"No mortal man can master such evil power."
Radagast is the most proficient in witchcraft, or black magic, among the big men present - he is a vassal of Yavanna, likes to be friends with birds, beasts, and forests, and is most sensitive to the evil forces that destroy all life. , he said this is witchcraft, then this is witchcraft: "I'm afraid Lord Turka is right to worry, our enemies are very likely to come back again."
Saruman, who had white beard and hair and wore a gleaming white coat, said nothing.
Others all showed worried looks at this time.
"Our enemies have become more cunning and vicious this time." Gandalf smoked his pipe and squeezed his long eyebrows together. "He hasn't shown up yet, but his power has already begun to appear. What I'm worried about now is, how does he control this power?"
The wizard really didn't expect this. He had been focusing on the dragon recently, and it was hard to take care of other things. But in the final analysis, this matter is indeed the failure of the Holy White Council, so the Silver King's accusation is not wrong.
"I used the Ithil Crystal to examine the vast lands of Gondor in the north and south, and found that Ecthelion, the son of Turgon II, was attacking Umbar in the southern continent, and a large number of slaves entered the White City. Minas Tirith." Turka glanced at everyone, his golden vertical pupils filled with majesty: "We all thought it was a normal continental war, but we all ignored one thing! One of the nests of Sauron’s accomplices, the Black Númenóreans! I would not be surprised at all if they secretly assist Sauron or other conspirators in carrying out some shameful deeds.”
"As for Rohan, although I don't know the changes in its country for the time being, I think, if the prediction is correct, the situation of the Rohirrim people will not be much better than that of Gondor."
Saruman showed a smile that made people feel like spring breeze. He said: "The horsemen are well fed and clothed warmly under the rule of their king. Why do we need to worry? Okay, okay, now we know that maybe It's our enemies who are back, maybe not, maybe we shouldn't make a fuss, who knows? But this action of the dwarves worries me, Gandalf, you know, that is the largest dragon in Middle-earth now, neither you nor me. With enough power to challenge it in this era, isn't this a very stupid and reckless action? Or, Lord Turka, do you also think that the dragon is easy to solve, an insignificant... thing? ?”
ah.
The white-robed wizard found a good starting point for counterattack. Elves have always disapproved of dwarves challenging dragons, even with the double endorsement of Gandalf and Turka, but it was a dragon. There are too many tragic descriptions of the War of Tears and the War of Sudden Fire in the elven legends and poems. This is almost a memory they will never forget.
It is considered extremely unwise for an elf to be reluctant to challenge an adult dragon if possible.
Turka looked deeply at the white-robed wizard and said nothing.
Before his true identity is completely exposed, Saruman is still the nominal leader of the White Council, and his words naturally have a certain power. Even the Dragonborn cannot do anything about this.
And the white-robed wizard is very smart. He no longer refutes the return of darkness, but focuses on the dragon. This caused a lot of discussion in the parliament. Everyone was in favor and opposed, and the whispers continued for a while.
However, Gandalf's words silenced the council again.
"Smaug has no allegiance to anyone, which makes him powerful and gives us an opportunity to take advantage of him. We must take advantage of this opportunity to deal with the dragon, because if it is drawn to the dark side by our enemies, then Our enemies will become more terrifying than ever! Think about it, if a giant dragon flying in the sky falls from the sky, falls on Rivendell, falls on the forest, falls on the human city-state, what serious consequences will it have! What consequences will it have on mankind? Riverdale City and the dwarven mountain kingdom of Erebor have already given examples, are we still going to let it go?"
The elf whispered to himself, but quickly sat up straight again.
"If Smaug is a problem that must be solved in our time, then the elves are willing to bless it." Glorfindel's words represent Rivendell's opinions. Obviously, Turka's previous words about home convinced the elves very well.
The northern elves represented by Gamil had always kept pace with the Silver King, so they voted in favor without any objection.
The representative of Mirkwood voted against. Thranduil had suffered from the dragon's flames of the northern dragon, and the Woodland Kingdom was unwilling to risk the annihilation of the family to challenge the dragon.
Then Radagast the brown robe voted in favor. He said: "The dragon will scare the birds and beasts and burn the forest and the earth. We don't like it."
This made Saruman's face look a little ugly.
So, only one vote of Lady Galadriel of the Golden Forest, one vote of Gandalf the Grey, and one vote of the Silver King Turka were left.
Even though the white-robed wizard voted against it, in the end the Holy White Council passed the motion to crusade the dragon Smaug by 6:2.
"Okay, let's just wait and see. Let's see who is the fool in the end." The white-robed wizard thought angrily, but soon Saruman regained his composure, his deep eyes turning, thinking about something unknown. secret thoughts.
The meeting also discussed many other issues, which we will not go into detail here.
Bilbo only knew that when he slipped out and wandered around in the glen the next day, our hobbit saw several dignified and dignified people, like kings/queens.
They are either heading north, going south to the valley, or heading east out of the mountains. Everyone is walking in a hurry and looking solemn.
"who are they?"
Bilbo came and stood on the edge of a cliff, watching these beautiful elves and white-haired wizards rushing to various parts of Middle-earth to fulfill their important responsibilities and defend this beautiful and troubled land. He looked at Tur on the side. Ka said with the gray-robed wizard.
"Some great people! Although some people are not famous in people's legends, it is undeniable that it is because of their efforts that Middle-earth will be safer." The wizard smoked his pipe and slurred. said.
"I'm half-agreeing with that," Turka said.
His answer confused Bilbo even more.
But neither the Silver King nor the wizard obviously wanted to explain too much to the hobbits on this issue, so Bilbo's answer to this question was destined to be superficial.
It wasn't until much later that he knew what he had seen that day.
As if feeling something.
One of the majestic old men in white robes turned back sharply and stared hard into the hobbit's eyes. The terrifying look in his eyes almost made Bilbo almost scream.
"It doesn't matter." Turka's gentle voice blew away the shadow caused by the malicious gaze, allowing Bilbo to come back to life from the cold gaze: "As long as we are here, he can't hurt you."
As if aware of the Dragonborn's power, the old man with terrifying eyes looked away and walked away muttering.
Bilbo gasped for air and almost thought he was dead.
"Why do elves entertain such terrible guests?" He said fearfully, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
Gandalf the Gray smoked his long pipe and said worriedly: "Because he was not like this at the beginning. He is a white robe wizard, the most powerful among us. His name is Saruman, Orthanc the master."
Turka was silent and said nothing.
There was a sparkle in his eyes.
Finally, the morning of the summer solstice was beautiful and fresh, the best weather one could dream of: a clear blue sky without a cloud, and the sun dancing in the water.
The adventure team set off on horseback amid the farewell song. They were already prepared for a greater adventure and were already familiar with the path through the misty mountains and into the land behind the mountains.
Just the night before, Midsummer Eve.
Elrond successfully deciphered the secret language on the map of the Lonely Mountain.
"While the thrush is knocking, stand by the gray rock," under the clear moonlight, a line of text magically emerged, Elrond read, "the setting sun carries with it the afterglow of the Turin sun. , will shine onto the keyhole."
"And when is the Day of Turin?" asked Bilbo.
"It's New Year's Day, the dwarf New Year." Thorin frowned and said, "Everyone knows that it is the first day of the last month of autumn at the turn of autumn and winter. That is when the last moon of autumn appears in the sky together with the sun. day."
"We don't have much time left," he said. "Summer is coming to an end, Turin Day is coming, and we're still on the other side of the continent."
"So we are leaving soon." The wizard said: "Non-stop, fast and orderly. I hope these two weeks have not made you forget the purpose. Our journey is not over yet, it is time to continue."
Turka also said: "Next, the real hard adventure is waiting for you ahead, don't fall behind, Mr. Bilbo Baggins! The time to test you is coming soon!"
As a result, Bilbo's restless adventurous heart was finally aroused again.
That day, the adventure team embarked on a new journey in high spirits, with smiles and hope on their faces.
Led by the wizard and the silver-white king, they began to walk upwards after leaving the valley behind for many miles.
It is a difficult and dangerous road, a winding road, a lonely road and a long road. Looking back, Rivendell was lying quietly far down behind him.
Far far away in the west, everything was a light blue, and Bilbo knew that it was the home of the Hobbits in the Shire.
But this moment is so far away.
The further you go up, the colder here becomes more and more biting, and the strong wind howls between the rocks.
Sometimes, the scorching sun at noon would melt the snow on the top of the mountain, causing the boulders to loosen and then roll down the hillside. Sometimes the stones passed between them, and sometimes they flew over their heads.
At night, the wind is biting and makes people miserable, and they dare not sing or speak loudly because the echo is dangerous. The tranquility in the mountains does not seem to like to be broken - the only exceptions are the sound of water flowing and the shrill howl of the wind. and the sound of rock breaking.
The dwarves and hobbits were walking on the top of the mountain, accompanied by cold wind, ice and snow. Fatigue and confusion began to appear on everyone's faces.
They don't know when they can get out of this endless mountain.
Neither the wizard nor the Silver King said anything about this. This was a test they had to go through, and others could not replace it.
Fortunately for Thorin and Dwalin, the dwarves who had experienced the First War of Light had already passed through a high mountain pass and were mentally prepared for the dangerous misty mountains.
The dwarves who stayed in the Blue Mountains last time, such as Filiqili, Beaver, Biff, and Bomber, complained endlessly. They muttered in a low voice, complaining about everything, but they did not dare to get angry openly.
Finally, on this day, they encountered a thunderstorm - in fact, it was not just a thunderstorm, it was a thunderstorm.
Thunder roared in the sky and the mountains roared.
Almost all the adventure team was soaked in the rain, tired and cold. I just wish there was a place to hide from the rain right now where they could warm themselves by the fire and rest.
At this time, a strange vibration came from the depths of the mountain. Turka, who had been leading the team silently from the front, his golden vertical pupils condensed, and he said: Finally here.
"This is not a thunderstorm." The silver-white king turned around quickly and shouted: "Mithrandil, I think we are encountering a thunderstorm! The stone giants are fighting each other, and we can't get through it."
The wizard's eyelids twitched as he was agitated by the thunderstorm. He tried his best to open his eyes wide and look into the distance through the pouring rain.
Then something happened that almost frightened Bilbo.
A huge rock broke through the rain curtain and flew towards them!
