Chapter 813: Arrival of opportunity
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Witnessing Elrond's horrifying wound, Elder Desirese Roots, who was hidden with Sheyan, blurted out subconsciously.
"That wound…...shows the special characteristics of a strike by the Witch-King of Angmar! Even a mere scratch or any wound cursed by the Witch-King, will allow him to rapidly devour one's vitality to strengthen himself. The longer the wound persists, the deadlier the wound becomes! Incurable by medicine or treatment, only death awaits!"
"However, the Witch-King of Angmar rarely uses this frightening ability on foes, because the price of executing it is cruel – the sufferings of the inflicted will come back to haunt the Witch-King of Angmar!"
Another elf carefully surveyed and added.
"The wound on Lord Elrond is rather weird. It seems to be done by the Witch-king, but also not so. I have a certain understanding of that event. That time when Elrond was adventuring, he was suddenly ambushed by mysterious men; believers of a high-god....."
This elf was called Annil Yusu. Despite his weak combat prowess, he was one of the two rare elves in Rivendell who possessed unrivaled healing arts. He too followed Melody and came along this time, for fear that Melody would sustain injuries and he could administer emergency aid in time.
The elf glanced at Sheyan at this point. Evidently, he was slightly uncomfortable with 'believers of a high-god' like Sheyan.
Sheyan chuckled and assured him.
"There are numerous believers of the high-god. Although we possess the same faith, our doctrine differs. Mutual warfare is a common thing, just like the humans of Middle-earth; believing in the same god yet pointing swords to settle disputes."
The elf nodded with assurance and continued.
"A powerful magic scroll was used by those believers of the high-god right from the start. Sealed within the scroll, was a single terrifying strike by the Witch-King of Angmar; thereby successfully inflicting hurt on the unguarded Elrond. Nevertheless, the furious Elrond immediately unleashed the might of the exalted Vilya, cutting them down like a raging tempest brewing through a mountain forest. Due to the intense battle, Elrond failed to heal himself with Vilya's divine might, leading to the Witch-King of Angmar's strike slowly but resolutely nibbling away at his health."
Elder Desirese Roots then inquired.
"Then how do you explain Lord Elrond's display of power during the banquet of Rivendell?"
Annil Yusu sighed and replied.
"Prior to that, Lord Elrond could still sustain his condition for three years. Yet after displaying his power, his vitality waned to a single year. However, he had no choice but to demonstrate his capable might then, otherwise, Glorfindel may suspect and terminate their collaboration."
Galadriel naturally understood what Elrond's wound signified. Her expression was exceedingly unpleasant as she sunk into a momentary silence.
"Since you are completely relying on the Vilya to live, why use it as a negotiating condition?"
Elrond directly replied.
"To deceive you all."
Galadriel was choked with speechlessness. After a brief while, she admonished.
"Where is your honor O elf? Where is your dignity?"
Elrond's gaze abruptly sharpened as he lashed back slowly.
"Compared to you pure-blooded elves, discriminated half-elves like me; you talk about honor and dignity now? Where was your honor when the arrogant ones undermined my bloodline? Where is your dignity?"
Meanwhile, Legolas released a vicious arrow out. Every arrow he shot carried an emerald brilliance that pierced into the dark Nazgûl; knocking the Nazgûl 5-6 meters back as distinct cracks emerged on their hazy shadow armour.
The elven prince could grasp the situation clearly and hastily issued after releasing an arrow.
"Now isn't the time to discuss this. Elrond, you forsook your dignity and prestige to live. Since your desire to live is so great, you wouldn't wish to perish here right."
Elrond replied with a grim expression.
"Yes."
Legolas wiped his perspiration and sincerely said after releasing another arrow.
"Therefore, hasten up with any methods that can resist those dark lackeys! Also, release Melody Sunstrider, we need to strike back with full force. Should we die here, she won't escape either."
Naturally, Legolas's words were extremely sensible. The gold-haired Glorfindel hurriedly pointed towards Melody's carriage. Instantly, the wood of the carriage seemed to be infused with new life. The wood begun expanding as shoots sprouted out from it. Finally, roots drilled into the ground as the carriage became a large tree.
In a flash, the carriage used to imprisoned the pale-looking Melody was transformed into luxurious tree.
Glorfindel was the culprit who created this carriage with a spirit-absorbing array. However, the 'Nature's Restraining Leaves' on her wrists were locked by Elrond and only he could release her.
Elrond flicked his wrists towards Melody, causing the gorgeous 'Nature's Restraining Leaves' to fly out which dissipated into speckles of red light. Then, the red lights wafted towards the exterior foes.
The Ringwraiths darted away but were incapable of resisting the tremendous might of those red powdery lights. Cyan fumes emerged when the lights adhered onto their shadowy nature, as they emitted ghastly and agonizing bellows. One could notice their movements turning distinctly slower.
Melody finally stood up and walked out. Her expression remained unchanged. At present, all her magic powers had been drained and she couldn't join the battle for the time being. She could only wait until she recovered some magic power.
Yet at this moment, Galadriel yelled out sternly.
"I have to retract the barrier for a while, to allow time for Nenya to accumulate strength. Otherwise, I won't be able to sustain for long! Elrond, it's up to you if you still wish to conserve your strength, I will at most forsake this physical flesh and rebuild it back in the Undying Lands. As for you, you will plunge into everlasting slumber!"
Galadriel then retracted her incorporeal barrier. Elrond's expression sank drastically as his facial muscles twitched. He took a deep breath and finally fished out a large golden seed.
This seed was the size of an egg and it was coated with cracks. It appeared to be rooted amidst space and time. Elrond then bent down and dug a hole with his feet before placing the seed into the ground. He then cut his own middle finger, and allowed his blood to drip into the soil.
The mix of blood and rainwater permeated the shell of the seed. Instantly, the earth trembled faintly and following that, a monumental golden tree swiftly sprouted from the ground and reached high for the sky.
Legolas inhaled a breath of chilling air and exclaimed.
"Could that be...…...the seed of a Gold Evergreen!! You actually managed to acquire such a mythical creature?"
Elrond didn't reply but clutched his chest and coughed. He then marched towards the golden tree. His complexion was additionally pale as he appeared to be tottering.
Meanwhile, Galadriel's incorporeal barrier was fully retracted, as she allowed the Nenya to replenish its spirit energy from nature.
The Nazgûl flew into a frenzied assault. However, the Gold Evergreen fanned out like an umbrella that guarded the elves. Its branches resembled weapons that whipped around berserkly, leaving behind cauterizing gold marks on the shadowy bodies of the Nazgûls; causing them roar agonizingly in retreat.
The Ringwraith's assault was hindered while Lurtz was being contained by Legolas. Moreover, Glorfindel was similarly demonstrating his extravagant nature's divine arts. Humongous logs were colliding forward that repelled out incoming Nazgûl away.
Galadriel was also executing her nature's divine arts. Innumerable earth hands repeatedly bore out from the ground and curled around the Nazgûl's feet like roots, causing them to strive with great difficulty to maneuver around.
When the eight Ringwraiths finally managed to deal a substantial amount of damage to the Gold Evergreen, Galadriel once again activated the unparalleled guardian barrier of the Nenya. The Ringwraiths could only be excluded outside.
The situation gradually plummeted into a deadlock. The Nazgûls couldn't infiltrate in while the elves couldn't escape.
Nevertheless, the elves were disadvantaged. After all, magic powers would be exhausted eventually. Still, this battlefield took place amidst the Misty Mountains. Therefore, this was a place near the patrol of the elves, and new deviations may occur.
Hence, the pressure on both sides was equal. If the elven army could rush here in time, some of the Nazgûls may fall today.
"Our chance is here." Sheyan stood up at this instant. His lips curled into an ominous smirk.
"Now, the crux of this aspect has been revealed. I don't believe our opponents won't notice, and when they make a move, they won't be expecting lurkers in the rear spying on them. Therefore, this is our best opportunity!"