#356 - Another visitor
Perhaps the people of the North have always faced immense pressure.
It's just that this enormous pressure has been borne and dissipated by someone, making this place seem peaceful, even capable of putting pressure back on the great enemy.
Sauron isn't uninterested in this area; his intentions were just thwarted after being exposed.
"Boromir."
Lost in thought, Lee Wei returned with a gust of wind and the scent of blood.
"My lord."
Boromir greeted him.
"Alright, no need to be so formal."
Lee Wei patted his shoulder affectionately, saying, "From your great-grandfather's generation, my family and yours have been on good terms."
"I even held you when you were a child."
Saying this, Lee Wei felt incredibly refreshed, decades of planning finally coming to fruition today.
However, upon hearing this, Boromir's lips twitched, and the expressions of many soldiers nearby became somewhat subtle.
Slightly embarrassing.
"Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, that little guy who liked to gnaw on people's fingers has grown into a capable warrior and a competent general."
"How is your father doing lately?"
"He…"
Boromir paused, then said, "He's still quite spirited."
"That's good. I've been keeping an eye on Gondor's situation. Remember to tell me if anything happens. I'm here and can definitely help you."
"I almost held your father when he was a child… well, you should understand, he was a bit stubborn and wouldn't let me hold him."
Pfft.
Imagining that scene, Boromir couldn't help but laugh.
His usually silent and stern father had a time like that?
But after a brief chuckle, Boromir returned to the main topic, saying, "Currently, everything in Gondor is relatively stable. We just experienced a great victory. My brother Faramir is leading men on the front lines. He's a reliable and resourceful person."
"Faramir, I remember him. He's a very meticulous child. He often sought my advice when I visited Gondor."
"Alright, let's not stand here. It's rare for you to visit, I must entertain you properly."
"While there's nothing much going on."
Lee Wei stepped aside, looking at the vast pile of corpses beneath the city walls.
This round of attack caused no damage here. In fact, even if he wasn't here, these monsters would have met the same fate; none would have survived.
At most, it would have taken a bit more time and been less efficient.
Faced with Lee Wei's invitation, Boromir nodded with a smile.
At this moment, he genuinely felt a sense of care. The filter of that mysterious legend was slowly fading away. An emotional person was standing in front of him, talking to him.
Affable and approachable. Whether it was himself or ordinary soldiers and civilians, as long as they struck up a conversation, he wouldn't refuse and would always chat for a few words.
This was somewhat similar to the wizard who was rushing over there.
"Hello, son of Denethor, Boromir. You seem to be in good spirits. How is your brother doing lately?"
"He's fine, but he's been a little unhappy."
"I guessed as much. Your father has always had issues with him, but it's rare that he'd let you out."
"I requested to come."
"Hmm, so what did you come for?"
Gandalf asked Lee Wei what he wanted to ask.
"A dream."
In the fortress next to the Great Wall, Boromir spoke of his doubts.
"I came following the guidance of a dream."
Lee Wei and Gandalf exchanged a glance.
The next day, the three of them left the temporarily stable Great Wall and returned to Roadside Fort.
But… stable?
It didn't seem so.
When Lee Wei returned to Roadside Fort, there were two dwarven visitors here.
To be precise, a father and son.
"Glóin, Gimli."
"What brings you two here?"
"Some news."
Glóin's expression was serious.
"There's been some unusual activity north of the Grey Mountains."
The Grey Mountains, which is where Dain's Halls are located.
Since being reclaimed and rebuilt, Glóin and his son, along with a group of other dwarves, had moved there.
Glóin resided there as the dwarven colonial leader in Dain's Halls, managing affairs.
Normally, he wouldn't move unless something major happened.
"In recent years, in front of the Halls' gate, we've often heard roars coming from behind the massive snow mountains."
Glóin said, "At first, we thought they were just beasts living on the snow plains, but the sounds became increasingly strange and unsettling."
"Later…"
Glóin took out a scale.
Lee Wei took it and frowned.
He was familiar with this thing. It was a dragon's scale. To be specific, it was a scale shed after a dragon grew up. Little Pink had dropped quite a few.
"Our people found this at the edge of the snow mountain. We didn't dare go any further inside."
"On the one hand, the road was too difficult to travel. On the other hand, you should understand that if we really encountered something, the expedition team wouldn't be able to cope at all, so I had them return."
"Whatever it is, let them come! I'm not afraid!"
Gimli, behind Glóin, was clearly more courageous, or rather, more reckless.
"The Northern Wastelands, again the Northern Wastelands."
Lee Wei sighed.
"Alright, I know about this. Leave it to me. I'll take care of it all together."
"I want to see just how much of this ancient stuff is left."
The men discussed for a while. Before long, another visitor arrived, or rather, returned.
It was Aragorn.
"Lord Elrond asked me to bring a message. He hopes to convene a meeting to discuss the specific disposal method of the One Ring."
After delivering this message, he asked Lee Wei, "And, Lord Elrond also asked me to inquire if you are interested in hosting this meeting."
"Me?" Lee Wei pointed at himself, clearly somewhat surprised.
Aragorn nodded.
Gandalf suddenly interjected:
"If Elrond knew his usual habits, he wouldn't think of troubling him."
"Of course, if this can be done, I support it too."
Lee Wei shook his head and replied, "My suggestion is, whoever proposed it should host it."
"Let's go, it's a good opportunity to visit old friends in Rivendell."
In the second half of 3018, with the One Ring as the center, various forces gathered at Roadside Fort. Elrond, hearing this news, wanted to convene a council of the wise to discuss how to dispose of the One Ring.
At Lee Wei's recommendation, as the convener of the meeting, this meeting was hosted by the elf known as the wisest of the age, the Lord of Rivendell - Elrond.
Lee Wei and Gandalf attended as wise men.
Also arriving with them were the commander from Gondor: Boromir, and the dwarven leader from the Grey Mountains, Glóin, and his son Gimli.
And besides them, Rivendell also had some other visitors.
