Chapter 18 Chapter Eighteen

When Bilbo came to his senses, he was really alone, and he was lying on the ground of Ukno, with no one around, and the sky above was cloudless, but cold.He was trembling all over, feeling as cold as if he had fallen into ice, but his head was as hot as if it was on fire. "I don't know what happened?" He said to himself: "At least, I didn't become a hero who died a heroic sacrifice, but it seems that there are many opportunities!" He sat up in agony.Looking around, there were no half-orcs surviving in the entire valley.After a while, his head finally cleared up, and he felt as if he could see elves walking by the rocks below.He rubbed his eyes, the camp was indeed still in the same place, and the gate of the Dragon Cave was quite lively with people coming and going.The dwarves seemed to be busily tearing down the walls, but there was a dead silence everywhere.There was no shouting, no talking, no singing, and the air was full of mourning.

"I think we should have won the battle!" He said while touching his sore and swollen head, "It seems that everyone is not very happy." Suddenly, he found someone climbing up the hillside and walking towards him. "Hello!" he cried in a trembling voice, "Hello! Any news?" "How can there be voices in the stone pile?" The man stopped and looked in Bilbo's direction. Only then did Bilbo remember that he was still wearing the ring! "My God! I'm so stupid!" He said, "It's really inconvenient to be invisible, otherwise, I think I should have a good rest in bed last night!"

"It is I, Bilbo. Baggins, Thorin's companion!" he cried, snapping off his ring. "Fortunately, I found you!" The man stepped forward and said, "We have been looking for you for a long time. If Gandalf hadn't insisted that we heard your voice near here, we would have included you in the long list The war dead are on the list. I was sent to check one last time. Are you injured?" "Just a blow on the head, I think," said Bilbo. "It's a good thing I have a helmet on, and a hard head. My head is a little light, and my legs are a little soft, though."

"I'll carry you to the camp at the bottom of the mountain," the man lifted him up easily. He was strong and fast on his feet, and before long Bilbo was sent to a tent in the valley, where Gandalf stood with his arm bandaged;Almost everyone in the vicinity was carrying a weapon. When Gandalf saw Bilbo, he was relieved. "Baggins!" he cried, "I didn't expect you to be alive! I'm so glad! I thought your luck had run out! It's been a pretty horrible war, almost everything It’s irreversible. However, let’s not rush to talk about this. Come on!” He said solemnly. "There are people waiting for you," he said, leading the hobbit into the tent.

"Thorin!" he said, "I brought him." Before him lay Thorin Oakenshield, battered and battered, his battered armor and broken ax lying on the ground.Thorin looked up at Bilbo as he came up. "Farewell, skilled thief," he said, "I am now going to live with them in my father's halls, and I will only leave there when the world returns. Since I must give up all I want to take back what I said and did to you at the door of the cave." Bilbo knelt down on one knee full of grief, "Farewell, King of the Mountain!" He said: "If this is the end, no amount of gold can make up for this tragedy. But I am glad to be entitled to spend with you Tribulation, which few of us in the Baggins family are entitled to."

"No!" Sorin said: "Good boy from the West, don't be too modest. You have both wisdom and courage, even I can't compare. If people in the world can be like you, value laughter and food, and despise Gold and silver, then the world will be a happier place. Whatever happens to the world, I must go. Farewell!" Bilbo turned away sadly, and sat down in a corner wrapped in a blanket.Believe it or not, sad Bilbo wailed and cried until his eyes were swollen and his voice was hoarse.He was a very kind and considerate man, and it took him a long time, in fact, to get over the grief. "God is merciful!" He said to himself: "Fortunately, I woke up immediately. I hope Sorin can continue to live, but it is also a great thing to let him leave without any regrets. The only thing left between us is friendship." Something to be glad about. You're a fool, Bilbo Baggins, you've messed everything up by messing with that gem, and even if you try so hard to buy peace and tranquility, war is inevitable. Although this It cannot be blamed on you."

Bilbo found out later what had happened after he had been knocked unconscious, but it made him feel more sad than happy.He's tired of taking risks now, and just desperate to get home.It was a while, though, so I can tell you what happened next.The giant eagle has long suspected that the orcs may be gathering in secret, because even their secret operations cannot completely escape the giant eagle's surveillance.Therefore, they also assembled a large army, and as soon as they smelled the atmosphere of war, they immediately flew over with the wind under the leadership of the Eagle King in the Misty Mountains.They attack the half-orcs on the hillside, causing them to fall off the cliff, or rush into the enemy formation screaming; soon after, they drive away all the enemies on the lonely mountain, and the elves and humans on both sides of the hillside can finally work together Come to support the battle in the valley.

However, even with the aid of the giant eagle, the strength of the good side is still not enough to resist the evil forces; at the last moment, Beorn appeared, and no one knew where he came from.He appeared alone in the form of a bear, and in his astonishing rage he seemed to grow larger and larger. His roar was as earth-shattering as a war drum, and the orcs and wolves on the road he passed were trampled and abandoned like straw.He appeared from the rear of the enemy line, and rushed to the center like a thunderbolt. The dwarves still surrounded the king and stood on a small hill.Beorn bent down, picked up Thorin, who was covered with scars all over his body, and left the place where the battle was most intense.

He reappeared soon, filled with anger, before no one could stop his attack, not even weapons seemed to be able to hurt him.He scattered the orc guards, grabbed Bogg in the air, and tore him to pieces with all his strength.Seeing the commander was killed, the half-orcs immediately lost all fighting spirit and ran around, but their enemy's morale was boosted, and they chased after them, killing most of the half-orcs on the spot.Many half-orcs drowned in the rushing river, and those who escaped to the south or west forest by chance were also beheaded one by one without mercy. Most of the half-orcs were hunted down along the dense forest river, and the dead bodies along the road were piled up into mountains; the few remnant soldiers who were close to the wood elves' territory were either shot to death on the spot, or led into the dark forest, and finally starved to death.A later ballad claimed that one-third of the orc warriors in the northern lands had died in this battle, and that the mountains had enjoyed peace for many years.

The victory was decided before dark, but when Bilbo returned to the camp, there were still many warriors pursuing the fleeing defeated soldiers.Except for the seriously injured fighters, not many people remained in the valley. "Where is the Eagle?" he asked Gandalf that night, when he was covered with many warm blankets. "Some are still hunting," said the wizard, "but most of them have gone back to the Eagle's Nest. They didn't want to stay here, and they left at daybreak. Dan gave the Eagle King a golden crown, Swear to be an ally for generations to come."

"What a pity! I mean, I'd love to see them again." said Bilbo sleepily. "I might see them again on the way home. I think we'll be back soon." Home?" "You can go whenever you like," said the wizard. In fact, it was several days before Bilbo set off.They buried Thorin deep in the mountains, and Bard put the heirloom diamond on his chest. "May it stay here until the mountains are leveled!" he said. "May it bring good luck to the people who live hereafter!" The elf king put the beast-biting sword confiscated when Thorin was captured on his grave. According to future legends, as long as an enemy approaches, it will start to glow, and the dwarf will never be attacked by anyone again. Sneak attack.Dann, the son of Nain, succeeded him and became the king of the mountain. Many dwarves from all over the world gathered in the ancient hall.Of Thorin's twelve companions, ten survived, and Fili and Kili used their bodies and lives as shields to defend their uncle; Know what to do with ancestral treasures. After that there was no discussion of how the treasure should be divided, for Balin, Devalin, Dolly, Nolly, Ole, Oin, Gloin, Beaver, Bofur, and Bomber; of course, for Bill The same is true for Bo.However, one fourteenth of all the gold and silver was still given to Bard. Because Dan said: "We must respect the promise of the deceased, and he did receive the family heirloom diamond after his death." Even one-fourteenth of the total was an unimaginable wealth, beyond the reach of many kings.Bard distributed some of the gold to the mayor of Long Lake Town, and the rest was generously distributed to friends and followers.Dan returned Ji Rui'an's emerald necklace to Bard, and he gave it to the elf king who likes jewels the most. Then Dan said to Bilbo: "These treasures are yours as well as mine. Since too many people have paid the price to protect it, I don't think the previous contract can continue. However, even if you are willing to give up all I don't want to make what Thorin said come true, and he has retracted his impulsive remarks. Of all people, I should give you the richest reward." "It's very kind of you," said Bilbo, "but it's easier for me to take nothing, and I just can't figure out how to get the treasure home without meeting you and me on the way." The ugly scene of intrigue and intrigue. I don’t know what to do with these things when I get home, I think it’s better for you to keep them.” After several refusals, he finally reluctantly accepted two small boxes, one filled with gold and the other filled with silver, which was just within the weight that the pony could carry. "That's enough!" he said. Finally, it was time for him to say goodbye to all his friends. "Farewell, Balin!" he said; "and Dwalin, Dolly, Nolly, Ole, Oin, Gloin, Beaver, Bofur, and Bombur! May your beards grow everlasting!" And then , he turned to face the lonely mountain: "Farewell, Thorin Oakenshield! And Kili and Fili! May your heroic deeds be passed down in the epic forever!" The dwarves bowed together before the cave gate, but the words of farewell seemed stuck in their throats. "No matter where you go, I wish you good luck and health!" Balin finally said: "After we restore the hall, if you can visit again someday, we must celebrate it!" "If you pass my house by any chance," said Bilbo, "you're welcome, just knock! I have tea at four, but you can call anytime!" Then he turned and left. The army of the elves is marching. Although the number has decreased a lot, people are still rejoicing, because for a long time to come, the northern world will be much more peaceful than before.The dragon died and the orcs were defeated, and they looked forward to a spring when all things flourished after the winter. Gandalf and Bilbo rode behind the King of the Elves, and beside them Beorn in human form again walked, laughing and singing gallantly all the way.And so they went, till they came to the border of Mirkwood, where the River of the Wood flowed.There they paused, and Gandalf and Bilbo would not enter the forest, though the King of the Elves invited them to be his guests.They were going to trek along the edge of the forest, around its northern end, across the gray mountains and the flatlands between the forests.It was a long way, but after defeating the orcs, it seemed safer than venturing deeper into the woods.Moreover, Bion is also ready to go this way. "Farewell, King of the Elves!" said Gandalf. "May the forest prosper and prosper! May your people be free from worry!" "Good-bye, Gandalf!" said the king. "May you always appear with lightning wherever you are needed! May you often visit me!" "I beg you," stammered Bilbo nervously, "accept this gift!" He produced a silver and pearl necklace that Dan had given him before he left. "O hobbit, what honor do I have for this gift?" said the King. "Well, let's put it this way, I suppose," said Bilbo, incoherently, "I, well, ought to give you something in return, er, hospitality . . . I mean, even a Snitch knows how to be grateful. I Drank much of your wine, and ate much of your bread." "Great Bilbo, I am willing to accept your gift!" The king said solemnly: "I declare you to be a friend of the elves, please accept our blessing. May your shadow never disappear (or stealing will be for you It's too simple)! Goodbye!" The elves headed for the forest, and Bilbo began his long journey home. He went through many hardships and adventures before he got home.The wilderness is the wilderness after all, and in those days there were many other monsters besides the orcs, but he had very good guides and bodyguards, and the wizard was always with him, and Beorn traveled with them most of the journey, Therefore, he was in no real danger.At any rate, by the middle of the winter, Gandalf and Bilbo had made their way along the edge of the forest to Beorn's dwelling again.The two stayed there for some time. They had a rather wonderful winter festival, with people from all over Beorn invited to come and feast.Of the half-orcs of the Mirkwood there were only a few terrified birds, and they all hid in the deepest caves, and the wargs disappeared with them.Therefore, people can come and go freely without interference.Beorn later became the leader of the local population, and the area from the mountains to the forest became his jurisdiction.It is said that many of his descendants have inherited the blood of bears; although some of them are wicked, most of them are still as jealous as Beorn, but their strength and size have been reduced a lot.They drove out all the Orcs from the Misty Mountains, and peace was now restored to the Great Wasteland. The following spring was a wonderful time of mild weather and bright sunshine.Bilbo and Gandalf said goodbye to Beorn reluctantly.Though Bilbo was very homesick, he still regretted that he had to leave so soon, for Beorn's garden was as splendid in spring as it was in summer. At last they followed the same path they had taken before, and came to the same place where they had been taken captive by the Orcs.However, it was morning, and what they saw when they turned their heads was the scene of the sun shining on the endless land.In the distance was Mirkwood, dark green even in spring.On the edge of the horizon is a lonely mountain. The snow on its highest peak has not yet melted, and it still reflects the dazzling light. "After the fire is white ice and snow, and even the dragon will have its doom!" Bilbo left all the previous adventures behind him and walked towards his hometown.The bloodline of the Tuke family in his body is already very tired, while the bloodline of the Baggins family is becoming stronger and stronger. "I wish I could be back on my recliner right now!" he said.