Lake-town.
No matter what happened outside, the people here always believed that living their current lives well was most important. Life was already difficult and poor enough. No matter how big the events outside, they couldn't make gold flow from the river.
The lake water surrounding the town and the active streams were both a source of food for the townspeople and a barrier protecting them. They only needed to cut the bridge to the mainland to prevent most enemy invasions.
However, this method obviously couldn't stop orcs. At least that's what Bard thought.
"Bain, pack up the things at home, take your sister, and leave here. Go north, go far away, and find the dwarves there."
"What happened, Father? Why do we suddenly have to leave?"
Bain stared with wide eyes, somewhat at a loss.
Bard immediately approached, pressing his shoulders and earnestly instructing: "Listen, Bain, there's an orc army approaching here. They will bring slaughter and death. You absolutely cannot stay here."
"What about you?"
"I'm going to evacuate the townspeople. They know nothing about the coming disaster and need someone to warn them."
Bain opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but under his father's stern gaze, he still closed his mouth and obediently protected the safety of this home.
"By the way, I remember two elves also came to our house. Where did they go?"
"They're near Lake-town and haven't left."
At the lakeside bridge.
Looking at this town that often traded with the woodland, Legolas frowned, always having a bad premonition.
"I always feel some shadow is approaching, Tauriel."
"Maybe it's just an illusion."
Unlike Legolas, Tauriel's gaze always looked north. She touched the small object in her hand and slowly said:
"They've been gone for a long time. If something had happened, there should have been movement by now. Maybe their mission has been completed successfully."
The two seemed to be talking about the same thing, yet also not the same thing.
"Lord Legolas!"
Just then, an elf rode from the distance. Before arriving, his voice came first. He stopped before the two and said to Legolas:
"His Majesty requests your return."
"What about Tauriel?"
"She has been banished."
"Tell my father that if Tauriel has nowhere to go, then neither do I."
Hearing this, the elf who came to deliver the message shook his head helplessly.
He couldn't force Legolas to do anything. Delivering the message was his entire responsibility and all he could do.
"Let's go, Tauriel."
"Where to?"
"To Gundabad."
"Why go there?"
Legolas borrowed the messenger elf's horse and said to Tauriel: "That's where my mother died in battle. I've never been there, and Father never speaks of it."
"I want to see it."
Tauriel didn't know what to say for a moment. This was the king's private matter. She had no right to comment.
"Alright, I'll go with you."
Almost as soon as Legolas and Tauriel left on horseback, a gray-robed old man rode up. Seeing an elf standing helplessly by the bridge, he immediately dismounted.
"Greetings to you, Grey Wanderer." The elf politely greeted.
"An elf of the Woodland Realm. What are you doing here?"
Gandalf felt somewhat puzzled.
"I came to request Lord Legolas's return."
"Legolas? Oh, I know him. That prince doesn't have the best temper. I guess this matter didn't go smoothly."
"Yes, he rode away on my horse to Gundabad."
"Gundabad?!"
Gandalf's expression became serious: "What's he doing there for no reason!"
"Foolish boy. The current situation can't tolerate his willfulness!"
Whoosh!
As Gandalf's brow furrowed, he suddenly heard familiar sounds from the sky, like the fireworks he'd set off in the Shire last year, but only the launching sound without the explosion.
Looking up, he saw a figure gliding and circling in the sky. After a moment, seeming to notice the gray-robed old man on the ground, it changed direction and dove down, plunging headfirst into the nearby water.
"Gandalf, what are you doing here?"
Levi swam ashore, put away his elytra, and asked, nodding in greeting to the nearby elf.
"That's what I want to ask you. How's the situation on your end?"
Seeing Levi appear, inexplicably, Gandalf felt somewhat reassured, his brow relaxing considerably.
"That dragon is dead. Bard and I killed it together. Oh, you probably don't know Bard. He's a descendant of Girion, Lord of Dale. He helped greatly. With his Black Arrow severely wounding the dragon, I could easily finish the kill."
"I see, that's truly remarkable."
Gandalf thought briefly and said: "In that case, things might become slightly more manageable. We can have the people of Lake-town take refuge in Erebor. Those walls might not withstand a dragon, but they're quite solid against orcs."
"Presumably Thorin has already retrieved the Arkenstone by now. As long as we can hold until reinforcements arrive, there's a chance to defend this place."
"I think so too." Levi agreed.
Listening to their conversation, the nearby woodland elf's expression gradually became somewhat grave. He immediately said:
"Gandalf, could I borrow your horse?"
"Oh, if you need it, take it. I've reached my destination and no longer need it for transportation."
"Thank you."
This elf quickly departed, presumably having much to report to the king.
"I need to check the town. The people here don't know what's about to happen."
Gandalf hurriedly prepared to bring the wizard's warning to this town.
"What about you, Levi? What brings you here? Maybe I can help?"
"Same purpose as yours. Actually, someone arrived before me. Bard, whom I mentioned. I was worried about him, so I wanted to check, but since you're here, you don't need me."
Levi put on his elytra again and took out fireworks, eager to attempt a ground takeoff.
"Where are you going?"
"To do what I'm good at. Building walls, and perhaps some traps."
Whoosh!
As a firework ignition sound rang out, the elytra instantly spread, defying common sense by propelling Levi into the sky and beginning to glide toward the Lonely Mountain.
"What new technology is this?"
Gandalf watched in amazement but soon focused on his own task.
However, before him, someone was already gathering residents in the town center.
"Townspeople, listen to me!"
Bard shouted: "There's an orc army marching this way! They'll arrive in a few days at the latest. We cannot stop them. We must begin evacuating immediately!"
Whoosh!
The crowd immediately erupted, discussing what Bard had said. For a moment, people were anxious, and though there was no concrete evidence, out of trust in Bard, some were already planning to go home and pack.
"But where should we go?"
"To the Lonely Mountain. The King under the Mountain has promised to shelter us."
"Lies!"
Just as things seemed to be developing smoothly, suddenly a wretched figure squeezed out from the crowd, covering his swollen left eye socket and pointing at Bard standing on high, shouting:
"You thief, escaped prisoner! The first thing you do upon getting out is spread rumors, trying to shake the townspeople's lives!"
"Alfrid, everything I said is true!"
"Fine, fine! Even if our people's champion speaks the truth, then why go to the Lonely Mountain, where a fire dragon dwells? Are you trying to send Lake-town's people as snacks for the dragon?"
"In my opinion, you treacherous fellow have long been bewitched by the dragon. You've returned this time to harm our people. I'll arrest you again right now!"
As soon as he finished speaking, two armored guards immediately stepped forward, making to arrest Bard again.
"He speaks the truth."
At the crucial moment, a gray-robed old man arrived, pushed aside the guards, stood in the middle, and loudly told the crowd:
"No need to worry about any dragon, everyone! That dragon has been killed by this marksman Bard and the legendary Levi of the wilderness working together. Erebor is safe!"
"Oh!"
The wizard's news was beyond doubt. The crowd immediately cheered and surged toward Bard in acclaim.
"Dragon slayer!"
They shouted, spreading this news everywhere.
Bard felt somewhat helpless and pressed his hands down, wanting people to quiet down first.
"Enough!"
But before Bard could speak, Alfrid exploded first.
Seeing the situation risking getting out of control, he immediately pointed at Gandalf and cursed:
"You broken beggar from the wilderness, old vagrant! Do you think your rumors can convince anyone? I tell you, the people of Lake-town won't leave here one step! You..."
Thud!
Caught off guard, Gandalf raised his staff and gave this sarcastic fellow a hard blow. Alfrid's eyes rolled back as he fainted on the spot.
That blow happened to hit his other uninjured eye, giving him matching panda makeup.
"I hate it most when people call me a beggar."