Gandalf's Plan to Help Thorin

Gandalf travelled to the Shire with the burdens of Dol Guldur and Smaug on his heart and conversations with Thorin Oakenshield fresh on his mind. Gandalf thought to seek out one particular Hobbit: Bilbo Baggins. He had not seen Bilbo in over 20 years and the Hobbit was not come of age yet. But the young Bilbo had always caught the Wizard's attention because of his love for tales and questions about things outside the Shire. Bilbo was not home when Gandalf came calling but talk of the strange Mr. Baggins was everywhere: his parents had died at a young age for hobbits (around 80), Bilbo had taken no wife, and he would often be away on adventures. Holman the Gardner (who taught the Gaffer gardening) explained to Gandalf that Bilbo was currently off looking for Elves. Plus it was known that Bilbo often talked to strangers, even Dwarves. And that news tied everything together for Gandalf.

"'Even Dwarves!' Suddenly in my mind these three things came together: the great Dragon with his lust, and keen hearing and scent; the sturdy heavy-booted Dwarves with their old burning grudge; and the quick, soft-footed Hobbit, sick at heart (I guessed) for a sight of the wide world." (p. 323, Unfinished Tales). Gandalf wished to see Bilbo but was pleased to find him away searching for Elves. So the wizard decided to risk his newly devised plan without actually hearing from Bilbo. Time was of the essence. Gandalf knew Sauron would want to use Smaug in his purposes and would not allow an attack on the Dragon go unaided. Unless, of course, Sauron was occupied. The White Council was set to meet again in August and Gandalf had to be there otherwise Saruman would have his way and bar an attack on Dol Guldur. So off Gandalf went to implement his plan.

"So I rode off back to Thorin in haste, to tackle the difficult task of persuading him to put aside his lofty designs and go secretly--and take Bilbo with him. Without seeing Bilbo first. It was a mistake, and nearly proved disastrous. For Bilbo had changed, of course. At least, he was getting rather greedy and fat, and his old desires had dwindled down to a sort of private dream. Nothing could have been more dismaying than to find it actually in danger of coming true!" (p. 323, Unfinished Tales). A bold move by Gandalf and by his own admission it almost backfired because of the now timid Bilbo Baggins.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2941 (April 5th)

Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages 322-323