A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

"Thorin, you may not be happy to hear this, but I have to say it."

There are only a dozen or so of us, and outside there is an army. We can't win.

“Yes, that’s right, we are outnumbered.” Bilbo nodded in agreement. “We should try to avoid war. If peace talks are possible, I suggest…”

“Impossible.” Thorin interrupted Bilbo directly. “They’re already at the city gates. This is coercion. The dwarves will never compromise.”

Bilbo suddenly felt incredibly exhausted; he couldn't understand where Thorin got such confidence from.

Just then, the sound of hooves came from the opposite side. Bard, riding a white horse, arrived alone in front of the city gate.

"Long live Thorin, son of Thorne," Bard said, looking at the crowd on the city walls. "It is a great joy to see you alive."

"Why have you come to the city of the king at the foot of the mountain to challenge the enemy?" Thorin asked calmly.

Why is the king hiding inside the city walls like a turtle?

"Because I was worried that robbers would come and rob me."

"Your Majesty, we will not rob you; we just want to resolve the issue."

Aren't you going to talk to me?

Thorin paused for a moment, nodded slightly, and walked down the city wall.

“This guy is probably here to collect a debt,” Aaron said with a meaningful smile. “But he’ll definitely feel justified in collecting this debt.”

"What account?" Bilbo asked, puzzled.

“The King’s promise.” Aaron shrugged and followed him down the stairs.

Bilbo also recalled Thorin's promise in Lake-town and nodded thoughtfully.

Bard arrived at the foot of the city wall and began to talk to Bard through a city gate made of huge stones.

Thorin leaned against the city gate, showing Bard his profile. "I'm all ears."

"On behalf of all the people of Changhu Town, I demand that you keep your promise and share some of your wealth so that we can rebuild our homes."

“We make no promises,” Thorin shook his head in refusal, looking at Bard defiantly, “because your men are already at the gates.”

“Thorin,” Aaron couldn’t help but interject, “I have to remind you, that was a promise you made in the name of the dwarf prince.”

Thorin waved his hand. "Let him finish speaking first."

“Our demands are reasonable,” Bard said. “My people helped you, but you brought them only destruction and death.”

“Is that reasonable?” Thorin retorted. “You’re doing this for a huge reward, both for yourself and for the townspeople.”

“That’s a fair trade,” Bard said eagerly.

"You mean exchanging dignity for blankets and food to survive and continue our lives?" Thorin's voice was tinged with anger. "Is that fair? We have no choice at all."

So, Bard the Dragon Slayer, why should I abide by those conditions?

"Because that was a promise you made to us, is it worthless?"

Thorin lowered his head to avoid Bard's gaze, and after a moment of contemplation, he said, "Get out of the way, or I'll shoot you dead with an arrow."

Bard closed his eyes in disappointment. "You're starting a war, forcing us to fight our way up the mountain."

“Wait, Bud,” Aaron quickly stopped him. “Give me some time, I’ll convince him.”

Bard gave Aaron a deep look. "I will try my best to dissuade King Thranduil, but you'd better convince Oak Shield before the day ends."

Chapter 273 Fulfilling the King's Promise

Irubb, the King's Palace.

Aaron looked at Thorin sitting on the throne and rolled his eyes speechlessly.

Sometimes I really wonder if your brain is fried.

Thorin, have you lost your mind?

Why start a war, especially one with almost no chance of winning?

“This is none of your business, Gaius.”

“No,” Aaron said bluntly, “This concerns me, and it concerns me greatly.”

Thorin smiled knowingly, his gaze lingering on Aaron and Bilbo for a few seconds at a time. "I'm sorry to have dragged you into this, but I assure you you'll be safe."

“We’re not afraid,” Bilbo couldn’t help but interject. “If war really breaks out, we will definitely stand with you, that’s what friends should do, but we don’t want to be forced into an unjust war because of your irrationality.”

Thorin, you must recognize the current situation.

There's a well-equipped elven army outside the city, and you just pushed countless angry fishermen towards them again.

“Things will change soon,” Thorin said with a meaningful smile. “Lord Baggins, never underestimate dwarves.”

"We were able to reclaim Irubab, and we can certainly defend it."

“Yes,” Aaron said sarcastically, “we can defend it, as long as we defeat an enemy hundreds or thousands of times our size.”

“Not that many,” Balin said. “We have already notified the army of the Iron Hills, and King Dann will be here soon with his troops.”

"When was the notification given?"

“The ravens of Irubb are not just cawing.”

"Oh!" Aaron suddenly realized, "Flying pigeon, no, flying raven to deliver messages."

"Now you can rest assured!" Thorin said smugly. "With Irubor's city and Dain's army, we may not be at a disadvantage."

“Now I’m even more worried.” Aaron shook his head and looked at Thorin tentatively. “The scale of the war is constantly increasing, which means that casualties will also increase significantly.”

Thorin merely smiled dismissively. "Dwarves fear no challenge."

Aaron: ......

"This time is different; this is an unprecedented challenge."

We cannot make enemies; at the very least, we must preserve our strength as much as possible.

"We only have fifteen people, so we have nothing to hold back. We should go all out."

“No, you misunderstand. What I mean is to preserve the strength of both humans and elves,” Aaron said seriously. “This war must be stopped no matter what.”

Thorin's smile slowly faded, and the others looked at Aaron with confusion.

“Gaius, why should we preserve the enemy’s strength?” Devalin said unhappily.

“Because of a common enemy,” Aaron explained patiently. “This is what Smaug himself told me when Bilbo and I were searching for the Arkenstone. The enemy in the shadows is very strong and has its eyes on Lonely Mountain.”

“It’s true,” Bilbo nodded. “It says it’s enough darkness to engulf the world.”

The dwarves looked at each other in bewilderment, while Thorin burst into laughter.

"You two are just worrying unnecessarily. It's obvious that the evil dragon is exaggerating."

It fears that you will find the Arkenstone, fears that I will become king, and fears the dwarven army.

Aaron shook his head, speechless.

He knew Thorin was arrogant, but he didn't expect him to be this arrogant.

You are the king! Is it really appropriate to make such a hasty assumption?

“Alright! Since that’s what you think, then I have nothing to say.” Aaron said with a helpless bitter smile, “But rebuilding Laketown was a promise you made to them.”

“I made it very clear at the city gate that I made no promises to them,” Thorin said calmly. “I will not give these opportunists a single penny.”

“But they have nothing left,” Bilbo said with a heavy heart. “If we hadn’t woken the dragon, they wouldn’t be homeless.”

"This is the price of greed, and they should be prepared."

“But a promise is a promise.” Aaron looked at Thorin seriously. “You are a descendant of Turin, the king of the dwarves. Breaking your word will not only damage your reputation, but also bring shame to your ancestors.”

Thorin took a deep breath and looked at Aaron and Bilbo with a complicated expression.

"What would you think of me if I absolutely refused to help them?"

Bilbo will feel regret and disappointment, but he won't try to persuade you any further.

As for me…” Aaron paused for a moment, then took out the signed contract, “I will give my share to the refugees in Laketown to help them rebuild their homes.”

Thorin, you don't have to give Bard a single gold coin, but you promised me, and I have the right to decide how to use them.

"What if I don't give it to you?" Thorin's voice was hoarse, and a strange light flashed in his eyes.

“Then I will retrieve it myself,” Aaron said calmly. “But before that, I will make you realize your own limitations, for example, by destroying the Arkenstone.”

The Thorin Oakenshield I know wouldn't value gold that much, unless his mind is bewitched by the Heart of the Lonely Mountain.

Upon hearing this, Thorin slowly walked up to Aaron. "You had already made up your mind? Is that why you asked me before to confirm whether you acknowledged this contract?"

"I guess you could say I was just being prepared!" Aaron shrugged. "I already thought about it when I was in Lake Town. If you, my king, don't keep your promise, I'll take out my share."

This way, Long Lake Town can be rebuilt, and the descendants of Turin won't go back on their word.

“But you won’t leave anything behind.” Thorin casually grabbed a handful of gold coins, which slipped from his palm one by one with a crisp sound. “Do you know what one-fifteenth means? You might spend the rest of your life in regret for giving up this wealth, and all for a group of refugees you don’t even know.”

“Well… to be honest, money is a good thing, and I quite like it.” Aaron said frankly without a trace of embarrassment, “but there are some things that money can’t buy, like… a king’s promise.”

“But you bought it,” Thorin exclaimed. “You bought the king’s promise with one-fifteenth of the treasure.”

“Thorin, forgive my intrusion,” Bilbo asked with a light laugh, “do you agree that we should give a portion of our wealth to the people of Lake-town to rebuild their homes?”

"What? Is Lord Baggins also going to offer your share?" Thorin asked with amusement.

“No, no, no, that’s not it.” Bilbo hurriedly waved his hands and said, “One-fifteenth is enough to rebuild Laketown. Too much would be bad. As for my share, I don’t need it.”

"You don't want it anymore?" Thorin looked at Bilbo in surprise. "Are you sure?"

Bilbo nodded. "I'm just an ordinary hobbit. What do I need so much money for?"

But you're different; rebuilding a kingdom requires money in every aspect.

Hearing this, Thorin's lips curled up slightly as he looked at the two men with admiration. "I have to admit, Gandalf's judgment is impeccable. Neither of the two thieves he introduced wanted this enormous fortune."

Gaius and Lord Baggins, you are true friends who do not covet the dwarves' wealth, and are worthy of their trust and respect.

The other dwarves also showed more smiles. They wanted to help the people of Lake-town, but the king's orders could not be disobeyed.

Thorin didn't want to give it, so they couldn't give it, but unexpectedly someone was able to persuade him.