The tranquil valley is lush with vegetation and the fragrance of fresh flowers spreads.

The sun shrouds in this hidden elven home, birds sing and butterflies fly.

Deep in the depths of the area is a tranquil terrace with a view of the valley from its elevated terrain, from which you can see the valley with its lush flower fields, clear streams, and sun-lit waterfalls.

The sound of the waterfall lapping against the stone face is endless, and the sound of the gently flowing stream is like a beautiful melody composed by nature, gently embellishing the faint whispering of the valley here.

It was the song of the elves who lived here.

Normally, this terrace was a good place for Lord Elrond to read a book and watch the scenery, and occasionally he could take a nap here, but at this time, although noon was approaching, Lord Elrond was not the slightest sleepy at the moment.

Because a crucial meeting is taking place on the terrace.

……

"What do you mean by 'they'?"

"The messengers sent to escort the Ring on its way."

"Yay! So who are they? I think that's what this meeting has to decide, and that's the only thing that needs to be decided in this meeting. Elves thrive on oratory, dwarves can endure great exhaustion, but I'm just an old hobbit, and I miss my lunch. Can't we think of some names right now? ”

"Or wait until after dinner?"

The meeting has been discussed since the morning, but since the words have been settled, no one has spoken.

Around the stone table, everyone's eyes were lowered, as if they were in a state of contemplation.

As a result, the bright sunlight seemed to dim a little, and an oppressive atmosphere arose in the conference room, which was not disturbed even when the midday bell rang melocently.

None of the news gathered by the Quartet was good, and the choice they faced at the moment was very difficult.

Or rather, for a certain short being.

But before he could really make up his mind, a rush of footsteps suddenly came from not far away.

People turned their heads and saw that it was an elven attendant here.

"A frizzy elf, it's really a rarity."

A dwarf muttered, but no one responded.

Because just after the waiter ran over and whispered some words to the lord Elrond, the originally steady and majestic lord of the valley suddenly stood up, and then behaved even more excited than the waiter, and walked out without even saying hello.

It's just that he suddenly stopped halfway through because of the appearance of a figure.

The curiosity aroused by this series of changes was aroused, and everyone looked at it intently, and found that it was a tall white-robed elf with neat black hair.

Some people were unfamiliar with it, and some were stunned, but it didn't affect the person.

I saw him lift the hood of his cloak and nod to the oncoming Lord of the Valley, and then his eyes swept to an old existence not far away, and greeted him with a smile.

"Mithrandeir? Long time no see. ”

"Garnir?"

The gray-robed old man, who was holding a pipe in his mouth and looking pensive, looked at the other party a little stunned at this time, and then stood up in surprise and walked forward quickly.

"It's been a long time! Where have you been? How is it thousands of years to leave? ”

"Not that long, it's just that you don't know."

"You've always been so weird, but now we're in good time, and we're in big trouble."

"I have to say that there is nothing I can do, there are always a lot of troubles in the world, and I can't manage it. But I believe you......"

……

Eager conversation was accompanied by more greetings, and the usual calm blonde elf in the meeting was quite excited, and so was the host, and even the conversation with the one seemed very reserved.

"If it weren't for the fact that I hadn't heard a little wind, I would have thought that the valley had changed lords." Some old hobbit touched his chin and muttered, looking at the man thoughtfully.

The other young hobbit beside him turned curiously to a tall human nearby.

"Stride, who is he?"

"A great elven king of ancient times, the star of life in the sky." The other party muttered in reply, staring at the tall figure surrounded with wide eyes, and subconsciously touched the handle of a simple broken sword at his waist in his hand.

"He is the enemy of Morgoth, the dark nemesis, and the friend of the giants." Another voice answered.

It was the elven prince from the Black Forest who had participated in the meeting, and although he was answering the hobbit's question, his eyes were fixed on the person who came, and he spoke quickly as if he were endorsing.

"Manifester of the Light of Miracles, Rescuer of Slaves, Builder of the City of Stars, Carnier, Aranuir, Estaire, Etron, and ......"

At the end of his speech, his voice suddenly paused, and then he involuntarily turned his head to look at the hobbit with a puzzled expression.

"Charles?"

……

(End of book)