Chapter 288: Azog's body was whipped, and the war ended
"I told you long ago, there's no need to be honorable with Orcs," Aaron said to Thorin, a meaningful glint in his eye. "I think you understand now."
Thorin nodded helplessly. Then, with the support of Filiand Kili, he lifted his right foot, which had been pierced by a sharp blade. "This is a lesson. You saved me again."
"I've saved you countless times on this journey, so one more time won't make a difference."
"Where's Legolas? How is he?"
"You don't need to worry about him." Aaron pointed to a stone tower in the distance, suspended in mid-air but constantly collapsing, and couldn't help but exclaim, "I'm ashamed of myself!
When it comes to fighting, I've never seen anything so elegant."
Legolas, using the elves' unique agility, stepped lightly on the continuously falling stones, making his way to Borg. Then, with a spinning scissor kick, he took Borg down.
Both nearly fell off the cliff, but as they were falling, they simultaneously grabbed the rock face and pulled themselves back up.
Engaging again, Legolas stabbed at Borg, but Borg grabbed his right hand.
He slowly raised his head, giving Legolas a provocative smile. Legolas returned the smile, then, using a nearby stone, pushed off with both feet and stepped onto Borg's shoulder.
With a flourish of the short dagger in his hand, Legolasaimed for Borg's head and stabbed down hard.
Pfft!
Borg's eyes rolled back, and he completely lost consciousness.
The moment he fell, the stone tower also collapsed under its own weight. Legolas did a backflip to the shore, while Borgwas buried by rubble at the bottom of the cliff.
"It's finally over," Gandalf let out a heavy sigh of relief. With Azog and Borg gone, the Orcs, leaderless, were sure to be defeated.
And without Erebor, the Kingdom of Angmar would find it even harder to rise again. Sauron, too, would be like a clever housewife without rice to cook; Middle-earth would remain peaceful for a long time.
"Not quite," Aaron said meaningfully. "I think we should make good use of waste, for example, by throwing Azog's body to Dáin."
Everyone:...Holy crap! Our perspective was too small.
"Isn't that a bit inappropriate?" Bilbo chuckled dryly. "Even if he was evil in life, he's dead now, and look at his eyes; he clearly died with grievances."
"Bilbo, you're still too soft-hearted," Aaron shrugged. "The education I received from a young age taught me that enemies are not worthy of sympathy, let alone pity. Against enemies, anything goes."
"What kind of education did you receive?" Bilbo asked, astonished, extremely curious about what kind of family could raise a descendant into such... an elite.
"Uh... that's not important.
Thorin, you make the decision. Do you want to use Azog's body?"
Thorin was silent for a moment, then hesitated and nodded.
Although he had avenged his grandfather and father, Azog's death was too easy, especially since he had just ambushed them without honor. Using his body to ease the pressure on the dwarves could be considered atonement.
"Beautiful!" Aaron snapped his fingers and waved his wand at Azog's body, "Wingardium Leviosa."
As the spell was cast, Azog's body flew down Ravenhill, but instead of landing in front of Dáin, it stopped in the air above the battlefield, where it was disemboweled by a giant eagle.
Upon seeing Azog's body, all the Orcs completely lost their will to fight.
After the giant eagle arrived, they had lost hope for this war, even contemplating retreat, but Azog had not given the order, so they could only fight to the death.
But now their supreme commander was gone, so they could run without any psychological burden.
Dáin immediately seized the opportunity and loudly announced Azog's death, stating that he had been killed by the King.
The dwarven army immediately became energized, each one as if possessed by a war god. Forget Orcs, they would dare to challenge giant beasts if they stood before them.
From Ravenhill, everyone looked down as the dwarves, led by Dáin, chased and slaughtered the Orcs as if cutting vegetables.
"Facts prove I was right." Aaron's expression was a little unnatural. He knew Azog's body would have an effect, but he hadn't expected it to have such a huge effect.
According to his plan, driving the Orcs back into those huge caves would have been a great victory, but Dáin actually sent people to block the cave entrances. How many catties of Erguotou did he drink to be so fierce?
At the same time, the combined forces of elves and humans in Riverrun also charged out. Thranduil and Bard led the charge, adding two weights to the scales of victory.
Everyone descended Ravenhill; the Orcs had been completely annihilated.
Thorin gave Dáin a big hug, then looked at the leaders of the elves and humans, solemnly expressing his gratitude.
Although this war was victorious, too many lives were lost; it was peace bought with countless blood.
The victory celebration was scheduled for tomorrow. Before the end of today, they would first collect the bodies of their respective kin and pray for the fallen warriors.
Thranduil followed Thorin into the King's Great Hall and successfully retrieved the elves' national treasure, the White Gem.
"I don't like elves, but this is what the dwarves owe you.
Also, I apologize to you on behalf of my grandfather." Thorin said solemnly, "Although it might be inappropriate to say this, he might not have been in his right mind at the time. I hope you can forgive him."
"We elves have made too many sacrifices for this cursed place," Thranduil said expressionlessly. "I hope you don't follow in your grandfather's footsteps."
"I won't." Thorin shook his head. In front of his kin, elves, and humans, he took the arkenstone from the throne, then looked at Aaron. "Gaius, as the King of the Dwarves, I bestow this gem upon you."
"For me?" Aaron was a little overwhelmed. The arkenstonewas the symbol of the king, equivalent to the dwarves' imperial seal. Was it really appropriate to give it to a human like him?
"Take it!" Thorin placed the gem in Aaron's hand. "This gem has the power to tempt hearts. I wouldn't dare pass it on to the next king.
Among the people I know, no one is more suitable than you."
"If you put it that way, I'll shamelessly accept it," Aarongrinned. "But you need to be prepared; I'll probably melt it down and forge it into a weapon."
"That would be even better. Do you need the dwarves' help?
The dwarves' forging skills are definitely number one in Middle-earth."
Aaron waved his hand, indicating refusal.
The dwarves' forging skills were indeed good, but the weapons they forged would probably be similar to orcrist.
And there was only one Heart of the Mountain, so it would be better to give it to Ancestor Algol after returning home; he was a professional... As night fell, Aaron received the two thousand magic points quest reward as he wished.
Just as he was about to open his personal panel, a warm sensation came from his left arm.
He pulled up his sleeve, and the Gaius Family crest mark was faintly visible—this was the sign that he could go home.
Seeing the familiar World Tree symbol, Aaron couldn't help but sniffle, then burst out laughing, but as he laughed, tears flowed uncontrollably.
An endless wave of grievances instantly surged in his heart. Heaven knew how he had endured the past half year, never eating enough, never dressing warmly enough, and every day was spent either on the road or on the way to being on the road.
That much was fine; signing the contract meant he should endure this hardship.
But later it became excessive: imprisonment, continuous pursuit, the Dragon War, and finally, joining a grand battle.
This journey to another world wasn't too dangerous for him, but the thrill factor was maxed out.
To call it 'hell mode' would be an exaggeration, but it was certainly 'hard mode'.
He had thought going home was still a long way off, but the surprise came so suddenly.
"Home, right now... No, there's one more thing to take care of."
Aaron suppressed his excitement and lay on the bed, ready for a good night's sleep.
He was definitely more tired than anyone today, having killed at least four-digit Orcs, but the consumption of magicand stamina was unprecedented. Without good rest, his body wouldn't hold up... The next morning.
Aaron woke from sleep, simply washed his face, and left the room.
But to his surprise, Bilbo also came out of his room, his luggage packed.
The two exchanged a smile, neither speaking, but walking towards the city gate in silent understanding.
"Are you going home?"
"Sort of! I also informed Gandalf." Bilbo smiled easily. "Thorin has inherited the throne, Bard has taken enough wealth to rebuild Riverrun, Thranduil has recovered the national treasure, and the threat of the Orcs no longer exists.
It seems everyone got what they wanted. It's time for my journey to come to an end."
"Is that so? I was just thinking the same thing."
As the two reached the city gate, all thirteen dwarves, including Thorin, were standing there.
Gandalf walked up to them, smiling. "Forgive me for informing them."
"Even if you're leaving, you should at least say goodbye to us!" Thorin said, somewhat displeased.
"I don't really like farewells," Aaron pursed his lips, took out his wand, and gently waved it. A silver-white raven flew out. "But after I leave, my Patronus will tell you."
Bilbo walked up to everyone, pondered for a moment, "If any of you happen to pass by Bag End, well... afternoon tea starts at four, with plenty of refreshments, and you're always welcome. No need to knock!"
The dwarves all smiled knowingly and bowed to Bilbo Baggins, just like their first 'at your service' at Bag End.
Under the gaze of the thirteen dwarves, Aaron, Bilbo, and Gandalf each mounted a pony and slowly made their way towards the Shire.
However, just as they left the vicinity of Erebor, a white horse blocked the three's path.
"Prince Legolas," Gandalf asked, somewhat surprised. "Did King Thranduil send you?"
"No, this has nothing to do with my father. I'm looking for him." Legolas looked at Aaron meaningfully. "I'm sure you remember what you promised me."