A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

However, all these vegetables were raw, making them really hard to eat.

“Bilbo, have you read about the food of the elves in the books?” Aaron lowered his voice. “It’s nothing compared to the feasts at your house.”

“All I knew was that they didn’t like to eat meat,” Bilbo murmured, looking at the table full of vegetables. “I’ve really seen something new today.”

Aaron picked up a lettuce leaf, rolled it up with some water chestnuts and carrots, and ate it in big bites.

Bilbo wasn't as extravagant; he just took a few snacks to tide him over.

“King Elrond, I hope you can appraise these two swords,” Gandalf said.

Although Thorin was somewhat reluctant, he still handed over the weapon in his hand.

"This is the Beastbite Sword, a famous sword used to slay orcs." King Elrond drew Thorin's sword and exclaimed, "This sword was forged by my Western High Elf clan. I hope it will be of some help to you."

“This is Granre.” After returning the Beastbite Sword to Thorin, Elrond examined Gandalf’s sword. “It is the enemy sword of King Gondolin, made during the war against the Orcs in the First Age.”

Upon hearing Elrond's words, Bilbo quietly drew his short sword from under the table, wondering about its origins.

"Should we let King Elrond take a look as well?" Aaron teased. "My ancestors were blacksmiths, and I can tell you with certainty that the quality of your sword is no less than theirs."

"Don't worry about it, young man," Balin comforted him. "Swords are named for their achievements in war."

"You mean my sword has never been on the battlefield?" Bilbo asked, slightly disappointed.

“Hehe! Just because you haven’t been on the battlefield before doesn’t mean you won’t have the chance in the future. Besides…” Aaron patted Bilbo’s arm and said meaningfully, “Every sword is made for a reason. The Beastbite Sword and the Enemy Strike Sword don’t have any special magic, but your sword does.”

Bilbo seemed to understand why Gandalf had given him the sword.

The primary objective is early warning; combat is the secondary objective.

"How did you obtain it?" King Elrond asked.

“In the ogre cave on the Eastern Road,” Gandalf said, “just before the orc attack.”

"How did you end up on Eastern Avenue?"

Gandalf paused for a moment, noticing Thorin's pale face, and understood that the dwarf prince didn't want the elves to know their purpose.

"We'll talk about that later."

......

After the banquet, Gandalf summoned Thorin, Balin, Bilbo, and Aaron to meet King Elrond and directly explained his purpose to him.

“Our affairs are none of the concern of the spirits.”

Thorin stood firm, his face clearly showing his refusal.

Although Elrond left a fairly good impression on him, the elves caused him greater emotional damage.

“Good heavens, I’m so annoyed by the dwarves’ stubbornness,” Gandalf said wearily. “Thorin, give him the map.”

"This is the heritage of my people, and I will protect its secrets."

“Elves are not all the same,” Aaron said meaningfully. “If you can’t even unravel the secrets, don’t talk about protection. Sometimes you have to try to trust others.”

Furthermore, and to say something you might not like to hear, we are the ones asking for help now.

Gandalf wholeheartedly agreed, “Thorin, stand before the few in Middle-earth who can decipher this, and show it to King Elrond.”

Thorin was silent for a few seconds, then reached into his robes and took out his family's heirloom map.

Bahrain tried to stop him, but was interrupted by him reaching out.

King Elrond opened the map and saw the Lonely Mountain and the evil dragon circling around it, which startled him.

"Iruber."

Why are you interested in this map?

“It’s mainly for academic research,” Gandalf interrupted Thorin, who was about to speak. “As you know, these kinds of artifacts usually contain secret messages.”

You can read Ancient Dwarven, right?

Elrond did not answer directly, but carefully examined the map, "The script of the moon."

“The writing of the moon?” Gandalf suddenly realized. “Of course, it’s easy to overlook.”

"What are Moon Script?" Aaron asked curiously.

"As the name suggests, it is text read by moonlight," Elrond explained. "The season and shape of the moon must correspond to the time of writing."

"Can you read?" Thorin asked.

King Elrond smiled slightly and led the group to a spacious terrace, in front of which was a crystal table.

“These runes were written on the evening of the summer solstice, under the new moon about two hundred years ago. It seems you were destined to come to Rivendell.” King Elrond placed the map on the table. “Fortune has been on your side, Thorin Oakenshield.”

The same moonlight shines on us tonight.

As soon as he finished speaking, a crescent moon in the sky cast its white light.

Under the moonlight, a few lines of white text appeared on the map.

"When the thrush croaks, standing beside the gray rocks, the setting sun, borrowing the last rays of the Turin sun, will shine on the keyhole."

Aaron blinked blankly. "It's quite poetic, but there's a riddle after the secret is solved. That's just too much!"

I could only glean one meaning: we had to reach Irubb before Turin Day.

However, when is Turin Day?

“That is the New Year’s Day of the Dwarfs,” Gandalf said, “when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter meet in the sky at the same time.”

“This is bad news,” Thorin said, frowning. “Summer is approaching, and the Turin Days are just around the corner.”

“We still have time,” Bahrain said. “We need to be in the right place at the right time to find the entrance and open the door.”

"It looks like we'll have to travel a long way, and we'll have to speed things up," Aaron said with some melancholy. "I've never traveled this far since I was born. A round trip will probably take at least a year."

“Gaius.” Gandalf appeared before Aaron with a smile. “Cherish this journey. It is extremely precious and meaningful for a thirteen-year-old.”

Aaron: ......

I don't believe your nonsense!

They're trying to make empty promises to me. If it weren't for completing two system tasks, I'd quit the team in a heartbeat, believe it or not.

"You're only thirteen?" Elrond looked at Aaron in surprise, then turned his gaze to Gandalf. "Mislandar, your eye for talent is as sharp as ever!"

"This, uh, um..."

Age doesn't matter; what matters is that Gaius is far more reliable than you think. He is...

"Cough cough!"

Hearing Aaron cough, Gandalf gave an awkward laugh and swallowed back the words he was about to say.

"In short, his background is complicated, but he is more reliable than anyone else."

"So your goal is to go into the mountains?"

Thorin retorted, "So what?"

"Some people may think this move is unwise."

"What do you mean?" Gandalf frowned slightly, sensing that Elrond's words had a hidden meaning.

“You are not the only protector of Middle-earth,” Elrond said meaningfully, before leaving on his own.

“That’s right,” Aaron laughed. “If Middle-earth were only held up by a Grey Wizard, it would probably have been taken over by evil long ago.”

“Someone’s here, in Rivendell,” Gandalf said, his tone slightly serious. “Thorin, take Bilbo and Balin to rest.”

Gaius, come with me.

Aaron curled his lip and said disdainfully, "I'm not going."

He's not stupid! Gandalf dismissed the others, leaving only him behind—clearly, nothing good was coming of it.

“This is very important.”

"No matter how important it is, I won't go."

"What if it concerns your memories?" Gandalf chuckled knowingly. "This person might help you regain your memories. I don't think you'd refuse!"

Upon hearing this, Aaron Petrochemical was stunned.

Going means that I might fall into the trap that old bastard has dug, but if I don't go, I won't be able to use the excuse of amnesia, and I'll have to jump into the trap I dug myself.

After a long silence, Aaron forced out a smile that looked more like a grimace. "You win."

The two stepped off the terrace, and King Elrond led them to a room at the highest point of Rivendell, from which they could clearly see the scenery of Rivendell, including the waterfalls and the moonlight.

"Whether we help them or not, the dwarves will advance on Wushan, determined to reclaim their lost territory."

Thorin Oakenshield felt he didn't need to explain to anyone, and neither did I.

“You don’t need to explain to me,” Elrond said, gesturing for him to look into the room.

Gandalf turned around and noticed the figure standing in the moonlight. He was taken aback. "Queen Galadriel."

Aaron's gaze lingered on the elven queen's face for a second, but he was not attracted by her beautiful appearance; instead, he looked into her eyes.

The eyes are the windows to the soul, and Aaron read wisdom and composure in her eyes.

This queen is definitely not just a pretty face, but a wise and powerful leader, and of course, her looks are also stunning.

“Mislanda,” Queen Galadriel said with a slight smile, “It’s been a long time.”

“Time has changed me, but it hasn’t changed Queen Rorian,” Gandalf said with a somewhat restrained smile. “I didn’t know King Elrond had informed you.”

"It's not him, it's me."

Upon hearing the voice, Gandalf paused for a moment, then turned around and put on a smiling face, bowing slightly in respect, "Saruman."

The white-robed wizard, holding a staff, was dressed neatly and cleanly.

Although Saruman also appeared to be an old man, he was sharp and charismatic, forming a stark contrast with the grey-robed wizard.

“You’ve been very busy lately, my friend,” Saruman chuckled, then turned his gaze to Aaron. “I personally feel that our meetings are not suitable for children to be present.”

The white-robed wizard spoke tactfully, but the meaning was quite clear: children shouldn't interrupt adults, no, they should stay away.

Hearing this, Aaron wasn't angry; in fact, he was secretly pleased.

Just when he was about to doze off, someone conveniently offered him a pillow. He was thinking about how to avoid this meeting when Saruman kindly helped him out.