A King's Obsession with Jewels

Legolas brought Thorin, Aaron, and Bilbo out of their cell and introduced them to his father, Thranduil, Woodland King.

Thorin stood motionless before the throne, his face expressionless.

Aaron and Bilbo kept giving him signals, trying to make him realize the situation, but he completely ignored them.

Thranduil slowly rose to his feet. He had long silver hair and was as handsome as the other elves, but a hint of coldness lurked deep in his eyes.

"Some people believe this will be a sacred journey, slaying dragons and seizing homes."

I suspect the real motive wasn't so noble—theft of treasure, or some other attempt.

You've found the secret passage, hoping to find the jewel that grants you power, the King's Jewel, the Arkenstone.

Thorin's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"So, the Arkenstone is what you wanted us to find?" Aaron said thoughtfully. "We're not looking for a gemstone, we're looking for a throne!"

"That's right. With that gem and the bloodline of Durin, we might really be able to unite the power of the dwarf tribes." Thranduil smiled contemptuously. "I understand that its value is immeasurable to you."

The Lonely Mountain also holds the jewelry I desire: White Gem, as pure as starlight.

I will offer you assistance.

"That's wonderful," Bilbo said happily. "You can release us now, and we'll give you the White Gem after the adventure is over."

"Ha!" Thorin shook his head inappropriately. "I will not agree."

"Thorin," Aaron said wearily, "the White Gem means nothing to you, and giving it to the Woodland King wouldn't be a big deal, would it?"

"Don't you know about the feud between dwarves and Wood Elf?"

"We know, we all know."

But as the saying goes, a smile can dispel long-standing grievances, and a laugh can erase all enmity...

Before Aaron could finish speaking, Thorin interrupted him, "I'm not that magnanimous."

"Okay." Aaron pursed his lips and forced a smile. "Then I'll choose something more Reality Stone."

We have no other choice but to cooperate.

"A wise man, Thorin Oakenshield, you really should learn from them," Thranduil said calmly. "I assure you in the name of the King that you will be released immediately if you return my things to me."

In addition, I will provide you with ample assistance, weapons, food, and even guarantee you unimpeded passage before reaching Lonely Mountain.

Upon hearing this, Bilbo and Aaron's hearts began to pound uncontrollably.

This journey has been incredibly arduous; we were constantly being hunted or on our way to be hunted. If only things could be a little easier.

"Sounds appealing, very tempting," Thorin chuckled, then his tone shifted, his expression turning somber. "But I don't trust you, Thranduil."

A great king will keep his promise, even if the Apocalypse comes.

"You," Thorin roared at Thranduil, "You have no integrity whatsoever."

Legolas immediately drew his Orcrist and held it to Thorin's neck. "Watch your tone, dwarf."

"Legolas." Thranduil waved his hand, and Legolas glared at Thorin before sheathing his sword.

"I witnessed you betray your allies. We were starving and displaced when we sought your help, but you turned away."

"You abandoned my people's suffering, letting them be destroyed and devoured," Thorin cursed viciously. "May you die in the flames."

"Don't mention Dragon Fire to me." Thranduil suddenly walked up to Thorin, bent down, and looked into his eyes. "I know its destructive power."

As soon as he finished speaking, half of Thranduil's face turned dry and festering, devoid of any color.

Gollum! ×3.

"Darling, you..." Legolas said in disbelief.

"I have faced the dragons of the North, and this is the price I pay." Thranduil's expression returned to normal. "I warn your Zul'an what the consequences of his greed will be."

But he refused to listen, clinging to his treasure and stubbornly believing that the dwarves' rule was unbreakable.

You look exactly like him.

Thranduil waved his hand, and several elven guards came over to take them to the cell.

"If you want, stay here and rot!"

For elves, a hundred years is but a fleeting moment.

I am patient; I can wait.

"Wait a minute." Aaron slapped away the hand that was holding his arm, looking at Thranduil with an awkward but polite expression. "His stubbornness is his own business, it has nothing to do with us. Humans and Hobbit and elves have no enmity with each other."

"Yes, that's it," Bilbo quickly added. "We'll do our best to persuade Thorin."

"Put it down," Thranduil said impatiently. "I'm waiting for Oakenshield to change his mind."

"Wait a minute," Aaron said again, "How about we change the deal?"

"Let us go, and I'll heal half of your face."

"Are you serious?" Legolas was somewhat tempted; he naturally wanted his mother to regain her appearance.

Thranduil looked intently at Aaron. "Why should I believe you?"

The damage caused by the Dragon Fire is incurable. I've consulted many people, but none could help, and you're just a child.

"But not an ordinary child; Legolas should have mentioned me."

So what?

Warlock may not know as many spells as elves, and it's not like I haven't consulted Warlock before.

"There's a difference Warlock Warlock. Just because they can't do it doesn't mean I can't," Aaron said meaningfully. "Just tell me straight, do you agree to this deal or not?"

Thranduil hesitated for a moment, then said, "If what you say is true, releasing you isn't impossible..."

As soon as Aaron breathed a sigh of relief, he heard the word ' is', and the corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

"What is it?" Aaron asked anxiously.

"I have no choice but to release you and this Hobbit." Thranduil sneered, touching his face. "If it were before, I would have been eager to agree to your conditions."

"After all this time, I've gotten used to this face. Looks are far less important to me than the treasures of the elves."

Aaron gave an awkward smile. "I understand. I'll think about it."

The elven guards put the three back into the cell, but they were much more polite to Aaron and Bilbo, since these two might become the king's benefactors, and it was not shameful for them to be polite.

The cell door was closed again, and everything seemed unchanged.

"Did he make any demands of you?" Balin asked anxiously.

"I did," Thorin said. "I'll make him wait until I spit on his grave."

"Give me a break," Aaron said speechlessly. "Elves can live longer than you. Even if towering trees or a whole forest grow on your grave, they won't have a single wrinkle left on their faces."

Seriously, I'm not trying to be mean, but do you even know what it means to be powerless against circumstances? Can't you occasionally let go of that damn arrogance of yours?

"You're absolutely right," Bilbo agreed wholeheartedly. "Thorin, we're prisoners now."

"You aren't?" Thorin scoffed. "Humans and Hobbit have different ways of leaving this cage, don't they?"

Bilbo paused, then turned to Aaron. "You really have a way to heal his face?"

Aaron sighed heavily and nodded slowly.

He had two incredibly effective Potions, both the Moon Drop and the Resurrection Potion, which could heal Thranduil's face.

However, using the latter would be a shameful waste; if a portion of that medicine is consumed, it can only be used as a life-saving potion.

It would be better to use the Moon Drop to remove the aftereffects of the Dragon Fire, and then combine it with some Potions for a long-term treatment.

"I advise you not to do that?" Thorin said. "Or rather, you should be prepared for him not to keep his promise."

"I know what I'm doing, because my trading partner isn't Thranduil." Aaron yawned, leaning against the wall with a bored expression. "If I'm not mistaken, someone will be coming to find me soon."

"Legolas?" Bilbo suddenly thought of something. "If it's him, then maybe it will work."

Thorin remained silent upon hearing this.

He had no trust in Thranduil whatsoever, but he had a little faith in his son, though not much.

"Even so, he might not necessarily let all of us go."

"We will go to Gandalf," Bilbo assured him. "He might be able to negotiate with the Woodland King and get you released."

"You're overthinking it." Aaron curled his lip. "Thranduil might give Gandalf some face, but as long as the stubborn dwarves refuse to hand over the gems, he'll never get out."

Bilbo glanced at Thorin through the cell door, then sighed deeply. "Isn't there any other way to get him to release Thorin?"

"Of course."

"What?" Bilbo gasped in astonishment, his mouth agape. He was about to say something when Aaron made a shushing gesture, and he immediately shut his mouth.

Legolas slowly descended the stairs and came to Aaron's side.

"You really can cure my father's facial paralysis."

"I can, but how well I can heal depends on your sincerity." Aaron glanced at the other cells, his meaning quite clear.

Although it's somewhat unkind to take advantage of someone's filial piety, he couldn't do anything about it in the current situation.

"No." Legolas shook his head gently. "I know what you're thinking, but you should also understand my difficulties."

Our king desires the jewels deeply, and I cannot release the dwarves without permission.

Aaron rolled his eyes. Although he had guessed the outcome, he was still somewhat disappointed.

"Alright! Then give me back my magic Wand."

"This won't do either." Legolas chuckled and pulled out two Wand from behind his back, one black and one white. "Do you think I'd be stupid enough to give you the power to escape?"

"Um... if possible, could you please return my sword to me?" Bilbo interjected.

"Do you think he'll return the weapon to the prisoner?" Aaron said with a wry smile. "Impossible."

"That works." Legolas threw the Sting into the cell.

"Thank you." Bilbo drew his short sword, a heavy sigh of relief washing over him.

This was his first and only weapon, and it accompanied him for a long time, making it exceptionally meaningful.

Aaron was dumbfounded. What did this mean? Was he being slapped in the face?

Seemingly noticing the resentment in Aaron's eyes, Legolas explained, "He's weak, it's alright to give him the sword."

Bilbo:...

Although it's true, could you please not say it in front of me? It's too hurtful to my self-esteem.