"What happened?"
Sophia, who was in the Lonely Mountain Great Hall preparing to report on contact progress, noticed the strange butterfly in Mike's hand.
"It's Gandalf. He went to Hobbiton. He seems to have run into trouble and wants me to go over there…" Mike explained to the half-elf, then raised his hand and released the communication butterfly.
"Is it serious?" Sophia asked curiously, then reported, "The Elves in the Green Forest and the people of the Dale Kingdom have agreed to ally with us to jointly resist Sauron's dark forces."
"At the same time, Thranduil of the Elves and Bain of the Dale Kingdom also expressed their hope that you would lead the allied forces."
Mike had proven his capabilities sixty years ago, so Thranduil and Bain's consideration was very reasonable.
"It's no problem for Lonely Mountain to lead the allied forces, but I need to go to Hobbiton first to see the situation there…" Mike said, "I'll have to trouble you a bit more with Lonely Mountain. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be back very soon."
Based on Gandalf's message, he should have already obtained the One Ring.
This would be the fuse that would change the pattern of Middle-earth.
As the Lord of Lonely Mountain, Mike naturally wanted to witness history.
"The Orcs of Mordor are currently in the stage of accumulating strength, so Lonely Mountain should be relatively safe for now…" Sophia said, "I will help you keep an eye on things here. Instead, you should pay more attention to your safety during this trip."
Sophia had witnessed Gandalf's strength sixty years ago, and anything that could trouble him must be quite dangerous.
Therefore, Sophia couldn't help but worry about Mike's safety.
"Don't worry, with my current strength, anyone in Middle-earth who could threaten me hasn't been born yet." Mike smiled and shook his head.
It wasn't that he was arrogant; sixty years ago, the owner of the One Ring was no match for him, and now it's even less so.
As long as Mike didn't seek death by provoking Iluvatar in Middle-earth, he could be called "invincible" in this world.
Then, after giving Sophia some instructions and telling her to stay in Lonely Mountain and act according to the situation, Mike opened a spatial gate and went directly to Hobbiton.
At this moment, in the Bag End treehouse, the White Robe Wizard had just handed Frodo the envelope containing the One Ring when he suddenly heard a slight movement outside the window.
"Who's there?" Gandalf, his nerves taut, suddenly pushed open the window.
The One Ring concerned the safety of Middle-earth, and no amount of caution was too much.
However, the scene outside the window instantly made the White Robe Wizard, who was ready for battle at any moment, relax.
"Long time no see, Gandalf. You've finally been promoted to White Robe Wizard, congratulations! Congratulations!" Mike, carrying a small fellow in his hand, smiled and greeted the White Robe Wizard.
Being promoted to White Robe Wizard was indeed something to celebrate.
However, Gandalf, who had already calmed down, was more concerned about Sam's situation at this moment, so he asked, "Why did you grab Sam?"
Again, the One Ring was of great importance, and the fewer people who knew about it, the better.
"So this little fellow is called Sam." Mike released the frightened Hobbit child and explained, "When I received your message and rushed over, I just happened to see this little fellow eavesdropping under the window, so I grabbed him conveniently."
"I, I wasn't eavesdropping, I came to find Master Frodo…" Being stared at by everyone, the simple-natured Sam couldn't help but feel nervous.
And his explanation was hard to satisfy anyone.
So, Gandalf asked sternly, "Tell me, Sam, what did you just see?"
"I, I saw you hand an envelope to Master Frodo… then a phantom door appeared in the yard… and then this adult walked out of the door…" Hearing the question, Sam honestly recounted everything he had seen.
To him, whether it was the White Robe Wizard or Mike, who possessed a spatial door, they were both important figures.
They were people he needed to revere.
This could also be considered the survival wisdom of a small person.
However, for Gandalf, Sam's subsequent words were not important; what was important was that the other party had already seen the One Ring.
How to "deal with" the other party, that was the problem.
"Gandalf, Sam is my friend, and I believe he won't reveal anything about the One Ring." Seeing the White Robe Wizard's expression change erratically, Frodo quickly pleaded for his friend, "If you're still worried, why don't you let him go with me to Mount Doom."
Although Sam was a servant of Frodo's family, his relationship with Frodo was very good.
The world of children didn't have so many calculations of interest.
Therefore, putting himself in Sam's shoes, Frodo naturally didn't want to see his playmate suffer.
That's why he came up with such a solution.
"Sam, are you willing to go to Mount Doom with Frodo?" Gandalf actually didn't want to make things difficult for the simple-natured Sam.
Frodo's suggestion did provide him with a line of thought.
By joining the Fellowship of the Ring, Sam's eavesdropping would naturally no longer be an issue.
"I am willing, no matter where Master Frodo wants to go, I am willing to accompany him." Seeing a turn for the better, Sam immediately nodded to show his determination.
And he had never forgotten his identity as a servant.
Taking care of Master Frodo, in his opinion, was a matter of course.
"Very good—!" Gandalf showed a satisfied smile, then looked at Mike, who had arrived, and said, "The situation is very bad, and I need your help."
Subsequently, the group entered the treehouse under the guidance of the White Robe Wizard.
"…I didn't expect that the ring in Bilbo's hand was actually the One Ring." After entering the house, Gandalf first explained the situation to Mike, then continued, "To prevent Sauron from returning, I plan to have Frodo take the One Ring to Mount Doom to destroy it."
"This journey is bound to be fraught with danger, so we need more strength to join."
"Therefore, I want you to take Frodo and Sam to Rivendell first, while I go to gather people."
The White Robe Wizard had actually known that Bilbo had a ring in his hand for a long time, but before, he had always thought it was just an ordinary ring.
Therefore, he had never paid much attention to it.
Now that he knew this ring was the One Ring, he immediately thought of convening the Holy White Council.
To gather the strength of humans, Elves, Dwarves, and White Robe Wizards in Middle-earth to jointly deal with the crisis of the One Ring.
"Actually, I can open a teleportation gate and directly send Frodo to Mordor." Mike offered a simpler route.
Gandalf clearly hesitated for a moment, but after thinking about it, he shook his head and said, "The One Ring is of great importance, and we need to discuss it with everyone before we can deal with it."
The One Ring was not only bound to the fate of Sauron, but also related to the spiritual energy within Middle-earth.
It sounds mysterious, but it's actually that when Iluvatar composed the music of Middle-earth, to ensure the balance of this continent, he set the rule of coexistence of light and darkness.
Once the dark forces were completely disintegrated, the corresponding spiritual energy would gradually fade away.
And the Elves could only maintain vitality and "youth" in an environment with spiritual energy.
Destroying the One Ring also meant depriving the Elves of their right to exist in Middle-earth.
This situation was of great importance, and Gandalf naturally dared not act on his own initiative.
Therefore, convening the Holy White Council was actually to hear the opinions of the Elves representatives.
"Alright, I will send Frodo and Sam to Rivendell. We'll see each other then—" Mike naturally knew the meaning of the One Ring.
His previous suggestion was just because he found the White Robe Wizard's actions too sluggish.
However, putting himself in the White Robe Wizard's shoes, he could also understand his "painstaking efforts."
"Then I'll leave it to you." Gandalf nodded, then looked at Frodo and Sam, who had huddled together, and admonished, "This is Mr. Mike, the Lord of Lonely Mountain. His strength far surpasses mine. So, for safety's sake, no matter what happens next, you must stick close to him."
"Dragon Slayer… Troll Slayer Mr. Mike? I've seen your deeds in my uncle's biography…" After the introduction, Frodo's gaze was instantly drawn to Mike.
Beside him, Sam also showed a look of admiration.
After all, Mike's legendary stories had been circulating in Middle-earth for over sixty years.
Now that the legend himself was right in front of them, how could they not be excited?
"Very good, it seems you two will get along very well." After achieving his desired goal, Gandalf confidently left, riding his horse towards the Northern Highlands.
The members of the Holy White Council were not fixed, so the White Robe Wizard wanted to go to the Northern Highlands this time to invite Aragorn and Legolas, these two newcomers, to join.
...
"Alright, I've told my story pretty much. If you want to know anything else, you can ask others when we get to Rivendell…"
It was afternoon, and because they had plenty of time, Mike chose to walk with Frodo and Sam to Rivendell.
At the same time, he could also visit Tom in the Old Forest along the way.
However, he still underestimated his fame. Ever since the two little fellows learned his identity, they had been curious babies all the way.
The simple-natured Sam was a bit better, but Frodo was completely a natural.
They hadn't even left Hobbiton yet, and Mike was already annoyed by him.
"Can you tell me more about your story of slaying the Dragon? I promise this is the last time." Frodo still looked at Mike without giving up.
His eyes were full of curiosity and admiration…
After getting used to Mike's personality, this little fellow wasn't afraid of awkwardness.
"We need to hurry now. I'll tell you stories next time I have time." Mike perfunctorily used the delaying tactic.
Next time for sure ≠ Next time for sure.
After speaking, Mike didn't wait for Frodo to react, but turned to look at the jungle behind him and shouted, "You two have been following us all the way, aren't you going to come out?"
Hearing Mike's shout, Frodo and Sam immediately became alert.
Sam even dutifully shielded Master Frodo behind him.
"I told you not to follow too closely, we've been discovered!"
"What does that have to do with me? It was clearly your own movements that exposed us…"
"…"
After a while, two Hobbit children with weeds on their heads as camouflage emerged from behind a tree, arguing.
There was no awkwardness on their faces, showing that they had very carefree personalities.
"Pippin and Merry, why are you here?" After recognizing the newcomers, Frodo's expression relaxed.
It was all Gandalf's fault for making the situation sound so serious before, making him a bit paranoid just now.
"We heard you and Sam were going on a trip, so we came specifically to see. Can you take us with you? Merry and I have never left Hobbiton yet!" To go out and play, Pippin pretended to be pitiful.
Next to him, Merry nodded vigorously.
These two little fellows, counting back three generations, were cousins of Frodo. As a distant branch of the Baggins Family, they also had a hint of adventure in their blood.
Coupled with their fearless personalities, they naturally hoped for an adventurous journey.
"We're going to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, it will be very dangerous, you two shouldn't join in the fun." Frodo refused.
However, because he was too relaxed, he revealed things he shouldn't have.
"Mount Doom? The One Ring… What's that?" x2
Sure enough, upon hearing about the danger, Pippin and Merry became even more interested in this journey.
"Did I say something?" Frodo realized he had said the wrong thing and wanted to gloss over it.
However, his little "disguise" obviously couldn't fool Pippin and Merry.
"Alright…" Looking at the two little companions' bright, pleading eyes, Frodo helplessly turned to look at Mike and asked, "Mr. Mike, can you take them both with us? I promise they won't cause you any trouble."
At this moment, Mike finally experienced what Gandalf had felt before.
What could he do? Of course, he would take these two little fellows with him.
"That's great!" Seeing Mike nod, Frodo happily explained to the two newly arrived companions, "Mr. Mike is the legendary Lord of Lonely Mountain, and he will take us to Rivendell later."
Frodo's tone seemed to have a hint of showing off.
But who told him he was one step ahead in meeting Mike, this legend?
One can only say that a child's competitive spirit is sometimes that simple.
"Dragon Slayer… Troll Slayer…" x2
After learning Mike's identity, Pippin and Merry immediately looked at Mike with admiration, just like Frodo had earlier.
This was a living legend!!!
As for Mike, as soon as Frodo spoke, he knew something was wrong.
Without any surprises, the journey to Rivendell should be very lively.