The Tarnished in LOTR with Elden Ring

Inside Stormveil Castle.

Sellen yawned her farewells and walked toward her room, leaving Tarnes alone.

Tarnes noticed that during his absence, Stormveil Castle seemed to have been renovated considerably.

Torches cast amber halos on the stone-built dome, while the Erdtree's emblem spread across the entire western wall through stained glass refraction.

Storm Knights' and soldiers' metal scale armor rustled with their steps, while several attendants bowed to wipe stains from the gaps between floor tiles.

"Lord Tarnes!"

Without exception, upon seeing Tarnes, they all respectfully gave him solemn salutes from the heart.

Tarnes remembered his identity as lord and responded to these people's calls and salutes with smiles.

After Tarnes left, the two Storm Knights exchanged excited glances.

"Did Lord Tarnes just greet me?"

"You're wrong. He greeted both of us together."

"Stop joking. He was clearly looking at me just now, not toward you. I heard before that Lord Tarnes is preparing to launch an expedition to support allies. Do you think he's chosen me to be part of the vanguard?"

"...I think you might not be fully awake yet. Calm down."

"Alright, I admit that's indeed my fantasy... But once Lord Tarnes gives the order, I'll definitely be the first to join the expedition army."

Tarnes was unaware that news of the Lonely Mountain expedition had already spread when Gandalf arrived at the territory not long ago.

So when the two guards outside the lord's hall pushed open the doors for Tarnes and he walked in, seeing everyone inside turn their heads in unison, he couldn't help but freeze.

Tar torches crackled and sparked on iron candlesticks, heat waves rushing toward him, instantly fogging his armor.

The lord's hall now contained not only Nepheli Loux, whom he'd summoned, but also Edgar, Lord of Morne Castle, Kenneth Haight, Lord of Fort Haight, and even several Crucible Knights and Storm Knights responsible for passes and outposts.

Rogier and D weren't there. Who knows where they'd gone.

The Leonine Misbegotten stationed at Lond Daer harbor was also absent.

"Lord Tarnes!"

Seeing Tarnes' figure, Edgar and the others immediately stood up from their seats and bowed respectfully.

Nepheli Loux also showed a "finally back" expression, standing up from the lord's seat without reluctance and patting the chair back: "Finally back, Tarnes. I didn't expect you to be gone so long."

Tarnes nodded in acknowledgment, gesturing for Edgar and the others to sit back down, while walking over with a smile: "I didn't expect to be gone so long either. This world is truly marvelous. Bernahl and I experienced quite a few exciting adventures on the road. I'll tell you about them when I get the chance."

Hearing this, Nepheli Loux asked: "Didn't Bernahl and the others return with you?"

Tarnes sat in the lord's seat, shaking his head: "No, they're still in a place called Lake-town."

The others seated around the council table immediately looked at the map scroll spread on the table, quickly locating Lake-town.

Kenneth Haight spoke in his characteristic operatic tone: "I see, I see. Lord Tarnes, you went to such a distant place. No wonder you needed to leave the territory for nearly a year."

Edgar pondered: "So the enemies we're about to face are the giant dragon in the Lonely Mountain and Orc armies, but our only allies are Dwarves..."

Only then did Tarnes gesture for Nepheli Loux to come closer, asking quietly: "Why are they all here? I remember I only had soldiers notify you."

Nepheli Loux's mouth twitched in a bitter smile: "You don't know. After your wizard friend called 'Gandalf' brought a severely wounded Dwarf here and requested the Golden Tree's military support, news spread throughout the entire territory. Then these guys became inexplicably excited, waiting for you to return and lead them on a campaign."

Ah, so that's how it is.

Tarnes looked back at the council table and found that even the most steady, Kenneth Haight's, eyes sparkled with excitement.

So Tarnes spoke: "As you've guessed, I've returned to discuss the expedition to the Lonely Mountain. First, I must inform you that regardless of whether we campaign this time, the Enedwaith region already belongs legally to our Golden Tree. Every grain of sand in that land will be under the Erdtree's protection. Led by Gondor's Ruling Steward, all Gondorian nobles have signed and sealed their acknowledgment of this."

Then he looked at Nepheli Loux inquiringly: "How is the situation at Lond Daer harbor?"

Nepheli Loux immediately replied: "Four months ago, Lond Daer harbor was completely rebuilt by the Misbegotten but currently lacks ships and related personnel."

Tarnes waved his hand: "No matter, I have no immediate plans for maritime operations anyway. Lond Daer's position is between Minhiriath and the Enedwaith region. We'll use it as a base to send personnel to manage the Enedwaith region."

Nepheli Loux reminded: "With just our current manpower, managing Minhiriath alone is already stretched thin. You'll need to summon more people from the Erdtree to this world."

Tarnes nodded: "That's exactly what I planned to do this time. How far has the Golden Tree territory's range expanded now?"

Still, Nepheli Loux answered, pointing to the map on the council table: "The entire central part of Minhiriath is basically under our control, but this isn't the Erdtree's blessing range. It's just how much our current manpower can handle. According to soldiers' reports, the Erdtree's blessing range seems confined to Minhiriath. The Blue Mountains Dwarves also cooperate with us, building a new trade route. Currently, this route is patrolled daily by Kenneth Haight. Besides that, the natives in the Eryn Vorn forest still refuse to communicate with us."

Then Nepheli Loux paused, adding with a strange expression: "Also, recently, Rivendell sent a group of Elves led by Elrond's two sons. They also brought a human boy called 'Estel,' though he claims to be your student. While letters from both Gandalf and Elrond explained your affairs in Rivendell, without your token, we could only temporarily let him live in the Elves' encampment."

Tarnes slapped his forehead in realization: "Ah, Estel. He is indeed a student I took in Rivendell. I originally wanted to write a letter personally, but I was in too much of a hurry when leaving and forgot."

Gandalf had urged him to leave Rivendell quickly with Thorin and the others.

Later, Tarnes almost forgot he had such a student waiting for him.

Kenneth Haight cleared his throat gently, saying tactfully: "Lord Tarnes, if you leave the territory for such extended periods in the future, I humbly suggest you write to the territory every half month. After all, your identity now is our lord. There are many matters we dare not decide without your personal judgment. Moreover, not knowing your situation for so long really worried us."

Hearing these words, Tarnes felt ashamed.

He indeed shouldn't have left for so long. His former life as a wandering Tarnished had influenced him too deeply, making him think leaving his territory for so long was acceptable.

So Tarnes said to Kenneth Haight: "I'm sorry for worrying you. If similar situations arise, I'll arrange everything in advance."

Kenneth Haight immediately waved his hands in alarm: "I didn't mean to make you apologize. You surely had your reasons. I was just offering a small suggestion."

To ease the awkward atmosphere, Nepheli Loux joked with Tarnes: "Alright, next time let me have such opportunities. Tarnes, you made me sit in this position for nearly a year. Next time there's something fun, I get priority."

Tarnes agreed: "Of course."

Nepheli Loux nodded, then became serious: "So regarding supporting the Dwarves, what do you plan to do?"

Hearing Nepheli Loux's words, everyone around the council table sat up straight, looking at Tarnes with eager eyes.

They all hoped to participate in this expedition, as it was the Golden Tree's first campaign in this world, personally led by Tarnes, the Erdtree's avatar of will.

With these two important factors combined, no wonder they were so excited.

But Tarnes said gravely: "For this support mission, I'll summon new armies to accompany me. As for the Golden Tree territory's original forces... I'll also summon additional soldiers to stand ready. Kenneth, how many soldiers can the Golden Tree territory's current food supplies sustain in warfare?"

Kenneth Haight immediately recited from memory: "For a thousand-man army, food can be supplied continuously. But if soldier numbers exceed 3,000, I suggest the war should end within two months to avoid damaging our territory's foundation. If you lead an army exceeding 5,000, I still suggest you end the war within one month."

He then added: "Of course, my calculations are based on normal human soldiers' daily rations. If the army includes trolls and other war machines, food consumption would double. However, even normal soldiers from the Lands Between, from my observations, consume much more food than humans who've joined us in this world. This is only possible thanks to the extremely rapid crop growth in the Golden Tree territory, which can support the Lands Between soldiers' consumption and even export surplus crops."

Tarnes nodded thoughtfully: "I understand. I'll take your points into consideration."

Nepheli Loux asked: "So who do you plan to summon?"

Tarnes replied without hesitation: "If asked which enemy in my mind is strongest, I'd find it hard to answer. But if asked who's best at commanding armies, there's undoubtedly only one choice: Starscourge General Radahn."

Nepheli Loux was silent for a moment, then frowned: "I admit you're right. Both General Radahn and his Redmane Legion are second to none in personal strength and military prowess. But can you be certain Radahn will obey your commands? The Redmane Legion is extremely loyal to him. If Radahn refuses your orders, the Redmane Legion certainly won't submit to you either."

But Tarnes said very confidently: "Just a defeated opponent. Besides him, I have other candidates. I just value Radahn's military command ability more than his personal strength. Both Thorin and Gandalf mentioned that our enemy this time is Azog, the wisest and most cunning leader among Orcs, so I decided to choose Radahn, who excels more in military matters."

There was also another point. Tarnes felt that facing a dragon like Smaug flying around in the sky, General Radahn's gravity magic would definitely give it a big surprise.

Nepheli Loux shrugged: "If you think there's no problem, then fine. Do you need me standing beside you for this summoning?"

Tarnes shook his head slightly: "No. For a hero like Radahn, facing him directly is better than fearing him."

Then he stood up, instructing Kenneth Haight and the others: "I've covered the main points. There are still some minor details for you to discuss before bringing them to me for a decision. Kenneth Haight, prepare provisions for the Redmane army's campaign based on their numbers. Edgar, while Kenneth handles provisions, temporarily transfer patrol duties for the Dwarf trade route to Morne Castle."

"Yes." Kenneth Haight and Edgar stood simultaneously, acknowledging Tarnes' orders.

Watching Tarnes' departing figure, Nepheli Loux finally couldn't help but walk to the window and whistle.

Outside, several Stormhawk cries rang out cheerfully, followed by wingbeats as they flew toward the courtyard.

If anything really went wrong, these Stormhawks would be first to support Tarnes, at least buying him some time.

Tarnes returned to the courtyard where the Erdtree stood, closed his eyes, and the image of Redmane Castle, forever surrounded by flames and desolation, appeared in his mind.

Simultaneously, Tarnes sensed he could summon buildings from the Lands Between to more distant and broader locations. Roughly the entire central part of Minhiriath was within his building deployment range, exactly matching what Nepheli had indicated on the map in the lord's hall.

As for the restrictions Nepheli Loux mentioned, they seemed to have disappeared.

Tarnes could feel the Erdtree's blessing range beginning to extend toward the Enedwaith region where Lond Daer harbor was located.

Obviously, because the Enedwaith region was recognized as Golden Tree territory, the mysterious range restrictions Nepheli Loux mentioned had vanished.

To summon Radahn, he'd certainly need to summon Redmane Castle first.

The blessing reserves were definitely sufficient. Not to mention his soul collector was already full of souls. Just the blessings the Erdtree had accumulated over this long period were enough for him to summon both Redmane Castle and Radahn.

Confirm summoning Redmane Castle?

Confirm.

Tarnes thought silently.

Come then, Starscourge General Radahn. If you still won't submit, I'll crush you once more.