The Art of Negotiation and Sincerity

"What are you talking about?" Bard frowned, feeling that fate had played a cruel joke on the people of Long Lake.

Although it was not easy for the dragon to escape its Dragon Fire, and he lost everything, he was able to obtain a large amount of wealth from Erebor, which would make it no problem to rebuild a happy and beautiful home.

But now you're telling me that the orcs are coming out in full force, and a catastrophe is about to befall them? Isn't that just messing with people's mentality?

"You don't really know Warlock yet," Thranduil said calmly. "They're like thunder in the cold winter, rolling in from afar and exploding with a bang, but you never see rain."

"This time it's not." Gandalf glared and puffed out his beard. "The orc army has been mobilized. They are seasoned warriors and natural-born killers. Our enemy has mobilized all its forces."

"Why are they sending troops now?" Thranduil asked dismissively.

"Because of the circumstances, because Thorin Oakenshield and his men set out to reclaim their lost homeland."

"That's not all," Aaron said in a deep voice. "When Bilbo and I were searching for the Arkenstone, Smaug also said that as long as the necromancer didn't touch Erebor's treasure, it wouldn't stop them from entering the Lonely Mountain."

This is an unusual alliance; the orcs aren't worried about the dragon harming them and can occupy Erebor without hindrance.

"This is the only piece of good news; at least Lonely Mountain is not in the hands of our enemies now." Gandalf breathed a slight sigh of relief and continued, "Azog's master is trying to control Lonely Mountain not only for its wealth, but also because of its location."

That place is a strategic location, and the only way to restore the old kingdom of Angmar in the north. If that evil nation were to rise again, Rivendell, Lothlórien, the Shire, and even Gondor would be destroyed.

"The Shire?" Bilbo stared in astonishment, his eyes widening. He asked anxiously, "Gandalf, you mean the Shire? Are you sure you're not joking?"

"It's a pity, Bilbo," Gandalf shook his head. "If you can't stop the orcs from taking over Lonely Mountain, your homeland the Shire, will also be doomed, and the peace-loving Hobbit will likely be slaughtered."

Bilbo:...

"Those orc armies you mentioned, the Mithrandir," Thranduil looked at Gandalf, "Where are they?"

Upon hearing this, Gandalf turned pale with anger, and his body trembled slightly.

He'd already said all that, yet Thranduil still didn't believe him.

"Since when did my mediation become meaningless?" Gandalf laughed self-deprecatingly. "What exactly do you suspect of me?"

"I suspect you want to save your dwarf friends, and I admire your loyalty to them, but that doesn't change my plans."

This whole mess was started by you, so please don't mind if I end it.

"King Thranduil." Bilbo looked at him anxiously, speaking somewhat incoherently, "It's absolutely true. Smaug said it himself. Sauron's vanguard will set off soon, and Lonely Mountain will be their first stop."

The two of us came here specifically to fulfill Thorin's promise and to stop this war.

Whether elves, dwarves, or humans, we now share a common enemy: orcs.

Thranduil remained silent for a moment, poured himself a glass of wine, and calmly sat down in his seat.

"You're the Hobbit stole the dungeon key right under my guards' noses, aren't you!"

"Yes," Bilbo admitted reluctantly.

"That's right," Thranduil said. "You gave up your chance to escape alone and rescued this young Warlock and a group of dwarves."

Your loyalty to Thorin is no less than that to Mithrandir; perhaps you even cooperated with Mithrandir in weaving this lie to save your dwarf friend.

"That..."

Before Aaron could speak, Thranduil fixed his gaze on him. "I don't trust you either, just as I don't trust either of them."

"... King Thranduil." Aaron took a deep breath. "Please allow me to say that some things are better believed than not."

You may not trust us, but what if?

"I don't believe in the possibility either," Thranduil sneered, then walked out of the tent. "Are the archers ready?"

"Thank you, Your Highness," said an elf.

"Pass on my order: kill anyone who is active on that mountain without exception."

"Wait a minute," Aaron said with a hint of exasperation, "You want the White Gem, right?"

"What do you want to say?" Thranduil asked meaningfully.

"I can help you persuade Thorin, but I need some time," Aaron said in a deep voice.

Why should I believe you?

"I am here alone to negotiate with you, and I will give one-tenth of my share to the people of Long Lake."

"Not enough." Thranduil shook his head slightly. "That was your deal with humans, but it has nothing to do with elves."

"Sometimes I really don't understand why I have to worry about you guys. No matter how chaotic this world is, it has nothing to do with me." Aaron shook his head with a wry smile, and then Apparition.

When he reappeared, he was already behind Thranduil, but Thranduil reacted quickly and did not turn around, though his Longsword was already pressed against Aaron's abdomen.

"Very impressive magic, I've never seen anything like it before," Thranduil exclaimed, only now taking the young Warlock seriously.

"Thank you for the compliment. This is called Apparition, a kind of teleportation magic," Aaron said casually. "I only learned it by chance last year."

Gandalf's face twitched slightly, his gaze towards Aaron filled with envy and longing.

He really wanted that magic; if he could teleport, he wouldn't need to ride a horse every time he went far away.

"What is this? A demonstration or a threat?"

"Neither." Aaron slowly retreated to his original position. "I never thought that my meager magic could threaten an Elf King. I was just demonstrating my abilities to you."

"Ahem!" Gandalf coughed. "Gaius, who taught you Apparition?"

"It was passed down from his ancestors," Bilbo said speechlessly.

Aaron raised an eyebrow, then gave a thumbs up. "The Hobbit knows me best."

"Stop teasing me, okay?"

Every time you don't want to answer a question, you drag your ancestors into it as scapegoats. Is that really necessary?

"Interesting," Aaron said directly.

Gandalf wisely kept quiet; he could tell that Aaron didn't want to talk about his magic.

"Your Majesty," Aaron said with a smile, "If you insist on sending troops, I cannot stop you, but I will take all the White Gem of Erebor and run away."

Upon hearing this, Thranduil's lips twitched violently, and the others stared at Aaron in disbelief.

That scoundrel is not a threat, but he's more of a threat than a threat.

Thranduil's grand campaign was aimed at acquiring the Woodland Elves ' national treasure. If there were no White Gem within Lonely Mountain, then even if he conquered the city, it would be meaningless.

"Not a bad idea." Thranduil suppressed his anger and said calmly, "If that's the case, I really can't help you, but you can't take your dwarf friends with you, much less a Dwarf Kingdom."

"I am very patient; I can conquer Erebor and wait for you to come and negotiate."

"But it doesn't benefit either of us, does it?" Aaron shrugged. "That's why I'm trying to find a gentler way to resolve this."

King Thranduil, you are more rational than I am; you should understand what the right decision is.

Thranduil frowned slightly, looking intently at Aaron. "How much time do you need?"

Aaron didn't answer immediately, but looked at Gandalf and asked, "How long will it take for the Orc army to arrive?"

Gandalf blinked and immediately understood Aaron's plan.

Thranduil may not believe it now, but he must believe the facts, as long as the elves and dwarves don't start fighting before the orcs arrive.

"Hmm... When I was rescued, Azog's orc army had already set off from Dol Guldur, but it's definitely not just Azog coming. Since Sauron has decided to attack, it won't be a small-scale operation. He will summon as many troops as he can. We..."

Aaron impatiently interrupted him, "Don't talk to me about those things, I don't understand."

Why don't you just tell me the latest the enemy will arrive?

Two days.

"Yes." Aaron held up three fingers to Thranduil. "I need three days."

"You..."

"Let me finish what I have to say," Aaron said awkwardly. "The White Gem will be presented to you within three days, guaranteed in Gaius's name."

"Hmph!" Thranduil snorted coldly. "I hope you keep your word."

"That's natural." Aaron nodded and added, "There's something I need to tell you in advance: the Iron Hills ' army will arrive in Erebor very soon."

"What?!" Gandalf exclaimed in shock, "Dáin's Ironfoot Army will come?"

Thranduil was also uneasy. He had full confidence in his elven army, but he did not want to cause unnecessary casualties, as dwarf lives were not as valuable as elf lives.

"This is bad news," Aaron said helplessly. "If the orcs really attack, we will have a powerful ally."

"What kind of news is this?"

Thranduil still didn't believe that orcs would attack Lonely Mountain. If it weren't for his concern that Aaron might really give up and run away with their national treasures, he would have sent troops immediately.

"Your Majesty, I don't need to tell you this news, but I'll tell you anyway."

Firstly, it shows my sincerity; I've revealed Thorin's trump card to you.

I only need three days; I hope you won't let me down.

This is to prepare you mentally, so you don't end up fighting the dwarf army without any prior knowledge.

Thranduil smiled and looked at Aaron meaningfully, "I always thought Thorin was the Soul Stone of your party, but now it seems your significance is no less than his."

Aaron Gaius, right? Not old, but quite capable and bold.

I admire you. You really don't need to worry about the dwarves. You could choose to ally with the elves; the Woodland Elves would never mistreat their allies.