However, after Legolas spent some time in the Golden Tree territory, he revealed that he came there because of his father Thranduil's suggestion.
That day in Dale, Thranduil had briefly conversed with Legolas.
Though Legolas was still somewhat dissatisfied with Thranduil, his father's act of bringing the Woodland Realm to provide support made him realize that his father essentially still loved him.
It's just that Legolas needed some time to adjust his attitude toward Thranduil.
Therefore, Thranduil, seeing what was in Legolas's heart, pointed him toward a path, to visit Tarnes's Golden Tree territory.
Of course, Tarnes didn't currently know this was another reason for Legolas wanting to visit the Golden Tree territory. He simply thought the Elf was purely interested in his realm.
Moreover, Tarnes's attention was drawn to what Radahn and Bard wanted to discuss.
After hearing what Bard said, Tarnes asked in surprise, "Are you serious, Bard? You want me to station an army in Lake-town?"
Bard nodded seriously. "This is the result of my careful consideration, and I've also asked others for their opinions. They all agree to having Golden Tree territory forces stationed here."
Then he sighed helplessly. "I have an inexplicable premonition, Tarnes. With the Dwarves reclaiming the Lonely Mountain, Dale will naturally gradually regain its former prosperity. But current Dale is too weak. In the eyes of other human kingdoms, we who are closest to the Mountain yet have no power are simply fat sheep ready for slaughter."
Bard shrugged. "I'm not saying those human kingdoms that learn of the Mountain's recovery will necessarily try to absorb Dale, but as a mayor trusted by the townspeople, I must prepare for the worst. Rather than cooperating with a kingdom I don't know or am unfamiliar with, I'd prefer to choose someone familiar. You and your Golden Tree territory."
Then he raised his head, glanced at Radahn, who was like a small giant, and joked, "Though from what I know, your Golden Tree territory is also in an early development stage. After the Battle of the Lonely Mountain, General Radahn's feat of slaying a dragon single-handedly will spread throughout Middle-earth. Whether Elves, humans, or Dwarves, anyone wanting to harbor ill intentions toward your territory will have to think twice."
Tarnes also glanced at Radahn, whose shoulders and waist were wrapped in bandages, then said to Bard, "Then I have no objections, but regarding which legion to station, Radahn and I need to discuss it with others in our territory after returning."
Does the Golden Tree have other legions besides the Storm Legion and Redmane Legion?
Bard mentally noted this intelligence while readily agreeing on the surface. "Of course no problem. I'll also wait until both sides are ready for formal negotiations before transferring the specific details of military stationing to you."
Then he deliberately winked. "After all, you're a wizard with ways to travel quickly, aren't you?"
It seems Bard had also guessed how the Storm Legion and Redmane Legion suddenly appeared in Lake-town.
Tarnes smiled and nodded, mentally noting this matter, planning to have Kenneth Haight handle it when he returned.
After Bard left, Tarnes looked at Radahn. "Bard's change in attitude—is that why you challenged Smaug?"
Radahn calmly nodded. "That's only one reason."
Tarnes asked curiously, "What other reasons?"
Radahn admitted, "I genuinely wanted to challenge this world's dragon. From the combat experience, Smaug was indeed an opponent worth remembering."
But Tarnes complained with slight dissatisfaction, "Hearing you say that makes me want to fight Smaug even more."
Radahn shook his head slightly. "Even if you could easily defeat Smaug, I would do my best to dissuade you from fighting it. I believe both [Recusant] Bernahl and that female swordsman who reminds me of a valkyrie would agree with my approach."
Tarnes was clearly stunned and pressed, "Why?"
Radahn replied, "Because you're the only one who can summon people and things from the Lands Between to this world. In other words, you are our only hope and miracle for making up for regrets."
After hearing this, Tarnes remained silent for a long time.
After a while, he pointed to Radahn's bandages stained with some blood. "Speaking of which, your injuries aren't serious enough to require bandages, right? If there isn't enough blessed water in the Crimson Tear flasks to heal your wounds, I can help you recover with incantations."
But Radahn smiled faintly and slightly unwrapped the bandages on his arm, revealing perfectly intact skin underneath.
Tarnes asked in surprise, "You're not injured? Then why wrap yourself in bandages?"
Radahn looked toward where Bard had departed. "To not make these people afraid. I believe this world's nations can certainly accept the story of a hero successfully challenging a dragon but suffering serious injuries, but absolutely cannot accept someone who defeats a dragon without paying any price. Then they would change from admiring and being wary of this hero to fearing him. When people are afraid, they lose normal rationality and judgment, and that's not the result I want to see."
"My victory over Smaug lets the world know the Golden Tree has such a sharp sword as me. My pretending to be seriously injured lets the world know this sword can also be worn down and needs maintenance. Otherwise, if the edge is too sharp, it can in some sense be interpreted as making enemies everywhere."
Tarnes nodded thoughtfully, then sighed and said with a headache, "I roughly understand what you're saying, but when I really think about it... I always feel there are too many things to consider, too troublesome."
Radahn said flatly, "I also wish everyone in the world were as pure as you. That would be much better. But unfortunately, reality isn't like that. To achieve our goals, these are things that must be carefully considered. However, in this regard, I only understand a little. If you truly want to learn how to be a qualified Elden Lord, besides possessing the powerful strength that makes us submit, I strongly recommend you could learn from my brother, [Praetor] Rykard."
Tarnes frowned slightly. "Rykard? You should know the Rykard I know is a demigod called [Blasphemous Lord], not some [Praetor]."
Radahn nodded. "I also know the crimes my brother committed, but just like how I fell into madness due to the Scarlet Rot's influence, Rykard might also have taken the wrong path due to that great serpent's seduction. Of course, I don't mean to excuse him. Whatever punishment Rykard receives, I agree with. I just want to express that perhaps Rykard, like me, could have the seduction and influence he suffered removed by you."
Tarnes understood that Radahn's implication was recommending that the next demigod Tarnes summon should be Rykard.
Therefore he said, "Regarding Rykard's matter, I'll consider it myself."
Radahn silently nodded and said no more, knowing that saying more would cause Tarnes's resentment.
Dale's affairs were only what Bard mentioned, so after preliminary characterization, Radahn was left to stay temporarily in Dale with Freyja, Ogha, and Jerren.
After all, in the eyes of Thorin at the Mountain and Bard at Dale, Radahn was still in a "seriously injured" state, and staying in Dale was convenient for him to perform a show of "recuperating."
As for why not stay in Lake-town, it was because the previous Nazgûl attack had damaged most of Lake-town's wooden houses, and now Lake-town probably had fewer intact houses than Dale.
Bernahl, Igon, and Millicent, along with the Storm Legion, prepared to return to the Golden Tree territory with Tarnes.
Also returning with Tarnes through the teleportation gate were Bilbo and Legolas.
After delivering the necklace to Thranduil and returning, Gandalf hugged Tarnes and Bilbo goodbye before hurrying off to the Kingdom of Gondor.
Thorin also came as promised, bringing the Lonely Mountain expedition Dwarves to Dale to bid farewell to Tarnes and Bilbo.
Looking at these Dwarves with whom he had shared only thirteen months but felt longer than a lifetime, Bilbo's mind flashed through all the memories of their journey to the Mountain together, and his eyes became moist at the parting.
After composing his emotions, Bilbo smiled and said to Thorin, Fili, Kili, and the other Dwarves, "If any of you later return to the Blue Mountains and happen to pass through Hobbiton... afternoon tea is at four o'clock, with plenty of tea and cakes. You're always welcome to visit."
Then he paused, winked at the Dwarves, and added, "Of course, I still hope you'll send word in advance so I can stock my pantry with foods you love."
Thorin nodded silently and said to Bilbo, "We also welcome you to the Lonely Mountain anytime, Bilbo Baggins. It will be your second home."
Tarnes then interjected into their conversation, joking, "Alright, it's not like this is a final farewell. No need to be so sentimental. As for visiting, let me solve that problem. After all, I am a wizard."
Tarnes planned to set up waygate teleportation between the Golden Tree territory and the Lonely Mountain for more convenient communication with Thorin and the others.
However, the placement of the waygate also had to consider the Dwarves' military defense concerns around the Mountain's perimeter, so where to place it was something that needed good discussion with Thorin.
"Is this what going through a teleportation gate feels like? I didn't notice anything special. I blinked and the surroundings changed... Oh, is this glowing tree that seems to reach the heavens the Golden Tree you've always talked about, Tarnes?"
After passing through the teleportation gate, Bilbo looked around at everything with curious eyes, constantly scanning back and forth while chattering with excited questions.
Not long after the Storm Legion returned, Nepheli Loux, sensing the commotion, came here.
Tarnes first calmed Bilbo down and handled the Storm Legion's return before having a chance to catch his breath and show Bilbo and the consistently polite and quiet Legolas around Stormveil Castle.
After the initial excitement wore off, Bilbo gradually quieted down to observe everything in Stormveil Castle, while Legolas, who hadn't spoken much along the way, showed shocked eyes upon seeing the Elves from Rivendell.
Looking at those Rivendell Elves who had grown accustomed to life in the Golden Tree territory, he asked Tarnes, "There are actually Elven compatriots living in your territory?"
Tarnes looked at those Elves who smiled and nodded in greeting, returning their smiles while saying to Legolas, "You can't really say they're living here. They're helpers Elrond sent to assist me in rebuilding my homeland. It's just that after helping, they became curious about the Golden Tree, and since Elrond didn't rush them back, plus my territory has many livable places, they stayed."
Then he shrugged. "As for how long they'll stay, that depends on these Elves' moods."
With Tarnes's explanation, Legolas understood.
At this time, Bilbo asked, "Speaking of which, are Mr. Rogier and Mr. D currently in the territory? I haven't seen them for a long time, especially since Mr. Rogier told me many adventure stories. I'd like to visit him and share the stories of my experiences these past months."
Tarnes replied, "As for Rogier, he often leaves the Golden Tree territory to travel to places he hasn't been. I can't really track his whereabouts. How about I take you to his resting place now? Legolas, would you like to come along?"
Legolas said, "I'm more curious about those Rivendell Elves' lives here. Please allow me to part from you two temporarily. I'd like to visit them on my own."
Tarnes nodded. "Good, then we'll meet at the lord's hall for dinner."
Not long after parting with Legolas, Tarnes brought Bilbo to Rogier's residence in the city.
Unfortunately, after Tarnes knocked several times, there was no response from within.
Tarnes said regretfully to Bilbo, "Looks like Rogier isn't here."
At this time, someone from a nearby house poked their head out due to Tarnes's knocking and, recognizing Tarnes, immediately bowed with surprise and respect. "Lord Tarnes, are you looking for Rogier?"
Tarnes nodded and asked this neighbor of Rogier's, "Do you know where Rogier went?"
The neighbor answered respectfully, "Mr. Rogier left with Mr. D'arrian about a week ago, but I don't know exactly where they went. I'm very sorry, Lord Tarnes."