Chapter 275 Negotiation Techniques and Sincerity
"What are you talking about?" Bard frowned, feeling as if fate had played a cruel joke on the people of Lake-town.
After barely escaping the Dragon's flames, though they had lost everything, they could at least get a large amount of wealth from Erebor and rebuild a happy and beautiful home without issue.
But now you're telling me that Orcs are swarming out, and a catastrophe is about to befall them? Isn't this just messing with people's minds?
"You still don't understand Wizards very well," Thranduilsaid indifferently. "They are like thunder in a cold winter, rolling in from a great distance, exploding with a boom, but you never see rain."
"Not this time," Gandalf huffed, his beard bristling. "The Orcarmy has already set out. They are seasoned in battle, natural killers. Our enemy has deployed their full strength."
"Why are they marching now?" Thranduil asked disdainfully.
"Because circumstances demand it, because Thorin Oakenshield and his people are moving to reclaim their lost homeland."
"Not only that," Aaron said in a deep voice. "When Bilbo and I were searching for the arkenstone, Smaug also said that as long as the Necromancer didn't touch Erebor's treasure, it wouldn't hinder them from entering the Lonely Mountain.
This is an unusual alliance; the Orcs don't have to worry about the Dragon harming them and can freely occupy Erebor."
"That's the only good news, at least the Lonely Mountain isn't in our enemy's hands right now," Gandalf said, letting out a slight sigh of relief, then continued, "Azog's master seeks to control the Lonely Mountain not just for its wealth, but for its location.
It is a strategic stronghold and a necessary path for the restoration of the old kingdom of Angmar in the North. If that evil nation rises again, Rivendell, Lothlórien, the Shire, and even Gondor will be destroyed."
"The Shire?" Bilbo's eyes widened in shock, and he asked uneasily, "Gandalf, are you saying the Shire? Are you sure you're not joking?"
"I'm afraid so, Bilbo," Gandalf shook his head. "If we cannot stop the Orcs from occupying the Lonely Mountain, your home in the Shire will not be spared. The peace-loving Hobbits will likely be slaughtered."
Bilbo:... "Those Orc armies you speak of, Mithrandir," Thranduil looked at Gandalf, "where are they?"
Hearing this, Gandalf's face turned green with anger, and his body trembled slightly.
He had said so much, and Thranduil still didn't believe him.
"Since when did my mediation become meaningless?" Gandalf gave a self-deprecating laugh. "What exactly do you doubt about me?"
"I suspect you want to save your Dwarf friends. I admire your loyalty to them, but that doesn't change my plans.
This matter was started by you, please don't mind if I end it."
"King Thranduil," Bilbo looked at him anxiously, speaking somewhat incoherently, "This is absolutely true, Smaug said it himself. Sauron's vanguard will depart soon, and the Lonely Mountain is their first stop.
The two of us came here specifically, besides fulfilling Thorin's promise, to stop this war.
Whether Elf, Dwarf, or Human, we now have a common enemy: the Orcs."
Thranduil was silent for a moment, poured himself a glass of wine, and calmly sat down.
"You're the Hobbit who stole the dungeon key right under my guards' noses, aren't you!"
"Yes," Bilbo admitted sheepishly.
"That's right," Thranduil said. "You gave up your chance to escape alone and rescued this young Wizard and a group of Dwarves.
Your loyalty to Thorin is no less than Mithrandir's. Perhaps you also wanted to save your Dwarf friends, which is why you conspired with Mithrandir to weave this lie."
"That..."
Just as Aaron was about to speak, Thranduil's gaze fell upon him. "I don't trust you either, just as I don't trust the other two."
"...King Thranduil," Aaron took a deep breath. "Please allow me to say this: it's better to believe some things than not to.
You may not trust us, but what if?"
"I don't believe in 'what if,'" Thranduil sneered, then walked out of the tent. "Are the archers ready?"
"Yes, Your Highness," an Elf said.
"Deliver my order: if there is any activity on that mountain, kill them all."
"Wait," Aaron said helplessly. "You want the white gem, right?"
"What do you want to say?" Thranduil asked with interest.
"I can help you persuade Thorin, but I need some time," Aaron said in a deep voice.
"Why should I trust you?"
"Because I came here alone to negotiate with you, and because I gave one-fifteenth of my share to the people of Lake-town."
"Not enough," Thranduil shook his head lightly. "That's a deal between you and men, but it has nothing to do with Elves."
"Sometimes I really don't understand why I bother worrying about you all. This world could be in chaos, and it shouldn't concern me at all," Aaron said with a bitter smile, shaking his head, then used Apparition.
When he reappeared, he was already behind Thranduil, but Thranduil's reaction was also quick; he didn't turn around, but the long sword in his hand was already pressed against Aaron's abdomen.
"Very impressive magic, I've never seen it before," Thranduilpraised, and only then did he truly look at this young Wizard.
"Thank you for the compliment. This is called Apparition, a type of teleportation magic," Aaron said indifferently. "I only managed to learn it last year."
Gandalf's face twitched slightly, and his gaze towards Aaronwas full of envy and longing.
He craved this magic greatly; if he could teleport, he wouldn't need to ride a horse every time he traveled far.
"What is this? A show of force or a threat?"
"Neither," Aaron slowly retreated to his original position. "I never thought my meager magic could threaten an Elf King. I'm merely demonstrating my abilities to you."
"Cough, cough!" Gandalf coughed. "Gaius, this... Apparition, who taught you?"
"It's passed down from his ancestors," Bilbo said, speechless.
Aaron raised an eyebrow, then gave a thumbs-up. "You know me, Hobbit."
"Come on, really?
Every time you don't want to answer a question, you drag your ancestors out to take the blame. Is that interesting?"
"Yes, it is," Aaron said directly.
Gandalf wisely shut his mouth; he could naturally tell that Aaron didn't want to discuss his magic.
"Your Majesty," Aaron said with a smile, "If you insist on marching, I cannot stop you, but I will take all the white gems within Erebor... and run away."
Hearing this, Thranduil's mouth twitched violently, and everyone else stared at Aaron in astonishment.
Good heavens, it wasn't a threat, but it was more effective than one.
Thranduil's elaborate efforts were to reclaim the national treasure of the Woodland Elves. If there were no white gems in the Lonely Mountain, then even if he captured the city, it would be meaningless.
"A good idea," Thranduil suppressed his anger and said calmly, "If that's the case, I truly have no choice, but you cannot take your Dwarf friends, much less a Dwarf kingdom.
I am very patient; I can conquer Erebor and wait for you to return and negotiate."
"But that wouldn't benefit either of us, would it?" Aaronspread his hands. "That's why I want to solve the problem in a gentle way.
King Thranduil, you are more rational than I am; you should understand what the correct decision is."
Thranduil frowned slightly, looking deeply at Aaron. "How much time do you need?"
Aaron didn't answer immediately but looked at Gandalf. "How long until the Orc army arrives?"
Gandalf blinked, immediately understanding Aaron's plan.
Thranduil might not believe it now, but he would have to believe the facts. As long as the Elves and Dwarves didn't fight before the Orcs arrived, everything would be fine.
"Hmm... when I was rescued, Azog's Orc army had already departed from Dol Guldur, but it certainly won't just be Azog. Since Sauron has decided to attack, it won't be a minor skirmish. He will gather all the forces he can, and we..."
Aaron impatiently interrupted him, "Don't tell me all that irrelevant stuff; I don't understand it.
Just tell me, at the latest, when will the enemy arrive?"
"Two days."
"Good," Aaron held up three fingers to Thranduil. "I need three days."
"You..."
"Let me finish," Aaron said awkwardly. "Within three days, the white gem will be presented to you, I guarantee it in Gaius's name."
"Hmph!" Thranduil snorted. "I hope you keep your word."
"Of course," Aaron nodded, then added, "There's something I need to tell you in advance: the army from the Iron Hillswill arrive at Erebor very soon."
"What?" Gandalf exclaimed in shock. "Dáin's Ironfoot Armywill come too?"
Thranduil also found it hard to remain calm. He had complete confidence in his Elf troops, but he didn't want to cause unnecessary casualties; Dwarf lives were not as valuable as Elf lives.
"This is good news, actually," Aaron said helplessly. "If the Orcs really attack, we will have a powerful ally."
"What good news is this?"
Thranduil still didn't believe there would be an Orc attack on the Lonely Mountain. If it weren't for his concern that Aaron might actually throw caution to the wind and run off with their national treasure, he would have attacked immediately.
"Your Majesty, I didn't have to tell you this news, but I chose to anyway.
Firstly, it's to show my sincerity; I've told you Thorin's trump card.
I only ask for three days. I hope you don't betray my trust.
Secondly, it's to prepare you mentally, so you don't inadvertently end up fighting the Dwarf army."
Thranduil's lips curved into a smile, and he looked at Aaronwith interest. "I always thought Thorin was the soul of your company, but now it seems your significance is no less than his.
Aaron Gaius, is it? Young in age, but with great skill and courage.
I admire you greatly. In truth, you have no need to worry about the Dwarves at all. You could choose to ally with the Elves; the Woodland Elves would never mistreat their allies."