Chapter 126: Wholesale Wands

After having Smaug lie on the ground and remain perfectly still, the two approached the wound at the base of his injured wing. Elrond examined the wound that had been slow to heal, raising an eyebrow with obvious recognition. "There's a violent energy clinging to the wound. No wonder it hasn't healed despite a dragon's natural self-healing ability over such a long time. But the traces of this wound look familiar. Was it caused by the spear Aeglos?" Though phrased as a question, Elrond's tone carried absolute certainty. Kael nodded, offering genuine praise. "Lord Elrond's sight is always so keen." Elrond shook his head modestly. "I just have a deep impression of the spear Aeglos from past encounters." Then Elrond withdrew athelas picked from Galadriel's garden, chanting in ancient Elvish while continuously rubbing the leaves between his hands, and then applied the prepared Athelas directly to Smaug's wound. Athelas, also called kingsfoil or asëa aranion, was brought to Middle-earth by the Númenóreans. A very magical plant indeed. It had slender leaves that could emit a sweet, rich fragrance when properly prepared. More importantly, it possessed miraculous healing properties. It could heal wounds, delay toxicity, and even block the influence of evil forces. In the War of the Ring, Aragorn used Athelas to heal Faramir, Éowyn, and Merry, who had been affected by the Black Breath of the Nazgûl. Of course, the wound on Smaug's wing was left by the legendary spear Aeglos. Even Athelas couldn't completely heal it alone. Elrond was only using it as a healing medium. The real healing power came from Vilya, the Ring of Air that Elrond wore. Unlike Narya, the Ring of Fire, which inspired hearts and relieved weariness, Vilya's function was healing and protection. So Elrond, drawing on Vilya's power, became Middle-earth's greatest healer. When Frodo was wounded by a Nazgûl's Morgul-blade, it was Elrond who used the Ring of Air's power to heal the wound. The wound on Smaug's wing also healed rapidly under the combined effects of Athelas and the Ring of Air. After healing the wound completely, Elrond withdrew his hands. "Alright, the wound has healed. Try flapping your wings to see if you can move them properly." After hearing this, Smaug tentatively flapped his wings. Feeling no pain, his eyes immediately lit up and he excitedly flapped his wings wildly, stirring up fierce winds. "Haha, I can fly again at last!" Kael was nearly blown away by the gale. He waved his hand to set up a magical barrier, shielding himself and Elrond from the wind. Then he irritably threw a spell at Smaug's head. "Quiet down!" Smaug was stunned by the sudden spell. Seeing the chaos around him, he gave an embarrassed smile and quickly stopped. Seeing that Smaug could fly again, Kael didn't confine him there and let him move freely. But before leaving, he repeatedly ordered him not to cause trouble, especially not to plunder others' treasure. This fellow went crazy at the sight of gold, like a dog seeing a bone. He couldn't look away. Kael didn't want dwarves showing up at his door one day saying the dragon had stolen their treasure. Hearing Kael's stern commands, Smaug's excitement immediately diminished, and he became listless. Seeing this, Kael was glad he'd spoken up early. Otherwise, if this fellow really went about robbing and pillaging, it would be Kael's reputation that suffered. After healing Smaug's wound, Kael and Elrond didn't linger and returned to Lórien. After thanking Elrond, Kael, following the principle of "one person handling multiple tasks," shamelessly asked Elrond to treat his other pet as well. Elrond was good-natured and agreed without hesitation. However, when he opened the space bag and saw the eaglet inside, he was immediately surprised. "This is a chick from the Great Eagle clan?" Kael nodded. "The Eagle King entrusted him to me. He was naturally weaker than his siblings and wouldn't survive long staying with the clan, so I was asked to take him away and care for him." Elrond understood, examining the eaglet in the space bag, who was looking up at them and crying out. He observed carefully for a while. Then he showed a pitying expression. "Poor little fellow, he is indeed congenitally deficient. Combined with long-term malnutrition, his body is very weak. If he can't be properly nourished, he probably won't be able to fly even as an adult." "However, I think meeting you was also fortunate for him. He seems to have been living well these days and has recovered considerably." "By the way, what's his name?" "Thorondor. His name is Thorondor," Kael answered. "Thorondor." Elrond looked at him with surprise. "The name of the King of Eagles. It seems you have high hopes for him!" Kael brought out Thorondor along with his large nest, gently stroking the head that nuzzled against him affectionately. He shook his head and said, "I don't expect great deeds from him. I just hope Thorondor's name can bless him and let him soar freely in the sky like his ancestor." "Lord Elrond, your medical skills are unmatched in Middle-earth. Could you possibly cure Thorondor's congenital deficiency?" Elrond nodded thoughtfully. "That's not a problem, but it will require a period of treatment, so you'll need to bring him to Rivendell to stay for a while. I hope you're prepared for that." Kael was delighted and quickly nodded in agreement. "Being able to cure him is the best news possible. Once I finish handling things here, I'll bring Thorondor to trouble you in Rivendell." After having Elrond heal Smaug and resolve Thorondor's problems, Kael continued busying himself with wand matters. Once the five wand cores were crafted, Kael carefully inserted the prepared wand cores one by one through small holes at the tail end of each wand, using mallorn resin as adhesive to unite core and wood as one. Finally, after polishing and finishing, five completed wands took their final form. Looking at the five magnificent wands of varying lengths and colors, Kael was filled with a sense of accomplishment. When night fell, Kael placed the five wands under the moonlight, pointing his own wand at them and continuously chanting long, complex incantations. The moonlight in the sky seemed drawn down, gathering into silver radiance that was absorbed by the five wands. The five wands seemed imbued with life force, with barely audible magical fluctuations emanating from within like heartbeats. Not far away, Arwen, Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas all awaited their wands with anticipation. Gandalf, Galadriel, and others observed quietly. After completing the final wand awakening ritual, Kael called the four over. "Come choose your partners." Hearing this, they immediately walked over eagerly, looking expectantly at the five wands laid out on the table before them. "Who wants to go first?" Kael asked with a smile, seeing their expressions. But before they could decide, he looked directly at Arwen. "Ladies first. Princess Arwen, you go first!" The three brothers looked at each other. If it was already decided, why ask them? Arwen stepped forward first, looking at the five wands before her and asking, "Which one is mine?" Kael smiled and shook his head mysteriously. "You'll have to try to find out." He handed her one of the wands. "Fifteen inches, mallorn core, with one of Lady Galadriel's hairs as the core." Arwen took the wand, looking at him nervously. "What should I do?" "Give it a wave and try." Arwen immediately waved the wand, and it shot out a white light. Arwen was delighted, but just as she thought this was her wand, Kael snatched it from her hands and shook his head. "Although it's close, the length isn't right." Then he handed her another wand. "Twelve and a quarter inches, mallorn core, with a Great Eagle's crest feather." Arwen took the wand and waved it, immediately stirring up a breeze that scattered her black hair. She looked to Kael somewhat helplessly. She felt this one might work too. But Kael shook his head and took it back. "Still not quite right." "Try this one... fifteen inches, mallorn core, Lady Galadriel's hair... never mind this one." Before giving it to Arwen, Kael put the wand back. Under Arwen's confused gaze, Kael finally handed her a shorter wand that was uniquely snow-white. "This is the one. Nine and a half inches, White Tree wood, with one of Lady Galadriel's hairs as the core." The moment Arwen took the wand, she felt it become an extension of her hand, instantly entering a wonderful state where moonlight seemed drawn from the sky to reflect with the Evenstar pendant hanging from her chest. Seeing this scene, the others were also very surprised. Galadriel showed a brilliant smile, happy for Arwen. Having received her own wand, Arwen happily went to show it to her father and grandmother. Kael looked at the remaining three male Elves and directly beckoned them all over. Then, to their surprised expressions, he clearly handed each a specific wand. "Here, Prince Elladan and Prince Elrohir. Both your wands are fifteen inches with mallorn cores and Lady Galadriel's hair as the core." "This twelve and a quarter inch mallorn core wand with Great Eagle crest feather core is yours, Legolas." Seeing Kael directly place them in their hands, all three were somewhat bewildered. "Kael, don't we need to test like Arwen did?" Legolas asked in confusion. Kael shook his head matter-of-factly. "Test what? I already matched you all before. Of course I knew what wands suited you." "Then why did you have Arwen test just now?" "Girls, you know... they should be treated specially, given more choices." Kael made something up. He could hardly say he was copying Ollivander's wand selection process, could he? But the three male Elves weren't easily fooled and immediately looked at him suspiciously. Especially Elladan and Elrohir, who instantly looked at Kael with wariness. As if looking at a little thief eyeing their family treasure. Elves had very keen hearing. Not far away, Elrond narrowed his eyes, studying Kael searchingly as if judging whether he was telling the truth. Celeborn also looked at Kael with sharp eyes. And Galadriel's gaze carried meaningful amusement. Kael instinctively felt a chill and immediately met their eyes. Wait, are you all misunderstanding something? Kael cried out loudly in his heart.