"I've always wanted to bring people to reclaim that place, but our scouts say it's still occupied by endless brutal orc armies. Not only that, but there are also many fierce giant beasts and trolls..."
Balin sighed heavily.
"This matter still needs more consideration. At least right now, I don't think it's the right time."
"But setting that aside, what I want to say is that place is very dangerous. This city's too close to Moria. The monsters there could reach here in just a few days, and even faster if they march at full speed."
"But the reverse is also true." Levi smiled at Balin.
This location choice indeed couldn't be called wise. Not only was Moria right next door, but slightly further south was Dunland, where the hill-folk were also not easy to deal with.
They seemed to have recently colluded with Saruman.
Looking at it this way, temporarily, at least for the next few years, there was no need to worry. Saruman would restrain them to stay obediently in their own territory.
Actually, even without Saruman's restraint, the hill-folk wouldn't cause trouble for no reason. They could barely be considered neutral. As long as you didn't provoke them, they generally wouldn't attack.
They only harbored hostility toward Rohan, and being controlled and used by Saruman was largely due to their hatred of Rohan.
As for who was right or wrong between the two sides... one could only say history was always complex and winding. Full of things difficult to judge, with no one able to make absolute pronouncements.
The only thing certain was that for life in this world, orcs and the dark creatures controlled by Sauron were definitely evil. Because they wanted to enslave everything in the world, even destroy everything.
The act of enslavement itself was against biological nature, and as for destruction, that went without saying.
This matter had no room for discussion. It was one of the few things about which absolute judgments could be made.
"Well, I believe you can defend this place."
Gandalf drained his soup completely and agreed: "As long as you're here, I believe nothing would dare invade."
"But necessary warnings must still be given. On one point, Balin and I share the same view. Recently vigilance does need to be strengthened."
"After all, the high walls haven't been built yet, and the city's only in embryonic form. Territories are vulnerable at this time. If our great enemy has some ideas, it definitely won't be small-scale trouble."
"Moria's vast underground kingdom stretched for dozens of miles beneath the Misty Mountains, its countless tunnels and chambers harboring legions of dark creatures in perpetual darkness.
Even after losing an entire army in the Battle of Five Armies, the orcs remaining there still had to be counted in the tens of thousands.
"Alright, I'll be careful." Levi shrugged and continued dealing with the freshly baked roast meat on his plate.
Seeing his demeanor, the two across from him said no more. They'd said everything that needed saying. The rest could be confidently left to him.
The plain meal ended.
Early the next morning, the two led their horse away from Riverside Keep, with Levi seeing them off all the way to the main road.
"Won't you stay a few more days?" Levi tried to persuade them to stay.
"Travel's like this. Hurried, leaving at a moment's notice."
Gandalf said: "Our paths will converge again someday."
After speaking, he mounted his horse.
"If you're still here when I return, I'll definitely come visit."
Balin spoke while also hopping up, sitting behind Gandalf with his help. Help was necessary. He simply couldn't reach.
"Well then, looking forward to meeting again."
Levi waved goodbye.
Clatter Clatter...
Just as Gandalf prepared to ride away, urgent hoofbeats approached.
Whoa!
"Levi!"
A figure rushed over, stopping abruptly before the three, dismounting in one fluid motion.
"Falodan? What's so urgent?"
"It's intelligence."
Falodan quickly glanced at Gandalf and Balin beside him, confirming they were allies before continuing:
"News from the Eregion ruins. Last night large numbers of orcs gathered at Moria's west gate, along with several ghostly figures. Suspected to be Barrow-wights but more powerful and terrifying than Barrow-wights."
"Nazgûl."
Levi and Gandalf spoke simultaneously.
Falodan explained: "The intelligence was sent back by the latest graduating class of saplings. They'd never seen Nazgûl, so they mistook them for more powerful Barrow-wights."
"That's normal then. Tell them all to stay far away and return to regroup. Those things aren't something ordinary people can handle."
"Already done. They're right behind me."
Listening to their conversation, Gandalf quietly dismounted.
"Seems our trip to the Shire will have to be postponed."
"Aye, and gladly so. These old bones could use a proper fight again."
Balin slid down from the horse with surprising agility.
"Age may have grayed my beard, but it hasn't dulled my axe."
In the castle's great hall, several people held an impromptu small meeting.
Facing an obviously large-scale war that was about to arrive, unlike the tension of the other three, Levi's demeanor was rather relaxed.
He'd been so focused on building castles that he'd forgotten to beat them up. Now they dared to come to his door. Perfect, he could deal with them all at once.
"So the question is, how many do they have?"
"Many. Estimated at no fewer than ten thousand."
"Is the information accurate?" Upon hearing this number, Gandalf began frowning.
Falodan's expression wasn't light either.
If Gandalf was simply worried about the quantity, then Falodan was concerned about the entire situation. As a Ranger who often wandered this land, he knew more about the two territories in this region than Gandalf.
Currently, only a few construction teams were stationed at Riverside Keep, totaling just a few hundred people. Even if they'd all received some training and could be directly converted into several hundred soldiers, it still wasn't nearly enough.
After all, there were several Nazgûl on the other side, and moreover...
"I believe they must have made some preparation; otherwise, they would not rashly launch an attack, since all of Middle-earth knows whose territory this is."
Falodan made his guess.
"I agree with that." Gandalf nodded.
He couldn't help lighting his pipe to make his mind work faster.
"What about us?"
Balin asked: "How much military force do we have?"
"Currently only a few hundred at Riverside Keep." Falodan gave him a number.
"That's not very optimistic."
Balin offered his suggestion: "Roadside Keep's nearby. We can mobilize soldiers from there. If we can hold out for some time and get the message out, Erebor will definitely send its most elite army."
Whoosh.
A smoke ring rose into the air as Gandalf also said:
"And the elves, Master Balin. Do not forget Rivendell's nearby. Elrond will not just watch this place be besieged."
"Time is urgent. I will go to Rivendell now..."
"No need."
Just as Balin and Gandalf were thinking of solutions for Levi, he suddenly waved his hand.