The Tarnished in LOTR with Elden Ring

Chapter 40: Chapter 41: Thorin's Request



After ending their embrace, Thorin looked at the magnificent and imposing Stormveil Castle, letting out sounds of surprise and admiration: "In just a few months, you've already possessed such a wonderful castle. The speed at which you've rebuilt your homeland far exceeds my imagination, Tarnes."

Standing beside Thorin, Tarnes was equally generous with his gratitude: "If it weren't for the food and livestock you initially provided, I wouldn't have been able to transform my territory into this state in such a short time. Even though I can use magic, I have no way to conjure food from thin air—otherwise, even if my homeland's compatriots came, they would only go hungry. Please accept my thanks, Thorin."

He said this while looking at Thorin's expression of "it has nothing to do with me."

Thorin didn't dwell on it too much and readily accepted Tarnes' gratitude.

At this moment, Fili and Kili exchanged glances, then stepped forward together, bowing their heads and shouting loudly, "Teacher Tarnes, greetings to you! We've come to see you!"

Tarnes had to admit he was startled by the Dwarf brothers' sudden loud voices, mainly because he hadn't expected them to behave this way in front of so many people.

"Uh, how have you been lately? Have you been practicing your prayers every day?" Tarnes asked.

Fili and Kili stood up, with Kili speaking before his brother, saying happily, "The Beast Prayer Book you gave us—Fili and I have already learned half of the prayers recorded in it."

Fili added steadily, "Moreover, we feel that if we can truly master all the prayers in that book completely, we'll be able to draw inferences and create prayers belonging to us Dwarves ourselves."

Tarnes' eyes lit up. If Fili and Kili could truly succeed, then this series of prayers would be something he had never seen before.

This made even Tarnes himself feel eager inside. He had long since mastered all the prayers of the Lands Between, so the Dwarf prayers Fili mentioned held such great appeal for him.

Therefore, Tarnes also responded with a happy smile: "I very much look forward to that day coming soon. Then it will be my turn to ask you two to teach me new prayers."

Fili and Kili were surprised to hear this, with Fili hurriedly saying, "With our status, how dare we teach you prayers, Teacher Tarnes..."

Tarnes comforted the Dwarf brothers: "On the path of learning, the accomplished are the teachers. You don't need to feel nervous—I'm also serious about wanting to learn the new prayers you've developed."

Thorin joined the conversation at this point, looking at Fili and Kili sternly: "Alright, Fili, Kili, since Tarnes says so, listen to him."

After being scolded by Thorin, the Dwarf brothers immediately stood at attention and nodded frantically.

"Haha, Thorin, don't frighten my dear students. But this isn't a good place for proper conversation—let's enter the city first." Tarnes called out.

Thorin's Dwarf caravan slowly entered Stormveil Castle, with this Storm Lord's fortress welcoming its first friendly convoy.

The convoy slowly proceeded along the stone-paved road, with the collision of hooves against stone creating crisp, pleasant sounds that broke the usual silence of this street.

Mills stood at a street corner within Stormveil Castle—today was his turn to be responsible for cleaning this street's sanitation, a job he had found within the Golden Tree territory.

He had just finished work when he encountered this convoy, his gaze closely following those sturdy Dwarves.

The Dwarves on the wagons wore leather armor, with muscles faintly visible beneath their coarse cloth outer garments.

Every large cart in the convoy was loaded with goods—from rare ores brought from the distant Blue Mountains to carefully handcrafted Dwarf furniture.

Mills imagined how these goods would enrich his life. Perhaps that crystal-clear ore could become a scenic piece on his fireplace mantel, or maybe that carved Dwarf wooden chair could add warmth to his small house.

"Perhaps I should buy some Dwarf-made toys for Doris and the other children. I remember Dwarf toys are all very exquisite—I even saw those wonderful children's toys back in Rohan."

Mills muttered to himself.

Thanks to the treasures Rogier had previously discovered, the gold coins Elrond had sent, and several trades with previous Dwarf caravans, the Golden Tree territory now had circulating currency.

Even Mills and others who had only arrived a month ago had received their deserved wages, so he had some spare money to buy a few things that could improve his life.

He still remembered when he received his own somewhat heavy money pouch—both he and his companions who received wages showed expressions of disbelief. After all, back in that small village in Rohan, working for the lord was taken for granted, and wages were unimaginable.

Doris's mother, who knew farming, was assigned to work in the fields and received even more wages than him, making her smile from ear to ear.

Other compatriots who knew animal husbandry also received their wages. Since there were too many people and no shortage of herders, Mills, born in Rohan, chose to become a street cleaner for Stormveil Castle.

Actually, this position didn't originally exist. Tarnes also felt that Stormveil Castle didn't have many residents yet and didn't need someone specifically for sanitation cleaning.

This was Kenneth Haight's suggestion. This nobleman of ancient noble birth said that finding helpful work for these Middle-earth humans who had sought refuge with the Golden Tree and paying them wages on schedule like the Golden People would help these people better and faster adapt to their identity transformation as subjects of the Golden Tree territory.

Though Tarnes wasn't sure if this approach was useful, Kenneth Haight certainly thought more deeply about this aspect than he did, so he readily agreed.

Just as Mills was immersed in somewhat incredible memories of this past month, Tarnes, riding Torrent, spotted him standing there with a broom in hand and called out with a smile, "Mills, stop staring at the goods on the carts. Go notify your compatriots—I'll have these Dwarves stop on this street so they can come see if there's anything they want. Also help me notify the Golden People in Moen City that a new Dwarf caravan has arrived."

Mills was startled and hurriedly bowed respectfully to Tarnes first, immediately replying, "I understand, Lord Tarnes!"

Tarnes slowed Torrent's pace and came to the wagon where Thorin was, saying a few words to him.

Thorin nodded and shouted a few words to the Dwarf drivers in the convoy behind him. The cargo-laden wagons slowly stopped, then turned toward the spacious street.

Thorin continued following Tarnes all the way to Stormveil Castle's lord's hall.

Nepheli Loux was inside, somewhat listlessly swinging her battle-axe at the air, treating it as exercise and entertainment.

Upon hearing the door open, she immediately stopped her actions and came forward to greet them.

"Tarnes, staying here is really quite boring... Oh, who is this?" Nepheli Loux was about to complain to Tarnes that she really wasn't someone who could sit indoors all day reading documents, but Tarnes stepped aside to reveal Thorin following behind him.

Tarnes smiled slightly and introduced Nepheli Loux: "This is Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains. He's the one who provided us with our most precious first batch of supplies."

Nepheli Loux immediately paid her respects to Thorin: "Thank you. If it weren't for the food you sent, we would probably still be going hungry and suffering from Orc attacks, and Tarnes couldn't have summoned these castles so quickly with magic. May the breeze forever accompany your journey and guide you home when you're lost."

Thorin also smiled politely at Nepheli Loux: "I heard Dwalin mention you, Nepheli Loux—the most valiant warrior beside Tarnes. I thank you on Dwalin's behalf for your axe technique guidance. After he returned, he boasted quite a bit to his friends."

Tarnes looked at Nepheli Loux with some surprise: "When did you instruct Dwalin? I didn't even know."

While inviting Thorin in, Nepheli Loux smiled at Tarnes: "During the time you were instructing the Dwarf brothers in learning prayers, I saw that Dwarf practicing axe techniques when passing by the farmland, so I went forward to help him correct some movements and taught him some small techniques."

Tarnes nodded thoughtfully.

Fili and Kili happened to enter following Thorin and heard Nepheli Loux's words. Kili picked up the conversation: "Those weren't just simple small techniques, Lady Nepheli Loux. Dwalin single-handedly defeated five Dwarf warriors who surrounded him in the training ground, including Gloin!"

Fili also nodded repeatedly. Thorin, hearing their conversation, turned around and smiled in agreement: "Dwalin's expression at the time was one of extreme surprise—he never expected to achieve such results."

Tarnes glanced at Nepheli Loux, who winked: "I really just corrected some of his small combat movements. He was already an excellent warrior."

Tarnes shrugged. After the Dwarf brothers entered together, the two Banished Knights standing guard outside proactively closed the lord's hall door for those inside.

"Creak—"

Accompanied by the heavy sound of the closing door, Thorin and the others were all seated.

The chairs Thorin, Fili, and Kili sat in were specially adjusted for Dwarves, so their stature wouldn't affect their conversation with Tarnes.

Then, servants from among the Golden People stepped forward to serve fine hot tea to everyone seated.

"Replace the tea for Thorin and the others with wine," Tarnes said to the three female servants upon seeing this.

He remembered that Dwarves preferred strong-flavored wine over these light-tasting teas.

But Thorin shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, Tarnes. But let's save the wine for evening—hot tea is fine."

Tarnes sat in the head seat and looked at Thorin: "Besides giving thanks, you must have other matters to discuss with me this time, right?"

Thorin's expression paused, then he smiled: "Indeed, nothing can be hidden from a great wizard. I do have additional matters to discuss with you."

Tarnes glanced at Fili and Kili, noticing they also showed surprised expressions, indicating that even the Dwarf brothers didn't know about this matter Thorin wanted to discuss.

He asked thoughtfully, "So what exactly is this matter that's worth your great effort to come from the Blue Mountains?"

Thorin didn't answer immediately but extended his hand to touch the warm white porcelain teacup on the table.

While his rough thumb explored the cup's surface, he said, "I plan to convene an Ered Luin council with the seven great Dwarf kingdoms—that is, a Blue Mountains Dwarf representative council—to propose a plan to reclaim the Lonely Mountain."

Then Thorin gestured for the surprised Fili and Kili, who had stood up wanting to say something, to remain quiet first. He looked at Tarnes: "I want to invite you to participate in this council as well, Tarnes."

Now it was Tarnes' turn to show surprise. He pointed to himself: "Me? But this is a council of your Dwarf kingdoms. Wouldn't a human participating cause dissatisfaction among your compatriots?"

Thorin smiled at this: "If you were just an ordinary human, that would indeed cause dissatisfaction among the seven kingdoms' Dwarves. But don't forget—you have another identity: wizard."

"Wizard?"

Thorin nodded, deliberately emphasizing these two words: "That's right, 'wizard.' In our homeland—the Lonely Mountain—sleeps an evil dragon. To reclaim the Lonely Mountain, we must inevitably battle this fire-breathing evil dragon. They all know the dragon's terror—its flames can instantly burn Dwarves to nothing. Therefore, they certainly won't easily agree to my proposal. But if you're there—a powerful wizard—the possibility of the seven kingdoms' representatives agreeing to my proposal becomes very high."

Tarnes pondered, "Well, Gandalf did mention the Lonely Mountain to me. He should now be heading north, investigating related matters."

Thorin's eyes lit up: "Gandalf—the Grey Wizard? If we count him, I'd have the support of two wizards—you and him! Now the seven kingdoms' Dwarf representatives can't refuse my plan to reclaim the Lonely Mountain."

Tarnes gestured calmingly: "Calm down, Thorin. I don't know Gandalf's location now, and I'm not sure if he'd be willing to participate in the council with you."

Thorin also realized he was getting excited and showed an apologetic expression: "Ah, I see... Sorry, I got a bit too excited just now. Seeing the homeland you've reestablished on this desolate land of Minhiriath made me too eager to reclaim my own homeland."

Tarnes smiled: "I understand your feelings, Thorin. You extended help when the Golden Tree was at its lowest point, so I'll certainly agree to your request. Not just participating in the Blue Mountains Dwarf Council—even if you asked me to accompany you to face the evil dragon, I'd agree."

Thorin looked up at Tarnes in disbelief, his voice trembling: "Tarnes, is everything you're saying true? Even facing the evil dragon with me?"

Tarnes nodded firmly and smiled: "What? A powerful 'wizard' challenging an evil dragon—is that such a strange thing?"

Thorin quickly shook his head: "No, I just... I just didn't expect you to agree so simply. I had prepared many arguments. Moreover, you're the first person willing to support my plan without me promising any reward."

Tarnes said, "I told you, your reward has already been paid: that food, seeds, and animals that brought hope to me and the Golden Tree."

Fili stood up excitedly in his chair at this point: "Uncle Thorin, I'm also willing to go with you to reclaim the Lonely Mountain!"

Kili didn't speak but also stood up, his frantic nodding already expressing his thoughts.

Thorin first looked gently at his two nephews, then his expression became serious again: "Sit down quietly first and listen to me finish what I have to say, Fili, Kili."

Fili and Kili were once again silenced by Thorin.

Tarnes made an attentive listening expression, and Thorin continued, "The Dwarf council will be held in half a year. Because one of my relatives, Dain, is far away in the Iron Hills—even carrier pigeon messages take a long time to receive replies."

Then Thorin showed a determined expression, his gaze seeming to already see the distant Lonely Mountain: "After the council ends, regardless of whether the seven kingdoms agree or not, I will gather forces and march to the Lonely Mountain!"

[Chapter Complete]

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