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*****
Above the Valley of Death, just beyond the borders of Doriath, an enormous magic circle began to take shape.
As George activated Fairy Law, a blinding pillar of light rose into the sky above the valley. The radiant surge of Light Magic was so intense that even the gray elves nearby instinctively shielded their eyes.
When the light finally faded and everyone opened their eyes, George had already returned to his normal size. However, his face was noticeably pale.
That spell had consumed a considerable amount of his life force.
Still, it was nothing he couldn't recover from. Once they returned to Dorthonion, he could replenish himself by seeking out a few ancient trees along the way.
"This is my most powerful Light Magic spell, Your Majesty," George said calmly. "You may send scouts to the Valley of Death—every dark creature that had spawned there under Morgoth's power has been completely eradicated."
"Good... good... very good..."
Thingol stood stunned for a long while before he could respond.
That overwhelming light magic—so pure, so powerful—had truly startled him, and he was the first King of the Elves. The last time he had sensed power of that magnitude was long ago, on his journey to Valinor.
This was divine-tier magic, nearing the realm of the gods.
"There's no need to verify it," Thingol added. "I can already feel it—the Valley of Death has been purified. Not a single dark creature remains alive."
Just then, petals began to drift down from the sky, swirling and coalescing into the shape of a beautiful woman clad in green. Her entire being radiated a divine brilliance.
"You're here?" Thingol's expression softened immediately upon seeing her. His face filled with tenderness as he stepped forward and gently took her hand.
Lucien, too, lit up with childlike joy and ran up to embrace the woman.
"Mother, you came!"
Indeed, the woman was none other than Melian—the most powerful among the Maia, wife of Thingol, and mother of Lucien.
Melian lovingly stroked Lucien's head before turning her gaze toward George. "Was your Light Magic taught to you by the great Goddess of Light, Varda Elentári?"
Among the Valar, no one was more adept at Light Magic than Varda, Queen of the Stars. She was the foremost among the Valier—the female Valar—and the wife of Manwë, King of the Gods.
If anyone could bestow such powerful Light Magic upon a human, it would most certainly be her.
"I'm not really sure," George replied with a straight face. "The person who taught me magic never revealed their identity—not their name, nor their face. I don't even know if they were male or female."
"But," he added, "as long as the gray elves are willing to come to my academy for magical exchange, I will teach them everything I demonstrated just now, without holding anything back."
"Thingol, I believe his offer is worth serious consideration," Melian said after staring at George for three long seconds. She then turned to her husband and continued.
Ever since she married Thingol and used her divine power to construct the Girdle of Melian, she had never returned to Valinor.
The moment she left, the protective barrier would vanish, and the kingdom of the gray elves would no longer be under her protection.
Because of this, she had no way of knowing what had transpired in Valinor or whether Varda had truly taught George Light Magic.
But she believed it—aside from Varda, no other being could grant a human such extraordinary magic.
And the giant magic from earlier? That too resembled the power of Tulkas.
Could it be that the Valar, moved by compassion for both elves and humans, had decided to help in secret—to aid them against Morgoth?
If that were true, then this human named George could very well be the chosen savior of the gods. His proposal was certainly worth accepting.
"Very well, George," said Thingol with conviction. "I accept. I will send the strongest and most talented gray elves to your academy, to study and exchange knowledge alongside humans, Noldor elves, and dwarves."
Thingol had already been leaning toward agreement, and Melian's words sealed the decision.
"Father, allow me to lead the delegation," Lucien suddenly offered.
"No!" Thingol replied firmly.
Upon hearing Lucien's request, Thingol didn't hesitate to refuse.
"My daughter, the outside world is far too dangerous for you. Without the protection of your father and mother, your future will no longer be safe. Stay here, where no one can harm you—not even Morgoth himself."
"Father, but I want to see the world. I want to explore the outside world," Lucien replied earnestly.
"Don't worry. The Valley of Death has already been cleared by George. From Dorthonion to here, there will be no more dangers."
Lucien turned to her mother, Melian, seeking her support.
Melian sensed her daughter's desires, closing her eyes as though feeling for something. After a brief moment, she opened them and smiled at Thingol.
"Let her go," Melian said gently. "I can feel that her destiny will change for the better."
"I will accompany Lucien," added Celebrian, stepping forward. "I will be with her, along with my three brothers and George. We'll protect her."
Thingol's brow furrowed deeply. While he could disregard the words of others, his wife's advice caused him to hesitate.
If this journey truly benefitted Lucien, then perhaps he should not stand in her way.
"Very well," Thingol said, his voice softening. "I agree. But you must be cautious. Do not fall for any flattery, especially from certain humans."
Though he had agreed, his gaze lingered on George with an unmistakable warning.
George, with a helpless shrug, replied, "Understood, Your Majesty."
"Now that the first matter is settled," George continued, "let's discuss the second matter."
"The issue of sending troops... I'm afraid I cannot agree. Even if I did, the nobility would not support it."
Once again, Thingol refused, but this time his tone wasn't as firm.
At that moment, the nobility gathered around Thingol, all of them shaking their heads in agreement.
Having fought Morgoth's army in the First Age, they were all too aware of the strength of his forces. They didn't want to be dragged back into another war. They enjoyed the current peace and stability.
George quickly saw through their reluctance.
"Forgive my bluntness, but the stability of the gray elves' kingdom is built on the protection of the Girdle. If one day the Girdle disappears, can any of you truly stop Morgoth's armies?"
"The Queen's protection ensures the Girdle will never disappear," one of the elves replied confidently.
George turned his gaze toward Melian, his tone steady but insistent.
"Queen Melian, if the Noldor, humans, and dwarves are eventually defeated by Morgoth, and Morgoth leaves Angband to personally lead his orc armies to attack the gray elf kingdom, can the Girdle still protect us?"
Melian shook her head slowly.
"Morgoth's power far surpasses mine. Even if most of his power is focused on invading Middle-earth, it is beyond my ability to oppose."
She paused, reflecting on her words.
"I have only been able to defend the Girdle from the orc armies because Morgoth fears the judgment of the Valar. He has never dared leave Angband to strike directly."
Of course, the gray elves didn't understand this part of the situation.
(End of Chapter)