The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 253 Unexpected Gains

Helm's Deep.

The valley that once belonged to the former kings of Rohan is now filled with the corpses of Orcs.

When Éomer arrived with two thousand Rohan elites, he was also shocked by the sight before him. Beneath the defensive walls and Horn Keep, the corpses of Orcs were piled up like mountains, and in some places they were almost level with the height of the city walls.

The Orcs' fighting spirit was astonishing. Even the most elite warriors of Rohan would find it difficult to achieve such a fierce battle. It was as if they were fighting to the death, and they would not back down until the last man was gone.

On the plain outside the valley.

Gandalf turned around and, seeing the shocked expressions on the Rohan soldiers' faces, knew he had to say something, otherwise this elite cavalry would inevitably be filled with fear when facing the forces of darkness in the future.

"Éomer, this is Saluman's evil magic; he poured far too much power into it!"

On horseback, Gandalf pointed his two-meter-tall staff at the Orc, and on the Orc's chest armor was a striking white handprint.

"Saluman used his power to not only grant the Orcs the ability to be unafraid of sunlight, but also to bewitch their minds, turning them into nothing less than killing tools."

"Fortunately, his power was also limited, and we will never see such an enemy again."

As Gandalf explained, Éomer's expression softened; what cavalrymen feared most was this kind of fearless enemy.

If a charge is stopped, it is absolutely a disaster for cavalry.

……

This seems to confirm Gandalf's explanation.

The melodious sound of horns echoed through the Fagong Forest.

The tree shepherds, who had been asleep for thousands of years, awoke once more and followed the horns to the outskirts of the devastated forest.

The forest was enraged.

Countless tree people awaken in the ancient Fagon Forest.

These enormous creatures, averaging around ten meters tall, may seem to move slowly, but each step they take covers a great distance.

Fueled by rage, they charged toward the Tower of Isengard.

Saluman had already sensed this intense anger, or rather, the moment the Tree Man's horn sounded.

But the current situation left the white-robed wizard powerless. His power was scattered; although each powerful orc only expended a little, the sum of thousands upon thousands of these small amounts was not negligible.

……

The vast grasslands of Lohan.

After wiping out the main force of the Orcs, the endless sea of ​​people led Théoden to order a return to Edoras.

The capital of Rohan cannot be neglected; it is not only an honor, but more importantly, a symbol.

As long as the banner of Rohan flies over Edoras, this vast land will not be disturbed by other forces.

Unlike the somber mood before departure, every Rohan member on the return journey beamed with joy.

Even the most innocent children and the most naive old women knew perfectly well that the war in Rohan was over.

The darkness that had ravaged this grassland was completely eradicated.

On the way back.

Ino did not choose the conspicuous flying broomstick, but instead rode Rohan's warhorse leisurely back with the main force.

With Éomer leading two thousand elite troops to protect them, there is really no need to worry about safety. Even if ten thousand strong orcs suddenly appeared out of nowhere, the Rohan cavalry would still be able to fight them.

Although the ride was leisurely and the warhorse beneath him was equally docile, there were also corresponding annoyances.

"...So, was that white light a power of belief?"

Iowa, riding a brown warhorse, asked with an expectant look on her face.

Ino pretended not to hear the curious girl in front of her and quietly turned her head to look to the side.

As a result, as soon as I turned my head, I saw Theojade again.

The two of them talked incessantly after leaving the valley. Although Iowa did most of the talking, Theojad always kept up with it.

However, he also had his own unique way of dealing with their curiosity.

"Would you like some candy?"

Ino took out two pieces of cream toffee and handed them to the prince and princess of Rohan on either side.

Theojad seemed to have inherited his father's sweet tooth; the moment he saw the candy, he happily accepted it.

On the contrary, Éowyn did not catch the candy this time, her beautiful face still full of curiosity.

"Since you don't eat candy, how about I give you a weapon, a weapon with magical powers?"

Ino recalled the one-handed sword that old Bans had gifted him when he commissioned a musical instrument. Although it was just a free gift, its toughness and sharpness completely surpassed the standard weapons of the people of Middle-earth.

"Okay!" Iowa readily agreed, but then lowered her head slightly and whispered, "Thank you!"

Theojad glanced at the two of them, then looked at the candy in his hand, suddenly finding it less appealing. After all, no one could have imagined that refusing the candy would lead to a weapon.

But since things had already come to this, he couldn't go back on his word and could only blame himself for being too quick to take the candy first.

"Don't worry, you'll get one too!"

Noticing the emotions around her, Ino turned around and made a promise.

……

The return journey went very smoothly.

Perhaps it was because of the absence of Orcs, or perhaps everyone was looking forward to going home.

In short, the journey took only two and a half days, and everyone returned to the royal capital, Edoras.

The city, standing amidst the white mountains, appears more desolate and dilapidated than before, yet everyone feels genuine joy.

This is a joy of surviving a catastrophe, and also the most basic human desire in war—to live.

On horseback, Ino quietly savored this emotion.

The emotions of more than 10,000 Rohan citizens are the most simple and pure thoughts of ordinary people: to live peacefully and safely.

Ino didn't use magic, but a faint flame suddenly appeared before his eyes, like an invisible match being struck.

At the same time, at the front of the returning group, Gandalf seemed to sense something.

The newly appointed white-robed wizard turned around with a smile. Although the distance was great, his eyes seemed to transcend the distance and see something clearly.

a long time.

Gandalf withdrew his gaze, raised his right hand holding the staff, and a ring inlaid with a red gemstone seemed to flash with light.

……

Edoras was unusually quiet at night.

After the war ended, everyone enjoyed the hard-won peace.

As night falls, the city is quiet, but a closer look reveals the vitality hidden within this tranquility.

Like a seed buried in the soil and fully saturated with water, it may seem ordinary, but it will surely sprout and grow new branches in the spring of the following year.

In the city center, on a slope not far from the council chamber.

A room so simple it was almost unrefined, with furnishings reminiscent of the Middle Ages.

The bed was covered with straw, there was a simple wooden table and a matching long bench, and nothing else.

On the table sat an old bronze oil lamp, its warm flame flickering gently as if it were alive.

(End of this chapter)