"These are just your guesses. I think what you said is all to help your dwarf friends and eliminate the threat from the coalition forces."

"I admire your loyalty to them, Mithranda."

Even if what Gandalf said was true, Thranduil was still unwilling to believe what Gandalf said, at least until he actually saw the orc army, he would not change his decision easily.

"But this is not enough to shake my decision. I will make my army be more vigilant. When those dirty orcs really appear in front of my army, let's discuss the issue of letting go of the dispute.

"

Gandalf still wanted to argue, but the proud Elf King ignored them and did not let the guards drive them out of the tent. This was the greatest tolerance.

The three of them walked out of the tent and on their way back to the elf camp in Rivendell, Gandalf looked very angry.

He originally had an irritable temper, so how could he not be angry when he met the Elf King who was even more stubborn than the dwarves? Gao Yuan, on the other hand, looked indifferent.

Gandalf couldn't help but ask Gao Yuan why he wasn't worried about this at all.

Gao Yuan said that he had actually persuaded the Elf King a long time ago.

Whether it was when he and the expedition team just arrived in the Woodland Kingdom; or after the Woodland Kingdom was attacked by orcs; or when he was in the human camp at Long Lake.

He had been trying to persuade the Elf King, but with little success, and besides, he already had his own plan at this moment.

"I have asked Yawen to dispatch many elf scouts to various key locations in Lonely Mountain. As long as the orc army appears near Lonely Mountain, I will be able to know immediately."

"I even asked Yawen's two brothers to go to Gundabad Mountain to investigate the situation of the orcs there. I believe that news will be sent to me soon."

"The elves of Rivendell have secretly built many siege equipment in River Valley City. As long as those orcs dare to appear in front of us, I will give them a look."

Gao Yuan stood from a God's perspective and could see the entire Gushan's macro situation very clearly. He also knew very well what was going to happen next, so he started planning early with the help of Gushan's strategic terrain.

The only thing he couldn't control was the four armies that appeared out of nowhere.

He didn't know whether the elven army in Rivendell could be considered one of the four armies mentioned in the main mission.

However, what he is now certain of is that the Ringwraiths should be considered one of the armies.

If the elven troops in Rivendell and the Woodland Kingdom were just considered a large army.

Then the orcs in the Misty Mountains, the orcs in Dol Guldur, and the orcs in Gundabad Mountain should only be considered one large army.

Under the fog of war, there should be other armies hidden.

Gandalf was amazed by Gao Yuan's far-reaching planning. On the way back to the Rivendell camp, he kept praising Gao Yuan's judgment of the situation.

This also made the tight string in his heart relax a little.

Bud has been beside the two of them, listening carefully to their conversation. Although his understanding of the situation is not as thorough as Gao Yuan and others. But he also understands the intensity of the dispute in this isolated mountain at this time.

So after the conversation between Gandalf and Gao Yuan ended, he kept asking Gao Yuan for advice on what they should do next.

And Gao Yuan had only one piece of advice for them.

"Bud, you just need to remember one thing!"

"Don't start a real war with the dwarves easily. There are only thirteen dwarves in Gushan at this time. Why do you think they have the confidence to go to war with your coalition with just thirteen dwarves?"

"Don't think that the king under the mountain is a fool."

That's all Gao Yuan said. As for whether he and the Elf King listen or not, that's their business.

He has been trying to avoid the battle between the Elf King and the Iron Hills Dwarves in the original book, at least to prevent them from consuming their respective powers before the orc army appeared.

But now it seems that the hope is very slim. Both Gandalf and Gao Yuan seem so insignificant in front of the two armies.

At this time, the sky near Gushan was pitch black. Since the beginning of winter, the moon had rarely been seen hanging above their heads.

In this dark night, there are only two places in the lonely mountain that still have some light.

One place is the gate of Lonely Mountain; the other place is in the camp of River Valley City.

On the day Gao Yuan, Gandalf and others gathered in Riverdale City, in this dark night, Bilbo finally made up his mind.

He walked out of his small room, took out a bundle of ropes from his backpack, and came to the top of the city wall.

They had all been working in Smaug's treasure house during the day, and they were already exhausted. The other dwarves had fallen asleep, leaving only one dwarf on duty here.

Bilbo cautiously came to the top of the city wall and glanced around but did not find the dwarves on duty tonight.

So, he found a protruding rock and got busy boldly.

Just as Bilbo was concentrating on tying the rope, suddenly a voice came from Bilbo's side.

"You should be inside now, not up there with the cold wind blowing."

Bilbo was startled and turned his head hastily.

He saw the dwarf Bofur, wearing a fine dwarf armor and a leather hat, standing not far from him.

He was warming himself in front of the campfire.

Bofur glanced at the sneaky Bilbo with deep eyes.

Seeing that he had been discovered, Bilbo quickly stood up and wanted to explain: "No, I..."

"I just think the dragon's seat inside is too smelly and I want to come out for some air."

Bofur naturally didn't believe Bilbo's explanation, but he didn't expose Bilbo's lies, he just smiled knowingly.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click the next page to continue reading the exciting content! He knew that Bilbo wanted to escape before the war started. This was a war between the dwarves and the coalition, and there was no need for Bilbo to get involved.

This war has nothing to do with him.

Therefore, he understood Bilbo's choice very well.

This has nothing to do with betrayal, the war started because of them.

How could they have the nerve to force an innocent person to stay and die with them?

Still calling it loyalty?

"The elves have stepped up patrols and put archers in position."

Bofur, who knew Bilbo wanted to escape, kindly reminded him.

"Perhaps their patience has been exhausted by now and they are ready to launch an attack."

Bofur sighed. He still envied Bilbo. He could choose to escape without any psychological pressure, but he couldn't.

"If nothing else happens, this war will be over before tomorrow night, although we don't know if we are still alive..."

Bilbo didn't know what to say for a moment when he heard this. It took him a long time to hold back a sentence.

"There is no way, after all, the cloud of war has enveloped the entire Gushan."

Bofur smiled miserably: "You are right, the dark cloud of war has arrived."

But Bofur soon figured out that this might be their fate.

He regained his smile: "Everyone has the right to choose whether to live or not. No matter what choice they make, they should not be blamed."

"Especially for an innocent person who is accidentally involved in this war. This is a war that has nothing to do with you, Bilbo."

Bilbo hurriedly wanted to explain that he did not want to escape.

But before he could think of how to speak, Bofur looked at the dark sky and continued: "It's almost midnight, and Pombo should be on duty in the next shift. He always sleeps very deeply, and he wants to do something.

It will take some time to wake him up."

After saying that, he turned around and got into the hole dug by the dwarves.

"Bofur..."

At the last moment when Bofur was about to leave the city wall, Bilbo stopped him.

He looked seriously at Bofur's face and said, "We'll see you tomorrow morning."

Bofur smiled back, even though he didn't think he would see Bilbo again in the morning.

He also didn't want to see Bilbo come back again.

"Goodbye, Bilbo."

After saying that, he turned around and went down.

Bilbo didn't know if Bofur really understood what he said.

He quickly picked up the tied rope and threw it from the city wall.

Then carefully climb down along the rope.

I have to say that the city wall built by Gao Yuan and the elves is really too high.

Bilbo's rope was barely long enough to reach the ground, and he almost lost his footing and fell several times.

After going through untold hardships, he finally landed on the ground.

Bilbo looked at the flickering firelight in the river valley city in the distance, as well as the elven guards patrolling around the Lonely Mountain.
Chapter completed!