Chapter 100: Entering the Lonely Mountain

Looking at the secret door that Kael had easily opened with a single spell, Thorin was momentarily unsure whether to be happy that the door was open or worried about how his own back door seemed as ineffective as decoration. But since the door was open, the group no longer lingered and entered the secret passage one by one. Back then, the Durin folk had hollowed out the entire belly of the Lonely Mountain, and the dragon's location was in the great hall near the front door, so the group didn't need to worry about being discovered by the dragon immediately upon entering. As their former home, Thorin and the older dwarves like Balin knew the interior structure of the Lonely Mountain like the back of their hands, and they successfully led everyone to a concealed room. Along the way, they could see many dwarven skeletons scattered about... those who hadn't been able to escape when the dragon occupied the Lonely Mountain. After reaching the concealed room, the group stopped advancing further. The dragon Smaug was very familiar with the scent of dwarves and humans, and going any closer would easily alert the dragon. Everyone's gaze fell on Bilbo. To avoid disturbing Smaug as much as possible, they could only rely on "Mr. Burglar" to steal the Arkenstone. This way, they wouldn't have to face the dragon directly. Once they obtained the Arkenstone, they could return the same way and leave the Lonely Mountain, and Thorin could summon the seven dwarf clans to attack the mountain in the name of the King Under the Mountain. Thorin walked up to Bilbo and patted his shoulder. "Now it's up to you! I believe you can definitely get the Arkenstone, right?" Bilbo felt uncomfortable under Thorin's gaze and turned his head away uneasily. "I... I'll try my best!" His tone lacked confidence; after all, he was about to face a dragon. Then he felt the pressure on his shoulders grow heavier. "Not 'try your best,' but 'definitely'! You must get the Arkenstone!" Thorin's voice carried a hint of madness and obsession. "Enough!" Kael waved his hand and instantly flung Thorin away from Bilbo. Then he stood beside Bilbo, looking at Thorin with cold eyes. "Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo is not your subordinate or servant. You'd better show him some respect!" Gandalf also frowned, looking at him with disappointment. "Thorin, wake up! Don't let madness consume your reason. Look at yourself... you're becoming less and less like the Thorin Oakenshield you once were!" "Perhaps allowing you to come to the Lonely Mountain was a mistake from the beginning. The closer you get to the mountain, the more the dragon-sickness hidden in your blood manifests. It's trying to make you destroy yourself!" "No, I have never been more clear-headed than I am now!" Thorin glared angrily at Gandalf. "Nothing is more important than the Arkenstone! As long as I have the Arkenstone, I can reclaim my Lonely Mountain, my treasure!" "Compared to this, everything else is just clouds!" "These things were never your most important treasures, Thorin Oakenshield. Look around you... your companions and kinsmen, they are your true treasures. Don't let desire blind your eyes!" Gandalf tried to awaken Thorin's conscience. Thorin looked at the dwarves who were watching him with worried expressions. His eyes wavered slightly but were soon suppressed by another wave of mad obsession, becoming fanatical and crazy. He shook his head, his tone cold. "No, they are insignificant." "You're truly mad!" Gandalf's voice was somewhat weary. "Alright, Gandalf, he has little reason left. You won't be able to convince him," Kael said. "The closer he gets to the treasure of the Lonely Mountain, the more obvious the dragon-sickness within him becomes." "If worst comes to worst, just knock him unconscious and take him far away. Maybe without the influence of the treasure, he'll be able to regain his composure." "Stop arguing! I'll go steal the Arkenstone!" Bilbo's voice suddenly rang out. Seeing everyone's gaze turn to him, he said, "As long as I get the Arkenstone, all problems will be solved, won't they?" "With the Arkenstone, Thorin can summon the dwarves, and my mission... as well as Kael's and Gandalf's... will be complete. I can go home too." Everyone instantly fell silent. "So, trust me this once, can you?" Bilbo asked with a pure smile. Kael looked at Bilbo like this, felt moved, took a deep breath, crouched down to meet his eyes, and seriously asked once more, "Bilbo, are you sure?" Bilbo nodded firmly. "Since you're going, let me give you some protection." Kael stopped trying to dissuade him and waved his wand over Bilbo's body, chanting, "Protego Maxima, Protego Totalum, Impervious, Flame-Freezing Charm, Muffliato..." Bilbo stared wide-eyed at the multiple protective spells cast on him, feeling an invisible sense of bulk. Then he saw Kael take out a potted Mandrake from his enchanted pouch and hand it directly to him. "Take this Mandrake with you. If you encounter the dragon, just throw it out... it'll buy you enough time. Don't worry, I've cast a spell on you so you won't hear it when it cries." "And if you really face a life-threatening crisis, tap this gold coin. I'll know immediately, and we'll come to rescue you right away..." Listening to Kael's endless instructions, Bilbo's smile grew brighter and brighter. Moved, he hugged Kael tightly. "I understand, Kael. Thank you!" Kael gently patted his back. "Be careful not to put yourself in danger. If you can't get the stone, don't force it, okay?" Bilbo nodded quickly. Hearing this, Kael released him. Gandalf loved seeing such scenes. He smiled and patted Bilbo's shoulder. "Kael has already done everything he can. I can only wish you good luck! Bilbo, may the Valar bless you!" When he said the last sentence, the others felt nothing. But Kael clearly sensed a force carrying blessing power descending upon Bilbo. After that, Bilbo left the chamber amid everyone's blessings to head to the treasury where the dragon resided. As he was leaving, Kael added another layer of Disillusionment Charm to Bilbo. Although it couldn't guarantee hiding him from the dragon's sight, it was still an additional safeguard. After Bilbo left, the dwarves sat restlessly in the silent atmosphere. Thorin grew increasingly impatient as time passed. He looked at Kael. "Kael, can't your palantír see distant scenes? Take it out and see how Bilbo is doing now. Or is he too cowardly and just hiding somewhere?" "Otherwise, you could directly check the Arkenstone's location, and we could figure out another way to get it." Kael looked at him coldly. "Didn't you hear what Gandalf said? Using the palantír to observe would be detected by the dragon. If you want to get yourself killed, don't drag us down with you!" "And Bilbo is a brave hobbit. He's risking his life to find the Arkenstone for you right now. Not being grateful is one thing, but if you continue to slander and doubt him, you can go find it yourself!" He had no good feelings whatsoever for this current Thorin, whose eyes held only the Arkenstone. Dragon-sickness, put simply, amplified the desire and obsession in Thorin's heart. Although the trigger was the dragon's treasure, essentially it still originated from within his own heart. Just then, a deafening dragon's roar came from the treasury, echoing and reverberating throughout the entire Lonely Mountain. Everyone present instantly changed expression and turned to look in the direction of the treasury. [Chapter Complete] *** Want more? Check out my Patreon for: ✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories ✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics ✓ Early access content [email protected]/meowthtl ???? 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