News Brought by the Grey Wizard

A rope was thrown down from the walls of Erebor, and Aaron and Bilbo went down it one after the other to the outside of the city.

The two walked along the Great Wall all the way to the River Valley City. Neither humans nor elves stopped them. They simply went about their business, organizing their weapons or practicing fighting. Almost the entire city was a soldier.

Alfred emerged from a dilapidated house and, seeing the two, impatiently approached them, saying, "You dare to come here?"

"We've come to negotiate with Bard," Bilbo explained.

Alfred immediately revealed a mocking smile, "Do you think you're in a position to negotiate right now?"

"You only have a dozen or so men; you can't possibly hold onto that gold. You'd better surrender and hand it over to Erebor as soon as possible."

"I hate lackeys." Aaron rolled his eyes, then drew his Wand and pointed it at Alfred. "I'll only ask once, where's Bard?"

Alfred looked at the Wand, then took a few steps back guiltily. "I... I'll take you there."

"Why didn't you just do this earlier?" Aaron said dismissively.

Alfred cursed inwardly, but still led them into a large tent. "My lord, they want to see you."

"My lord?" Aaron raised an eyebrow at Bard. "Has he been promoted?"

"He was elected by everyone; he was appointed to this position in a time of crisis!"

"I understand, but it's best not to mess with this guy if you can avoid it." Aaron pointed at Alfred and said, "Besides bullying others and damaging your image, he's no other good person."

Alfred:...

Bard gave an awkward laugh, dismissed Alfred, and then looked at the two of them seriously, "Has Thorin Oakenshield changed his mind?"

"He won't," Thranduil said as he entered the tent. "Oakenshield wouldn't part with that gold."

"That's how it is." Bilbo nodded. "But we successfully persuaded him that Aaron would use the proceeds from his expedition to fulfill the King's promise that one-tenth of the treasure would be enough to rebuild Long Lake Town or even River Valley City."

"You're saying it's real?" Bard was excited. If it weren't absolutely necessary, he wouldn't have planned to start a war. After all, the people of Long Lake Town could only muster a few hundred soldiers, and they couldn't afford any losses.

"That certainly surprised me," Thranduil said, sitting in his chair and asking curiously, "How did you manage to persuade such a stubborn dwarf?"

"Move him with emotion, reason with him." Aaron said seriously, but seeing Thranduil's teasing look, he couldn't help but add, "The most important thing is... sincerity."

Upon hearing this, Thranduil's perpetually cold face showed a few more black lines.

If you're going to be perfunctory, at least consider who you're dealing with. Does he really think he doesn't know who Thorin is?

However, the king's composure calmed him down, and he didn't immediately start cursing. He just sneered, "That's unbelievable."

"Dwarves may be stubborn, foolish, difficult to deal with, and suspicious and secretive." Bilbo shook his head and smiled, somewhat speechless. "They have many bad habits that are hard for ordinary people to imagine, but they are not without courage, kindness, and a loyal heart."

Gandalf is right, you'll like them after you get used to them.

"Can you tell me why you did this?" Bard looked at Aaron with confusion. "If it weren't for you, I couldn't have killed Smaug by myself. You have done a great service to the people of Long Lake and don't owe us anything."

"In fact, I owe you a promise." Aaron shrugged. "Thorin made this promise under my guidance, and I have a certain responsibility to make him fulfill his promise."

"Thank you, thank you so much."

"It's too early to say thank you," Thranduil interjected. "How is Thorin going to get the gold out? By opening the City Gate?"

He will not open the City Gate.

But I can use magic to bring the gold out; Bard, you just need to take the wagon and go move it.

"Yes." Bard nodded with a smile, then looked at Thranduil somewhat awkwardly. "King Thranduil, I may have to apologize."

If the king of the mountain is willing to keep his promise, I have no reason to lead the people of Long Lake to attack the city.

"No need for further explanation, I understand." Thranduil waved his hand. "The elves will not abandon us just because humans do. You only need to remain neutral."

Bard sighed softly, inexplicably feeling that he was being a little too rude.

When the people of Long Lake were most lacking in food and clothing, the elves provided them with aid, bringing enough supplies for them to live on. But now, they have withdrawn from the alliance.

Although there are valid reasons, it is somewhat unreasonable from a sentimental standpoint.

"Aaron, Bilbo," Bard looked at the two solemnly, "I wonder what price we will have to pay to obtain the White Gem?"

"If the King of the Lonely Mountain is willing, we can ask for half the gold less."

Thranduil's pupils dilated slightly, a sense of relief washing over him.

Humans still know how to repay kindness, and regardless of the outcome, Bard did not disappoint the elves.

Aaron and Bilbo exchanged bewildered glances. Given Thorin's prejudice against elves, let alone asking for less gold, he wouldn't care even if you gave him a mountain of gold.

"This...it's not just difficult, it's extremely difficult," Bilbo said. "The elves' refusal to help him back then left a deep thorn in Thorin's side."

"It was the dwarves who were unjust first," Thranduil said dismissively. "They seized our national treasures and have no intention of returning them."

Now I just want my things back, is that wrong?

"Yes, that's only natural," Aaron said, then changed the subject, "But the timing is wrong."

"Really? I think there couldn't be a more suitable time."

"The dwarves have no way out, but the elves can reclaim their national treasure at minimal cost." Thranduil said righteously, then looked at Aaron and Bilbo, "I don't want to wage a major war either, as that might give others an opening, but I can't miss this opportunity."

You can try to persuade Thorin that if he returns the White Gem to us, I will immediately withdraw my troops, and the elves can re-ally with the dwarves."

"King Thranduil," Aaron pursed his lips, "I must admit you are not rational, but you may have misunderstood me."

"What did you say?"

"This is our main purpose for coming here..." Aaron was about to explain when he was interrupted by a voice from outside.

"Pointy hat, I'm talking to you!"

Lazybones, beggars, and hooligans are not allowed to loiter here. We're already having enough trouble without you.

"Let's go! Mount your horse?"

Who's in charge here?

Aaron and Bilbo exchanged a glance. They could tell that the first sentence was spoken by Alfred in an extremely arrogant tone, while the second sentence was asked by their old acquaintance.

"Gandalf?" Bilbo murmured. "He's back."

"Heh! He came back just in time," Aaron said speechlessly.

Gandalf didn't appear when the dozen or so of them were risking their lives to fight Smaug, and he couldn't help in the slightest.

Now that the dragon has been slain and everything has settled, he knows to come back and make his presence felt.

If Aaron hadn't known that Gandalf's departure midway through the journey might be related to the peace of Middle-earth, Aaron would have had every reason to suspect that this greedy, cowardly old bastard had shamelessly come to bask in the glory of victory.

Bilbo gave a wry smile, opened the tent, and waved to Gandalf. "Gandalf, we're here."

Upon seeing Bilbo, Gandalf's expression softened somewhat, and he disdainfully shook off Alfred and went into the tent.

Aaron had intended to give Gandalf a good scolding, but seeing the blood and grime on his face, he swallowed his words. "What happened to your injuries?"

"It's a long story."

"Then let's get to the point."

"I went to the tomb of the Witch-king of Angmar, which had been completely excavated. The real clues point to Dol Guldur..."

"You mean Dol Guldur?" Aaron interrupted him, a playful tone in his voice. "Let me guess, did you see the necromancer there?"

"Yes!" Gandalf nodded, then asked with a puzzled look, "How did you know?"

"Smaug told me that the necromancer is recovering his strength in Dol Guldur," Aaron chuckled. "Don't tell me you went alone?"

Gandalf paused for a moment, then opened his mouth as if to say something but hesitated.

"Ha! Looks like I guessed right."

Gandalf, are you an idiot? Or has the peace of Middle-earth lowered your IQ?

The fact that Radagast was able to bring the Morgul Blade out of there is enough to prove it was a trap, and you foolishly walked right into it.

"I have my doubts, but some things can only be clarified by taking risks."

Aaron:...

Are you sure this isn't a lamb being led to the slaughter?

"I just didn't expect things to be so much more serious than I thought," Gandalf said with lingering fear. "If it weren't for Saruman, King Elrond, and Queen Galadriel arriving in time, I might have lost my life there."

"That's because you're stupid," Aaron said disdainfully. "Do you even know what it means to avoid standing under a dangerous wall?"

If I were you, I'd call Saruman, King Elrond, Queen Galadriel, and Radagast together. Even the most powerful necromancer would be no match for a righteous mob; they could only run for their lives.

Gandalf was speechless, and he was filled with regret.

He thought that although going alone would be dangerous, he could escape unscathed, since Radagast had successfully escaped. He was stronger Radagast, so there was no reason why he couldn't escape.

But to his utter surprise, he encountered a Hell situation, with the mastermind Sauron personally taking action against him and even using him to set an ambush to lure others to his rescue.

If Queen Galadriel hadn't expended a tremendous amount of Ring of Water to repel Sauron, their entire army might have been wiped out.

However, despite the great suffering, it wasn't without its gains; at least they learned Sauron's purpose and his subsequent plans.

Thinking of this, Gandalf looked at Thranduil seriously and said, "King Thranduil, your grudges with the dwarves must be put aside for now. War is about to begin."

The orcs of Dol Guldur have come out in full force; you face annihilation.