Chapter Summaries

After rescuing two elven women from a Red Brotherhood deal, the protagonist uncovered King Ulric’s bounty on him and killed the Brotherhood agents pursuing him, including Lady Sophia. He reunited Freya with the rescued elves and set out for the Noldor Forest, while Paul headed toward Long River Town to join him later.

• Lady Sophia explained that the protagonist had disrupted a deal to deliver elven women to Governor Justus, so he traveled with "Blade" Yaven to buy replacements from the Ebony Gauntlet.
• The protagonist bought a Noldor Composite Bow, Noldor Arrows, and a Noldor Elves Horse, then killed Yaven’s men and forced Yaven to reveal that King Ulric had placed a bounty on him.
• The protagonist killed Yaven when he reached for a poisoned dagger, freed two elven women, and hid them near Ahuen before arranging for Paul and his family to leave Marleons with Freya.
• The protagonist lured Lady Sophia out of Marleons and killed her and her escort, then met Paul at Ahuen and gave him diamonds to open a tavern in Long River Town.
• The protagonist reunited Freya with the two elven women and led them toward Wolven to enter the Noldor Forest.

After recovering from the exhausting Elves simulation, Allen visited Beorn’s new home and accepted his clan’s offer to help protect the south and teach practical skills. He returned to Wilderness Village, arranged for villagers to learn from the Beorn clan, and ordered them to respect the clan’s land.

• Allen woke after sleeping for over eighteen hours, met with his subordinates, promised compensation for injured villagers, and ordered Firentis to extend patrols south because of the Half-orcs of Moria.
• Allen traveled with Beorn to the oak grove, helped the Skin-changers build their home, and sampled Marian’s honey cake.
• Beorn offered to share southern security duties with Wulf and have his clan teach useful skills to Allen’s villagers, and Allen accepted in friendship.
• Allen returned to Wilderness Village, reassured the anxious Alayen, and shared Marian’s cake with him.
• Allen told Ymira to arrange for villagers to learn from Beorn’s clan and decreed that no one could enter or hunt on their land without permission.
• Allen gave Klethi and the others gems as rewards for the battle.

Allen prepared Wilderness Village for a possible attack by ordering a larger defensive wall built from both timber and brick, while managing the costs and helping the village through construction. As the Half-orcs withdrew across the river and Allen recovered his strength, a party claiming to be from the Woodland Realm arrived at the village.

• Allen told the villagers that Beorn's black bears were protecting them, and rumors of an attack stopped.
• Artimenner proposed wooden walls and Furdin offered to make bricks, so Allen ordered both methods used and assigned Artimenner seven hundred workers.
• Ymira warned that the workers would need more food, and Allen agreed to cover the expense and start construction the next day.
• Artimenner, Furdin, Firentis, Bunduk, Ymira, and Jeremus organized the work while Allen checked on the villagers and gradually recovered.
• Half-orcs across the river shot at villagers, and Allen killed several with his war bow until they stopped appearing on the riverbank.
• A party claiming to be from the Woodland Realm arrived at Wilderness Village.

Allen accepted Legolas's invitation to Thranduil's palace after rescuing Silvan Elves, bringing Furdin along despite Legolas's objections. Thranduil approved of Allen's defense of his choice and sent Legolas to guide Allen's party to the Iron Hills.

• Thranduil sent Legolas to invite Allen to his palace after learning Allen had rescued two Silvan Elves.
• Allen told Furdin that he could return home, and Furdin decided that Frey and Tyr would stay in Wilderness Village while he went back.
• Legolas led Allen, Furdin, Alayen, and Allen's guards through Mirkwood to Thranduil's palace, where the two wounded Elves began to recover.
• At the banquet, Allen discussed the history of Elven-Dwarven grievances and explained that he had brought Furdin because he wanted to repay the Dwarves and see him safely home.
• Thranduil welcomed Furdin and ordered Legolas to guide Allen's party to the Iron Hills; after resting for a day, Allen set out.

Allen traveled to the Iron Hills, earned Dáin II’s friendship, and secured five Dwarven smiths for his village before returning to the Woodland Realm. He arranged to trade wine for food with Thranduil and began the journey home with the smiths and twenty Elven longbows.

• Legolas left Allen’s party before they reached the Iron Hills, promising to wait for him in Lake-town.
• Furdin brought Allen to the Iron Hills, where Dáin II welcomed him and offered him ten suits of armor after hearing how Allen had helped the Dwarves.
• Allen asked Dáin to send smiths to his village and drank with him; while drunk, Allen spoke of the Balrog in Moria and promised to help reclaim the Dwarves’ lost homeland.
• Dáin agreed to send five skilled smiths to Allen’s village, and Allen left for Lake-town after the banquet.
• Allen reunited with Legolas in Lake-town, returned with him to the Woodland Realm, and proposed trading wine for food with Thranduil.
• Thranduil agreed to the trade, gave Allen twenty woodland Elven longbows, and Allen set off for home with five Dwarven smiths.

Allen returned to Wilderness Village and learned that its population had grown to nearly four thousand while its defenses and administration struggled to keep pace. After hearing that a mysterious wizard lived nearby, he used the simulator and experienced a failed mission in Uxkhal that ended in his character’s death; he then chose not to continue.

• Allen returned to Wilderness Village and found that fields, roads, and the village had expanded during his absence.
• Ymira, Bunduk, Firentis, Artimenner, and Deshavi reported on the village’s population, food, security, militia, unfinished wall, and nearby Half-orc activity.
• Deshavi told Allen about a strange old man living in a cottage near Beorn, and Allen warned her not to provoke him.
• Allen opened the simulator and followed a mission in Uxkhal to rescue Tachiman, while his childhood friend Hunter carried out the plan.
• Allen’s simulated character drew the Swadian soldiers away from Hunter, fought through the city, and died after being struck by crossbow bolts.
• Allen declined to continue the simulation and planned to visit friends and meet a Maiar.

Allen traveled to the Woodland Realm to establish a trade route, and his unusual wine impressed Galion and Thranduil. He secured a favorable grain-for-wine agreement and left the Iron Hills with ten dwarf swords before returning to Wilderness Village.

• Allen assigned Deshavi to help negotiate with the Woodland Realm and set out with wine, Artimenner, and a group of villagers.
• Galion tasted the wine from Calradia and Pendor, praised the Pendor wine's unusual power, and guided Allen's party toward Thranduil's halls.
• Thranduil sampled the Pendor wine and negotiated a trade in which Allen would receive grain worth ten times the wine's cost, along with packhorses and Elf protection for his caravans.
• Allen visited Dáin Ironfoot on the way back and received ten dwarf swords after staying for two days.
• Allen returned to Wilderness Village after another month away.

Several years after Wilderness Village grew into Wilderness Town, Allen met Radagast and Gandalf while seeking a new neighbor, then agreed to travel with Gandalf. On the way home, Allen wondered whether Gandalf had used magic to influence his decision.

• Over several years, Wilderness Village expanded into Wilderness Town with more than five thousand residents, rebuilt brick walls, and improved roads, while Allen's simulations brought both resources and repeated deaths.
• Allen visited Beorn, who introduced him to Radagast, and they found Gandalf the Grey at Radagast's cottage.
• Gandalf questioned Allen about Wilderness Town, and Allen claimed his people had come from the East and were descendants of one of Gandalf's old acquaintances.
• Gandalf proposed a journey, and Allen agreed to leave with him in about a month after hearing that they would visit Lothlórien.
• On the way back, Allen worried that Gandalf's magic or charm might have influenced him to accept the invitation.

Allen completed a simulation that earned him Noldor friendship, valuable equipment, Vitality, and a Dragon Tear Gem, which he exchanged for an Elixir of Immortality. After giving Ymira Vitality, he prepared to leave town again and entrusted its affairs to her and his followers.

• In the simulation, Allen gained Israndir’s trust by rescuing two Noldor Elves from Aelno’s estate and returning them safely to the forest.
• Israndir rewarded Allen with Noldor equipment, Vitality, and a Dragon Tear Gem, and the simulation ended with the Noldor Elves friendly toward him.
• Allen exchanged the Dragon Tear Gem for an Elixir of Immortality, redeemed his other rewards, and drank the potion after the items appeared in his bedroom.
• Allen gave Vitality to Ymira, who hoped the gift signaled his affection but was disappointed when he asked her to manage town affairs during his next absence.
• Allen assigned military and construction responsibilities to Firentis and Artimenner, arranged for Klethi and Deshavi to seek help if enemies invaded, and went to speak with Firentis.

Allen prepared to leave Wilderness Village and traveled with Gandalf toward Lothlórien. After Allen revealed that Isildur’s Ring might be connected to the Half-orcs and Saruman’s men near the Golden Iris River, Gandalf changed course to alert the White Council, and they reached Lothlórien half a month later.

• Allen stocked Wilderness Village with supplies, handed its affairs to his subordinates, and set out with Gandalf after changing into inconspicuous travel gear.
• Allen and Gandalf crossed the Old Ford, fought Warg Riders and Half-orcs, and rescued villagers during their journey through the woods.
• At the Golden Iris River, Gandalf and Allen helped Saruman’s men defeat a force of Half-orcs, and Allen identified the enemy as likely coming from Dol Guldur.
• Allen told Gandalf that Isildur had carried a Ring when he died near the river and connected it to the Half-orcs and Saruman’s men searching the area.
• Gandalf decided to summon the White Council and act against Dol Guldur, then hurried with Allen to Lothlórien, where they arrived half a month later.

Allen attended the White Council meeting in Lothlórien, where he revealed that Azog, the Half-orcs of Mount Gundabad, and possibly Smaug threatened the planned attack on Dol Guldur. The Council agreed to prepare an expedition to the Lonely Mountain, and Allen accepted Gandalf’s invitation to join it before leaving for home with a gift from Galadriel.

• Galadriel welcomed Allen to Lothlórien and later brought him to a White Council meeting with Gandalf, Elrond, and Saruman.
• Gandalf reported what he had learned about the One Ring, while Saruman claimed it had been carried into the sea and urged the Council to stop pursuing the matter.
• Allen told the Council that Azog was active near Dol Guldur, Bolg had come from Mount Gundabad, and Smaug might be allied with the darkness there.
• Gandalf proposed an expedition to the Lonely Mountain to confront Smaug and create an opportunity to attack Dol Guldur, and Galadriel and Elrond supported the plan.
• Gandalf invited Allen to join the expedition, and Allen accepted; Elrond also invited him to visit Rivendell.
• Galadriel gave Allen soil empowered by Nenya, and Allen left Lothlórien with a small company of Elves escorting him home.

Allen secured passage through Thranduil’s territory toward the Lonely Mountain, bought Elven weapons, and used five reputation points to obtain Denars and recruit Hollimion with twelve Twilight Knights. He then began a Calradia simulation as a dispossessed Khergit noble, winning a duel that earned his people temporary pasture near Tulga.

• Allen spread Galadriel’s gift over Wilderness Town’s farmland and visited Thranduil to request military passage toward the Lonely Mountain.
• Allen promised to seek Thranduil’s Starlight Gem from the Lonely Mountain’s treasure, while Thranduil granted passage and sold him Elven bows, spears, and arrows.
• Allen spent five reputation points on two hundred thousand Denars and recruited Hollimion and twelve Twilight Knights.
• Allen entered a Calradia simulation as the second son of Noyan Boalie, rejected Nuam’s offer for his herders, and led them east in search of pasture.
• Allen challenged Tuluge to a ten-on-one mounted duel, defeated his opponents, and won pasture near Tulga and money for his migrating people.

After ending the Horse-herding Village simulation, Allen summoned its people and livestock and established them on a fertile grassland near Wilderness Village. He began planning a mixed herding and farming settlement, while trying to stop the villagers from worshipping him as a heavenly god.

• Allen relinquished his identity as lord of Horse-herding Village and summoned its villagers, prisoners, horses, cattle, and sheep to the grassland Firentis had found.
• The herders gathered before Allen and hailed him as a heavenly god, prompting Firentis to ask whether Allen could guide him toward redemption.
• Allen reassured Firentis that redemption came from his own actions, then ordered Tuoju to lead the villagers in rebuilding Horse-herding Village and to stop them worshipping him.
• The herders quickly set up tents and divided the pastures, while Allen summoned Artimenner to help supervise the settlement's construction.
• Allen planned to combine nomadic herding with farming, improve the villagers' medical care, and centrally manage the horses; he also considered giving Artimenner an Elixir of Immortality.

Allen completed the organization of three legions and finished arranging affairs in his villages before leaving with Gandalf to find Thorin Oakenshield. The Great Eagles carried them toward Bree, where Gandalf expected Thorin to pass after searching for his father.

• Allen established infantry, ranged, and cavalry legions under Alayen, Bunduk, and Firentis, with Deshavi leading the scouts and Hollimion serving in Allen's personal guard.
• Gandalf arrived in Wilderness Town and told Allen that Thorin Oakenshield was searching for Thráin II in Rhûn and would likely return toward the Blue Mountains.
• Allen agreed with Gandalf that they should not reveal the full plan to Thorin, particularly the Elves' involvement, before Thorin agreed to the expedition.
• After arranging matters in Wilderness Town and Horse-herding Village, Allen left with Gandalf on two Great Eagles.
• The Great Eagles carried Allen and Gandalf from Carl Rock to the Eyrie and then near Rivendell, and the two continued toward Bree by road.

Allen waited in Bree for Gandalf and news of Thorin Oakenshield, while dealing harshly with the local gang leader who tried to rob him. Gandalf met Thorin at the Prancing Pony and persuaded him to join the expedition; the next day, Allen and Gandalf left Bree and rode toward the Shire.

• Allen spent his weeks in Bree learning about cooking from Albert Drelly while Gandalf was away gathering information.
• Allen defeated Old Bill Ferny and his gang after they tried to rob him, and rumors spread about the outsider’s frightening reputation.
• Gandalf told Allen that Thorin would arrive soon, and Thorin entered the Prancing Pony that evening.
• Gandalf met Thorin privately, persuaded him about the expedition, and said he had chosen a burglar who would meet them in Hobbiton.
• Gandalf introduced Allen to Thorin, who asked whether Allen was the burglar before Gandalf explained that he was his friend from Wilderness Town.
• Allen and Gandalf left Bree the next day, rode through the Barrow-downs and the Old Forest, and checked into the Green Dragon Inn.

Allen joined the Dwarves’ meeting at Bag End, signed a contract to help them reach the Lonely Mountain, and wagered Thorin that Bilbo would earn his respect before they arrived. The chapter ended with Bilbo being carried to a chair after fainting.

• Allen arrived at Bag End with a gift and told Bilbo that he was part of the gathering, then joined the Dwarves inside.
• Gandalf and the Dwarves arrived, and Bilbo hosted them while Thorin was delayed after losing his way.
• Thorin questioned why Allen could not be their Burglar, and Gandalf explained Allen’s role and confidence in Bilbo.
• Allen reviewed and signed a contract promising to help the company reach the Lonely Mountain and gain entry in exchange for at least one-fifteenth of the treasure.
• Allen wagered with Thorin that Bilbo would join the expedition and eventually earn Thorin’s respect, with the loser owing the winner one request within his power.
• The Dwarves lifted the fainted Bilbo onto a reclining chair.

Allen and Kili discovered Warg Riders tracking Thorin’s company, forcing the group to travel faster as Azog’s pursuit loomed. After finding three Trolls and treasure in their cave, Allen persuaded the Dwarves to join an attack, and Thorin agreed.

• Allen scouted the road from the Shire to Bree as Bilbo joined the company, which later replenished supplies in Bree and continued toward the Misty Mountains.
• At camp, Allen recognized the night the Warg Riders would find them and led Kili in shooting the riders across a ravine, but one wounded Warg escaped.
• Gandalf urged Thorin Oakenshield to seek refuge in Rivendell, but Thorin refused, so the company rode hard while Gandalf and Thorin quarreled.
• Allen found three Trolls sleeping in a cave and reported their presence and treasure to Thorin and the Dwarves.
• Allen pointed out that the Troll cave held enough treasure to fill several chests, persuading the Dwarves to agree to an attack.

Allen and the company killed the three Trolls and discovered Elven weapons in their cave. He urged Thorin Oakenshield to let Gandalf and him take the map to Rivendell for Lord Elrond to decipher, leaving Thorin to consider the proposal overnight.

• Gandalf stunned the Trolls with White Light, and Allen and the Dwarves attacked them as Glóin lit the woodpile.
• Allen shot a Troll in the nostril, giving Dwalin a chance to wound it and Thorin Oakenshield to kill it; Allen then shot another Troll in the eye, and the company defeated the last one.
• The Dwarves gathered treasure while Allen found Orcrist and Gandalf found Glamdring; Allen gave Orcrist to Thorin Oakenshield.
• Allen pressed Thorin Oakenshield to let him and Gandalf take the map to Lord Elrond for translation, warning that the expedition could not succeed without the map’s information.
• Thorin Oakenshield fell silent and considered Allen’s proposal as Allen left to retrieve his arrows; Gandalf then unearthed a short Elven blade.

Allen persuaded Thorin Oakenshield to let Gandalf and him take the map to Rivendell, where Elrond identified its Moon-letters and asked the company to stay until the timing was right. Before leaving Rivendell, Allen met young Aragorn, called Estel, and gave him his Rune Longsword, naming it Hope.

• Thorin Oakenshield reluctantly handed Allen the map while insisting the company would not enter Rivendell, and Allen passed it to Gandalf.
• Gandalf led the company to Rivendell, where Elrond invited the Dwarves inside and recognized the Moon-letters on Thorin's map.
• Allen spoke with Elrond about history and revealed that he was in his early forties, after which Elrond introduced him to Estel and Gilraen.
• Estel asked to spar with Allen, who repeatedly bested him before giving him the Rune Longsword and naming it Hope.
• Elrond gave Allen, Gandalf, and Thorin bags of Miruvor, and the company left Rivendell to continue its journey.

Allen and the company crossed the High Pass, were captured by half-orcs in Orc Town, and fought their way through the caves with Gandalf. After Allen killed the Orc King, the collapsing bridge dropped the company into a pit, where the king’s corpse pinned Allen’s left arm.

• Allen led the company through the rain-soaked High Pass, where stone giants’ battle forced them to flee and seek shelter in a cave.
• Half-orcs attacked the company’s campsite, and Allen and Gandalf secretly entered Orc Town while the others were captured.
• Allen followed the half-orcs into their cavern and saw Bilbo Baggins’s Sting fall into the darkness, but chose not to tell Gandalf about the One Ring.
• Gandalf began the escape, and Allen helped the company fight through the half-orcs and shoot down their archers.
• Allen shot the Orc King as he blocked the company’s path, but the wooden bridge collapsed and dropped everyone into a pit.
• The Orc King’s corpse landed on the company and pinned Allen’s left arm, leaving him in agony.