A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

"It's a long story."

"Then let's make a long story short."

"I went to the tomb of the Witch King of Angmar, which had been completely excavated. The real clues point to Dolgodor..."

"You mean Dolgodo?" Aaron interrupted him, a playful tone in his voice. "Let me guess, did you see the necromancer there?"

“Yes!” Gandalf nodded, then asked with a puzzled look, “How did you know?”

“Smaug told me that the necromancer is recovering his strength in Dolgordor,” Aaron chuckled. “Don’t tell me you went alone?”

Gandalf paused for a moment, then opened his mouth as if to say something but hesitated.

"Ha! It seems I guessed right."

Gandalf, are you an idiot? Or has the peace of Middle-earth lowered your IQ?

The fact that Redagast was able to bring the Demon Cave Sword out of there is enough to prove it was a trap, and you foolishly walked right into it.

"I have my doubts, but some things can only be clarified by taking risks."

Aaron: ......

Are you sure this isn't a lamb being led to the slaughter?

“I just didn’t expect things to be so much more serious than I thought,” Gandalf said with lingering fear. “If Saruman, Elrond, and Queen Galadriel hadn’t arrived in time, I might have lost my life there.”

"That's because you're stupid," Aaron said disdainfully. "Do you even know what it means to avoid standing under a dangerous wall?"

If I were you, I'd call Saruman, King Elrond, Queen Galadriel, and Redagast together. Even the most powerful necromancer would be no match for a righteous mob; they could only run for their lives.

Gandalf was speechless, and he was filled with regret.

I thought that although going alone would be dangerous, I could still escape unscathed. After all, Redagast had successfully escaped, and he was stronger than Redagast, so there was no reason why he couldn't escape.

But to his utter surprise, he encountered a hellish situation, with the mastermind Sauron personally taking action against him and even using him to set an ambush to lure others to his rescue.

If Queen Galadriel hadn't expended a tremendous amount of magic to use the Water Ring to repel Sauron, they might have been completely wiped out.

However, despite the great suffering, it wasn't without its gains; at least they learned Sauron's purpose and his subsequent plans.

Thinking of this, Gandalf looked at Thranduil seriously and said, "King Thranduil, your grudges with the dwarves must be put aside for now. War is about to begin."

The orcs of Dolgodor have come out in full force; you face annihilation.

Chapter 275 The Techniques and Sincerity of Negotiation

"What are you talking about?" Bard frowned, feeling that fate had played a cruel joke on the people of Long Lake.

Having barely escaped the dragon's flames, though they lost everything, they were fortunate enough to receive a large fortune from Irubor, enough to rebuild a happy and beautiful home.

But now you're telling me that the orcs are coming out in full force, and a catastrophe is about to befall them? Isn't that just messing with people's minds?

“You don’t know wizards very well yet,” Thranduil said calmly. “They are like thunder in the cold winter, rolling in from afar and exploding with a loud bang, but you never see the rain.”

“This time it’s not.” Gandalf glared and puffed out his beard. “The Orc army has been mobilized. They are seasoned warriors, natural-born killers. Our enemy has used all its strength.”

"Why are they sending troops now?" Thranduil asked dismissively.

"Because of the circumstances, because Thorin Oakenshield and his men set out to reclaim their lost homeland."

“That’s not all,” Aaron said in a deep voice. “When Bilbo and I were searching for the Arkenstone, Smaug also said that as long as the necromancer didn’t touch Irub’s treasure, it wouldn’t stop them from entering the Lonely Mountain.”

This is an unusual alliance; the orcs don't need to worry about the dragon harming them, and can occupy Irubor without hindrance.

“That’s the only good news. At least Lonely Mountain isn’t in our enemies’ hands now.” Gandalf breathed a slight sigh of relief and continued, “The masters of Azog are trying to control Lonely Mountain not just for its wealth, but also because of its location.”

That place is a strategic location, and the only way to restore the old kingdom of Angmar in the north. If that evil nation rises again, Rivendell, Lorian, the Shire, and even Gondor will be destroyed.

"The Shire?" Bilbo's eyes widened in astonishment, and he asked nervously, "Gandalf, you mean the Shire? Are you sure you're not joking?"

“It’s a pity, Bilbo,” Gandalf shook his head. “If we can’t stop the orcs from taking over Lonely Mountain, your homeland, the Shire, will also be doomed, and the peace-loving halflings will probably be slaughtered.”

Bilbo: ......

“Those orc armies you mentioned, the Mithrandar,” Thranduil looked at Gandalf, “where are they?”

Upon hearing this, Gandalf turned pale with anger, and his body trembled slightly.

He'd already said all that, yet Thranduil still didn't believe him.

"Since when did my mediation become meaningless?" Gandalf chuckled self-deprecatingly. "What exactly do you suspect of me?"

“I suspect you want to save your dwarf friends, and I admire your loyalty to them, but that doesn’t change my plans.”

You started this whole thing, so please don't mind if I end it.

“King Thranduil,” Bilbo said anxiously, his words somewhat incoherent, “it is absolutely true. Smaug said it himself. Sauron’s vanguard will set off soon, and Lonely Mountain will be their first stop.”

The two of us came here specifically to fulfill Thorin's promise and to stop this war.

Whether elves, dwarves, or humans, we now share a common enemy: orcs.

Thranduil remained silent for a moment, poured himself a glass of wine, and calmly sat down in his seat.

"You're the halfling who stole the dungeon key right under my guards' noses, aren't you!"

"Yes," Bilbo admitted sheepishly.

“That’s right,” Thranduil said. “You gave up your chance to escape alone and rescued this young wizard and a group of dwarves.”

Your loyalty to Thorin is no less than that to Mislanda; perhaps you even cooperated with Mislanda in weaving this lie to save your dwarf friend.

"that......"

Before Aaron could speak, Thranduil turned his gaze to him. "I don't trust you either, just as I don't trust either of them."

"...King Thranduil." Aaron took a deep breath. "Please allow me to say that some things are better believed than not."

You may not trust us, but what if?

“I don’t believe in the possibility either,” Thranduil sneered, then walked out of the tent. “Are the archers ready?”

“Alright, Your Highness,” said an elf.

"Pass on my order: kill anyone who is active on that mountain without exception."

"Wait a minute," Aaron said with a hint of exasperation, "You want the white gem, right?"

“What do you want to say?” Thranduil asked meaningfully.

“I can help you persuade Thorin, but I need some time,” Aaron said in a deep voice.

"Why should I trust you?"

“I have come here alone to negotiate with you, and I am giving one-fifteenth of my share to the people of Changhu.”

“Not enough.” Thranduil shook his head slightly. “That was your deal with humans, but it has nothing to do with elves.”

"Sometimes I really don't understand why I have to worry about you guys. No matter how chaotic this world is, it has nothing to do with me." Aaron shook his head with a wry smile, then used Phantom Teleportation.

When he reappeared, he was already behind Thranduil, but Thranduil reacted quickly and did not turn around, though his longsword was already pressed against Aaron's abdomen.

“Excellent magic, I’ve never seen anything like it before,” Thranduil exclaimed, only now taking the young wizard seriously.

"Thank you for the compliment. This is called Phantom Shift, a kind of teleportation magic," Aaron said casually. "I only learned it by chance last year."

Gandalf's face twitched slightly, his gaze towards Aaron filled with envy and longing.

He really wanted that magic; if he could teleport, he wouldn't need to ride a horse when he went far away.

"What is this? A demonstration or a threat?"

“Neither.” Aaron slowly retreated to his original position. “I never thought that my meager magic could threaten an Elf King. I was just demonstrating my abilities to you.”

"Ahem!" Gandalf coughed. "Gaius, who taught you Apparition?"

“It was passed down from his ancestors,” Bilbo said speechlessly.

Aaron raised an eyebrow, then gave a thumbs up. "The Hobbit knows me best."

"Stop joking, okay?"

Every time you don't want to answer a question, you drag your ancestors into it as scapegoats. Is that really necessary?

“Interesting,” Aaron said directly.

Gandalf wisely kept quiet; he could tell that Aaron didn't want to talk about his magic.

“Your Majesty,” Aaron said with a smile, “if you insist on sending troops, I cannot stop you, but I will take all the white gems of Irubone and run away.”

Upon hearing this, Thranduil's lips twitched violently, and the others stared at Aaron in disbelief.

Goodness, it's not a threat, but it's more than a threat.

Thranduil went to great lengths to reclaim the Woodland Elves' national treasure. If there were no white gems in the Lonely Mountain, then even if he conquered the city, it would be meaningless.

“Not a bad idea.” Thranduil suppressed his anger and said calmly, “If that’s the case, I really can’t help you, but you can’t take your dwarf friends with you, much less a dwarf kingdom.”

"I am very patient. I can conquer Irubb and wait for you to return to negotiate."

“But it’s not good for either of us, is it?” Aaron shrugged. “That’s why I wanted to resolve the issue in a gentler way.”

King Thranduil, you are more rational than I am; you should understand what the right decision is.

Thranduil frowned slightly, looking intently at Aaron. "How much time do you need?"

Aaron didn't answer immediately, but looked at Gandalf and asked, "How long will it take for the Orc army to arrive?"

Gandalf blinked and immediately understood Aaron's plan.

Thranduil may not believe it now, but he must believe the facts, as long as the elves and dwarves don't start fighting before the orcs arrive.

"Hmm... When I was rescued, Azog's orc army had already set off from Dolgordor, but it's definitely not just Azog coming. Since Sauron has decided to attack, it won't be a small-scale operation. He will gather all the forces he can muster. We..."

Aaron impatiently interrupted him, "Don't talk to me about those things, I don't understand."

Why don't you just tell me the latest the enemy will arrive?

"Two days."

“Alright.” Aaron held up three fingers to Thranduil. “I need three days.”

"you......"

"Let me finish what I have to say," Aaron said awkwardly. "The white gem will be presented to you within three days, guaranteed in Gaius's name."