"The cooperation is officially established."
After a brief but productive conversation, Gandalf, who had remained diplomatically silent and was purely there as a witness to the proceedings, made the final announcement of this momentous matter.
Thorin nodded with solemn dignity and declared: "I swear by the sacred name of the King under the Mountain that I will ensure this cooperation proceeds smoothly, with no party suffering losses."
"Then I'll guarantee it in my own name," Levi replied with equal gravity.
Thorin chuckled warmly: "That's more powerful than many ancient oaths."
With business successfully concluded, Thorin breathed a visible sigh of relief, called for a sumptuous feast to be prepared, and graciously invited the two to remain as honored guests.
At the evening banquet, members of the Company all emerged to gather and join the festivities with obvious enthusiasm.
Perhaps seeing old friends again after such trials, or perhaps because it was rare to gather together once more in peaceful circumstances, all the dwarves ate until their bellies were round and consumed several large barrels of wine with obvious satisfaction.
Only no one mentioned drinking contests anymore. Some lessons had been permanently learned.
The next day, after bidding heartfelt farewells to the dwarves, Levi first returned to Dale, had Gandalf wait patiently for a moment, and then entered the Nether portal alone.
He entered the dimensional gateway in the morning, and before lunchtime, he emerged leading two magnificent horses, both from the fastest batch of fine steeds at Roadside Fort.
"They run exceptionally fast and can save us considerable travel time. See if you can handle one."
Levi offered one of the horses to Gandalf with practical consideration.
While mounting, Gandalf said with confidence:
"You're rather underestimating me, Levi. I may look old, but I'm quite capable of—whoa!"
The moment Gandalf settled on the horse's back, the animal beneath him charged forward at tremendous speed, starting at maximum velocity without warning. Caught completely off guard, Gandalf's voice trailed far behind his rapidly departing form.
"You need to, uh, adapt gradually to their pace..."
Levi's helpful reminder came far too late to be useful.
It took quite a while before Gandalf finally got accustomed to the swift horse beneath him and regained some measure of control.
"Too fast, too vigorous entirely. I finally understand how you can travel everywhere in such an impossibly short time."
"These are horses I've carefully bred for an extended period."
Extended meaning roughly several months or so of intensive work.
The two set off together in this manner.
But before proceeding to Isengard, Levi first made a necessary detour to Lake-town, located Bard at the mayor's administrative office, and briefed him thoroughly on the cooperation established between Dale and the Lonely Mountain.
"For future cooperative ventures, just judge their feasibility yourself based on these principles."
"I understand completely."
After saying goodbye to Bard, Levi didn't delay further and continued south with Gandalf, crossing various wilderness areas and rivers, heading directly for Isengard.
"It feels somewhat unnaturally quiet."
On a brown expanse with no visible end in sight, Levi looked left and right, unable to detect any signs of danger or abnormality.
Or rather, the greatest abnormality was the complete lack of any threats.
"A year ago, shouldn't there be a pack of warg riders pursuing us relentlessly by now?"
"Most likely," Gandalf replied with knowing agreement.
"The route we're taking isn't far from the Black Gate, and there are some established Misty Mountain orc camps in this vicinity."
"Under normal circumstances, no sensible person would want to take this particular road."
"But I believe that as long as you and your legendary sword remain visible, nothing will dare approach within miles."
"How disappointingly tedious."
Levi shook his head with mild frustration.
Sauron had been far too quiet recently, not making a single aggressive sound, as if he didn't exist at all in Middle-earth.
He didn't know if Sauron truly lacked the strength to cause meaningful trouble or was plotting something monumentally destructive in secret...
Days passed with the reliable rising and setting of the sun.
"Levi, should we stop for a brief rest?"
"Is something wrong with your mount?"
"Nothing particularly serious. I just wanted to mention that making horses run for several consecutive days without any rest isn't a wise or humane practice."
"It's perfectly fine. These are a special breed of horse I cultivated personally. They don't get tired and don't need to eat regularly."
"Completely unheard of. There are such remarkable creatures?"
"Haven't you observed them before? All the creatures in my territories are enhanced like this."
Levi glanced meaningfully at the dragon amulet secured on his person and said: "Besides, there are many more things beyond your current imagination."
"Alright, I'll accept that explanation."
Gandalf chose to trust his companion's expertise.
At this moment, the two had already crossed multiple rivers, passed through Rohan's elevated highlands, and reached the border of the ancient Fangorn Forest.
That ominous black tower had already revealed its pointed tip on the distant horizon.
On this particular day, before the sun had moved significantly across the sky, the two had already appeared at the tower's base and properly tethered their horses.
It must be acknowledged that this place possessed quite beautiful scenery.
Isengard at this moment could truly be called picturesque, a sheet of vibrant green extending in all directions.
Looking around with appreciation, fruit trees and mature woods were planted extensively around the tower of Orthanc, along with carefully maintained gardens through which a clear stream flowed, eventually gathering in a pristine lake with crystal-clear water beside the tower.
One could easily imagine that standing at the very top of the tower, the panoramic view would definitely make any observer feel refreshed and spiritually delighted.
"Seriously, this place has absolutely magnificent scenery and ideal terrain, much superior to my home."
"Mountains, lakes, gardens, and woods, including numerous fruit trees. Just step outside in the morning and pick the freshest fruit with dew still glistening on it."
"And in the center, there's such a magnificent, solid, magical tower reaching toward the sky."
"Hard to imagine what kind of person could live in such a wonderful place and still feel perpetually unsatisfied?"
Nestled among mountains and waters with green trees providing natural shade, that described Isengard perfectly.
At first sight of this place, Levi was genuinely smitten with its possibilities.
All terrain types were represented, the scenery was breathtaking, and there was sufficient flat land for extensive construction projects.
It was simply the perfect location to build an ideal home!
One could only conclude that whoever originally designed and built the tower of Orthanc really understood how to choose optimal locations, possessing quite a unique architectural vision.
Giving such a wonderful place to Saruman alone was truly a tremendous waste of potential.
"I should warn you in advance that his temperament is somewhat peculiar and unpredictable."
Hearing Levi's appreciative words, Gandalf could only sigh deeply with resignation, giving him necessary forewarning while revealing Saruman's concerning background:
"You needn't pay serious attention to whatever Saruman says, and be extremely careful of certain leading words he uses deliberately."
"Every word he speaks carries subtle magic, like an evil dragon's speech, capable of beguiling listeners and making them feel utterly convinced. Even those evil and chaotic orcs can't escape this mental manipulation."
"I understand the warning, but his magic would probably have considerable difficulty affecting me."
Levi recalled that he had previously conversed with Smaug at the Lonely Mountain for an entire day without feeling anything unusual, and even earlier, when Gandalf had used that kind of persuasive speech magic to intimidate the dwarves, it hadn't affected him either.
While speaking, the two had already stepped onto the black stone stairs at the tower's imposing main entrance, slowly walking toward the fortress with purpose.
"Halt immediately."
But before entering, they were stopped abruptly by a servant positioned at the door.
"Lord Saruman didn't announce there would be any visitors today. What exactly brings you here?"
This servant's gaze was quite indifferent and dismissive, looking down on them with an arrogant air identical to Saruman's own demeanor.
Although the servant displayed this contemptuous attitude, Gandalf still spoke with gentle diplomacy:
"I am Gandalf, Gandalf the Gray Wizard, and this is Levi Stonecraft. We've come to visit respectfully. Please trouble yourself to announce us to Saruman."
"We can wait patiently at the entrance in the meantime."
Levi nodded calmly, acknowledging Gandalf's diplomatic statement.
"Very regrettably, whether you're a wizard or some unknown Levi Stonecraft, without Lord Saruman's explicit permission, you simply cannot enter. This is an iron rule personally decreed by Lord Saruman himself."
"Please depart immediately."
"This..."
Eighty percent intentional rudeness.
With Saruman's considerable magical power, he probably detected their arrival at the tower's base from miles away. He couldn't possibly be unaware of their presence.
Gandalf turned around with obvious helplessness. Before he could say anything diplomatic, Levi had already stepped past him, taking two deliberate steps forward to the main entrance.
The ease and geniality in those dark eyes completely disappeared, replaced by indifference far more genuine than the servant's artificial arrogance.
This was true emotional blandness born of having nothing much to care about losing, not some kind of pretentious display.
When Levi approached with this transformed presence, the servant guarding the entrance was obviously having serious trouble breathing normally. Recalling various terrifying rumors circulating about this man, he couldn't help but step backward instinctively.
The courage granted by his powerful backing collapsed instantly under direct pressure.
"Go tell your Lord Saruman that Levi Stonecraft has come to visit with entirely good intentions. If he has urgent business requiring attention, I can wait here patiently for a while longer."
"Of course, if possible, I still hope he can receive news of our visit sometime within today."
"Otherwise, tomorrow this tower will become nothing more than a pile of smoking ruins."