At Beorn's invitation, everyone stayed here for an extra day.
During this time, Luke also began to busy himself with Gandalf's Wizard Wand.
The vine wood for the wand body had already been carved, and the only missing wand core had now been found, in addition to other glues and lacquers that were already prepared.
So, under Gandalf's expectant gaze, Luke carefully processed the Eagle King's tail feather, then used tweezers to carefully and evenly insert it into the hollow hole of the vine wood, and then poured resin into the hole, allowing the wand core and wand body to completely merge into one.
Finally, after polishing and inscribing ancient magic runes on the tail end, a complete wand was fully formed.
At midnight, when the moon reached its zenith, Luke waved the wand, chanting complex and lengthy mystic spells, and moonlight, like silver mist, converged and entered the wand from its tip, completely awakening it.
Feeling as if the wand in his hand had come alive, Luke's face showed a satisfied smile.
He handed the wand to the already impatient Gandalf.
"Twelve inches long, with a vine wood wand body, suitable for wizards with noble pursuits, hidden depths, and foresight beyond ordinary people; and the Eagle King's tail feather as the wand core makes the wizard wand extremely fast in casting spells, very suitable for various offensive or powerful magic, and shows high loyalty to its owner."
"Gandalf, give it a try," Luke urged.
This was his first time making a wizard wand for someone else, and he was very much looking forward to it.
Gandalf took the wand, held it in his hand, his face also full of anticipation.
With a gentle wave, he cast his most proficient Light Spell.
In an instant, a dazzling light shone from the tip of the wand, illuminating Gandalf's smiling face.
"What a wonderful feeling! It's as if my arm has been extended, and casting magic is much simpler and easier!"
Seeing this, a joyful sense of satisfaction welled up in Luke's heart.
He now somewhat understood Ollivander's feelings; seeing a wand he made find its suitable owner always brings a kind of psychological satisfaction of being recognized.
"This wand was made a bit hastily. You can use it for now, and when I have the chance later, I'll make you an even better one."
Luke was not particularly satisfied with the finished wand and promised Gandalf.
From his perspective as a wand maker, while the Eagle King's tail feather could be used, it wasn't the most suitable for Gandalf, and even the vine wood wand body was only sourced from an ordinary Huorn branch, so this wand could only be considered passable.
Luke thought that if he found better magic wood in the future, such as the Holy White Tree, a descendant of the Two Trees, or the Mallorn tree, he could try to make another wand for Gandalf.
As for the wand core, if he were strong enough, he could even consider the Balrog under the Mines of Moria.
After all, they are both fire-attributed, and they are also future mortal enemies, so it might just be a fated wand core for the wand.
Gandalf, however, didn't have so many demands. He played with the wand in his hand and liked it very much.
He happily shook his head, "No need for so much trouble, Luke, this wand is already very good!"
As he spoke, he waved the wand, releasing strong winds, flames, light, lightning, and more.
The more he played, the brighter his eyes became. He happily said in a voice only the two of them could hear, subtly, "Thank you, Luke. I can feel that as long as I use this wand to cast spells, the restraints on me are much less."
Luke understood Gandalf's words and his eyes widened in disbelief, "Are you sure, Gandalf?"
One must know that Gandalf had restrictions from the Valar, so he couldn't use too much magic.
But now, using the wand he made, there was no longer this restriction?
Was the wand he made so magical?
"It's true," Gandalf said with a smile, nodding.
"Although I still can't cast powerful magic, there are no longer restrictions on some ordinary magic."
"Then congratulations, Gandalf," Luke said, genuinely congratulating him after confirming.
He was quite looking forward to seeing Gandalf in the future, wielding a wand in one hand and a sword in the other.
After completing Gandalf's wand, Luke, with Beorn's permission, used magic to connect his fireplace to the Floo Network and gifted him a small bag of Floo Powder, inviting him to visit Weathertop in the future.
Beorn was very surprised by the ability of Floo Powder and gladly accepted Luke's invitation.
Everyone did not stay long here; after breakfast the next day, they set off again.
When bidding farewell, Beorn lent them horses, which would take them to the edge of Mirkwood.
He also told Gandalf some bad news: Orc armies were recently gathering in the Dol Guldur area at the southern end of Mirkwood, and there were even traces of Nazgûl.
Hearing this news, Gandalf's expression became solemn, and he remained silent.
It wasn't until everyone bid farewell to Beorn, rode through the wilderness, and arrived at the edge of Mirkwood.
Gandalf suddenly suggested going somewhere else, wanting to temporarily part ways with them.
Everyone was very surprised and uncomprehending at his words.
Thorin, in particular, frowned deeply, his attitude once again becoming cold.
In his eyes, nothing was more important than reaching the Lonely Mountain, and Gandalf's actions seemed like a betrayal to him.
Luke, however, was not surprised. After all, Gandalf had already mentioned this possibility to him when they set off, and combined with the information provided by Radagast and Beorn, he would have been surprised if Gandalf hadn't left now.
After all, for Gandalf, the purpose of organizing the expedition was to prevent the dragon Smaug and the Orc alliance from affecting the situation in Middle-earth.
Now, with Orcs gathering in Dol Guldur and even Nazgûl appearing there, this situation was far more serious than the Lonely Mountain.
So he had to go to Dol Guldur to investigate thoroughly.
Luke hesitated, wondering whether to tell Gandalf directly that Sauron was there, and had even recovered his power?
He remembered that Gandalf had been trapped, imprisoned, and tortured by Sauron in Dol Guldur during this trip. He was only rescued when members of the White Council came to his aid.
"Gandalf, have you considered that this might be a trap?" Luke hesitated, reminding him, "Orcs are gathering in Dol Guldur, and Nazgûl are active there. Their master behind them is very likely hidden there."
"The enemy is numerous and powerful. If you go alone, you might get trapped there."
"Thank you for your reminder, Luke," Gandalf said with a serious and solemn expression.
"Precisely because it might be a trap, I need to go. If it proves that the Necromancer is Sauron, it will alert the various forces in Middle-earth, allowing them to unite once again and prevent the resurgence of dark forces!"
Then, changing his tone, he winked at Luke.
"So I'd like to invite you to come with me to Dol Guldur."
"I believe with the two of us together, even if we are outmatched, we can safely retreat from there."
"What! Me, with you?"
Luke's eyes widened, suspecting he had misheard.