bookbashuk Chapter 120 Lorien
Chapter 120 Lorien
Chapter 120 Lorien
Dui and his companions stayed in the Woodland Kingdom for two days.
He then formally bid farewell to Thranduil.
However, before leaving, Dui, with Thranduy's permission, set a fireplace as a node on the Floo Network.
They also gifted Thranduil some Floo Powder.
Thranduil was quite interested in Floo's teleportation network, although he was somewhat disgusted by Floo Fans' messy and disorganized method of teleportation.
But he immediately recognized the strategic importance of the FlooNet.
This completely connects all the forces in the Central Continent, so that any news can be transmitted or even sent over immediately through the FlyNet.
However, this powerful tool was in the hands of Dui alone.
This made Thranduil value Dui even more.
After saying goodbye to Thranduy, Dui's team gained another member.
The four men rode on Smaug's back and continued westward.
Legolas was extremely excited and thrilled to be riding a dragon for the first time. Although his reserved nature prevented him from showing much emotion, his bright red, pointed ears betrayed it.
As they traveled west through the dark, dense forest, they encountered a giant spider that had been frightened away by a dragon.
Legolas immediately drew his bow and arrows, each hitting the other in the head.
Just as he was about to shoot the remaining two giant spiders, Dui reached out and stopped him.
Seeing Legolas's questioning look, Dui smiled and said:
"Don't kill them all, leave two alive for me."
With that, he waved his wand, petrifying the two giant spiders that were fleeing in panic. He then used a levitation charm to bring them over and put them directly into his spatial bag.
Seeing Dui's actions, not only Legolas was surprised, but Bilbo and Gandalf also looked puzzled.
"Duir, what are you doing with two giant spiders?" Gandalf asked, puzzled.
Dui chuckled and explained, "Don't you think the giant spider's silk is incredibly tough? I happen to have a weaving magic spell that can use spider silk to weave cloth, which will definitely be more defensive than most armor and absolutely valuable."
The three of them were speechless upon hearing this.
Gandalf looked at Duy with utter bewilderment: "The treasure you received from Lonely Mountain is enough to make you one of the richest men in Middle-earth, so why are you still thinking about making more money?"
Dui immediately kicked Smaug, who was standing on the ground, in a fit of annoyance.
"Because I'm raising a giant dragon now, and no amount of money is enough to cover the costs!"
Thinking of how the wood elves tried to suppress the smiles as they left, and even Thranduil secretly breathed a sigh of relief, Dui felt a toothache.
I never imagined that one day I would become an unpopular person myself.
Smaug ate over a hundred sheep and pigs in two days and drank all the wine stored in the cellar.
The elves had to take their bows and arrows and go hunting in the forest to supplement their scarce meat.
Dui never expected that the sleeping dragon would have such a huge appetite.
After witnessing the dragon's enormous appetite, Dui wished he could immediately find a place for the creature to continue sleeping.
That way, you won't have to worry about not feeding him enough.
The problem is that Smaug insists on sleeping with the floor covered in gold.
Moreover, he was extremely resolute, with a "better to die than compromise" attitude, and did not yield even when Dui threatened him with the Cruciatus Curse.
In Smaug's words, their only and unwavering ideal was to sleep on a bed of countless treasures.
To seize treasure, dragons not only attack dwarves, but they also fight each other for it, plundering the treasures in each other's caves.
This is also why there are fewer and fewer dragons, and now only Smaug remains as a known dragon.
Duy promised Smaug that once they returned to Windrise, he would use the treasure he had received from Lonely Mountain as his bed.
This barely stopped Smaug from constantly complaining in his ear.
Smaug still felt that this amount of treasure was too meager to make a bed, after all, it only accounted for one-tenth of the treasure on Lonely Mountain, and it wasn't even enough to cover him.
Back then, he was lying on the treasure of Lonely Mountain, possessing the greatest wealth in the world.
But now he's with a penniless master.
The difference in treatment is like jumping off a cliff.
Dui was so angry he wanted to kill that stupid dragon right then and there.
He didn't just tame the mount; he invited a big shot, and a big shot at that—a gold-devouring beast!
Gandalf and Bilbo chuckled as they listened to Dui's endless complaints.
Even Legolas couldn't help but smile.
I originally thought Smaug would be some kind of ferocious dragon, but I never expected him to be like this.
Of course, everyone knew that Dui was joking about making money.
However, everyone thought the idea of using spider silk was a good one.
They had all witnessed the power of the giant spider's silk, which even the sharpest elven sword could not easily cut through.
If protective clothing could truly be woven from spider silk, its quality would be far superior to most armor, and it would be much lighter and softer.
Moreover, the source of materials is simple and continuous.
Thinking this way, Legolas began to feel that the giant spider in the dense forest wasn't entirely useless.
He could perhaps send a message to his father Thranduil, asking him to capture some giant spiders and imprison them, then have the skilled craftsmen of the Elven race weave tough armor from their silk.
The group rode the dragon through the dark forest, then had afternoon tea at Beon's house before bidding farewell and continuing their journey.
This time, however, they did not continue westward to the Misty Mountains, but instead headed south along the Anduin River.
Before crossing the Misty Mountains to reach the Valley, Dui needs to make a trip to Los Loren.
Not only did Dui promise to make wands for Elrohir, Elladan, and Arwen, but now Legolas' wand has also been added to the mix.
And there's also the staff that Gandalf promised to make for him.
For all of this, he needs to make a trip to Lorien.
Lorien is located east of the Misty Mountains and west of the Anduin River, separated from Dorgudu, the southernmost city of Mirkwood, only by the Anduin River.
The Nimrodell Creek, originating from the Misty Mountains, and the Kellerbrandt River flow together here into the Anduin River, forming a beautiful delta basin.
Lorien is enveloped and protected by the power of the Ring of Water, Nanya, which is difficult for even time to erode. The valley remains eternally holy and beautiful, the last pure land in Middle-earth.
When Dui and the others arrived at the outskirts of Lorien, they sensed an invisible magical barrier. Without permission from those inside, it would be difficult to find the correct path to enter.
But what can you expect when one of them is Gandalf, a regular customer of Lorrain?
On Gandalf's advice, Smaug was left outside Lorrain.
Then the three of them followed Gandalf upstream along the river. The trees along the way were evergreen and the grass was lush, as if it were early spring in ancient times, forever green and never withering, bearing the marks of time.
Golden leaves drifted ashore from upstream, their brilliance and beauty so dazzling they seemed to be crafted from pure gold.
It was enough to make even a dragon feel triumphant.
The four of them walked deeper into the forest, and the surrounding green faded away, turning into a golden kingdom.
In the heart of the forest grew countless tall Maurice trees. The bark of the Maurice trees was silvery-gray, while the leaves were golden yellow, as if they were made of gold.
Golden leaves fell, piling up on the ground like a golden carpet.
The name of Lorien's Golden Forest comes from this.
Here they encountered three elves.
"Ah, Haldir, it's been a long time!" Gandalf greeted the leading elf.
The elf named Haldir smiled and nodded:
"Mislandir".
"The Lady of the Lord knows you have arrived and sent us to greet you. Please come with us."
Upon hearing this, Gandalf smiled and exclaimed, "Lady Lorien always has such far-sightedness. It seems she spotted us the moment we entered Lorien's territory."
The group followed the elf who was leading the way to Karasgarathon, the capital of Lorien.
The city of Carrasgarason sits atop a green hill covered with towering mammoth trees, surrounded by green walls and a moat.
The elves of Lorien do not live on the ground, but rather on platforms or dwellings built in the tall Mauron trees.
The entire city of Caracasarason is a city built on trees.
Countless lights hung from the trees, like countless stars adorning the forest, making the entire hill seem to be submerged in a sea of stars.
Among the countless tall Maurice trees, the largest one housed the palace of Lord Loreen and his wife.
Beneath this largest and oldest mahogany tree, a central fountain has been built on a lush green lawn.
The spring water first fell into a silver basin next to it, and then overflowed to form a lake. The lake water flowed down the mountain to form a stream, which is called Yongquan Stream.
This spring is said to have the power to wash away fatigue and possess extraordinary magic.
Where Spring Creek flows, there is a beautiful garden, Lady Galadriel's private garden, where all kinds of exotic flowers and plants bloom in all seasons and never wither.
The group walked up the spiral wooden ladder from the foot of the giant tree until they reached a huge platform.
The lord and his wife's palace was situated on a platform. The palace was oval-shaped and built around the tree, consisting of several platforms and a large hall.
Looking up from under the tree, it seems to float in the air, blending perfectly with the surrounding natural environment.
From the treetop platform, one can overlook the entire Lorien Forest and enjoy a panoramic view of its various beautiful landscapes.
The group entered the hall.
Inside the hall, at the very front, the thrones of the lord and his wife were placed side by side, without any distinction of rank.
On the other side of the throne, a simple and elegant staircase spirals upwards into the hall until it disappears into a higher platform.
That was the place where the lord and his wife rested.
Gandalf was already very familiar with the environment here.
But Dui, Bilbo, and Legolas, who were here for the first time, looked around in amazement while waiting.
A moment later, a couple of elves, hand in hand, came down from the end of the escalator.
Their arrival seemed to brighten the entire hall.
Everyone's eyes were drawn to the two of them, just like creatures instinctively chasing after light.
They were none other than Lorien's masters—Clerborn and Galadriel.
"Mislandil, the autumn leaves of Lorien have fallen dozens of times, covering your former footprints, but what storms outside have delayed your arrival?"
Kellerborn greeted her.
His voice was like the first thunder of spring, deep and resonant, like a gentle spring breeze.
He was tall and imposing, with silver hair, and wore a naturally gorgeous and exquisite robe, exuding majesty and elegance.
If Elrond is like a spring breeze, carrying compassion and tolerance, it is a benevolent king.
Thranduil, like the dark forest itself, is mysterious and unapproachable, a proud and aloof king.
The Kellerborn before me possessed an ancient serenity and composure, as if he had weathered the test of time. His demeanor carried an almost eternal calmness, unhurried and unperturbed, as if the turmoil of the world could not shake his composure.
He is more like an elder who silently protects his homeland, a king who has been tempered by the world, whose sharpness is restrained, and who is profound and steady.
"No matter how fierce the storm outside may be, it cannot shake Lord Kellerborn's composure."
Gandalf nodded slightly and smiled in flattery.
"Of course, except for your beautiful Lady Galadriel."
Upon hearing this, Kellerborn smiled.
Galadriel, who was standing hand in hand with her husband, turned her attention to the remaining people.
"Young wizard, we meet again."
Galadriel met Dui's gaze with a smile.
A voice resounded in Dui's mind.