Goblins, Wild Wolves, Elves, Men, and Dwarves found themselves converging on the Lonely Mountain. Somehow Gandalf had knowledge that the goblins and wolves were coming but even he seemed surprised at the speed of their arrival. Dain, Bard, and Thranduil laid down their grievances and pledged to fight their common foe together. Their best plan was to try and bait the Orcs into a valley between two spurs of the Mountain and from there join battle with an advantage of higher ground. The problem was if the enemy came in great numbers they could easily surround the Mountain and climb higher then the defenders.
The great cloud seen in the distance over the Goblins became all to clear: bats! A bad omen as Bard ordered him men into position. Bard along with a few men and Elves climbed higher to gain a better view and saw the ground turn black by the number of Orcs coming. A few brave men were left in Dale to feign a resistance and draw the enemy between the spurs. It worked drawing in the enemy into the valley just as Gandalf had hoped. "It was a terrible battle" (p. 294, The Hobbit). Bilbo hated it and even with his magic Ring on he was not safe. "The elves were the first to charge. Their hatred for the goblins is cold and bitter" (p. 294, The Hobbit).
Arrows slew many as the spearmen of the Elves charged ahead. Just as the Goblins regrouped Dain led his battle-hardened Dwarves into action. This totally threw the Goblins into disarray and victory seemed sure. But at that moment the worst scenario came to be. The Goblins did have great numbers and had indeed surrounded the Mountain and scaled it. Now they charged down the Mountain attacking the spurs from high ground. Only the first wave of the Goblins had been repelled. The day drew on. Wargs came. Bolg and his bodyguard came. Bard fearlessly defended the Eastern spur but was giving ground. On the Southern side Thranduil was under attack.
"Suddenly there was a great shout, and from the Gate came a trumpet call. They had forgotten Thorin! Part of the wall, moved by levers, fell outward with a crash into the pool. Out leapt the King under the Mountain, and his companions followed him. Hood and cloak were gone; they were in shining armour, and red light leapt from their eyes. In the gloom the great dwarf gleamed like gold in a dying fire" (p. 296, The Hobbit). Thorin called all to follow him. Dain's folk heeded along with many Elves and Men. Thorin led a valiant charge into the Goblin ranks piling up the dead as he went. Into Dale they charged to the very body guard of Bolg.
However, many Dwarves, Men, and Elves died in the charge. Thorin had charged too deep and now he was being attacked. Those who remained formed a ring and fought bravely against the surrounding Goblins and wolves. They were cut off. Those that remained at the Mountain could not help for the assault against them had doubled. Bilbo saw this all with misery. He had chosen to stand with Thranduil in the battle and on Ravenhill where he could see the whole field. Gandalf was there too in deep thought, perhaps conjuring up some last magic, before they too were overtaken.
"'It won't be long now,' thought Bilbo, 'before the goblins win the Gate, and we are all slaughtered or driven down and captured. Really it is enough to make one weep, after all one has gone through. I would rather that old Smaug had been left with all the wretched treasure, than that these vile creatures should get it, and poor Bombur, and Balin and Fili and Kili and all the rest come to a bad end; and Bard too, and the Lake-men and the merry elves. Misery me! I have heard songs of battles, and I have always understood that defeat may be glorious. It seems very uncomfortable, not to say distressing. I wish I was well out of it'" (p. 297, The Hobbit). I literally welled up reading this. After all he'd been through with the dwarves Bilbo was sad to see his friends meet this end. I think he is a very brave hobbit indeed in the midst of that terrible roaring battlefield.
But it was in that bleak moment that Bilbo noticed something: the Eagles! Indeed his keen eyes were not mistaken. And his cry was spread around the Mountain giving hope to the defenders and fear to the attackers. As Bilbo went to shout out again he was smote by a heavy stone on his helm (good thing he had that on) and was knocked out.
Middle-eartht timeline: Third Age, 2942 (winter)
Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, pages 292-298
No comments:
Post a Comment