[Hobbit+HP] The truth of elves

It is not a secret that Lucius left the elf camp alone.

After Legolas was ordered to take away most of the troops, the remaining elf guards witnessed the miracles performed by Lucius.

With just a flick of a finger, the wizard made the terrifying huge dragon corpse disappear without a trace.

The elf army no longer had a weak point to protect, and the serious and tense atmosphere was gone.

In the large elf camp that had been dormant in the valley, there was only a golden-roofed tent guarded by an elite team, and the owner who was only staying inside for a while would be dismantled and loaded on a truck before leaving.

However, the night's accident happened quietly.

For the human and dwarf kingdoms who have been keeping their eyes open and alert to all changes in the valley, it is doomed to need a period of news delivery of surprise and uncertainty before they can regain their rhythm.

Elrond looked to Thranduil.

The Elf King sat on the stool, thoughtful and patient.

Half a day had passed since Lucius left the camp early in the morning.

"I have to say, as your friend, I'm quite surprised at how tolerant you are to Lucius." Elrond thought for a while, and chose a topic to speak.

Thranduil's eyes didn't leave his original focus, but he replied with a question in a calm tone: "What do you mean by tolerance?"

"It covers multiple aspects, such as the power he holds now, and the guardianship that he left the army alone."

"It turns out that no matter which situation you mentioned, he has always had the ability to solve all problems by himself." Thranduy responded, "It's just that he didn't show it before."

"So, are you really determined to sit back and let this happen?" Elrond asked disapprovingly, "Whatever he is going to do?"

"There's nothing wrong with that." Thranduy responded flatly.

"I don't quite understand your attitude." Elrond said, "I thought you always wanted him to be baptized. But you don't seem to think so now?"

"I respect his choice." Thranduil responded softly.

"Even if his choice is wrong?" Elrond was even more puzzled. "If he can only face the war directly, how will you ensure his safety?"

Thranduil looked up at Elrond at last, and saw in his eyes no lack of genuine concern.

"Elrond," said Thranduil, meeting his gaze, "will you miss Celebrion?"

Lord Rivendell was not mentally prepared for this question, and was stunned.

He wondered why Thranduil was mentioning his wife at this moment.

"Missing is natural."

"You love her deeply, how does it feel?" Thranduy asked again.

The lord was dumbfounded for a moment, not knowing how to respond.

Thranduil's words may have been a pun.

Celebrian chose Xidu because of the disasters she had suffered. Even though she had to endure the pain of being separated from her husband and children, she did not change her mind.

Elrond knew the reason why the other party made the choice, so he naturally didn't stop it.

Regarding the matter of his wife Xidu, no matter whether it was the reassurance at the beginning without personal companionship, or the acceptance of separation for love later, it cannot be a reason to deny their relationship between husband and wife, let alone Elrond's wrongdoing. What's the argument.

And from this to that, the so-called Thranduil's "tolerance" towards Lucius has become an untenable description.

"I hope that Lucius can stay in the kingdom forever." Thranduil rarely took the initiative to speak, "but it is an imposed threat to his safety, as well as to his heart. It is not that I have never tried , you have also witnessed."

"It sounds like a choice of no alternative." Elrond sighed, "So you accompany him to leave your kingdom?"

Thranduil was noncommittal.

"So, what are your plans going forward?" Elrond no longer dwelled on the previous topic, "If you give up Xidu, the only option left is to face war."

Thranduil frowned: "I thought you would not choose Xidu."

"Until I complete my mission, I will not sail westward." Elrond smiled helplessly, "But you... I know you have your own considerations, but it is undeniable that your fate has not been determined. Any power is tied here."

"My fate..." Thranduy twitched the corners of his mouth, but did not reveal any smile.His voice finally became slower and lighter than before, "It didn't exist in any of the predictions."

"But you still have a choice, don't you?"

"Choose, and for what, Elrond?"

When Lucius returned to the golden-roofed tent without haste, he happened to see the two elf lords looking at each other in silence. The atmosphere seemed a bit heavy, as if some fierce confrontation was abruptly stopped.

In contrast, Thranduil, who was sitting leaning on his back, had a calm expression, while Elrond, who was standing, looked nervous.

Lucius didn't hear the communication between the two elves, but felt that the scene in front of him was very interesting.

Thranduil was looking at Lucius before he approached.Seeing that he was empty-handed as when he left, although the Elf King was not surprised, it was rare for him to take the initiative to joke: "I thought your plan was full of rewards."

"Of course, the harvest should be concealed." Lucius replied relaxedly, "Is it disappointing you?"

"Of course not." Thranduy turned his head slightly, showing a slight smile, and raised his hand to greet Lucius in the approaching direction, with a more relaxed and intimate gesture than before.

Annis, who was waiting for Lucius back at the gate of the camp, was originally following closely behind the wizard's buttocks. Seeing the movement of the Elf King, he immediately stopped following him wisely.

"But I'm not used to disappointing you." Lucius replied with a brisk smile, "King of the River Valley was very generous when he learned that we were leaving, and he would undertake to clean up the battlefield. In addition, humans and dwarves are very grateful for our assistance in attacking the battlefield." Retired the enemy this time. In order to express their gratitude, they plan to increase their transactions with Changhu in the future and give them more room for profit sharing. They also asked me to keep some things on your behalf."

This is actually a simple and rude show of favor in exchange for the continuation of peace after the change in the balance of power. It is a kind of recognition and submission to Lucius' strength.

Of course, looking at it from another angle, it can also be considered that Lucius is taking advantage of his power.

Elrond, who had a better understanding of what happened, could roughly guess that the black dragon's attack was due to the magic ring in Lucius's hand. Therefore, he could not approve of Lucius' attack at this time. Find Bud and Sauron to benefit from Long Lake.Besides, he was amazed that the stubborn dwarves could compromise.

Seeing Elrond's expression of disapproval, Lucius smiled.

He had originally opened his mouth to report to Thranduil just to let Elrond know what he had done when he left the camp.

At this time, Elrond is a focal point sent here by the Holy White Council.Lucius had guessed their intentions, but he still needed to pass some information through Elrond.

"Does your excellency disagree with my approach?"

"I don't see the need for Long Lake to do this." Elrond said frankly, "Since war may come at any time, what we need more is unity."

"You think I'm taking advantage of the fire?" Lucius asked directly.

"At least it's superfluous." Elrond raised his eyes and looked into the distance. There was still panic on the walls of River Valley City and Erebor City that hadn't completely subsided.

"I don't think the powerful have to put on a gesture of friendship and compassion to appease the fear." Lucius said, "You think I should explain the changes, pass on the message of peace to continue the stability of Romania, and accumulate strength for the war, It also maintains the friendly image of the elves. But I firmly believe that for any living being, the unknown will always have a threatening color, and the threat creates and transmits fear and anxiety."

"Communication is to reduce the unknown." Elrond frowned, responded with a pun, and at the same time added an explanation for his lobbying for this trip.

"They can't accurately measure what kind of impact my ability will bring to the balance of this region, but I have given them a clear yardstick with interests, precisely for the peace and unity you mentioned." Lucius further He hinted, "I have set a price for my ability, and then no benefit will be a reason for me to stay out of it. This is a peace of mind that we, the unprotected weak, are willing to accept, so why not."

Elrond was inexplicably given the title of "strong man" by Lucius, and his face was sullen in astonishment.However, his mood was quickly dispelled by Lucius' next sentence.

"Speaking of which, I took the liberty of guessing the unity you wanted to see, and persuaded the dwarves to dispel a dangerous idea." Lucius said quite proudly, "Thorin said that before the situation improved, he The planned expedition to Caesardum will be withdrawn."

"Really?" As the successor of Gandalf's lobbying work, Elrond was very pleasantly surprised by this unexpected harvest.

"If you still have doubts, do you want to stay in Romanian and confirm the actions of the dwarves at close range?" Lucius was very satisfied with the reaction of the elf lord, and he took the initiative to invite, "Is Your Excellency Elrond interested in visiting the long The new port in Lake Town?"

This time, the elf lord nodded happily.

"Are you going to stay with me for a while?" Lucius lowered his eyes immediately, looking at Thranduil who had never interrupted their "controversy".

After receiving a positive response from Thranduil, Annis, who had been standing by the door and watching, was afraid that Lucius would refuse to follow him, and immediately asked for instructions: "I'll let them inform Cheryl first, and ask her to make an advance decision." arrange."

Lucius nodded to him: "Then, you remember to ask the soldier who sent the order to tell Qi Lier that you only need to prepare a guest room."