Chapter 275 Negotiation Skills and Sincerity

"What are you talking about?" Bard frowned, feeling that fate and the people of the Long Lake had played a big joke.

After finally escaping from the dragon's flames, although they had nothing, they could at least get a lot of wealth from Erebor, and rebuilding a happy and beautiful home would not be a problem.

But now you tell me that the orcs are out in full force, and a catastrophe is about to befall them. Isn't this a mess?

"You don't know wizards very well yet." Thranduil said lightly, "They are like thunder in the cold winter, rolling from a far distance, with a loud bang, but you never see rain."

"Not this time." Gandalf blew his beard and glared, "The orc army has been dispatched. They have been on the battlefield for a long time and are all natural killers. Our enemies have mobilized all their strength."

"Why are they sending troops now?" Thranduil asked contemptuously.

"Because of the situation, because Thorin Oakenshield and his people set out to recover their lost homeland."

"More than that." Aaron said in a deep voice, "When Bilbo and I were looking for the Arkenstone, Smaug also said that as long as the necromancer did not touch the treasure of Erebor, it would not prevent them from entering the Lonely Mountain.

This is an alternative alliance. The orcs don't have to worry about the dragon hurting them, and they can occupy Erebor unimpeded."

"This is the only good news. At least the Lonely Mountain is not in the hands of our enemies now." Gandalf breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Azog's master tried to control the Lonely Mountain, not only for wealth, but also because of its location.

It is a strategic location and also a key to restore the North Ang The only way to the old country of the horse, if that evil country makes a comeback, Rivendell, Lórien, the Shire and even Gondor will be destroyed. "

"Shire?" Bilbo widened his eyes in surprise and asked nervously: "Gandalf, you mean the Shire? Are you sure you are not kidding?"

"I'm sorry, Bilbo." Gandalf shook his head and said, "If the orcs cannot be stopped from occupying the Lonely Mountain, your hometown of the Shire will not be spared, and the peace-loving halflings will probably be slaughtered."

Bilbo:......

"Those orc armies you mentioned, Mithranda." Thranduil looked at Gandalf, "Where are they?"

Hearing this, Gandalf's face turned blue with anger and his body trembled a little.

He had said so much, but Thranduil still didn't believe him.

"Since when did my mediation lose its meaning?" Gandalf laughed self-deprecatingly, "What do you suspect me of?"

"I suspect you want to save your dwarf friends. I admire your loyalty to them, but this cannot change my plan.

This matter was caused by you, please don't mind me ending it."

"King Thranduil." Bilbo looked at him anxiously, and said incoherently: "This is absolutely true. Smaug said it himself. Sauron's vanguard will set off soon, and Lonely Mountain is their first stop.

In addition to fulfilling Thorin's promise, the two of us came here specifically to stop this war.

Whether it is elves, dwarves or humans, we now have a common enemy, the orcs."

Thranduil was silent for a moment, poured himself a glass of wine, and sat down calmly.

"You are the halfling who stole the dungeon key under the noses of my guards!"

"Yes." Bilbo admitted embarrassedly.

"That's right." Thranduil said, "You gave up the chance to escape alone and rescued the young wizard and a group of dwarves.

Your loyalty to Thorin is no less than Mithranda. Maybe you cooperated with Mithranda to weave this lie because you wanted to save your dwarf friend."

"That..."

Just as Aaron was about to speak, Thranduil looked at him, "I don't trust you either, just like I don't trust the two of them."

"... King Thranduil." Aaron took a deep breath, "Please let me say that some things are better to believe than not believe.

You can distrust us, but what if?"

"I don't believe in what if." Thranduil sneered, and then walked out of the tent, "Are the archers ready?"

"Okay, Your Highness." An elf said.

"Pass on my order, as long as there is anyone active on the mountain, kill them without mercy."

"Wait." Aaron said helplessly, "You want the white gem, right?"

"What do you want to say?" Thranduil asked meaningfully.

"I can help you convince 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 the Long Lake."

"Not enough." Thranduil shook his head gently, "That was a deal between you and humans, but it has nothing to do with the elves."

"Sometimes I really don't understand why I should worry about you. No matter how chaotic this world is, it has nothing to do with me." Aaron smiled bitterly and shook his head, then used Apparition to teleport.

When he reappeared, he was already behind Thranduil, but Thranduil reacted quickly and did not turn around, but the long sword in his hand was already against Aaron's abdomen.

"Very good magic, I have never seen it before." Thranduil said in admiration, and only at this moment did he look at this young wizard squarely.

"Thank you for the compliment, this is called Apparition, a kind of teleportation magic." Aaron said lightly, "I only learned it by chance last year."

Gandalf's face twitched slightly, and his eyes were full of envy and desire when he looked at Aaron.

He was so greedy for this magic. If he could teleport, he would not have to ride a horse every time he went out.

"What is this? Demonstration or threat?"

"Neither." Aaron slowly retreated to the original place, "I never thought that my little magic could threaten an elf king, just to show you my ability."

"Ahem!" Gandalf coughed, "Gaius, this... Who taught you Apparition?"

"It was passed down from his ancestors." Bilbo said speechlessly.

Aaron raised his eyebrows and then gave a thumbs up, "The one who knows me is a Hobbit."

"Stop kidding me, okay?

Whenever you don't want to answer a question, you always bring up your ancestors to take the blame. Is that interesting?"

"Interesting." Aaron said directly.

Gandalf also shut up tactfully. He could naturally see that Aaron didn't want to talk about his magic.

"Your Majesty." Aaron said with a smile, "If you must send troops, I can't stop you, but I will take all the white gems in Iluber and run away."

Hearing this, Thranduil's mouth twitched violently, and the others also looked at Aaron in amazement.

Good guy, it's not a threat, but it's better than a threat.

Thranduil made a big move just to take back the national treasure of the woodland elves. If there are no white gems in the lonely mountain, then it would be meaningless even if he captured the city.

"Good idea." Thranduil suppressed his anger and said calmly: "If this is the case, I really can't do anything, but you can't take away your dwarf friends, let alone a dwarf kingdom.

I am very patient and can conquer Erebor and wait for you to come back for negotiations."

"But it's not good for both of us, right?" Aaron spread his hands, "So I want to solve the problem in a gentle way.

King Thranduil, you are more rational than me and should understand what is the right decision."

Thrandil frowned slightly and looked at Aaron deeply, "How long will it take you?"

Aaron did not answer immediately, but looked at Gandalf, "How long will it take for the Orc army to come?"

Gandalf blinked and immediately understood Aaron's plan.

Thrandil can not believe it now, but he must believe the facts, as long as the elves and dwarves do not fight before the orcs come.

"Well... when I was rescued, Azog's orc army had already set out from Dol Guldur, but it was definitely not just Azog who came. Since Sauron has decided to attack, it will not be a small fight. He will summon all the troops he can. We..."

Aaron interrupted him impatiently, "Don't talk nonsense to me, I don't understand.

Just tell me when the enemy will arrive at the latest?"

"Two days."

"Okay." Aaron held up three fingers to Thranduil, "I need three days."

"You..."

"Listen to me first Finished. "Aaron said embarrassedly, "I will present the white gem with both hands within three days, and I guarantee it in the name of Gaius."

"Humph!" Thranduil snorted coldly, "I hope you will do what you said."

"Of course." Aaron nodded, and continued to add: "There is something I want to tell you in advance, the army of the Iron Hills will soon arrive in Erebor."

"What?" Gandalf was shocked, "Dane's Ironfoot Army will also come?"

Thranduil was also unable to remain calm. He had full confidence in his elven troops, but he did not want to cause fearless casualties. The lives of dwarves were not as valuable as those of elves.

"This is good news." Aaron said helplessly, "If the orcs really come to attack, we will have a powerful ally."

"What good news is this?"

Thranduil still did not believe that there would be orcs attacking Lonely Mountain. If he was not worried that Aaron would really break the jar and run away with their national treasure, he would have wanted to send troops immediately.

"Your Majesty, I don't need to tell you this news, but I still choose to tell you.

First, to show my sincerity, I told you Thorin's trump card.

I only need three days, I hope you don't let me down.

Second, it's to prepare you mentally, so that you don't get confused and fight with the dwarf army."

Thranduil raised a smile at the corner of his mouth and looked at Aaron meaningfully, "I always thought that Thorin was the soul of your team, but now it seems that your existence is no less meaningful than his.

Aaron Gaius, right! Young, capable, and courageous.

I admire you very much. In fact, you don't need to worry about the dwarves. You can choose to form an alliance with the elves. The woodland elves will never treat their allies unfairly. "