A violent quarrel broke out between Balin and Thorin. The reason is that after threatening the dwarves in Erebor, Thranduil of the Woodland Kingdom actually led an army of elves and turned around and left.
This proves that the news that Legolas conveyed before about the orcs' attack is very likely to be true!
"Thorin, wake up! It's just a necklace, so what if you give it to him? We can't win, don't let unnecessary pride and shortsightedness ruin everyone's lives! We have regained our hometown, and this is more important than anything else! Let the elves help Let’s defend against the orcs, all we have to pay is some insignificant gold!”
"No! Never! These golds were all left to me by my grandfather. I will never allow even one gold coin to fall into the hands of that pointed-eared elf of Thranduil! If someone is greedy for life and afraid of death, I will allow him to leave my house. Kingdom!" came Thorin's angry voice, stubborn and unwise.
The following words were too lethal. Soon, Bilbo saw the old dwarf staggering out of the room with red eyes.
Dwalin walked in angrily, wanting to continue arguing with the king; the other dwarves looked at each other with unbearable resentment.
"Bahrain."
Bilbo found the sad old dwarf in a hall that should be a library. He hesitated for a moment and then asked hesitantly: "What if! I mean what if: the Arken Stone is found and Thorin becomes rational. Is it? I mean, is he going to get out of here?"
Balin looked at him in surprise, and then understood something.
He said slowly: "The Arken Stone, the Ring of Thror, and the greedy nature of the dwarves have made all the kings under the mountain unable to escape the temptation of endless treasures deep in the mountain! If before this, I have the confidence to tell you : Thorin will not be swallowed up by desire like his grandfather and his father, so now! I can’t be sure!”
"Finding the Arken Stone will only make him more irrational!" Balin thought of the heroic and charming prince who was now stubborn and narrow-minded, and couldn't help but feel sad.
"Perhaps retaking the Lonely Mountain is not a happy thing for the dwarves. We have lost our wise leader!"
To be honest, the old dwarf's double-entendre answer was a bit beyond Bilbo's expectations. He said uneasily: "Then we have to stay here knowing that we are waiting to die?"
"Maybe you can leave." Balin cheered up, looked at the Snitch Master in front of him, and said thoughtfully: "Maybe you can save us. You know what to do!"
He looked at the hobbit and blinked.
Bilbo nodded slowly.
He found a deserted place, put on the magic ring, and slipped out of the door under the eyes of Bombur who was standing guard. The hobbit's steps were as light as a feather, and the movement he made was as thin as an ant. The dwarf didn't even expect that someone beside him ran out like this.
Bilbo ran quickly. He ran so fast, just like when he rushed out of his home that day, ran to the Green Dragon Hotel, and ran towards his unknown destiny.
The wind whistled in his ears, and his heart beat wildly.
He ran down the Lonely Mountain, ran through the ruins of Riverdale City, ran across Raven Ridge, and caught up with the Elf where the Running River turned toward the Great Green Forest.
"please wait."
He was almost out of breath and couldn't even make a sound.
The elves in the rear team were very surprised and turned around immediately.
"I seemed to hear a sound, but my eyes found no one."
"Me too."
"Be careful, it may be the hobbit who escaped from the king's palace!"
"It's really me!" Bilbo jumped out of the shadows, startling the elves. He said hurriedly: "Please take me to see the Elf King Thranduil. I have something urgent."
The elves immediately informed the Elven King and Legolas in front of the situation. So soon, Bilbo sat in the Elven King's tent, warming himself by the fire and soothing his stiff feet.
"As far as I know, it was you who stole my wine barrel and escaped from my palace with the dwarves." The Elf King's attitude is still so condescending, and it is indeed difficult for people who are unfamiliar with it to accept it. "Tell me, why did you come to me instead of waiting for death on that cold mountain with your dwarf friends?"
Hearing this, Bilbo couldn't help but glance at Legolas who was accompanying him. Apparently, the Elf Prince had conveyed to the Elf King what he had said to Legolas at the gates of Erebor.
This made Bilbo feel somewhat embarrassed.
He said, "Yes, please forgive me, Lord Thranduil. But I don't have much time, so let's get straight to the point."
The hobbit jumped up from the high chair, wrapped in an elf's cloak, and tremblingly took out something from his arms. After opening the layer of rags outside, it was revealed to be a beautiful gem that looked like it was wrapped in a layer of colorful light under the sun, with countless stars shining inside.
"Arken Gem!" Thranduil even lost his mind for a moment.
Elves respect all beautiful things in the world, so when they saw the Heart of the Lonely Mountain, which was almost one of the most beautiful creations of the dwarves, Legolas couldn't help but open his eyes in surprise and asked. : "Why is this thing here with you?"
"You can think of this as my quarter reward!" Bilbo just glanced at the gems on the table and then looked away: "I have the contract to prove it!"
But Thranduil and Legolas were not fools, and they soon figured out something.
The Elf King sat back on his chair and said, "Do you think you can save the lives of your stupid dwarf friends just by bringing a gem?"
"But isn't your starting point a certain piece of jewelry?" Bilbo couldn't help but sneered at him.
"Please calm down." Legolas tried to dissuade the two. He sympathized with the dwarves even more than the Elven King. He had never forgotten his comradeship in the north, in Dol Guldur, and in Mordor, and of course he was willing to help if possible. But he doesn't have the final say in the Woodland Kingdom. Without the permission of the Elf King, he can't command even one Elf.
ah.
Maybe there is one.
But she's not here now.
"Ada, please listen to the request of our brave hobbit. The dwarves may be extremely unwise, but just for the dangerous terrain of the fortress on the Lonely Mountain, we cannot let the orcs occupy it!" Legolas Said in Elvish (Sindaric).
Facing the prince's request, Thranduil also said in Elvish: "Then do you want us to use the blood of our precious people to help those hateful and stupid dwarves? Ion, this is war, you are here Haven't you seen enough of the cruelty of this thing in the north, in Dol Guldur, and in Mordor?"
"I also dislike stubborn dwarves, but we have a responsibility to Thorin and the others, ada. We promised Lord Turka to take good care of them! Now they are in danger, and we have the ability. If we let it go, No matter what, how to face him?"
Thranduil was immediately asked.
The most important thing is that our Mr. Baggins unexpectedly said in Elvish: "Maybe dwarves are stubborn, rude, and suspicious! Ah, sometimes they are extremely rude! You can't imagine how difficult they are to get along with! But at the same time, They are also loyal, tenacious, and brave! They can go through fire and water for their friends, and they can also die for their beliefs! They are members of the good camp in Middle-earth, and they have also fought against people for freedom! Please see this , don’t let them die! This gem is Thorin’s treasure, please take it, use it as your reward, or exchange it with the dwarves, maybe it can make you change your mind, my lord.”
Thranduil stood up, his eyes involuntarily staring at the gem on the table.
Then he looked at Bilbo.
"I admit, I underestimated you, Bilbo Baggins! Your loyalty is unforgettable!" The Elf King said: "Maybe we are not as pure as you, Hobbit, please accept my respect."
