Stirring Up the Orcs' Nest

Having moved away from the battlefield of the Stone Giant, the expeditionary force began looking for shelter from the rain.

After walking for a while, they were lucky enough to find a cave.

"It looks relatively safe," Thorin said. "Let's go check the back; caves usually have inhabitants."

Dwalin, carrying a lantern, carefully surveyed the area. "It's completely empty."

Gloin threw down a pile of wood. "I'll start a fire."

"No, don't light a fire here." Thorin stopped him. "Go to sleep! We're leaving at dawn."

"We should wait for Gandalf to join us in the mountains," Balin said, somewhat puzzled. "That's the plan."

"Plans may change."

Bofur, you deserve the first update.

"Try to understand!" Aaron patted Balin on the shoulder. "The Durin's Day is getting closer and closer, it's understandable that he's anxious."

Besides, Gandalf is the famous Grey Wizard; he'll come along.

While everyone else was asleep, their snores filling the air, Bilbo quietly opened his eyes.

He packed his belongings, slung the blanket over his shoulder, picked up his wooden staff, and tiptoed out of the cave.

However, Bilbo was unaware that Thorin had woken up when he got up, but he didn't say anything and didn't stop Bilbo from leaving.

Bilbo had just reached the cave entrance when Bofer, the night watchman Bofur, spotted him. "Where are you going?"

"Of course, we're going home." Aaron walked up to Bilbo. "I'm not mistaken, am I?"

Bilbo nodded somewhat guiltily. "Thorin said I shouldn't have come, and he's right."

"I'm not Took, I'm Bagins. I'm overthinking it."

"I understand," Aaron laughed. "This journey is definitely too exciting for a Hobbit who has enjoyed decades of peaceful life."

"But you're part of our expedition," Bofur said urgently. "I know how homesick you are..."

No, none of you understand.

You are dwarves, accustomed to this way of life, traveling everywhere, wandering from place to place, without a home..."

Bilbo suddenly noticed that Bofur's expression had turned somewhat unpleasant, and immediately realized that his words had been hurtful.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

"No, you're right." Bofur paused for a few seconds, then looked back at the dozen or so sleeping companions. "We have no home."

"But you are now finding your place again," Aaron said earnestly. "Losing your home is humiliating, but having the courage to take it back is more valuable than rebuilding it."

"Thank you." Bofur smiled with satisfaction, then looked at Bilbo. "I wish you all the best."

Bilbo paused for a moment, seemingly not expecting Bofur to give this 'deserter' his blessing.

"Wait a moment." Aaron took out a rolled-up dark blue blanket. "This is for you, no, to be precise, it's for you to borrow."

"I have a blanket."

"I am different, Bilbo Bagins."

"Open it if you encounter danger; it might save your life," Aaron said in a deep voice. "Don't forget, my ancestors were Warlock; it's normal for them to have some special items passed down to them."

Bilbo hesitated for a moment, realizing that the blanket was much more valuable than he had thought.

"This is not appropriate."

"No, this is appropriate."

Firstly, I'm just lending it to you; you have to return it to me when I return from Erebor.

Secondly, don't forget the dangers we encountered along the way: Ogre, Warg, orcs. Without some life-saving items, whether you could even survive back in the Shire is uncertain.

Since Aaron had put it that way, Bilbo couldn't refuse, so he simply stuffed the blanket into his own bundle, saying, "You're welcome to visit my home anytime."

"Took may be a great adventurer, but Bilbo Bagins may not be inferior to him."

Bilbo was about to turn around when he heard Aaron's words, and his feelings instantly became incredibly complicated.

"What's that?" Bofur suddenly asked, his eyes fixed on the short sword at Bilbo's waist.

A blue light emanated from the sword sheath, standing out conspicuously in the dark cave.

"Oh no!" Aaron's expression changed drastically. "I think we're in big trouble."

He immediately turned around and shouted, "Everyone, wake up! The enemy is nearby!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the dwarves groggily opened their eyes.

Thorin hadn't slept; he was the first to stand up and remind everyone, but it was too late.

The ground cracked open at an alarming speed, and everyone fell uncontrollably downwards.

Below is a long tunnel with a torch every few meters. It was dug by man, but the digging was very rough.

One by one, the expedition members slid down onto a wooden platform suspended in mid-air. Aaron was the last to fall, landing right on Bombur's stomach without sustaining any injury.

Before anyone could react, a dense swarm of orcs surrounded them.

They swarmed forward and, without a word, seized the expedition team, forcing them to walk across a simple wooden bridge.

The dwarves were all caught, and Aaron did not escape either, but Bilbo lay on the ground and luckily escaped the orcs' sight.

"Don't touch me." Nori resisted and pushed away the orcs holding him down. In a moment of carelessness, he turned his head and discovered the last one who had slipped through the net, Bilbo Bagins.

Aaron immediately gave him a wink, signaling him not to expose Bilbo.

Nori didn't want to implicate the Hobbit, so he obediently followed the orc forward.

Aaron deliberately slowed down as he crossed the wooden bridge, creating a distance of several meters between himself and the orcish escort team.

As he rounded a corner, he deliberately fell to the ground, blocking the three orcs escorting him for a few seconds and separating them from the main force ahead.

An orc tried to drag him along, but as soon as he reached out, Aaron grabbed his neck and twisted it with both hands, breaking it without making a sound.

Before the second orc could react, Aaron jumped up and unleashed a powerful Heaven-Piercing Strike.

Click!

The sound of skull shattering rang out, and the orc collapsed to the ground.

"Your turn." Aaron sneered as he looked at the last orc and slowly walked over.

"Come..."

The orc realized he was no match for the opponent in a one-on-one fight. He tried to call for help but found himself unable to move or make a sound.

"Petrification Spell, a simple spell, but quite effective." Aaron slowly walked up to the petrified orc, ignoring his panicked eyes, and pointed his wand directly at his Wand.

"Four pieces and five pieces".

A beam of silvery light flashed, and the orc turned to ashes and vanished.

Aaron breathed a sigh of relief.

He hadn't used magic in a long time and was feeling really stifled, so today he finally got to vent.

Aaron carefully surveyed the place, his expression turning serious.

The orc lairs were built underground, with countless wooden bridges connecting the intricate caverns, illuminated by torches.

The structure is very clear and easy to understand, but it is also very chaotic, with countless layers, making it impossible to find a way out.

The main problem is that there are far too many orcs; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say there are tens of thousands.

"What a hassle!"

Aaron patted his forehead and decided to put Bilbo in a safe place first before going to rescue Thorin and the others.

Because Hobbit are like fish on a chopping board in such places, they could be gone in the next second, while Thorin and his companions are warriors, so they can hold out a little longer.

Furthermore, the orcs didn't kill them immediately; they either locked them up or took them to see their leader.

In the short term, the dwarves will not be in any immediate danger.

Aaron retraced his steps and soon saw a flashing blue light. Bilbo was fighting an orc with a short sword in hand.

"Just what I feared has come to pass," Aaron cursed under his breath, and immediately sped up.

Bilbo had very little combat experience and only knew how to parry. In less than three rounds, the orc had him on his neck.

As he struggled, he saw Aaron running towards him, but before he could even catch his breath, the orc grabbed him and pulled him backward.

Bilbo stumbled and fell off the cliff along with the orc.

"Damn it!"

"Would it kill you to hold on for a few more seconds?"

Aaron looked down, but even with his eyesight, all he could see was a dark mass.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the bundle that Bilbo had dropped and jumped down after him.

First, use a wind Magic Array to slow down the descent, then use magic to soften the ground for a safe landing.

He had used it once when he came to this world, and although the result was not satisfactory, he was very familiar with it.

After landing on the ground, Aaron found Bilbo unconscious.

He landed right on a pile of soft, mushroom-like plants and only suffered minor injuries.

The orc who attacked him wasn't so lucky. He was caught off guard and lay half-dead on the side, even breathing was painful.

Aaron had no intention of helping the orc escape, but instead patted Bilbo's cheek to wake him up.

"Huh?" Bilbo opened his eyes in confusion. "Aaron, I... am still alive."

"Yes! You're lucky."

"Where are Thorin and the others?" Bilbo asked anxiously.

"They've been captured by orcs, and they're waiting for me to go back and rescue them!"

Bilbo looked at him with some suspicion. "How are you going to save them?"

"I have my own way of doing things, and I won't force anyone. It's you who makes me a little worried."

"Me?" Bilbo pointed to himself, then suddenly realized, and waved his hand, saying, "Don't worry about me, it's relatively safe here. You go and save them first."

"Alright!" Aaron handed Bilbo the package he had left on the ground. "There should be an exit here. Find it yourself first. If you can get out, great. If not, open my blanket."

Of course, you can also open it if you encounter danger.

After saying that, Aaron turned and left alone, disappearing into the darkness.

Aaron used his Apparition and returned to the wooden bridge in front of him in the blink of an eye.

He carefully climbed onto a rock high up in the Orc City, and while avoiding the sight of many orcs, he also found Thorin and the others who had been captured.

They were brought before the Orc King, a gigantic orc, even taller than Ogre.

If ordinary orcs are disgusting, then he is extremely disgusting.

She was incredibly ugly, covered in bumps of all sizes, with a huge belly, and the flesh on her chin almost drooping down to her chest.

The Orc King recognized Thorin, teased him for a while, and then dropped a bombshell.

"I know someone has offered a high reward for your head; they only want your head, not your body."

You should know who I'm talking about, your old enemy.

Pale Orc, riding White Warg.

Thorin slowly raised his head and said coldly, "The Azog the Defiler is dead. He was killed on the battlefield a long time ago."

"Do you think he's done destroying everything?" the Orc King sneered, then turned to a dwarf Orc beside the throne. "Tell the Pale Orc that I've won the grand prize."

The dwarf orc quickly scribbled a few lines on a piece of paper, pulled a switch, and followed a cable down to a dark cave.

Aaron stared at the dwarf orc who was delivering the message, his mind reeling.

I knew some promises shouldn't be made; As expected, Azog the Defiler is still alive.

The Orc King felt he had gotten a great deal; he was just sitting at home, and the bounty had automatically landed in his hands.

He immediately ordered his men to prepare a meat grinder and Bone Crusher, because what Azog wanted was Thorin Oakenshield; the rest of the dwarves and the remaining dwarves could be used to host a feast for them.

Meanwhile, deep underground, Bilbo looked at the half-dead orc lying on the ground and hesitated whether to go over and finish him off.

Before he could act, he heard light footsteps, which startled him so much that he immediately hid behind a rock.

A figure crawled out of the darkness. He looked like a little devil from Hell, with grayish-white skin, only a few strands of grayish-white hair on his head, and his whole body was just bones.

To Bilbo's surprise, this creature, neither human nor ghost, had a pair of large eyes that shone with an unusual luster.

He slowly crawled up to the orc and jumped up excitedly, "Yay, yay!"

Gollum, Gollum.

After circling the orc for a few seconds, he stood up and dragged him deeper into the area.

The orc seemed to know what he was about to encounter and immediately resisted with all his might, but Gollum simply picked up a stone and smashed it down on his head.

Perhaps the smashing motion was too forceful, because a Golden Ring fell from Gollum's waist to the ground.

"A filthy orc is better than someone who leeches off his parents."

"Honey, it's better than nothing."

After Gollum dragged the orc away, Bilbo emerged from behind the rock and picked up the golden ring.

"So many bones, baby, so little meat." Gollum voice came from deep within. "Shut up, hurry up and peel the skin, start from the top."

Bilbo cautiously approached, raising his short sword, which was still emitting a blue light, indicating that the orc was still alive.

Nearby lies a vast underground lake.

On a towering rock in the middle of the lake, Gollum recited a Shocker poem by the Orcs while striking the Orc's head with a stone.

The orcs made a desperate struggle, but to no avail.

Bilbo noticed that the short sword in his hand was no longer emitting a blue light, which startled him so much that he retreated behind a rock.

But the fleeting blue light caught Gollum's attention. He realized there were other people there, so he gently rowed a dilapidated wooden boat and cautiously approached.

Bilbo glanced back and, not seeing Gollum, his heart sank.

He instinctively gripped the blanket on his back; in this dark underground space, only this blanket could give him a sense of security.

A moment later, a deep breathing sound came from above Bilbo's head.

He looked up and saw a pair of large eyes radiating a blue, eerie light, and couldn't help but shudder.

Gollum jumped off the rock and landed right in front of Bilbo.

"Thank goodness, baby, this looks very meaty."