Arthur fell into thought as Elrond questioned him. Even Bilbo thought Arthur would naturally agree, but his answer surprised everyone.
"My apologies, Elrond, but I'm afraid not for now," Arthur replied, shaking his head.
Upon hearing Arthur refuse him, Estel's young face showed a look of disappointment.
However, Elrond did not show surprise, for he heard the words "for now," and he smiled, saying, "Are you refusing my offer because you have another expedition soon?"
Arthur nodded earnestly. "You are correct, Elrond. The ultimate enemy of this expedition is the Dragon Smaug in the Lonely Mountain. While I am confident I can defeat it, it is still a Dragon, and cannot be underestimated. Therefore, until the expedition concludes, I won't have the extra energy to teach anyone."
The teaching he spoke of was like how Fili and Kili were taught in Golden Tree Territory, with Arthur himself personally and slowly instructing them, not merely sparring as he had just done with Estel.
That was, at best, a warm-up, not actual teaching.
Elrond nodded. "I was hoping to entrust Estel's tutelage to you after this expedition concludes."
Upon hearing Elrond's words, Estel's eyes lit up, and he pleaded with Arthur, "Please, Teacher Arthur."
Bernal chuckled softly at this scene. He called out to Arthur, "This kid is already calling you 'Teacher,' what do you say? If you're unwilling, then I'll snatch your student. After all, I taught Fili and Kili their Battle Skills, and this kid's talent and ability are even greater than those dwarf brothers'. I'm quite tempted; he might even inherit my mantle."
Arthur shot Bernal an annoyed look. "At least six or seven more years must pass before I can confidently entrust Estel to you for training. I told you he's just a child now; he can't endure your torment."
Estel understood the meaning in Arthur's words and quickly asked, "Can I interpret your words to mean you're willing to accept me as your student?"
Arthur nodded gently. "You're willing to proactively call me 'Teacher,' and you lack neither talent nor diligence in training. I have no reason to refuse."
"That's great!" Estel excitedly waved his hand.
Elrond also nodded faintly and said to Arthur, "Thank you very much, Arthur. Rivendell owes you a favor."
Elrond's words immediately brought surprised looks to Arthur, Bernal, and Millison's faces.
It seemed this young human boy's identity was not simple; he was even worth the Lord of Rivendell saying he owed Arthur a favor.
Only Bilbo didn't find anything unusual about that statement. He simply smiled as he looked at Estel, genuinely happy from the bottom of his heart that this human boy could become Arthur's student.
I'm also Arthur's good friend, shouldn't I go over and say something?
Bilbo was still thinking to himself, but his body acted first, walking over to Estel.
He felt in his pocket and spoke up, "Would you like an apple?"
Estel turned back, a little bewildered, looking at this hobbit who was only slightly taller than himself, not understanding why he suddenly came over to ask if he wanted an apple.
Bilbo also realized his words were a bit abrupt, and his toes curled in embarrassment as he explained, "Uh, well, Arthur is my good friend, and you are his student. I thought I should say hello to you. This, um, this is how hobbits say hello to each other."
Then Bilbo truly pulled out a bright, shiny apple from his coat pocket. This was a snack he had asked the Elves for after returning from the gazebo last night.
After all, hobbits eat many meals a day, and Bilbo felt there was nothing wrong with his request.
Elrond smiled and patted Estel's shoulder, signaling him to take the apple from Bilbo's hand.
At this moment, Arthur said, "Elrond, during my expedition, you can send Estel to my territory in advance. I will draft a letter for you, telling Nepheli Loux and the others that Estel is my student, so he can get used to life in my territory beforehand."
Elrond nodded in agreement. "Hmm, that's a good suggestion. I remember some of my kin also live in your territory, so Estel will have Elves to look after him there as well."
Then he bent down and asked Estel, who was already munching on the apple, "What are your thoughts, Estel?"
Estel swallowed the fruit in his mouth and said, "I'll listen to you and Teacher Arthur, and I can take care of myself."
Elrond stood up and said to Arthur, "I will send my two sons to escort him with a troop of cavalry. I entrust Estel to your care while he is in your territory."
Just as Arthur was about to agree, Gandalf's voice boomed over, "Why are you all gathered in this small spot instead of enjoying the hearty breakfast?"
"Gandalf," Elrond welcomed Gandalf, and Estel also stood behind Elrond, bowing respectfully.
After returning the greeting, Gandalf said to Arthur, "Arthur, I finally found you."
Arthur walked over, asking, "Looking for me? What's so urgent?"
Gandalf pulled Arthur aside, said "Excuse us" to those present, and led Arthur to another deserted gazebo.
Arthur's confusion deepened; he didn't understand why Gandalf wanted to pull him aside alone.
He opened his mouth and asked, "What on earth is so important that you need to speak to me away from so many people? You're not trying to get me to do something shady, are you?"
Then Arthur thought seriously for a moment and asked, "Could it be that you've taken a liking to an Elf maiden, but you're too embarrassed to tell Elrond?"
Gandalf suppressed the urge to strike Arthur's head with his staff and said in a low voice, "Stop joking around, Arthur. What I have to say is truly very important."
Arthur indicated that he was all ears, and then Gandalf's words made Arthur's eyes widen.
Before speaking, Gandalf confirmed that there were no eavesdroppers around, especially a certain hobbit who liked to sneak up and was hard to detect, then he said to Arthur, "I need to leave Rivendell this evening, taking your friends and Thorin with me."
"Ah?" Arthur exclaimed in surprise, then immediately closed his mouth.
Fortunately, his voice just now wasn't loud and didn't carry too far.
Arthur also lowered his voice and asked, puzzled, "What's going on, Gandalf? Why are you suddenly asking me to take Thorin and the others out of Rivendell? Didn't Elrond say we should wait a few days to meet a distinguished guest?"
Gandalf whispered, "The reason lies with the 'distinguished guest,' Arthur. I didn't sleep last night, and I figured out who Lord Elrond's distinguished guest is likely to be: Saruman the White."
Arthur was still a bit puzzled and asked in a low voice, "The wizard you told me about? But isn't he your colleague?"
Gandalf cleared his throat, saying with a slight awkwardness, "That's right, but my relationship with him isn't very good. And last night, Lord Elrond's inclination wasn't very supportive of Thorin's expedition, and Saruman would be even less so. He believes Middle-earth is very safe right now, and rashly disturbing that Dragon would be a very risky thing to do. So, if you don't take the dwarves away beforehand, I'm worried they will stop this expedition."
Arthur said thoughtfully, "I understand, but the relationships among you Wizards are really quite complicated."
Gandalf sighed, "As long as it's all for the safety of Middle-earth, it's fine. And you should understand that sometimes, you truly need people with different views and different voices to remind yourself."
Arthur shrugged, "That's true. So, should I go explain this to Thorin and the others now? I wonder if he's awake yet."
Gandalf replied, "Thorin is already awake. I've explained this to Thorin as well. He should be having the dwarves pack their things; we can depart anytime tonight."
Arthur nodded, "That's good. It's a pity, though, I quite like the scenery of Rivendell, and I just took on a new student. Speaking of which, Gandalf, aren't you coming with us?"
Gandalf shook his head, "Me? No, I must stay behind to attract Saruman's attention, and I do have something to show them. Do you remember the sword Radagast the Brown gave me? I need to show Saruman this sword to make him understand that Middle-earth is not as safe as he imagines. Don't worry, I will catch up with you very quickly, it's just a bit of a shame for you."
Arthur became confused again; why did this wizard always speak in riddles?
He twitched his mouth and asked, "What do you mean, 'just a shame for me,' Gandalf?"
Gandalf sighed, "If it weren't for the importance of this Lonely Mountain expedition, I would have introduced you to Saruman and Lady Galadriel, and even invited you to join this meeting and become a new member of the White Council. You possess sufficient strength and wisdom; I believe Saruman and Lady Galadriel would also greatly appreciate you."
Arthur suddenly understood, then smiled, "It's fine, after the expedition is over, perhaps I'll still have a chance to meet Saruman the White and Lady Galadriel. You can introduce me to them then. For now, please send my regards to them. Oh, and also, before you leave Rivendell, please explain my departure to a child named Estel. He is a human child adopted by Elrond."
Gandalf also smiled and nodded, "My pleasure, Arthur."
Arthur said, "Then I'll also explain this to Bilbo later. I can tell he really likes Rivendell, otherwise telling him at the last minute might not give Bilbo enough time to pack his things."
In the evening, on a mountain path outside Rivendell, a shadowy area where the setting sun could not reach suddenly stirred. Then, a group of dwarves, led by several humans, suddenly appeared.
"This sorcery is truly amazing, Sir Arthur!" Gloin looked at his hands in disbelief and said to Arthur.
Kili also nodded excitedly and said, "Yes, it directly concealed us in the darkness. Those keen-eyed Elves didn't even know we passed by them just a few steps away in the shadows."
Thorin's voice came, "Keep your voices down. We haven't fully left the territory of Rivendell yet. If any patrolling Elves nearby hear our voices, it will waste the sorcery Arthur performed."
Although Arthur had said it was Prayers, and Fili and Kili had also taught the basic knowledge of Prayers to their kin, the dwarves still habitually referred to it as sorcery.
The Prayers Arthur performed this time were the Prayers of the Two Fingers, one of the Prayers favored by the assassins who willingly did dirty work for their faith: Darkness.
This Prayer allows darkness to cover the surroundings, concealing the executor's figure.
Therefore, Arthur cast this Prayer as night deepened, leading Bernal and the others, along with Thorin and his company, successfully out of Rivendell.
At least, the Elves wouldn't discover they had left until dinner began.
The entire company walked for some more time. Before the sun completely set, Thorin stopped and carefully observed the surroundings, confirming they had left the bounds of Rivendell, then said to those behind him, "Everyone, be vigilant. We are about to enter the borders of the Great Wilderness. Balin, you are familiar with the path ahead, you lead the way."
"Alright." Balin nodded and walked past Thorin to the very front.
At this moment, Bilbo stood alone at the end of the line, his gaze lingering reluctantly on the distant Rivendell, which was gradually being stained by the twilight.
The setting sun was like blood, its afterglow cast upon the ingeniously crafted Elven buildings, cloaking them in a golden veil.
Thorin noticed the hobbit pausing to gaze at Rivendell and kindly reminded him, "Baggins, I suggest you keep up."
Upon hearing this, Bilbo turned and nodded to Thorin.
Finally, he slowly, almost as if saying goodbye, took a deep look at Rivendell, and then resumed walking to catch up with the company.
Arthur noticed Bilbo's expression, deliberately falling back a few steps to come beside him and asked, "What's wrong, Bilbo, so reluctant to leave?"
Bilbo feigned indifference and said, "Uh, not really. I just suddenly thought about my pony that had been with me for so many days being abandoned in Rivendell, and it feels a bit strange."
Since they had to leave secretly, they naturally couldn't go to the stables guarded by Elves.
Otherwise, the Elves would immediately discover Arthur and his company's departure, so they could only proceed on foot for now.
Of course, except for Arthur, because his mount, Torrent, could be summoned.
Arthur smiled, "Really?"
Bilbo still sighed, "Alright, that's just one reason. I think Rivendell is beautiful, and I really like it there. But leaving this time, I don't know how long it will be until I can return and see Rivendell again, so I'm a bit sentimental."
"Then when we return, let's visit Rivendell again. I promise you, Bilbo," Arthur said earnestly.