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After dispatching the Orc patrol, the company, weary from the fight, decided to rest on the spot. The Dwarves excitedly discussed the recent battle, comparing notes on who had slain the most Orcs. Gandalf, however, remained silent, thoughtfully puffing on his pipe, an expression of deep worry on his face.

Kael noticed his mood and sat down beside him. "Gandalf, what's wrong?"

Facing Kael, Gandalf did not hide his thoughts. He sighed and explained, "Orcs usually dwell in the Misty Mountains. The fact that we encountered them here in the wilderness can only mean that their numbers in the Misty Mountains have grown so vast that it forces them to descend into the plains to raid. If we are to cross the Misty Mountains to reach the Lonely Mountain, the current situation is not good news for us!"

"So, what do you plan to do?" Kael asked.

"Once we cross the Last Bridge, I intend to leave the company temporarily and scout ahead, to avoid leading us into a large Orc army," Gandalf confided to Kael.

Kael considered this for a moment, then decided, "I'll go with you then. I've gained some insights into concealing magic. Even if we encounter an Orc army, I can ensure our safe escape." As he spoke, he pointed his wand at a nearby stone on the ground. The stone instantly became invisible before their eyes, vanishing without a trace. However, upon closer inspection, it became clear the stone wasn't truly invisible but had blended with its surroundings like a chameleon, making it incredibly difficult to detect.

Gandalf's eyes lit up at the sight. "Kael, how many more surprises do you have that I don't know about?"

Thus, without the others' knowledge, Gandalf and Kael decided to go ahead and scout. After a sufficient rest, the company set off again. Over the next few days, they encountered no more Orcs and smoothly reached the Last Bridge.

The Last Bridge spanned the Hoarwell River. East of the bridge lay the Trollshaws. From here, it was not far to Rivendell and the Misty Mountains.

Before Kael and Gandalf could even inform the expedition party of their plan to scout ahead, a conflict arose between Thorin and Gandalf. The dispute stemmed from the map of the Lonely Mountain, drawn by Thráin II, that Thorin possessed. The map detailed the location of the secret entrance to the Lonely Mountain, but the key to opening it was written in Moon-letters—a coded form of Dwarven runes. These Moon-letters were extremely secretive and difficult to decipher, requiring specific times and conditions to reveal their contents.

To unlock the map's secret, Gandalf suggested going to Rivendell to seek the help of Elrond, the renowned Elven loremaster of Middle-earth. However, Thorin harbored a deep-seated distrust of Elves. Stubbornly, he refused to enter Elven territory.

"I will not go to Rivendell!" Thorin declared. "Elven settlements hold no good for us Dwarves. And Elrond rules there now; he is a kinsman of Gil-galad, and Gil-galad once allied with our enemies!" The enemy Thorin referred to was Thranduil, the Elvenking of the Woodland Realm in Mirkwood. When the dragon Smaug occupied the Lonely Mountain, the Dwarves had sought aid from the nearby Woodland Realm but were refused by Thranduil. This was because Thranduil had once commissioned the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain to craft a white gem necklace for his wife but was refused due to a dispute over payment, sparking conflict between the Woodland Realm and the Lonely Mountain Dwarves.

"Elrond is a wise and just Elf," Gandalf tried to persuade him. "His realm is a safe haven where we can receive counsel and assistance. Moreover, he might be able to decipher the cryptic writing on the map, which is crucial for our journey."

"I do not trust Elves!" Thorin insisted, unyielding. "They always employ cunning tricks and beguile with sweet words. I wish to owe them nothing, and certainly not to let them know of our plans."

"That is prejudice, Thorin," Gandalf stated sternly. "Not all Elves are your enemies. Elrond is one of the wisest beings in Middle-earth, with profound knowledge of ancient lore. We need his help, or we might face even greater dangers and difficulties on the road ahead."

"I would rather face danger than bow to Elves!" Thorin retorted, showing no sign of compromise.

"You are nothing but a stubborn, stinking rock!" Gandalf, exasperated by Thorin's obstinacy, shook his head and turned to walk away.

"Gandalf, where are you going?" Bilbo asked anxiously.

"To scout ahead, lest some stubborn individuals complain there isn't enough danger yet," Gandalf said sharply. He stopped, turned, and looked at Kael. "Kael, you come with me."

"Ah? Alright." Kael glanced at Bilbo, gesturing to reassure him. "You keep an eye on the cart for me. I'll go with Gandalf to check ahead." With that, he followed the fuming Gandalf away from the company.

Seeing the two people he was closest to depart, Bilbo looked awkwardly at the Dwarves, unsure what to say. He could only huddle in Kael's cart, trying his best to make himself invisible. Thorin, meanwhile, showed no reaction to Gandalf and Kael's departure, calmly directing the Dwarves to rest where they were.

Ahead, once they were out of sight of Thorin's company, the anger on Gandalf's face instantly vanished. He turned to Kael and said, "No matter what, we must go to Rivendell. Only Elrond can decipher the map's hidden message. Otherwise, even if we reach the Lonely Mountain, we'll find no way in."

Seeing the anger disappear from Gandalf's face, Kael curiously asked, "You weren't angry?"

Gandalf shook his head. "Not truly angry. It was merely an excuse to leave for a while. These Dwarves are as stubborn and foul as the rocks beneath an Orc's backside. If I were to argue with them, I'd have died of frustration countless times already." To use such adjectives, he must still be a little angry, Kael thought, amused by Gandalf's seemingly contradictory words.

"Gandalf, now that we're out here, what do we do? Are we really just scouting ahead?"

"For now, we cannot rejoin them," Gandalf replied. "Thorin is incredibly stubborn. Unless we knock him out, he'll hardly agree to go to Rivendell. So, we need an opportune moment to change his mind."

"What kind of opportunity?"

"An opportunity for them to fall into peril. Only when he faces danger he cannot overcome will his stubbornness yield."

"You want them to run into danger?" Kael's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Gandalf.

"This is the edge of the Trollshaws, not far from the Misty Mountains. It would be difficult not to encounter danger," Gandalf said with a sly smile. "Though it sounds boastful, if we were with them, we could easily handle those dangers, and that wouldn't put enough pressure on them. So, I had to bring you out first, and then we'll discreetly protect them. As long as they're not in mortal danger, it will be fine."

I never knew you were this kind of Gandalf! Kael thought, secretly taken aback. But he still frowned slightly. "What about Bilbo? Why didn't you call him out? He'll have to suffer with the Dwarves."

"That would be too obvious!" Gandalf shook his head. "Bilbo needs to grow. He cannot rely on us too much. And shared hardship will forge a stronger bond between him and the Dwarves, leading to greater synergy. This will be more helpful for our journey ahead."

Well, poor Bilbo, Kael thought, offering a silent moment of sympathy for him.

(End of Chapter)

***

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