Upon hearing Arthur' words, Bard's eyes widened, and he asked, "But that Dragon's scales are harder than black iron! This is too dangerous, Sir Arthur. I know you are a wizard, but you just saved my son, and I cannot stand by and watch you go to your death."
Balin also shook his head in disagreement, the old dwarf's silver beard rising and falling with his rapid breaths, his calloused hand resting on Thorin's shoulder: "I also disagree, Sir Arthur. Let Thorin be the bait? This is practically sending him straight into the Dragon's mouth!"
"We can be the bait!"
Kili and Fili suddenly shouted in unison, and then the dwarf brothers exchanged a smile.
Because they were also of the Durin royal bloodline, they would certainly be able to attract Smaug's attention.
Upon hearing the brothers' words, Balin spun around sharply, glaring at the twins with an expression of disappointment, the veins on his wrinkled forehead throbbing.
The old dwarf was just short of saying, "Why are you causing trouble?"
The house instantly erupted, and the other dwarves also started to clamor.
Gloin slammed his fist on the wooden table, Nori shoved a chair with a dull thud, and the voices of a dozen dwarves almost lifted the roof.
Dwalin's rough voice cut through the din: "Let Thorin be the bait? Unless you step over my corpse first, otherwise, I should be the bait."
Ori crouched in the corner, saying in a faint voice: "But can we really succeed? That's Smaug, the most terrifying creature alive."
Arthur pressed his hands down, signaling the dwarves to quiet down, then looked at Thorin with a serious gaze and said, "Danger is certain, after all, what we are doing is slaughtering a giant Dragon, not a pig to be slaughtered at will. But more importantly, whether Thorin himself is willing to become the bait. If he doesn't agree, I still have other methods, though it's highly likely that the Dragon will escape from the Lonely Mountain."
Thorin also looked at Arthur, and asked in a deep voice, "If I become the bait, how confident are you in killing Smaug?"
Arthur stated precisely: "I am ninety-nine percent confident in killing it. The reason I don't say one hundred percent is because I don't know what else might happen. But I can ensure your safety, even if I don't kill Smaug, as long as you completely trust me."
Thorin looked at the dwarves watching him, raised a hand and clenched it tightly, and said loudly without hesitation: "Then what do I have to hesitate about! Of course, I agree! Let us, with Arthur, kill the Dragon!"
"Oh!!! Kill the Dragon!!!"
The dwarves also raised their hands and cheered with Thorin.
Thorin shouted again: "Reclaim the Lonely Mountain!"
"Reclaim the Lonely Mountain!!" The dwarves continued to shout along.
Seeing this scene, Balin could only sigh, tacitly agreeing to Thorin's approach.
Thorin showed a satisfied smile, then looked at Bard, who was standing aside, and asked in confusion: "Why are you still here, Human? I am grateful for the information you provided to Arthur, but now you can leave."
Bard suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and politely explained: "Sir Arthur asked me to come over. Because I have a commission, and he said you might be able to help."
Arthur nodded: "Yes, he is Bard, one of the Lake-town Guard. When Smaug attacked Lake-town, he organized people to fight back. Of course, he has another identity, which you might be more familiar with."
Thorin looked Bard up and down. This Human, dressed like a refugee and a vagrant, made him feel there was nothing special about him: "What identity could he have that is worth our attention? Could it be related to the Master of Lake-town?"
Arthur said: "He is a descendant of Girion, the former Lord of River Valley Town. I think you and Balin are not unfamiliar with him."
Balin had an epiphany, a trace of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.
He took the initiative to greet him, his voice as gentle as embers in an old hearth, while also explaining to the other dwarves: "Ah, so it is the bloodline of Lord Girion. No wonder I felt a familiar look in his eyes when we first met. You resemble your ancestor greatly, Sir Bard. When the Dragon attacked back then, your grandfather bravely stood out, holding River Valley Town to the death, buying precious time for others to retreat."
Thorin crossed his arms and nodded slightly, his bracers and clothes rubbing with a sound, which was the most solemn salute of the dwarf royal family.
Bard first shook his head, then asked with a hint of urgency: "Let those old stories sleep in the ashes. Now I only want to rescue my two daughters who are trapped in Lake-town; they could be sacrificed to the Dragon at any time. Can you help me rescue my daughters? I am willing to pay a commensurate reward."
As Bard spoke these words, he rubbed the strap of the quiver hanging on his back, the leather creaking under the strain in his hand.
The dwarves exchanged glances but did not speak.
Only Gloin, also a father, tapped the wooden table with his rough knuckles and asked: "I think you should explain the whole story to us clearly, otherwise, we dwarves never wield weapons for unclear matters."
Then he unfastened the water skin from his waist and pushed it over: "Drink some water to moisten your throat, and explain it slowly and clearly."
Bard took the water skin but had no intention of drinking, instead, he meticulously recounted the entire sequence of events.
After listening, Thorin frowned and looked at Arthur: "It sounds like it has nothing to do with us killing that Dragon. What is your reason for recommending him to commission us, Arthur? I believe you must have your own plans."
Arthur cleared his throat and said: "There are two reasons why I believe you should accept Bard's commission. First, you can use this reason to smoothly leave the Woodland Realm. Thorin, do you think with the relationship between you and Thranduil, which can be described as 'terrible,' he would let you leave his territory so smoothly? So accepting Bard's commission, at least Thranduil will not openly obstruct your departure, otherwise, this matter spreading would affect his reputation."
Thorin sneered: "Of course not, that old tree spirit, even if he agrees to let us leave his territory, will certainly cause trouble in other aspects."
Even Bofur waved the flute in his hand and said: "If he dares to obstruct us, then I will weave this matter into a song of the Bards, letting everyone in Middle-earth know the cold-heartedness of that pointy-eared one."
The other dwarves also nodded in agreement; it was clear that they were very hostile towards the Elves of the Woodland Realm, so Arthur' reason had convinced them.
Arthur continued: "The second reason is that, according to Bard, the Master of Lake-town, for some unknown reason, has completely degenerated into Smaug's lackey. Smaug may not care about Lake-town, but the orcs who were ordered to awaken Smaug might. I think when we arrive in Lake-town, we will also have the opportunity to capture and interrogate those orcs, to find out what Azog and his group are planning."
Upon hearing the name Azog, Thorin immediately said, "Yes, you are right, Arthur. We must find out what this orc scum is planning. I cannot face the sacrifice of my grandfather and my kin until I have killed it and appeased them with its blood."
Then he looked at Bard, nodding to indicate his acceptance of the request: "I swear, in the name of Thorin Oakenshield, that I will rescue your daughters from the clutches of the Mayor."
However, Thorin frowned again: "But looking at your attire, do you really have enough money to pay our reward?"
Bard, with confidence, replied: "If Sir Arthur had introduced me to anyone else, or even other dwarves, I would not have enough money to pay the reward. But since your goal is to slay the Dragon, then I can definitely afford the reward, even if it is not gold coins."
When the dwarves first heard Bard say he did not have enough money to pay the reward, they all showed expressions of disdain, but when they heard the latter part of his statement, they all looked at Bard with interest.
Thorin felt that what this descendant of River Valley Town said was very interesting, and a playful smile appeared on his face: "Tell me, Human. Why are you so certain that we will accept a reward other than gold coins?"
Bard also smiled: "The Black Arrow, dwarf sirs. I intend to pay you for rescuing my two daughters with a Black Arrow."
After hearing the name "Black Arrow," a glint flashed in Thorin's eyes, and he asked with an excited tone: "The Black Arrow? You actually still possess a Black Arrow?"
Arthur also felt the name sounded familiar, and then memories related to the name surfaced in his mind. He said to Thorin: "Is it the kind of arrow you mentioned that can penetrate Dragon scales?"
Thorin nodded: "Yes, Smaug would never expect us to have the Black Arrow. If we give the Black Arrow to old Sir Igon…"
However, before Thorin could finish his sentence, he quickly calmed down and looked at Bard: "But how can we believe that the Black Arrow in your hand is genuine? Why not take it out and show us now? Dwalin and the others are master blacksmiths with exquisite craftsmanship; they can discern the authenticity of the Black Arrow."
Bard, however, shrugged: "I regret to say, the Black Arrow is not with me right now, but I swear on my name, Bard, that it is absolutely genuine."
Thorin's expression turned cold: "Words alone mean nothing. How can we possibly believe you just based on what you say?"
At this moment, Balin showed a hesitant expression and said: "Perhaps he is telling the truth."
The other dwarves looked at Balin, and even Bard looked at the white-bearded old man with some surprise.
He had not expected a dwarf to speak up for him, let alone this dwarf who had previously opposed Arthur and Thorin's Dragon-slaying plan.
Thorin asked: "Tell me, Balin, why do you think he is telling the truth?"
Balin fell into a memory: "Lord Girion of River Valley Town once purchased a batch of excellent weapons forged by the Lonely Mountain dwarves, which included several Black Arrows capable of slaying Dragons. I am quite certain this is true, because I was responsible for the transaction with Girion at that time. If Bard is a descendant of Girion, then the probability of a Black Arrow being passed down to him is very high."
Bard added: "Yes, my ancestors purchased three Black Arrows in total. Two of them were used during the defense of River Valley Town. The last remaining Black Arrow had not yet been fired when my ancestor, Girion, fell in battle amidst Smaug's Dragon fire, and it has since been passed down to me."
Thorin listened silently to their words, glanced at Bard, sighed faintly, and said with a hint of emotion: "If only your ancestor had aimed more accurately that day, everything would be different now."
Bard, however, retorted in a deep, dissatisfied voice: "Since you are Thorin Oakenshield, you should know even more that the two Black Arrows Girion fired that day both hit Smaug, dislodging a scale to the left of its chest. Just one more arrow, and Smaug would surely have died."
Thorin did not speak, but Dwalin let out a laugh.
He looked at Bard, raising his hands to show he meant no harm: "That's just a fairy tale, Human. While I understand that your ancestor is the protagonist and you are defending his honor, I regret to say that what you are saying is false; the historical truth is not so."
Bard shook his head and said again: "Never mind, now is not the time to argue about this. Are you willing to accept my commission? As long as my daughters are rescued, I am willing to offer that Black Arrow with both hands."
Thorin observed Bard and said: "Of course we accept, but not just the Black Arrow, you will also need to pay an additional… let me see, thirty, no, let's make it ten gold coins."
Bard frowned tightly: "Ten gold coins, I can indeed afford that. But I also have a condition, and that is my two daughters must return to me alive and unharmed."
Thorin nodded cheerfully, subtly glancing at Arthur: "Of course, no problem. As long as your daughters still have a breath, I guarantee that both of them will safely and completely reunite with you. Balin, draft three contracts, one for me, one for Bard, and one for… Bilbo."
Bilbo's eyes widened, and he pointed to himself: "Wait, why am I involved in this?"
He had listened to the conversation between Arthur and the others, thinking that what happened afterward had nothing to do with him.
After all, the Dragon had awakened, so there was no need for him to stealthily sneak into the Lonely Mountain to steal that gem.
Bilbo had planned to explore more of the Woodland Realm's territory to see how it differed from Rivendell, but he hadn't expected Thorin to still call his name.
Thorin said as a matter of course: "Since we are to rescue Bard's daughters, we must first find out where they are being held. It's obvious that so many dwarves entering Lake-town would be conspicuous, so we need you, the master burglar skilled in stealth, to go to the places where his daughters might be imprisoned. But this has nothing to do with the Lonely Mountain commission, so I need to draft a new contract to commission you. Of course, the reward is negotiable."
Bilbo hesitated for a moment, then finally said helplessly: "Then I will accompany you to the end. Getting two imprisoned girls from the human-inhabited Lake-town is better than having me sneak into the Lonely Mountain and steal things right under the Dragon's nose."
Soon, three contracts were signed.
Arthur looked at Thorin and Bard, who had put away the contracts, and asked: "When do you plan to depart?"
Bard said: "Of course, the sooner the better. I don't know when Smaug will feed next. If you don't object, we can depart tonight. I will lead the way, but I can only take you to the outskirts of Lake-town."
Thorin nodded: "Then let's depart tonight."