Chapter 125: The Secret-Keeper

Gandalf had already witnessed the incredible power of Kael's Unbreakable Vow, which could make even the mighty Smaug the dragon submit in complete resignation. Now hearing about the Fidelius Charm, a sophisticated contract magic designed to protect secrets, he immediately and eagerly requested that Kael cast the spell. The others also looked at Kael with obvious anticipation and hope. After all, if they could truly keep the Ring's existence secret, they wouldn't need to worry about Sauron discovering its location. "The Fidelius Charm requires a Secret-Keeper to store the Ring's secret in the deepest part of their soul. As long as the Secret-Keeper doesn't betray the secret, outsiders cannot know the secret's content, even with Legilimency. Which of you would like to serve as Secret-Keeper?" Kael finally asked for everyone's opinions on this crucial matter. The Secret-Keeper's role was absolutely vital, but everyone present was completely trustworthy. Especially Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond, and Celeborn were ideal candidates. Not only were they incredibly powerful, but also wise and righteous beyond question. So Kael didn't really care who became the Secret-Keeper. However, he hadn't expected that the several people he had mentally selected exchanged knowing glances, then unanimously focused their attention directly on him. Gandalf especially represented everyone's collective opinion, saying cheerfully, "Better to trouble one person than many. We don't know much about the Fidelius Charm's intricacies, so you should be the Secret-Keeper, Kael." Me? Kael felt genuinely stunned. He hadn't expected that in the end, everyone would entrust him with the Secret-Keeper position. Though it was somewhat unexpected, Kael didn't refuse the responsibility. Secret-Keeper it was. After all, he wasn't worried about anyone being able to force him to reveal the secret. Since the decision was made, Kael began the formal secrecy ritual. There were eight people present: Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, Bilbo, Legolas, Arwen, and Kael himself. Kael had Bilbo place the Ring carefully on the ground, then with the Ring as the center, everyone formed a circle and placed their hands together. Then he placed his wand on their joined hands and began reciting the ancient incantation. As the spell was chanted, the wand tip traced silver-gray light trails that solidified upon touching the ground, like a circle cast from pure moonlight, surrounding everyone within its protective boundary. "With soul as vessel, hide this secret until the end." Kael silently recited his name and oath. As soon as he finished speaking, silver light emerged from everyone within the circle, gathering together and directly entering Kael's body. Everyone instantly felt a strange emptiness in their hearts, as if some important secret had been taken away. At the same time, the light circle surrounding them instantly contracted, forming a thin ring that drilled into Kael's chest. Kael felt something additional in his soul, and only he held the key to unlock it. "Alright, it's done!" Kael withdrew his wand and announced. "That's it?" Legolas asked in surprise. "You can try telling someone else about it," Kael said with an amused smile. Legolas opened his mouth, attempting to speak about the Ring's secret, but found that some kind of magical restriction was binding him, preventing him from revealing even the smallest bit of the secret. The others curiously tried as well, and like Legolas, they couldn't speak about the Ring's secret at all. "My lady, how do you feel?" Gandalf asked Galadriel with a knowing smile. Galadriel showed a brilliant smile, nodding in genuine praise. "A very unique and magical contract spell. It has hidden all the Ring secrets from our hearts in the depths of Kael's soul. I don't think I could find a way to break it." Hearing this, the others felt even more surprised and reassured. To receive such high praise from Lady Galadriel, the Ring must be incredibly safe. The following scene completely put everyone at ease. When the Elf Haldir came to notify everyone that dinner was ready, even though the Ring was placed on the table right in front of him, he completely ignored it as if he couldn't see it at all. Even when Celeborn specifically asked him what he saw on the table, Haldir shook his head, saying he saw no objects whatsoever. With the hidden danger resolved, everyone's mood became relaxed and cheerful. In the following time, everyone finally had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Lórien's breathtaking scenery. Here were eternally green trees and grass, never-fading flowers, and golden mallorn trees that seemed to glow with inner light. Mallorn trees, besides in Lórien, only grew in the western holy land of Valinor, and were said to be connected to Laurelin, one of the legendary Two Trees. Mallorn trees were not only tall and beautiful but also magical trees containing supernatural power. From Kael's perspective as a wandmaker, they were simply the finest material for making wands! If the wand masters of the magical world saw this entire forest of mallorn trees, they would be like mice in a granary, absolutely delighted. Speaking of wand-making, Kael had already begun crafting wands for Arwen and the others these past few days. After all, debts should be repaid as soon as possible for peace of mind. Hearing that Kael was going to make a wand for Arwen, Galadriel directly sent a section of mallorn heartwood, taken from a branch of the tallest and largest mallorn tree where she and Celeborn lived. Looking at the five-meter-long heartwood, Kael's eyes lit up with excitement. With such long heartwood, how many wands could he make? Moreover, as heartwood from Lórien's most ancient mallorn tree, this section contained tremendous magical power. The wands made from it would surely be extraordinarily powerful. Elrond gave Kael an even greater surprise. He actually brought a section of White Tree branch. According to Elrond, this branch was broken from the first White Tree in the southern kingdom of Gondor. The branch was pure white throughout. Kael didn't know how Elrond had preserved it, but even after so long, it still retained vitality. Kael felt extremely delighted. He had encountered two types of top-tier wand-making materials at once. He decided that while making wands for Arwen and the others, he could also make several extra wands for his own use or for others in the future. He could even consider replicating Ollivanders wand shop, becoming Middle-earth's only wand shop. Of course, obtaining wands he made wouldn't simply require money unless someone could trade with conditions that satisfied Kael. After all, every wand he had agreed to make for others had earned him considerable compensation. This was the value of monopoly. Making one wand versus making a batch of wands didn't differ much in time spent. Except for some manual steps, other processes could proceed simultaneously. So the wand-making for Arwen, Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas proceeded in parallel. For this, Kael even called Elladan and Elrohir from Rivendell to Lórien to test their compatibility with wand materials. For the entire next month, Kael was busy crafting their wands. During this period, Kael didn't forget to ask Elrond to heal Smaug's injured wing. "Of course, no problem. I'm quite curious about this dragon you've tamed," Elrond agreed cheerfully with a smile. To avoid Smaug frightening the Elves of Lórien, Kael couldn't bring him into the forest. So Kael and Elrond had to go outside the forest to find Smaug. Kael gave Elrond the flying broomstick to ride while he transformed into his Animagus form to fly. Elrond was very interested in this unique flying method. After Kael's simple explanation of flight operations, he quickly mastered the flying technique and followed Kael on the broomstick. But even riding a broomstick, this rather inelegant flying method, Elrond still looked pleasing to the eye with graceful movements. Seeing this, Kael could only sigh that Elves truly were this world's most perfect race. Even riding a broomstick could be so elegant. Flying over the Golden Wood, they found Smaug hunting outside the forest. Watching Smaug easily bite a wild bull to death and skillfully roast it with dragon fire, Elrond sighed deeply. "Previously I worried that your journey to the Lonely Mountain would anger this dragon and cause greater disaster, so I never supported Gandalf's plan. But I never expected that one trip to the Lonely Mountain would not only help the dwarves reclaim the mountain but also let you subdue a dragon!" "Kael, you've made history." Elrond looked at Kael with admiration in his eyes. "Dragons are dark creatures created by Morgoth, cunning, violent, and vicious. In ancient times they followed Morgoth, bringing doom and destruction, and were considered powerful beings that couldn't be tamed. But you, Kael, successfully subdued a dragon, something even Sauron couldn't accomplish." Kael shook his head modestly. "Lord Elrond, you flatter me. I only managed to make the dragon submit by relying on some magic tricks. Speaking of greatness, none surpasses your father, Eärendil. His deed of slaying the dragon Ancalagon is truly worthy of respect and admiration!" Ancalagon the Black was the first winged dragon created by Morgoth and the largest dragon. Legend said he was large enough to blot out the sun, the most powerful dragon in history. During the War of Wrath, when Morgoth's army was defeated by the Valar's forces, he released the dragon host led by Ancalagon as a final resistance. Ancalagon led the dragons in breathing lightning, storms, and fire, once driving back the Valar's army. At the crucial moment, Eärendil came wearing a Silmaril aboard his flying ship and fought Ancalagon. After battling for a day and night, he finally slew the dragon before dawn. When Ancalagon fell from the sky, he destroyed several mountains, showing just how massive he was. Smaug was like a small shrimp compared to him, not worth mentioning. Hearing Kael's praise, even knowing it was flattery, Elrond's eyes flashed with amusement. Elrond's life had been full of hardships. When he and his twin brother, Elros, were young, enemies attacked and slaughtered their people. Their mother jumped into the sea with a Silmaril, and the brothers were captured and raised by enemies. But after growing up, Elrond chose to become an Elf while his brother Elros chose to become human. He experienced the pain of losing family again. After meeting his beloved and starting a family with twin sons and a daughter, his wife Celebrían was captured and tortured by Orcs. Though successfully rescued, she was physically and mentally exhausted and had to sail west to Valinor for healing. Despite suffering so many trials and separations, Elrond's heart remained resilient and strong. Though his father Eärendil spent very little time with him, he was deeply influenced and continued the cause of fighting evil. Speaking of which, when Kael and Elrond arrived beside Smaug, Smaug immediately launched into complaints, griping that Kael was living it up in Lórien but forgot about his dragon. This left him suffering in wind and rain while having to find his own food. Seeing Elrond's curious and entertained expression, Kael felt embarrassed and snapped irritably, "Shut up! I brought Lord Elrond to treat your wing. If you keep babbling, we'll go straight back!" Hearing Kael's words, Smaug's eyes immediately lit up, and he shut his mouth. He was sick of the pain of not being able to fly. Ever since his wing was pierced by the spear Aeglos, the wound had been difficult to heal. Even flapping his wings was extremely painful. Now hearing it could be treated, he was naturally full of anticipation and didn't dare complain anymore. Watching how the dragon and Kael interacted, Elrond commented with a smile, "Your dragon is quite interesting!" "Just a stupid dragon. I'm sorry you had to see this," Kael said helplessly. Hearing this, Smaug was indignant, but when Kael glared at him, he immediately shrank back and shut his mouth.