"Damn elf, wandering wizard, when did you ever promise to give him the treasure?"
"I don't believe it! Elves never tell the truth!"
"He locked us in the Woodland Realm's dungeons back then. We finally managed to escape, then went through hell to kill Smaug, and now he shows up with an army to demand the treasure! Damn it... damn it, why don't you just rob us outright?"
"I think... that's probably exactly what he intends."
An Yang listened to the dwarves' discussion behind him, his expression becoming quite colorful as well. When he looked straight at Thranduil's impassive face, he said, "King Thranduil, we need to discuss this."
"Discuss?" Thranduil narrowed his eyes, turned around to look over the scene once more, then turned back to face him.
Following his gaze, An Yang saw the neatly arrayed army behind him. From the soldiers' bearing and discipline alone, he could tell that their combat strength was extraordinary. At the same time, he could easily sense the threat hidden in Thranduil's calm gaze.
Indeed, he was the king of the Woodland Realm, the only person in Middle-earth to bear the title of king. He had brought such a massive army to a castle guarded by only a dozen or so dwarves. Even if he had come to seize the treasure, what could anyone say against it?
Even though An Yang had always been mild-tempered, he could not help feeling a trace of anger now.
But he also knew that their strength was worlds apart from the army led by Thranduil. Besides, Thorin had not sealed the gates as he had in the original story. If Thranduil wanted to enter the castle, they had no way to stop such an army. Unless he used the items he had prepared ahead of time.