Chapter 242: The riddle in the secret, let me help you get familiar with it
"Gandalf."
"Elrond." Gandalf smiled and stepped forward, "My friend, where have you been?"
"We were hunting an army of Orcs from the south, and killed a few near the secret passage." Elrond dismounted and embraced Gandalf, "The Orcs dare to approach our borders; something or someone must have attracted them."
"It could be us," Gandalf said, as Thorin walked a few steps forward expressionlessly.
Elrond noticed the Dwarf prince, and his expression became solemn, "Welcome, Thorin, son of Thrain."
"I don't think we've met."
"You look like your grandfather. When I knew Thror, he was still King Under the Mountain."
"Is that so? He never mentioned you," Thorin said indifferently.
Elrond didn't mind the other party's flat tone. Elves have an incredibly long lifespan, and setting aside status, Thorin's grandfather was a junior in his presence.
"Since you've come all this way, why not stay for dinner before you leave!"
Elrond said this in Elvish, but Thorin didn't understand, and the Dwarves behind him understood even less.
"What is he saying? Is he insulting us?" Gloin asked somewhat angrily.
"No, Mr. Gloin, he wants to invite you to dinner," Gandalfimmediately explained.
The Dwarves huddled together and deliberated for two seconds.
Gloin's attitude improved slightly, "In that case, lead the way!"
Walking up the stairs, Aaron curiously surveyed the valley. It was peaceful and serene, even more so than the Shire, but compared to the Hobbit settlement, Rivendell had elite armed forces, which gave a greater sense of security.
"Thorin, did you know this Elf King before?" Aaron asked, puzzled, "Although it's the first time I've seen him, I don't think Elrond is the type to stand idly by."
"It's not him." Thorin shook his head with a complex expression, "It's another branch of Elves."
"Oh!" Aaron raised an eyebrow, "In that case, I hope you remember what Gandalf said: rein in your arrogance a little. After all, we're asking for a favor."
Thorin paused slightly, "We'll see!"
Entering the banquet hall, the Elves, to entertain their distant guests, had prepared beautiful music and exquisite green food.
However, the Dwarves didn't appreciate the music and were full of disdain for the food on the table.
Aaron and Bilbo exchanged glances, both finding it amusing and frustrating.
There was no meat on the plates; apart from some pastries, it was all fresh vegetables.
But these vegetables were all raw, making them quite unappetizing.
"Bilbo, have you read about the Elves' diet in your books?" Aaron asked in a low voice, "This is quite a bit worse than your family's banquets."
"I only know they don't like to eat meat," Bilbo murmured, looking at the table full of vegetables, "Today has certainly been an eye-opener."
Aaron picked up a lettuce leaf, rolled some jiaobai and carrots in it, and ate it heartily.
Bilbo wasn't as exaggerated as him, only taking a few pastries to fill his stomach.
"Elrond, I hope you can appraise these two swords," Gandalfsaid.
Thorin, though somewhat reluctant, still handed over his weapon.
"This is orcrist, a famous sword that slays Orcs." Elronddrew Thorin's sword and exclaimed, "This sword was forged by my High Elf clan in the West. I hope it will be of some help to you."
"This is Glamdring." After returning orcrist to Thorin, Elrond then examined Gandalf's sword, "It is the Foe-hammer of the King of Gondolin, made during the First Age when fighting Orcs."
Hearing Elrond's words, Bilbo secretly drew his short sword under the table, curious about its origin.
"Do you want Elrond to appraise it too?" Aaron teased, "My ancestors were blacksmiths, and I can tell you with great certainty that the quality of your sword is no less than theirs."
"Don't bother, little brother," Balin comforted him, "Swords are named for their deeds in war."
"Are you saying my sword has never been to battle?" Bilbowas a little disappointed.
"Hehe! Just because it hasn't been to battle before doesn't mean it won't have the chance in the future, and…" Aaronpatted Bilbo's arm and said meaningfully, "Every sword is made for a purpose. orcrist and Glamdring don't have special magic, but your sword does."
Bilbo looked thoughtful, as if he understood why Gandalfhad given him this sword.
Its primary purpose was warning, and its secondary purpose was combat.
"How did you obtain them?" Elrond asked.
"In a Troll cave on the Great East Road," Gandalf said, "just before we were ambushed by Orcs."
"How did you come to be on the Great East Road?"
Gandalf paused, noticed Thorin's displeased expression, and understood that the Dwarf prince didn't want the Elves to know their purpose.
"We'll discuss that later."
...After the banquet, Gandalf called Thorin, Balin, Bilbo, and Aaron to meet Elrond, and directly stated their intentions.
"Our affairs do not concern the Elves."
Thorin spoke righteously, his face full of refusal.
Although Elrond had left a good impression on him, the Elves had caused him greater emotional pain.
"Heavens, I'm going to be driven mad by the Dwarves' stubbornness," Gandalf said, feeling weary, "Thorin, give him the map."
"This is the heritage of my people, and I will protect its secrets."
"Elves and Elves are not the same," Aaron said meaningfully, "If you can't even unlock the secrets, don't talk about protection. Sometimes you have to try to trust others.
Furthermore, to say something you might not like, we are asking for help now."
Gandalf agreed deeply, "Thorin, you stand before one of the few in Middle-earth who can read it. Show it to Elrond."
Thorin was silent for a few seconds, then reached into his bosom and pulled out the inherited map.
Balin tried to stop him, but Thorin waved him off.
Elrond opened the map and was startled when he saw the Lonely Mountain and the Dragon circling above it.
"Erebor.
Why are you interested in this map?"
"Mainly for academic research." Gandalf interrupted Thorin, who was about to speak, "As you know, such ancient artifacts often contain secret codes.
You can read Old Dwarvish, can't you?"
Elrond did not answer directly but carefully examined the map, "Moon-letters."
"Moon-letters?" Gandalf suddenly realized, "Of course, they are easily overlooked."
"What are Moon-letters?" Aaron asked curiously.
"As the name suggests, letters read by moonlight," Elrondexplained, "The season and shape of the moon must be consistent with when they were written."
"Can you read them?" Thorin asked.
Elrond smiled slightly and led the group to an open terrace, in front of which was a crystal table.
"These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve, about two hundred years ago under the light of a new moon. It seems you were destined to come to Rivendell." Elrondplaced the map on the table, "Fate favors you, Thorin Oakenshield.
The same moonlight shines on us tonight."
As he finished speaking, a crescent moon in the sky cast down white moonlight.
Under the moonlight, several lines of white text appeared on the map.
"Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the key-hole."
Aaron blinked blankly, "That's quite poetic, but after solving the secret, there's still a riddle. That's just too unfair!
I can only make out one meaning: we have to reach Ereborbefore Durin's Day.
But when is Durin's Day?"
"That is the first day of the Dwarves' New Year," Gandalfsaid, "when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together."
"This is bad news," Thorin frowned, "Summer is almost over, and Durin's Day will be here soon."
"We still have time," Balin said, "We need to be in the right place at the right time to find the entrance and open the door."
"It seems we still have a long way to go, and we need to speed up," Aaron said with some melancholy, "I haven't traveled this long 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 child."
Aaron:...I believed your nonsense!
You're dangling a carrot in front of me. If it weren't for completing two system tasks, I'd leave 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, "Mithrandir, your eye for choosing people is as sharp as ever!"
"Well, uh, hmm… age doesn't matter. What matters is that Gaius is far more reliable than you think. He is…"
"Cough cough!"
Hearing Aaron's cough, Gandalf gave an awkward laugh and swallowed the words he was about to say.
"In short, his background is very complex, but he is more reliable than anyone."
"So your purpose is to enter the mountain?"
Thorin retorted, "What of it?"
"Some might think this is not wise."
"What do you mean?" Gandalf frowned slightly, sensing a hidden meaning in Elrond's words.
"You are not the only guardian of Middle-earth," Elrond said meaningfully, then left without another word.
"That's right," Aaron chuckled, "If Middle-earth relied only on one Grey Wizard, it would have been taken over by evil long ago."
"Someone has arrived, right here in Rivendell," Gandalfsaid, looking somewhat serious, "Thorin, you take Bilbo and Balin to rest first.
Gaius, you come with me."
Aaron pouted, disdainfully saying, "No."
He wasn't stupid! Gandalf sending everyone else away and only leaving him clearly meant nothing good.
"This is very important."
"No matter how important, I'm not going."
"What if it concerns your mind?" Gandalf said with a playful smile, "This person might help you recover your mind. I don't think you'll refuse, will you!"
Hearing this, Aaron was petrified on the spot.
Going meant he might fall into the trap set by the old schemer, but if he didn't go, the excuse of amnesia would be unusable, and he would have to jump into the pit he dug himself.
After a long silence, Aaron forced out a smile uglier than a cry, "You're ruthless."
The two walked out of the terrace, and Elrond led them to the highest room in Rivendell, where they could clearly see the scenery of Rivendell, including waterfalls and moonlight.
"Whether we help or not, the Dwarves will advance to the Withered Heath. They are determined to reclaim their lost homeland.
Thorin Oakenshield feels he doesn't need to explain to anyone, and I don't think so either."
"The one you need to explain to is not me," Elrond said, gesturing for him to look into the room.
Gandalf turned around and noticed the figure standing in the moonlight, and couldn't help but be stunned, "Queen Galadriel."
Aaron's gaze lingered on the Elf Queen's face for a second. He wasn't drawn by her beautiful appearance but looked into her eyes.
Eyes are the windows to the mind, and Aaron read wisdom and calmness in her eyes.
This Queen was definitely not just a pretty face but a wise and powerful leader. Of course, her beauty was also striking.
"Mithrandir." Queen Galadriel's lips curved slightly, "Long time no see."
"Time has changed me, but it has not changed the Lady of Lorien." Gandalf said with a somewhat reserved smile, "I didn't know Elrond had informed you."
"Not him, it was me."
Hearing this voice, Gandalf's expression froze, and as he turned his head, he put on a smile and bowed slightly in respect, "Saruman."
The White Wizard held his staff, dressed neatly and cleanly.
Although Saruman also had the appearance of an old man, he was sharp and incisive, forming a stark contrast with the Grey Wizard.
"You've been very busy lately, my friend," Sarumanchuckled, then turned his gaze to Aaron, "I personally feel that our meeting is not suitable for a child to be present."
The White Wizard spoke very subtly, but the meaning was quite obvious: children shouldn't interrupt when adults are talking, no, they should stay far away.
Hearing this, Aaron wasn't angry; in fact, he was a little secretly pleased.
It was like someone handing him a pillow when he wanted to sleep. He was just thinking about how to avoid this meeting, and Saruman thoughtfully helped him out.
Although the White Wizard's condescending attitude somewhat annoyed him, at this moment, Aaron silently gave him ten thousand thumbs up in his mind: You are a good person.
"Respected White Wizard." Aaron bowed politely, "You are absolutely right. I'll leave now."
"Wait, Gaius."
Aaron had just turned around when Gandalf grabbed his clothes.
Aaron rolled his eyes speechlessly, "This was the White Wizard's suggestion."
"A suggestion is not an order."
Aaron slapped his hand away and asked impatiently, "What exactly is your purpose?"
"No other meaning, just want you to get acquainted," Gandalf winked at Aaron, "This is for your own good. Everyone here is an important figure, and knowing them will benefit you."
"Hehe!"
Aaron was so annoyed he laughed, and his heart was filled with a desire to cry.
If he wasn't worried about not being able to win, he really wanted to throw Gandalf off here.
Damn it! A conspiracy, no, this is an open scheme!
During these past two months of travel, he had been cautious and kept a low profile, not even using the most basic magic, precisely because he didn't want to enter the sight of these important figures.
But Gandalf's arranged 'getting acquainted' directly made his two months of hiding meaningless. This was simply unplayable!
"Gandalf, isn't this a bit childish?" Saruman said, somewhat displeased.
Elrond and Queen Galadriel were also puzzled, not understanding why Gandalf, the renowned Mithrandir, would value a child so much.
"No, please do believe me.
Aaron Gaius, this child is very special.
From the first moment I saw him, I had a feeling that with his help, we would achieve twice the results with half the effort."