Chapter 145: The Diadem

Seeing the arrival of Elrond and Galadriel, Kael was extremely delighted. He stepped forward happily to welcome them. "Lord Elrond, Lady Galadriel, your arrival truly brings glory to Hogwarts!" Elrond smiled warmly in congratulation. "Congratulations, Kael. With Weathertop having such a powerful lord, I believe Eriador will be even more peaceful." With that, he had his eldest son Elladan bring forth a gift. "I had part of Rivendell's library copied down for you. These are all books about Elven spells, magic, and various principles of sorcery. I hope you like them." Hearing Elrond's words and seeing the space bag Elladan handed over, Kael's eyes immediately lit up with excitement. Elladan's space bag had been expanded by Kael using the Extension Charm, so he naturally knew how much space was inside. Somewhat excitedly, he took the space bag and opened it to look inside, seeing over a thousand books piled within. His face immediately broke into a joyful smile. "Thank you so much for your gift, Lord Elrond. This gift is too precious!" Kael said with great happiness. Elrond's gift was truly thoughtful. In Middle-earth, books were in some ways more precious than gold. Because books carried the wisdom of entire races, and over the long years, countless precious books of various races had turned to ash in the fires of war, losing their inheritance. Even the once-glorious Númenóreans had fallen so far that their descendants, the Dúnedain, now had to rely on ancient barrow-blades to trace back their ancestors' forging techniques. But Rivendell housed the world's richest collection of books. Kael had previously thought about getting Elrond's permission to use his Quick-Quotes Quill to copy the books there to fill his own library. He hadn't expected Elrond to send so many precious books first, all related to magic no less. "I'm glad you like them," Elrond smiled warmly, like a kindly elder. After receiving Elrond's gift, naturally Galadriel wouldn't be left out. Under Kael's expectant gaze, Galadriel turned with a smile toward Arwen beside Kael. Arwen then brought out a flat, exquisite wooden box carved with vine patterns. "This is a gift from my grandmother to you." Kael took the box and opened it with anticipation. As the box opened, a burst of light shot out from within. Inside lay an exquisite and magnificent crown of the White Tree. The entire diadem was bright silver, as if woven from branches of the White Tree. Realistic broad and narrow leaves were arranged together, layered naturally, with the curves and folds of the leaves flowing naturally, as if stirred by a gentle breeze, looking lifelike. In the center of the White Tree crown, a brilliant white diamond sparkling with starlight was embedded. The gem released very brilliant light, yet it wasn't glaring, like a star set in the crown. "This...!" Kael was so amazed he couldn't speak. He felt that at this moment he was at a loss for words, unable to describe such a magnificent crown. Seeing Kael's expression, Arwen smiled brightly, with a hint of pride in her voice. "The crown is my design, based on the Silmaril worn by my great-grandfather Eärendil. What's embedded is a star-stone. Grandmother infused starlight into the gem, so in darkness it will radiate the brightest light." After hearing Arwen's words, Kael finally took a deep breath. "This is truly too precious! Lady Galadriel, I don't know if I can bear the weight of its value?" Galadriel shook her head slightly and stepped before him, her tall figure surpassing even Kael's. She raised both hands, lifting the crown from the box. "Value is not judged by the thing itself, but by whether one can give it different meaning. I hope it will shine even brighter because of you in the future. That is its most important value." Galadriel's voice was ethereal and rhythmic, making him somewhat dazed. When he came back to his senses, he found that the White Tree crown was already on his head. The crown sparkling with starlight, worn on Kael's head, enveloped his entire being in starlight, making him appear mysterious and majestic, like a mysterious king from the night sky. Everyone else who saw this scene was struck by its beauty. Arwen's bright eyes moved slightly, showing a radiant smile. As if delighted that her design had found the perfect wearer. Lady Galadriel nodded with satisfaction and said, "Well, if there are no other guests coming, could you take us on a tour of your castle?" Kael immediately nodded and invited. "Of course, please follow me!" Among those he had invited, except for Tom and Goldberry, who hadn't come, everyone else had either arrived or sent representatives. So he didn't need to wait any longer and directly led Galadriel and the others to the great hall. Walking along the long corridor, the several Elves looked at the surrounding decorations and gave positive evaluations. Though the dwarves' character was hard to assess, even the Elves couldn't deny their excellent construction skills. Even before there were conflicts between Elves and dwarves, the Sindarin Elf city of Menegroth, also called the Thousand Caves palace, had been built by Elves who invited dwarves to construct it. With the arrival of Kael and the several Elves led by Galadriel, the great hall instantly fell silent. Everyone looked in shock and amazement at those Elves personally guided by Kael, especially the tall and incomparably beautiful female Elf at the front, who captivated everyone's attention. Similarly, Kael wearing the starlight gem crown also drew everyone's gaze. He was like someone wearing a brilliant star on his head, and standing with the Elves, he didn't appear dim at all. Kael led the Elves to the head table, preparing to have Galadriel sit in the central golden chair, but Galadriel refused. She smiled and shook her head. "Today you are the host of the banquet. We cannot steal your thunder." Elrond also nodded in agreement. So Kael had to seat Galadriel and Elrond on his left and right sides. Arwen chose to sit beside Galadriel, while Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas sat on Elrond's side. Bilbo, Bard, Fili, and Beorn also chose to sit together, as they were all acquainted and could chat. Mayor Tenderlarch and Prancing Pony innkeeper Butterbur, who sat at the same table, were now very nervous. They looked at Kael sitting in the main seat, wearing a dazzling and magnificent crown, his bearing noble, mysterious, and majestic, turning his head to speak with the two Elves beside him. Those two Elves, one with a gentle, noble, and elegant bearing like an Elven king, the other beautiful, holy, and majestic like an Elven queen. In their presence, Mayor Tenderlarch couldn't help but feel ashamed and inferior, not daring to look at them much. At this time, Kael sitting in the main seat was discussing the hall's arrangements with Galadriel and Elrond on his left and right. They were very interested in the candles floating in mid-air, the magic of the ceiling, and the instruments that automatically played music, discussing together the magical principles involved. Arwen leaned close to Galadriel, quietly listening to the three's discussion. Looking at Kael speaking eloquently, she couldn't help but be attracted, her gaze somewhat dazed. When everyone had arrived, the playing instruments suddenly stopped, causing everyone in the hall to quiet down as well. "Everyone!" Kael stood up. He looked at the dwarves and villagers filling the four long tables below, and the guests on his left and right, all focusing their attention on him. He felt a surge of high spirits. No wonder so many people were so obsessed with power. At this moment even he felt somewhat elated. But he immediately cast aside this emotion, his eyes shining with light as he smiled and spread his arms toward everyone. "Now let the banquet begin!" As soon as the words fell, whether at the four long tables below or in front of the guests at the head table, various fruits, delicacies, and fine wines instantly appeared. The hall immediately erupted in exclamations, everyone looking in disbelief at the suddenly appearing items, their faces full of shock. At the same time, the instruments also played cheerful melodies, the very magical music Tom Bombadil had taught him. The music carried joyful magic, making the atmosphere in the hall become pleasant. Everyone couldn't help but smile. Arwen looked at the carefully prepared delicacies before her and asked Kael curiously across Galadriel. "Did you conjure all this food?" Kael smiled and shook his head. "Of course not. These are all foods the villagers prepared in advance in the kitchen. I just summoned them here with magic. Magic can't create food from nothing." "I see." Everyone present nodded in understanding. Of course, Kael wouldn't mention that he had practiced this trick extensively beforehand. He had even set up four tables in the kitchen and connected the kitchen tables with those in the hall through magic. Only this way could he guarantee summoning so many things at once without error. The banquet was bustling with voices. In the latter half, the dwarves who had drunk too much lost their restraint and began laughing heartily. The instruments, at the dwarves' strong request, played wild and passionate war songs. Just as the banquet was in full swing, Kael and several Elves at the head table quietly withdrew. Led by Kael, they came to the garden, to a pavilion built between the White Tree and Mallorn tree, near the small lake. At night, the Mallorn tree had dimmed, but the White Tree was even more dazzling than in daylight under the moonlight. Seeing such tall trees, the Elves were all very surprised. "If I didn't know that Lady Galadriel only gave you the Mallorn seed a few months ago, I would think they had been growing here for decades!" Elrond said with amazement as he looked at the two tall golden and silver trees. Galadriel looked at the golden and silver trees on the left and right, also somewhat dazed, as if lost in distant memories. Then she slowly came back to herself and sighed with reminiscence. "In my memory, the former Two Trees were like this, growing on the hill of Ezellohar. The gold tree Laurelin and silver tree Telperion alternated their light day and night, illuminating all of Valinor..." In her reminiscence, Lady Galadriel stepped toward the Mallorn tree and touched her hand to the silver bark. As starlight flashed between her fingers, the power of Nenya, the Ring of Water, continuously flowed into it. The Mallorn tree seemed infused with vitality, becoming even more vibrant. Even from dozens of meters away, one could feel the tremendous life force contained within! Under everyone's amazed gazes, the Mallorn tree quickly bloomed with golden flowers, dense clusters that radiated golden light. From afar, they looked like golden stars adorning the branches. "Since these are twin trees, we can't let only one shine alone. Let me help too," Elrond said with a smile. Then he came to the White Tree, touched his hand to the trunk, and infused it with the power of Vilya, the Ring of Air. The White Tree's vitality quickly became rich, as if it had consumed some great tonic. Snow-white flowers bloomed on its branches at a visible speed, like snow in sunlight, releasing gentle radiance. Many petals clustered together, forming flower clusters as delicate as snowflakes, pure white and gleaming.