Balin's Request

"Thorin!" Roland found Thorin in the Royal Hall.

"Roland?" Thorin was surprised to see Roland, as he really hadn't expected him back so soon.

"Yes, I've run into some trouble, and I need the dwarves' help..." Roland explained his predicament.

"Hm? Trouble? Did the Orcs come?" Like Bard, Thorin immediately thought of the Orcs.

"It's not an Orc problem," Roland explained with a dark expression.

"What? Famine?" This made Thorin laugh outright. He never expected Roland, who commanded a Wyvern Knight, to be overwhelmed by refugees. What a fall from grace! Thorin laughed heartily.

"What the hell? What do you mean, Thorin? My people are eating chaff and weeds, and you can laugh about it?" Roland's eyes widened.

"No, I just didn't expect that you, King Roland, who could beat the Orcs till they cried for their mamas, would one day be brought down by your own people..." The aloof Thorin Oakenshield was laughing uncontrollably.

"Ridiculous... Is there any logical connection between these things?" Roland said expressionlessly, though inwardly he was mortified. It was too embarrassing! Embarrassing himself in front of the dwarves! Bard was driven from his home by Smaug due to hunger and cold, but Roland's hunger and cold were due to his own lack of preparation for food storage...

"Tell me, do you have any surplus food or warm clothing? If you do, I'll buy them!" As he spoke, Roland opened a small leather pouch and poured out all the gems within.

"..." Thorin was stunned, not by Roland's wealth, but by his sheer audacity. What is this? Using my money to buy my favor? You just extorted me, and now you're back to spend gems? That's so like you, Roland!

Suddenly, Thorin's gaze towards Roland changed.

"Yes, of course! Talking about money between us friends would be too much of a strain on our relationship." Thorin remembered that the dwarves from the Iron Hills had brought a large amount of supplies, and since they had more than enough, they could spare some for Roland.

"That's great! So it's free then!" Roland was shocked by Thorin. That's just like you, Thorin! Kings from down the mountain really are something else. This generosity alone shows their financial power. Roland, overjoyed, prepared to gather the gems on the table.

"Scoop!" Thorin waved his hand and swept the gems into his arms. Seeing Roland's bewildered expression, Thorin chuckled, turned, and walked away. You already took so much gold from me, I might as well reluctantly accept this as compensation. After all, even a small mosquito is still meat.

Roland finally came to his senses. Thorin had changed! Where was the simple, kind, and hospitable dwarf he remembered? Ah well, it's like taking from the people and giving back to the people, Roland consoled himself.

"Pat, pat!" Thorin patted the newly packed cart firmly, checking the tightness of the ropes.

"How is it? Is this enough?" Thorin looked up and asked Roland.

Twenty large carts were piled high with various goods: five carts of flour, five carts of dried meat, five carts of leather and linen clothing, and five carts of various tools. Roland nodded in satisfaction. With these supplies, the winter would undoubtedly be much easier. Roland was also organizing people to break the ice and fish.

I can start planning for those 100 Lagrange City guards now, Roland thought to himself. Although the Orc army had retreated north, small groups of Orcs wandering the wasteland could gather in the winter, posing a significant threat to the still-weak Flowing City. They could essentially be wiped out and have to start over.

"Roland! I'll have Balin escort the supplies back for you," Thorin said, considering that Roland's own men were insufficient to protect the goods. He planned to have Balin accompany them, and perhaps get acquainted with Roland's domain.

"Of course, I couldn't ask for more." Roland, who was already short-handed, readily accepted Thorin's kind offer.

"You've established a town at the lake mouth?" Balin asked curiously, looking at the lord who had changed the geopolitical landscape of the north.

"Yes..." Roland didn't intend to say too much.

"By the way, King Roland, I have a request. I wonder if you could grant it?" Balin suddenly remembered something and spoke somewhat hesitantly.

"A request?" Roland immediately understood what Balin wanted to talk about.

"Are you planning to march on Moria?" Roland sized up Balin.

"Oh! You are truly wise!" Balin was impressed by Roland's intellect. He hadn't expected Roland to guess his intentions.

"Why do you want to retake Moria? Isn't Erebor good enough?" Roland asked, puzzled.

Balin shrugged his shoulders and remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Khazad-dûm was the dwarves' proudest city... It is the ancient capital of the dwarves. I hope to see the glory of Durin's descendants illuminate it once more..."

"I recall Thráin leading you in an attack on Khazad-dûm, didn't he?" Roland remembered the Battle of Azanulbizar, the last battle that took place at the East-gate of Khazad-dûm. That battle ended in a pyrrhic victory for the dwarves, but because the Balrog still lurked deep within the city, the remaining dwarves were unable to retake Moria...

"Yes, but we failed..." Balin's tone was somber.

Roland opened his mouth to try and persuade Balin when a clear and pleasant system voice chimed in—

"Ding dong! Side quest unlocked: Retake Moria. Quest valid for: 1 year. Reward: Random attribute Dragon Rider *1."

"Never mind what I was going to say! I'm helping with this! Based on our life-and-death friendship! Forget Moria! I'll even help you raze Gundabad!" Roland declared, patting his chest. He couldn't help it... Roland hadn't escaped the "true fragrance" law. A Tier 5 Dragon Rider! Roland convinced others by first convincing himself.

"Uh, this..." Roland's sudden move completely baffled Balin. This person had just advised him against venturing into danger, and now he was more eager than Balin himself. Balin's poor brain capacity couldn't quite process it.

"Damn it!" Caslo, following behind Roland, cursed inwardly. The Balrog was a Super Beast... Who else could fight a Super Beast besides himself? It's really not my problem if I'm not on the field! Caslo gave his king a helpless glare, watching as his king ruthlessly sold him out. Caslo was already contemplating what items could increase his fire resistance and preparing them in advance, lest the Balrog cremate him...

"We're here!" Roland saw the familiar broken stone wall and felt an immediate sense of familiarity. Although it was a bit broken, it was still his first "nest" in Middle-earth, wasn't it?

"This is wonderful! In just a few days, your city has already taken shape," Balin exclaimed.

"Indeed! Indeed!" Roland basked in the praise.

After directing the unloading and storage of the goods, Roland once again expressed his gratitude to the dwarves. As he watched Balin and his men turn the carts pulled by mountain goats, Roland suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right! Balin! If possible, please schedule the retaking of Moria for next summer. I will lead my army to assist you then." Roland shouted to Balin after some thought. Scheduling it for summer was a decision Roland had carefully considered. He knew that embarking on an expedition to Moria this winter was impossible. Spring would be for plowing and city construction, and only in summer would Roland's army be free.

"Understood! King Roland, I will depart in the summer to rendezvous with you." Balin bowed respectfully.

"Farewell! Travel safely!" Roland waved goodbye to the departing dwarf caravan.

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