Chapter 273 Fulfilling the King's Promise
Erebor, the King's Great Hall.
Aaron rolled his eyes, speechless, looking at Thorin sitting on the throne.
"Sometimes I really doubt if your mind is burnt out.
Thorin, have you lost your mind?
Why provoke a war, and one with almost no chance of winning?"
"That's none of your business, Gaius."
"No." Aaron said directly, "It is my business, and a very big one."
Thorin smiled playfully, his gaze lingering on Aaron and Bilbo for a few seconds, "I'm sorry to involve you, but I promise you won't be in danger."
"We're not scared." Bilbo couldn't help but interject, "If a war really happens, we will definitely stand with you; that's what friends should do, but we don't want to be forced into an unjust war because of your irrationality.
Thorin, you must recognize the current situation?
Outside the city, there is a well-equipped Elven army, and you just pushed countless angry fishermen over."
"The situation will change very soon." Thorin said with a meaningful smile, "Lord Baggins, never underestimate Dwarves.
We were able to reclaim Erebor, and we can certainly defend it."
"Yes." Aaron said sarcastically, "We can defend it, as long as we defeat enemies hundreds or thousands of times our number."
"Not that many." Balin said, "We have already notified the army of Iron Hills, and King Dáin will arrive with his troops soon."
"When were they notified?"
"The ravens of Erebor don't just caw."
"Oh!" Aaron suddenly understood, "Pigeon, no, raven post."
"Are you relieved now!" Thorin said triumphantly, "With the city of Erebor, plus Dáin's army, we may not be at a disadvantage."
"Now I'm even more worried." Aaron shook his head, looking at Thorin tentatively, "The scale of the war is constantly expanding, which means casualties will also increase significantly."
Thorin merely smiled contemptuously, "Dwarves fear no challenge."
Aaron:... "This time it's different; this is an unprecedented challenge.
We cannot make enemies, at least we must preserve our strength as much as possible."
"We only have fifteen people; there's nothing to preserve, it's better to fight with all our might."
"No, you misunderstood, I meant to preserve the strength of Men and Elves." Aaron said seriously, "This war must be stopped no matter what."
The smile on Thorin's face slowly faded, and the others also looked at Aaron in confusion.
"Gaius, why should we preserve the strength of our enemies?" Dwalin said unhappily.
"Because of a common enemy." Aaron patiently explained, "Smaug himself said this when Bilbo and I were looking for the arkenstone; the hidden enemy is very strong and covets the Lonely Mountain."
"It's true." Bilbo nodded, "It said this is a darkness that could engulf the world."
The Dwarves looked at each other, but Thorin laughed loudly.
"You two are just worrying needlessly; it's obvious the Dragon is fearmongering.
It's afraid of you finding the arkenstone, afraid of me becoming King, afraid of the Dwarf army."
Aaron rubbed his forehead and shook his head, his mindfull of speechlessness.
He knew Thorin was inflated with pride now, but he didn't expect him to be this inflated.
You are a King! Is it really appropriate to be so rash and presumptive?
"Alright! Since you think that way, I have nothing to say." Aaron smiled bitterly and helplessly, "But rebuilding Lake-town was your promise to them."
"I made it very clear at the city gate; there are no promises to them." Thorin said lightly, "I won't give these opportunistic fellows a single coin."
"But they have nothing left." Bilbo said with sympathy, "If we hadn't woken the Dragon, they wouldn't be homeless."
"This is the price of greed; they should have been prepared."
"But a promise is a promise after all." Aaron looked at Thorin seriously, "You are a descendant of Durin, the King of the Dwarf race; breaking your word will not only damage your reputation but also bring shame to your ancestors."
Thorin took a deep breath, looking at Aaron and Bilbo with complex emotions.
"If I absolutely refuse to help them, what will you think of me?"
"Bilbo will feel regret and disappointment, but he won't continue to persuade you.
As for me..." Aaron paused, took out the signed contract, "I will give my share to the refugees of Lake-town to help them rebuild their homes.
Thorin, you can choose not to give Bard a single gold coin, but this is what you promised me, and I have the right to decide how to use them."
"What if I don't give it?" Thorin's voice was hoarse, and a strange light flashed in his eyes.
"Then I will take it myself." Aaron said calmly, "But before that, I will first make you recognize yourself, for example, by destroying the arkenstone.
The Thorin Oakenshield I know wouldn't value gold so much, unless his mind was deluded by the Heart of the Mountain."
Hearing this, Thorin slowly walked up to Aaron, "You had this planned all along? Is that why you asked me earlier if I acknowledged this contract?"
"Consider it preparing for a rainy day!" Aaron spread his hands, "I thought about it when I was in Lake-town; if you, the King, didn't keep your promise, I would take out my share.
This way, Lake-town can be rebuilt, and the descendants of Durin won't be accused of breaking their word."
"But you won't get anything." Thorin casually grabbed a handful of gold coins; they slipped one by one from his palm, making a crisp sound, "Do you know what one-fifteenth means? Giving up this wealth, you might spend the rest of your life in regret, and this is just for a group of refugees you don't know at all."
"Hmm... Honestly, money is a good thing, and I quite like money." Aaron's face showed no embarrassment; he said very directly, "But some things money can't buy, for example... a King's promise."
"But you bought it." Thorin sighed, "You bought a King's promise with one-fifteenth of the treasure."
"Thorin, forgive my presumption." Bilbo asked with a light laugh, "Do you agree that we give a portion of the wealth to the people of Lake-town to rebuild their homes?"
"What? Lord Baggins, are you also going to offer your share?" Thorin asked playfully.
"No, no, no, not me." Bilbo hurriedly waved his hand, "One-fifteenth is enough to rebuild Lake-town; too much would be counterproductive, and as for my share, I don't need it."
"You don't need it?" Thorin looked at Bilbo in great surprise, "Are you sure?"
Bilbo nodded, "I'm just an ordinary Hobbit; what do I need so much money for?
But you are different; rebuilding a kingdom requires money in all aspects."
Hearing this, Thorin's lips curled slightly, and he looked at the two with appreciation, "I have to admit, Gandalf's discernment is truly impeccable; the two burglars he introduced actually don't want this huge wealth.
Gaius and Lord Baggins, you don't covet the Dwarves' wealth; you are true friends, worthy of Dwarf trust, and even more worthy of Dwarf respect."
The faces of the other Dwarves also showed some smiles; in their hearts, they wanted to help the people of Lake-town, but the King's command could not be defied.
If Thorin didn't want to give, they couldn't give, but they didn't expect someone could persuade him.
"I can let you fulfill my promise, but not now."
"Why?" Bilbo asked somewhat anxiously.
"Because the Elven army is stationed in Riverrun; I will absolutely not open the city gates until they are repelled."
Bilbo was immediately speechless; Thorin could allow them to help the Lake-town residents rebuild their homes, but he would absolutely not compromise with the Elves.
But if the city gates weren't opened, how could they send the money for rebuilding Lake-town?
Going to Riverrun and explaining to Bard, he might not even believe them, especially since Thorin had refused so bluntly before, almost directly starting a war.
"I'll handle it." Aaron volunteered, "I'll go to Riverrun and explain everything to Bard, and as for how to get the gold out of the city, that's not difficult for a Wizard like me."
"You can decide that yourself, but before you leave, I have to give you something." Thorin said, turning to look at everyone, "Follow me."
Armory.
There were all kinds of armor and weapons, but they were all covered in a thick layer of dust.
However, Dwarf forging craftsmanship was rare in the world; even after many years, the weapons and equipment here, once wiped clean, were still like new.
"Everyone pick suitable armor and weapons; defending Erebor is impossible without them."
The Dwarves didn't hesitate at all, choosing suitable equipment one after another.
"Lord Baggins." Thorin opened a box and took out a light silver vest, "You'll need this."
"My goodness." Aaron's eyes widened in shock; he touched it, "This is made of Mithril, impervious to blades."
"Very discerning." Thorin said with some pride, "This was crafted by my ancestors from silver alloy.
Wear it! It symbolizes your friendship with the Dwarves; the Dwarves will treat you as their most honored guest."
Bilbo was flattered; he took off his jacket and put on the vest.
"It fits well." Bilbo said with an awkward laugh, "But it's a bit strange, after all, I'm just a Hobbit, not a warrior."
"You'll get used to it." Aaron patted his shoulder, "Nothing is more suitable for you than something to save your life."
"Gaius, there's only one Mithril vest, but I thought of something even more suitable for you."
Hearing this, Aaron was somewhat delighted, thinking he was about to receive a divine weapon.
But soon his expression became particularly interesting, because Thorin placed a dark black key in his hand.
"This... this isn't appropriate, is it!"
Aaron's eye twitched slightly; he didn't expect Thorin to give him the key to the secret door.
If this key was said to be precious! It was indeed priceless, because it was a token passed down through Thorin's family for generations, and also the switch for Erebor's back door.
But if it was said not to be precious! It truly wasn't worth much money.
At least that's how Aaron saw it; he would eventually leave this world, and a key he would never use again held only sentimental value for him.
"How about... we switch?" Bilbo said, "I quite like this key."
"Let's not; we might face a war soon.
The Mithril vest isn't of much use on me, but if you didn't have it, your mortality rate would probably skyrocket."
Bilbo:... That's the plain truth, just a bit harsh.