Expedition Invitation

"Our meeting wasn't a coincidence, was it, Gandalf?"

"Of course not. It was no accident."

Gandalf said slowly, "The matter of the Lonely Mountain has always worried me, Thorin."

"The dragon has occupied it for too long. Sooner or later, it will draw the attention of something even more evil."

The Lonely Mountain was a crucial line of defense.

If evil forces broke through and occupied it, they could travel north through the Lonely Mountain all the way to Angmar.

When that happened, the Witch-kingdom of Angmar might even have a chance to rise again.

The servants of evil could use this route to bypass the southern defenses and reach directly into the peaceful lands west of the Misty Mountains.

By then, even places like Lindon and the Shire, which had always remained far from the heart of war, would face enormous threats. Gondor, Rohan, and the others would be attacked from both front and rear.

When the lips were gone, the teeth would grow cold. No one could remain untouched.

"I ran into some blind fools on the Greenway. They took me for a vagrant."

"I imagine their end wasn't very dignified."

Thorin knew something of a wizard's capabilities.

Gandalf nodded and pulled out a sturdy sheet of parchment.

"I found this on them. A bounty notice."

"A bounty for what?"

"Your head—someone wants you dead."

"We can't wait any longer, Thorin. You are the heir of Durin the Deathless. If you unite the dwarven clans, you will have the strength to retake Erebor."

"Call a gathering of the seven dwarf clans and make them fulfill their oath."

Thorin fell silent for a moment. In theory, if he could gather the dwarven host, it was indeed possible to retake the Lonely Mountain, but...

"The seven dwarf armies swore allegiance to whoever holds the King's Jewel."

The King's Jewel was the Arkenstone. Yet that beautiful diamond, that treasure known as the Heart of the Mountain, was now guarded by the dragon.

"Only with the Arkenstone can I summon them. But have you forgotten that Smaug took it long ago?"

Gandalf kept his eyes fixed on the two ruffians nearby until he drove them out of the house. Only then did he say:

"What if I help you get it back?"

"How? It's beneath a dragon's feet."

"Yes."

"That's why we need a burglar."

Somewhere deep within, Gandalf had a premonition that this undertaking required a Hobbit. It was important.

They were small, light-footed and silent, and could easily blend into their surroundings. Natural hiders, they were perfectly suited to the role of a "burglar."

Having silently settled on the burglar's candidate, the wizard lit his pipe. After some thought, he continued, "And a valiant warrior. He may be willing to join us."

That fellow would be interested in this—Gandalf's instincts told him so.

Thus, the outline of the plan was formed.

Thorin, who had just returned from a long journey through the wilderness of the Brown Lands, and Gandalf, who had only just finished his own travels, immediately set off together for the Blue Mountains to discuss the details and recruit members for the expedition.

In April, once everything had been discussed and settled, Gandalf set out first.

"I'm going to find a friend first. After that, we'll meet in the Shire."

"I'll leave a mark on the door."

Gandalf departed. Soon afterward, Thorin and twelve dwarves who had answered the call, fully armed, set out along the same road as Gandalf.

Third Age 2941, April, near the Roadside Fortress.

Leaning on his staff, Gandalf stood on a rise and gazed into the distance at the vast, somewhat quiet territory, his brow furrowing.

The longer he looked, the more he could not resist lighting his pipe.

"Where exactly have I come to? Is this really the Roadside Fortress?"

This "roadside" looked nothing like a roadside.

Though he had not yet entered the territory, the greenery spreading out from its walls and glimpses of the scenery at its edges had already caught Gandalf's eye.

As he watched, Gandalf suddenly noticed someone on the city wall waving at him.

Gandalf raised his staff as well and waved it twice in reply.

On the city wall, Li Wei walked to the gate, pulled down the lever to open the iron doors, and waited quietly for the wizard's arrival.

"Haha, how have you been lately, Li Wei?"

From far away, the moment he came within earshot, Gandalf began calling out in greeting.

"Not bad. Yeah, I guess... It had been a long time since I'd felt time pass so quickly."

At that moment, Li Wei wore only a pair of Netherite boots enchanted with Feather Falling IV. The rest of him was unarmored, dressed in nothing but ordinary clothes.

He looked like an ordinary resident of a leisurely little town.

And he really had been taking it easy. Well... aside from the faint phantom ache in his liver.

"Oh—oh, heavens, this is simply unbelievable."

As they approached the city gate, Gandalf was immediately drawn in by the sight beyond it. He kept tilting sideways, peering past Li Wei toward the scenery behind him.

"Is this truly the wilderness of Eriador? I would have thought I had arrived in Rivendell."

"Thank you. I did make a few improvements to the Territory during this time."

"A few?"

Gandalf raised an eyebrow. "You certainly know how to choose your words."

A friend had come calling, so naturally Li Wei could not leave him standing at the gate. He soon welcomed Gandalf into the castle, and after they rested briefly, Li Wei personally stir-fried several dishes.

As they ate, the two talked at the dinner table.

"Honestly, if I did not know you, I would certainly take this place for a new home built by the Elves."

"I did borrow some of Rivendell's style."

"So this was what you had been busy with these past few months?"

Li Wei nodded.

After his continuous construction and planning, this Territory had finally come to resemble a vast city under proper management, rather than a patchwork of scattered sections with nothing but empty land apart from a few specific areas.

Gandalf looked over the bustling scenery outside the window and commented:

"Everything here is excellent. The only pity is that it is far too quiet. Other than yourself, there is not a single person here."

"Also, I suggest you smooth out the corners of some of these buildings. They look good as they are, but they are too square. If someone accidentally bumped into one, it would hurt terribly."

"Speaking of which, what is that large pool over there? I hope you do not mind my being blunt, but it looks rather out of place amid this scenery."

"Useful advice. And that over there is an ice-harvesting site. I use it to collect ice blocks during winter. Spring came too suddenly, so I had not had the chance to tear it down yet."

"Harvesting ice?"

Was that how ice was harvested?

Gandalf felt somewhat puzzled, but when he remembered that this was Li Wei, he accepted it.

The meal proceeded at an unhurried pace. The two chatted on and off as Gandalf spoke of his experiences north of the Shire, the foolish bandits on Greenway, and the current state of the scattered Rangers there.

"Rangers."

Li Wei repeated the word, then asked, "Do you know a Ranger named Falrodan? I have not seen him for a long time since we last parted."

"I do not."

Gandalf shook his head. He had many acquaintances, but not enough to know every person in Middle-earth.

"However, I can ask around for you. If I learn anything relevant, I will let you know."

"Oh, there is no need. I only asked because you mentioned the Rangers. With his skills, nothing should have happened to him."

"Let us hope so."

With that topic ended, Gandalf ate the last piece of meat from his plate, set down his utensils, and said:

"Actually, I came this time to ask whether you would be interested in joining an expedition."

"An expedition?" Li Wei suddenly remembered something.

Right. So it was time already.

"I knew a wizard would not pay a visit without reason. Could you tell me more about this expedition you mentioned?"