"Our meeting is no coincidence, is it, Gandalf?"
"Of course, it's not by chance."
Gandalf said slowly, his weathered voice carrying the weight of ancient concerns that had haunted him for decades. "The matter of the Lonely Mountain has always worried me, Thorin."
"The dragon has occupied that place for too long... sooner or later it will attract some more evil attention."
The Lonely Mountain was a very important line of defense against the darkness that stirred in the East like a malevolent storm gathering strength.
If that place were breached and occupied by evil forces, they could advance north through the Lonely Mountain all the way to Angmar like a dagger thrust into the heart of the free lands.
By then, the Witch-realm of Angmar might even have a chance of being rebuilt from its cursed ruins, rising like a phoenix of shadow and malice.
Evil's minions would use this route to bypass the southern defenses and reach directly into the peaceful lands west of the Misty Mountains.
When that time came, even places like Lindon and the Shire, which had always been far from the center of war, would face enormous threats, while places like Gondor and Rohan would be attacked from both front and rear.
When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold... no one could remain unaffected.
"I encountered some blind fools on the Greenway who mistook me for a vagrant."
"I imagine their fate wasn't very dignified."
Thorin knew something of wizards' capabilities and the swift justice they could dispense when provoked.
Gandalf nodded grimly and pulled out a sturdy piece of parchment, yellowed with age and stained with dried blood that spoke of violence.
"I found this on them... a bounty."
"A bounty for what?"
"Your head... someone wants you dead."
"We can't wait any longer, Thorin. You are the heir to the King under the Mountain. As long as you unite the various dwarven legions, you'll have the power to reclaim Erebor."
"Convene the Council of Seven Dwarf Clans and make them fulfill their oaths."
Thorin was silent for a moment, his weathered hands clenching into fists as old pain flickered across his features. In theory, if he could gather a dwarven army, it would indeed be possible to retake the Lonely Mountain, but...
"The Seven Armies of the Dwarves swore allegiance to the bearer of the King's Jewel."
The so-called King's Jewel was the Arkenstone... that beautiful diamond, the treasure crowned with the name Heart of the Mountain, was currently being guarded by the dragon in his vast hoard.
"Only by possessing the Arkenstone can I summon them, but have you forgotten that the Arkenstone was taken by Smaug long ago?"
Gandalf stared intently at the two ruffians nearby with piercing eyes that seemed to burn with inner fire until he drove them out of the room like shadows fleeing from light, then said:
"What if I help you get it back?"
"How? It's under a dragon's feet."
"Yes."
"That's exactly why we need a burglar."
Deep down, Gandalf had a premonition that this mission would require a hobbit... this was important.
They were small in stature, light and silent on their feet, and easily blended with their surroundings. They were natural hiders, very suitable for the role of 'burglar.'
Having silently determined the burglar candidate in his heart, the wizard lit his pipe with deliberate slowness, the flame dancing in his eyes as he thought for a moment, then continued: "And a valiant warrior... he might be willing to join us."
That fellow would be interested in this... Gandalf's intuition told him so.
The outline of the plan was thus determined, like pieces falling into place on a vast game board.
Thorin, who had just returned from a journey to the wild lands of Mirkwood with mud still on his boots, and Gandalf, who had just finished a long journey, continued traveling together without pause, heading to the Blue Mountains to discuss specific plans and gather expedition members.
In April, when everything had been deliberated with the precision of military strategy, Gandalf set out first.
"I must first seek out a friend. After that, we'll gather in the Shire."
"I'll leave a mark on the door."
Gandalf departed with his staff clicking against the cobblestones, and immediately after, Thorin and twelve dwarves who had answered the call, fully armed and bearing the weight of their people's hopes, set out on the same path as Gandalf.
Third Age 2941, April, near Roadside Fort.
Gandalf stood on high ground, leaning on his staff, gazing at that massive yet somewhat quiet territory with eyes that had seen the rise and fall of kingdoms, frowning in bewilderment.
As he looked, he couldn't help but light his pipe with practiced movements, the smoke curling upward like his confused thoughts.
"Where have I come to? Is this still Roadside Fort?"
This "roadside" didn't look much like a roadside anymore.
Even without entering the territory, the greenery extending from the walls and some corner scenery had already stimulated Gandalf's visual senses with their unexpected beauty that rivaled the gardens of Rivendell.
As he watched with growing amazement, suddenly Gandalf noticed someone on the wall waving at him with enthusiastic gestures.
Gandalf also raised his staff and waved it twice in response, the gesture carrying warmth across the distance.
On the wall.
Levi walked to the gate with purposeful strides, pulled the lever to open the iron door with a satisfying clank, and waited quietly for the wizard's arrival.
"Haha, how have you been lately, Levi?"
From far away, just at the distance where his voice could be heard, Gandalf began greeting him with booming cheerfulness that echoed off the stone walls.
"Not bad, well, probably. I haven't felt time pass this quickly in a long time."
At this moment, Levi was only wearing netherite boots enchanted with Feather Falling IV on his feet. No other parts were armored... just ordinary clothes that made him look deceptively peaceful.
He looked like a leisurely town resident.
Actually quite leisurely, well... except his liver was somewhat phantom-aching from all the construction work.
"Oh, oh, my goodness, simply incredible."
Approaching the gate, Gandalf was immediately attracted by the scenery inside, couldn't help but lean sideways, looking past Levi toward the back with wonder-filled eyes that sparkled like a child seeing magic for the first time.
"Is this still the great wilderness of Eriador? I almost thought I'd come to Rivendell."
"Thank you. I did do some minor renovations to the territory during this time."
"Minor?"
Gandalf raised an eyebrow with amused disbelief, his voice rising an octave. "You really know how to choose words."
When a friend came, he certainly couldn't be left standing at the gate like a common visitor. Soon, Levi welcomed Gandalf into the castle with the warmth of genuine hospitality, and after a brief rest in comfortable chairs, personally cooked several dishes with the skill of a master chef.
The two ate while discussing at the dining table, the atmosphere warm and convivial despite the serious undertones of their conversation.
"Seriously, if I didn't know you, I would definitely take this place for a newly built elven homeland."
"I did borrow some elements from Rivendell's style."
"So this is what you've been busy with these past few months?"
Levi nodded, a hint of pride flickering in his eyes.
At this moment, through his continuous construction and planning, this territory truly looked like a vast, well-managed city rather than scattered patches with empty land everywhere except for a few specific places.
Gandalf looked at the complex scenery outside the window and commented with genuine appreciation:
"Everything here is good; the only pity is that it's too quiet... not a single person besides yourself."
"Also, I suggest you polish the edges and corners of some buildings. Although they look fine now, they're too square. If someone accidentally bumps into them, it would definitely hurt."
"Speaking of which, what's that large pool over there? I hope you don't mind my directness, but that thing appearing in this scenery seems quite out of place."
"Very useful suggestions. And that's an ice harvesting site... I use it to collect ice blocks in winter. Spring came so suddenly that I haven't had time to dismantle it yet."
"Ice harvesting?"
Is this how ice is collected?
Gandalf felt somewhat puzzled, but thinking it was Levi, he felt relieved. After all, this young man had a talent for making the impossible seem routine.
This meal was eaten at a leisurely pace, with the two chatting intermittently like old friends catching up after a long separation. Gandalf spoke of his experiences north of the Shire, the blind bandits on the Greenway, and the situation of scattered Rangers there.
"Rangers."
Levi murmured and asked with genuine concern, "Do you know a Ranger named Faradon? I haven't seen him since we last parted."
"I don't know him."
Gandalf shook his head with regret. He had wide social connections, but not wide enough to know everyone in Middle-earth.
"But I can inquire for you. If there's relevant information, I'll tell you."
"Oh, that's not necessary. I only asked because you mentioned Rangers. With his skills, he shouldn't encounter any accidents."
"Let's hope so."
Ending this topic with a moment of comfortable silence, Gandalf ate the last piece of meat on his plate, put down his utensils with deliberate finality, and said with the gravity of someone about to change the course of fate:
"Actually, I came this time to ask if you're interested in participating in an expedition."
"Expedition?" Levi suddenly remembered something, his eyes sharpening with recognition.
Right, yes, it was about this time. The Quest for Erebor.
"I knew wizards don't visit without purpose. Could you tell me in detail about this expedition you mentioned?"
[Chapter Complete]
***
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