Chapter 345: Becoming the Savior Again?
Above the Valley of Death beyond the borders of Kullrias, a colossal magic circle took shape.
As George's fairy law activated, a blinding pillar of light instantly rose in the Valley of Death, and the immense power of light forced the gray elves in the area to shut their eyes.
When the brightness faded and everyone opened their eyes, George had returned to his normal size, though his face appeared slightly pale.
That spell just now had consumed a considerable amount of his life force.
But it didn't matter. Once he returned to Dorthonion, he could simply seek out a few ancient trees along the way to recover.
"This is my strongest light magic, Your Majesty. You may send someone to inspect the Valley of Death. All the dark creatures that had spawned there due to Morgoth's power have been completely annihilated by me."
"Good... Good..."
Tingol stood dazed for a moment before he reacted.
That burst of light magic was simply too powerful. Even he, the original Elven King, had been thoroughly startled.
Such powerful light magic—he had only ever felt something like it back when he traveled to Valinor. This was a power nearing that of the gods.
"No need to verify. I can feel that the Valley of Death has already been purified. There isn't a single dark creature left alive."
Just then, countless petals descended, then coalesced into the figure of a beautiful woman clad in green, radiating divine brilliance.
"Why have you come?"
At the sight of the woman, Tingol's face immediately softened with infinite tenderness as he stepped forward and took her hand.
Lúthien also ran forward like a little girl and embraced her.
"Mother, you've come!"
Indeed, the woman was none other than Melian the Maia, one of the most powerful of her kind, Tingol's wife and Lúthien's mother.
Melian gently stroked Lúthien's head, then turned her gaze to George and asked:
"Was your light magic taught to you by the great Goddess of Light, Varda Elentári?"
Among the Valar, the one most skilled in light magic was the Goddess of Light, Varda. She was the foremost of all the female Valar—indeed, the chief of the Valier—and wife of Manwë, King of the Gods.
If anyone were capable of teaching such powerful light magic to a human, it would undoubtedly be Varda.
"I'm not sure myself. The one who taught me magic never showed their face. I don't know whether they were male or female, nor do I know who they truly were."
George replied without the slightest hesitation or embarrassment.
"But as long as the gray elves are willing to come to my school and exchange magical knowledge, I'm willing to teach everything I just demonstrated without reservation."
"Tingol, I think his proposal is quite good. You should consider it seriously."
Melian stared at George for three seconds, then turned to Tingol and said.
Ever since marrying Tingol and using all her divine power to build the Girdle of Melian, she had never returned to Valinor.
Because once she left this place, the Girdle would disappear, and the Gray Elves' kingdom would lose her protection forever.
Thus, she had no way of knowing what was happening in Valinor, nor could she verify whether it was truly Varda who had taught this human his light magic.
Still, in her view, no one but Varda could bestow such power upon a mortal.
And the giant magic just now also bore resemblance to the powers of Tulkas.
Could it be that, out of compassion for elves and men, the Valar had decided to intervene in secret and aid them in resisting Morgoth?
If that were the case, then this human George was the chosen savior of the gods, and his suggestions were indeed worth consideration.
"Very well, George. I agree. I will send the most powerful and gifted group of gray elves to your school, to study and exchange knowledge with humans, Noldor, and dwarves alike."
Tingol had already been leaning toward agreeing, but with Melian's endorsement, he immediately made his decision.
"Father, let me lead the delegation!"
At that moment, Lúthien spoke up on her own initiative.
"No!"
Tingol didn't even hesitate before refusing.
"My daughter, the outside world is far too dangerous for you. Without the protection of your father and mother, your future would no longer be safe.
Remain here. No one can harm you here—not even Morgoth himself."
"But Father, I want to see the outside world. I want to venture beyond.
Don't worry, the Valley of Death has already been cleared by George. There's no longer any danger from Dorthonion to here."
Lúthien turned to her mother, Melian, silently pleading for her support.
Melian saw through Lúthien's heart. She closed her eyes as if sensing something, then opened them moments later, turning to Tingol with a smile:
"Let her go. I can feel that her fate will change because of this—for the better."
"I'll accompany Lúthien as well. My three older brothers are there, and so is George. We'll definitely keep her safe!"
At that moment, Galadriel also stepped forward.
Tingol frowned deeply. He could ignore others' opinions, but his wife's words gave him pause.
If Lúthien's journey to Dorthonion was truly for her own good, he had no reason to stop her.
"Very well. I agree to let you lead the delegation. But you must be careful. Don't be deceived by flowery words—especially from certain humans."
Tingol finally agreed, but his gaze swept deliberately toward George, full of warning.
George could only shrug helplessly.
"Your Majesty, the first matter is settled. Now let's discuss the second."
"As for sending troops, I'm afraid I cannot agree. Even if I did, the nobles would not."
Tingol once again refused George, though this time his tone was clearly less firm.
At that moment, the gathered nobles surrounded Tingol as well. As he said, they all shook their heads.
They had fought Morgoth's armies during the First Age, and they knew full well how terrifying they were. They had no desire to be dragged back into the mire of war.
They cherished their current peaceful and stable lives.
Naturally, George saw through the thoughts of these gray elf nobles at a glance:
"Forgive my bluntness, but the stability of the Gray Elven Kingdom relies primarily on the Girdle's protection. If one day the Girdle disappears, may I ask whether any of you could still withstand Morgoth's legions?"
"The Queen protects us. How could the Girdle ever disappear?!"
The elven nobles all shook their heads firmly.
George turned to Melian:
"Your Majesty, if the Noldor, men, and dwarves outside all fall to Morgoth, and Morgoth himself leaves Angband to personally lead the orc legions against the Gray Elven Kingdom, can the Girdle withstand it?"
"Morgoth's divine power far surpasses mine. Even if most of his strength is focused on invading the world, I still cannot contend with him."
Melian shook her head.
She could use the Girdle to repel the orc armies only because Morgoth feared the Valar descending upon Middle-earth in judgment, so he never dared leave Angband to attack personally.
Of course, the gray elves were unaware of this.
(End of this chapter)