Chapter 77: Misty Mountains

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The Moon Energy not only helped Edward offset the cost of magic while enchanting, it also helped his Spiritual Energy recover.

So it didn't take him long to enchant five other bracelets, before stopping. Edward put on bracelet on both of his arms, and moved all the objects from the old one to the new ones. Going from five cubic meters to a thousand was quite the change, as the previously cramped up space turned into an almost empty space. He didn't throw away the old bracelet though, because it couldn't harm to have more space, and it was a gift from Merlin. Moreover, he also decided to keep his weapons in there, as he didn't know if he would have the time to grab them from a portal in the middle of a battle, were he to put them in his new bracelets.

For such an incredible improvement, Edward had several factors to thank. First, the old one he had was made by Merlin more than a millennia ago as a prototype, meaning he had just started researching on it, while the book on runes he received from Merlin was written many centuries later.

Secondly, was the way he carved the runes, which was unique to him and had much more potency than Merlin's own technique, and the Moon Forge was a huge help. Finally, the material itself was important too. His old spatial bracelet was made of silver, while the new ones were made of Mithril.

Happy with his new artefacts, Edward tossed the remaining three bracelets at Glorfindel and warned, "Don't try to store a spacial object into another, or the second bracelet will lose it's runes and everything inside will be sent into the void."

Glorefindel nodded, putting the bracelets into his pockets, before saying, "Dawn has already arrived, and the White Council should have ended already."

Edward nodded and followed Glorefindel. When they arrived by the Great Hall, a tall man dressed in white robes stormed past them, not even paying attention to them. Edward recognized him as Saruman, and couldn't help but wonder what made him so angry.

Then, Gandalf and Elrond showed themselves, and as Gandalf saw him he exclaimed, "Edward! I've been searching for you. The dwarves have left during the night, we should go before losing their trail."

Edward gaped, "They left without us?"

Gandalf waved his hand, "Don't worry, I'll explain to you on the way. Lord Elrond, Glorfindel, thank you for your hospitality."

Lord Elrond smiled and Glorfindel took out two of the bracelets, and explained, "This was made by Edward during the night, and he wanted to gift it to you."

Glorefindel explained to the two how the bracelets worked, and the two slightly bowed at Edward, thanking for his gift. Edward nodded it off and left with Gandalf while Glorefindel went to find Lady Galadriel to give her Spatial Bracelet too.

The elves were kind enough to gift Gandalf and Edward two of their best horses too, and so they left the hidden valley at full speed.

When they were out, Gandalf took the opportunity to speak, "This is a very interesting artefact you created there, and it is mightily convenient. I won't have to worry about wasting food ever again."

Edward smiled, "Thank you, I am quite proud of my work myself. But tell me, Gandalf, why did they leave?"

Gandalf sighed, "I knew the White Council, especially Saruman who heads it, wouldn't agree to the company's quest to reclaim Erebor, so it was for the best for them to leave beforehand."

"So they are waiting for us ahead?"

Gandalf shook his head, "No, I didn't tell them directly to leave, I… cultivated Thorin's bad feelings for the elves, so he would leave by himself. Don't worry, I know where they're headed, we will catch up to them within the Misty Mountains."

Edward was surprised Gandalf openly admitted to have manipulated Thorin, but was also happy since this meant Gandalf considered him as a friend now.

Since they didn't have to wait for the slower ponies, Edward and Gandalf were faster than before. About half a month after setting off from Rivendell, Edward and Gandalf entered deep into the Misty Mountains.

Arriving before a cave, Gandalf explained, "The company has is passing by an area guarded by Stone Giants, and I would rather avoid them. We will pass by the homes of the goblins to pass through the Misty Mountains, and hopefully find the company. If they continue on their path, they should get captured and brought to Goblin-town."

Edward sent a look at the dark cave and asked, "Goblin-town? Aren't goblins hostile?"

Gandalf showed a barely discernible smile, "They are, but this passage is only guarded by a few, which I hope you will be able to take care of. Normally, we should arrive in Goblin-town at the right time."

Edward smiled and walked toward the cave, reciting, "Because a wizard doesn't arrive early or late, always right on time. I know, you've told me several times."

Gandalf followed behind Edward, munching on some tobacco, wondering if he was going senile and repeating the same things over and over again.

Before entering the cave, they both freed their horses, so they would return to Rivendell, they wouldn't be of any use in the grotto anyway.

Gandalf's staff lit up the dark cave, and the two moved forward. It didn't take long for a group of goblins to attack them, but they were unable to surprise them and were swiftly dealt with by Edward.

But several hours into the dark grotto, and close to two hundred goblins dead, Edward finally asked, "Do you even know where you are going?"

Gandalf grumbled, "I do. But I never said we were going directly to Goblin-town, only that this was our final destination."

Edward rolled his eyes, and asked, "Where are we going then?"

Gandalf smoked on his pipe and replied, "Don't worry, we took some advance on the dwarves since they are on foot. We will be visiting a ruin of the dwarves, I can feel something awaits us there. Only thing left to see is whether it's good for us or not."

Edward frowned, "You aren't leading us to the Moria, are you?"

Gandalf laughed, "I'm not eager to confirm the existence of Durin's Bane either. Back in the War of the Dwarves and the Orcs, the dwarves chased Azog the Defiler all over the Misty Mountains, and constructed bases during the war. We are heading to one of those."

Edward released a breath as they continued their exploration of the grotto. The number of goblins they met decreased with time, and at some point they just stopped meeting any. Edward didn't know how long they spent in the caves, since he couldn't see the sun, but it was at least several hours after their discussion that finally they found something.

The tunnels in the grotto were all rather small, being only a few meters in size and height. However, the tunnel led to a much large grotto this time, and Edward could see hints of destroyed infrastructures in the rocks.

Gandalf exclaimed, "What we seek is deeper inside, we should hurry up."

The two picked up the pace, and quickly arrived at the largest building. Edward warned, "I can feel several lifeforms inside, they feel quite strong. Nothing too strong though."

Gandalf nodded, and unsheathed his sword before using it to open the door.

As he did, an axe suddenly fell from inside the building. Had they walked through the door, the axe would have hit them. Gandalf smiled, while Edward went on his guard.

He entered first, and as Gandalf followed him, he saw what the room was. It was the reserves. Mithril ingots were stacked one upon another, forming small hills.

And between the ingots were big worm like creatures. Their bodies were of an ethereal blue and lit up their surroundings, making them look both scary and beautiful. Edward was about to charge when Gandalf put his staff on his shoulder stopping him. Edward sent a look at Gandalf, who explained, "Those are Magworms. They are peaceful creatures."

He then turned his attention to the other side of the room, and slightly bowed, "Please excuse my friend, he is a little reckless."

However, no response came, and Edward frowned as he whispered, "Gandalf, I can feel their hostility. They want to attack us."

Gandalf frowned and looked at the worms, who were creeping toward them. He lightly tapped his staff with the ground, making a white light appear from his staff and quickly passing through everything in the room.

The Magworms reeled back while releasing ugly hisses, and Gandalf growled, "It seems the leader of the hive has come upon a strange material. Careful, the worms are spirit bodies, so only magic can…"

Before he could finish, a worm the size of a bus suddenly appeared from the ceiling and fell toward them, it's maw pointed at them. Obviously, it wanted to eat them.

Gandalf was about to use his magic when Edward jumped from the ground, and whipped out Aeglos this time. The snow white blade and a part of the black hilt suddenly turned purple as the spear met with the big worm.

Gandalf expected the attack to simply go through the Magworm and was ready to intervene, but the spear hit the Magworm Lord with force as it sent it flying, while cutting a big cut around it's mouth.

The Magworm Lord understood it had met a mighty foe and tried to flee, but before it could the room lost it's colours as a powerful force hit all of the Magworms.

The smaller ones were dispersed right away, and even the Magworm Lord was forced to a stop in mid air, giving Edward the time to pierce through it with his spear, pinning it to the ground.

The Magworm Lord tried to fly away, but the Chi covered spear was keeping it in place. Edward sent a look at Gandalf, who looked surprised, and asked, "So, what do we do, oh wise old wizard?"

Gandalf ignored the tease and took a closer look at the Magworm before explaining, "Magworms are manifestation of magic, and they usually remain around deposits of magical materials, such as Mithril. They feed on the magic from the metal, and give some back."

Edward raised an eyebrow and sent a look at the literal tons of Mithril before asking, "Does it make this Mithril stronger then?"

Gandalf shook his head and replied, "No, or Magworms would be even more sought after than they already are. If domesticated, their main use is to find deposits of magical ores. It seems this Magworm Lord has found a most special ore, and it's nature was changed to a more ruthless one by it."

Edward looked down at the Magworm Lord, who tried to escape from his spear but was only left helpless, and queried, "What should we do with it then?"

Gandalf lightly scratched his beard before proposing, "I don't know… Can you grab it?"

Edward nodded and coated his right hand with Chi before grabbing the huge Magworm Lord. It once again tried to flee, but Edward's grip was firm, and the beast hissed in pain as it felt it's body breaking apart at his touch.

Edward put away his spear and Gandalf pointed his staff toward the wall he had been talking to earlier. A strong force was shot out of his staff and smashed the wall to rubble, revealing another hidden room.

And in the middle of that room, was a beautiful crystal, it glowed with a cyan hue, making it very attracting to the eye. But before they could enjoy the sight, they both felt a wave of cold assault them.