low voice: "Is this the wizard you introduced to me? But isn't he your colleague?"

Gandalf coughed lightly and said awkwardly, "That's true, but my relationship with him isn't very good. And Lord Elrond didn't seem to approve of Thorin's expedition last night, and Saruman certainly wouldn't approve. He believes Middle-earth is safe now, and rashly alarming the dragon is extremely risky. So if you don't take the dwarves away in advance, I'm afraid they'll stop this expedition."

Tanes said thoughtfully, "I understand, but the relationship between you wizards is really complicated."

Gandalf sighed. "As long as it's all for the safety of Middle-earth, it's fine. And you should understand that sometimes you really need people with different views and voices to remind you."

Tanes shrugged. "That's true. I'll go explain this to Thorin and the others now. I wonder if he's awake yet."

Gandalf replied, "Thorin is already up. I have explained this to him. He should be having the dwarves pack up so they can set out any time in the evening."

Tanis nodded, "That's good. It's a shame. I quite like the scenery of Rivendell and I just accepted a new student. By the way, Gandalf, won't you leave with us?"

Gandalf shook his head. "Me? No, I must stay and attract Saruman's attention. Besides, I do have something to show them. Remember the sword Radagast the Brown gave me? I need to show it to Saruman and let him know that Middle-earth is not as safe as he thinks. Don't worry, I will catch up with you soon, but it's a pity for you."

Tanes became confused again. Why did this wizard only speak half of what he wanted to say every time?

The corner of his mouth twitched as he asked, "What do you mean by 'it's a pity for me', Gandalf?"

Gandalf sighed. "If this expedition to the Lonely Mountain wasn't so important, I would have introduced you to Saruman and Lady Galadriel, and even invited you to join the meeting and become a new member of the White Council. You possess sufficient strength and wisdom, and I believe Saruman and Lady Galadriel would also greatly appreciate you."

Tanis suddenly realized and then smiled. "It doesn't matter. After the expedition is over, maybe I will have the chance to meet Saruman the White and Lady Galadriel. You can introduce them to me then. Please give them my regards this time. Oh, and before you leave Rivendell, please explain the reason for my departure to a child named 'Estair'. He is a human child adopted by Elrond."

Gandalf smiled as well and nodded, "I'm very happy to be of service, Tanis."

Tanis said, "Then I will explain this matter to Bilbo later. I can see that he likes Rivendell very much. Otherwise, if I tell him suddenly, Bilbo might not have time to pack his things."

In the evening, on a mountain path outside the valley, there was a sudden movement in the shadows where the setting sun could not reach, and then a group of dwarves suddenly appeared, led by several humans.

"This witchcraft is so magical! Mr. Tanes!" Groin looked at his hands in disbelief and said to Tanes.

Qili nodded excitedly and said, "Yes, they actually hid us in the darkness. Those pointy-eared elves with good eyesight didn't even know we passed by the shadows a few steps away from them."

Thorin's voice came: "Keep your voices down. We haven't completely left the territory of Rivendell yet. If there are still patrolling elves nearby who hear our voices, it will be a waste of the magic cast by Tanes."

Although Tanes said it was a prayer, and Fili and Kili also taught their compatriots the basics of prayer, the dwarves still habitually called it witchcraft.

The prayer Tanes performed this time was the prayer of the Two-Finger believers, one of the prayers favored by assassins who were willing to do dirty work for their faith: [Darkness].

This prayer causes darkness to cover the surroundings, hiding the executor's presence.

Therefore, Tanes cast this prayer as the night deepened, and successfully left the valley with Bernal, Thorin and others.

At least the elves wouldn't notice they were gone until dinner was served.

The entire group continued forward for a while. Just before the sun completely set, Thorin stopped and carefully observed the surroundings. After confirming that they had left the valley, he said to those behind him, "Everyone, be alert. We're almost at the edge of the wilderness. Balin, you're familiar with the rest of the road, so you'll lead the way."

"Okay." Balin nodded, walked past Thorin and took the lead.

At this time, Bilbo stood alone at the end of the team, his eyes reluctantly looking towards the valley in the distance that was gradually stained by the dusk.

The setting sun was as red as blood, and its afterglow sprinkled on those exquisitely crafted elf buildings, covering them with a layer of golden gauze.

Thorin noticed the hobbit pausing to gaze at the valley, and kindly warned him, "Master Baggins, I suggest you follow closely."

Bilbo turned around and nodded to Thorin.

Finally, he slowly, almost as if saying goodbye, took a deep look at the valley, and started to catch up with the team again.

Tanis noticed Bilbo's expression and deliberately took a few steps behind him to ask, "What's the matter, Bilbo? Why are you so reluctant to leave?"

Bilbo pretended to be indifferent and said, "Well, not really. I just suddenly felt a little uncomfortable when I thought that the pony who had been with me for so many days was abandoned in Rivendell."

Because they wanted to leave secretly, they naturally couldn't go to the stable guarded by elves.

Otherwise the elves would immediately discover that Tanes and the others were leaving, so now they could only move on by walking.

Of course, except Tanes, because his mount Torret can be summoned.

Tanes smiled: "Really?"

Bilbo sighed again. "Well, that's just one of the reasons. I think Rivendell is beautiful, and I love it there. But I don't know how long it will take me to come back and see Rivendell again, so I feel a little sad."

"Then let's go to Rivendell again when we come back. I promise you, Bilbo." Tanis said seriously.

　PS: I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about the meeting part anymore, so I just skipped it.

　　Saruman and Galadriel will have plenty of opportunities to meet, so there's no need to rush this time.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)