However, it was only after Legolas had spent some time in the Golden Tree Territory that he revealed he came there on the advice of his father, Thranduil.
Thranduil had a brief conversation with Legolas in Dale that day.
Although Legolas still harbored some dissatisfaction towards Thranduil, his father's act of bringing the Woodland Realm to provide support made him realize that his father, in essence, still loved him.
It just so happened that Legolas needed some time to adjust his attitude towards Thranduil.
Therefore, Thranduil, discerning Legolas's inner thoughts, pointed him towards a path: to visit the Golden Tree Territory where Arthur resided.
Of course, Arthur was currently unaware that Legolas's desire to visit the Golden Tree Territory had this underlying reason; he merely assumed that Legolas was genuinely interested in his territory.
Moreover, Arthur's attention was also drawn to what Radahn and Bard had to say.
After Arthur heard what Bard said, he asked in surprise, "Are you serious, Bard? You want me to send an army to be stationed in Lake-town?"
Bard nodded seriously, "This is the result of my careful consideration, and I have also asked for the opinions of others; they all agree to the Golden Tree Territory's army being stationed here."
Then he sighed helplessly, "I have a strange premonition, Arthur. As the dwarves reclaim the Lonely Mountain, Dale will naturally gradually restore its former prosperity. But the current Dale is too weak; in the eyes of other human kingdoms, we, being closest to the Lonely Mountain and possessing no power, are simply fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered."
Bard shrugged, "I'm not saying that those human kingdoms who learn of the Lonely Mountain's recapture will definitely try to seize Dale, but as the mayor trusted by the townsfolk, I must prepare for the worst. Rather than cooperate with a kingdom I don't know or am unfamiliar with, it's better to choose someone I know now, and that is you and your Golden Tree Territory."
Then he raised his head, looked at the little giant-like Radahn, and quipped, "Although, as far as I know, your Golden Tree Territory is also in its early stages of development, after the Battle of the Lonely Mountain, General Radahn's feat of slaying the dragon alone will spread throughout Middle-earth. Whether Elves, Humans, or dwarves, anyone wanting to take advantage of your territory will have to think carefully."
Arthur also glanced at Radahn, whose shoulders and waist were wrapped in bandages, and then said to Bard, "Then I have no objection, but regarding which legion to station, Radahn and I will discuss it with others in the territory after we return."
Besides the Storm Legion and the Red Lion Legion, did the Erdtree actually have other legions?
Bard secretly noted this information inwardly, while outwardly agreeing readily, "Of course, no problem. Regarding the specific details after the army is stationed, I will also hand them over to you when both sides are ready for a formal meeting."
Then he deliberately winked and said, "After all, you are a wizard, and you have a way to come and go quickly, don't you?"
It seemed Bard had also guessed how the Storm Legion and the Red Lion Legion had suddenly appeared in Lake-town earlier.
Arthur smiled and nodded, keeping this matter in mind, ready to have Kenneth Haight handle it when he returned.
After Bard left, Arthur looked at Radahn, "The change in Bard's attitude, is that why you challenged Smaug?"
Radahn calmly nodded, "That's just one reason."
Arthur asked curiously, "What other reasons?"
Radahn admitted, "That is, I indeed wanted to challenge the dragons of this world. As for the combat process, Smaug is indeed an opponent worth remembering."
Arthur, however, complained with a slight hint of dissatisfaction, "Hearing you say that makes me want to fight Smaug even more."
Radahn, however, shook his head slightly, "Even if you could easily defeat Smaug, I would still try my best to dissuade you from fighting him. I believe that both 'King Regent' Bernal and that female swordswoman who I feel is connected to the Valkyrie would agree with my approach."
Arthur was clearly taken aback and pressed, "Why?"
Radahn replied, "Because you are the only one who can summon people and objects from The Lands Between to this world. In other words, you are our only hope and miracle for fulfilling our regrets."
Arthur remained silent for a long time after hearing this.
After a while, he pointed to the bandages on Radahn's body, which were stained with a little blood, and said, "By the way, your injuries aren't serious enough to require bandages, are they? If the blessed potion in the red dew holy grail bottle isn't enough to heal your wounds, I can still use Prayers to help you recover."
Radahn, however, smiled faintly and slightly unfastened the bandages on his arm, revealing the perfectly intact skin underneath.
Arthur said in surprise, "You're fine? Then why are you still wearing bandages?"
Radahn turned his head to look in the direction Bard had left and said, "To prevent these people from being afraid. I believe the nations of this world can certainly accept a story of a hero successfully challenging a dragon but being seriously wounded, but they will absolutely not accept a person defeating a dragon without paying any price. In that case, their admiration and apprehension for this hero would turn into fear of this hero. When people are afraid, they lose their normal reason and judgment, and that is not the result I want to see."
"My victory over Smaug is to let the world know that the Erdtree has a sharp sword like me. And my feigning serious injury is to let the world know that this sword will also wear down and needs sharpening. Otherwise, being too sharp can, in a sense, be interpreted as making enemies everywhere."
Arthur nodded thoughtfully, then sighed with a headache and said, "I can probably understand what you're saying, but if I really think about it... it feels like there's too much to consider, and it's too troublesome."
Radahn said faintly, "I also wish everyone in the world were as pure as you; it would undoubtedly be much better. But unfortunately, reality is not like that. In order to achieve our goals, this is something that must be carefully considered. However, in this regard, I only know a little. If you truly want to learn how to become a qualified Elden Lord, in addition to possessing the powerful strength that makes us submit, I strongly recommend that you learn a thing or two from my younger brother, 'Judicator' Rykard."
Arthur frowned slightly, "Rykard? You should know that the Rykard I know is a demigod judge called 'Blasphemous King,' not some 'Judicator.'"
Radahn nodded, "I also know the crimes my brother committed, but just as I fell into madness due to the Scarlet Rot's influence, Rykard might have also gone down the wrong path due to the Great Serpent's enticement. Of course, I don't mean to excuse him; I agree with whatever punishment Rykard receives. I just want to express that perhaps Rykard, like me, can be freed from the enticement and influence he's under by you."
Arthur understood that Radahn's words, both spoken and implied, were recommending that the next demigod Arthur summoned should be Rykard.
Therefore, he said, "Regarding Rykard, I will consider it myself."
Radahn nodded silently, saying nothing more, as he knew continuing would cause Arthur's displeasure.
The matter of Dale was only what Bard had mentioned, so after a preliminary assessment, Radahn was allowed to temporarily stay in Dale with Freya, Ogha, and Jerian.
After all, Radahn was still considered "severely injured" in the eyes of Thorin of Lonely Mountain and Bard of Dale, and staying in Dale was convenient for him to perform a "recuperation" act.
As for why they didn't stay in Lake-town, it was because the previous attack by the Ringwraiths had damaged most of the wooden houses in Lake-town, and the number of intact houses in Lake-town was probably even less than in Dale now.
Bernal, Igon, and Millison, along with the Storm Legion, prepared to return to the Golden Tree Territory with Arthur.
Bilbo and Legolas also returned with Arthur through the portal.
After Gandalf returned from delivering the necklace to Thranduil, he embraced Arthur and Bilbo separately, bidding them farewell before hurrying to the Kingdom of Gondor .
Thorin also arrived as promised, bringing the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain Expedition to Dale to bid farewell to Arthur and Bilbo.
Bilbo looked at these dwarves, with whom he had only shared a brief thirteen months that felt longer than a lifetime, and memories of their journey to Lonely Mountain flashed through his mind, moistening the corners of his eyes at their departure.
After composing himself, Bilbo smiled and said to Thorin, Fili, Kili, and the other dwarves, "If any of you return to the Blue Mountains later and happen to pass by Hobbiton… afternoon tea is at four, there's plenty of tea and snacks, you're always welcome."
Then he paused, blinked, and added to the dwarves, "Of course, I still hope you can send me a letter in advance to let me know, so I can restock my cellar with the food you like."
Thorin nodded silently and said to Bilbo, "You are always welcome in Lonely Mountain, Bilbo Baggins; it will be your second home."
Arthur interjected into their conversation, teasing, "Alright, it's not a life-and-death separation, no need to be so sentimental. As for visiting, I'll take care of that problem, after all, I am a wizard."
Arthur planned to set up a stele portal between the Golden Tree Territory and Lonely Mountain, which would facilitate easier communication with Thorin and his group.
However, the placement of the stele portal also needed to consider the dwarves' military defense issues around Lonely Mountain, so where to place it was something that needed to be thoroughly discussed with Thorin and his group.
"Is this what it feels like to enter a portal? I don't seem to feel anything special, I blinked and the surroundings changed… Oh, is this glowing tree that seems to reach the sky the Erdtree you've always talked about, Arthur?"
After passing through the portal, Bilbo's curious gaze constantly swept around, and he excitedly asked questions non-stop.
Not long after the Storm Legion returned, Nepheli Loux, sensing the commotion, arrived.
Arthur first calmed Bilbo, and after handling the return of the Storm Legion, he finally had a chance to catch his breath and take Bilbo and Legolas, who had remained polite and quiet, on a tour of Stormveil Castle.
After the initial excitement wore off, Bilbo gradually quieted down, observing everything within Stormveil Castle, while Legolas, who had barely spoken throughout the journey, showed a look of shock upon seeing the Elves from Rivendell.
He looked at the Rivendell Elves who had already grown accustomed to living in the Golden Tree Territory and asked Arthur, "Are there even fellow Elves living in your territory?"
Arthur looked at the Elves who were smiling and nodding in greeting to him, and while returning a smile, he said to Legolas, "It's not exactly living here; they were sent by Elrond to help me rebuild my home. However, after helping out, they found the Erdtree intriguing, and Elrond didn't urge them to return, plus there are many habitable places in my territory, so they stayed."
Then he shrugged, "As for how long they stay, that depends on the mood of these Elves."
When Arthur said this, Legolas understood.
Bilbo then asked, "Speaking of which, are Sir Rogier and Sir D here in the territory now? I haven't seen them in a long time, especially Sir Rogier, who told me many adventure stories. I'd like to visit him and tell him about the stories I've experienced these past few months."
Arthur replied, "As for Rogier, he often leaves the Erdtree's territory to travel to places he hasn't been. It's hard for me to pinpoint his whereabouts, but how about I take you to his resting place now? Legolas, do you want to come along?"
Legolas said, "I'm more curious about the lives of those Rivendell Elves here. Please allow me to take my leave of you two; I'd like to visit them on my own."
Arthur nodded, "Alright, then let's meet at the City Lord Hall for dinner."
Not long after, Arthur, having temporarily parted with Legolas, brought Bilbo to Rogier's residence within the city.
However, unfortunately, after Arthur knocked several times, there was no response from inside.
Arthur regretfully said to Bilbo, "It seems Rogier isn't here."
At this moment, someone from the neighboring house poked their head out due to Arthur's knocking, and upon recognizing Arthur, immediately greeted him with surprise and respect, "Lord Arthur, are you looking for Rogier for something?"
Arthur nodded and asked this neighbor of Rogier, "Do you know where Rogier went?"
The neighbor respectfully replied, "Sir Rogier left with Sir Darian about a week ago, but I don't know where exactly. I'm very sorry, Lord Arthur."