Chapter 340: An Elf Without Foresight Is Bound to Face Immediate Woes
"Galadriel!"
Lucien, who had been dancing gracefully on the grass, revealed a surprised expression when she saw Galadriel descending from the sky—especially when she noticed George, who bore a pair of white wings on his back.
"Is that the human hero, George?"
"I'm not worthy of being called a hero—I merely lent a small helping hand."
George replied modestly, slightly regretful that Lucien's dance had been interrupted.
Lucien looked George up and down, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"This is the first time I've seen a human. You're quite humble. I've heard of you from Angrod and Aegnor.
They said you made a giant stone statue come to life and fight, said you could fly, that your magic repelled Sauron, and that you slew the dragon, forcing Morgoth's army to retreat back to Angband."
When Angrod and Aegnor were recounting these events to her father, Thingol, Galadriel had already left. But Lucien had remained there the entire time.
Since her birth, she had always lived in the forests of Region and had never seen the outside world. Ever since Galadriel came and told her about the many wonders beyond, her curiosity had only grown.
So that day, when she listened to Angrod and Aegnor telling of George's heroic deeds, she became deeply interested.
However, her father, Thingol, didn't believe a word Angrod and Aegnor said, thinking they were lies meant to coax him into war.
Lucien herself hadn't fully believed it either, but after seeing George descend from the sky with Galadriel, she began to wonder if maybe Angrod and Aegnor hadn't lied after all.
"Is it really true? Is your magic that powerful?"
Galadriel's eyes lit up as she looked into George's.
She recalled the letter her eldest brother had written earlier and George's flight using magical wings. A vague sense grew in her heart that perhaps she had underestimated this human.
One hundred and forty years ago, she and her three older brothers had seen the first humans who migrated westward. Those humans had barely any clothes, no written script or spoken language of their own—they were only slightly more advanced than apes.
Later, she came to the kingdom of the Grey Elves to study under her great-uncle Elu Thingol and great-aunt Melian, growing stronger, and never saw another human again.
Thus, in her mind, humans had always been far from anything remotely resembling strength.
It was as if you had once seen a group of stray cats, and then, after more than a decade, someone told you that one of those cats' descendants helped humanity win a modern war—
That the cat had created orbital weapons and, in a few swift moves, destroyed alien ships invading Earth.
Utterly absurd.
"It was a bit exaggerated. To repel Sauron, the crown prince deserves half the credit. As for slaying the dragon, that was something I did together with the three princes."
George didn't overstate his achievements, replying with honesty.
The second and third princes may have exaggerated a bit to persuade Thingol to send troops. In truth, that wasn't helpful.
Thingol already doubted their words—further exaggeration would only make it sound more false.
But now, with his current strength, George truly could defeat Sauron alone and slay the dragon.
"So you're saying your magic really is that powerful? Could you show us?"
Galadriel's voice carried a tone of excitement.
In the entire Grey Elf kingdom, aside from Thingol, Melian, and Lucien, no one could match her in battle.
If George was truly that strong, not only would her brother's mission stand a chance of success, but she would also have a worthy sparring partner. That, naturally, thrilled her.
Lucien loved singing and dancing and disliked fighting. Galadriel couldn't spar with her great-uncle or great-aunt. As for the other Grey Elves in the city, not a single one could hold their own. She had been living quite a dull life.
Hearing Galadriel's words, Lucien's face also lit up with anticipation.
She too wanted to see what human magic looked like—was it really as wondrous as Angrod and Aegnor had said?
"Of course I can. But not now, and not here.
I want to invite the Grey Elves to my academy to exchange magical knowledge. I also hope His Majesty the King will be willing to send troops to help fight Morgoth's army.
So shortly, I will display my magic before the king to prove that what the two princes said was not a lie."
George replied with a gentle smile.
"That makes sense—let's go find Thingol quickly, then.
Lucien, you absolutely have to speak well of him in front of Father. He always listens to you the most."
Galadriel's eyes gleamed as she hugged Lucien's arm, acting coquettishly.
Lucien responded with slight helplessness:
"That might be difficult. Father has many concerns, and the nobles are all reluctant to go to war."
"There's a saying: An elf without foresight is bound to face immediate woes.
If one only considers present interests and ignores the hidden threats of the future, then when those problems erupt, it will already be too late."
At this moment, George interjected.
Lucien held great sway over Thingol. If she was willing to help, their odds of persuading him would increase significantly.
"An elf without foresight is bound to face immediate woes—that is quite wise. I didn't expect a human, with only a few decades of life, to possess such insight."
Hearing George's words, Lucien looked at him differently.
If she had only been curious before, now there was a touch of admiration.
In truth, the first time she laid eyes on George, she felt there was something captivating in his bearing—a kind of well-traveled aura born of rich experience.
As a princess who had stayed in one place for thousands of years, she was naturally drawn to such a presence.
If George could read Lucien's thoughts now, he would understand exactly why this was happening.
Because even though his incarnation in this world was a human who had lived only a few years, he had avatars in many other worlds—avatars whose experiences were so vast and astonishing that no one in this world could begin to imagine them.
It was akin to a wealthy, sheltered girl falling for a worldly, street-smart youth—an age-old story.
"I'll do my best to help persuade Father to send troops."
"I knew you were the best!"
Galadriel spun Lucien around twice in a joyful hug before setting her down.
At this moment, Galadriel had yet to experience the despair and pain of losing all her brothers and seeing the Noldor elves of her line reduced to skulls piled like hills by Morgoth's army.
She was still a proud elven princess—one full of dreams, and who loved battle and honor.
Lucien had clearly grown used to Galadriel's ways and didn't mind. She simply smiled and said to George:
"Come with me—I'll take you straight to Father."
"Then I thank you, Princess Lucien."
George gave an elven salute and followed behind Lucien and Galadriel.
(End of Chapter)