The Tarnished in LOTR with Elden Ring

After hearing Tarnes' words, Bard's eyes widened as he asked: "But that dragon's scales are harder than black iron! This is too dangerous, Mr. Tarnes. I know you're a wizard, but you just saved my son. I can't just watch you go to your death."

Balin also shook his head in opposition. The old Dwarf's silver beard heaved violently with rapid breathing, his calloused palm pressing on Thorin's shoulder: "I also disagree, Mr. Tarnes. Use Thorin as bait? That's simply sending him into the dragon's mouth!"

"We can be the bait!"

Kili and Fili suddenly shouted in unison, then the Dwarf brothers smiled at each other.

Since they were also of Durin's royal blood, they could surely attract Smaug's attention too.

After hearing the brothers' words, Balin whirled around and glared at the twins with frustration, veins bulging on his wrinkled forehead.

The old Dwarf almost said, "What chaos are you adding!" out loud.

The room instantly erupted, with other Dwarves also becoming noisy.

Gloin slammed his fist on the wooden table, Nori shoved chairs making dull sounds, and the voices of over a dozen Dwarves nearly lifted the roof.

Dwalin's rough voice overcame the clamor: "Use Thorin as bait? Unless you step over my corpse first, I should be the one going as bait."

Ori crouched in the corner, his voice weak: "But can we really succeed? That's Smaug, the most terrifying living creature."

Tarnes held up both hands, signaling the Dwarves to quiet down, then looked at Thorin with serious eyes: "There's definitely danger. After all, we're planning to slay a dragon, not butcher a helpless pig. But more importantly, is Thorin himself willing to be the bait? If he doesn't agree, I have other methods, though they'd likely give that dragon a higher chance of escaping from the Lonely Mountain."

Thorin also looked at Tarnes, asking in a low voice: "If I become the bait, how confident are you in killing Smaug?"

Tarnes said definitively: "I'm ninety-nine percent confident in killing it. I don't say one hundred percent because I don't know what else might happen. But I can ensure your safety, even if I fail to kill Smaug, as long as you completely trust me."

Thorin looked at the Dwarves around him watching, raised his fist, and then clenched it tight, shouting without hesitation: "Then what's there to hesitate about! Of course I agree! Let us join Tarnes in slaying the dragon!"

"Oh! Slay the dragon!"

The Dwarves also raised their hands, cheering with Thorin.

Thorin shouted again: "Reclaim the Lonely Mountain!"

"Reclaim the Lonely Mountain!" the Dwarves continued shouting.

Seeing this scene, Balin could only sigh and acquiesce to Thorin's decision.

Thorin showed a satisfied smile, then looked at Bard standing aside, asking puzzledly: "Why are you still here, human? I'm grateful for the intelligence you provided, Tarnes, but now you can leave."

Bard resisted the urge to roll his eyes and politely explained: "Mr. Tarnes asked me to come. I have a commission. He said you might be able to help."

Tarnes nodded: "Yes, this is Bard, one of Lake-town's guards. When Smaug attacked Lake-town, he organized people to fight back. Of course, he has another identity you might be more familiar with."

Thorin looked up and studied Bard. This human dressed like a refugee and vagabond didn't seem particularly special: "What identity could he have worth our attention? Is he related to Lake-town's mayor?"

Tarnes said: "He's a descendant of Girion, the former Lord of Dale. I think you and Balin are familiar with that name."

Balin showed understanding, a trace of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.

He proactively greeted warmly, his voice gentle as embers in an old hearth, while also explaining to other Dwarves: "Ah, so you're of Lord Girion's bloodline. No wonder you seemed familiar at first sight. You look very like your ancestor, Mr. Bard. When the dragon attacked, your grandfather bravely stood up, defending Dale to the death and buying precious time for others to evacuate."

Thorin crossed his arms and nodded slightly, his bracers rustling against fabric, the most solemn acknowledgment from Dwarf royalty.

Bard first shook his head, then asked somewhat urgently: "Let those old matters sleep in the ashes. Now I only want to rescue my two daughters trapped in Lake-town. They could be sacrificed to the dragon at any time. Can you help me rescue my daughters? I'm willing to pay appropriate compensation."

As Bard spoke these words, he rubbed the quiver strap hanging from his back, the leather making strained creaking sounds in his palm.

The Dwarves exchanged glances but said nothing.

Only Gloin, also a father, tapped the wooden table with rough knuckles and asked: "I think you should properly explain the whole situation to us. We Dwarves never swing weapons for confused causes."

Then he removed the water pouch from his waist and pushed it over: "Drink some water to moisten your throat and explain clearly."

Bard took the pouch but had no mind to drink, instead relating the cause and effect in detail.

After listening, Thorin frowned and looked at Tarnes: "It sounds like this has nothing to do with us going to kill that dragon. What's your reason for recommending he commission us, Tarnes? I'm sure you have your calculations."

Tarnes cleared his throat: "There are two reasons I think you should take Bard's commission. First, you can use this excuse to smoothly leave the Woodland Realm. Thorin, given the relationship between you and Thranduil that could be described as 'terrible,' do you think he'll let you leave his territory so easily? So accepting Bard's commission means Thranduil won't openly obstruct your departure. Otherwise if this matter spreads, it would affect his reputation."

Thorin sneered: "Of course not. Even if that old tree-spirit agrees to let us leave his territory, he'll definitely cause trouble in other ways."

Even Bofur waved his flute: "If he dares obstruct us, I'll weave this into songs for bards, letting all of Middle-earth know that pointed-ear's cold-heartedness."

Other Dwarves also nodded. Clearly they were all very hostile toward the Woodland Realm's Elves, so Tarnes' reason convinced them.

Tarnes continued: "The second reason is that, according to Bard, Lake-town's mayor has somehow completely fallen to become Smaug's lackey. Smaug might not care about Lake-town, but the Orcs who awakened Smaug might. I think when we go to Lake-town, we'll also have a chance to capture and interrogate those Orcs, figuring out exactly what Azog and his forces are planning."

Hearing Azog's name, Thorin immediately said: "Yes, you're right, Tarnes. We must figure out what that Orc scum is planning. Without killing it and using its blood to console my grandfather and kinsmen, I cannot face their sacrifice."

So he looked at Bard and nodded, accepting the commission: "I swear by the name of Thorin Oakenshield to rescue your daughters from the mayor's clutches."

But Thorin frowned again: "But looking at your dress, do you really have enough money to pay our reward?"

Bard said confidently: "If Mr. Tarnes had introduced me to others, even other Dwarves, I wouldn't have enough money to pay. But since your purpose is dragon-slaying, then I can definitely afford the payment, even if it's not gold coins."

When the Dwarves first heard Bard say he didn't have enough money for payment, they all showed disdainful expressions, but after hearing his latter words, they all looked at Bard with interest.

Thorin felt this descendant of Dale spoke interestingly and showed a playful smile: "Let's hear it, human. Why are you so certain we'll accept payment other than gold coins?"

Bard also smiled: "Black Arrows, Dwarf gentlemen. I plan to use a Black Arrow to pay for rescuing my two daughters."

After hearing "Black Arrow," Thorin's eyes flashed with brilliance as he asked excitedly: "Black Arrow? You actually still have a Black Arrow?"

Tarnes also found the name somewhat familiar. As memories about this name surfaced, he said to Thorin: "The kind of arrow that can pierce dragon scales you mentioned?"

Thorin nodded: "Yes, Smaug would never expect us to have a Black Arrow. If we give the Black Arrow to Master Igon..."

But before Thorin finished speaking, he quickly calmed down and looked at Bard: "But how can we trust that your Black Arrow is genuine? Why don't you show it to us now? Dwalin and the others are all skilled master smiths. They can distinguish a Black Arrow's authenticity."

But Bard shrugged: "Unfortunately, the Black Arrow isn't with me now, but I swear by Bard's name that it's absolutely genuine."

Thorin's expression grew cold: "Words are no proof. How can we possibly believe you based on just what you say?"

Balin showed a hesitant expression: "Perhaps he's telling the truth."

Other Dwarves looked at Balin, and even Bard looked at the white-bearded old man with some surprise.

He hadn't expected any Dwarf to speak for him, especially one who had previously opposed Tarnes and Thorin's dragon-slaying plan.

Thorin asked: "Explain, Balin. Why do you think he's telling the truth?"

Balin fell into recollection: "Lord Girion of Dale once purchased a batch of fine weapons forged by Lonely Mountain Dwarves, including several Black Arrows capable of slaying dragons. I'm very certain this is true because I was the one who handled the trade with Girion. If Bard is Girion's descendant, the probability of a Black Arrow being passed down to him is very high."

Bard added: "Yes, my ancestor purchased three Black Arrows in total. Two were used when defending Dale. The remaining Black Arrow hadn't been shot yet when my ancestor Girion died in Smaug's dragon flame, then it was passed down to me."

Thorin listened silently to both men, glanced at Bard, sighed slightly, and said somewhat emotionally: "If your ancestor had aimed better that day, everything would be different now."

But Bard retorted dissatisfiedly in a low voice: "Since you're Thorin Oakenshield, you should know better. That day Girion's two Black Arrows both hit Smaug, shooting off a scale from the left side of its chest. One more arrow and Smaug would have died."

Thorin said nothing, but Dwalin laughed.

He looked at Bard, raising both hands to show no ill intent: "That's just a fairy tale, human. Though I understand the protagonist is your ancestor and you're defending him. But unfortunately, what you said is false. Historical truth isn't like that."

Bard shook his head and said again: "Forget it, now isn't the time to argue about this. Will you accept my commission? As long as you rescue my daughters, I'll gladly offer that Black Arrow."

Thorin observed Bard: "We'll certainly accept, but not just the Black Arrow. You need to pay additionally... let me think, thirty... no, ten gold coins."

Bard frowned: "Ten gold coins I can indeed afford. But I also have a condition. My two daughters must return to me completely alive and intact."

Thorin nodded readily, glancing at Tarnes without trace: "Of course, no problem. As long as your daughters still breathe, I guarantee they can safely and completely reunite with you. Balin, draft three contracts for me, Bard, and... Bilbo."

Bilbo's eyes widened as he pointed at himself: "Wait, why am I involved in this?"

He'd listened to Tarnes and the others' conversation, thinking the subsequent events had nothing to do with him.

After all, the dragon had awakened, so he wouldn't need to sneak into the Lonely Mountain to steal that gem anymore.

Bilbo had planned to explore more of the Woodland Realm to see how it differed from Rivendell but didn't expect Thorin to mention his name.

Thorin said matter-of-factly: "To rescue Bard's daughters, we first need to figure out where they're imprisoned. So many Dwarves entering Lake-town would be obvious, so we need you, our skilled burglar, to scout possible locations where his daughters are held. But this isn't related to the Lonely Mountain commission, so I need to draft a new contract to commission you. Of course, payment is negotiable."

Bilbo struggled for a while, finally saying helplessly: "Then I'll see it through to the end. Going to human Lake-town to find two imprisoned girls is better than sneaking into the Lonely Mountain to steal things under a dragon's nose."

Soon, three contracts were signed.

Tarnes looked at Thorin and Bard putting away their contracts: "When do you plan to depart?"

Bard said: "The sooner the better. I don't know when Smaug will feed next. If you don't object, we can leave tonight. I'll guide the way, but can only take you to outside Lake-town."

Thorin nodded: "Then we leave tonight."