Having settled the allegiance matter in Bree, Luke prepared to depart. His primary goal was to seek out Gandalf, hoping the wizard's wisdom and knowledge of fire could help him evolve his Animagus form into a phoenix. Additionally, he intended to 'sign in' at various locations, hoping for unexpected discoveries or gains. Obtaining some magical insight into phoenixes, particularly Dumbledore's knowledge and memories, was something Luke ardently desired. As Fawkes the phoenix's owner, Dumbledore surely possessed profound understanding and research on the majestic creatures. Unfortunately, the rewards he received from 'signing in' were never determined by his own wishes.
After making arrangements within the castle, Luke retrieved the Palantir to ascertain Gandalf's whereabouts. As Gandalf's image materialized within the crystal ball, Luke's expression turned to surprise. The wizard was conversing with a tall, heavily bearded tree-man. "Is this Fangorn Forest?" Luke murmured, astonished. He recognized his interlocutor as an Ent, one of the ancient tree-shepherds, far more humanoid than the Huorns, capable of both movement and speech. Suddenly, Gandalf in the vision reacted.
"Who's there?" Gandalf bellowed into the void, his gaze vigilant. Then, as if sensing something intangible, the sharpness in his eyes softened, replaced by a puzzled frown. "Luke, is that you?" Luke, unable to reply from afar, simply confirmed Gandalf's location. He then quickly used the Floo Network to transport himself to Lórien, the nearest point to Fangorn Forest.
"Luke, what brings you here?" Arwen inquired, surprised. Luke, in turn, was equally surprised to find Arwen in Lórien, having expected her to be in Rivendell. "I require Gandalf's assistance," Luke explained. "He's in Fangorn Forest, so I came to Lórien as a transit point." Noticing Arwen's slight disappointment, he extended an invitation: "Would you care to join me on this trip to Fangorn Forest?" Arwen's eyes sparkled, and she smiled brightly, "Certainly!"
Taking someone on such an excursion naturally required parental consent. Lady Galadriel nodded gently, granting her approval. Celeborn, however, remained impassive, neither objecting nor agreeing, his demeanor towards Luke unchanged. Yet, for reasons he couldn't quite articulate, Luke felt a persistent chill down his spine. Under the discerning gaze of the lord and lady, Luke offered Arwen a broomstick, while he transformed into an owl to accompany her flight.
They soared out of Lórien's borders, heading south. Fangorn Forest lay not far in that direction. After a short flight, they reached its periphery. Luke descended, resuming human form, and Arwen likewise landed her broom. They did not immediately venture inside, for the tree-folk of Fangorn were notoriously xenophobic. Humans and Dwarves had historically ravaged their forests, leading the Ents to despise intruders. Most who dared to enter Fangorn met their end, as the Ents ruthlessly eliminated any perceived threat to their beloved woods.
Though Luke was a wizard, he was still fundamentally human. Moreover, he carried the dubious title of 'Tree Feller,' and his wand contained the core of a Huorn, a close relative of the Ents. This history made Luke feel a pang of guilt as he faced the prospect of meeting the tree-folk. He swiftly put away his Old Willow wand, replacing it with another, one whose core was a maelstrom wand and a strand of Lady Galadriel's hair. He also affixed the white gem brooch gifted by Thranduil.
Then, with a flourish of his wand, he conjured his Patronus and sent it into the forest to deliver a message to Gandalf. Arwen, having spent over a year with Luke, was well aware of his peculiar circumstances. Witnessing his earnest efforts, the corners of her lips curled upward in amusement, her eyes sparkling with mirth. Luke glanced at Arwen, her smile eliciting a mix of fondness and helplessness within him.
One must adapt to circumstances. The Ents, a unique race fashioned by the plant goddess Yavanna, possessed not only formidable strength but also the ability, as 'shepherds of the trees,' to command the very flora to assail their foes. They were, in essence, powerful plant-based beings, capable of routing Saruman's Uruk-hai army, dismantling Isengard, and even capturing Saruman himself. Luke knew he had to proceed with extreme caution.
Luke and Arwen didn't wait long at the forest's edge. Soon, a rustling sound emerged from within. The trees themselves seemed to part, creating a wide, unobstructed path. From this opening, a tree-man, easily six or seven meters tall, slowly emerged. The Ent was immensely tall, his sturdy body resembling that of a giant. He possessed a high head with almost no neck, thick, long arms, and slender, powerful fingers. His skin was like green and grey bark, with sparse branches and leaves growing upon it, and patches of moss. His feet were enormous, each with seven toes. His movements were slow but ponderous, each heavy step causing the ground to tremble subtly. Perched on the tree-man's broad shoulders sat Gandalf, calmly smoking his pipe and smiling down at them.
"Gandalf!" Luke exclaimed, waving his hands in surprise. The Ent halted a few meters away and gently lowered Gandalf to the ground. "Long time no see, Luke!" Gandalf greeted them cheerfully, approaching the pair. "And the beautiful Lady Arwen!"
"Mithrandir," Arwen responded, offering a gentle smile and a nod. Gandalf smiled at them both, then subtly winked at Luke, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. He then introduced the towering figure behind him: "This is my old friend, the leader of the Ents, Treebeard."
"And these two," Gandalf continued, addressing Treebeard, "the beautiful Elf-lady is Arwen Undómiel, the Evening Star of Lórien and Rivendell, White Princess of the Noldor, daughter of Elrond! As for this one," he concluded, "it's the black-robed wizard from the Hogwarts Castle at Weathertop I spoke of—Luke. He is the master of Smaug the Dragon, the slayer of Orcs, and my companion."
"Greetings, Mr. Treebeard," Luke said politely. "I've long heard of the tree-shepherds; it's a pleasure to finally meet you!" Arwen also offered her greetings.
Treebeard gazed down at them, his voice slow and deep, like a distant rumble of thunder, carrying an astonishing power. "Welcome, Elf-lady," he rumbled. Treebeard regarded Arwen with warmth. Elves shared a profound connection with forests, considering them their true homes. The Ents themselves were manifestations of the woods. Indeed, in ancient times, it was the Elves who first discovered and awakened the slumbering Ents, teaching them language and thought. Thus, a long-standing friendship, an alliance forged in ages past, existed between their races.
However, when it came to Luke, Treebeard hesitated. His brown eyes glowed with an emerald hue as he fixed a sharp gaze on him. "I sense the resentment of the trees within you," he boomed slowly. "It means you have harmed them before!" Luke's heart skipped a beat. He made no attempt to conceal anything, recounting his past entanglement with Old Man Willow.
After hearing Luke's explanation, Treebeard remained silent for a long while. Luke felt a surge of nervousness, but seeing Gandalf smiling quietly beside him offered some reassurance. Finally, Treebeard looked at Luke and said slowly, "Since you are Gandalf's friend, I will believe you are not malicious. Provided you promise not to harm trees in the future, you are welcome in Fangorn Forest."
"I promise I will not harm trees!" Luke affirmed. 'It was self defense!'
Treebeard gave him a deep, searching look, then nodded. "Then follow me," he rumbled, and with that, he lifted Gandalf back onto his shoulders and turned to stride into the forest. Luke breathed a sigh of relief. "Does this mean I've passed?" he wondered silently. He then took Arwen on his broomstick and followed.
The tree-man led them deep into the forest. His gait was slow, yet due to his immense stature, he covered ground remarkably quickly. He moved like the undisputed king of the woods, and all the surrounding trees seemed to yield before him. Following Treebeard all the way to Fangornsen, nestled at the foot of the Misty Mountains, they reached the dwelling of the tree-folk.
The Ent's residence resembled a vast hall carved directly from the mountain itself. A flat, open space lay before the entrance, flanked by tall, straight trees that grew increasingly taller the deeper one ventured into the hall. Luke realized these towering trees were actually Huorns, standing like silent sentinels, guarding the Ents' domain.
They followed the Ent into the hall. The walls soared to a fifty-foot-high ceiling, terminating against a sheer rock face. In the center of the hall, a natural opening allowed light and water to cascade in. A massive stone table stood nearby, though entirely devoid of chairs. To the right, a colossal, low bed was fashioned from hay and bark. The entire chamber exuded a primitive, natural aesthetic.
This was Treebeard's personal dwelling, known as the Spring Hall. Ents did not typically reside together. Each Ent usually safeguarded a specific area or section of the forest, possessing their own distinct territory and home. Thus, Luke saw no other tree-folk. Only during significant events, such as an Entmoot, would the tree-folk convene from across the forest to deliberate important matters.
Treebeard gently set Gandalf down and gestured for the others to settle comfortably. He then retrieved two large containers, placing them on a stone table at least six feet above the ground. Hovering his hands over them, he shook them gently. The containers glowed with golden and green light, illuminating the entire chamber. Next, he moved to the far end of the room, opened a large jar with a heavy stone lid, and, using a long-handled ladle, poured a liquid into four bowls: one large and three smaller ones.
Luke's gaze was drawn to the two containers Treebeard used for illumination. They were clearly magical artifacts, emitting a vibrant light that instilled a sense of comfort and vitality. His attention, however, soon shifted to the bowls of liquid Treebeard was bringing over.
"You're fortunate today," Gandalf announced with a smile, his eyes alight as he gestured to the liquid. "This is Ent-draught, unique to the tree-folk. You won't find it outside Fangorn!" Luke instantly recalled the drink. He remembered that Merry and Pippin had consumed Ent-draught during the journey of the Fellowship of the Ring.
Not only had it healed their wounds and dispelled their weariness, but it had also caused them to grow significantly taller, becoming the tallest Hobbits ever known. This thought thrilled Luke. A drink capable of increasing one's height? That was indeed a remarkable thing. Though he wasn't short by any means, who would decline the chance to grow even taller?
Luke watched with eager anticipation as Treebeard placed the Ent-draught on the stone table before him. Though the table was as tall as he was, Luke politely declined Treebeard's offer to lift him onto it. Instead, he simply waved his wand and conjured three high chairs, ensuring he, Gandalf, and Arwen could comfortably reach the surface.
As for Treebeard, he refused Luke's offer to transfigure a chair for him. He first submerged his enormous feet into the large stone basin where the stream flowed in, seemingly absorbing water, then leisurely drank his colossal bowl of the draught in a single, long breath.
Luke settled onto one of the high chairs, leaning against the edge of the stone table, and formally sampled his own large bowl of Ent-draught. He lifted the bowl with both hands and took a sip. The drink tasted like pure water, yet it carried an indescribably subtle fragrance, reminiscent of the evening breeze rustling through a forest. While the flavor of the Ent-draught was rather mild, Luke's attention was immediately consumed by the changes occurring within his body.
A surge of life-giving magic coursed through him, starting from his toes and slowly rising upwards, filling his limbs and even his scalp with vibrant energy. He felt his hair stand on end. What surprised Luke even more was that, under the influence of this powerful vitality, his internal organs gradually strengthened, his bones hardened, and his muscles became denser and more resilient. Even his magical power noticeably increased!
"This is incredible!" Luke's eyes widened in astonishment. How could this be merely a drink? It was a miracle elixir, a panacea capable of enhancing his physical capabilities in every conceivable way! Luke couldn't wait and quickly gulped down the rest of the Ent-draught.
After finishing the large bowl, his stomach felt a little distended. The Ent-draught's effects continued to fortify his body, making him feel incredibly drowsy. Arwen, standing nearby, noticed the change in Luke and asked with concern, "Luke, are you alright?"
Luke shook his head. "I'm fine, it's just that the drink is quite potent, and it's making me feel a bit sleepy." Yet, looking at Arwen, who had also drunk the Ent-draught but showed little change, and Gandalf, who savored his draught slowly, sip by sip, as if it were a fine wine, Luke could only marvel. It seemed the Ent-draught had varied effects on different individuals. For those with robust constitutions like Arwen and Gandalf, its impact was less pronounced. Only he, a comparatively 'fragile' mage, seemed to experience its full, profound effect.
Gandalf observed Luke's struggle to stay awake and said with a smile, "Luke, you should rest now. You'll feel much better when you wake up." Treebeard generously offered his own bed, allowing Luke to sleep there.
Luke thanked Treebeard, and as drowsiness overwhelmingly consumed him, he didn't even bother to use a Transfiguration Spell to make the bed more comfortable. He simply collapsed onto the haystack, and sleep instantly claimed his consciousness, drawing him into a deep slumber.
After an unknown duration, Luke finally awoke. Though Treebeard's bed was simple and rustic, it wasn't dirty. The hay and bark beneath him carried the sweet scent of grass and trees, making him feel as if he were resting amidst the forest itself.
"You're awake!" Arwen, who had been watching over him, noticed his stirring immediately and exclaimed with surprise. She stepped forward, asking with concern, "How do you feel now?"
"I feel... fantastic!" After waking, Luke felt completely refreshed, brimming with seemingly endless energy. "By the way, how long was I asleep? What time is it now?"
"It's the next day already; you've slept for twelve hours," Arwen replied with a smile.
"That long!" Luke exclaimed, surprised. He then looked around but saw no sign of Gandalf or Treebeard. "Where are Gandalf and Treebeard?"
"They're both outside, waiting for you to wake up."
Upon hearing this, Luke immediately got off the stone bed. However, as soon as his feet touched the ground, Luke noticed significant changes in his body. He seemed to have grown taller! Not only had his height increased, but his body also felt stronger and more powerful, and the muscles in his arms were tighter and more defined. Even his magical power had significantly surged, equivalent to a year's worth of his training!
Luke's face instantly filled with delight. Although he had been mentally prepared for some changes, the extent of his gains was still incredibly exciting. At that moment, he noticed that the Sign-in System had prompted him earlier, but he hadn't responded, apparently due to his deep sleep.
[Hogwarts Sign-in System: Locating Fangorn Forest, do you want to sign in?]
"Sign in!" Luke murmured to himself.
[Sign in successfully, congratulations on obtaining Severus Snape's Potions Notes!]
Looking at the thick notes before him, Luke was curious. Could it be the Half-Blood Prince's notebook that Harry Potter had found? But upon closer inspection, he realized it wasn't quite the same. This notebook recorded all of Snape's Potions research notes from his time as a student until his death!
In addition to potion knowledge, it also documented several spells Snape had created: the Ear-Stopping Curse, the Tongue-Tying Curse, the Toenail-Growing Curse, the Muffling Charm, and the Sectumsempra (Invisible Sword) spell.
Luke was utterly astonished. These were the research notes of a Potions Master! It not only detailed Snape's improvements to numerous potions, such as simplifying production steps and suggesting better ingredients, but also contained many profound insights into potions, along with in-depth analysis and research on medicinal components. With this, even someone with mediocre talent could excel in the world of potions.
Luke carefully put away the notebook. With the notes from Snape, the master of potions, and the Herbology knowledge from Professor Sprout, the master of Herbology, he could easily find alternative potion ingredients in Middle-earth and concoct various magical potions. For example, there were intelligence-enhancing potions that could improve intellect, felix felicis (luck potions) that granted good fortune, and even elixirs of immortality!
Although Luke was attempting to evolve his Animagus into a phoenix, thereby gaining the phoenix's inherent immortality, he hadn't abandoned his pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone.
The Philosopher's Stone didn't grant direct immortality; rather, it served as a crucial ingredient in the Elixir of Life. This elixir, when combined with other magical components and taken regularly, would grant perpetual life. Of course, the immortality bestowed by the Philosopher's Stone had a drawback: while it prevented death, it couldn't prevent the body from aging.
Thus, although Nicolas Flamel and his wife lived for over 600 years with the Philosopher's Stone's aid, their bodies became very old and frail, their bones so brittle they feared breaking them even with a handshake. This was also why Nicolas Flamel eventually relinquished the Philosopher's Stone and chose to face death.
But Luke believed there was a solution. The Philosopher's Stone alone couldn't maintain a perpetually healthy and energetic body, but a combination of potions might. Among existing potions, there were those that could make people younger and vitality potions that instilled boundless energy. If he could achieve the same level of mastery as Snape in potions, he might be able to develop a potion that could perpetually maintain youth. When that time came, the Philosopher's Stone combined with a youth potion would offer a form of disguised immortality.
Now, good fortune came in pairs. Not only had his physical fitness improved, but he had also obtained the invaluable potion notes. Luke's face was alight with smiles.
Arwen was unaware of the system sign-in. Seeing Luke smiling so happily, she asked in confusion, "You've grown taller. Is that why you're so happy?" Luke snapped out of his reverie and, with a bright smile, boasted, "Growing taller is certainly something to be happy about, isn't it? I've grown a full five inches (13 centimeters) taller now, and I'm a whole head taller than you!"
Luke's original height was 1.85 meters (approximately 6 feet 1 inch), which was considered tall among ordinary humans. However, compared to elves, it seemed insignificant. Elves were generally taller, typically ranging from 1.8 to 2 meters (approximately 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 7 inches). Lady Galadriel, for instance, was 1.93 meters (6 feet 4 inches) tall. Although Arwen wasn't as tall as her grandmother Galadriel, she still stood at 1.8 meters (5 feet 11 inches). Standing next to Luke, who was only five centimeters taller than her, she had felt a considerable difference. But now, Luke was 1.98 meters (6 feet 6 inches) tall, a full head taller than Arwen. This instantly gave him a newfound confidence in standing beside her. As a young man, regardless of one's existing height, one always cares deeply about growing taller.
Arwen looked at Luke childishly comparing their heights, her eyes soft and starlike, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Well, grown-up Mr. Luke, we should go outside. Treebeard and Gandalf are waiting for us."
Then the two of them left Spring Hall and emerged onto the flat ground outside. Gandalf and Treebeard were seated beneath a natural dome formed by surrounding trees. Gandalf was quietly meditating, smoking his pipe, while Treebeard was half-reclined, his feet soaking in a stream, seemingly lost in thought or ancient memories. Seeing this, Luke and Arwen instinctively slowed their pace and lowered their voices.
But both Gandalf and Treebeard noticed them and turned to look. Gandalf exhaled a puff of smoke, looked Luke up and down, and said jokingly, "It seems you've grown quite a bit taller. I, an old man, will have to look up to you from now on!"
"I've grown five inches taller!" Luke declared, unable to hide his happiness. He then turned to Treebeard and thanked him solemnly: "Mr. Treebeard, thank you for your Ent-draught. I have benefited immensely from it!" As he spoke, he produced a bottle of plant growth potion and placed it before Treebeard. "This is a plant growth potion I made. It can make trees grow quickly. Please accept it!"
Luke knew that his welcome by Treebeard was largely due to Gandalf and Arwen's presence. Otherwise, if he had arrived alone, not being attacked would have been considered polite.
Treebeard took the bottle with curiosity. He could sense the potion's powerful attraction to plants, so he carefully opened the bottle and let a single drop fall onto a small tree beside him. The tiny sapling instantly began to grow at an astonishing rate, transforming into a large tree in a matter of moments. Witnessing this, Treebeard's eyes brightened, and he carefully put the medicine bottle away, his gaze toward Luke turning distinctly friendly.
"I love your gift!" he rumbled. "Wizard, do you have more of this potion? I can trade with you. How about using the Ent-draught I brewed?"
Luke was delighted by this offer. He had already experienced the profound effects of the Ent-draught. Not only did it possess powerful rejuvenating and nourishing properties that left one feeling refreshed and energetic, but it also promoted physical growth. Of course, he desired more of such a remarkable substance. While he had been fortunate enough to drink a bowl previously due to Gandalf's assistance, it would have been impossible to request more. Now that Treebeard was willing to exchange Ent-draught for the growth potion, Luke was naturally very keen.
So, he traded his only remaining bottle of growth potion for a can of Ent-draught from Treebeard, an amount three times what Luke had drunk before. Treebeard also promised that if Luke could create more growth potion in the future, he could return to trade for more Ent-draught. Of course, the quantity of Ent-draught was limited, and its brewing cycle was long, so unrestricted trade was not possible.
Luke now possessed another can of Ent-draught from Treebeard, but he didn't drink it immediately. According to Treebeard, the Ent-draught was potent and had prolonged aftereffects. After consuming it, the tree-men preferred to lie down to prevent the full force of the drink from rushing to their heads too quickly.
Drinking too much, too soon, could also strain the body, so it wasn't recommended to consume it again in a short period. Luke heeded this advice, dividing the can of Ent-draught into three portions and pouring them into three separate bottles. He kept one bottle for himself to drink later, and offered the other two to Gandalf and Arwen respectively.
Gandalf, however, shook his head and declined. "I've drunk this draught many times, Luke. It holds no further benefit for me. Besides, if I desired more, I'd simply ask Treebeard for it. There's no need to waste it on me." Treebeard nodded in agreement, indicating he, too, had had enough. Seeing their refusal, Luke didn't press the matter further. "In that case," he announced, "I'll save your share, Gandalf, for Bilbo." Gandalf chuckled even more heartily at this. "Then I eagerly await Bilbo becoming the tallest Hobbit!"
Arwen initially intended to refuse her bottle of Ent-draught, suggesting Luke keep it himself. However, Luke gave her no opportunity to decline, simply pressing it into her hand. He didn't lack Ent-draught; once he returned to Weathertop and brewed more Growth Potion, he could easily trade for more from Treebeard.
After the discussion about the Ent-draught concluded, Gandalf asked Luke the reason for his visit. Luke didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his space bag and produced the unconscious firebird. Looking at the large, red creature radiating intense heat, Gandalf was surprised and puzzled. "What kind of bird is this? I've never seen its like before." As the oldest of the tree-men, Treebeard also stated it was his first encounter with such a creature.
"Its body is like a furnace, constantly capable of spewing flames," Treebeard rumbled, his voice laced with caution. "It resembles a fire dragon somewhat. Could it be a hybrid of a fire dragon and a bird?" Treebeard was very wary of this fire-breathing creature; while he himself was not afraid of fire, the trees in his forest certainly were.
It was also Arwen's first time seeing such a creature. She asked curiously, "Luke, what kind of bird is this? Where did you find it?" Facing their questioning and curious gazes, Luke directly explained his magical experiment.
"So, you created this firebird?" Gandalf asked, greatly surprised.
Luke shook his head. "It's not truly creation. I simply tried to combine the magical circulation systems of a Giant Eagle and a Dragon, then magically transformed an ordinary orc. This unexpectedly gave birth to this fire-breathing firebird."
"That's a truly remarkable experiment!" Gandalf marveled, observing the firebird. "Who would have thought it could have been transformed from an orc?" Arwen, however, looked suddenly enlightened. "No wonder my father received news of the destruction of the orc stronghold in the Misty Mountains to the north not long ago, when I was in Rivendell. Did you go there to capture orcs for experiments?"
Luke smiled and nodded. "Magical deformation is very dangerous. If I need experimental subjects, I can only seek out these orcs for trouble." No one present thought it wrong for Luke to use orcs for magical experiments. After all, orcs were a dark race, inherently cruel and evil, and neither Gandalf, Treebeard, nor Arwen would extend any mercy to them.
"So, Luke, how exactly do you need my help?" Gandalf inquired curiously.
"I want to use this firebird as a template to create a more powerful and sacred bird. One that will be reborn from its ashes. When its body begins to fail, it will immolate itself in flames and then rise anew from the ashes..." Luke explained everything he knew about the phoenix, waving his wand to conjure a vivid image of the mythical bird in the air.
As Gandalf watched the lifelike image of the phoenix hovering in the air and listened to Luke's continuous description of its power, countless insights flashed in his eyes, and wisdom and inspiration burst forth in his mind. When Luke finished describing his conception of the phoenix, Gandalf exclaimed, "I wonder how you could have imagined such a perfect creature? If I hadn't known that no such magical creature existed in the world, I would have certainly believed it!" Treebeard and Arwen nodded in agreement. Arwen, in particular, gazed at the ethereal portrait of the phoenix in amazement, her eyes full of adoration. When she looked at Luke again, her eyes sparkled with even more stars. "Luke, what is the name of this beautiful creature?"
"Phoenix, or Phoenix!"
"Phoenix," Arwen repeated, "What a beautiful name!"
Luke cast his hopeful gaze upon Gandalf. "Gandalf, the phoenix I envision is a spirit born from flames. It can rely on flames to remain immortal. Your understanding of fire is unparalleled, so I would like to seek your help."
"Ah, Luke, I don't deserve your compliment. My knowledge of fire is modest," Gandalf said with characteristic humility. "But since you wish to create a creature like the phoenix, I will certainly do my utmost to assist you."
Luke was overjoyed to hear Gandalf agree to help. So, the two of them began to study the firebird at Treebeard's home in Fangorn Forest. Arwen became fast friends with Treebeard, often sitting on his shoulders and accompanying him on patrols through the forest. She even visited other tree-folk and received many gifts, such as fruits, flowers, and beautiful stones.
Gandalf's wisdom and knowledge were profound, and his understanding of fire had indeed reached an exceptionally high level. Under Gandalf's guidance, Luke gradually refined the firebird's magical circulation system. Under the power of the Ring of Fire, the firebird evolved once more and truly became a 'Firebird' burning with flames, rather than merely a giant bird that breathed fire. However, the two of them became stuck at the stage of Nirvana. They both felt a pang of regret as they watched the firebird turn into a pile of ashes before them.
Yet, in that failure, they discovered the key to the phoenix's rebirth. It required two essential conditions: one was the fire of Nirvana, and the other was immense magical power. The fire of Nirvana, as the Phoenix's inherent life-flame, allowed it to be reborn from ashes. The enormous magical power ensured that the Phoenix could successfully achieve Nirvana. Both were indispensable.
The fire that condenses the phoenix's life force naturally couldn't be an ordinary flame but a flame with immortal properties. And in this world, there were a few flames with such properties.
One was the Fire of Anor, which was the Fire of the Sun. But the sun was high in the sky and incredibly hot. Ordinary beings couldn't approach it, let alone obtain its flame. The Fire of Anor that Gandalf could summon was essentially just sunlight, not the true fire of the sun.
Another was the Dark Fire of the Balrog. The Balrog was essentially a corrupted Maia. Its flame was the antithesis of the Fire of Anor. It symbolized immense power and destruction, was eternally bound to the Balrog, and was an unending fire.
The third was the flame of Narya, the Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire contained magical powers related to fire, a magical fire invisible to the naked eye, and the source of the Ring's power.
Additionally, there was an even more mysterious flame: the Secret Fire. The Secret Fire existed in the void. It was a force that gave things life and substance. Ilúvatar used it to bestow free will and true life upon creations, injecting them with souls.
The Secret Fire was unique to Ilúvatar and could only be controlled by Him. Morgoth, jealous of the Secret Fire, tried to find it in the Void but never succeeded. Even Morgoth couldn't find this kind of fire, let alone Luke, so it was not a viable option at all.
Finally, there was a kind of immortal Goblin-fire, which Luke possessed. But this flame was essentially condensed by Deu's magic. Although it could be kept burning, it wasn't truly immortal.
Gandalf shared everything he knew about the eternal flames in the world of Arda, holding nothing back. Even the secret of Narya, the Ring of Fire on his hand, was revealed.
Luke felt a headache coming on after hearing all this. First, he eliminated the unreachable Secret Fire and the Fire of Anor, leaving only the Fire of the Balrog and the fire of Narya. Among these, the Ring of Fire, Narya, was worn on Gandalf's hand, right in front of him. But it was impossible for Luke to seize Narya's flame to condense the fire of Nirvana. That left only one choice: the Fire of the Balrog! And he happened to know the location of a Balrog.
But Luke wasn't happy at all. After all, that was a Balrog! It was the very being that had forced Gandalf into a seemingly mutual demise. Luke was almost ready to give up. Perhaps he could put the Phoenix idea aside for the time being. When he grew stronger in the future, he could then consider confronting a Balrog.
Gandalf saw Luke's hesitation. He smiled and said, "Perhaps I can tell you some good news that might solve your troubles."
"What news?" Luke asked, confused.
"I recently received word that the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain are planning to retake Moria. Perhaps you could cooperate with them again."
"What? They want to retake Moria?" Luke was utterly surprised. "Have they forgotten that there are Balrogs in Moria?" After all, the Dwarves' mining of mithril had awakened the Balrog sleeping deep within Moria, leading to the fall of the dwarven kingdom. It was an open secret in Middle-earth that Moria was subsequently occupied by orcs and that the Balrog lurked deep in the mines. Were the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain so confident they could defeat a Balrog and reclaim Moria?
Gandalf sighed, saying helplessly, "Shouldn't you be familiar with the character of the Dwarves? Moria is the birthplace of the Durinfolk, and it is rich in treasures and mithril mines. They will never give it up." He continued, "Thorin and his company once braved the danger of the dragon Smaug and embarked on an expedition to the Lonely Mountain. It's not surprising that they now wish to retake Moria."
"Then when are they planning to go to Moria?" Luke asked.
"They are also aware of the Balrog's presence, so they are still discussing it and haven't made a final decision yet," Gandalf explained. "But if you join them, I believe they will make a decision quickly. After all, your title of 'Dragon Lord' is enough to boost their confidence!"
Luke chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Gandalf, you think too highly of me. To be honest, I have no confidence against a Balrog. Even if I cooperate with the Dwarves, I'm afraid I don't have much chance of winning!" A Balrog was a Maia-level being with an immortal soul and formidable magical powers. It had been entrenched in Moria for thousands of years, its mere existence making the entire area a forbidden zone. Even if Luke and the dragon Smaug joined forces, they were no match for it.
Gandalf laughed when he heard this. "Don't be so pessimistic, Luke. I'll come and help you when the time comes. We'll definitely be able to deal with the Balrog!"
Luke's eyes instantly lit up. "Gandalf, are you going too?"
Gandalf smiled and nodded. "Of course, how could I be absent from such a lively event?"