Perhaps Gandalf had already realized all this, but he just didn't want to admit it.

He still wanted to believe that Thorin Oakenshield, who had gone through all kinds of hardships to lead the displaced people to settle in the Blue Mountains, and who risked his own life to lead twelve dwarves to the Lonely Mountain, would have the same relationship with his fathers.

Not the same.

Gandalf sighed and said: "Even without our help, the dwarves will still choose to go to the Lonely Mountain, and they will eventually find Smaug. All this is not decided by me."

"Before I found Thorin, he had long been determined to regain the Lonely Mountain. He is the successor of the King under the Mountain. It is his responsibility as a king to regain the home of his people."

During the debate, Gandalf and Elrond walked into the venue where the White Council was being held.

Bilbo stood on the steps in front of the pavilion, and he heard clearly the argument between Gandalf and Elrond.

After seeing Gandalf and Elrond disappear from sight, Bilbo couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, and was secretly glad that Thorin didn't hear all this.

The content of the argument between these two people was so intense that if Thorin heard it, he and the dwarves would probably turn the entire Rivendell upside down.

"I've heard enough unpleasant words, I think it's time for us to set off." Gao Yuan's voice suddenly came from behind Bilbo, startling the hobbit.

The frightened Bilbo turned his head and saw a scene that even more frightened him.

Thorin Oakenshield, with a gloomy face, was standing on the steps behind him.

Gao Yuan, on the other hand, leaned on the stone pillars of the pavilion above and looked at the two of them jokingly.

Thorin Oakenshield stood there expressionless. Only Bilbo could see his expression, but Gao Yuan knew without looking that he definitely didn't have a good expression.

Thorin's heart may not be as calm as it appears on the surface at this moment. He must be trying his best to suppress the anger in his heart.

It is hard to imagine that Thorin, who was extremely proud and stubborn, heard that Elrond and Gandalf, whom he trusted most, talked about his family behind his back and insulted his beloved grandfather and father.

How uncomfortable and angry I feel in my heart!

Neither Gao Yuan nor Bilbo chose to comfort him.

At this moment, it is not a wise choice to try to comfort Thorin, and Thorin is not a person who needs comfort from others.

At this moment, Thorin probably couldn't listen to anyone. If he had the courage to step forward and pretend to be a good person, it might be counterproductive and make Thorin disgusted.

After a long silence, Thorin finally recovered from his inner struggle.

He glanced at Bilbo, whose face was full of panic. He was nervously groping in his coat pockets with his fingers at this moment, and all his inner nervousness was written on his face.

Thorin briefly greeted him, then turned to look at Gao Yuan who was leaning on the stone pillar.

"Are you finally willing to leave your elf lover?" Thorin mocked.

Gao Yuan sighed, as expected of you, Thorin Oakenshield, you touched his own beauty spot with just one mouthful.

"If you are in a bad mood, I can fight with you. I don't need any other abilities, I just use my sword." Gao Yuan spread his hands.

"However, you'd better pay more attention to what you say, otherwise it won't be as simple as a fight."

"Even with a sword, I'm afraid you are no match for me, Thorin Oakenshield."

The smile in Gao Yuan's eyes gradually disappeared, and two cruel rays of light flashed in his eyes.

Thorin Oakenshield was not afraid of the distant gaze at all, and looked at him. Their gazes collided fiercely in the air, creating countless sparks.

Bilbo, who was standing behind Thorin, just glanced at Gao Yuan and was so frightened by his fierce eyes that his hair stood on end, even though he was not the focus of Gao Yuan's eyes.

Bilbo stood there blankly, not even daring to take a breath for fear of alarming the two of them.

In the end, Thorin gave in first.

"You're right, I've heard enough ugly words today. I think it's time for us to set off." Thorin turned around and patted Bilbo on the shoulder, then left.

Bilbo, who was tapped on the shoulder, almost jumped up in fright. He looked at Thorin's leaving back with lingering fear.

Looking at Gao Yuan again, the familiar smile appeared on his face again.

"Bilbo, go back and pack your luggage, get ready to go." After Gao Yuan said that, he turned and left.

"Ah? Okay...I'll go right away." Bilbo agreed quickly.

Gao Yuan returned to his exclusive luxurious classic king-size bed room in Rivendell, and his luggage had already been packed.

Gao Yuan, who was familiar with the plot, knew that today would be the day the expedition team set off, so he was already prepared.

As early as one day ago, Gao Yuan had already said goodbye to Yawen.

It's not a matter of life and death, there's no need to be romantic. Anyway, Gao Yuan will come back after the Gushan mission is over.

After taking his backpack and the Evening Star Blade, Gao Yuan left his room.

During the days when Gao Yuan did not live in Rivendell, Arwen would always ask the elves to clean his room, so that no matter when he came back, there would always be a clean and warm bed waiting for him.

Just as Gao Yuan was walking down the stairs, a short voice suddenly appeared from around the corner.

It was Kili. At this time, he had put on all his equipment and carried the luggage he had just packed on his back.

"Hey, Mr. Gao Yuan, Thorin asked me to inform you that it's time to set off." Qili smiled when he saw Gao Yuan, who was also fully armed and neatly dressed.

There were few stars in the moonlight, and the silver-white moonlight illuminated the stairs at the feet of Gao Yuan and Qili.

Gao Yuan, led by Qili, went to the largest square in Rivendell to gather.

"Mr. Gao Yuan, do you know what happened? Why did Thorin suddenly order us to set off?" Qili asked curiously, obviously this sudden change made him very confused.

"We don't even say hello to the lord here. It seems that Gandalf won't go with us."

Gao Yuan is not the kind of person with a loud mouth. Even if Kili is Thorin's nephew, it is better to keep some words in his heart than to say them out loud.

Even if he had to tell him, Thorin should do it himself.

"I think Thorin feels that we have stayed here long enough." Gao Yuan shook his head and looked at the huge silver plate in the sky. "Today is a suitable day to set off."

The two of them arrived in front of the square. At this time, almost all the members of the expedition team had gathered, except for Bilbo.

The dwarves are ready to go, and the elves in Rivendell have prepared a lot of supplies for the dwarves of the expedition, including dried meat, medicine, dry food, and even some fine wine.

Bilbo was the last one to come to the square to gather. This sudden turn of events made Bilbo a little distraught.

It took a long time to pack his luggage.

He had just adapted to life in Rivendell, and it reminded him of the feeling he had when he left Bag End.

Thorin's sudden request to leave, and Gandalf not accompanying them, made Bilbo fall into that confused state again, which made him have the idea of ​​retreating for the first time since he took part in the adventure.

At the same time, it reminded him of Lord Elrond, whom he happened to meet when he was wandering around Rivendell a few days ago.

Elrond, the elf king who looked very stern on the surface but was actually kind-hearted, once spoke generously to him when talking to him. If he was willing to stay, he would be very welcome.

At this moment, he looked at the members of the expedition team who were getting ready to go. There was no figure of Gandalf among them, and the words Elrond said to him that day rang in Bilbo's mind.

***The author has something to say***

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Chapter completed!