---Igris' Perspective---
I took out from my inventory the food I had prepared during our first break. I had made sandwiches with meat, and seven pots full of stew. After all, we had tails behind us, and we couldn't keep making fires constantly. Food in the inventory doesn't spoil, except for time, as long as the item doesn't contain magic or aura, or is living; if you put a monster egg inside, time will affect it. While handing out food, I thought about how I would convince Thorin, but then I gave up. I was never good at pre-arranged speeches.
During the meal, Gilan returned from patrol.
"Any strange occurrences?" I asked.
Gilan looked at me and shook his head negatively. "No," he replied.
I handed him some food, and he took it and sat beside me.
"The hunting teams we encountered were very weak, but two men slipped from our hands. So, our group has been exposed, and it's highly likely the direction we're heading is known," said Halt.
"Halt's right. Our progress will get harder from now on," Gilan added.
"Tch! I was hoping we'd stay hidden for at least a week, but life always surprises you with both the good and the bad," I said, then continued, "Never mind, you can't stop what's going to happen, you can only prepare for it. How are your temporary apprentices doing?"
"Bilbo is really naturally talented. The bow he uses is a 20-pound training bow, so it doesn't require much strength, but for someone who's never held a bow in his life, he's very skilled. It reminded me of Will, his first time drawing a bow. Very nostalgic!" said Halt.
Gilan nodded in agreement, "Yes, he's really talented, even in camouflage. His footsteps are nearly silent! If he learns to stay still, people will have a hard time noticing him. But for a beginner, he's in good shape. He still needs more training."
Halt nodded. "He's right. There's still a lot he needs to learn to go on field missions, but he could probably finish the standard four-year training in about 1 to 1.5 years. He's definitely a prodigy."
"Kili's not bad either. If he had come to us without the dwarf training, he could have been one of the best. Like Bilbo, he's a prodigy, and he's already had some basic training with the bow. If he keeps up with our standard training, he'll become a Forest Ranger among the dwarves," said Gilan.
I raised an eyebrow. "Hey! The Forest Ranger system will be applied in the kingdom I'm establishing! Don't give this training to random people from other kingdoms!"
They both looked at each other and gave me a strange look. "Weren't you the one who told us to train them?"
"Yes, but I trust Bilbo and Kili because I know their characters, and I want to maintain my relationship with the Erebor dwarves as high as possible. If we can reach the goal in my mind, I want Erebor to be our most reliable ally. After all, the eastern part of the Black Forest is a wild area, and the only known kingdom there is Iron Hills. If we form an alliance with Erebor, Iron Hills will naturally be our ally."
"What's the plan?" asked Halt, and Gilan also looked at me curiously.
"It's still in development, but I've already determined the location for the kingdom's capital. But first, we need to kill Smaug. Once that's done, I'll give you more details. Everything I tell you right now is just uncertain speculation," I said, standing up to find Thorin. But before I left, I added mysteriously, "But I've already started implementing my plan. You're not the only ones who came to this world." I grinned and walked away.
"Dwalin, Balin. Did you see Thorin?" I asked.
"He at the cave entrance, wanted to watch the stars," said Dwalin. "Thanks for the food Igris, you really cook well!"
"Yes, the food is really great, and the spatial area has been very useful. We're lucky to have you with us," Balin said with a smile.
I smiled back. "I'm glad you like it." I walked toward the cave entrance.
Thorin was standing with his hands behind his back, staring at the stars. We had been training with swords for the last four days, and as two warriors, we had gained a bit of understanding about each other.
"Thorin!" I called out. He turned to face me and gave me a deep look.
"Yes?" he said. I found his gaze a little strange but didn't dwell on it.
I offered him a bowl of food. "May I join you?"
He looked at me for a moment, then took the food and sat on a rock at the edge of the cave entrance, motioning for me to sit. I sat beside him, and we watched the stars in silence for a while.
"Thorin, I've been traveling with you for four days now, and every night you stare at the stars and seem lost in thought. May I ask what you're thinking?"
He paused for a moment before speaking. "When I was in Erebor, I used to enjoy looking at the stars. I was so caught up with the confusion and responsibilities of being a prince that sometimes the inside of the mountain suffocated me. Going up to the walls of Erebor and looking at the stars would calm me."
I listened quietly, and he continued, "Now, looking at the stars makes me feel at home. Whenever I miss Erebor, I look at the stars. But now I wonder, am I really doing the right thing? Can we really take the Arkhen stone from Smaug with just 18 people? Even if we succeed, will the remaining dwarves follow us to take back Erebor? Am I sending my men to their deaths? The Erebor mission is seen as a suicide mission by all races; it's madness!"
What's going on?! Why is he opening up to me so quickly? How did my approval value rise to 92? When did that happen? Isn't that too fast? I shook my head and focused on the conversation.
"Everyone may call you crazy, Thorin, but what do you see there?" I asked, pointing to the group.
"Each of those dwarves believes in you, that you'll take back their home and restore the dwarves' fallen history. If you doubt yourself, who will they believe in? Let them think you're crazy; there are still a handful of dwarves who believe in you. You must try to prove them right. It doesn't matter if they insult you, but if they insult those who believe in you, will your pride handle it?" I said, and he fell into thought. I continued,
"Now, don't dwell on this! Focus on other things. I overheard what you talked about with Gandalf. I'd like to talk to you about that."
He thought for a few minutes, then nodded. "I'm listening."
I took a deep breath and thought to myself, 'Here we go!'
"Thorin, my dwarf friends spoke to me about your enmity with the Elves. I heard some things from a dwarf archivist over 290 years old. I understand your distrust of the Elves. This distrust has grown due to mutual mistakes between the two races and has lasted until today. I'm not asking you to beg the Elves; if I were in your place, I'd probably make similar decisions. I'm not saying this to comfort you, but I'm very serious about this!" I said, looking into his eyes. I then continued,
"But Gandalf is right, and you know that. The door shown on that map is the greatest opportunity for you and your people. Understanding that map is crucial for all dwarves! Is your pride more important than your people, King of Erebor?"
He looked at me, looking a bit uncomfortable, wanting to say something, but I kept speaking. If I stopped while he was listening, it would be harder to continue later.
"Besides, my instincts are telling me we need to open that map immediately."
"What do you mean?"
"Think, Thorin. What if that door only opens during a special event, or on a specific day? Maybe Durin's birthday, or the day Erebor was declared a kingdom? What if we get there too late? What if we miss that door by a single day? What then?"
Thorin fell into thought.
"Thorin! Lord Elrond is your greatest chance! I swear on my life, my sword, and my honor that Lord Elrond will welcome you and assist you in every way possible."
Thorin looked at me, stunned. "How can you be so sure? Why would an Elf help a dwarf? They've been adding pain to our suffering for so long!" he finally raised his voice.
"I believe you'll take back the home of the Thorin Oak Shield, and I believe this just as much as I believe in the Elves helping you!" I said.
He stared at me, and I looked away, continuing.
"What do you think I am? A gold digger? Crazy? psychopath? Maybe a little of the last two, but I won't participate in a failed mission, and you will succeed in this one!"
"How can you be so sure? We've never even met before. How can you trust someone you don't know so much?" he said.
"Did you get too curious? I'll tell you when the time comes, but first, let's get your house back!" I said with a grin and extended my hand toward him. He looked at me for a moment and smiled, shaking my hand.
"You didn't answer my question. Why would the Elrond help us? He will try to stop us!" he said. I shook my head.
"Yes, he will definitely try to convince us to give up, but not for the reasons you're thinking!"
"Then why?" he said mockingly.
"Because he doesn't want you, Kili, and Fili to die!" I said with a mischievous grin.
"What!?" Thorin was once again stunned. "Why would he care about us?"
"Are you curious?" I asked.
He looked at me for a moment and, with hesitation, nodded.
"You'll get your answer in Rivendell, and also, if we go there, we might hear a story that will really catch the attention of you dwarves!" I said, laughing.
He looked at me with a glare. "I didn't say I agree!" he said angrily.
I grinned at him. "I'm in no rush! To pass through the mountains, we'll have to go near Rivendell. You'll have plenty of time to think! And I believe you won't throw away the trust that I and your group have in you."
He glared at me, took a deep breath, but didn't say anything. Then he turned his face toward the stars, lost in thought.
"Thorin," I said, but he didn't look at me.
"Thorin," still no response.
"THORIN!" I shouted, leaning close to his ear.
For a moment, he flinched and reached for his sword. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
"Nothing, I'm talking to you. What are you doing?" I said, grinning.
"Are you mocking me?"
"Kind of, but never mind. I have a suggestion!"
"What is it?"
"Let's change the essence of our mission."
"What!?"
"You heard me! Let's change the plan to get the Arkhen stone! Let's make it a secondary objective!"
"What's going through your mind?"
"I want a sword scabbard and shield made of dragon skin!"
"What!?"
"Let's kill that advanced lizard!"
He looked at me strangely. "Did you eat a poisonous mushroom?"
"What does that have to do with anything!? I'm serious, and besides, all the mushrooms I collected were destroyed by Shadowmane!"
"... All of Middle-earth thinks I'm crazy, but I have someone even crazier beside me!"
"What!? Our dwarf king is afraid of a little lizard?"
"That lizard killed nearly all of Erebor's elite soldiers like they were nothing! You think we can kill it with just 18 people?"
"No, just you and me! The others can distract it while we try to stab its eyes with poisoned swords and kill it!"
"We don't even have black arrows! How are we going to kill it?"
"Not all dragons are covered in scales! Its eyes, ears, and a special area are exposed! If we attack those spots with poisoned weapons, we'll have a chance! It's a lower-tier fire dragon, its poison tolerance isn't that high! We can wear it down in a battle of attrition."
"When you say special area, what are you talking about?"
I leaned closer and whispered in his ear. He looked at me, stunned, and gave me a look as if I had gone mad.
"... Thorin, weren't you a cold-blooded dwarf king? Why are you so surprised today?"
"Because what I'm hearing is madness! Have you lost your mind? If we attack that spot, the whole mountain will come crashing down on us!"
"Come on, you're acting like you don't like the idea! Think about the pain Smaug will endure! If this attack succeeds, it will be the greatest revenge for you and your people, and his greatest shame!"
"Our chances of survival are very slim!"
"When I was at my home, an old man with a big hammer said, 'Live with honor, die with glory.'"
"You're crazy!"
"And you're the same, brother!" I said, laughing.
"So? What's your answer?"
He looked at me seriously, then smiled and extended his hand.
"Let's do it!"
I smiled and quickly shook his hand. "That's the spirit!"
From behind, Dwalin's voice came. "Why do I feel a chill run through me?"
I heard similar voices from the whole group. Thorin looked at me. "Should we tell them?"
"No need to hurry, we don't even have poison. We'll tell them when we open the door! Right now, we need to make a plan!" I said, smiling at him.
"They'll be so happy when they hear this," he said, rolling his eyes.
---Thorin's Perspective---
---Twenty minutes after the conversation with Gandalf---
Why doesn't that fool wizard understand me? Why should I entrust the fate and legacy of my people to those long-eared bastards? They would take pleasure in watching us struggle in agony, I will never trust an elf!
I took a moment to calm myself and retreated to a corner of the cave. I opened the map and tried to find a clue, just like the last time, but again, I couldn't make any sense of it! What were my ancestors thinking when they left us such a map? We can't read it in any way, even Balin doesn't know what a single letter means.
"Forget it! We're too far from Erebor, hopefully, we'll find a solution along the way."
I stood up and wandered around to check on the current condition of the group.
"Maybe I should train Fili a bit more."
I looked at Fili, but when I saw his swollen face, I decided against it. If he got a permanent scar from me, I wouldn't be able to face my sister. 'Maybe I should train Kili instead?'
I glanced at Kili, but when I saw his trembling arms and fingers that had been cut from drawing his bow, I decided against it.
"Forget it, he's still too young, pushing him too much will only backfire."
But the training he's been getting from Halt and Gilan is really valuable for him. There aren't many dwarf archers, especially skilled ones. He truly loves archery, and if it were about axes or swords, I or Dwalin would help him.
Also, Igris hasn't lied to us about them, both of them are really good rangers, especially when it comes to moving silently and hiding. I wouldn't want to fight in the forest against people like them.
Thanks to them, we don't have a food shortage, whenever they go hunting in the wild, they always come back with their hands full. That's why we don't have a shortage of meat. Also, Bilbo, their apprentice, even surprised me! Igris didn't misjudge him, but in my eyes, he's still not enough.
"I should spar with Igris again, it'll help clear my mind."
Ever since we started this journey, whenever we take a break, I fight with Igris. At first, I suspected he had ill intentions, but I was wrong, he loves fighting. Why did I suspect ill intentions? In four days of travel, we've fought 23 times! That's in just four days of traveling and taking a few short breaks! At first, I was overwhelmed by the intense fights, but now I've gotten used to it. My sluggish body is starting to get back into shape. Meanwhile, the score is 11-12, I'm ahead! I have to say, Igris is a really experienced warrior, his sword fighting style is very different, he doesn't stick to a particular pattern or order, which makes him more dangerous, but he still has some things to learn. For example, he hasn't mastered Aura use yet, he doesn't know how to add Aura to his sword. I've given him some advice, but dwarven Aura structures are very different from humans, and he's a hybrid! He doesn't even know what kind of hybrid he is, which makes his Aura use harder. His Aura is wild and savage, it reminds me a bit of Smaug, I feel like I'm facing a dragon, but this feeling is very faint.
"Alright girls! Continue your training! The lazy ones will not have a good end, if you slack off, Igris and Thorin will be your training partners!"
When I heard that sentence, my face darkened. How could training with us be a punishment? Is he insulting me? Or is he praising me? Never mind, I won't dwell on it, after all, every dwarf here has proven their loyalty.
Dwalin and Balin have become the trainers of the group, or as Igris calls it, the 'diabolical training sergeant.' For the last four days, they've been organizing training sessions in groups, alternating at specific times. We avoid overtraining since we've let two rats slip through our fingers.
Dwalin is already a tough dwarf, you can tell how hard his training is, but there's only one thing I know, and that's that the real diabolical trainer of the group is Balin! He was one of my teachers when we were in Erebor. Sometimes I still see our training sessions in my nightmares, I'd rather fight Smaug for seven days and nights than go through those training sessions again!
"Dwalin! Have you seen Igris?"
"They're watching the stars with Gandalf."
I nodded and headed toward the entrance, but stopped when I overheard their conversation.
"Gandalf."
"Yes?"
"Let me talk to Thorin, I think I can convince him."
"Are you sure?"
"As sure as I believe an elf woman and a dwarf man could fall in love."
When I heard that, I grinned and hid myself to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Is it really that hard?"
"Faith, old man, faith."
"I have little chance of convincing him, but higher than yours. Dwarves are suspicious and stubborn. That map was in your hands for a long time, wasn't it?"
"Yes."
"That's why Thorin doesn't trust you! After keeping it hidden for so long, you come out with the map, he probably thinks you're pursuing some sinister goals."
I do have some doubts about this. My father should have handed me the map when he went missing.
"I have no ill intentions! I just—"
"Gandalf, calm down. I know of your reputation and trustworthiness, but Thorin is a dwarf, when was the last time you spent time with dwarves? I'm not talking about those little fun and drinking times with small groups, I'm talking about living with them."
I've heard about your reputation too, and my father and grandfather spoke about you, but I trust my own judgment, I prefer direct evidence over secondhand sources.
"Here's where you're wrong, Gandalf! You think of dwarves like Elves and Men, but they're not. And you're too close to the Elves, which makes them instinctively cautious towards you. You should know the hostility between dwarves and elves better than anyone."
"And the way you speak to Thorin is wrong, he's not just a dwarf, he's the king of all dwarves! Even the kings of the remaining dwarf kingdoms respect Thorin, maybe you work for all of Middle-earth, but he's looking for the well-being, peace, pride, and happiness of his people! Gandalf, dwarves have been in decline for so long, only the Iron Hills and Blue Mountains remain. The Blue Mountains can't even be called a kingdom! For Thorin, the Erebor expedition is not just about reclaiming land and wealth, it's an opportunity for all dwarves to regain their hope and morale. If you were him, would you leave your people's hopes to an ally who has turned his back on them?"
I smiled, thinking that igris had almost figured us out.
"Gandalf, you didn't answer my question."
"I don't know…"
Of course you don't know, even though you've led armies and advised kings, you're not a king!
"It's normal for you not to know, Gandalf, because you're not a king. You think about the good of the majority and want to give hope to everyone, I understand you, but kings put the interests of their people first, and for Thorin, if saving Middle-earth means sacrificing all dwarves, then what's the point of saving Middle-earth for him?"
"Think about what we've discussed, old man, and leave convincing Thorin to me!"
Igris left, but Gandalf remained behind, deep in thought. I wasn't much different. He really understands me better than the others around me! But he still can't quite see the mindset of kings.
"What an interesting companion."
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I finally got to where I wanted to be, I don't plan on posting a chapter this week, I'm sick and the exam week is near. Don't get me wrong, I'll post a chapter or two next week but it's not certain. But I assure you that this story won't be left unfinished, at most if I don't find anything to write, I'll take a break for 1 or 2 weeks.