In the Dark

As the desperate fight for Lake-town raged, Bilbo and the Dwarves sat in an uncomfortable darkness. Thorin tried the secret door but the wrath of Smaug had crushed that entrance. Bilbo, who had been so anxious, suddenly felt as if a weight had been lifted and offered to return, a third time, into the Dragon's lair. It was the only hope of escape so the dwarves followed down along the way, making their usual dwarven racket even as they tried to be quiet. It was pitch-black. Bilbo tripped and stumbled into the lair and still all was black and silent. Bilbo called out to Smaug wishing to know where he was rather than continue to play cat and mouse. No answer came.

Bilbo made his way back to the dwarves, up in the tunnel a ways, and asked Oin and Gloin to make him a torch. He bravely took the torch into the lair and they could see it's little flame darting this way and that, seemingly floating in the air at times (he was actually just climbing piles of gold). As Bilbo searched for signs of Samug he was drawn to a reflected light. This was how he found the Arkenstone, more marvelous than Thorin had even described. "Suddenly Bilbo's arm went towards it drawn by its enchantment. His small hand would not close about it, for it was a large and heavy gem; but he lifted it, shut his eyes, and put it n his deepest pocket" (p. 249, The Hobbit). He had a uncomfortable feeling that nothing good would come of that act but felt it was not time to reveal the Arkenstone yet.

The hobbit made it to the very end of the hall when a bat startled him; he dropped the torch and it went out. He became a bit panicked and called loudly to all the dwarves. They hesitated but Thorin decided they must help. "'It is about our turn to help,' said Balin, 'and I am quite willing to go. Anyway I expect it is safe for the moment'" (p. 250, The Hobbit). More torches were made and Bilbo regained his composure when he saw the light. Once the dwarves stepped foot in the hall they were overcome by the treasure. Suddenly there was no thought of Smaug, just exploring and stuffing their pockets with whatever they found. Fili and Kili found old magical harps on the wall and played them and all were merry. Bilbo was less enthralled with treasures and grew bored rather quickly.

Thorin called out for Bilbo giving him his first payment of reward. A fine coat of mail. "It was of silver-steel, which the elves called mithril, and with it went a belt of pearls and crystals" (p. 252, The Hobbit).  Other weapons and chain mails were claimed. Bilbo finally brought them back to reality saying the treasure had not really been won back yet for they had no idea where Smaug was. Thorin agreed and now took the lead. He led them from the treasure halls through stairways, corridors, other halls remembering it all as if he'd never left. Most was in good order, though skeletons, bones, and some damage was found. Most of the dwarves however looked back longingly at the way they had come thinking still of the treasure.

Finally they made it to the Front Gate and while the smell of the Dragon was evident there were no other signs. They saw the beginnings of the River Running, the ruins of Dale, the sun, and felt a bitter winter wind. Balin suggested they head to Ravenhill outside the Mountain, which was an old Dwarven lookout. By now it had been two nights and a day since Smaug smashed the secret entrance way. Dori was sure the Dragon was spying on them. None knew of Smaug's recent destruction. At long last they made it to Ravenhill and set camp. It could house a hundred dwarves so their was room to be spared. They ate cram given to them from the Men of Lake-town. (The description makes me think of Civil War era hard tack--at least it puts something in your belly, definitely not lembas). They looked every direction; but still no sign of the Smaug.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2941 (winter)

Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, pages 246-257