Tarnes fell into thought upon facing Elrond's question. Even Bilbo thought Tarnes would naturally agree, but his answer surprised everyone.
"Sorry, Elrond, I'm afraid that's not possible for now." Tarnes shook his head in reply.
Hearing Tarnes refuse him, disappointment appeared on Estel's tender face.
However, Elrond didn't show a surprised expression, because he heard the words "for now," so he smiled and said: "Are you refusing my proposal because you still have an expedition ahead?"
Tarnes nodded seriously: "You're right, Elrond. The final enemy of this expedition is the evil dragon Smaug in the Lonely Mountain. Although I'm confident I can defeat it, it's still a dragon after all and cannot be underestimated. Before the expedition ends, I don't have the spare energy to teach anyone."
What he meant by "teaching" was personally instructing someone slowly like he did with Fili and Kili in the Golden Tree territory, not sparring with Estel like he just did.
That was at most just exercising. It couldn't really be called teaching.
Elrond nodded: "I was hoping to ask you to become Estel's teacher after this expedition ends."
After hearing Elrond's words, Estel's eyes lit up as he pleaded with Tarnes: "Please, Teacher Tarnes."
Seeing this scene, Bernahl chuckled softly and called to Tarnes: "The kid's already calling you teacher. What do you say? If you're unwilling, I'll steal your student. After all, I taught Fili and Kili their combat skills too. This kid's talent and ability are even higher than those Dwarf brothers. I'm very interested. Maybe he could inherit my legacy."
Tarnes looked at Bernahl with annoyance: "At least another six or seven years before I'd feel comfortable letting you train Estel. I told you he's just a child now and can't withstand your torment."
Estel caught the meaning in Tarnes' words and quickly asked: "Does this mean I can understand that you're willing to accept me as a student?"
Tarnes nodded gently: "You're willing to call me 'teacher' on your own initiative, and you neither lack talent nor neglect training. I have no reason to refuse."
"Wonderful!" Estel excitedly waved his hand.
Elrond also nodded faintly and said to Tarnes: "Thank you very much, Tarnes. Rivendell owes you a favor."
As soon as Elrond said this, it immediately made Tarnes, Bernahl, and Millicent show surprised expressions.
It seemed this human boy's identity was somewhat extraordinary, worthy of the Lord of Rivendell saying he owed Tarnes a favor.
Only Bilbo didn't think there was anything special about this statement. He just smiled at Estel, genuinely happy from his heart that this human boy could become Tarnes' student.
Since I'm also Tarnes' good friend, should I go over and say something?
Bilbo thought to himself, but his body acted first, walking toward Estel.
He touched his pocket and took the initiative to say: "Would you like an apple?"
Estel looked back somewhat confused at this Hobbit who was only slightly taller than himself, not understanding why he suddenly came over to ask if he wanted to eat an apple.
Bilbo also realized his words were somewhat abrupt. His toes curled in embarrassment as he explained: "Uh, well, Tarnes is my good friend, and you're his student. I thought I should greet you. This, well, this is how Hobbits greet each other."
Then Bilbo actually pulled out a glossy apple from his clothing pocket. This was a snack he had asked the Elves for after returning from the pavilion last night.
After all, Hobbits ate many meals a day, and Bilbo felt his request was perfectly reasonable.
Elrond smiled and patted Estel's shoulder, indicating he should accept the apple from Bilbo's hand.
At this time, Tarnes said: "Elrond, while I'm on expedition, you can send Estel to my territory in advance. I'll draft a letter for you telling Nepheli Loux and the others that Estel is my student, so he can adapt to life in my territory early."
Elrond nodded approvingly: "Mm, that's a good suggestion. I remember some of my people live in your territory, so Estel would have Elves to care for him there too."
Then he bent down and asked Estel, who had started eating the apple: "What do you think, Estel?"
Estel swallowed the fruit pulp in his mouth and said: "I'll listen to you and Teacher Tarnes, and I can take care of myself."
Elrond stood up and said to Tarnes: "I'll have my two sons lead a cavalry escort to take him there. While Estel is in your territory, I'll entrust his care to you."
Tarnes was about to agree when he heard Gandalf's voice loudly carry over: "Why are you all gathered in this small place instead of enjoying a hearty breakfast?"
"Gandalf." Elrond welcomed Gandalf, and Estel also stood behind Elrond and bowed respectfully.
After returning the greeting, Gandalf said to Tarnes: "Tarnes, I've finally found you."
Walking over, Tarnes asked: "Looking for me? What's got you so urgent?"
Gandalf pulled Tarnes aside, said "excuse us" to those present, and brought Tarnes to another deserted pavilion.
The confusion in Tarnes' eyes deepened, not understanding why Gandalf needed to pull him aside alone.
He asked: "What exactly requires you to avoid so many people to tell me? You're not asking me to do something shady, are you?"
Then Tarnes thought seriously and asked: "Don't tell me you've taken a fancy to some Elf maiden but are too embarrassed to tell Elrond?"
Gandalf resisted the urge to knock his staff on Tarnes' head and lowered his voice: "Stop joking around, Tarnes. What I need to tell you is truly very important."
Tarnes indicated he was all ears, and then Gandalf's words made Tarnes' eyes widen.
After confirming again that no one was eavesdropping nearby, especially a certain Hobbit who liked to quietly follow and wasn't easily detected, Gandalf said to Tarnes: "I need you to take your friends and Thorin's group and leave Rivendell this evening."
"Huh?" Tarnes made a surprised sound, then immediately closed his mouth.
Fortunately, his voice wasn't loud and didn't carry far.
Tarnes also lowered his voice and asked in confusion: "What's going on, Gandalf? Why suddenly ask me to take Thorin and the others away from Rivendell? Didn't Elrond say to wait a few days to meet some distinguished guests?"
Gandalf said quietly: "The reason lies in those 'distinguished guests,' Tarnes. I didn't sleep last night and figured out who the distinguished guest Lord Elrond invited might be, very likely Saruman the White."
Tarnes was still somewhat confused and asked quietly: "The wizard you introduced me to? But isn't he your colleague?"
Gandalf coughed lightly and said somewhat embarrassedly: "That's correct, but my relationship with him isn't very good. Moreover, Lord Elrond's attitude last night didn't seem very supportive of Thorin's expedition, and Saruman would be even less agreeable. He believes Middle-earth is safe now, and rashly disturbing that evil dragon would be very risky. So if you don't take the Dwarves away in advance, I'm worried they'll stop this expedition."
Tarnes said thoughtfully: "I understand. But the relationships between you wizards are really quite complex."
Gandalf sighed: "As long as we're all thinking of Middle-earth's safety, it's fine. And you should understand that sometimes we indeed need people with different views and voices to remind ourselves."
Tarnes shrugged: "That's true. Should I go explain this to Thorin and the others now? I wonder if he's up yet."
Gandalf replied: "Thorin is already up. I've explained this to him too. He should be having the Dwarves pack up, ready to leave at any time tonight."
Tarnes nodded: "Good. It's a pity. I quite liked Rivendell's scenery, and I just accepted a new student. By the way, aren't you leaving with us, Gandalf?"
Gandalf shook his head: "Me? No, I need to stay and draw Saruman's attention, and I do have something to show them. Remember that sword Radagast the Brown gave me? I need to show Saruman this sword to make him understand that Middle-earth isn't as safe as he imagines. Don't worry, I'll catch up with you soon. It's just a pity for you."
Tarnes became confused again. This wizard never finished what he was saying.
His mouth twitched as he asked: "What do you mean 'it's just a pity for me,' Gandalf?"
Gandalf sighed: "If this Lonely Mountain expedition weren't so important, I would have wanted to introduce you to Saruman and Lady Galadriel and even invite you to join this meeting and become a new member of the White Council. You have sufficient strength and wisdom. I think Saruman and Lady Galadriel would appreciate you very much."
Tarnes understood and then smiled: "It's fine. After the expedition ends, maybe I'll still have a chance to meet Saruman the White and Lady Galadriel. You can introduce them to me then. For now, please give them my regards. Oh, and before you leave Rivendell, help me explain to a child named 'Estel' why I'm leaving. He's the human child Elrond adopted."
Gandalf also smiled and nodded: "I'd be very happy to serve you, Tarnes."
Tarnes said: "Then I'll also explain this clearly to Bilbo. I can see he likes Rivendell very much too. If I tell him at the last minute, Bilbo might not have time to pack his things."
That evening, on a mountain path outside Rivendell, shadows where the sunset couldn't reach suddenly moved, and then a group of Dwarves led by several humans suddenly appeared.
"This magic is truly amazing, Mr. Tarnes!" Gloin looked at his own hands in disbelief and said to Tarnes.
Kili also nodded excitedly: "Yes, it actually hid us directly in darkness. Those sharp-eyed, pointed-ear Elves didn't even know we passed by them from shadows just steps away."
Thorin's voice came: "Keep your voices down. We haven't completely left Rivendell's territory yet. If there are patrolling Elves nearby who hear our voices, we'll waste the magic Tarnes cast."
Although Tarnes had said it was an incantation, and Fili and Kili had taught their kinsmen the basic knowledge about incantations, the Dwarves still habitually called it magic.
The incantation Tarnes cast this time was one favored by Two Fingers' followers, Darkness, one of the incantations liked by assassins willing to do dirty work for their faith.
This incantation could cover the surroundings in darkness, hiding the caster's figure.
Therefore, Tarnes cast this incantation as night deepened, successfully leading Bernahl and the others, along with Thorin's group, away from Rivendell.
At least before dinner began, the Elves wouldn't discover they had already left.
The entire group continued forward for some time. Before the sun completely set, Thorin stopped and carefully observed the surrounding environment. After confirming they had left Rivendell's territory, he said to those behind him: "Everyone be alert. We're about to enter the borders of the Wilderland. Balin, you're familiar with the path ahead. You take the lead."
"Alright." Balin nodded and moved past Thorin to the front.
At this moment, Bilbo stood alone at the rear of the group, his gaze lingering reluctantly on the distant valley gradually tinted by twilight.
The sunset was blood-red, its afterglow spilling over those masterfully crafted Elven buildings, draping them in golden veils.
Thorin noticed the Hobbit's action of stopping to gaze at Rivendell and kindly reminded him: "Master Baggins, I suggest you keep up."
Hearing this, Bilbo turned back and nodded to Thorin.
Finally, he slowly, almost as if bidding farewell, took one last deep look at Rivendell before stepping forward to catch up with the group.
Tarnes noticed Bilbo's expression and deliberately fell back a few steps to come to his side: "What's wrong, Bilbo? So reluctant to leave?"
Bilbo pretended nonchalance: "Uh, not really. I just suddenly thought about abandoning the pony that followed me for so many days in Rivendell. It's a bit hard to get used to."
Because they needed to leave secretly, they naturally couldn't go to the stable watched by Elves.
Otherwise, the Elves would immediately discover Tarnes and the others' departure, so they could only continue forward on foot.
Of course, except for Tarnes, because his mount Torrent could be summoned.
Tarnes smiled: "Really?"
Bilbo still sighed: "Well, that's only one reason. I think Rivendell is beautiful, and I really liked it there. But leaving this time, I don't know how long it will be before I can return to see Rivendell again, so I feel somewhat melancholy."
"Then when we return, let's visit Rivendell again. I promise you, Bilbo." Tarnes said seriously.