Chapter 48 Expedition Invitation
"Our meeting is not accidental, right, Gandalf?"
"Of course, it's not a coincidence."
Gandalf said slowly: "The matter of Lonely Mountain has always worried me, Thorin."
"The dragon has been entrenched there for too long, and sooner or later it will attract some more evil eyes."
The Lonely Mountain is a very important line of defense.
If it is broken and occupied by evil forces, then they can go north through Lonely Mountain all the way to Angmar.
At that time, the wizard country of Angmar may even be rebuilt.
The minions of evil will pass through this route, cross the southern defense line, and directly reach out to the peaceful land west of the Misty Mountains.
By then, even places like Lindon and Shire, which have always been far away from the center of war, will face huge threats, and places like Gondor Rohan will be attacked from all sides.
The lips and teeth are cold, and no one can be immune.
"I met some blind guys on the Green Avenue, and they thought I was a tramp."
"I guess their end will not be too decent."
Thorin also knows how powerful some wizards are.
Gandalf nodded and took out a piece of sturdy parchment.
"I found this on them, a reward."
"What reward?"
"Your head - someone wants to kill you."
"You can't wait any longer, Thorin, you are the heir to the King of Durin's Dwarves. As long as you unite the various armies of the Dwarves, you will have the power to retake Erebor."
"Convene a meeting of the seven tribes of Dwarves and let them fulfill their oath."
Thorin was silent for a while. In theory, as long as the Dwarf army could be summoned, it would be possible to retake the Lonely Mountain, but...
"The Seven Dwarf Armies swore allegiance to the holder of the King's Crown Jewel."
The so-called King's Crown Jewel is the Arkenstone, but this beautiful diamond, a treasure named the Heart of the Mountain, is now guarded by a dragon.
"Only if I have the Arkenstone can I summon them, but have you forgotten that the Arkenstone was taken away by Smaug long ago?"
Gandalf stared at the two rogues next to him until he forced them out of the house, then said:
"What if I help you get it back?"
"How? It is under the feet of a dragon."
"Yes."
"So we need a thief."
Gandalf had a hunch that this operation needed a Hobbit, which was very important.
They are short, light and silent, and can easily blend into the surrounding environment. They are natural hiders and are very suitable for the role of "thief".
After silently determining the candidate for the thief in his heart, the wizard lit his pipe, thought about it, and continued: "And a brave warrior, he might be willing to come together."
That guy would be interested in this matter-Gandalf's intuition told him so.
The outline of the plan was drawn up.
Thorin, who had just returned from a long journey in Dunland, and Gandalf, who had just finished a long journey, continued to travel together, heading to the Blue Mountains to discuss specific plans and recruit expedition members.
In April, after all the discussions were completed, Gandalf took the lead in embarking on the journey.
"I will go find a friend first, and then we will meet in the Shire."
"I will leave a sign on the door."
Gandalf left, and then Thorin and the twelve dwarves who responded to the call, fully armed, embarked on the same journey with Gandalf.
April, 2941 of the Third Age, the area near the roadside fort.
Gandalf stood on a high ground with a cane, looking at the huge and somewhat quiet territory from a distance, frowning.
As he looked at it, he couldn't help but light up his pipe.
"Where am I, is this still the roadside fort?"
This "roadside" doesn't look like a roadside at all.
Even though he hadn't entered the territory yet, the greenery spreading from the city walls and some corner views had already aroused Gandalf's visual senses.
As he looked, Gandalf suddenly found a man on the city wall waving at him.
Gandalf also raised his cane and waved it twice in response.
On the city wall.
Levi walked to the door, pulled down the lever to open the iron gate, and waited for the wizard to arrive.
"Haha, how are you doing recently, Levi."
From a distance, just enough to hear the voice, Gandalf began to greet him.
"Not bad, um, probably, I haven't felt time pass so fast for a long time."
At this moment, Levi only wore a pair of nether alloy boots enchanted with fall protection 4 on his feet, and the rest of his body was not armored, just ordinary clothes.
He looked like a casual town resident.
Actually, he was also very casual, um... except for a little phantom pain in his liver.
"Oh, oh, my God, it's incredible."
As he approached the city gate, Gandalf was immediately attracted by the scenery inside. He couldn't help but lean his body and look around Levi.
"Is this still the Great Wilderness of Eriador? I almost thought I was in Rivendell."
"Thank you, I did build up the territory a little during this period."
"A little?"
Gandalf raised his eyebrows: "You really know how to use words."
When a friend comes, of course he can't let him stand at the door. Soon, Levi welcomed Gandalf into the castle. After a short rest, he cooked a few dishes himself.
The two ate and talked at the table.
"To be honest, if I didn't know you, I would definitely think this is the new home of the elves."
"I did borrow some styles from the valley."
"So that's what you've been busy with these past few months?"
Levi nodded.
After his continuous construction and planning, this territory has really become like a huge city managed by people, rather than a patchwork of empty land except for a few specific places.
Gandalf looked at the complicated scenery outside the window and commented:
"Everything is good here, the only pity is that it's too quiet. There's no one except you."
"Also, I suggest you polish the corners of some buildings. Although they look good now, they are too square. If someone accidentally bumps into them, it will definitely hurt."
"Speaking of what the big pool over there is, I hope you don't mind me being more direct. That thing really seems a bit out of place in this scenery."
"Very useful advice, and that's the ice field over there. I use it to collect ice in winter. Spring came too suddenly, and I haven't had time to dismantle it yet."
"Ice harvesting?"
Is ice harvested like this?
Gandalf felt a little confused, but when he thought of Levi, he was relieved.
The meal was not hurried, and the two chatted casually. Gandalf talked about his experience in the north of the Shire, the blind bandits on the Green Road, and the current situation of the scattered vagrants there.
"Vagabonds."
Levi muttered, and asked: "Do you know a vagrant named Farodan? I haven't seen him for a long time since we last parted."
"No."
Gandalf shook his head. He had a wide range of friends, but not so wide that he knew everyone in Middle-earth.
"But I can ask for you, and I will tell you if there is relevant information."
"Oh, that's not necessary. I just asked because you mentioned vagrants. With his skills, there shouldn't be any accidents."
"I hope so."
After ending the topic, Gandalf ate the last piece of meat on his plate, put down the cutlery, and said:
"Actually, I came here this time to ask if you are interested in participating in an expedition."
"Expedition?" Levi suddenly remembered something.
Yes, that's right, it's time.
"I know wizards don't visit without a purpose. Can you tell me more about the expedition you mentioned?"
