When Birbo regained his senses, he was really alone. He was lying on the ground of Wuqiu. There was no one nearby. The sky above him was cloudless, but it was a little cold. His entire body was trembling. He felt as cold as if he had fallen into ice, but his head was also burning as if it was on fire.
"I wonder what happened?”He muttered to himself, At least I didn't become a hero who died heroically. But it seems that there are many opportunities!”
He sat up in agony. There were no surviving orcs in the valley. After a while, his mind cleared a little, and he thought he could see elves moving around the rocks below. He rubbed his eyes. The camp was indeed in the same place. The entrance of the dragon's cave was quite lively. The dwarves seemed to be busy dismantling the city walls, but there was dead silence everywhere. There were no shouts, no conversations, no singing. The air was filled with sorrow.
"I think we still won!" He rubbed his painful and swollen head and said,"It seems that everyone is not very happy.”Suddenly, he saw someone climbing up the hill and walking towards him.
"Hey!" He shouted in a trembling voice,"Hey! Any news?"
"Why is there a human voice in the pile of rocks?”The man stopped and looked in Birbo's direction.
Only then did Birbo remember that he was still wearing the ring! "Oh my god! I'm really stupid!" He said,"It's really inconvenient to be invisible. Otherwise, I think I could have had a good rest in bed last night!"”
"It's me, Bilbo. Baggins, Thorin's companion!" He quickly took off the ring and shouted.
"Fortunately, I found you!" The man walked up and said," We've been looking for you for a long time. If Gandalf hadn't insisted that we heard your voice nearby, we would have put you on the long list of those who died in battle. I was sent here for the last inspection. Are you hurt?"
"Just a knock on the head, I think," said Bilbo."Fortunately, I have a helmet and a hard head. However, my head was a little dizzy and my legs were a little weak.”
" I'll carry you to the camp at the foot of the mountain." The man picked him up easily.
He was quite strong and fast. Soon, Birbo was sent to a tent in the valley. Gandalf was standing there, his arm bandaged; Even wizards couldn't escape unscathed. Almost everyone nearby was armed.
Gandalf breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Birbo. "Baggins!" He shouted,"I didn't think you were still alive! I'm so happy! I thought your luck had run out! This was truly a terrifying battle. Everything was almost irreparable. However, there was no rush to talk about this. Come on!" He said with a solemn expression. " Someone is waiting for you," he said, leading the Hobbit into the tent.
"Thorin!" "I brought him here," he said.
Thorin Oakenshield was lying in front of him, covered in wounds. His tattered armor and broken axe were on the ground. When Birbo walked over, Thorin looked up at him.
" Farewell, skilled thief," he said,""I am about to go to my father's hall to live with them. I will only leave that place when the world returns. Since I have to give up all my gold and silver and go to a place where gold and silver are meaningless, I at least hope to still have your friendship. I want to take back what I said and did to you at the entrance of the cave.”
Birbo knelt on one knee in sorrow." Farewell, King of the Mountain!”He said,"If that's how it ends, then no amount of gold can make up for this tragedy. But I'm glad I'm qualified to share your troubles with you, which few of us Bagginses are.”
"No!" " Good boy from the West," Thorin said." Don't be too modest. You are both smart and brave. Even I can't compare to you." If everyone in the world could be like you, valuing laughter and good food and despising gold and silver, then the world would be much happier. No matter what happens to this world in the future, I have to leave. Farewell!"
Birbo turned around sadly and left. He wrapped himself in a blanket and found a corner to sit down. Believe it or not, the sad Birbo wailed until his eyes were swollen and his voice hoarse. He was a very kind and considerate person. In fact, it took him a long time to get rid of this sadness. "The heavens are merciful!" He said to himself," Fortunately, I woke up immediately. I hope that Thorin can continue to live, but I can let him leave without regrets. The only thing left between us is friendship. It is also a very happy thing. You're a fool, Bilbo Baggins, you messed up everything by messing with that stone, and even if you tried so hard to buy peace and quiet, war was inevitable. Although you can't be blamed for this."
※※※
Birbo later found out what had happened after he was knocked unconscious, but it made him feel even more sad and did not bring much joy. He was tired of taking risks and was just anxious to go home. But it will be a while, so I can tell you what happened next. The giant eagle had long suspected that the orcs might be gathering in the dark, because even if they acted secretly, they could not completely escape the surveillance of the giant eagle. Thus, they had gathered their army. As soon as they smelled the atmosphere of war, they immediately flew over with the wind under the lead of the Eagle King of the Mist Mountains. They attacked the orcs on the hillside, causing them to fall off the cliff or scream and rush into the enemy's ranks. Not long after, they drove away all the enemies on the lone mountain. The elves and humans on both sides of the hillside could finally work together to support the battle in the valley.
However, even with the help of the giant eagle, the good side's combat strength was still not enough to resist the evil forces. At the last moment, Beweng appeared. No one knew where he came from. He appeared alone in the form of a bear. In his astonishing anger, his figure seemed to have become even larger.
His roar was like a war drum that shook the heavens and earth. The orcs and wolves in his path were trampled and abandoned like straw. He appeared from the back of the enemy's formation and rushed to the center like a bolt of lightning. The dwarves still surrounded the king and defended on a small hill. Beweng bent down, picked up Sorin, who was covered in wounds, and left the place where the flames of war were the fiercest.
He reappeared very quickly, filled with even more anger than before. No one could stop his attacks, and even weapons seemed to be unable to hurt him. He scattered the orc guards, grabbed Pogg in the air, and tore him into pieces with both hands. When the orcs saw their commander killed, they immediately lost all will to fight and fled in all directions. However, their enemies 'morale soared, and they chased after them relentlessly, killing most of the orcs on the spot. Many orcs drowned in the river, and those who were lucky enough to escape to the south or the western forest were mercilessly killed.
Most of the orcs were chased along the jungle river, and the corpses along the way piled up into mountains. The few remaining soldiers who approached the Wood Elves 'territory were either shot to death on the spot or led into Gloomy Jungle, where they starved to death. In the ballads that spread in the future, it was claimed that one-third of the orc warriors in the northern continent had died in this battle, allowing the mountains in this area to enjoy many years of peace.
The outcome was decided before nightfall. However, when Birbo returned to the camp, there were still many soldiers chasing after the fleeing defeated soldiers. Other than the heavily injured warriors, not many people remained in the valley.
"Where did the giant eagle go?" he asked Gandalf that night, as he was covered in many warm blankets.
" Some are still hunting," the wizard said."However, most of them have already returned to the eagle nest. They are not willing to stay here and left at dawn. Dan gave the Eagle King a golden crown and swore to be an ally for generations to come.”
"What a pity! I mean, I want to see them again.”said Bilbo sleepily,"Chances are I'll see them again on my way home. I think we'll be going home soon?”
"You can leave whenever you want," said the wizard.
In fact, Birbo set off a few days later. They buried Thorin deep in the mountains, and Bard placed the family diamond on his chest. "May it stay here until the mountains are flattened!”He said,"May it bring good luck to our compatriots who will live here in the future!”
The Elven King placed the Bite Sword that Thorin had confiscated when he was captured on his grave. In the legends of the future, as long as an enemy approached, it would start to glow, and the dwarves would never be ambushed by anyone again. Nain's son, Dan, inherited his throne and became the king of the mountain. Many dwarves from all over the world gathered in the ancient hall. Among Thorin's twelve companions, ten survived. Philip and Kili used their bodies and lives as shields to defend their uncle. The others stayed behind with Dan because he knew how to deal with the treasures of his ancestors.
After that, no one talked about how to divide the treasure anymore. It was the same for Balin, Dwarin, Dori, Nori, Oli, Orin, Gloin, Biff, Boffo, and Pombo. Of course, it was the same for Birbo. However, a fourteenth of all the gold and silver was still given to Bard.
" We must respect the deceased's promise," Dan said." He did receive the family diamond after his death.”
Even one-fourteenth of the total was an unimaginable amount of wealth. Even many kings could not possess such a huge amount of wealth. Bard gave some of the gold to the mayor of Long Lake Town, and the rest was generously distributed to his friends and followers. Dane returned the jade necklace to Bard, who gave it to the Elven King, who loved jewelry the most.
Then Dan said to Birbo," This treasure is yours and mine. As too many people have paid the price to protect it, I don't think the previous contract can be maintained. However, even if you are willing to give up all your rights, I don't want to let Thorin's words come true. Moreover, he has already taken back his impulsive words. Of all of us, I should give you the most generous reward.”
"You're too kind," said Birbo." However, it's easier for me to not take anything. I really can't think of how to transport the treasure home without encountering the ugly scene of fighting and scheming on the way. I don't know what to do with these things when I get home. I think it's better for you to keep them.”
After a few rejections, he finally accepted two small chests. One was filled with gold, and the other was filled with silver. It was just within the weight of the pony. "This is enough!" he said.
Finally, it was time for him to say goodbye to all his friends. "Farewell, Ba Lin!" "And Dwarin, Dori, Nori, Oli, Orin, Gloin, Bifo, Bofo, and Pombo!" he said. May your beards always flourish!" Then, he turned around and faced the lone mountain."Farewell, Thorin Oakenshield! And Kili and Philip! May your heroic deeds be passed down in the epic!”
The dwarves bowed in front of the cave door, but the words of farewell seemed to be stuck in their throats. "No matter where you go, I wish you good luck and good health!”"After we've repaired the hall, if you can visit us again one day, we must celebrate!"”
" If you have a chance to pass by my house," said Birbo."Don't stand on ceremony, just knock on the door! I have afternoon tea at four, but you can come and visit me anytime!”Then, he turned around and left.
※※※
The elven army was marching. Although their numbers had decreased, the people were still rejoicing. This was because for a long time to come, the northern world would be much safer than before. With the dragon dead and the orcs defeated, they looked forward to the spring after the winter.
Gandalf and Birbo rode behind the Elven King, and Beon, who had returned to his human form, walked beside them, laughing and singing heroically along the way. They walked all the way to the border of Gloomy Jungle, where the river flowed out. They paused there. Although the Elf King invited them to come as guests, Gandalf and Birbo were still unwilling to enter the forest. They were going to trudge along the edge of the forest, around its northern end, across the gray mountains and the flat ground between the forest. The road was rather far, but after defeating the orcs, it seemed much safer than venturing deep into the forest. Moreover, Beweng was also prepared to take this path.
"Farewell! Elf King!" Gandalf said,"May the forest prosper! May your compatriots be carefree!"
"Farewell! Gandalf!" The king said,"May you always be able to appear wherever you want!" I hope you can visit me often!”
"I beg you," said Birbo, stammering nervously."Accept this gift!" He took out a silver pearl necklace that Dan had given him before he left.
"To what do I have the honor of this gift, Hobbit?”the King said.
" Well, let's put it this way, I think," Birbo said somewhat incoherently,""I, well, should've given you something in return, er, hospitality... I mean, even Snitches know how to be grateful. I drank a lot of your wine and ate a lot of your bread.”
"Great Birbo, I am willing to accept your gift!”"I declare you a friend of the elves," the king said with a solemn expression."Please accept our blessings." May your shadow never fade (or stealing would be too easy for you)! Goodbye!"
The elves headed towards the forest, while Birbo began his long journey home.
※※※
He had experienced many hardships and adventures before he returned home. The wilderness was a wilderness after all. In that era, there were many other monsters besides orcs. However, he had very good guides and bodyguards. The wizard was always with him, and Beon was with them most of the time. Therefore, he did not encounter any real danger. In any case, halfway through the winter, Gandalf and Birbo had already followed the edge of the forest and arrived at Beon's residence again. The two of them stayed there for a while. They had a wonderful winter festival, and people from all over the world came to feast at Beweng's invitation. Only a few frightened orcs were left in Gloomy Jungle. They hid in the deepest caves, and the mount wolf disappeared. Therefore, people could come and go freely without interference. Beweng later became the leader of the local residents, and the area from the mountains to the forest became his jurisdiction. It was said that many of his descendants had inherited the bloodline of the bear. Although some of them had bad intentions, most of them were still like Beon, who hated evil. However, their strength and size had decreased a lot. They had driven away all the orcs in the Misty Mountains, and the Great Wilderness had now regained peace.
The spring of the following year was a time of mild weather and bright sunshine. Birbo and Gandalf reluctantly said goodbye to Beweng. Although Birbo missed home very much, he still felt a little regretful that he had to leave so soon, because Beon's garden was no less brilliant in spring than in summer.
In the end, they set foot on the previous road and arrived at the same place where they were captured by the orcs. However, it was early in the morning. What they saw when they turned around was the sun shining on the endless land. In the distance was Gloomy Jungle, which was dark green even in spring. At the edge of the horizon was a lone mountain. The snow on its highest peak had not melted yet, and it still reflected a dazzling light.
"After the fire is pure white ice and snow. Even evil dragons will have their doomsday!”Birbo threw all his previous adventures to the back of his mind and walked towards his hometown. The Tucker bloodline in his body was already very tired, while the Baggins bloodline was getting stronger and stronger. "I wish I could go back to my recliner now!”he said.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。