No Dragon In Erebor

As Thorin and his dwarves wondered what became of Smaug Bard continued to order the refugee's from Lake-town. If help did not come soon most would die in the winter cold with no food and shelter. As it was Bard sent messengers to Thranduil begging for help. But the Elven King was already on the march hearing news of Smaug's death from his own spies and birds who were friendly with the Elves. Indeed, news quickly spread beyond Mirkwood Forest to the house of Beorn and even the caves of the goblins.

Thranduil figured Thorin was dead and he knew well the tales of Thror's treasure. So he had sent a great army toward the Mountain. "But the king, when he received the prayers of Bard, had pity, for he was the lord of a good and kindly people; so turning his march, which had at first been direct towards the Mountain, he hastened now down the river to the Long Lake" (p. 266, The Hobbit). They reached the refugees five days after the death of Smaug and began felling trees, building huts, and bringing supplies.

Plans were made. Women, children, and wounded were left (along with the Master of course) with some Elves who continued to build shelters. Bard led any man able to bear arms to the Mountain along with Thranduil and his army. The Master meanwhile made plans to build an even larger Lake-town but not near the ruins of the old city for all feared the spot where Smaug died. "He would never again return to his golden bed, but was stretched cold as stone, twisted upon the floor of the shallows. There for ages his huge bones could be seen in calm weather amid the ruined piles of the old town. But few dared to cross the cursed spot, and none dared to dive into the shivering water or recover the precious stones that fell from his rotting carcase" (p. 267, The Hobbit).

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

Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, page 265-267

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

Smaug's Demise

After smashing the side of the Mountain Smaug, in a rage, flew off toward Lake-town (Esgaroth) knowing the Men there had supplied the thieves. In the distance the watchman saw flames lick the mountain as they had the night before and the foolish among them thought the dwarves were once again forging gold. One man, with a grim voice, thought more wisely saying it was the Dragon on the prowl. On this night the flames grew closer until the lake turned gold (as the old songs had sung) and now many grew excited. "But the grim-voiced fellow ran hotfoot to the Master. 'The dragon is coming or I am a fool!' he cried. 'Cut the bridges! To arms! To arms!'" (p. 259, The Hobbit). And if not for this man Esgaroth would have been completely unprepared.

When Smaug descended he found the bridge from the shore to the town destroyed; the water was too deep and cold for a dragon to cross so the destruction of Lake-town would not be as easy as the great worm hoped. He took to the air and dove at the town spreading flame and toppling buildings. He was quite surprised when arrows were shot at him for no one had dared attack him in many years. Still, his rage was hot and recklessly he continued his assault. Those who didn't fight drew water from the lake in an attempt to douse the flames now rising. Before long men were jumping into the lake. Women and children were gathered into boats for evacuation. The Master of Lake-town quietly slipped out in his boat in the midst of the confusion.

This was exactly what Smaug wanted. Once on shore he could leisurely hunt them down killing them all one by one away from the icy waters. He then would turn his attention to the surrounding areas to burn and create more desolation but not quite yet. "Just now he was enjoying the sport of town-baiting more than he had enjoyed anything for years" (p. 261, The Hobbit). Things looked bad for the folks of Esgorath. But one company of archers remained. They were led by the grim-voiced man: Bard. Bard was courageous, a descendent of Girion the Lord of Dale before Smaug destroyed that town, and he wielded a great yew bow. Still he found himself with one remaining arrow. "The flames were near him. His companions were leaving him. He bent his bow for the last time" (p. 261, The Hobbit). I love that description and have in mind what it will look like on screen.

At that moment hope unlooked for came. (I think this is a meta-them in Tolkien's works: hope unlooked for). The old thrush, whom Bilbo felt was spying, landed on his shoulder. It began to speak (remember the Men of Dale learned their language long ago). Bard stood in wonder as the thrush told him of the happenings at the Mountain and most importantly about the weak link in Smaug's armor. One more time the Dragon turned and began to swoop upon Lake-town. One last time Bard drew his arrow to his ear. "'Arrow! said the bowman. 'Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!'" (p. 262, The Hobbit). Bard let the arrow fly.

The black arrow flew straight and true into the opening of Smaug's diamond waistcoat into his flesh disappearing inside. Smaug shrieked terribly and the full force of his dead weight fell on the town destroying it completely. One by one the boats made it to the shore. The people had their lives but nearly all else was destroyed. Three quarters of the people made it ashore which is remarkably high for a Dragon attack. Their anger turned toward the Master who left while Bard and others had stayed to defend the town and the people. The shouted the praise of Bard and the desire to make him king had he survived. Just then a tall man emerged from the waters, soaked head to toe. It was Bard.

He would not accept kingship of Esgorath but rather declared his intent to be Lord of Dale as his ancestors before. For Dale was now freed from the Dragon's shadow by Bard's act of valor. He said that any that wish to go with him when he left could come. But it would not be an easy path with the desolation of Smaug near the mountain. Still some shouted for Bard to replace the Master. But the Master was quick-witted (their is a reason why one becomes the Master of Lake-town) and he spoke loudly against the dwarves for it was they, not he, that roused the Dragon's wrath. Plus they had not even sent any payment to the people for their trouble and quickly the people forgot their Master's cowardice and turned their anger towards Thorin and company.

Bard quickly sought to displace their wrath saying they had most likely been the first to perish in Smaug's attack. This gave him pause thinking of the great Dwarven treasure laying unguarded in the Mountain's halls. But he recovered and began ordering camps, the salvaging of supplies, the care for the weak and wounded. The Master outwardly pretended to praise Bard but inwardly despised him and he thought much (probably about the Dwarves being dead and the treasure). It was a long, bitter, night in which many fell ill and later died.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2941 (winter)
Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, pages 258-265

Smaug, part two

Bilbo, Ring on, was making his way to Smaug's hall for a second time; hoping to find some useful information. Once again he found the Dragon asleep, or so he thought. No sooner had he stepped foot in when Smaug greeted him. He couldn't been seen but a Dragon's sense of smell was very keen so Smaug knew of the presence of Bilbo. At once the Dragon questioned Bilbo who bravely spoke back being careful not to reveal too much (which is wise) and yet also being careful to not respond at all (equally wise). Bilbo named himself: clue-finder, web-cutter, stinging fly, Ringwinner, Luckweared, and Barrel-rider. That last name made Smaug certain the Men of Lake-town were responsible or at least aided in the thievery.

Smaug guessed, however, that Dwarves were also involved and Bilbo feigned surprise. Smaug did not believe him: "'Don't tell me that I can eat a dwarf-ridden pony and not know it!'" (p. 236, The Hobbit). Smaug went on to explain to Bilbo the true character of Dwarves saying they only used people to do their bidding with no intention of paying; plus how would Bilbo be able to transport his treasure back to his home anyhow? This gave Bilbo pause because no discussion had ever been had about the return trip to Bag-end and how he was to take his treasure with him. But really Smaug was trying to ensnare Bilbo rather than turn him against his friends.

"Whenever Smaug's roving eye, seeking for him in the shadows, flashed across him, he trembled, and an unaccountable desire seized him to rush out and reveal himself and to tell the truth to Smaug. In fact he was in grievous danger of coming under the dragon-spell" (p. 236, The Hobbit). Bilbo, seeking to remain true to the dwarves, informed Smaug gold was not their only reason for coming; they had also come for revenge. This set Smaug off; he thought no dwarf would dare to return for when he disposed of them long ago he had been young and now he was much much stronger.

Bilbo took this opportunity to once again compliment the Dragon but also inquire about his underbelly for he had always been told that was their soft-spot. "The dragon stopped short in his boasting. 'Your information is antiquated,' he snapped. 'I am armored above and below with ironed scales and hard gems. No blade can pierce me'" (p. 238, The Hobbit). Smaug proceeded to roll over and show Bilbo the waistcoat of diamonds he contrived while long in the Dwarven halls. And Bilbo found hope unlooked for. "'Dazzlingly marvelous! Perfect! Flawless! Staggering!' exclaimed Bilbo aloud, but what he thought inside was: 'Old fool! Why there is a large patch in the hollow of his left breast as bare as a snail out of its shell!'" (p. 239, The Hobbit).

Bilbo excused himself from the conversation but couldn't resist a parting shot saying the Dragon would needs his rest to catch the remaining ponies and a burglar. This sent Smaug into a rage and he sent fire up the passage after Bilbo which he narrowly escaped. The dwarves wanted to know every detail of the conversation but Bilbo was quite anxious and uncomfortable and didn't say much. He simply stared at the thrush that continued to watch them: "'Drat that bird! said Bilbo crossly. 'I believe he is listening, and I don't like the look of him'" (p. 240, The Hobbit). Thorin came to the thrush's defense saying how in the olden days, before Smaug, the thrushes could communicate with the Men of Dale and they were helpful messengers. He even wondered if this very thrush was around at that time since it was so old.

Bilbo reluctantly told his tale; that he might have given too much information to Smaug. He at least had a strong intuition that the Dragon would be attacking Lake-town. But he also revealed the chink in Smaug's underbelly armor and this got the dwarves very excited. "That turned the conversation, and they all began discussing dragon-slayings historical, dubious, and mythical, and the various sorts of stabs and jabs and undercuts, and the different arts and devices and stratagems by which they had been accomplished" (p. 241, The Hobbit). All the while Bilbo's unrest grew stronger and stronger.

He informed the dwarves that they were all in very imminent danger and asked with such persistence that they move into the tunnel that they finally obliged. They would not shut the door as the hobbit asked for fear of not being able to open it again. Sitting in the tunnel they began to address Smaug's words to Bilbo concerning themselves. Thorin reassured Bilbo he'd get his share and they simply had not planned for the return journey since the outcome was always in doubt. They then began to discuss all the great treasure with Balin and Thorin remembering what they had seen in their youth. One particular jewel Thorin remembered well: "'The Arkenstone! The Arkenstone!' murmured Thorin in the dark, half dreaming with his chin upon his knees. 'It was like a globe with a thousand facets; it shone like silver in the firelight, like water in the sun, like snow under the stars, like rain upon the Moon!'" (p. 243, The Hobbit).

Still Bilbo grew more anxious. He was now begging the dwarves to shut the door. His chief concern was the silence; the Smaug made no noise. By now his pleas made the dwarves uneasy too so Thorin kicked out the door jam shutting them in the mountain. "And not a moment too soon. They had hardly gone any distance down the tunnel when a blow smote the side of the Mountain like a crash of battering-rams made of forest oaks and swung by giants" (p. 244, The Hobbit). Smaug had, in uttermost quiet, left the Front Gate, soared into the air, and floated on the side of the Mountain he guessed (an accurate guess at that) Bilbo had come in through. He was enraged to find nothing and slammed the Mountain side causing a landslide that buried the secret door and perhaps the dwarves if they had not shut the door. With his wrath hot Smaug turned his attention to Lake-town.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2941, (winter)
Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, pages 233-245

Smaug, part one

At the foot of the secret door Thorin now proclaimed it was time for the esteemed Bilbo Baggins to earn his reward. Bilbo, feeling glum, retorted that he had already earned some reward for getting them out of several tight situations. There was nothing to it though: now was the time for which he had been brought along in the first place. The hobbit asked if any would go with him and only old Balin, who by now was very fond of Bilbo, volunteered to go in a ways. It wasn't that the dwarves put all the dangerous tasks to Bilbo it's just what made sense given the situation; besides they intended to pay the hobbit well and would have jumped into action if he got into trouble.

Down the secret hall they crept until the door was but a faint outline. Balin wished Bilbo good luck and he proceeded onward alone. He could hear the dwarves whispering and knew he must be very quiet. The further he went echoes carried in the halls. After a while he felt the passage grow warmer and eventually saw what he thought to be a red glow. "It was at this point that Bilbo stopped. Going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did. The tremendous things that happened afterwords were nothing compared to it. He fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait" (p. 226-227, The Hobbit). I love that passage. How often are the hardest struggles and battles waged internally? I've often thought if I could only get out of my own way how much easier some things may be. What a beautiful picture of courage here.

With his Ring slipped on Bilbo made his way into the great Dwarven hall full of treasure unlike anything he had ever seen. And there also was Smaug. "There he lay, a vast red-golden dragon, fast asleep; a thrumming came from his jaws and nostrils, and wisps of smoke, but his fires were low in slumber" (p. 227, The Hobbit). Bilbo stared and forced himself to move from the passage into the hall. He grasped a golden cup and ran for fear of his life through the passage but Smaug, still asleep, turned ever so slightly in his shifting dreams. Balin was ecstatic to see Bilbo alive and the other dwarves were deeply encouraged at the cup he bore talking about treasures and regaining their kingdom.

It was then that Smaug awoke and gave a dreadful cry. "Dragons may not have much real use for all their wealth, but they know it to an ounce as a rule, especially after long possession; and Smaug was no exception" (p. 229, The Hobbit). All confidence by the fellowship was shattered when they heard the great Dragon. Smaug had been dreaming about a warrior, albeit a very small one, with great courage--it had woken him and then he missed his cup. "Thieves! Fire! Murder! Such a thing had not happened since first he came to the Mountain!" (p. 229, The Hobbit). Smaug roared through the passage Bilbo had come and bounded out the Front Gate to search the whole mountain for whoever dared to enter his hall.

The dwarves were overwhelmed but once again Biblo spurred them to action calling them into the secret tunnel for safety. It was then that they had realized that Bofur and Bombur were at the camp down below with the ponies. There followed some tense moments with Smaug roaring and issuing flames. They were able to bring up Bofur and then Bombur by rope. They also retrieved some tools and food when the Dragon came. He flew around that side of the Mountain covering it with flames but they had all made it safe inside the tunnel. The same could not be said for their ponies.

Smaug figured by the look of the ponies that it was the men of Lake-town who had come and long he searched for their entrance into the Mountain but the secret door proved just that and Smaug was unable to find it. He eventually issued back through the Front Gate to rest and wait. The next day the dwarves were discussing what should be done. They couldn't escape now, they weren't sure how to kill Smaug (always the weak link in their plan), and they were not pleased with Bilbo for stirring the great beast's wrath. Of course Bilbo reminded them that they had all been excited by the cup a few hours before and that killing dragons was not in his job description; even still he offered to visit Smaug's lair again.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2941 (winter)
Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, 224-233

The Lonely Mountain

Thorin and company journeyed from Lake-town to the Lonely Mountain knowing they had reached the most dangerous part of their quest. "They were come to the Desolation of the Dragon, and they were come at the waning of the year" (p. 216, The Hobbit). They were amply supplied by the Men of Lake-town but none of those men dared stay near the Mountain; they packed what they could on the ponies and left the rest by the shore (no worries of thieves for the land was empty). Then they found a safe spot to make camp and began to explore. All was quiet. Balin, Fili, Kili, and Bilbo were sent to spy the Front Gate, out of which the River Running came out of the Mountain. There they saw some smoke come out of the Gate but no definitive sign of the Dragon. Mostly, they saw ruins.

"'There lies all that is left of Dale,' said Balin. 'The mountain's sides were green with woods and all the sheltered valley rich and pleasant in the days when the bells rang in that town.' He looked both sad and grim as he said this: he had been one of Thorin's companions on the day the Dragon came" (p. 217, The Hobbit). Everyone's spirits were low and it was actually Bilbo who got the dwarves looking for the secret door. Day after day they tried and eventually Fili, Kili, and the hobbit found it, perfectly concealed from above and below. This raised everyone's spirits considerably.

They moved the camp up the Mountain leaving the ponies and Bombur below since he was too big to go up or be pulled by ropes. They tried various mining tools (suppled by the Men of Lake-town) but the door would not budge; it's magic too strong. Bilbo became withdrawn at this point knowing his real purpose of the adventure was coming soon. Once again the Dwarves grew disheartened as the door wouldn't open; Thorin noted only one week of autumn remained. At last they began to discuss the prospects of Bilbo using his Ring and going through the Front Gate which did not make the hobbit pleased at all.

The next day Bilbo continued to think; he had a feeling about him that he was to wait for something. He saw the setting sun and then heard a cracking noise behind him. He turned to see a giant thrush cracking open snails against the wall to eat. "Suddenly Bilbo understood. Forgetting all danger he stood on the ledge and hailed the dwarves, shouting and waving" (p. 222, The Hobbit). Bilbo tried to explain but the dwarves were impatient; still the hobbit was unmoved staring at the secret door. At the last possible moment a ray of the setting sun shone on the door, the thrush trilled, and a piece of rock fell from the door exposing a hole. Bilbo immediately called for the key. Thorin turned the key in the hole and the door opened silently.

I was struck by the passage that states Bilbo had the feeling he was to be waiting for something. In other writings it's clear the Valar move hearts and events; a divine providence if you will. It's been a long time in reading since I've seen this theme as most of the Third Age has read like a history. But that theme is not been forgotten and it seems I'm always on the lookout for it. Bilbo waited, not entirely sure as to why, and it lead to being in the right spot at the right time to open the secret door. Otherwise the only way in for the dwarves would have been the Front Gate and I'm quite certain that would not have worked out so well. Perhaps we all should do a little more waiting before acting in our lives. Instead of rushing to action or being busy for for busyness' sake we could try to slow down. Take a look around us and listen to that nagging thought in our minds. Perhaps it will lead us to be in the right place at the right time.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2941 (end of autumn/beginning of winter)
Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, pages 214-223

Lake-town

Bilbo, invisible, continued down the river with the dwarves in the barrels. Along the way he caught a glimpse of their destination, the Lonely Mountain, as the Elves spoke in hushed tones about the Dragon. It turns out that the river was now the only way to their destination; as the path in Mirkwood was in disrepair and led to dangerous marshes as it left the forest. Again providence, it would seem, was on Bilbo's side. "It might have been of some comfort to Mr. Baggins shivering on the barrels, if he had known that news of this had reached Gandalf far away and given him great anxiety, and that he was in fact finishing his other business...and getting ready to come in search of Thorin's company" (p. 203, The Hobbit). As it was the hobbit shivered on as his cold settled in.

Eventually they reached Long Lake and Lake-town, which was a town built on/in the lake. There Men lived in the shadow of the Mountain, descendents of Dale, remembering old tales of Dwarves under the Mountain and their great treasure. Now, the dwarves seemed more a myth and only the oldest of the old had actually seen the dragon. Still they sung songs about the past and some about the future where Thror and Thrain would return to claim their treasure at which the land and rivers would be filled with gold. The men of Lake-town helped bring the barrel rafts to shore and the Elves went in for some feasting with them.

Bilbo having his chance began freeing his friends not knowing if they survived the journey. The first out was Thorin, sore, stiff, bruised, and very unhappy. Yet alive and free. It took some prodding by Bilbo but Thorin helped him free the others who were in various states of health and all thoroughly upset at the journey. Dwalin and Balin were quite upset, Bifur and Bofur did not help. Only Fili and Kili had energy to help. "'I hope I never smell the smell of apples again!' said Fili. "My tub was full of it. To smell apples everlastingly when you can scarcely move and are cold and sick with hunger is maddening. I could eat anything in the wide world now, for hours on end--but not an apple!'" (p. 207, The Hobbit).

Once on land they decided to enter Lake-town. Thorin, Bilbo, Fili, and Kili set forth while the others rested. They surprised the guards and demanded to be taken to the Master of the Town. This caused quite a stir among the people. The sight of Dwarves made them think the silly songs about gold were about to come true. After some questioning the captain of the guard took them in and Thorin took over: "'I am Thorin son of Thrain son of Thror King under the Mountain. I return!'" (p. 209, The Hobbit). All were surprised but most of all the Elves who had rafted the barrels down the river. They declared to the Master that these were in fact prisoners of Thranduil who had harassed the Elven people. 

The Master did not know who to believe, thinking no Dwarf would return to the Mountain and even so it was doubtful it was these the right Dwarves. Plus, Thranduil was powerful in that region and he wished no enmity with the Elves. "'It is true that we were wrongfully waylaid by the Elven-king and imprisoned without cause as we journeyed back to our land,' answered Thorin. 'But lock nor bar may hinder the homecoming spoken of old. Nor is this town in the Wood-elves' realm. I speak to the Master of the town of the Men of the Lake, not to the raft-men of the king'" (p. 209, The Hobbit). By now many people had gathered singing the old songs about treasure and gold that the Master had no choice but to accept what Thorin said to be true. 

For a week the Dwarves were treated to feasts, given new clothes, and recovered their strength. The people were in such a frenzy that loud cheers erupted at even a small glimpse of one of them. It seems the Master was encouraging the people, singing songs about gifts and treasures, which did not please the Dwarves who had no mind to share (it seems the Master was quite a business man looking for ways to increase his wealth). As everyone grew strong again they began to think quite highly of Bilbo realizing they would not have made it without him (the tight barrels but a memory now) and yet the hobbit was miserable. "For three days he sneezed and coughed, and he could not go out, and even after that his speeches at a banquets were limited to 'Thag you very buch'" (p. 212, The Hobbit).

The Elves had made their way back to Thranduil telling him everything they saw. Thranduil now suspected the Dwarves true purpose and vowed no treasure would journey back through Mirkwood. He figured they would all die trying to win back the treasure from Smaug anyway. Thorin sensing the excitement of the people spoke with the Master about provisions for the final stretch to the Lonely Mountain. "Then for the first time the Master was surprised and a little frightened; and he wondered if Thorin was after all really a descendent of the old kings. He had never thought the dwarves would actually dare to approach Smaug, but believed they were frauds who would sooner or later be discovered and be turned out" (p. 213, The Hobbit). Nonetheless he was not sad to see them depart for all commerce had ceased in the town while the dwarves remained. He sent them by boat with many supplies and arranged for horses and ponies to meet them on shore. Everyone was excited as they left; everyone but Bilbo.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2941 (autumn)
Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, pages 200-213