Chapter 251 The King's Obsession with Gems
Legolas brought Thorin, Aaron, and Bilbo out of their cells and led them to his father, Thranduil, King of the Woodland Realm.
Before the throne, Thorin stood expressionless.
Aaron and Bilbo kept winking at him, trying to make him understand the situation, but he completely ignored them.
Thranduil slowly rose. He had long silver hair and was as handsome as the other Elves, but a hint of coldness was hidden deep in his eyes.
"Some believe this will be a sacred quest, to slay a Dragonand reclaim a homeland.
I suspect the true motives are not so noble: the theft of treasure, or some other scheme.
You found the secret passage, attempting to recover the jewel that grants you dominion, the King's Jewel, the arkenstone."
Thorin's expression changed slightly but quickly recovered.
"So, the arkenstone is the 'goods' you wanted us to find?" Aaron said thoughtfully, "We weren't looking for a jewel, but a throne!"
"Indeed, with that jewel, and the bloodline of Durin, it might truly be possible to unite the strength of the Dwarf tribes." Thranduil sneered, "Its value to you is immeasurable, I understand that.
There are also jewels I desire in the Lonely Mountain, white gems, pure as starlight.
I will offer you my help."
"That's wonderful!" Bilbo said joyfully, "You release us first, and we'll give you the white gems after the adventure is over."
"Hmph!" Thorin shook his head at an inopportune moment, "I will not agree."
"Thorin." Aaron said, feeling a bit weary, "The white gems are nothing to you, and giving them to the King of the Woodland Realm wouldn't hurt, would it?"
"Don't you know the grudges between Dwarves and Wood-Elves?"
"Yes, we all know.
But as the saying goes, a smile can erase old grudges, a laugh can mend old feuds..."
Before Aaron could finish, Thorin interrupted him directly, "I'm not that magnanimous."
"Fine." Aaron pursed his lips and forced a smile, "Then I'll suggest something more realistic.
We have no other choice but to cooperate."
"Smart man, Thorin Oakenshield, you really should learn from these two." Thranduil said faintly, "I assure you, in the name of the King, that as soon as my belongings are returned to me, I will release you immediately.
Additionally, I will provide you with ample assistance, weapons, food, and can even guarantee you an unobstructed journey until you reach the Lonely Mountain."
Hearing this, Bilbo's and Aaron's hearts began to beat uncontrollably.
Their journey had been too arduous; they were either being hunted or on their way to be hunted. If it could be a little easier, that would be wonderful.
"Sounds good, very tempting." Thorin laughed, then his tone changed, and his expression grew solemn, "But I don't trust you, Thranduil.
A great King keeps his word, even if the end of the world comes."
"You," Thorin yelled at Thranduil, "have no honor."
Legolas immediately drew orcrist and held it to Thorin's neck, "Watch your tone, Dwarf."
"Legolas." Thranduil waved his hand. Legolas glared fiercely at Thorin and sheathed his sword.
"I witnessed you betray your allies. We once starved, displaced, sought your help, but you turned and walked away.
It was you who disregarded the Pain! of my people, abandoning them to be devoured by destruction." Thorincursed viciously, "May you die in flames."
"Do not speak to me of Dragon-fire." Thranduil suddenly walked up to Thorin, bent down, and looked directly into his eyes, "I know its destructive power."
As his voice fell, half of Thranduil's face became withered and festering, utterly bloodless.
Gulp! x 3.
"Father, you..." Legolas said incredulously.
"I once faced the Dragon of the North, and this is the price." Thranduil's face returned to normal, "I warned your grandfather of the consequences his greed would bring.
But he refused to listen, only guarding his treasures, stubbornly believing that Dwarf rule was indestructible.
You are just like him."
Thranduil waved his hand, and several Elf guards came over to escort them back to their cells.
"If you wish, stay here until you rot!
For Elves, a hundred years is but a moment.
I am very patient; I can wait."
"Wait." Aaron directly slapped away the hand holding his arm and looked at Thranduil awkwardly but politely, "His stubbornness is his business, and it has nothing to do with us. Humans and Hobbits have no grudges with Elves."
"Yes, that's right." Bilbo quickly added, "We will try our best to persuade Thorin."
"Take them away." Thranduil seemed a bit impatient, "I await Oakenshield's change of heart."
"Wait." Aaron spoke again, "How about we make a different trade?
Release us, and I will heal half of your face."
"Are you serious?" Legolas was somewhat moved; he naturally wanted his father's appearance restored.
Thranduil looked deeply at Aaron, "Why should I believe you?
Damage caused by Dragon-fire is incurable; I have sought many who were powerless, and you are just a child."
"But not an ordinary child; Legolas should have mentioned me."
"So what?
Wizards may not know more spells than Elves, and I have sought Wizards before."
"There are differences between Wizards, and just because they can't do it doesn't mean I can't." Aaron said meaningfully, "Just tell me directly, do you agree to this trade?"
Thranduil pondered for a moment, "If it is truly as you say, releasing you is not impossible..."
Aaron had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the words 'but,' and his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
"But what?" Aaron asked nervously.
"But I can only release you and this Hobbit." Thranduilsneered, touching his face, "If it were before, I would have eagerly agreed to your terms.
But so much time has passed, and I have grown accustomed to this face; appearance means far less to me than the Elves' most precious treasures."
Aaron gave an awkward laugh, "Understood, I'll consider it."
The Elf guards escorted the three back into their cells, but they were much more polite to Aaron and Bilbo. After all, these two might become the King's benefactors, and it wouldn't be shameful for them to be courteous.
Bang!
The cell door was re-closed, and everything seemed unchanged.
"Did he make you an offer?" Balin asked eagerly.
"He did." Thorin said, "I told him to wait for me to spit on his grave."
"Oh, come on." Aaron said, exasperated, "Elves live much longer than you. Even if a towering tree, or even a forest, grew on your grave, he wouldn't have a single wrinkle.
I'm not trying to be mean, but do you know what 'circumstances dictate' means? Can't you occasionally put aside your damned arrogance?"
"You're absolutely right." Bilbo agreed wholeheartedly, "Thorin, we are prisoners now."
"You're not?" Thorin scoffed, "Humans and Hobbits have other ways to leave this cage, don't they?"
Bilbo paused, then turned to Aaron, "Can you really heal his face?"
Aaron sighed heavily and slowly nodded.
He had two bottles of incredibly potent Potions in his hand; both the moon drop and the Resurrection Potion could heal Thranduil's face.
However, using the latter would be a shameful waste; if a portion of that Potion was consumed, it could only be used as a life Potion.
It would be better to use the moon drop to remove the after-effects of the Dragon-fire, combined with some other Potions, and arrange a long-term treatment.
"I advise you not to do that?" Thorin said, "Or rather, you should be prepared for him not to keep his promise."
"I know what I'm doing, because my trading partner isn't Thranduil." Aaron yawned, leaning boredly against the wall, "If I'm not mistaken, someone will be coming for me soon."
"Legolas?" Bilbo suddenly thought of something, "If it's him, it might work."
Thorin heard this and remained silent.
He had no trust in Thranduil, but he did have a little confidence in his son, though not much.
"However, even so, he might not release all of us."
"We will go find Gandalf." Bilbo promised, "Perhaps if he negotiates with the King of the Woodland Realm, he will release you."
"Dream on." Aaron pouted, "Thranduil might give Gandalfsome face, but as long as the stubborn Dwarf refuses to hand over the white gems, he will never get out."
Bilbo looked at Thorin through the cell door, then let out a long sigh, "Is there no other way to get him to release Thorin?"
"Of course there is."
"What?" Bilbo's mouth fell open in astonishment. He was about to say something when he saw Aaron make a shushing gesture and immediately closed his mouth.
Legolas slowly walked down the stairs and approached Aaron.
"Can you really heal my father's face?"
"Yes, I can, but to what extent depends on your sincerity." Aaron looked at the other cells, his meaning quite clear.
Although manipulating someone's filial piety was somewhat unethical, he had no choice in the current situation.
"No." Legolas gently shook his head, "I know what you're thinking, but you should also understand my difficulties.
Our King has a deep desire for the white gems, and I cannot release the Dwarves without permission."
Aaron rolled his eyes. Although he had guessed the outcome, he was still a little disappointed.
"Alright! Then give me back my staff."
"That's also not possible." Legolas chuckled, taking out two staves, one black and one white, from behind his back, "Do you think I'd be foolish enough to give you the power to escape?"
"Um... if possible, could I have my sword back?" Bilbointerjected.
"Do you think he'd return a weapon to a prisoner?" Aaronsaid with a wry smile, "Impossible."
"That, I can do." Legolas directly threw sting into the cell.
"Thank you." Bilbo drew the short sword, a heavy weight lifting from his heart.
This was his first and only weapon, having been with him for a long time, and held significant meaning.
Aaron was instantly dumbfounded. What did that mean? Was he trying to make him look bad?
As if sensing the resentment in Aaron's eyes, Legolasexplained, "He's very weak; giving him the sword doesn't matter."
Bilbo:...Although that's true, couldn't you have said it not in front of me? It hurts my pride too much.