Bear School Astartes

The issues between the Lonely Mountain Dwarves and the Woodland Kingdom Elves trace back to Sorlin Oak Shield’s grandfather Seserol.

”We were allies, but after I handed over my deceased wife’s legacy—the Starlight White Gemstone, to the Lonely Mountain for restoration, Thror reneged and raised the price at the last minute.”

”The Woodland Kingdom and I could not accept such extortion and insult.”

Watching the dwarves help townsfolk move their luggage, Thranduil spoke nonchalantly.

The expression and tone of this handsome elf often carried an air of indifference and arrogance.

So, after Lann understood this, he didn’t think Thranduil’s mood at the time would be as calm as his current tone.

Even though he appeared calm, he must have been furious at the time.

”So I turned my back, organized my army, and marched towards the Lonely Mountain. However, as I led my troops towards the hills near the Lonely Mountain... Smaug suddenly attacked and breached the mountain.”

”Dragon flames soared, countless casualties, and desolation everywhere.”

”Sorlin Oak Shield then led the fleeing dwarves to plead for assistance from my army, but I was originally there to demand reparations from the dwarves... This is why Sorlin and the dwarves who escaped the Lonely Mountain believe that the elves betrayed the alliance agreement.”

Lann stood beside Thranduil, listening sideways.

Meanwhile, Bard was busy helping among the refugees. The conflict between the dwarves and the elves was a well-known tale, familiar to everyone in the region, so he had no interest in listening further.

Undoubtedly, Thranduil did not assist Sorlin’s pleas for help at that time.

And with the dwarves’ stubbornness, this indifference would certainly be profoundly remembered.

”If this is the case...” After hearing the story, Lann shook his head slightly. ”It seems the dwarves started this.”

Surprisingly, the usually indifferent and proud Thranduil also shook his head slightly.

”Thror was afflicted with dragon sickness. When our relations were still good, I constantly warned him to control his greed and desires, but he couldn’t help himself. Ultimately, he turned against me, and this invited the evil dragon.”

”Taking into account the importance of the events, Thror’s last-minute price increase at most counts as a trade and etiquette dispute between allies, but my refusal to aid the refugees from the Lonely Mountain was far more severe in comparison... Nonetheless, the situation is set, and dwelling on it is meaningless.”

Lann shrugged, refraining from further comment on the matter.

By now, it truly no longer holds any meaning.

If Smaug isn’t killed, the entirety of the Lonely Mountain Region will continue to sink into despair.

-----------------

”The people from Long Lake Town are moving this way; it seems they’re heading to take refuge in the ruins of River Valley City.”

Standing on a well-positioned lookout hill, Bilbo shouted towards the dwarves behind him while gazing in the direction of Long Lake.

The terrain from Long Lake to Elbo is a gentle, large downward slope.

The waters of Long Lake come from the melting snow of the Lonely Mountain, flowing down and converging with the waters of another river.

The terrain of this area is generally very gentle, thus providing an excellent view.

From the hills near the Lonely Mountain, one can even see the entirety of Long Lake at a glance.

Like ants, the crowd emerged from the lake, forming a thin black line advancing towards River Valley City.

River Valley City isn’t far from the Lonely Mountain, so it’s also moving towards the Lonely Mountain.

The dwarves set out around pre-dawn last night, nearly half a day earlier than the townsfolk, and they traveled light and nimble.

By this evening, near dusk, the dwarves’ Reconquest Expedition Team had arrived at the gates of the once Lonely Mountain Kingdom.

The townsfolk heading towards River Valley City still had a ’small tail’ left in the wasteland, slowly moving towards the ruins of River Valley City.

”That’s to be expected.” Balin climbed the lookout hill, supporting his old back. ”The fires can’t be controlled, wooden buildings are too fragile, stone ones are better.”

”This weather.” Balin glanced up at the overcast sky and the white mist from his breath, ”Without a place to stay, people will die.”

”But isn’t this closer to Smaug?” Bilbo said anxiously.

He feared that the dragon in the mountain would be awakened and affect these unfortunate homeless people.

If they didn’t come, perhaps these people would remain unharmed.

Bilbo thought to himself.

”That’s why we must not be discovered by the dragon, meow!” Rong Buqiu crouched atop the hill, looking at the tiny crowd moving towards River Valley City, speaking with determination.

”We must sneak in quietly! Then steal the gemstone, meow!”

”Enough chit-chat, gentlemen.” Sorlin walked past Balin, Bilbo, and Rong Buqiu, holding the two-handed axe taken from the Long Lake Town armory, his pace unhesitant.

”It’s already dusk, we must find the secret door before sunset and locate the keyhole on it to bypass the main gate into the Lonely Mountain. Time is of the essence.”

”Let’s move, let’s move.”

Gorion and the other dwarves each called out, catching their breath again and using their weapons as walking sticks to continue towards the Lonely Mountain.

The Dwarf Kingdom’s craftsmanship revealed itself right at the gates of the Lonely Mountain.

Two large solid rock-carved Dwarf statues stood on either side of the mountain gate, which was built into the body of the Lonely Mountain.

This Kingdom was entirely carved out and established in the vast hollow inside the Lonely Mountain.

The sculpture style of the Dwarves is completely different from that of the Elves, who mostly use soft and beautiful lines, integrating with nature.

But it seems the Dwarves’ habit of digging and smelting has deeply permeated every aspect of their race.

Their sculptures and armor are made angular, forming polyhedrons, like an anvil and blacksmith’s hammer.

Polyhedrons, however, do not appear sharp and incisive because of the edges, but rather heavy and solid.

The secret door is not easy to find, otherwise, the Dwarves wouldn’t need to inscribe secret words in moon letters on the map.

After going around in circles, Dwalin finally saw a hidden step leading up on the massive Dwarf stone statue to the side of the main gate of the Lonely Mountain.

These steps at first glance looked like the clothing lines on the Dwarf Warrior statues, only recognizable up close.

The group watched as the sun was about to dip below the horizon and hurriedly made their way up the hidden steps.

After searching for a while on the stone platform at the top of the steps, they almost despaired, thinking they’d gotten it wrong, when the keyhole covered by magic was revealed in the moment between the sun’s disappearance and the moon’s emergence.

Far off in the Long Lake, on the plains, even the last of the people were gone. The townsfolk had all entered River Valley City, hiding in derelict rooms with roofs and windows, not daring to light a single lamp.

Even taking a deep breath had to be done cautiously, accompanied by a glance around.

And at the foot of the Lonely Mountain, Sorlin tightened his lips, grip unwavering on his weapon, but his hands slightly trembled as he inserted the key around his neck, pushing open the heavy secret door.

Instantly, a rush of air filled with the staleness of dust surged out.

This smell was irritating, mixed with dust, making one want to sneeze.

But the Dwarves all gathered in front of the just opened secret door, almost on the verge of tears, cautiously inhaling this wisp of air.

After a long time, this was the first time the Lonely Mountain Dwarves smelled the air of their homeland.

The hardships and sufferings of the journey, and the nostalgia suppressed over long years, became more intense after being held back.

Balin, with tears in his eyes, was choked with emotion and unable to speak.

Rong Buqiu and Bilbo consciously stood behind the Dwarves.

This was not their homeland, so they didn’t have too much emotional upheaval, but they respected their friends.

Smiling from behind, watching the Dwarves express their emotions and calm their hearts.

Walking through the secret door that was two person-thick, the Dwarves still seemed unable to believe this was reality, that they had truly entered their former homeland.

Cautiously touching the walls, rocks, and floors beyond the secret door, confirming it wasn’t a figment of their imagination.

Rong Buqiu and Bilbo entered last, both curiously observing this legendary Dwarf Kingdom.

Unfortunately, after entering through the secret door, it was just an ordinary small corridor of the Lonely Mountain, not showing much of the legendary grandeur.

”What is this?”

Bilbo turned and glanced back, only to discover on the inside of the secret door’s frame in the Lonely Mountain, a simplistic drawing and a line of Dwarf text were carved.

Gorion followed his gaze upwards and backward, absent-mindedly reading that line.

”The Seventh Kingdom of the Durin Race resides here, may the Heart of the Mountain unite us all and protect our home.”

The simplistic drawing was of a Dwarf-style, angular throne, atop which a gemstone radiated brilliant light.

Balin’s throat still carried a subdued emotional choke even after calming down: ”That depicts the King’s throne. The radiating light is the Heart of the Mountain referred to in that line, the Aken Gemstone.”

Rong Buqiu, curious as well, came over to them, carrying little claws, looking up inquisitively.

”This is the Aken Gemstone, meow~”

Bilbo nodded with a semblance of understanding: ”What exactly does this... do?”

Although during the journey he had heard the Dwarves, Elves, and Wizard speak of this gemstone’s importance numerous times.

But having always lived in the Shire, in the comfort and simplicity of the Hobbits, Bilbo Baggins obviously couldn’t truly grasp the significance of this gemstone.

”Our two honored burglars...”

And at that moment, Sorlin, who had already reached the corner of the corridor beyond the secret door, was leaning against the wall looking deeper into the Lonely Mountain, turned his head back and said solemnly.

”It is our ultimate goal for inviting you here.”

All the Dwarves, following that sentence, looked at Bilbo and Rong Buqiu with eyes filled with optimistic hope, trust, and a plea.

The Dwarves’ eyes were laden with deep emotions, stemming from their dedication to their homeland, now exceedingly intense in this time and place.

And under the gaze of the Dwarves, Rong Buqiu and Bilbo, almost in unison...

With an audible gulp, the two of them nervously swallowed.