Hogwarts wizards who signed in to Middle-earth.

Chapter 52 Dispute
After killing a group of orcs, everyone was a little tired and stayed to rest.

The dwarves were excitedly discussing the battle that had just taken place, and comparing with each other who had killed more orcs.

But Gandalf was smoking his pipe in silence, with his head down in thought, looking a little worried.

Dewi noticed his expression and walked over to sit next to him. "Gandalf, what's wrong?"

Gandalf did not hide anything from Dewi. He sighed and said, "Orcs usually live in the Misty Mountains. The fact that we meet them in the wilderness now only means that the number of orcs in the Misty Mountains has increased to a huge number, forcing them to come down from the mountains and plunder in the wilderness."

"If we want to cross the Misty Mountains to the Lonely Mountain, the current situation is not good news for us!"

"Then what are you going to do?"

"After crossing the last bridge, I plan to leave temporarily and explore the way ahead to avoid encountering the orc army." Gandalf revealed his plan to Dui.

After hearing this, Dui thought for a moment and decided, "I'll go with you then. I have some experience in concealed magic. Even if we encounter an orc army, I can ensure our safe escape."

As he spoke, he pointed his wand at a stone under his feet.

The stone instantly disappeared from their sight and vanished without a trace.

However, upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the stone was not really invisible, but rather blended into the surrounding environment like a chameleon, making it difficult to detect its existence.

Gandalf's eyes lit up when he saw this scene, "Doir, how many surprises do you have that I don't know about?"

So when no one else knew, Gandalf and Due had already decided to explore the way ahead.

After they had rested enough, they set off again.

In the next few days, the group did not encounter any more orcs and arrived at the last bridge smoothly.

Finally, the bridge spans the Cangquan River. After crossing the bridge and walking east, you will reach the Troll Forest.

From here, it is not far from the valley and the Misty Mountains.

Before Dewi and Gandalf told the expedition team about their plan to explore the way, Thorin and Gandalf had a conflict.

The cause of the incident was the map of the Lonely Mountain drawn by Thrain II in Thorin's hand. The map recorded the location of the secret entrance to the Lonely Mountain, but the password to open the secret entrance was recorded in the moon language, which is the code of the dwarven runes.

This kind of moon text is very secretive and difficult to decipher, and requires a specific time and environment to see its content.

In order to unlock the secret of the map, Gandalf suggested going to Rivendell and asking Elrond, the famous elf sage in Middle-earth, to help decipher it.

But Thorin had a grudge against the elves, and he was stubborn and refused to go to the elves' territory.

"I do not consent to go to Rivendell!" said Thorin. "We Dwarves have no good in the lands of the Elves, and Elrond rules there now, a kinsman of Gil-galad, who was allied with our enemies!"

The enemy Thorin was referring to was Thranduil, the Elf King of the Woodland Kingdom in Mirkwood.

When the dragon Smaug occupied the Lonely Mountain, the dwarves asked for help from the nearby Woodland Kingdom, but were rejected by Thranduil.

Just because Thranduil once commissioned the dwarves of Lonely Mountain to make a set of white gem necklaces for his wife, but was rejected due to a dispute over remuneration, it caused a conflict between the Woodland Kingdom and the dwarves of Lonely Mountain.

"Elrond is a wise and just Elf," Gandalf tried to persuade. "His domain is a safe place where we can get advice and help. Moreover, he may be able to decipher the secret code on the map, which will be crucial to our journey."

"I don't trust elves!" Thorin insisted. "They always use cunning tricks and sweet words to deceive people. I don't want to owe them any favors, and I don't want them to know our plans."

"You are prejudiced, Thorin," Gandalf said seriously, "Not all elves are your enemies. Elrond is one of the wisest men in Middle-earth, and he is well versed in ancient knowledge. We need his help, otherwise we may encounter more dangers and difficulties on our next journey."

“I would rather face danger than bow down to the elves!” Thorin replied, showing no intention of compromise. “You’re as hard and stinking as a rock!” Gandalf, exasperated by Thorin’s stubbornness, shook his head and turned to leave.

"Where are you going, Gandalf?" Bilbo asked.

"Go ahead and explore the way ahead, lest some stubborn people think the dangers are not enough."

Gandalf stopped and turned to look at Dewi.

"Duyle, you come with me."

"Huh? Okay."

Dewi glanced at Bilbo and told him not to worry. "You watch the carriage for me. I'll go check ahead with Gandalf."

After saying this, he followed the angry Gandalf and left the team.

Seeing the two people closest to him leave, Bilbo looked at the dwarves awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

He could only hide in Dui's carriage and try to make himself invisible.

Thorin did not react at all to the departure of Gandalf and Due, and he directed the dwarves to rest on the spot.

front,

After Thorin's team could no longer be seen behind him.

The anger on Gandalf's face disappeared instantly, and he said to Dewi, "No matter what, we must go to Rivendell. Only Elrond can decipher the code on the map. Otherwise, even if we reach the Lonely Mountain, we will have no way to enter."

Seeing the anger disappear from Gandalf's face, Dewi asked curiously, "You're not angry?"

Gandalf shook his head. "I'm not angry, I just want to leave for a while. These dwarves are as hard and stinky as the stones under the orcs' buttocks. If I hadn't taken issue with them, I would have died of anger many times."

Being able to use such an adjective, it seemed that he was still a little angry. Dui listened to Gandalf's duplicity with some amusement.

"Gandalf, now that we're out, what should we do next? Are we really just exploring the way ahead?"

"We cannot join them yet," said Gandalf. "Thorin is very stubborn. Unless we knock him out, it will be hard for him to agree to go to Rivendell. So we need an opportunity to change his mind."

"What opportunity?"

"An opportunity to put them in crisis. Only when he encounters danger he cannot face will he change his stubborn ideas."

"Do you want to put them in danger?" Dui opened his eyes wide and looked at Gandalf in disbelief.

"This is the Troll Forest, not far from the Misty Mountains. It's hard not to encounter danger." Gandalf said with a smile, "Although it may seem a bit boastful, if we stay with them, we can easily deal with those dangers, and it won't put too much pressure on them."

"So I can only drag you out first and then protect you secretly. As long as we make sure their lives are not in danger, it will be fine."

I didn't expect you to be such a Gandalf! Dewi was secretly shocked.

But he still frowned slightly, "What about Bilbo? Why didn't you call it out just now? Why did you have to suffer with the dwarves?"

"That would be too obvious!" Gandalf shook his head. "Bilbo needs to grow up. He can't rely too much on us. Besides, sharing the joys and sorrows will make his relationship with the dwarves closer and more harmonious, which will be more helpful for our journey ahead."

Well, poor Bilbo, Dewi could only mourn for him for a few seconds.

(End of this chapter)