“Mithrandir, my friend, what brings you to the Woodland Realm?”

In the great hall of the Woodland Realm’s palace, Thranduil greeted Gandalf as he descended the steps, so that the wizard wouldn’t have to crane his neck to look up at him.

“It’s nothing urgent, Your Majesty. I merely came by to gather some intelligence along the way.”

“Oh? What kind of intelligence are you seeking?”

“I’d like to inquire about any recent activity at Dol Guldur.”

Gandalf started speaking normally, then stepped closer and lowered his voice.

“And about Saruman, this is a personal question of mine. Has he visited Dol Guldur recently?”

Thranduil regarded Gandalf thoughtfully.

“No. After the assault on Dol Guldur not long ago, he hasn’t returned. But who can say what might happen in the future. After all, the shadow over Dol Guldur was only recently driven out. If he, or anything else, returns, I’ll inform you.”

Gandalf nodded and offered a sincere thank-you.

Clearly, compared to the White Wizard, who only ever sought knowledge without offering anything in return, anyone with insight would place more trust in this humble Grey Wizard.

After wrapping up that topic, Thranduil continued where Gandalf had left off, “There’s been nothing unusual at Dol Guldur. My people have maintained watch there. Since Sauron departed, the orcs scattered. For now, no dark creatures have taken up residence.”

“I see. That’s all I needed to know.”

With that, Gandalf remained still, not making any move to depart.

Thranduil gave him a curious glance, then said thoughtfully, “Since you’ve journeyed all this way, why not remain a few more days?”

“Gladly,” Gandalf replied without a moment’s hesitation, as though he’d been awaiting the invitation all along.

This made Thranduil even more curious.

“That’s unlike you. I thought you’d depart in haste the moment your questions were answered. Is there something in the Woodland Realm that concerns you?”

The corner of Gandalf’s mouth curled up slightly, and he said cheerfully, “Something that concerns me, yes, indeed. But he hasn’t arrived yet.”

“He hasn’t arrived?”

“Indeed. But he should be here soon.”

Gandalf gazed eastward, his eyes seeming to pierce through the hall walls and the mountains beyond, falling upon some spot in the forest.

“I have a feeling something significant is going to happen here. Something not to be missed.”

Thranduil gave Gandalf a helpless look.

“News from wizards is always like distant thunder, heralding something’s approach, compelling people to take notice. I hope it’s nothing troublesome.”

“No, certainly not. I’d wager my pipe on it.”

After this brief exchange, Thranduil gestured, and an officer of the Woodland Realm came forward to escort Gandalf to guest quarters.

—

And not long after Gandalf’s conversation with the Woodland King had ended, in a shadow-covered corner of Mirkwood, flickers of firelight danced. Severed limbs and scorched flesh littered the ground, with vast patches of earth slicked in fluid expelled by burst spiders.

Stepping on it was like walking through sticky slime.

[Title Unlocked: Bane of the Spiders]

A longsword reflected cold light in the darkness, it was unclear where the light even came from.

Though faint and barely noticeable to most, to the spiders it was blinding, as if one glance would pierce their eyes. They had lost all will to face this blade or the one who wielded it.

From then on, the appearance of either would make them flee in terror.

“Now the road is much smoother.”

Ever since the spiders got a taste of his sword, whenever Garrett cleared away spiderwebs, they no longer came out to protest.

It wasn’t until long after Garrett had departed, having crossed the Enchanted River, that the remaining spiders finally creep out cautiously and began reweaving their webs.

—

“Your Majesty, Garrett has arrived.”

Just as Garrett reached the main gates of the king’s palace, a guard swiftly ran back to report. To save time, he omitted all of Garrett’s titles and achievements.

“It seems we’ve had quite a few visitors lately,” Thranduil remarked offhandedly, then paused, frowning slightly.

Could Gandalf’s “important matter” have been referring to Garrett?

With that thought, he rose and walked toward the palace gates.

Gandalf made the same movement, but rather than moving, it would be more accurate to say he’d already been there for quite some time. He was seated on a small tree stump by the palace gates, smoking his pipe. The moment the doors opened, his attention turned toward them.

And when he saw who it was, he couldn’t help but nod in greeting.

“Gandalf?”

Garrett was genuinely surprised.

“Didn’t expect to see you here. How did things go in the Vales of Anduin?”

“Not particularly well,” Gandalf replied as he put away his pipe and fell into step beside Garrett.

“I suspect that thing is no longer in the valley. And most likely, not in the Sea either.”

“I think so too,” Garrett agreed.

“And there’s something else, about Saruman. You met him last time in Rivendell, that White Wizard. I recently paid a visit to his tower and discovered some rather… unusual things. I haven’t mentioned this to anyone else yet…”

“Greetings, Garrett, my ally. How have you fared lately?”

Before Gandalf could finish his sentence, a voice called out from a distance. Both men looked up to see Thranduil approaching with quick strides, greeting them as he came.

Seeing the king personally come out to the gates to welcome him, Garrett was somewhat surprised, but responded accordingly, “Not bad. You look well, Your Majesty. Something good must have happened recently.”

“Indeed, something good has,” Thranduil replied with a smile and a nod, as if trying to hint at something.

Gandalf, who couldn’t see anything particularly different, added, “Forgive me for not noticing, but you do seem more content than when we last met.”

He hadn’t noticed anything, but Garrett’s eyes were sharp.

That small red flower on Thranduil’s crown? He recognized it all too well.

“Let’s hope the good news lasts,” Garrett said with meaningful emphasis.

After the brief greetings, the three of them soon sat at a table, exchanging glances. It seemed each of them had something to say, but none particularly wanted to begin.

Eventually, Garrett broke the silence. He pulled out a map and laid it out for Thranduil to see.

Gandalf leaned forward curiously to get a better view.

“Actually, I’m planning to build a road soon. A road from Dale to Wayfort. These are two of my territories, and I’d like to connect them.”

“Here, this is where Wayfort is located,” Garrett said, pointing to a position on the western edge of the Misty Mountains.

Thranduil mentally traced the optimal route for such a road, then considered an old, long-neglected path within northern Mirkwood. He more or less guessed the reason for his ally’s visit.

“That appears to be quite a journey. Doesn’t seem like a small project either.”

“It’s definitely not a small one,” Garrett admitted.

“As you can see, the road would likely pass through the northern part of Mirkwood, and that happens to fall within the Woodland Realm’s domain. That’s why I’m here.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep