Here in Théoden's golden palace in Rohan, where he fought with the remote-controlled white-robed Saruman earlier, the Cavalry King held a small reception banquet for guests from afar.
At this time, Eowen, a member of the Eo family and the niece of Theoden, King of Rohan's Cavalry, was taking care of the two children to eat.
Just this evening, the two children rode alone on a horse all the way to Edoras to deliver intelligence about the northwestern border areas of Rohan to their king.
Today's banquet was without any laughter and seemed very dull. After all, the king of Rohan had just woken up and found out that his only son had died. Therefore, it was impossible for him to celebrate the arrival of Gandalf and others. of.
Therefore, the atmosphere in the palace hall is not very good now. Most people try to keep quiet, and it doesn't look like a banquet at all.
Aragorn, who had eaten and drank enough, was huddled in his seat holding his arms and biting his pipe. He didn't know what he was thinking about, but he just glanced at the king's throne; and the elf prince Legla Si, on the other hand, was minding his own business playing with his beloved bows and arrows. Today they were handed over to the guards, so he had to re-adjust them when he had time to ensure that they would not appear during the battle. question.
As for the pseudo-white-robed wizard Gandalf, he was sitting side by side with Théoden in the distance next to the throne. The two seemed to be discussing something in a low voice, and Théoden shook his head from time to time, revealing his face. With a look of rejection, it was clear that the other party did not seem to agree with some of Gandalf's opinions.
Little Annie was heartless and ate the most. In her boredom, she was playing with building blocks using the animal bones she had left behind.
I don’t know what she did during this period. When people focused their attention on her, the pile of bones had already turned into several hand-held bones under her skillful hands. A skeleton that looks like an orc soldier with a shield and a bone blade.
"Sister, what are you doing? What's the use of them?"
The little girl among the two herders' children who came to report the news was quickly attracted by what Annie did. After watching for a while, the little girl who was younger than Annie The little girl couldn't help but ask this question.
"They are the orcs under that bad guy Saruman, they can be used for fighting!"
After looking up at the two dirty little brats opposite, Annie blinked and said it indifferently.
She came up with this out of boredom and intended to use it as a pastime and to kill time. After all, in this Middle-earth world, after eating at night, apart from getting ready for bed, there seems to be no very interesting pastime? So, she just put together some bone blocks and played with them!
"They can actually fight?!"
Hearing what Annie said, the little herdsman girl didn't even bother to take care of the half-eaten meal. She directly supported the long wooden table with her hands and looked at the small orcs built with bones in surprise. .
"Ahem! Little girl, don't believe her. Those are just a few skeleton models. They definitely can't fight!"
Opposite the other side of the long table, the dwarf Gimli was holding a large ale barrel in one hand and a hard wooden cup in the other hand, drinking by himself.
He never paid attention to business. After seeing the little witch trying to deceive other people's innocent little girls, he quickly corrected him and yelled.
"Hmph! Don't you believe it, Bearded! If they can really fight, what are you going to do?!"
Originally this was just a little trick for Anne to entertain herself, but after being told this by the bearded dwarf, she became a little more serious.
How dare this ignorant bearded dwarf question his own stuff? Just wait, there will come a time when he will regret it!
"If you can make them move, then I will drink all this vat of ale in one breath!"
In anger, Jinli didn't even think about it, he patted the big wine barrel beside him and swore nonchalantly.
Although their dwarves are good at wine and have a relatively large capacity for alcohol, if they really want to drink up this large barrel of ale, they will have to die of drunkenness!
"Very good, are you guys here? You can start fighting now!"
Anne first glanced at the bearded dwarf with a sneer, then looked at the large wine barrel that was as tall as him, and then suddenly said slyly to the several skeleton models on the table.
As soon as Little Annie finished speaking, something happened that stunned everyone: on the long wooden table, the so-called orc models made of bones actually held up their own bone shields and Bone slice knives, fighting one on one on the long table.
They were looking at me and I would kick you; I would chop them with the blade and block them with my shield; they would just crackle and fight on the long tabletop in a lively manner, and from time to time one or two bones and arms would fly out. Brain?
"..."
Then, almost everyone's eyes were drawn to Gandalf, who was muttering and discussing things next to the throne in the distance, and King Théoden, who had a bandage on his head next to him.
"This, this, this..."
Seeing this, Jin Li's eyes widened immediately!
He always thought that magic was used for fighting, such as curses, fireballs and lightning, or invisible rope-like things like Saruman used before?
How could he, who had never seen wizard chess at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, imagine that magic could actually do things like what was happening on the long table now?
"Okay! You win!"
His lips trembled for a while, and he estimated that the battle between the little people on the table would not end for a while. He was willing to admit defeat, so he could only turn his head and look at the big wine barrel next to him, and stretched out his hand. Hold the edge of the barrel and shake it vigorously.
Soon, there were bursts of "plop" and "plop" sounds like when the wine was sloshing around. It was obvious that this barrel of ale was almost full!
"Aragorn? And, Legolas..."
Thinking that one person might not be able to finish the barrel of ale, he could only look at his two partners with helpless eyes, as if he wanted them to share part of it for him?
Unfortunately, Aragorn simply smiled and shook his head, indicating that he had drunk enough! On the other side, the elf Legolas, who was neither good at nor drunk, turned his head away without mercy.
"Brother, look!"
"Look! They can actually fight!"
At this moment, the two children who came to report didn't even bother to eat their food. They just lay down on the table, as if they wanted to get closer and take a closer look?
"Okay! Kids, hurry up and eat your dinner!"
Eowen, who was wearing an exquisite black evening gown with a brown collar, took one look at the gadgets that the little witch had made, and glared at the other person with dissatisfaction. Then, she hurriedly called on the two children to continue. Have a meal.
Eowen doesn't like that little witch very much, even though, earlier today, this little witch just saved her uncle the king?
This is because when the other party was in the palace today, the punch she gave her uncle Théoden was really too hard! She couldn't even imagine that the opponent's small fist could be so powerful? The back of her uncle's head was so swollen that Théoden still had to wear a bandage!
"Uncle! Our people of Rohan, they did not receive any warning, and...were unarmed!"
Looking at Théoden who was still hesitant on the throne, Éowyn didn't quite understand.
"The Dunland barbarians who have taken refuge with the evil white-robed wizard Saruman have already passed through the Pass of Rohan and passed through the West Valley. They are driving straight in, burning, killing and looting along the way. No one is immune..."
"Uncle, it's time to make a decision! We have many people's gathering places scattered across the vast prairie. Once those barbarians continue to go deeper, they will never let them go!"
After greeting the two children to continue eating, Éowyn stood up and continued to persuade King Théoden on the throne. She herself also hopes that her uncle can make a decision soon, cheer up, gather soldiers, launch an all-out war against the evil Essinger, and protect their people in Rohan!
"..."
However, her uncle still leaned on the throne with his forehead propped up and said nothing.
I don’t know, is it because the little girl’s fist hurt him too much? Or is it because after waking up from the demonic shadow, he found that his own son was killed and he was in a bad mood? Or... is it because he feels anxious after discovering that his powerful Riding Kingdom of Rohan has turned into a mess?
"Believe me, King Théoden...the news we are hearing now is definitely just the tip of the iceberg of the evil deeds committed by Saruman!"
"Once he opens up the border of Rohan, joins forces with the Demon King Sauron and joins forces at the Anduin River, then that will be the most terrifying thing!"
After one look at Éowyn, Gandalf once again joined in the persuasion.
Now, the Kingdom of Gondor is being fully attacked by Sauron's forces of Mordor. Gandalf believes that even with the natural barrier of the Anduin River guarding them, they will not be able to hold on for long! A few days ago, he had heard the news that the east city of Osgiliath had been captured by Mordor. Once the west city of Osgiliath was also captured, Gondor's entire Anduin River defense line would be completely defeated!
At that time, Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor, will be completely exposed to the army of Mordor!
And once Saruman's army breaks through the border of Rohan, joins forces with the forces of Mordor at the Anduin River, and begins to attack Gondor from the north on two fronts, then the world of Middle-earth will really be completely finished...
At that time, as long as the gods, the Eru or the Valar do not intervene forcibly, then this Middle-earth world will really become the Demon King Sauron who has the final say! As for the humans, elves or dwarves who resisted Mordor, except for the elves who could escape to Aman, everyone else would be doomed!
"Théoden, it's time to make up your mind! Gather your troops, fight your enemies, and confront Saruman's army head-on!"
"Don't let them continue to harm your people and burn your pastures... You must fight as soon as possible!"
After seeing that Théoden seemed a little moved, Gandalf continued to work harder.
He plans to completely convince this hussar king! He believed that on the grassland, Saruman's orc army or the ragtag barbarians would not be a match for Rohan's elite cavalry.
"At this moment, we still have more than two thousand elite soldiers operating in the northwest. Although Eomer has been exiled, he is still loyal to Rohan and you, the king! He also knows that you are controlled by the enemy! "
"I believe that as long as you call you, he and his soldiers will come back and fight for the king!"
At this time, Aragorn, who was smoking a pipe at the side, also came in and joined in the persuasion. They had seen Eomer with his own eyes when they were looking for the Hobbit, and they probably knew the character of the Rohan general.
"No! Eomer and the others are three hundred leagues away from here. It's too far for them to come back..."
"Even if they are all cavalry, at such a long distance, even if we send people out now to find them and then rush back here, it will definitely be too late! So, Eomer... he can't help us!"
No one knows better than Théoden, who is proficient in cavalry combat, how long it takes for cavalry to reach the capital. Therefore, he does not support fighting Saruman's mixed army in the capital of Edoras because there is no danger at all. Can be defended!
Moreover, the most important thing is: due to Grima's misbehavior during this period, there are not many warriors in Edoras who can fight. Théoden knows that the remaining troops they have are absolutely insistent. They didn’t come here without reinforcements!
"No! Gandalf, you don't need to say more..."
After pacing in the hall for a while, Théoden quickly stretched out his hand to stop the old wizard who was about to step forward and continue to persuade him.
"I know why you came to save me! I also know that you have expectations for me!"
"However, during this period... too many things have happened here in Edoras, the capital of Rohan! I will not cause any more casualties to my people! I will not let them do anything to me again. Disappointed! I will never risk another war..."
If everything in the capital of Rohan had been in its heyday, Théoden would definitely have dared to lead his troops out and engage in head-to-head field battles with Saruman's infantry on the grasslands!
"It's no use escaping, Théoden!"
"Saruman's war against Middle-earth has begun. Whether you want to take risks or not, they will come for you!"
Seeing that Théoden was still hesitant, Aragorn had no choice but to say something more emphatically.
"Oh? As far as I know, the king of Rohan is me, Théoden, not you, Aragorn! Therefore, you cannot question my decision!"
If it weren't for the fact that the other party had played a role in rescuing him, Théoden might have driven out this group of guys who tried to interfere in Rohan's internal affairs and his own decisions!
Don't these people think about their own identities?
A wizard, a titular heir to the king, plus a dwarf and the prince of the Silvan elf force who will definitely not participate in the war. How useful can these four people be to the upcoming war?
If one of them is a lord with thousands of elite soldiers, then Théoden will definitely respect their opinions! Otherwise, they should shut their mouths as soon as possible.
"Then King Théoden, what is your final decision?!"
Gandalf sighed, stood up, approached Théoden, and asked slowly.
The current situation is actually very obvious. Saruman's mixed army is pressing down on the situation, leaving Theoden with only three options: Surrender? This is destined to be subjugated and annihilated. Presumably he, the Cavalry King, will not choose this; and for a frontal war, he has just sternly refused; then in the end, the only option left is escape, right?
However, Gandalf felt that escaping would be nothing more than lingering on, and would be of no benefit to the war in Middle-earth! Rather than that, it is better to take a risk and have a head-on decisive battle with Saruman! After all, on the grassland, the cavalry that comes and go like the wind still has an advantage over the infantry, right?
"..."
Théoden was silent for a while. He first closed his eyes, and after a while, he suddenly opened them. However, just when he was about to announce his final decision, an inappropriate voice sounded again, rudely interrupting what he was about to say next.
"I almost forgot, if you want to fight that bad guy Saruman, maybe I can help!"
It turns out that it was little Annie who suddenly interrupted just now?
Just now, when she was bored and watched a game of wizard chess played by the Bones Little People, she once again had nothing to do. When she heard that the group was discussing the war, she Then I suddenly remembered that her army of the United Kingdom of Alicia seemed to be almost reaching beyond the borders of the Rohan Kingdom, right?
So, Annie felt that she seemed to be really helpful! However, you can't help the Rohan Kingdom in vain, you must pay some price for it!
"It's you……"
Théoden turned around in confusion. When he saw the little witch who had punched him and successfully saved himself, he couldn't help but wonder, what could this little girl do to help him?
Could it be that she wanted to use her strange magic? However, in large-scale battles, is magic really that powerful? Can it still influence a battle? Anyway, Théoden was still skeptical about whether magic could influence the outcome of the battle.
"Annie..."
At the same time, Gandalf looked at the little girl nervously and shook his head quickly.
His meaning is also very obvious, that is: you are not allowed to use large-scale magic to help them in the war between mortals, and you are not allowed to release the Balrog, let alone the little bear named Tibbers!
"I have a country called the United Kingdom of Alicia! My subordinates are very annoying!"
Little Annie found a bottle of drink somewhere and drank it while talking vaguely.
"Wait a minute, you just said the United Kingdom of Alicia... I'm sorry, little Annie, why do I seem to have never heard of this name?"
Gandalf thought about it seriously, and searched several times through his memories of his two thousand years of farming in Middle-earth. Then he was finally convinced that there was no such thing as the United Kingdom of Alicia in Middle-earth. !
Could this be something this little girl made up on the fly? It would be better not to anger the Horse King Théoden later. After all, the other party is now in the pain of losing his son and the anger of being on the verge of annihilation. He cannot be persuaded, let alone others to ridicule him!
"Of course you haven't heard of it! Because I just founded it not long ago!"
Little Annie rolled her eyes angrily. She thought it would be strange if Gandalf and his gang had really heard of it!
Her Kingdom of Alicia was created when their group just went on the Lord of the Rings expedition! Moreover, the development time was also during the more than two months when the other party escorted the Lord of the Rings. And now, these people have been wandering around the Rohan Kingdom to the east of the Misty Mountains. They definitely don't know what is happening to the west, north of the Swan River.
At this time, Anne feels that her army of the Alicia Kingdom should have almost reached the vicinity of Isengard, right? If their progress is too slow, she herself will be angry!
"It was founded not long ago? When exactly was it!"
Gandalf was still confused. He was able to create a kingdom not long ago... Are you sure this is not a joke? The date they parted with this little girl in Rivendell seemed to be less than three months ago, right? Why was she allowed to create a kingdom?
By the way, there is also the old dwarf Groin whom he met in Rivendell. At the beginning, the other party swore to himself that this little girl would definitely not cause trouble? !
"It was when you went to the Lord of the Rings Expedition! Well... I calculated, it's right, it was on the third day after you set off!"
Annie counted carefully on her fingers and quickly got the exact time.
Although she had long forgotten the specific date, she knew anyway that after leaving Rivendell, it took them three full days to reach the outside of Bray Town and capture the small town. .
"It seems that our Lord of the Rings Expedition has only been away for more than two months, right? In such a short time, you were able to establish a United Kingdom?!"
Gandalf still felt a little incredible. Could this little kid really do something like this?
It’s only been more than two months, what can you do with such a small amount of time? According to Gandalf, if he traveled slowly from the capital of Gondor to Rivendell, more than two months would be just enough time to make the journey, right?
"More than two months is not enough? That's already a long time!"
Annie curled her lips in dissatisfaction. You must know that more than two months in the Keprulu sector were almost enough for her to plan and occupy the entire sector!
But now, she has just created a small United Kingdom with a population of only a few hundred thousand. What is there to make a fuss about? A bunch of ignorant guys, they are still so old, but they are still so startled, they are really worthless!
"..."
Gandalf didn't know what to say now, he felt bad about himself.
Thinking about himself, it took him more than two thousand years to slowly guide humans and other intelligent creatures to develop in the direction that the Valar wanted. But now, this little girl created a kingdom in just over two months. , is the efficiency so high?
"Really? Then where is your country? Uh..."
Gimli just had time to ask, before he let out a big belch.
Apparently, he was a little drunk and now his eyes are almost cross-eyed! As for the barrel of ale that was almost full before, he barely drank half of it. It would probably be a long time before he drank it all.
"Of course it's on the Shire side!"
"The current Bray Town, Stad Town, Metris, Annuminas, Fornost, and the Swan River Basin, etc., are all the territory of my United Kingdom of Alicia!"
After thinking for a while and relating the magical messages she had recently received from Ophina to her, Anne quickly named a long list of places. Judging by time, Ofina and her army should have arrived near Isengard as scheduled, right?
"Wait! If I remember correctly, those places you just mentioned seem to be the territory of the Iliad Free Council?!"
Aragorn was really a little uneasy now, so he quickly asked.
In fact, what he wants to say more is: Those places should be his Aragon territory! Her so-called United Kingdom of Alicia cannot occupy his home, he is the legal king of the Kingdom of Arno! He is the chief of the Dengdan people!
That is the territory of the Iliad Free Council. In the past, it was all the inherent territory of the Kingdom of Arno! That is the territory that should belong to him, Aragorn!
"Eliyad? But it's not theirs anymore! It's mine now!"
As far as Anne knows, that Iliad Free Council has been disbanded a long time ago!
Some of them directly joined the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Alicia, others became wealthy landowners, and some of them were unscrupulous and were simply beaten to death!
"Please be quiet! Now, you can stop discussing these irrelevant matters in my palace!"
After scanning Gandalf and Aragorn with dissatisfaction, Théoden looked doubtfully at the little witch who had just said that he could help him.
"Your Excellency Witch Anne, what I want to know now is: How can your so-called United Kingdom of Alicia help us? Or, can it help us at all?"
Staring at the little girl sitting on the wooden chair with her feet dangling, Théoden asked with a serious expression.
This was what Théoden cared about.
After all, they are now isolated here in Edoras! And the entire Rohan Hussars Kingdom is in a critical situation between life and death. If you are not careful, it is very likely that you will enter the desperate situation of national subjugation and annihilation!
It would be best if a powerful foreign aid could come and lead an army to save Rohan now.
As for whether the United Kingdom of Alicia occupied Aragorn's territory or invaded the territory of the elves, Théoden didn't want to care about it!
"Well, you'd better talk to Ofina yourself directly!"
After thinking about it carefully, Anne felt that for some things, it would be better for Ofina to have an interview with the old king who looked very cunning in person, so that they would not suffer a loss!
After saying that, she waved her hand and used a communication spell similar to the communication magic she used when she invaded the True Knowledge Crystal before, creating a large magic light curtain directly in the palace of Rohan.
"Waiwai? Ofina, are you here?!"
Then, when others were curious or surprised, Annie called into the light curtain.
In the next second, the magic light curtain lit up, and then, a young man appeared inside, sitting on the main seat of the tent, wearing golden armor, with a huge red background and gold edged white bald eagle flag hanging behind his back. woman.
"See my lord!"
After seeing the magic light curtain appearing in front of her, Ofina quickly stood up and respectfully paid a solemn courtesy to little Annie.
"What are your orders?!"
Ophina felt a little strange. On weekdays, when her little master had something to do, he would just send a message and settle the matter. But why did he have to have such a serious conversation today in the form of a magic meeting?
Then, Ofina began to stand up straight and looked at the opposite side of the magic light curtain in confusion. She saw humans, dwarves and elves on the other side? It seems that there is another wizard who is not too weak?
"..."
"Oh... is she an elf? She is actually younger and more beautiful than Galadriel, and more charming..."
The dwarf Gimli, who was drinking, his eyes widened again at this moment. Then, he fell straight down and began to fall asleep. It was obvious that he was really drunk and thought he had just appeared. A hallucination!
In fact, it was not just him. Except for little Annie herself, almost everyone in the hall of the entire Kingdom of Rohan looked at him with straight eyes. They could not imagine that there was such a person in the world!
"..."
Unlike the others who were amazed, Gandalf stared at the woman in golden armor opposite the magic light screen in confusion and shock.
As a Maiya, although his abilities have been greatly restricted, his vision and knowledge have not diminished.
Therefore, of course he can see: the woman in front of him is not an elf, nor a human, nor even any kind of creature in Middle-earth or Aman!
When he first saw this woman, Gandalf almost thought that she was an existence summoned from the outside world by that dishonest little Annie!
However, when he looked carefully, he discovered that this existence, which was almost as powerful as or even stronger than the average Maia, actually had a strong aura of Middle-earth?
Gandalf was very puzzled. In addition to feeling the powerful power of the opponent, he also felt another kind of holy and vast aura! That kind of powerful vitality and light power, Gandalf will never admit it!
Because that was the beginning of the birth of Middle-earth, the breath of the two holy trees before Arda turned around and curled up...
How could they appear on this strange woman?
Gandalf was sure that there was absolutely no woman like this in Aman! The other party is definitely not Maiya created by the gods! So, where did she come from?
"Here's the thing: This is Théoden, the king of Rohan. He seems to want to ask for help from our United Kingdom of Alicia! So... forget it, you'd better talk to him yourself."
After saying a few words and explaining things clearly, Anne walked aside on her own. She didn't want to worry about these troublesome things! Anyway, she believed that Ofina would handle it well.
"I see……"
After slightly nodding to Anne who turned to leave, Ophina turned to look at Théoden, who was still a little surprised.
"So, you are King Théoden of the Rohan Hussars? Tell me, what conditions do you have for me to send troops to rescue you?"
Holding the exquisite long sword at her waist, Orfina looked majestically through the magic screen at Théoden opposite her, who was frowning.
"By the way, I will give you two pieces of information for free. The good news is: Our six thousand-strong army is now blocking the gate of Essinger. They have no way to send more troops to your territory in Rohan for the time being!"
After seeing the joy on the face of King Théoden, Orfina smiled and said the next piece of news.
"And the bad news is: at least 10,000 fully armed orcs have advanced towards your territory in Rohan. Of course, there are also those Dunland barbarians who have not had time to be eliminated by us? They are estimated to be at least two or three Ten thousand people?!”
After seeing Théoden's once beautiful face turn pale again, Ophina knew that her goal had been achieved!
In this upcoming negotiation, the United Kingdom of Alicia has completely taken the initiative! If the king of Rohan did not want to destroy his country and his species, she believed that he would obey him in a short time.
Actually, there are still some things she hasn't said clearly, that is: although their army is indeed blocking the gate of Essinger, the fact is that neither side can do anything for the time being!
The orc army that rushed out of Isengard was quickly beaten back by their muskets and cannons, and if their army dared to get close to the attack range of Isengard's mage tower, it would be easy for them to attack it. Magic attack, so before little Annie contacted Ofina, they had been confronting the white-robed wizard Saruman here.
The arrogant white-robed wizard Saruman did not order the orc army that penetrated deep into the territory of Arhat to return at all. His intention was already obvious, that is, he wanted to destroy Rohan first and coordinate the offensive of Mordor. Go back and clean up their Alicia Kingdom?
Anyway, from the perspective of the white-robed wizard Saruman, no matter how powerful the guns of the Alicia United Kingdom are, they can't defeat his Isengard!
This is indeed the case. From Ophina's point of view, the other party's Orsanke Mage Tower and the white-robed wizard together are really too difficult to deal with! The range of their 'Nemesis' cannon is actually no farther than the range of the opponent's mage tower.
"..."
After hearing the two pieces of news from the other party, Théoden did not speak immediately. He just looked down at the ground, not knowing what he was thinking about.
"Tell me...what do you want before you are willing to send troops to rescue our Rohan Kingdom?!"
After a while, he took a deep breath, and then Théoden, the Cavalry King of Rohan, asked the charming and cunning queen on the other side of the magic light curtain word by word.
He knew that the current Rohan Kingdom alone would never be able to deal with an army of 10,000 strong orcs and at least 20,000 to 30,000 Dunland barbarians! Even if Saruman gives himself plenty of time to slowly summon soldiers, his current Rohan Kingdom will definitely not be able to raise thousands of cavalry!
"Reflect on it, our request is actually very simple..."
Looking at the other party's expression, Ofina knew that today, their goal had been achieved.
