Dragon-Slaying? Now I'm Wide Awake

"That's mine... Don't touch my wine... Put it back... Put it back... Don't touch my jam..."

As it turned out, Bilbo underestimated the dwarves.

Despite being somewhat prepared, he still felt a sense of grief and indignation as he watched his food cupboard being emptied by one dwarf after another, and was powerless to stop it.

Especially when a fat dwarf carried three large pieces of cheese weighing a total of fifteen kilograms past him, he felt as if a shadow had been cast over his understanding.

"That's Grandfather Mungo's chair...and this one too, put it back..."

That's an antique, not something to sit on...

That's a book, not a coaster. Put the map back...

After the food, some antique furniture also fell into their clutches. The dwarves treated the place as their own home, meticulously preparing for their evening party.

"Excuse me, Gandalf, would you like a cup of chamomile tea?" asked a dwarf carrying a tea set.

"Thank you, Dori, just take some red wine."

Gandalf helped tidy the table and then went to the Entrance Hall, counting on his fingers, "Fili, Kili, Oin... Gloin, Dwalin, Balin... Bifur, Bofur, Bombur... Dori, Nori, Ori..."

"Stop counting, there are twelve dwarves," Aaron interjected. "But it looks like not everyone has arrived yet."

"They're still not all here?" Bilbo felt his heart couldn't take it anymore, afraid he'd hear the doorbell ring again.

"No." Aaron shook his head firmly. "These dwarves include young, middle-aged, and old people, and they may have different professions, but they all have one thing in common."

"Greedy?"

"Of course not, it was a man, and he even had weapons."

He was a warrior, a warrior of the Dwarves.

Furthermore, there is no difference in their status, but since this is an adventure group, what they need is a leader.

"Indeed, we are missing a dwarf," Gandalf said with some concern.

"He's just late," said Dwalin, leaning against the doorframe, his tone brimming with unquestionable confidence. "He'll be here after the clan gathering in the north."

Then he went up to Aaron and said, "Gandalf said he needed to add someone at the last minute. I was reluctant at first, but you and I have slightly different ideas."

Aaron forced a smile. "It's better if you're unwilling. I have no intention of going. Gandalf didn't even discuss it with me."

"It doesn't matter. One more or less won't make a difference to you."

Aaron:...

Whom are they looking down on?

"Gandalf, here's your small glass of red wine." Dori brought over two glasses of red wine. "It's very fruity."

Just as Gandalf was about to take the glass, Aaron beat him to it and downed the entire glass of red wine in one gulp.

"Not bad." Aaron smacked his lips, seemingly still wanting more. "Bilbo, did you brew this yourself?"

Bilbo nodded subconsciously, but soon he looked at Aaron with annoyance, "Children shouldn't drink alcohol."

"Don't worry about it so much!" Aaron shrugged. "At least I'm a proper guest, right?"

Bilbo was speechless. Compared to the dwarves, Aaron was simply a shining presence among the visitors.

Quickly, the table was laden with a variety of delicious foods.

Gandalf sat with the twelve dwarves, enjoying the food and wine to their hearts' content.

The sounds of chewing food, accompanied by the dwarves' cheerful laughter, unexpectedly created a beautiful scene.

Bilbo watched this scene from outside the door and helplessly turned his face away.

Out of sight, out of mind.

But as soon as he turned around, he saw a messy food cabinet, as if it had been ravaged by an army of locusts, which made him even more upset.

"Want a drink?" Aaron handed him a glass of ale. "Drowning your sorrows in alcohol is a good way to cope."

"Thank you!" Bilbo fumed and took a big gulp. "Damn dwarves, eating my food and taking my things is one thing, but making such a mess of my house is just too much."

"To correct you, it wasn't the dwarves who were damned, it was Gandalf," Aaron said in a serious tone. "That old bastard borrowed your Bag End and your food to entertain his dwarf friends."

I utterly abhor this kind of generosity at other people's expense, and we should strongly protest against it.

"That's right," Bilbo nodded in agreement. "But they have a lot of people."

Aaron snapped his fingers and took out a piece of parchment. "Take a look at this first."

Bilbo was puzzled, but when he saw it, his expression instantly became incredibly interesting.

"An IOU? That's not appropriate, is it?"

"Why is it inappropriate? Paying for a meal is a matter of course."

This list is something I wrote down item by item. I wouldn't say it's completely accurate, but it can minimize your losses.

At least you'll feel a little better.

"Let's forget it." Bilbo was silent for a moment, then shook his head with a smile. "Gandalf is my elder after all; I've known him since I was a child."

Moreover, the Bagins family had some connection with him; Old Took liked his fireworks, and my the Mother also held him in high esteem.

"Well... whatever makes you happy."

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the dwarves gradually emerged from the dining room.

Bilbo blocked Gandalf, his annoyance clearly visible on his face.

Why are you being so stubborn?

"You know perfectly well what I'm asking." Aaron handed the list to Gandalf. "Bagins has decided not to let you compensate him for his losses, but you should at least give him an explanation."

"Yes." Bilbo nodded hastily. "What were they doing in my house?"

"Once you get used to it, they're quite fun."

"I don't want to get used to it." Bilbo tugged at Gandalf's sleeve and pointed to the floor. "Look at my kitchen, the carpet is all mud, the pantry is empty, and the bathroom is a mess."

"And my guest room too," Aaron said wearily. "They've moved out the only set of table and chairs in the room."

"That's still considered good. They used my tablecloth as a rag, but it's a knitted, handmade item."

"Excuse me, excuse me for interrupting, but where should we put the plate?" Ori asked, holding the plate.

Aaron shook his head, rubbing his forehead. "Just put it back where you got it!"

Ori was taken aback. They had taken at least a week's worth of plates, so they didn't remember that clearly at all.

"Here, Ori, give me the plate."

A dwarf came over and casually threw the plate out of Ori's hand. Kili caught it at the door and then threw it into the room. Fili, with his back to the door, took it and quickly washed it clean.

"That's my mother's antique porcelain, it's over 100 years old!" Bilbo roared.

However, the dwarves acted as if they hadn't heard anything, continuing to pass and wash the tableware in their own way.

The sound of forks striking each other, combined with the impromptu rap, surprisingly created a melody that felt completely natural.

"Forget it! We can't stop it," Aaron comforted. "If anything really breaks, I'll fix it for you."

"You can do this too?" Bilbo looked at Aaron in surprise. "Wait, didn't you have amnesia?"

"Hmm...but some things I always remember." Aaron tapped his temple. "My ancestors must have been repairmen."

"I think I'll go check on my antique tableware!"

Bilbo struggled through the dwarfs and arrived at the table where he saw neatly stacked tableware, without a speck of dirt.

The dwarves were very efficient; they cleaned the hobbit hole spotless in just a few minutes.

Apart from the fact that all the food was gone, everything else was the same as before they arrived.

Bang! Bang!

This time it wasn't a doorbell, but a simple and forceful knocking.

Everyone fell silent and looked towards the doorway in unison.

Gandalf took a drag of his cigarette and said in a deep voice, "He's here."

Aaron noticed a hint of reverence in the eyes of the ten dwarves and thought to himself: It seems that this leader has an exceptionally high level of prestige.

Gandalf opened the door himself, and a tall dwarf walked in.

Compared to dwarves like Dwalin and Balin, this dwarf's equipment was not much better, but he had the air of someone in a superior position.

"Gandalf, didn't you say this place was easy to find?"

I got lost twice; I wouldn't have been able to find my way if it weren't for the markings on the doors.

"So... now everyone's here." Aaron raised an eyebrow. "The thirteenth dwarf."

"Bilbo Bagins, Aaron Gaius, allow me to introduce our leader," Gandalf said, "Thorin Oakenshield."

"So, this is a Hobbit." Thorin looked at Bilbo with some disdain, then turned his more hopeful gaze to Aaron. "Gandalf, you didn't tell me that the person you added at the last minute was a child."

Aaron blinked.

How many times have I been looked down upon?

"Thorin, he's different," Gandalf said with a mysterious smile. "His intuition is very accurate; I haven't experienced anything like it in a long time."

Trust me, I can guarantee that Gaius will play a absolutely crucial role.

Thorin's contempt lessened somewhat. "But he's still just a child."

"What's wrong with being a child? Everyone started as a child." Aaron straightened his back defiantly. If he hadn't been so clueless about the world, he would have taught Thorin to be a dwarf in no time.

"Hmph!" Thorin sneered. "Do you have any combat experience?"

"I think so!" Aaron looked at Thorin with some uncertainty. "One against three shouldn't be a problem."

"Axe or sword, what's your go-to weapon?"

"Swords, please!"

"Indeed, the axe is a big challenge for you."

And you? Bilbo Bagins.

"I'm still quite good at making chestnuts," Bilbo said with some pride, "But I don't understand the connection."

"I think so too. You don't seem like a Golden Snitch, more like a grocer," Thorin laughed. The dwarves and Gandalf laughed as well, and the atmosphere lightened up a bit.

The dining room was converted into a temporary Meeting Room, where Gandalf and the thirteen dwarves sat around a table.

Completely bewildered, Aaron and Bilbo couldn't squeeze in and could only listen in.

"How was the party in Ered Luin? Did everyone come?" Balin asked.

"Yes, envoys from all seven kingdoms have come," Thorin said.

"An envoy of the kingdom?" Aaron tapped the chair lightly. "It seems your status is more valuable than I thought."

"Of course, Thorin is..."

"Balin." Thorin glared at Balin, who then shut his mouth in annoyance.

"What do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say?" Dwalin asked. "Will Dain support us?"

Thorin remained silent for a long while. "They won't come."

Upon hearing this, the other dwarves looked somewhat disappointed, but also felt that it seemed reasonable.

"They said this expedition was our own business."

"Bilbo, please light this place up." Gandalf pulled a map from his sleeve and unfolded it in front of everyone. "In the far east, beyond mountains and rivers, through dense forests and wastelands, lies a solitary mountain."

Bilbo took a candle, and in its light he could see the name of the place Gandalf was pointing to. "The Lonely Mountain."

"That's not the point." Aaron pointed excitedly to a pattern on Lonely Mountain. "This is the point."

"This is..." Bilbo swallowed hard. "It's not a dragon, is it?"

"This is the terrifying Smaug, the largest and most ferocious beast of this generation," Nori said. "If you're afraid, you don't have to go."

"No, I'll go." Aaron's gaze was firm. "Please make sure you take me with you."

Gandalf's lips curled up slightly. He had thought he would have to use more words, but he didn't expect Aaron to be so cooperative.

"Aaron," Bilbo tugged at his sleeve, "Do you know what you're saying?"

"I know it very well, I know it all too well."

Is that a dragon? That dragon is the key to activate the Dragon-Slaying Magic Crystal.

I searched high and low without finding it, but then it came to me without any effort!

Brutal, killing without any guilt, powerful, and might have other characteristics after the Dragon-Slaying Magic Crystal is activated.

In short, nobody should try to take it from me.

"Child, you may not know how terrifying Smaug," Balin said seriously. "The dragon is a fire-breathing monster with sharp teeth, long and pointed claws, and its entire body is covered in indestructible scales."

"I know you might not believe it, but my understanding of dragons surpasses that of anyone here," Aaron said calmly.

He had raised a dragon, which was still in its infancy, but they had lived and eaten together for more than two years. He dared to say that no one present had had this experience.

Ori suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "I'm not afraid, I'm ready, I'm going to let him taste the power of dwarven weapons."

"Well done, Ori."

"Sit down quickly."

The young dwarf's courage seemed to inspire everyone, giving them a boost of confidence.

Upon seeing this, Aaron couldn't help but frown.

Slaying the dragon wasn't based on confidence. He didn't know what kind of weapon Ori was, but he was very clear that Fili's sword couldn't break through the dragon's defenses.

As for the others, they're probably about the same, some even without weapons.

"Even with a large army coming to our aid, this journey will still be fraught with danger and uncertainty, and we only have thirteen people," Balin said with some concern. "They are not even the top thirteen, nor are they the smartest."

"Excuse me for interrupting," Aaron said, raising his hand. "There are fourteen people, fifteen if you include Gandalf, and we can't rule out Bilbo being added as well."

Furthermore, determination is sometimes more important than being top-notch or intelligent.

"That's right." Fili nodded in agreement. "We may not be many, but we are all warriors, fighting to the death."

"Um... excuse me, I might have to interrupt again."

"Fighting to the death" might be a bit too strong a word for me. I will do my best to help you within my capabilities, but let me be clear: if there is any danger to my life, then... a strategic retreat will be the only option."

Everyone:...

These words were somewhat discouraging to the morale of the troops.