"cheers!"
"cheers..."
Tall, thick wooden wine glasses filled with beer clinked together hard, and cold hops splashed everywhere.
night.
Helm's Deep.
Inside and outside the main hall of the inner city of Horn Castle.
The lights are bright.
It was extremely lively and noisy.
At the celebration banquet after the Rohan War.
They raised their glasses and talked loudly together, and there were many people laughing.
There were many people who drank to their heart's content and burst into tears.
After all, we had just experienced a war.
Although everyone knows that as long as the war is to protect them, it is inevitable and unavoidable.
And as long as there is a war, there will definitely be casualties.
But no one wants to die in a battle with the people they care about.
But after all, only a few people shout and cry at meetings.
This is a post-war celebration banquet, and the participants are almost all heroes of this warrior, and almost all of them are men.
As for the elderly, children and women, there are other places to eat.
They were all men, and drinking until you cried was not something honorable, no matter what the reason.
The top table in the main hall is also the main table.
The dwarves Gimli and Legolas were drinking together: "Come on, let's drink again!" "
Gimli raised a tall, thick bottle of overflowing beer and touched it to Legolas next to him, and then began to slurp it very skillfully.
Not to be outdone, Legolas also drank from his glass.
Although he drinks, the most he drinks is red wine, wine, and other types of fruit wine brewed in his own dark forest.
He has never drunk human beer.
It feels like a taste of something new when I drink it now.
Gimli and Legolas were drinking wine.
On the side, Aragorn was talking to Haldir, the leader of Lothlorien.
On the other side, Morgan was also chatting with Gandalf.
Not far away, Éomer, the third marshal of Rohan, was also drinking wine with Mullen, the leader of the guards of the Horn Castle.
As for King Théoden at the head of the main table, he has long since disappeared.
Because of his serious injury, he could only make a brief appearance at the banquet.
As the owner, I thanked several members of Morgan Gandalf's expedition, Erkenbrand, Lord of West Rohan, and the brave warriors of Rohan.
Théoden immediately left the hall with the help of his attendants.
The king's departure will not affect the exhausted warriors who have just come off the battlefield.
On the contrary, without His Majesty the King, they could drink even more happily.
"Saruman sent out such a large number of Uruk troops this time and was defeated by us."
Morgan raised his glass and touched it with Gandalf who raised the glass. He finished the cold beer in the glass in one breath, wiped the wine stains from his mouth, and said: "Then, Isengard's defense at this time must be left. Not much more.”
"That should be it..."
"Asaruman's ability to breed such a large Uruk army in just over half a year must have reached its limit."
Gandalf put down the wine glass in his hand, wiped the wine stains from his beard, nodded in agreement.
"So. What are your plans next?"
Morgan asked looking at Gandalf.
"What do you think?"
Gandalf did not answer directly, but asked his old friend beside him.
"I know you already have plans..."
Seeing Gandalf's expression, Morgan immediately smiled and said casually: "Say it."
"The next step is of course to go to Essinger as soon as possible..."
Gandalf said solemnly: "It's best to solve all the troubles together."
Morgan was silent for a moment and then spoke: "I'm afraid that Uruk will be defeated at this time, and the news of Rohan's victory has already reached Isengard."
Gandalf nodded: "I know, but we will definitely go to Essinger as soon as possible."
"Saruman's failure will definitely make Sauron angry, which will most likely speed up the pace of sending troops..."
"The battle to defend Helm's Deep is over."
"But the battle to defend the entire world has probably just begun..."
"And all this hope rests on these two little hobbits."
Gandalf sighed softly.
Morgan didn't answer, but he was convinced of this.
Of the four little hobbits in the Fellowship of the Ring, he had the best impression of Frodo and Sam.
This is why he taught them both swordsmanship on the road.
I just don’t know how the situation between the two of them could be different now?
And that Gollum.
It had been so long since the two hobbits had left the main group and gone on their own.
Presumably the other party had already followed by this time.
Think of this.
Morgan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Speaking of which, sixty years ago, in the Misty Mountains and in the tunnels of the underground Goblin Kingdom, he had the opportunity to kill Gollum casually.
It's just that he didn't do that at the time.
Morgan looked at the dishes on the table in front of him in a daze.
at this time.
A figure quietly walked towards Morgan.
It's just that Morgan's perception is so sensitive now that even when he is distracted, he is still aware of the slight abnormal sound next to him.
He immediately raised his head and saw Princess Eowen, wearing a tight-fitting white dress and long, soft and slightly curly golden hair, standing in front of him holding a glass of wine.
"Morgan, I want to toast you."
Before Morgan could speak, Eowen took the initiative to raise her glass and said with a smile.
"Of course you have to drink Her Royal Highness's wine."
Morgan stood up with a smile, picked up the tall wine glass he had just filled and the obviously smaller wooden wine glass in Eowen's hand, banged it, and then they both drank.
"By the way, I have something to tell you..."
After filling Eowen's and his own glasses with wine again, Morgan took Eowen to the open-air balcony beside the hall.
"What's up?"
"Isengard's army has been defeated by us. This is the best time to deal with Saruman."
"Tomorrow I will attack Isengard with Gandalf and your brother."
"So, the archery skills that I promised to teach you today may have to be postponed to a later date."
Morgan looked at Eowyn and said apologetically.
Eowen was silent for a moment after hearing this, and then she chuckled softly: "Looking at your serious expression, I thought it was something."
"It's okay, it's more important to go to Essinger..."
Eowen naturally knew the priorities of things. She couldn't help but paused for a moment, and then asked Morgan: "But, when will you come back?"
"As long as we deal with Saruman in Isengard, we will be back."
Seeing Eowen agree, Morgan immediately smiled.
Next, the two briefly chatted for a few more words outside the balcony. After drinking the beer in their glasses, they quickly returned to the noisy hall.
While Morgan and Gimli were enjoying beer and food in the Hall of Horn Castle.
North of Middle-earth.
River valley gang kingdom.
Inside the Royal Capital Valley City.
The whole night was silent and solemn.
Even if someone had to travel in the middle of the night, they would walk in a hurry and not dare to linger too much.
Central Square.
The location of the Kingdom Hall.
Among them, the tallest and largest clock tower is located in a spacious high-rise building.
Several men in exquisite and gorgeous clothes or warriors in full armor were standing around a tall middle-aged man with a resolute face in the middle, talking constantly.
It didn't take long.
When a man wearing an exquisite robe and a heavily armed warrior began to argue, the argument became louder and louder.
The middle-aged man in the middle just frowned and coughed lightly.
The two people who were quarreling immediately shut their mouths.
This is the King's Palace of the River Valley Gang City. It is not easy to enter and exit the building complex normally.
Not to mention these few who occupy the tallest bell tower in the entire King's Hall.
And the identity of the middle-aged man surrounded by a group of people whose clothing and temperament are obviously different from ordinary people can be easily revealed.
Yes.
This middle-aged man, who was staring at the clear map in front of him and frowning, was Brand, the current "King of the River Valley Gang".
Brand: Son of Bain, grandson of "Archer" and "Dragon-Slaying Warrior" Bard.
The King of the Riverdale Gang is present.
Surrounding him were naturally a group of ministers from the River Valley Gang Kingdom and various high-ranking warrior leaders.
"Your Majesty, since the Dongyi army has almost reached the Hongshui River, what we should do now is to mobilize all our troops to stop them in front of the Hongshui River."
A tall middle-aged warrior leader spoke again.
"No, I don't think that's appropriate."
"Everyone has read the secret message sent from the front. This time, the Dongyi army far exceeds ours. Moreover, the enemy is well prepared and is not afraid of fighting us head-on."
"In this case, we can't confront them directly as the other party thinks."
"Everyone knows how difficult it is for our River Valley Gang to develop to the present level. We must not easily bring the flames of war to our royal capital..."
"Besides, our Valley Gang Kingdom is not the only one in the entire Lonely Mountain. Maybe Your Majesty should talk to the King of Erebor."
"After all, the arrival of the Dongyi army, Modo's minions, is related to the safety of the entire Gushan."
"I've finished what I said, what do you think?"
The handsome young man in a gray exquisite robe looked at His Majesty the King and the ministers and colleagues in the room and spoke quickly.
Speaking of which, I need to briefly mention: after sixty years of development, the territory of the River Valley Gang Kingdom has far exceeded that of the country when it was first founded sixty years ago.
The current territory of the River Valley Gang Kingdom not only includes the area from the Runliu River Valley to the gate in front of Gushan.
From the south of Changhu Town, including part of the Dark Forest Mountains, to the Xiangshui River in the south, it was all the territory belonging to the River Valley Gang Kingdom.
Pass by the Eastern Dark Forest Mountains and head east until you reach the Kanan River (also known as the Red Water River) basin.
These all belong to the territory of the River Valley Gang Kingdom.
Also, Lake Town, which was destroyed by the evil dragon Smaug with the dragon's flames, has now been rebuilt with the help of the Riverdale Gang.
All in all, the territory of the River Valley Gang Kingdom is much wider and stronger than before.
"You've said so much, but you haven't come up with a specific solution?"
At this time, a middle-aged man wearing a black robe asked immediately.
"Have I already told you?"
"Didn't you hear it?"
"Did you say that?"
"I told you."
"..."
"But since you didn't understand, Carol, I'll say it again."
"The incoming Dongyi army is too numerous. We must not easily confront them. We must tell the troops in front to shrink their defenses first."
"At the same time, consult with the King under the Mountain about the next steps."
"Carol, do you understand this time?"
The handsome young man looked at the middle-aged man with a gloomy face and asked unceremoniously.
"damn you..."
The middle-aged minister's face became increasingly ugly, and he immediately opened his mouth and was about to come.
"alright..."
King Brand's voice rang again, and the handsome young man and middle-aged man immediately shut up.
"I have already informed Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain, and the time should be almost here."
"Edward, are you ready to go take a look at the dishes prepared for the banquet?"
Brand looked like the sharp-tongued handsome young man he had just said.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The handsome young man immediately nodded respectfully.
Brand nodded and then looked at everyone: "Others, please come down with me to greet them."
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
...
night.
Deep in the dark forest of the north.
Within the woodland kingdom.
The lights are brightly lit at this time.
A large number of wood elves shuttled through the huge underground city.
City center.
A small hanging garden built by pruning the branches of huge trees.
Dressed in an exquisite silver robe, the elf king Thranduil, with an extremely handsome and aloof face, sat on a luxurious wooden throne.
In the square in front of him, five or six elven leaders were standing in front of Thranduil.
Among them was a tall, plump and cool female elf wearing beige leather armor and a dark green cloak and robe. She was Tauriel.
She was now standing in front of several other elven leaders.
"You all already know the news that the tribe just brought, right?"
Thranduil said in a deep voice.
"knew..."
"Know..."
"Already know..."
Several leaders nodded.
"There are traces of orcs in the Southern Dark Forest again."
"This is the second time this month."
"Combined with the news sent by Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien, there are enough signs that the orcs in Dol Guldur are likely to attack us again."
"so..."
Time was urgent. Thranduil did not discuss with the leaders at this time, and directly began to give instructions: "First, send all the scout soldiers out. I want to know what is happening in the southern forest at every moment."
"Second, send someone to inform the skin-changing Beorn family. They need to know this."
"Third, organize all the bows, weapons, armor, and arrows in the warehouse so that they can be used and called."
"Also, go to the kitchen and storage warehouse to prepare sufficient food and drink rations for wartime, and there can be no mistakes."
"Leave this matter to Tariel, I can rest assured that you will handle the matter."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Finally, let me know. In one hour, all the soldiers will be gathered in the square. I want to review."
"That's it, go ahead."
Having said this, Thranduil waved.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The elven leaders bowed and retreated.
The mission was urgent, and the five elf leaders quickly dispersed and disappeared.
Tauriel also walked quickly towards his residence.
Thranduil ordered three tasks, and the one she received was the most difficult and cumbersome one.
This also shows that King Thranduil attaches great importance to her.
Without thinking much, what Tarrell had to do now was to get home as quickly as possible, settle his two children, and then go on the mission.
Walk quickly on a familiar road.
Tariel had just walked through the door.
Then, a petite and lively figure rushed into Tariel's arms quickly and cutely, and said in a cute voice: "Mom, I miss my dad."
Tariel's eyes dimmed slightly, he stroked his daughter's head and whispered, "Mom has thought about it too."
