Chapter 40 — Thranduil Yields, Transformation Magic Upgraded
A new day dawned.
Under the first light of morning—
Far from the Misty Mountains.
After resting for the night, Gandalf's party set out once more.
They had not gone far when a tiny bird fluttered to Gandalf's side, chirping rapidly into his ear.
As he listened, Gandalf's expression grew steadily heavier.
The bird had been sent by Galadriel, bearing shocking news:
The seven Stone Giants had moved to the Lonely Mountain.
As one of Middle-earth's guardians, Gandalf knew all too well how terrifying the Stone Giants were in battle. Almost instantly, he grasped the implications.
With those seven giants stationed at Erebor, the power Smaug could wield had risen to an entirely new level.
In the coming war between Middle-earth and the Dark Lord Sauron, Smaug's weight had grown decisive.
Whichever side Smaug chose—
The outcome of the war would likely follow.
In just a few months… how did Smaug become like this?
Gandalf sighed silently.
"What is it?" Thorin Oakenshield asked coldly, having noticed the bird at once.
"What news did it bring?"
Gandalf hesitated only briefly before choosing to conceal the truth. He smiled faintly.
"A message from the Lady of Light."
That wasn't a lie.
Gandalf knew Thorin's hatred of elves well enough—mentioning Galadriel would ensure no further questions.
As expected, Thorin snorted, turned away, and marched forward without another word.
Gandalf shook his head lightly, puffed on his pipe, and continued walking while thinking about Smaug.
Seven Stone Giants now served him.
What came next?
Only a few seconds passed before Gandalf thought of Smaug's neighbor—
Thranduil.
The Wood-elves were… peculiar.
Gandalf had dealt with Thranduil before, though never closely. Still, he understood his temperament.
Smaug is clearly preparing for war.
There's no way he'd ignore Mirkwood.
So what will Thranduil do?
He may already have chosen to cooperate.
In truth—
Gandalf was absolutely right.
That very morning, Thranduil rode out atop a majestic elk, leading hundreds of elves as they departed the Woodland Realm, marching toward the Lonely Mountain.
He had chosen cooperation.
—or rather—
Thranduil had yielded.
---
Time passed.
Upon entering the Lonely Mountain's domain, Thranduil bypassed Dale entirely, circling around until he reached the open ground before Erebor's great gate.
Behind those doors, Gollum—who had been sleeping there since the day before—noticed the approaching elves at once and scrambled downward on all fours.
"Cursed elves!"
"So many elves!"
"Precious! Why are there so many elves?!"
Fast, sharp-nosed, and alert, Gollum easily found Smaug despite never having been down here before.
Then—
He froze in place, eyes wide with shock.
There was simply too much wealth.
"Precious… so much gold…" he murmured, dazed.
But he quickly shook his head, snapped back to reality, and scurried onward until he reached Smaug's massive head, pushing at it boldly.
"Smaug! Smaug!"
"So many elves are here!"
"Wake up!"
Smaug stirred, glanced at Gollum, yawned, and decided not to scold him for running down.
"If elves are here, they're here. No need to panic. Come—let's take a look."
Only the Woodland Realm's elves could arrive so quickly. Smaug was certain.
And unless Thranduil had lost his mind overnight, this visit could only mean good news.
So Smaug rose unhurriedly and made his way upward.
---
Meanwhile—
Dale.
The humans were anything but calm.
Most had abandoned their work, staring anxiously toward Erebor.
"That elf king brought so many warriors… is he here to kill Smaug?"
"Probably not… even that many elves couldn't kill him."
"Good."
"…Wait. You don't want Smaug dead?"
"…I don't know. Things just started getting better. If war breaks out, we'll suffer first."
"…That's true."
They murmured endlessly.
---
Before long, Smaug emerged from the mountain, Gollum hunched and alert behind him.
Seeing Gollum for the first time, Thranduil frowned slightly in surprise.
That human… what happened to him?
What is his relationship with Smaug?
Why can he enter Erebor freely?
Is he dangerous?
Questions flooded Thranduil's mind.
"Good morning, my neighbor," Smaug greeted cheerfully.
"Welcome to my home."
"You've visited mine often enough," Thranduil replied calmly, dismounting from his elk.
"It's only proper I return the courtesy. Shall we take a look inside?"
"Of course," Smaug said easily, turning toward the entrance.
Thranduil followed without guards, hands clasped behind his back, every inch the king.
Soon, all three vanished into the mountain.
The humans of Dale stared, utterly bewildered.
"What's happening?"
"Did the elf king come for a tour?"
"Are you serious?"
They buzzed with confusion.
Only Bard remained silent, staring into the darkness beyond the gate.
A chilling thought took root.
Smaug persuaded Thranduil.
This isn't a visit—it's a negotiation.
Or worse… a submission.
---
Bard was right.
Thranduil had come to finalize cooperation.
That was why he entered Erebor alone—an elven king could not afford to lose face before so many eyes.
Some humiliations were better endured in private.
"Your companion?" Thranduil asked at last, curiosity winning out.
Smaug shifted, transforming into his compact ogre-like form.
"This is my friend. His name is Sméagol."
Just that?
Thranduil didn't believe it.
He examined Gollum again. Smaug's allies were never simple beings—and this one looked especially dangerous.
"Greetings," Thranduil said politely, unwilling to make another enemy.
Gollum disliked elves, but nodded once in reply.
That silent nod felt disrespectful.
Which only convinced Thranduil further—
This Sméagol is no ordinary human.
"Neighbor," Smaug said lightly, "you've never seen where those cursed dwarves hoarded their wealth, have you?"
"I'll show you around. Take whatever catches your eye."
"Then I thank you," Thranduil replied with regal composure.
"Sméagol, stay here," Smaug added.
Gollum had no choice but to stop, watching them descend.
---
Moments later—
For the first time in his long life, Thranduil truly saw Erebor's treasure.
And he was stunned.
After several seconds, he recovered and spoke quietly:
"So the legends were true… Erebor's wealth is beyond imagining."
"Yes," Smaug replied.
"Tell me—can you blame me for taking it from greedy Thrór?"
"Even if I hadn't, someone else eventually would have."
Thranduil: "..."
"What use do I have for so much gold?" Smaug continued casually.
"Other than sleeping on it, I don't need any of it."
"I don't even need this much to sleep."
"So I've decided—"
"It's better to use it."
And with that—
The real negotiation began.
Although Thranduil had long known that Smaug was not the sort of dragon described in rumors—one who would refuse to part with even a single coin of gold—he still couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity when he heard Smaug declare that he intended to use up most of the gold here.
It was ridiculous.
And because it was so ridiculous, Thranduil simply had to ask:
"Have you already decided how?"
"As a matter of fact, I have," Smaug replied as they walked side by side. "I think Middle-earth, in many respects, is… rather backward."
"I intend to use this wealth to improve it."
"????"
Thranduil had genuinely not expected an answer like that.
"For example?" he asked.
Smaug shook his head. "I haven't worked out the details yet. Roughly speaking—food, clothing, housing, transportation. I want every race to live a little better."
"..."
Thranduil fell silent again.
What kind of fairy tale nonsense was this?
What on earth had happened inside this dragon's head to make him think this way?
Unwilling to dwell on it, Thranduil chose to move directly to the real matter.
"Smaug. I came today to discuss the cooperation you proposed earlier."
"Go on. I'm listening," Smaug replied calmly, neither pleased nor displeased.
"The Woodland Realm is willing to cooperate with you," Thranduil said bluntly, having already made up his mind. "But there are matters that must be made clear in advance."
"Speak."
"I once cooperated with the Dwarven King Thrór. In time, that foolish and arrogant dwarf forgot what respect meant. He came to believe I could be summoned and dismissed at will," Thranduil said coldly. "That must never happen again."
"Agreed," Smaug nodded. "I won't do that."
"Our cooperation lasts only until Sauron is defeated," Thranduil continued.
"No problem," Smaug agreed without hesitation.
"I require a portion of the mithril and gold here," Thranduil added.
"Take it," Smaug said indifferently. "Choose for yourself. Any other demands?"
Thranduil studied Smaug closely.
The dragon was far too accommodating.
Instinctively, Thranduil suspected a trap—but after a moment's thought…
What was there left to consider?
If he had any real alternatives, he wouldn't have come here at all.
"No," Thranduil said. "When everything is over, you must honor your word."
"The Woodland Realm will be preserved," Smaug promised. "You may continue living in peace."
Thranduil nodded.
And with that, the negotiations were complete.
---
More than an hour later, Thranduil departed the Lonely Mountain, carrying the mithril and gold he desired, returning to Mirkwood.
The alliance between Mirkwood and Erebor was officially established.
Smaug returned to his hoard and went back to sleep.
---
That noon.
East of Dale, outside the city.
Beorn the skin-changer stood holding a bowl of food, watching Thranduil and his elves gradually disappear into the distance.
A grin spread across his face.
Those proud elves… bowing their heads to a dragon like Smaug.
It was hilarious.
Beorn chuckled, finding his meal even more delicious.
---
Days passed.
The long-standing tranquility of Mirkwood vanished completely.
The elves were forced into constant motion.
Some continued forging armor and weapons in preparation for the future.
Others left Mirkwood altogether, searching for trees to help establish a new forest near the Lonely Mountain.
Two days passed like this.
That evening—
[Congratulations, mission completed.]
[Silver Blind Box (Upgraded) ×1 has been delivered to your inventory.]
Smaug smiled upon seeing the system message.
He hadn't forgotten about the goblins—he'd simply been too lazy to deal with them, planning to make another trip in a few days.
Now that wasn't necessary.
Mission complete meant the goblins had already set out.
"Well then… let's see what's inside."
Open.
[You have opened a Silver Blind Box (Upgraded).]
[Shapeshifting Technique (Basic) has been upgraded to (Intermediate).]
[You may now transform into non-humanoid creatures of varying sizes.]
[Maximum size limit: five times your true form.]
[This technique can be further upgraded.]
Five times…
His true body was over one hundred and forty meters long.
Five times that—
A dragon over seven hundred meters long.
Heh.
Who exactly was he supposed to scare to death with that?