"However, I never expected Thorin to invite you to participate in the Dwarf council, Tarnes. This certainly saves me a lot of effort in persuading Thorin to reclaim the Lonely Mountain," Gandalf said with a chuckle.
Tarnes said: "I'm actually quite curious why you're so enthusiastic about persuading Thorin to reclaim the Lonely Mountain."
Gandalf said worriedly: "Because all signs indicate that darkness is awakening, Tarnes. Although the dragon in the Lonely Mountain serves no one, if it joins the ranks of the dark army, the destruction it would cause to Middle-earth would be several times greater than before. Imagine this: the armies of Gondor, who have been resisting the main Orc forces in the southeast of Middle-earth, suddenly have a dragon appear above their heads breathing fire at them—the battle lines they've barely managed to maintain would collapse."
"Moreover, there's another point—the Lonely Mountain's strategic position is extremely important. If the Lonely Mountain falls into the hands of the dark army, they could brazenly use it as a base to march south from the north. The Dwarves of the Iron Hills alone cannot withstand those enemies who seek to reclaim Angmar and the northern passes of the mountains, ultimately plunging the entire north into warfare."
Tarnes stroked his chin thoughtfully: "I understand what you mean. You want the Dwarves to reclaim the Lonely Mountain to serve as the first line of defense against enemies in the north."
Gandalf smiled and nodded: "It's good that you understand my meaning. And hearing from you that Thorin has the same intention is one of the few pieces of good news I've heard recently."
But Tarnes reminded him: "Don't be too quick to celebrate, Gandalf. Although Thorin wants to reclaim the Lonely Mountain, he still needs the agreement of the seven Dwarf kingdoms to mobilize armies. Otherwise, he can only go to the Lonely Mountain alone, though I will provide him assistance."
Gandalf indicated he understood, but confidently took out an old map and an ancient key from his gray wizard robes.
Tarnes asked curiously: "Gandalf, what are these two things?"
Gandalf smiled slightly: "Didn't Thorin tell you that the Lonely Mountain has been sealed shut, with no way for anyone to enter?"
Tarnes nodded.
Gandalf picked up the key and held it before him: "These two things are precisely the treasures that can allow someone to enter the Lonely Mountain. I once encountered Thorin's father—Thrain—who entrusted me with the key and map to the Lonely Mountain's secret door, asking me to give them to Thorin at the appropriate time."
Tarnes wasn't surprised that the Lonely Mountain had a secret door, since large buildings and castles throughout the Lands Between also had secret passages or side doors.
But Tarnes still said: "However, these two things aren't enough to convince the representatives of the seven Dwarf kingdoms to agree to support Thorin's plan. Where does your confidence come from, Gandalf?"
Gandalf maintained his smiling expression: "You're right, Tarnes. The seven Dwarf kingdoms might indeed refuse Thorin, but they absolutely cannot refuse the royal treasure in the Lonely Mountain—the Arkenstone, also known as the Heart of the Mountain. The seven Dwarf families have sworn oaths that they will absolutely serve the Arkenstone. Therefore, as long as Thorin can secretly enter the Lonely Mountain while the evil dragon sleeps and bring it out, he'll be able to gather Dwarf armies, kill the evil dragon, and successfully reclaim the Lonely Mountain."
Tarnes blinked: "So when going to the Lonely Mountain for the first time, Thorin actually doesn't need to consider killing the evil dragon? He just needs to enter through the secret door, find the stone, bring it out, and return to the Blue Mountains?"
But Gandalf realized: "Wait, when you said you'd help Thorin, did you mean you're prepared to fight that evil dragon?"
Tarnes asked back in confusion: "Yes, what else? And when I first met you, I said that since there's an evil dragon there, it should be slain."
Now it was Gandalf's turn to be speechless, not knowing how to respond.
He could only shake his sleeves while putting away the key and map: "I thought that was some kind of polite talk. After all, I didn't think anyone would really want to face alone a huge, invulnerable, fire-breathing evil dragon."
Tarnes shrugged: "Well, that's how it is anyway. I've already agreed with Thorin to participate in the Dwarf council, so there's a time conflict. I can't attend the White Council you mentioned."
Gandalf also showed a regretful expression: "I was hoping to take this opportunity to introduce you to Lady Galadriel and Saruman the White. Lady Galadriel is a beautiful sage, and though Saruman is somewhat arrogant in character, he's also a wise person."
But Tarnes suggested: "Then why not change the approach, Gandalf? Thorin also told me that if I met you, I should invite you to participate in the Dwarf council too. So you could come with me to the Blue Mountains first, then after the Blue Mountains council ends, I'll go with you to Rivendell. How's that proposal?"
But Gandalf shook his head: "Before the White Council begins, I still have some places to go and things to do, so I can't participate in the seven Dwarf kingdoms' council with you. If you hadn't told me about Thorin's plans, I probably would have rushed to the Blue Mountains tonight to find Thorin."
Hearing Gandalf's response, Tarnes could only sigh lightly and give up: "Then that's how it has to be."
"Now that we've finished discussing important business, let's talk about some lighter matters. If you're not busy, would you please show me around your territory?" Gandalf's previously stern expression relaxed, and his aged, wise face showed a smile as he asked Tarnes.
Tarnes readily nodded and smiled: "Of course, just don't be too surprised."
Then he looked at Rogier and D: "You two should rest well in the territory these days. I don't need you to travel far for intelligence gathering for now."
Rogier smiled easily: "I'm really not quite used to that, Tarnes. If there's nothing you need me for afterward, I'd like to go see the Blue Mountains."
Tarnes asked curiously: "Why did you suddenly think of going to the Blue Mountains?"
Before Rogier could answer, D, sitting beside him, spoke first in his usual cold tone toward Rogier: "Because he complained to me the whole way, saying the scenery he saw these days was nothing but swamps and wastelands, not beautiful at all. He wants to see truly beautiful places—I've heard this so much my ears are getting calluses."
Rogier coughed awkwardly: "Ahem, uh, Darian is actually right. I'm curious about this world, so I thought I'd travel around when I'm not busy."
Tarnes was slightly stunned and said sincerely to Rogier: "I wasn't thoughtful enough and neglected your feelings, Rogier."
Rogier waved his hands repeatedly: "This isn't your problem, Tarnes. Look, D never complained. It's simply that my curiosity is too strong—I want to see more distant places."
Gandalf glanced at Tarnes, whose face was full of apology, then said with a smile: "But this is only human nature, Mr. Rogier. Given Tarnes' character, he certainly wouldn't want to see his friends doing things they don't want to do because of him."
Then Gandalf changed the subject: "However, though this world has magnificent scenery, dangers lurk beneath that beauty. If you want to go out and see beautiful landscapes, how about visiting Rivendell? Lord Elrond knows you too and looks forward to having people from the Golden Tree territory visit him. The wonderful scenery of Rivendell absolutely won't disappoint you."
Tarnes' eyes lit up as he nodded: "Yes, that's good. What do you think, Rogier?"
Rogier thought briefly: "...Rivendell? That sounds quite nice."
Tarnes said: "Then it's decided. What about you, D? Do you want to go with Rogier for a vacation and change your mood?"
D stood up, bowed slightly, then looked at Tarnes with burning eyes: "Thank you for your mercy and generosity, Lord Tarnes. But I'm not like a certain fragile-hearted sorcerer who needs vacations. You can give me orders anytime—I'll do my utmost to achieve your goals."
Actually, you don't need to be so dramatic, though I don't object if you're willing to work so hard.
Tarnes thought for a moment: "How about this—Rogier, D, after you rest in the territory for a while, go north and help me bring some books written by Dwarves and Elves, along with food, clothing, and supplies from the Lands Between, to Hobbiton in the Shire. Find a hobbit named 'Bilbo Baggins' and give everything to him. Then give him my regards and say 'Thank you for Bilbo's food, which saved Tarnes from hunger on his journey.'"
Gandalf also agreed with a chuckle: "Ah, Hobbiton—what a peaceful place, free from worldly strife. There are chimneys with rising smoke and bustling farms, peaceful little lakes and green terraced fields. If you asked me to choose where to settle, Hobbiton would certainly be one of my options."
Tarnes nodded: "Yes, even though I only lived there for a few short days, I still can't forget those hobbits who love life."
D immediately nodded in agreement: "Since he's a friend who helped Lord Tarnes, I'll definitely make sure he's satisfied with what we bring."
Rogier smiled: "It sounds like a place perfect for enjoying afternoon tea and slowly reading books in wicker chairs. If that Bilbo Baggins is willing to let me stay, I think I'll remain for a few days."
Tarnes recalled that hobbit who, though only reaching his waist in height, was very warm-hearted. His mood relaxed, and he couldn't help but show a faint smile: "He will, Rogier."
However, a week after Rogier and D departed, Thorin suddenly came to the Golden Tree territory again.
Gandalf hadn't left yet, and upon hearing news of Thorin's arrival, he decided to talk with him about the Lonely Mountain.
But when Tarnes saw Thorin enter the lord's hall with a somewhat gloomy expression, he realized something might have gone wrong in the Blue Mountains.
Having lived so long, Gandalf had long mastered the art of reading faces, so he wouldn't speak rashly before understanding what Thorin had encountered.
Therefore, he used his eyes to signal Tarnes, who had a good relationship with Thorin, to ask what was wrong.
Actually, even without Gandalf's questioning look, Tarnes would care about his friend.
"Thorin, have you encountered some difficulty? Why do you look so bad? How did contacting the Dwarf council go?" Tarnes asked.
Thorin drank the ale the maid brought in one gulp and slammed the cup heavily on the table. His long-suppressed Dwarf temper finally exploded: "Dwarf council? Those cowards won't even come—they directly refused by letter! That evil dragon hasn't appeared for almost 60 years, yet the Dwarves of the seven kingdoms would rather sit by and watch the treasure in the Lonely Mountain be coveted by everyone than agree to my plan to reclaim the Lonely Mountain!"
Tarnes tilted his head to signal the maid to refill Thorin's ale, then said gently: "Have another cup of ale and calm down, Thorin."
After venting the anger he'd held in throughout his journey, Thorin slumped down dejectedly. After draining another cup of ale, he closed his eyes and said: "It's gone—the ore and manpower to forge large quantities of Black Arrows are gone, and the army to face Smaug at the front gate is gone too. They told me I'm not the King under the Mountain, that I haven't inherited the throne at all. Only if I obtain the Arkenstone will they acknowledge the king's authority."
Tarnes and Gandalf exchanged glances. Tarnes said: "You still have me, Thorin. I promised you and haven't forgotten—whether or not you gain Dwarf army support, I'll personally help you."
Thorin's originally dejected and angry eyes softened as he looked at Tarnes: "You're the most trustworthy human I've ever met, Tarnes."
Tarnes smiled, then suddenly said mysteriously to Thorin: "Moreover, it's not like you have no way to obtain the Arkenstone."
Thorin's expression became confused: "What do you mean? The Arkenstone is far away in the Lonely Mountain. Setting aside the matter of the Lonely Mountain's main gate being sealed, it's lost somewhere in that mountain of gold coins, buried deep under a fire-breathing evil dragon's feet. How could I possibly find the Arkenstone in that vast sea of gold?"
Gandalf then spoke up with a smile: "Therefore, we need to quietly infiltrate through the Lonely Mountain's side door and have a nimble burglar steal the Arkenstone out."
"Side door?!" This was Thorin.
"Burglar??" This was Tarnes.
The two were surprised about different things. After his surprise, Thorin frowned at this elderly gray-robed human male, using his eyes to inquire about the other's identity.
Gandalf politely replied: "I think I should indeed introduce myself. I'm called Gandalf—Gandalf the Grey."
[Chapter Complete]
***
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