In the deep caves of Moria, a red carpet, clearly out of place with its decor, stretched across the ground...
Balin walked slowly on the red carpet, his gaze fixed on the dwarf-human coalition lined up on both sides. Seeing the encouragement and admiration in their eyes, Balin saw the traces of time on the dome of the Moria Caverns! He saw the glory of the past!
"Click! Click!" The iron boots made a crisp friction sound on the red carpet. Balin fell into memories. He walked here in a daze, but his mind had already wandered...
In the year 2763 of the Third Age, a Dwarf was born in the Lonely Mountain. His father was Findin, and his brother was Dwalin! They were both descendants of Nair II! Children of Durin!
He spent his childhood in Gushan.
In the year 2770 of the Third Age, the giant dragon Smaug from the north invaded the Lonely Mountain! The Lonely Mountain fell, and the last kingdom of the Dwarves was shattered! That year, Balin and Thorin escaped the Lonely Mountain together...
In the year 2799 of the Third Age, during the great Battle of Azanulbizzar, his father, Fentin, was killed! The defeated Dwarves followed Thráin and Thorin into exile, and they settled in the Blue Mountains.
In 2841 of the Third Age, at the call of King Thráin, Balin, Dwalin and others left the Blue Mountains. This was their first time to recapture the Lonely Mountain!
In the year 2845 of the Third Age, they lost their king! At the same time, the last Ring of Power of the Dwarves was lost, and this time they returned empty-handed!
In the year 2941 of the Third Age! On April 26th! He first met a knight named Roland. He approached Thorin and wanted to join the expedition because... they were in great need of money! In the days that followed, this army accompanied them throughout their journey! Until... outside of Rivendell... they lost Roland and his knights!
Year 2941 of the Third Age! October 19th! Balin would never forget that day! They had returned to the Lonely Mountain!
He remembered! That day, Changhu Town turned into a sea of fire!
He remembered! The black arrow that shot up into the sky hit the evil dragon!
He remembered! The dragon finally shed blood, its remains tumbled into the ruins, its vengeance avenged! But he wasn't happy... because he saw the weeping eyes of the residents, their hateful gazes!
He remembered! The army of the Woodland Kingdom arrived at the foot of Lonely Mountain. They came to claim the White Gem...
He remembered! Lord Bard of Dale was rejected by Thorin... Humans and elves joined forces, and war was about to break out!
He remembered! The brave thief Bilbo Baggins stole the Heart of the Lonely Mountain to stop the war. But Thorin, cursed by the dragon and becoming extremely greedy, almost killed him.
He remembered! The appearance of the Ironfoot Army and the entry of Ironfoot Dain made the battle situation more confusing and the situation further deteriorated...
He remembered! That pale orc used a giant earth snake to break through the mountain! Orcs from Dol Guldur Fortress poured out in large numbers! Humans, elves, dwarves, and orcs fought on all sides!
He remembered! The dwarves were losing ground, the humans retreated to Dale, and the elves suffered heavy casualties. At that moment, darkness fell...
He remembered! The resounding war horns echoed through the sky, the deafening thud of horses' hooves spurred the troops forward! It was a torrent of steel! It was humanity's greatest fighting force! The orcs were trampled wantonly! Casualties abounded! Their allies had arrived! The man who called himself King Raglan had kept his word and led his troops into battle!
He remembered! The orcs from Gunbada Fortress had crossed Raven Hill, and the battle situation was once again out of control.
He remembered! That green torrent on the battlefield! That neat phalanx pinned down the Orc reinforcements with its own strength, leaving none alive. Later he learned that these soldiers were called Torrent Infantry!
He remembered! A man named Roland agreed to his request with a playful smile!
He remembered! There was a man named Roland who led an elite group of soldiers who had shared the joys and sorrows with him and marched forward all the way!
Year 3E 2942! June 1st! He successfully wiped out the remaining enemies and stood here!
He remembered! He remembered! He remembered everything! He understood that this was a mutually beneficial situation. He knew the man's honesty, and he understood even more the help he had given him! Behind the fallen wreckage of the Balrog was the blood and sweat of a dragon rider and his dragon! It was the exhaustion of a hero! It was the grave wound of a dragon!
At this moment, the heavy sunlight could not shine into the dark caves of Moria, but it shone into Balin's heart!
Balin walked slowly, looking at everyone on both sides of the road, whether they were humans or dwarves. Everyone's face was filled with encouragement and smiles for the coronation of the new king. In contrast, their armor was full of scratches and patches, and the purple bloodstains on their bodies were not sure whether they were from the enemy or themselves. Their rough hands were still bleeding from wounds.
Tears fall silently...
He understood the hardships and difficulties along the way. Whether it was the army Thorin had forged, or the army Roland had led himself, they had fought their way through the Mirkwood! They had overcome the dangers of the Misty Mountains! They had fought bloody battles in the caves along the way! Finally, everyone stood here today, but some dwarves slept forever underground, never to witness the glory of today...
The light from Moria's crystal lamp seemed to have softened.
It's getting closer! It's getting closer! The throne that was once unattainable is right before their eyes. A group of people stand beneath the throne: Roland and his commanders.
"Congratulations, Balin!" Roland chuckled.
"Is all this true?" Balin looked at Roland holding the golden crown in a daze.
"Of course it's true! We wrote a new history with our pens. The entire story of Middle-earth will be rewritten because of us! We changed the future!" Roland, who knew the future well, sighed alone. He was like a butterfly, gently flapping its wings, but it would bring about a typhoon in the future...
(Middle-earth: Qingqing??? Do you have any misunderstanding about Qingqing? You call that flapping wings? You call that creating a tornado!)
"Thorin is still alive, and Balin's future will only be better. The strength of the dwarves has been strengthened, and the East and the West are connected... The sword is not sharp and the horse is too thin! What can you use to fight me, Sauron?" Roland sighed in his heart as he looked at Balin, whose beard was shaking with excitement.
"Come forward, Balin! Receive the glory that belongs to you..." Roland waved to Balin.
Balin walked over like a lost soul...
"Hmm? Very good! The height is perfect! You don't have to bend over!" Roland gestured and teased.
"Hey! Are you mocking a dwarf's height?" Roland instantly destroyed the originally dull and solemn atmosphere.
"Balin! Descendant of Durin! Grandson of Farin! Son of Findeen! You participated in the Battle of Azanulbizar! You participated in the Battle of Five Armies! You led your troops to recapture the ancient dwarf capital of Khazad-dûm! Your achievements will flow through the long river of time with epic poems! The dwarf people will sing your name! The world will remember your great deeds! I! King of Raglan! Roland! I am here to witness your coronation! In the future, your name will be called King! The royal banner will hang high behind you! You will guard the throne and the people! You will swear to protect the unarmed people under your rule! You will shelter every citizen invaded by darkness! Your honorable title will be sung in dark caves and towering mountains - Balin I! The great Lord of Moria! King of Khazad-dûm! His Highness Balin! Congratulations!" Roland solemnly put the crown that symbolizes power on Balin!
"Thank you, King Roland!" Balin's nose twitched and his eyes were filled with tears.
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