The Great Dwarven Escape

Bilbo was still invisible. He dared not take off his Ring and be captured as well. He spent nearly two weeks hiding, stealing food, exploring the halls, and trying to think of what to do. That is how he eventually found Thorin who was greatly encouraged to hear the hobbit's voice. He had Bilbo take a message to each of the Dwarves and they were greatly encouraged to know Thorin was alive. Finally even Thorin had a great respect for Bilbo, so much so in fact, that he expected the hobbit to figure out how to break them all out. No small task. As Bilbo thought and explored he found out that the magic gates were not the only way in or out of Thranduil's halls.

There was a river that ran through the underground halls. It was blocked by a portcullis but that was often open for the river was the main way the Silvan Elves received supplies from outside of Mirkwood. "There stood barrels, and barrels, and barrels; for the Wood-elves, and especially their king, were very fond of wine, though no vines grew in those parts" (p. 188, The Hobbit). In the roof of the river tunnel a trap door had been cut. When opened the empty barrels were thrown back into the river to float away out of Mirkwood. Bilbo overheard conversations that informed him the empty barrels were gathered, tied into rafts, and floated to Lake-town, where Men still dwelt in the shadow of the Dragon of the Mountain. Suddenly Bilbo had his idea. Although he was not sure how he would get the Dwarves out unseen for he had no keys and not enough magic rings for everyone.

But luck was on his side (or perhaps better said providence). He overheard the king's butler calling to the chief-of-guards to come taste the brand new wine that had just come in. They wanted to try it out before the big feast planned that evening. Now Bilbo had a chance. It was wine from Dorwinion which proved even better for Bilbo's plan. "The wine of Dorwinion brings deep and pleasant dreams" (p. 192, The Hobbit). Soon the two Elves were fast asleep. Bilbo was able to pick the keys from the guard and free all the dwarves. He was worried about the noise they made (apparently Dwarves are very noisy) but there was no one around; everyone was feasting that night.

Of course once the dwarves understood Bilbo's plan they objected. They did not want to be stuffed in barrels and were certain they would either drown or be crushed. Bilbo informed them the other option was to get back in their cells and they relented. With little time to spare Bilbo stuffed all the dwarves in barrels. Thorin and Balin gave the most trouble but eventually all were secured inside with lids on; just as some other Elves entered the room. Apparently they were to help the butler discard the empty barrels that night and they were in a hurry for they didn't want to miss the feast. The butler (Galion) was not pleased to be waked and tried to say the help was late and that's why he was sleeping. "'Small wonder,' said they, 'when the explanation stands close at hand in a jug!'" (p. 194, The Hobbit). Nice!

They thought Galion must have been truly drunk because some of the empty barrels did not feel so empty. By now Galion was in a really bad mood and assured them he did his job correctly and now they must do their's. So one by one they dumped the barrels. This is when Bilbo realized he was not in a barrel (at least he was invisible still). With no choice Bilbo jumped in with the last barrel into the icy waters. Off the barrels bobbed down the river with poor Bilbo soaked and unable to get a very steady grip on the top of one. He was thinking of the dwarves hoping he sealed the barrels tight enough and none had leaks. Just outside the forest Elves gathered the barrels and roped them together for the night.

Bilbo tried to sneak close to the Elven fires to dry off and warm up. "Of course helped by his magic ring he got on very well at first, but he was given away in the end by his wet footsteps and the trail of drippings that he left wherever he went or sat; and also he began to snivel, and wherever he tried to hide he was found out by the terrific explosions of his suppressed sneezes" (p. 199, The Hobbit). Apparently the autumn chill and wet clothes did not do Bilbo so well. He was able to run off with bread, wine, and a pie and had a better evening then the dwarves. The next morning he snuck back on the barrel rafts as the Elves rafted them toward Lake town. I really enjoyed reading this escape story. I'm not necessarily well read but I cannot think of a similar story in any book I've read or movies I've seen. Kudos to Tolkien for originality.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2941, (late summer/early autumn)
Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, pages 185-200