Ogres? Higher-Level Trolls

The rain poured down, turning the roads into a muddy mess.

Little Horse's movements slowed down, and the expedition team was soaked and looked particularly disheveled.

"Gandalf, would you please do something about these floods?" Dori said.

"Have some common sense, okay?" Aaron rolled his eyes speechlessly. "If he had that ability, we wouldn't have been soaked for more than three hours."

Gandalf shrugged. "If you want to change the weather, you'll have to find other Warlock."

"Are there other Warlock?" Bilbo asked curiously.

"There are a total of 10, the highest-ranking being the White Wizard Saruman, and there are two Blue Wizard, but I've forgotten their names."

"Who is the next one?"

"It is the Brown Wizard Radagast."

Is he very skilled? Or is he like you?

"I think he was an unconventional Warlock, gentle in nature, who preferred to be with forest animals."

"Ha, this reminds me of one of my... friends." The image of Hagrid suddenly popped into Aaron's mind, though he was more of a playboy and liked to associate with huge, furry creatures, such as Three-headed Dog and Acromantula.

"The brown-robed Warlock guards the vast forest to the east. Fortunately, he is there, for evil is always looking for a foothold."

"Gandalf, what kind of magic are you good at?" Aaron asked.

"Me?" Gandalf puffed on his cigarette, a hazy white halo shimmering around his Wand. "I'd say I'm a luminous wizard, if I may be considered one."

Feeling the holiness and purity of the light, Aaron pondered, "Perhaps you should change into white clothes; white is more worthy of your magic."

"That won't do. I'm no match for Saruman." Gandalf shook his head indifferently. "Only when magic reaches that level can one be promoted to White Wizard."

"However, Gaius, I'm more curious about what kind of magic you're good at?"

Aaron chuckled, then pulled out his 'family heirloom Wand,' saying, 'Look at my Wand, and compare it to yours, and you'll see I can't do anything.'

"But you don't seem like you know nothing." Gandalf raised an eyebrow at Aaron. "Warlock's intuition can be quite accurate sometimes."

"How can I explain it to you so you'll believe me?" Aaron said, sounding a little weary.

This is an old bastard who's lived for who knows how long; it's probably impossible to fool him.

But we'll keep it a secret for as long as we can, and hide it as deep as we can.

Revealing a little bit of his strength is fine, but if he reveals all his strength, Gandalf might assign him some unnecessary tasks and powerful enemies, which would be a huge loss.

Judging from his act of using Bilbo's Bag End to entertain the dwarves, he is capable of doing something that harms others without benefiting himself.

"I won't believe you no matter what you say," Gandalf said with a sly grin. "Nothing is more anticipated than the arrival of the sixth Warlock."

Aaron's lips twitched slightly. "Think what you want!"

"By the way, if I may ask, do Warlock have enemies?"

"This..." Gandalf hesitated for a moment, "This is not something a child like you should know."

"Then there is one." Aaron sighed. He had originally thought that there were only a few Warlock in this world, and that they posed little threat to him.

As long as we stay calm and don't make any rash moves, our family's future is secure.

But now he has to be more careful. Warlock aren't without enemies, and some can even be troublesome for Warlock like Dumbledore skilled as Gandalf.

When Gandalf heard Aaron's sigh, he thought Aaron was afraid, so he immediately comforted him, "You don't need to worry about anything. Warlock also have allies."

Humans, elves, dwarves, and Hobbit will all be allies of the Warlock.

Hearing this, Aaron did not feel relieved at all; on the contrary, he felt immense pressure.

"Gandalf, you are a great comforter."

I originally thought Warlock only had a few enemies, but now it seems I was wrong. Their enemies are at least forces that can rival these allied powers.

Gandalf:...

"There's no need to think so much," Bilbo said dismissively. "Things like that are still a long way off for us!"

"Yes!

"That was a wake-up call!" Aaron suddenly realized that he was just an insignificant figure now, and as long as he continued to keep a low profile, he wouldn't be taken seriously by those so-called enemies.

The expedition team cleared a plain.

Thorin stopped in front of a dilapidated hut.

"We'll camp here tonight."

Fili, Kili, you two are responsible for taking care of the ponies and staying by their side.

"Oin, Gloin, you two are in charge of setting the fire."

Gandalf entered the hut and murmured with a puzzled expression, "A farmer's family once lived here."

"I think it's best to keep going," Gandalf Thorin suggested. "We can continue into the valley."

"I told you, I won't go near that place."

"Is there anything there?" Aaron asked.

Thorin paused for a moment, then said coldly, "A fellow I despise."

"But the elves will help us; we can get food, lodging, and advice."

"I don't need their advice."

"King Elrond can help us decipher that map," Gandalf coaxed Thorin, trying to persuade him, but Thorin remained unmoved and even seemed somewhat angry.

"Help us?" Thorin's face darkened, and he said disdainfully, "When the dragon attacked Erebor, did the elves help us?"

Orcs plunder Moria and desecrate our Sanctuary, yet the elves remain indifferent.

You actually want me to beg those who have turned their backs on my grandfather and my father.

"You are not them. Giving you the key and map is not to make you remember hatred."

"You have no right to keep them either," Thorin said. The map and the key were left to him by his father, Gandalf was merely keeping them for him.

"Um... excuse me, but let me be fair!" Aaron took a deep breath. "Putting aside national and personal grudges, helping you is a favor, not an obligation."

Thorin and Smaug attacked Erebor. The dwarves certainly resisted, but what was the result?

Your grandfather led a large army to attack Moria, but what was the result?

This is no small matter; the elves have no reason to pay such a heavy price for the dwarves' homeland.

Gandalf nodded. "The words may be rough, but the principle is sound; that's exactly the point."

"But they shouldn't stand idly by," Thorin said through gritted teeth. "I don't expect them to support the armored warriors, nor do I expect them to provide any supplies, much less send a large army to join the battle."

But when we left our homes, they just stood by and watched. Their indifferent eyes and their detached attitude were more chilling than a crushing defeat.

They were no longer allies from that time on, at least not to me.

"I understand," Aaron said thoughtfully. "I haven't had your experience, so I'm not qualified to lecture you on these kinds of profound principles."

"Good to know."

"But I still want to urge you to keep going."

"What?" Thorin looked at Aaron with some annoyance. "Wasn't I clear enough?"

"It's clear, but that doesn't conflict with moving forward." Aaron pointed to the dilapidated hut, his expression becoming somewhat solemn. "Take a closer look. The door was hit hard, the house is crooked, and there are several large holes in the windows, walls, and ceiling."

This doesn't seem like a natural disaster; it's more like an attack by some giant creature. The original owner of the house is probably in Elphias Doge.

"That's right."

Thorin, this place isn't as safe as it seems.

Thorin was silent for a few seconds, then a slight smile appeared on his face. "I've decided to camp here after all."

"Why?" Gandalf asked, puzzled.

"This is just a 13-year-old's speculation, without any evidence."

Even if it were true, judging from the dilapidated state of the house, it must have been there a long time ago.

"Alright!" Aaron pursed his lips. "I'll listen to the leader."

However, Thorin, I must remind you, those who don't listen to my advice usually suffer losses.

"Didn't you say you had a memory?" Thorin asked with a half-smile.

"I remember some things, is that not allowed?"

Gandalf, however, was so angry that his lips twitched, and he turned and left.

"Is everything alright?" Bilbo, who was tending to the pony, couldn't help but ask when he saw Gandalf's angry expression. "Gandalf, where are you going?"

"Go find the only rational person in the group."

Who is it?

"I myself, Mr. Baggins, I'm just fed up with dwarfs."

Watching the figure walk further and further away, Aaron shook his head speechlessly, "Look how angry you've made her!"

"He'll come." Thorin said dismissively, then looked at Bombur. "Come on, Bombur, we're hungry."

The dwarves built a stand over several campfires, placed pots on it, and simmered broth.

Aaron could smell the aroma, but looking at the grayish soup in the pot, he lost his appetite and simply ordered some meat pieces to prepare his own dinner.

As night fell, the dwarves prepared dinner, and almost everyone turned their attention to Aaron, especially the largest one.

Slurp!

Bombur wiped his drool. "Nori, I'm hungry."

"Eat if you're hungry." Nori handed a bowl of stewed meat to Bombur. "You have a big appetite, so I gave you a little more."

"You know what I'm talking about?"

"How dare you ask a child for food?" Nori said disdainfully. "Don't embarrass the dwarves."

"Aren't you watching too?"

"It smells so good! I haven't smelled this fragrance in years."

"That's just because there's a bit too much seasoning," Bilbo said, breathing in the aroma. "I do it like that when I make kebabs, but not this much."

"Mr. Baggins, dinner is ready."

"Coming!" Bilbo immediately put down his soup bowl and ran quickly to Aaron.

"Stop looking." Nori patted Bombur's belly speechlessly. "The mushrooms and seasonings were provided by Bagins, there's none for you."

"How about we let Gaius cook the next meal?"

"No way! How can a dwarf Jutong have a child help with cooking? Where would we put our faces if word got out!"

Look at Thorin, then look at Balin and Dwalin, they act so nonchalantly!

Upon hearing this, Bombur swallowed hard, feeling a pang of sadness, picked up his bowl, and began to eat heartily, savoring the aroma of the skewers.

The others also turned their attention away and silently ate their stew.

"Gaius, I had no idea you were such a good cook." Bilbo munched on a skewer of roasted meat, giving a thumbs up as he ate. "Much better than mine."

"My ancestors were cooks," Aaron said modestly. "I only learned a little bit."

"How come your ancestors had everything?"

"Uh... who knows? Maybe it's just a passing interest."

After a simple dinner, Aaron and Bilbo walked up to Nori and each took a bowl of stew.

However, it's not for myself; it's for Fili and Kili.

The two of them had to look after the pony and weren't in the camp, so they had to rely on the fastest Golden Snitch in the group to deliver it to them.

However, when they delivered the food, they saw the two dwarf brothers standing there blankly, looking completely bewildered.

"What's wrong?" Bilbo asked.

"We should keep an eye on the pony," Kili said.

"But a small problem arose."

"There were supposed to be sixteen ponies, but now there are only fourteen left."

What?

Aaron looked ahead in astonishment and found that his horse was still there. Although he was angry, he was also relieved.

"How could you do your job like this, just watching the horse get lost?"

The dwarf brothers exchanged an awkward glance and then stepped forward to investigate.

"Daisy and Bonnie are missing," Kili said.

"I can tell, even if you don't tell me." A hint of unease flashed in Aaron's eyes. "The question is, how did they disappear?"

"The big tree was uprooted, and there were huge footprints on the ground."

My fears came true; the creatures that attacked the farmer's family hadn't left the area at all; they were still nearby.

"This is bad, absolutely terrible. That thing is huge and very dangerous," Bilbo said with some concern. "Aren't we going to tell Thorin?"

"No, don't worry him." Fili was somewhat reluctant. "As our Golden Snitch, perhaps you should investigate."

"I can't agree with that." Aaron shook his head. "It's necessary to tell the leader before we're sure we can defeat the enemy, at least to put them on their guard."

"Look, there are lights." Fili suddenly lowered his voice, then beckoned to the group, "Come here."

The group tiptoed over several broken trees and cautiously crouched down to look at the campfire not far away.

Exaggerated laughter came from the campfire, which instantly reminded Aaron of Troll.

"What is that?" Bilbo asked nervously.

"Ogre," Kili said.

He was about to move forward when Aaron pressed him down with one hand. "Calm down, we don't even know what's going on over there yet!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fili darted out.

Having stopped his younger brother but not his older brother, Aaron had no choice but to let go and follow against his will.

After running for several dozen meters, the four of them hid behind large trees, behaving very cautiously.

Two Ogre stood around the campfire. They were as tall as Troll, but much fatter, and their intelligence surpassed that of Troll; they could even speak human language.

Just then, the woods rustled, and a third Ogre walked by, carrying a pony in each of its two thick arms.

Aaron looked at the leopard pony he was holding on his right, and his face instantly darkened. He was furious.

They dare to grab my horse? They're asking for trouble!