Chapter 39: Divergence
A few more days had passed since the Alliance, and after everyone had fully rested physically and mentally, and their injuries had healed, one night, the characters and the three reincarnation teams were summoned to the hall of Celepon again, where the Emperor and Empress welcomed them with kind words. Finally, Celepon finally mentioned that it was time for them to leave.
"The time has come. β
Empress Galadriel addressed all the people on the expedition in a voice as clear as the moonlight: "Those who wish to continue their journey must harden their hearts and leave here, while those who do not wish to continue their journey can stay here for the time being." But whether they go or not, no one can be sure that there will be a peaceful future, because we have come to the brink of the end. Those who wish to stay here can stay until then, until the fate of the world changes, or we call them to assist Rorian in his last needs. Then, they can return to their own land, or to Valhalla, where the souls of the fallen heroes are killed. β
There was silence all around, and everyone seemed to be digesting Empress Galadriel's words. However, the difference is that the characters are thinking about their own path, while the members of the reincarnation team are thinking about some of the information revealed in the words just now.
"You've all decided to move on, and I'm glad to see that. Galadriel looked into everyone's eyes before turning to Boromo, "So, son of the regent of Gondor, Boromo, the next journey draws two forks in the road ahead of you, where are you going?"
"I'll go to Minas Tirith. Without hesitation, Boromo said: "My way home is still ahead, and I can't go back." β
"Indeed, this is your path. Unsurprisingly, Celepon said, "However, will all the members of the expedition go with you to Minas Tirith?"
"In fact, we haven't decided on our future journey yet. Aragon took over and said, "I don't know what Gandalf wants to do after Roslorian? I don't think he had thought about it very clearly. β
"Perhaps. "But when you get out of here, Grand River Anduin will be your only option." Some of you should know that a traveler can't carry his luggage from Gondor to Lorian unless there is a ship. Moreover, the bridge of Osgillias has been destroyed, and all the land in that area has fallen into the Demon King's sphere of influence. β
"Where are you going? The direction to Minas Tirith is on this side of the river, along the west, but the goal of the mission is to go east of the river, along the dark banks. Which side of the river are you going to take?"
"If you accept my advice, we will travel along the West Bank to Minas Tirith. Boromo thought for a moment and replied, "But I am not the captain of the expedition, and I have no right to decide the next route." Of course, if others have a better solution, I'll listen to it. β
None of the characters speak, and after Gandalf leaves, the actual leader of the team, Aragorn, seems to be hesitant. At the same time, in the spiritual power link, different opinions also appeared among the three teams discussing the next journey.
"I'll build yΓ¬ next detachment. Neos was the first to say, "We all know that Boromo's mind has been drawn to the power of the Ring, and it won't be long before he snatches the Ring of Frodo. Part of his behavior was also due to the fact that the situation of Minas Tirith was too critical, and he used extraordinary methods in extraordinary times. Therefore, in order to eliminate this hidden danger of instability in the Fellowship of the Ring, it is better for us to have a team follow Boromo to Minas Tirith to relieve his worries. β
"So which team will do this task?" Zheng Zha had already unlocked the third-order genetic lock, and he asked rhetorically, "We all know that the core of QiΔ is now on the Ring in Frodo's hand, and following the Ring is naturally the best way to do it when the goal is unknown. Things are always light and heavy, how do we break up?"
"I agree with the captain of the Middle-earth team. Canaan also said in the chain of hearts: "Nyos, I can't trust you too much, or neither of us can trust anyone completely. In this three-way game, everyone wants to have the last laugh and maximize the interests of their team, and who can guarantee that you don't want to be the biggest winner?"
"Hmph, I don't deny that I think this way, but first you need to do what you can. Let's put it bluntly, each of us has a peep at the ring, and there's nothing hard to say...... However, our Nanyanzhou team doesn't think we have the strength to obtain the Ring, so we won't follow the Fellowship of the Ring, above. β
γWhat?γ
Zheng Zha showed a surprised expression, Canaan's eyebrows raised slightly, Yang Yun and Chu Xuan didn't have anything to say, but they felt that it was inevitable that Neos was too risky. You know, Nyos's words can almost be seen as a declaration of withdrawal from teamfights...... What was he thinking?
"I can see that you don't know which path to take. β
Celepon spoke at the right time: "I am not in a position to make a choice for you, but I can help as much as I can. Some of you can row, and the people of Legolas are familiar with the rivers of the forest, and Boromo from Gondor, and the wandering Aragon, and ......"
Celepeng glanced at a few people from the Middle-earth team, but the hobbit Merry thought that the elven emperor was looking at him, and hurriedly said: "
And there's a hobbit! Not every hobbit treats the boat as a flood beast, and our family lives right next to the River of Spirits. β
"Good, brave hobbits. Selepeng retracted his gaze, and the corners of his mouth hooked slightly: "Then I will give you enough boats." Your means of transport must be light and small enough, because if you go by water, there are places where you will have to carry a small boat to move forward. You'll encounter the rapids around Sarn Gaypau, or you'll end up at the Lalos Falls. Not only that, but there are other obstacles along the way. The boat will at least make your danger less temporary, and eventually you will have to abandon the boat and head westβor east. β
Aragorn thanked Selepeng for the gift that temporarily solved his problem, not only speeding up his travels, but also allowing him to not think about the direction of his journey for a short time. The other plots and characters also seem to be much more relieved, because no matter how dangerous the future is, it is much easier to ride down the river than to bend over the back of the hunched back to face the danger. At least before reaching the Lalos Falls, they still have some time to discuss the next route forward.
"All of them will be ready for you by noon tomorrow at the port. "I'll send someone early tomorrow morning to help you prepare," said Salpeng. Now, I wish you all a dreamless sleep. β
"Good night, friends!" said Galadriel, "sleep well! Perhaps each of you is already in front of you, but you don't see it. Good night!"
After listening to the farewell words of the two elven kings, Neos was the first to turn and leave, leaving only a sentence in the chain of his heart.
"If there are other questions, then we can have another discussion in the evening about how to divide the team next. β