Chapter 120: Lórien

Kael and his companions remained as honored guests in the Woodland Realm for two peaceful days before formally bidding farewell to Thranduil. However, before their departure, with Thranduil's gracious permission, Kael established a fireplace connection as a permanent node in his expanding Floo Network. He also presented Thranduil with several bottles of Floo Powder as a gesture of friendship. Thranduil displayed intense interest in the Floo Network's possibilities. Although the ash-covered method of transportation struck him as somewhat distasteful and undignified, He immediately recognized the tremendous strategic importance of such a communication system. It would connect all allied forces across Middle-earth in an unprecedented way. Critical news could be transmitted through the Floo Network instantly, and trusted individuals could even travel between locations in moments. The fact that such a powerful tool remained under Kael's exclusive control significantly elevated Thranduil's respect for the young wizard. After their formal farewell to Thranduil, Kael's traveling group gained another distinguished member. The four companions rode comfortably on Smaug's broad back as they continued their westward journey. Legolas, experiencing dragon flight for the first time in his long life, felt tremendous excitement and exhilaration. Though his naturally reserved Elven nature prevented excessive emotional display, his flushed pointed ears revealed everything about his inner delight. When passing through Mirkwood's darker regions heading west, they encountered a group of giant spiders that had been frightened away by the dragon's imposing presence. Legolas immediately drew his bow with fluid precision, nocking an arrow and striking each spider's head with deadly accuracy. As he prepared to eliminate the remaining two giant spiders, Kael reached out and gently stopped his arm. Facing Legolas's puzzled expression, Kael smiled with obvious amusement. "Don't eliminate them all. Leave me two alive specimens." With a casual wave of his wand, he petrified the two giant spiders that were fleeing in obvious panic, then used a Levitation Charm to bring them floating over before packing them directly into his enchanted storage. Witnessing Kael's unusual actions, not only did Legolas appear surprised, but Bilbo and Gandalf also looked thoroughly bewildered. "Kael, what exactly do you want with two living giant spiders?" Gandalf asked with obvious puzzlement. Kael explained with an amused chuckle, "Don't you think giant spider silk possesses remarkable durability? I happen to know magic for weaving protective clothing. I can use their silk to create fabric. The defensive properties would definitely surpass most conventional armor while remaining lightweight and flexible." The three companions fell speechless upon hearing this practical explanation. Gandalf regarded Kael with complete incomprehension, "The treasure you received from the Lonely Mountain is sufficient to make you one of the wealthiest individuals in Middle-earth. Why are you still concerned about additional income?" Kael immediately nudged Smaug beneath his feet with obvious irritation. "Because I now have to feed a dragon! No amount of wealth is sufficient for that responsibility!" Thinking of how the Wood-elves had struggled to suppress their relieved smiles when they departed, and even Thranduil had secretly breathed a sigh of relief, Kael felt his frustration mounting. He never expected that one day he would become an unwelcome guest. All because Smaug had consumed over a hundred sheep and pigs in just two days while completely draining their wine cellars. The Elves had been forced to take up bows and arrows to hunt throughout the forest just to replenish their depleted meat supplies. Kael had never imagined that a wakeful dragon would possess such an enormous appetite. After witnessing the dragon's legendary gluttony firsthand, Kael desperately wished he could find a way to make this creature sleep again. That way he wouldn't need to constantly worry about feeding the bottomless pit. But the frustrating reality was that Smaug insisted he could only sleep properly if the floor was covered completely with gold. He remained absolutely firm about this requirement, maintaining a stubborn attitude of "give me treasure or give me death." Even when Kael threatened him with the Cruciatus Curse, the dragon wouldn't compromise on this point. In Smaug's words, the only ideal that dragons had pursued from the beginning of time was sleeping while lying upon countless treasures. To compete for such hoards, dragons would not only attack dwarves but even fight their own kind to the death, all to plunder the wealth stored in each other's lairs. This was precisely why dragons were becoming increasingly rare, to the point where only Smaug remained as a known survivor of his species. Kael promised Smaug that after returning to Weathertop, he would use the treasure divided from the Lonely Mountain as the dragon's sleeping surface. Only then did Smaug reluctantly cease his constant nagging and complaints. But Smaug still felt this amount of treasure was pitifully inadequate for a proper dragon bed. After all, this represented only one-tenth of the Lonely Mountain's wealth and couldn't even cover his massive body properly. He fondly remembered lying atop the Lonely Mountain's complete hoard, possessing what was arguably the world's greatest concentrated wealth. But now he served a comparatively poor master. The difference in treatment felt absolutely devastating. Hearing such complaints made Kael's teeth itch with the desire to immediately cast Avada Kedavra on this ungrateful dragon. Where had he subdued a loyal mount? He had apparently invited home a demanding lord, specifically a gold-devouring lord! Hearing Kael's stream of frustrated complaints, Gandalf and Bilbo couldn't stop giggling at the situation. Even the normally reserved Legolas couldn't suppress an amused smile. Originally expecting Smaug to be a fierce and terrifying dragon, they hadn't anticipated this almost comical reality. Of course, regarding the money-making discussion, everyone understood Kael was largely joking about his motivations. However, they all genuinely thought the idea of utilizing spider silk showed considerable merit. They had all witnessed the incredible strength of giant spider silk. Even the sharpest Elven swords couldn't easily cut through the material. If spider silk could truly be used to weave protective clothing, the quality would definitely exceed most conventional armor while remaining lighter and more flexible. And the material source was both simple and essentially unlimited. Considering this potential, even Legolas felt that Mirkwood's giant spiders weren't entirely useless creatures. Perhaps he could send word to his father Thranduil about capturing some giant spiders for containment and then having Elven craftsmen use the silk to weave superior armor. The group rode their dragon past Mirkwood's borders, then enjoyed afternoon refreshments at Beorn's welcoming home before continuing their journey. However, this time they didn't continue directly west toward the Misty Mountains but turned south along the great River Anduin. Before crossing the Misty Mountains to reach Rivendell, Kael wanted to visit Lothlórien first. Not only had Kael promised to craft personal wands for Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen, but now he was also adding Legolas's commission to the list. There was also Gandalf's staff that required his attention and craftsmanship. For all these compelling reasons, he needed to make this important journey to Lórien. Lórien was located east of the Misty Mountains and west of the River Anduin, separated from the dark fortress Dol Guldur at Mirkwood's southernmost tip only by the river's width. The Nimrodel stream flowing from the Misty Mountains and the Celebrant River converged into the Anduin here, forming a beautiful triangular delta region of exceptional fertility. Lórien was shrouded and protected by the power of Nenya, the Ring of Water. Even time itself could barely touch this place. The valley remained forever sacred and beautiful, representing the last truly pure land remaining in Middle-earth. When Kael and his group arrived at Lórien's mystical borders, they encountered an invisible magical barrier. Without explicit permission from those dwelling within, it proved nearly impossible to find the correct path for entry. Fortunately, among their company was Gandalf, a frequent and welcome visitor to this sacred realm. Following Gandalf's wise suggestion, Smaug was directed to wait patiently outside Lórien's protected boundaries. Then the three companions followed Gandalf, walking upstream along the river's banks. The trees lining their path remained evergreen with lush grass, as though experiencing eternal early spring from ancient times. Forever verdant and never withering, bearing the gentle traces of countless ages. Golden leaves occasionally floated downstream in the river's current. These leaves appeared brilliantly beautiful, as though they were truly crafted from precious metal. Magnificent enough to make even dragons feel covetous desire. The four travelers walked deeper into the enchanted forest, where the surrounding green gradually faded and transformed into a realm of gold. At the forest's heart grew countless towering mallorn trees. The mallorn bark appeared silver-gray, but their leaves shone golden yellow, appearing as though forged from actual gold by master craftsmen. Golden leaves fell continuously, covering the earth like an elaborate carpet spread across the land by divine hands. Lórien's famous name as the Golden Wood derived from this spectacular sight. Here they encountered three Elves approaching with obvious purpose. "Ah, Haldir, it has been far too long!" Gandalf greeted the leading Elf with obvious pleasure. The Elf named Haldir smiled warmly and nodded respectfully. "Mithrandir." "The Lady knew of your coming and sent us to welcome you properly. Please follow us." Hearing this, Gandalf smiled and sighed with familiar admiration, "The Lady of Lórien's foresight remains as far-reaching as ever. She must have discovered our presence the moment we crossed Lórien's borders." Everyone followed the guiding Elves to Lórien's magnificent capital, Caras Galadhon. Caras Galadhon was situated upon a verdant hill crowned with towering mallorn trees, surrounded by green walls and a protective moat. The Elves of Lórien didn't dwell upon the ground but instead lived in platforms and elaborate dwellings constructed within the tall mallorn trees themselves. The entire city of Caras Galadhon represented a marvel of architecture built harmoniously among the trees. Countless lights hung from the branches like stars scattered throughout the forest, making the entire hill appear submerged in an ocean of starlight. Among all the majestic mallorn trees, the palace of Lórien's Lord and Lady occupied the largest and most ancient specimen. Beneath this greatest and most venerable mallorn tree, a central fountain had been constructed on the emerald lawn. The spring water first fell into a silver basin nearby, then overflowed to form a crystal-clear lake. The lake water flowed down the mountainside to create a stream called Mirrormere. This magical spring was said to wash away all fatigue and possessed extraordinary healing properties. Where Mirrormere flowed, there lay a beautiful garden. Lady Galadriel's private sanctuary, planted with various exotic flowers and plants that bloomed in all seasons and never withered. The group climbed spiral wooden stairs from the giant tree's base, ascending steadily until they reached a huge platform. The Lord and Lady's palace was located on this platform. The palace was oval-shaped, built around the living tree, and consisted of several connected platforms and a great hall. Looking up from below the tree, it seemed to float in mid-air, perfectly integrated with the natural environment. From the tree platform, one could overlook the entire Lórien forest, taking in all the breathtaking scenery. Everyone entered the magnificent great hall. Inside the hall, at the front, the Lord and Lady's thrones were placed side by side without any distinction of rank or precedence. On the other side of the thrones stood an elegantly simple staircase that spiraled upward from the hall to disappear into a higher platform. That was where the Lord and Lady maintained their private quarters. Gandalf was already thoroughly familiar with this environment from previous visits. But for Kael, Bilbo, and Legolas, who were experiencing this wonder for the first time, they spent their waiting time admiringly surveying everything around them with obvious awe. Before long, two Elven figures descended hand in hand from the top of the staircase. With their appearance, the entire hall seemed to brighten with supernatural radiance. Everyone's gaze unconsciously converged upon the pair, like all living creatures' instinctive attraction to light itself. They were the undisputed masters of Lórien: Celeborn and Galadriel. "Mithrandir, autumn leaves in Lórien have fallen dozens of times, covering your former footprints completely, but what wind and rain in the outside world have delayed your coming?" Celeborn spoke in greeting, his voice carrying the deep resonance of spring thunder while remaining as refreshing as a gentle spring breeze. He stood tall and perfectly upright with flowing silver hair, wearing naturally magnificent and exquisitely crafted robes that radiated both majesty and timeless elegance. If Elrond resembled a spring breeze, carrying compassion and tolerance like a benevolent king, And Thranduil embodied Mirkwood itself with mystery and difficult-to-approach pride like a stern King. Then Celeborn before them carried ancient tranquility and composure, as though he had been blessed by countless years. His demeanor held nearly eternal calm, unhurried and unrushed, as though worldly chaos could hardly disturb his perfect composure. He appeared more like an elder silently guarding his beloved homeland. A king who had been refined by worldly experience, with restrained power and steady, profound depth. "No matter how fierce the wind and rain outside may be, they cannot shake your composure, Lord Celeborn." Gandalf nodded slightly and smiled with obvious respect. "Of course, except when it comes to your beautiful Lady Galadriel." Hearing this compliment, Celeborn's expression warmed with genuine pleasure. Meanwhile, Galadriel, who stood hand in hand with her beloved husband, turned her penetrating gaze toward the remaining companions. "Young wizard, we meet again." Galadriel's knowing eyes met Kael's directly. A voice rang out clearly in Kael's mind, speaking without words. (TL NOTE: Unfortunately, my LOTR: Playing Minecraft in Middle-earth book was mistakenly flagged as spam on Webnovel and removed. I'll re-upload it under a different title by today at the latest. Thank you for your patience!)