Essinger.
Upper level of Orthanc Tower.
In the black solemn hall.
corner.
A small stone platform.
There is a crystal ball of true knowledge covered with white cloth.
In front of the stone platform.
Aragorn stood with a serious face.
In front of the bookshelf in the room behind you.
Morgan, Gandalf, Legolas, and Gimli were looking at Aragorn in the corner.
Not so long ago.
After Aragorn learned that this "Palantir Gem" had been contaminated by Sauron, anyone who used it would be noticed by Sauron immediately.
Aragorn decisively proposed to use the Palantir gem.
As for the reason.
Of course, it is to explore Modo Sauron's real attack target.
And the reason why Aragorn did this.
Halbarad, the "grey warrior" who led more than thirty Dúnedain rangers, brought Aragorn a letter from Arwen and a hand-sewn king's flag, symbolizing Aragorn's heritage. The "Standard of Elendil" since Isildur's supreme kingship.
Elrond's two twin sons, who are also Aragorn's two nominal brothers, also brought a letter and a message from Elrond, as well as a sword to Aragorn.
Arwen told her longing for Aragorn in the letter, and gave Aragorn the confidence to go towards his goal.
Lord Elrond's letter explained their speculation: Mordor's attack target is Gondor.
Moreover, the Gondor army attacking this time not only includes Modo's huge army, but also most likely a pirate fleet coming from the south.
This is the news they just discovered.
If all this is true.
So Gondor is in danger this time.
The letter talks about the news in Mordor and the situation in Gondor.
But Elrond brought a message related to his daughter Arwen, which made Aragorn feel heavy.
After the heaviness comes firmness.
However, the news brought by Lord Elrond is still only speculation.
But Aragorn already had a preference for Modo's next troop dispatch.
But just like Gandalf said, he failed to obtain enough weighty evidence to convince King Théoden of Rohan and some other small forces to rush to Gondor.
Therefore, after Gandalf said that the crystal ball in his hand was the Palantir gem, and it was contaminated by Sauron.
Aragorn immediately made a decision.
That is, even if he faces the Demon King Sauron directly, he must personally use the Palantir Gem to get a glimpse of the movement of Mordor's army.
After Aragorn expressed his decision.
Gandalf naturally disagreed.
Because he knows better than anyone the dangers of using the Palantir gems tainted by Sauron.
Saruman's strength will be influenced by Sauron and he will fall into rebellion.
The dangerous consequences of others daring to use Palantir are unpredictable.
But it's a matter of life and death for Gondor.
It’s about the future and Arwen.
Aragorn couldn't care less and could only take the risk.
In front of the bookshelf.
"We...should I go out?"
Legolas looked at Aragorn in the corner of the hall and spoke softly.
"go out?"
"Why are you going out?"
Jinli beside him immediately asked in confusion.
"Didn't you say that Sauron of Modo can see us through the Palantir gem?"
Legolas continued to speak and looked at Gandalf.
"Get out!"
Before Gandalf could speak, Morgan suddenly said: "Frodo and the others are still moving forward with difficulty."
The words fell.
Legolas and Gandalf soon understood.
The expedition team is too quiet.
Modo must have known it by this time.
However, before his death, Saruman only knew that the Hobbit had the Ring, but he did not know who it was.
Presumably the same goes for Modo Sauron.
There are four hobbits in the expedition.
It is necessary to reduce the exposure of expedition members to the evil eye of Modo.
But Gimli always felt powerless and irritated when he needed to think so much.
He immediately looked at Morgan: "What do you mean?"
Then he looked at Gandalf and Legolas: "Didn't you say that using the Nappa Blue... ball would be very dangerous?"
"Wouldn't we be able to save Aragorn in time if we stay here?"
But Gimli didn't wait for anyone to reply.
Suddenly there was a burst of cheerful footsteps outside the hall.
Then, two short figures appeared at the door of the hall, it was Merry and Pippin, the two hobbits.
"Let's go, we can keep an eye on Aragorn outside."
Seeing the two halflings appear, Gandalf immediately stood up and walked out.
Morgan then stood up.
Legolas followed.
Jin Li was so anxious that he had to stand up and follow, and began to mutter again: "It's happening again."
"It used to be Gandalf, but now even Morgan tells riddles..."
"Hey, wait..."
"etc..."
At the entrance of the hall, Merry and Pippin had just stepped into the hall when Morgan carried them out one by one like chickens and shouted quickly.
"boom!"
When the black palace door was tightly closed.
Aragorn took a deep breath, stepped forward, raised his hand and lifted off the white cloth covering the Palantir gem.
He reached out and grabbed the strange crystal ball that was as black as ink.
...
evening.
The cold wind howled outside the Orthanc Stone Tower.
Inside the stone tower.
The first floor of the restaurant where Saruman specializes in dining.
The candles are bright.
There were people sitting in front of the three long tables that were put together temporarily.
One of the Rohan hussars sitting with the expedition.
On the other were members of the "Gray Robbers" ranger group composed of people from the Aragon tribe in the north.
On the last long table, sat Morgan, Gandalf, Aragorn and other five members of the expedition team, as well as Éomer and the two sons of Eldron from Rivendell, Elladan and Elohi. You two, as well as Balharad, the organizer of the Ranger Regiment, and everyone else.
And of course there are two little hobbits.
Ent leader Treebeard is certainly qualified to sit at this table.
But entering the stone tower was torture because of his huge body, so he was still outside the stone tower.
The dining table is filled with all kinds of sumptuous food.
The food was taken from Saruman's pantry.
This was heartbreaking for Merry and Pippin, who had already considered the pantry their own.
"cheers!"
"boom..."
The exquisite silver wine glasses collided together, making a pleasant sound.
Immediately, there was the sound of cows drinking.
Then, long sighs of contentment came and went.
After eating like a whirlwind of devouring food.
After filling their stomachs a little, everyone began to chat among themselves.
At the main table, Aragorn also looked at everyone, especially as Gandalf and Morgan made an important decision.
"We already know that Modo's attack target is Gondor..."
"Gondor will definitely be difficult to resist this time. Gondor urgently needs support..."
"I decided to take the Path of the Dead."
Aragorn finished his words.
The others hadn't noticed anything strange yet. Gandalf fidgeted with the cutlery in his hands and immediately raised his head to look at Aragorn with a serious face.
Éomer also made similar moves. After hearing Aragorn's words, he even forgot to chew for a moment, almost causing him to swallow the food in his mouth and cough repeatedly.
Such movement immediately attracted the attention of everyone at the table.
Gandalf was even more surprised: "The path of the dead?"
"That mysterious road where the dead wander?"
"right!"
Aragorn nodded solemnly.
"You can't go that way, it's too dangerous!"
Éomer spoke up immediately after regaining consciousness.
He was the Third Marshal of Rohan, and he knew better than anyone present the horror of that mountain road haunted by the dead.
There was once a Rohan prince "Baldo" who led a group of guards into the "Black Palace" in order to celebrate the completion of the Golden Palace "Meduseld", which is now the Rohan Palace in Edoras, the capital of Rohan. "Barbarian Temple" (Black Barbarian Temple: a fortress hidden in the White Mountains, similar to Horn Keep, is another refuge fortress in Rohan) on the Road of the Dead, and the result was that he never returned.
From then on, that mysterious and terrifying road was also known as the "Road of No Return."
"No, I have to go this way..."
Faced with Éomer's excited reaction, Aragorn just shook his head in a deep voice.
Of course he knew the dangers of that road.
He also knew that the ghosts wandering on that road were the cursed souls of the Oathbreakers who had betrayed his ancestor "Isildur (Isildur)", and he also hated them.
But now Gondor needs support when facing Mordor's army.
All possible support.
Even the former betrayer.
"I know something about those undead and your ancestors."
"But are you really sure that you can command the undead? Let them fight for you?"
After Gandalf pondered, he looked at Aragorn and asked with a serious expression.
"certainly..."
Aragorn nodded and placed an exquisite sheathed sword hanging from his waist on the long table.
"Andulil... Fire of the West!"
Gandalf murmured immediately when he saw the sword in front of him.
"This is the sword of Elendil that represents the King of Gondor..."
Gandalf spoke softly, and then looked at Aragorn with a solemn expression: "All I know is that this sword has been broken?"
"The short blade was reforged to return to Minas Tirith!"
Aragorn looked serious and spoke in a deep voice.
At this moment, Morgan and Gandalf felt the firmness of Aragorn's mentality.
This means that he is determined to regain the throne of Gondor.
...
"puff..."
When Legolas blew out the candles.
The entire hall immediately fell into darkness.
In the sound of breathing one after another.
Morgan lay flat on the simple bed, his thoughts moving slightly.
"Swipe, swipe, swipe..."
A series of virtual characters emitting pale white light began to flash in front of the eyes.
[Time Traveler: Morgan]
[Race: Human]
[Biological Level: Level 2]
[Soul Power: 2]
[Attributes: Strength LV7; Constitution LV7; Agility LV6; Spirit LV6]
[Ability: Universal Language; Muay Thai LV2; White Crow Swordsmanship (Proficient) LV4; Archery (Proficient) LV4; Rock Body (Special Skill); Dragon Power (Special Skill); Charge (Special Skill); Mental Shock (Special Skill) Skill); Eagle Eye (Special Skill); Flash (Special Skill); Any Door (Special Skill)]
[Talent: Intimacy (Special Skill)]
[Current world exploration progress: 15.52%]
【......】
Look at the virtual data that keeps jumping out in front of you.
Morgan felt calm at this moment.
He summoned the system to check the harvest a few days ago, on the night when the Battle of Horn Castle ended.
For two points of soul power harvest.
He was neither surprised nor disappointed.
As his strength continues to improve, the difficulty of obtaining soul power also increases exponentially.
He has made peace with it.
However, although the increase in soul power is not enough for him to strengthen once.
But the increase in the progress of world exploration still made him a little happy.
It was faster than he thought.
Perhaps, when the battle between Mordor and Gondor is over, the exploration progress may increase to 20%.
If it really comes true, I don’t know if there will be achievement rewards again.
First achievement reward exploration progress: 1%;
Second time: 10%;
Exploration progress and achievement rewards are traceable.
Then when the exploration progress reaches 20%, the possibility of achievement rewards is still very high.
"call..."
Take a long breath.
Morgan looked at the virtual panel in front of him for a while, then dismissed the data.
In the dark hall.
He turned over, feeling the hard bed beneath him and the cold emptiness next to him.
He suddenly thought of his wife Tariel and his lovely daughter and son who were far away in the Mirk Forest.
Thinking about the scene he saw inside the Palantir gem in Saruman's hand during the day.
Morgan couldn't help but feel worried.
The Battle of Hornburg in Helm's Deep that has already taken place.
The fierce battle between Gondor and Mordor will take place in the future at the same time.
At this time, in the north of Middle-earth, the dwarf kingdom of Erebor in the Lonely Mountain, the human kingdom of the River Valley Gang, and the woodland kingdom of Mirkwood were also facing attacks and entanglements from the coalition forces of the allies of Mordor and Sauron.
Think so.
Modo single-handedly fought against almost all free race forces in Middle-earth.
It's really scary.
However, when he left Rivendell, he specially wrote a letter to bring back to the Woodland Kingdom.
Presumably Tariel must be aware of this.
I couldn't rush back to the Dark Forest at this time, and I didn't have time to rush back.
I can only wish Tariel and the two children the best.
The dark room was quiet.
The night is getting darker.
When Gimli's rhythmic snoring sounded again in the hall.
Morgan turned over and quickly fell asleep.
Early the next morning.
When the first ray of sunlight rises in the east.
In front of the Stone Tower of Orthanc.
Morgan, Gandalf, Aragorn and the others are saying goodbye to Ent Treebeard.
The Ents of Fangorn Forest, without Treebeard's leadership, dealt with Saruman.
This battle will never allow Essinger to be taken back so easily.
Saruman is dead.
But Essinger's position is very important.
How to deal with this still needs to wait for the discussion between King Théoden of Rohan and Gondor to make a decision.
Before that.
Treebeards are also needed to take care of it.
Farewell Treebeard.
Gandalf and Morgan Aragorn also face separation.
At Aragorn's invitation, Morgan decided to go to the Road of the Dead with Aragorn who was in urgent need of help.
Legolas and Gimli also expressed their intention to go together.
Morgan and others can help Aragorn.
But Gandalf is definitely dead.
He is well-connected, knowledgeable, intelligent, and eloquent.
Whether you need to go to Rohan to seek help for Gondor, or you need to go to Gondor to warn Gondor, you need Gandalf.
And Gandalf has Swift Shadow.
This magical king of horses is much faster than other horses.
It is fitting that Gandalf takes on the responsibility of fire captain.
As for the two hobbits, Merry and Pippin.
Morgan Aragorn's next journey was extremely dangerous, and they could only follow Gandalf back to Helm's Deep.
soon.
After saying goodbye.
Gandalf led the two hobbits, Éomer and the Rohan Horse, towards the direction of Helm's Deep.
Aragorn took Morgan Legolas, Gimli and Lord Elrond's two sons, as well as a group of Dúnedain rangers from the "Gray Travelers" and quickly moved towards the Black Barbarian Temple.
Three days later.
Morgan Aragon's team stopped after a long journey.
in front of them.
It is the entrance to a gloomy, dark narrow passage.
Above everyone's heads was the warm winter sun at noon.
But inside the entrance to the dark path in front of them, there was an icy and biting air that was constantly leaking out, making people shudder.
"This is it..."
Aragorn spoke in a deep voice.
Everyone was shocked, the "Road of the Dead" had arrived.
