Bilbo's Plan Fails

The next morning, after Bilbo had given up the Arkenstone, Bard called for a parley. Thorin assumed Dain had come and the Men and Elves were desperate to avoid battle. He was oh so wrong. Bard asked if there was nothing for which Thorin would yield gold and the dwarf confirmed. That is until Bard revealed the Arkenstone. Thorin was dumbstruck; silent a long while. He became enraged asking how it was stolen. Bard said they did not steal; they were simply returning it, for their recompense. Thorin became more enraged and Bilbo yelled out that he had given it to Bard. Thorin grabbed and shook the little hobbit. "'By the beard of Durin! I wish I had Gandalf here! Curse him for his choice of you! May his beard wither! As for you I will throw you to the rocks!' he cried and lifted Bilbo in his arms" (p. 287, The Hobbit).

At that moment Gandalf revealed himself staying Thorin's hand and bidding the King under the Mountain to let Bilbo speak. Bilbo explained merely took his 1/14th share of the treasure and could disposed of it in the way he liked. Thorin did not see the wisdom in Bilbo's plan; he felt betrayed (for dwarves hearts grow hot when it comes to their treasure) and reluctantly agreed to pay out the sum in gold and silver for the Arkenstone. He told Bilbo to get down to his friends before he was thrown down. Bard promised to give back the precious jewel once the payment was given. Bilbo swung down over the wall and called farewell hoping to meet as friends once more. "'Be off! called Thorin. You have mail upon you which was made by my folk, and is too good for you. It cannot be pierced by arrows; but if you do not hasten, I will sting your miserable feet. So be swift!'" (p. 289, The Hobbit). And Thorin send message, via ravens, to Dain for all speed. Unfortunately Bilbo's plan did not work. Though they would not say it, many of Thorin's companions felt shame and pity for his treatment of the hobbit.

The next morning Dain came upon Dale. "Each one of his folk was clad in a hauberk of steel mail that hung to his knees, and his legs were covered with hose of a fine and flexible metal mesh, the secret of whose making was possessed by Dain's people" (p. 289, The Hobbit). Battle hardened in the Orc Wars, tough, forked beards, and two-handed mattocks; I imagine it was quite a site to see. The Elves and Men were very surprised. Bard refused to let Dain's folk pass through the encampment to the Front Gate knowing that once inside he would never get the payment. Bard tried to send message to Thorin one last time but only arrows answered. He began to position his men for battle as Dain's folk formed ranks. "But the Elvenking said: 'Long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for gold. The dwarves cannot pass us, unless we will, or do anything that we cannot mark. Let us hope still for something that will bring reconciliation. Our advantage in numbers will be enough, if in the end it must come to unhappy blows'" (p. 291, The Hobbit). Some wise words by Thranduil.

Soon more arrows were released and a battle was about to be joined. It was then that dark clouds rose up quickly in the North as if Winter were about to release its fury. That is when Gandalf appeared, alone, between the charging Dwarves and the Elves and Men who awaited the onslaught. He called all to halt. "'Dread has come upon you all! Alas! it as come more swiftly than I guessed. The Goblins are upon you! Bolg* of the North is coming, O Dain! whose father you slew in Moria. Behold! the bats are above his army like a sea of locusts. They ride upon solved and Wargs are in their train!'" (p. 292, The Hobbit). *Bolg's father was Azog. Gandalf called for counsel between Dain, Bard, and Thranduil as the common enemy of all, Orcs, approached.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2942 (winter)

Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, pages 286-292