The Tarnished in LOTR with Elden Ring

The moment Gandalf's words faded, the air seemed wrapped by invisible silk, silence solidifying like substance in the guest room, with everyone falling into quiet.

Tarnes frowned deeply, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the armrest.

Thorin's expression was relatively relaxed, leaning back against his wooden chair.

Gandalf's palms leaned slightly forward beneath his gray robes, wisps of smoke from his pipe sketching loose spirals in the air. His burning gaze pierced through the misty smoke, watching Tarnes.

The old wizard had already sought help from every country he could. Only Tarnes remained, his final unplayed card.

When all royal support had turned to bubbles, only the Golden Tree's banner still slumbered in its scabbard.

Tarnes' Adam's apple rolled gently, the names of Bernahl and the others turning several times on his tongue.

He had much to consider. If only he and Bernahl's group participated in this expedition, it would merely be an adventure, a heroic legend written on parchment.

Whatever Tarnes might gain or lose from this adventure would only concern their small group.

But if Tarnes agreed to send troops, letting the Golden Tree's war banner flutter proudly at the Lonely Mountain, every hoofprint would become an extension of national will.

Because the interests he represented would no longer be his alone but the entire Golden Tree.

At this moment, his identity was no longer that of a valiant knight, powerful wizard, or member of some Lonely Mountain expedition, but that of a sovereign from the Golden Tree territory.

Tarnes gazed at the dancing flames in the fireplace, as if seeing millions of soldiers' fervent eyes flickering in the ashes.

He knew that with just a word from his lips, those armors bearing Golden Tree emblems would burst with zealous battle spirit. Soldiers from the Golden Tree would surely agree to participate in this war.

The key was what benefits Tarnes could gain from this war.

What echoed in his chest now wasn't the charge horn in a warrior's bloodline, but responsibility pressing on his heart like a thousand-pound burden.

The soldiers who believed in him might not care, but Tarnes felt he must take responsibility for these Golden Tree soldiers.

If these soldiers were willing to become Tarnes' sword, then as the sword-wielder, he must measure out the meaning watered with blood for each follower in his palm.

Bilbo blinked, sensing the somewhat oppressive atmosphere in the room, and said quietly: "Well, since war is about to break out, do I still need to find where Bard's daughters are imprisoned?"

Tarnes' thoughts were interrupted by Bilbo. He looked at the Hobbit and smiled: "Of course, we've already promised Bard. Naturally we won't break our word."

Then he looked at Gandalf: "Let's go outside and talk, Gandalf. Leave this to Thorin and Bilbo to discuss matters regarding Bard's commission."

Tarnes paused again, looking at Igon: "Igon, you stay too. The matter of Smaug is entrusted to you."

Igon laughed heartily: "Then leave that dragon entirely to me."

They left the guest room. The moment the door closed behind them, Millicent's wrist resting on her sword hilt lifted slightly, amber pupils flowing with inquiring arcs in the shadows.

Tarnes raised his palm and pressed twice in the air, shaking his head to indicate nothing was wrong, then came with Gandalf to a secluded, uninhabited corner on the inn's second floor.

Gandalf raised his staff, its tip lightly tapping the floor. Scattered starlight flowed down from the staff's head, and Tarnes sensed some invisible barrier enveloping the two of them.

The old wizard explained with a chuckle: "Now even the most sensitive ears can't hear half a syllable, especially a certain Hobbit."

Tarnes was amused by Gandalf's words, smiling in agreement: "Indeed, we must be careful of Bilbo."

Then the curve that had just risen at Tarnes' lips quickly sank into his armor's shadows as he spoke directly to Gandalf: "I'm very sorry, Gandalf, but I can't easily agree to send troops. I can take up my sword and accompany Thorin to slay dragons, but to let the Golden Tree's roots sink into war's quagmire, I must consider my territory's interests. In other words, you should tell me what I can gain from agreeing to send troops."

Gandalf held his pipe stem but didn't smoke, just letting the tobacco burn quietly in the bowl.

He first nodded in reply: "I completely understand your hesitation, Tarnes. This precisely shows your consideration for your territory's residents."

Then Gandalf sighed heavily: "If there were truly other countries willing to send troops for support, I wouldn't seek help from your territory. Gondor itself is still confronting threats from Mordor in the west. Rohan's situation isn't stable either. They face threats from the Dunlendings and even need Gondor's support. Though Dain of the Iron Hills will send troops, facing the combination of Azog's Orc army and the dragon Smaug, Dwarf armies alone won't suffice. As for Mirkwood's Elves... even without the threat of Ungoliant's spawn, I can hardly guarantee Thranduil would help Dwarves."

After saying this, he produced from his gray robes a secret decree bound with silver cord, bearing Gondor's seal.

Tarnes asked puzzledly: "What is this?"

Gandalf showed a mysterious smile: "The motivation that will make you agree to send troops. I spent considerable time arranging this."

Then Gandalf chanted an incantation Tarnes couldn't understand. The silver cord responded by untying itself, automatically burning to nothing as it fell to the floor.

Only after completing this did Gandalf hand it to Tarnes.

Tarnes accepted it, unfolding the decree while saying: "I get the feeling you're quite certain that once I see what's written here, I'll agree to send troops."

Gandalf chuckled: "You'll know once you see it."

Tarnes looked at Gandalf suspiciously, planning to carefully read the decree's contents before refusing Gandalf.

But his gaze was immediately attracted by the vast number of noble symbols and seals on the decree. Tarnes recognized one symbol as belonging to that Gondorian noble who wanted to sell fruits and flowers in the Golden Tree territory.

Meaning all the seals belonged to Gondorian nobles.

Above these noble seals was just one brief sentence: The Enedwaith region, from the moment this decree is unsealed, regardless of whether he is willing to send troops to support the Lonely Mountain, belongs entirely to Lord Tarnes of the Golden Tree.

Tarnes' pupils trembled slightly, then he looked up at Gandalf incredulously: "Is this real?"

Gandalf nodded satisfactorily, as if he had wanted exactly this reaction from Tarnes: "Of course it's real. Actually, Gondor's current Ruling Steward quickly agreed to my request, but notifying these nobles to affix their family seals took considerable time."

Then he muttered: "Mainly because there were so many nobles. Had to visit many places."

The Enedwaith region lay southeast of Minhiriath. This area was nominally co-governed by Arnor and Gondor, but actually had few settlers.

With Arnor's fall, Enedwaith experienced various natural and man-made disasters, ultimately leading to rapid decline, degenerating into wilderness marshes that even Gondor had no heart to rebuild.

So when Gandalf proposed gifting Enedwaith to Tarnes in exchange for his help, Gondor's Ruling Steward agreed immediately without thought.

For Gondor, if the Lonely Mountain completely fell into Sauron's hands, besides Mordor, they'd constantly face northern threats too.

The Ruling Steward didn't think Dwarves and Elves alone could stop both the dragon Smaug and Sauron's armies, so when Gandalf informed him of this matter, he also found it troublesome.

But he truly had no spare forces for support, so when Gandalf proposed using the nominally defunct Enedwaith in exchange for the Golden Tree lord's help, the Ruling Steward agreed.

Though unclear how the Golden Tree's lord could transport forces to the Lonely Mountain area quickly, remembering he was also a wizard, the Steward had no doubts.

Moreover, the Ruling Steward had heard reports about the Golden Tree territory. In just months, it had made parts of Minhiriath's wasteland disappear and become prosperous again.

The Ruling Steward understood that at this development rate, the Golden Tree would eventually reach for Enedwaith anyway.

Furthermore, they'd solved the Orcs secretly stationed in Lond Daer harbor. If those Orcs had successfully rebuilt the harbor, Gondor's coastal regions would face threats.

From this perspective, the Ruling Steward should thank Tarnes.

Rather than conflict and unpleasantness later, it was better to befriend them while the Golden Tree was still developing.

If Enedwaith could regain prosperity under the Golden Tree's lord, that would benefit Gondor too. And this was selling Tarnes an enormous favor.

Tarnes was silent for a moment, waving the decree: "According to this, even if I don't agree to send troops, it won't affect Enedwaith's ownership."

Gandalf finally took his first puff, looking relaxed: "You're right, but knowing you as I do, you won't let that happen."

Tarnes first shook his head helplessly, then said seriously: "I must admit, you've truly grasped my psychology. But while I can agree to help when rebuilding Enedwaith, I'll also need some material support from Gondor."

Gandalf showed an "as expected" expression: "Gondor's Ruling Steward anticipated this request. I can agree on his behalf. However, how much material support and when it arrives must be discussed personally between your envoy and the Steward in Gondor."

Tarnes nodded: "That's natural. Now, you should tell me how I can get my army here before the Orc forces reach the Lonely Mountain."

Gandalf replied: "That, I don't know how to accomplish."

Tarnes raised an eyebrow: "Then what was all this for?"

Gandalf soothed: "Don't worry. Just because I have no method doesn't mean others don't. When I brought Thorin's father, Thrain, to your territory seeking help, I was already considering this problem. During the time waiting for Thrain's recovery, I met an acquaintance of yours. Her name is Sellen, who calls herself your magical mentor. Lady Sellen is indeed a powerful sorceress. After learning of my concerns, she said she could solve the problem of long-distance troop transport. However, Lady Sellen said this method requires your cooperation."

Then he calculated the time mentally: "Later I went to busy myself in Gondor. When the last Gondorian noble affixed his seal, I had my Great Eagle friends bring me to find you while also having them fetch Lady Sellen from the Golden Tree territory. She should arrive here in about two days."

Tarnes' expression was quite colorful: "Wait, Teacher Sellen is also coming?"