["was\tdrenched\twith\twater,\this\tblack\thair\thung\twet\tover\this\tface\tand\tshoulders, and\ta\tfierce\tlight\twas\tin\this\teyes. \u201cBard\tis\tnot\tlost!\u201d\the\tcried.\t\u201cHe\tdived\tfrom\tEsgaroth,\twhen\tthe\tenemy\twas slain.\tI\tam\tBard,\tof\tthe\tline\tof\tGirion;\tI\tam\tthe\tslayer\tof\tthe\tdragon!\u201d \u201cKing\tBard!\tKing\tBard!\u201d\tthey\tshouted;\tbut\tthe\tMaster\tground\this\tchattering teeth. \u201cGirion\twas\tlord\tof\tDale,\tnot\tking\tof\tEsgaroth,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cIn\tthe\tLake-town we\thave\talways\telected\tmasters\tfrom\tamong\tthe\told\tand\twise,\tand\thave\tnot endured\tthe\trule\tof\tmere\tfighting\tmen.\tLet\t\u2018King\tBard\u2019\tgo\tback\tto\this\town kingdom\u2014Dale\tis\tnow\tfreed\tby\this\tvalour,\tand\tnothing\thinders\this\treturn.\tAnd any\tthat\twish\tcan\tgo\twith\thim,\tif\tthey\tprefer\tthe\tcold\tstones\tunder\tthe\tshadow\tof the\tMountain\tto\tthe\tgreen\tshores\tof\tthe\tlake.\tThe\twise\twill\tstay\there\tand\thope\tto rebuild\tour\ttown,\tand\tenjoy\tagain\tin\ttime\tits\tpeace\tand\triches.\u201d \u201cWe\twill\thave\tKing\tBard!\u201d\tthe\tpeople\tnear\tat\thand\tshouted\tin\treply.\t\u201cWe have\thad\tenough\tof\tthe\told\tmen\tand\tthe\tmoney-counters!\u201d\tAnd\tpeople\tfurther off\ttook\tup\tthe\tcry:\t\u201cUp\tthe\tBowman,\tand\tdown\twith\tMoneybags,\u201d\ttill\tthe clamour\techoed\talong\tthe\tshore. \u201cI\tam\tthe\tlast\tman\tto\tundervalue\tBard\tthe\tBowman,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tMaster\twarily (for\tBard\tnow\tstood\tclose\tbeside\thim).\t\u201cHe\thas\ttonight\tearned\tan\teminent\tplace in\tthe\troll\tof\tthe\tbenefactors\tof\tour\ttown;\tand\the\tis\tworthy\tof\tmany\timperishable songs.\tBut,\twhy\tO\tPeople?\u201d\u2014and\there\tthe\tMaster\trose\tto\this\tfeet\tand\tspoke very\tloud\tand\tclear\u2014\u201cWhy\tdo\tI\tget\tall\tyour\tblame?\tFor\twhat\tfault\tam\tI\tto\tbe deposed?\tWho\taroused\tthe\tdragon\tfrom\this\tslumber,\tI\tmight\task?\tWho\tobtained of\tus\trich\tgifts\tand\tample\thelp,\tand\tled\tus\tto\tbelieve\tthat\told\tsongs\tcould\tcome true?\tWho\tplayed\ton\tour\tsoft\thearts\tand\tour\tpleasant\tfancies?\tWhat\tsort\tof\tgold have\tthey\tsent\tdown\tthe\triver\tto\treward\tus?\tDragon-fire\tand\truin!\tFrom\twhom should\twe\tclaim\tthe\trecompense\tof\tour\tdamage,\tand\taid\tfor\tour\twidows\tand orphans?\u201d As\tyou\tsee,\tthe\tMaster\thad\tnot\tgot\this\tposition\tfor\tnothing.\tThe\tresult\tof\this words\twas\tthat\tfor\tthe\tmoment\tthe\tpeople\tquite\tforgot\ttheir\tidea\tof\ta\tnew\tking, and\tturned\ttheir\tangry\tthoughts\ttowards\tThorin\tand\this\tcompany.\tWild\tand\tbitter words\twere\tshouted\tfrom\tmany\tsides;\tand\tsome\tof\tthose\twho\thad\tbefore\tsung the\told\tsongs\tloudest,\twere\tnow\theard\tas\tloudly\tcrying\tthat\tthe\tdwarves\thad stirred\tthe\tdragon\tup\tagainst\tthem\tdeliberately! \u201cFools!\u201d\tsaid\tBard.\t\u201cWhy\twaste\twords\tand\twrath\ton\tthose\tunhappy creatures?\tDoubtless\tthey\tperished\tfirst\tin\tfire,\tbefore\tSmaug\tcame\tto\tus.\u201d\tThen even\tas\the\twas\tspeaking,\tthe\tthought\tcame\tinto\this\theart\tof\tthe\tfabled\ttreasure\tof","the\tMountain\tlying\twithout\tguard\tor\towner,\tand\the\tfell\tsuddenly\tsilent.\tHe thought\tof\tthe\tMaster\u2019s\twords,\tand\tof\tDale\trebuilt,\tand\tfilled\twith\tgolden\tbells, if\the\tcould\tbut\tfind\tthe\tmen. At\tlength\the\tspoke\tagain:\t\u201cThis\tis\tno\ttime\tfor\tangry\twords,\tMaster,\tor\tfor considering\tweighty\tplans\tof\tchange.\tThere\tis\twork\tto\tdo.\tI\tserve\tyou\tstill\u2014 though\tafter\ta\twhile\tI\tmay\tthink\tagain\tof\tyour\twords\tand\tgo\tNorth\twith\tany\tthat will\tfollow\tme.\u201d Then\the\tstrode\toff\tto\thelp\tin\tthe\tordering\tof\tthe\tcamps\tand\tin\tthe\tcare\tof\tthe sick\tand\tthe\twounded.\tBut\tthe\tMaster\tscowled\tat\this\tback\tas\the\twent,\tand remained\tsitting\ton\tthe\tground.\tHe\tthought\tmuch\tbut\tsaid\tlittle,\tunless\tit\twas\tto call\tloudly\tfor\tmen\tto\tbring\thim\tfire\tand\tfood. Now\teverywhere\tBard\twent\the\tfound\ttalk\trunning\tlike\tfire\tamong\tthe\tpeople concerning\tthe\tvast\ttreasure\tthat\twas\tnow\tunguarded.\tMen\tspoke\tof\tthe recompense\tfor\tall\ttheir\tharm\tthat\tthey\twould\tsoon\tget\tfrom\tit,\tand\twealth\tover and\tto\tspare\twith\twhich\tto\tbuy\trich\tthings\tfrom\tthe\tSouth;\tand\tit\tcheered\tthem greatly\tin\ttheir\tplight.\tThat\twas\tas\twell,\tfor\tthe\tnight\twas\tbitter\tand\tmiserable. Shelters\tcould\tbe\tcontrived\tfor\tfew\t(the\tMaster\thad\tone)\tand\tthere\twas\tlittle food\t(even\tthe\tMaster\twent\tshort).\tMany\ttook\till\tof\twet\tand\tcold\tand\tsorrow\tthat night,\tand\tafterwards\tdied,\twho\thad\tescaped\tuninjured\tfrom\tthe\truin\tof\tthe\ttown; and\tin\tthe\tdays\tthat\tfollowed\tthere\twas\tmuch\tsickness\tand\tgreat\thunger. Meanwhile\tBard\ttook\tthe\tlead,\tand\tordered\tthings\tas\the\twished,\tthough always\tin\tthe\tMaster\u2019s\tname,\tand\the\thad\ta\thard\ttask\tto\tgovern\tthe\tpeople\tand direct\tthe\tpreparations\tfor\ttheir\tprotection\tand\thousing.\tProbably\tmost\tof\tthem would\thave\tperished\tin\tthe\twinter\tthat\tnow\thurried\tafter\tautumn,\tif\thelp\thad\tnot been\tto\thand.\tBut\thelp\tcame\tswiftly;\tfor\tBard\tat\tonce\thad\tspeedy\tmessengers sent\tup\tthe\triver\tto\tthe\tForest\tto\task\tthe\taid\tof\tthe\tKing\tof\tthe\tElves\tof\tthe Wood,\tand\tthese\tmessengers\thad\tfound\ta\thost\talready\ton\tthe\tmove,\talthough\tit was\tthen\tonly\tthe\tthird\tday\tafter\tthe\tfall\tof\tSmaug. The\tElvenking\thad\treceived\tnews\tfrom\this\town\tmessengers\tand\tfrom\tthe birds\tthat\tloved\this\tfolk,\tand\talready\tknew\tmuch\tof\twhat\thad\thappened.\tVery great\tindeed\twas\tthe\tcommotion\tamong\tall\tthings\twith\twings\tthat\tdwelt\ton\tthe borders\tof\tthe\tDesolation\tof\tthe\tDragon.\tThe\tair\twas\tfilled\twith\tcircling\tflocks, and\ttheir\tswift-flying\tmessengers\tflew\there\tand\tthere\tacross\tthe\tsky.\tAbove\tthe borders\tof\tthe\tForest\tthere\twas\twhistling,\tcrying\tand\tpiping.\tFar\tover\tMirkwood tidings\tspread:\t\u201cSmaug\tis\tdead!\u201d\tLeaves\trustled\tand\tstartled\tears\twere\tlifted. Even\tbefore\tthe\tElvenking\trode\tforth\tthe\tnews\thad\tpassed\twest\tright\tto\tthe pinewoods\tof\tthe\tMisty\tMountains;\tBeorn\thad\theard\tit\tin\this\twooden\thouse,\tand","the\tgoblins\twere\tat\tcouncil\tin\ttheir\tcaves. \u201cThat\twill\tbe\tthe\tlast\twe\tshall\thear\tof\tThorin\tOakenshield,\tI\tfear,\u201d\tsaid\tthe king.\t\u201cHe\twould\thave\tdone\tbetter\tto\thave\tremained\tmy\tguest.\tIt\tis\tan\till\twind, all\tthe\tsame,\u201d\the\tadded,\t\u201cthat\tblows\tno\tone\tany\tgood.\u201d\tFor\the\ttoo\thad\tnot forgotten\tthe\tlegend\tof\tthe\twealth\tof\tThror.\tSo\tit\twas\tthat\tBard\u2019s\tmessengers found\thim\tnow\tmarching\twith\tmany\tspearmen\tand\tbowmen;\tand\tcrows\twere gathered\tthick\tabove\thim,\tfor\tthey\tthought\tthat\twar\twas\tawakening\tagain,\tsuch as\thad\tnot\tbeen\tin\tthose\tparts\tfor\ta\tlong\tage. But\tthe\tking,\twhen\the\treceived\tthe\tprayers\tof\tBard,\thad\tpity,\tfor\the\twas\tthe lord\tof\ta\tgood\tand\tkindly\tpeople;\tso\tturning\this\tmarch,\twhich\thad\tat\tfirst\tbeen direct\ttowards\tthe\tMountain,\the\thastened\tnow\tdown\tthe\triver\tto\tthe\tLong\tLake. He\thad\tnot\tboats\tor\trafts\tenough\tfor\this\thost,\tand\tthey\twere\tforced\tto\tgo\tthe slower\tway\tby\tfoot;\tbut\tgreat\tstore\tof\tgoods\the\tsent\tahead\tby\twater.\tStill\telves are\tlight-footed,\tand\tthough\tthey\twere\tnot\tin\tthese\tdays\tmuch\tused\tto\tthe marches\tand\tthe\ttreacherous\tlands\tbetween\tthe\tForest\tand\tthe\tLake,\ttheir\tgoing was\tswift.\tOnly\tfive\tdays\tafter\tthe\tdeath\tof\tthe\tdragon\tthey\tcame\tupon\tthe shores\tand\tlooked\ton\tthe\truins\tof\tthe\ttown.\tTheir\twelcome\twas\tgood,\tas\tmay\tbe expected,\tand\tthe\tmen\tand\ttheir\tMaster\twere\tready\tto\tmake\tany\tbargain\tfor\tthe future\tin\treturn\tfor\tthe\tElvenking\u2019s\taid. Their\tplans\twere\tsoon\tmade.\tWith\tthe\twomen\tand\tthe\tchildren,\tthe\told\tand the\tunfit,\tthe\tMaster\tremained\tbehind;\tand\twith\thim\twere\tsome\tmen\tof\tcrafts and\tmany\tskilled\telves;\tand\tthey\tbusied\tthemselves\tfelling\ttrees,\tand\tcollecting the\ttimber\tsent\tdown\tfrom\tthe\tForest.\tThen\tthey\tset\tabout\traising\tmany\thuts\tby the\tshore\tagainst\tthe\toncoming\twinter;\tand\talso\tunder\tthe\tMaster\u2019s\tdirection they\tbegan\tthe\tplanning\tof\ta\tnew\ttown,\tdesigned\tmore\tfair\tand\tlarge\teven\tthan before,\tbut\tnot\tin\tthe\tsame\tplace.\tThey\tremoved\tnorthward\thigher\tup\tthe\tshore; for\tever\tafter\tthey\thad\ta\tdread\tof\tthe\twater\twhere\tthe\tdragon\tlay.\tHe\twould never\tagain\treturn\tto\this\tgolden\tbed,\tbut\twas\tstretched\tcold\tas\tstone,\ttwisted upon\tthe\tfloor\tof\tthe\tshallows.\tThere\tfor\tages\this\thuge\tbones\tcould\tbe\tseen\tin calm\tweather\tamid\tthe\truined\tpiles\tof\tthe\told\ttown.\tBut\tfew\tdared\tto\tcross\tthe cursed\tspot,\tand\tnone\tdared\tto\tdive\tinto\tthe\tshivering\twater\tor\trecover\tthe precious\tstones\tthat\tfell\tfrom\this\trotting\tcarcase. But\tall\tthe\tmen\tof\tarms\twho\twere\tstill\table,\tand\tthe\tmost\tof\tthe\tElvenking\u2019s array,\tgot\tready\tto\tmarch\tnorth\tto\tthe\tMountain.\tIt\twas\tthus\tthat\tin\televen\tdays from\tthe\truin\tof\tthe\ttown\tthe\thead\tof\ttheir\thost\tpassed\tthe\trock-gates\tat\tthe\tend of\tthe\tlake\tand\tcame\tinto\tthe\tdesolate\tlands.","Chapter\tXV THE\tGATHERING\tOF\tTHE\tCLOUDS Now\twe\twill\treturn\tto\tBilbo\tand\tthe\tdwarves.\tAll\tnight\tone\tof\tthem\thad watched,\tbut\twhen\tmorning\tcame\tthey\thad\tnot\theard\tor\tseen\tany\tsign\tof\tdanger. But\tever\tmore\tthickly\tthe\tbirds\twere\tgathering.\tTheir\tcompanies\tcame\tflying from\tthe\tSouth;\tand\tthe\tcrows\tthat\tstill\tlived\tabout\tthe\tMountain\twere\twheeling and\tcrying\tunceasingly\tabove. \u201cSomething\tstrange\tis\thappening,\u201d\tsaid\tThorin.\t\u201cThe\ttime\thas\tgone\tfor\tthe autumn\twanderings;\tand\tthese\tare\tbirds\tthat\tdwell\talways\tin\tthe\tland;\tthere\tare starlings\tand\tflocks\tof\tfinches;\tand\tfar\toff\tthere\tare\tmany\tcarrion\tbirds\tas\tif\ta battle\twere\tafoot!\u201d Suddenly\tBilbo\tpointed:\t\u201cThere\tis\tthat\told\tthrush\tagain!\u201d\the\tcried.\t\u201cHe seems\tto\thave\tescaped,\twhen\tSmaug\tsmashed\tthe\tmountain-side,\tbut\tI\tdon\u2019t suppose\tthe\tsnails\thave!\u201d Sure\tenough\tthe\told\tthrush\twas\tthere,\tand\tas\tBilbo\tpointed,\the\tflew\ttowards them\tand\tperched\ton\ta\tstone\tnear\tby.\tThen\the\tfluttered\this\twings\tand\tsang;\tthen he\tcocked\this\thead\ton\tone\tside,\tas\tif\tto\tlisten;\tand\tagain\the\tsang,\tand\tagain\the listened. \u201cI\tbelieve\the\tis\ttrying\tto\ttell\tus\tsomething,\u201d\tsaid\tBalin;\t\u201cbut\tI\tcannot\tfollow the\tspeech\tof\tsuch\tbirds,\tit\tis\tvery\tquick\tand\tdifficult.\tCan\tyou\tmake\tit\tout Baggins?\u201d \u201cNot\tvery\twell,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo\t(as\ta\tmatter\tof\tfact,\the\tcould\tmake\tnothing\tof\tit at\tall);\t\u201cbut\tthe\told\tfellow\tseems\tvery\texcited.\u201d \u201cI\tonly\twish\the\twas\ta\traven!\u201d\tsaid\tBalin. \u201cI\tthought\tyou\tdid\tnot\tlike\tthem!\tYou\tseemed\tvery\tshy\tof\tthem,\twhen\twe came\tthis\tway\tbefore.\u201d \u201cThose\twere\tcrows!\tAnd\tnasty\tsuspicious-looking\tcreatures\tat\tthat,\tand\trude","as\twell.\tYou\tmust\thave\theard\tthe\tugly\tnames\tthey\twere\tcalling\tafter\tus.\tBut\tthe ravens\tare\tdifferent.\tThere\tused\tto\tbe\tgreat\tfriendship\tbetween\tthem\tand\tthe people\tof\tThror;\tand\tthey\toften\tbrought\tus\tsecret\tnews,\tand\twere\trewarded\twith such\tbright\tthings\tas\tthey\tcoveted\tto\thide\tin\ttheir\tdwellings. \u201cThey\tlive\tmany\ta\tyear,\tand\ttheir\tmemories\tare\tlong,\tand\tthey\thand\ton\ttheir wisdom\tto\ttheir\tchildren.\tI\tknew\tmany\tamong\tthe\travens\tof\tthe\trocks\twhen\tI was\ta\tdwarf-lad.\tThis\tvery\theight\twas\tonce\tnamed\tRavenhill,\tbecause\tthere\twas a\twise\tand\tfamous\tpair,\told\tCarc\tand\this\twife,\tthat\tlived\there\tabove\tthe\tguard- chamber.\tBut\tI\tdon\u2019t\tsuppose\tthat\tany\tof\tthat\tancient\tbreed\tlinger\there\tnow.\u201d No\tsooner\thad\the\tfinished\tspeaking\tthan\tthe\told\tthrush\tgave\ta\tloud\tcall,\tand immediately\tflew\taway. \u201cWe\tmay\tnot\tunderstand\thim,\tbut\tthat\told\tbird\tunderstands\tus,\tI\tam\tsure,\u201d said\tBalin.\t\u201cKeep\twatch\tnow,\tand\tsee\twhat\thappens!\u201d Before\tlong\tthere\twas\ta\tfluttering\tof\twings,\tand\tback\tcame\tthe\tthrush;\tand with\thim\tcame\ta\tmost\tdecrepit\told\tbird.\tHe\twas\tgetting\tblind,\the\tcould\thardly fly,\tand\tthe\ttop\tof\this\thead\twas\tbald.\tHe\twas\tan\taged\traven\tof\tgreat\tsize.\tHe alighted\tstiffly\ton\tthe\tground\tbefore\tthem,\tslowly\tflapped\this\twings,\tand\tbobbed towards\tThorin. \u201cO\tThorin\tson\tof\tThrain,\tand\tBalin\tson\tof\tFundin,\u201d\the\tcroaked\t(and\tBilbo could\tunderstand\twhat\the\tsaid,\tfor\the\tused\tordinary\tlanguage\tand\tnot\tbird- speech).\t\u201cI\tam\tRo\u00e4c\tson\tof\tCarc.\tCarc\tis\tdead,\tbut\the\twas\twell\tknown\tto\tyou once.\tIt\tis\ta\thundred\tyears\tand\tthree\tand\tfifty\tsince\tI\tcame\tout\tof\tthe\tegg,\tbut\tI do\tnot\tforget\twhat\tmy\tfather\ttold\tme.\tNow\tI\tam\tthe\tchief\tof\tthe\tgreat\travens\tof the\tMountain.\tWe\tare\tfew,\tbut\twe\tremember\tstill\tthe\tking\tthat\twas\tof\told.\tMost of\tmy\tpeople\tare\tabroad,\tfor\tthere\tare\tgreat\ttidings\tin\tthe\tSouth\u2014some\tare tidings\tof\tjoy\tto\tyou,\tand\tsome\tyou\twill\tnot\tthink\tso\tgood. \u201cBehold!\tthe\tbirds\tare\tgathering\tback\tagain\tto\tthe\tMountain\tand\tto\tDale\tfrom South\tand\tEast\tand\tWest,\tfor\tword\thas\tgone\tout\tthat\tSmaug\tis\tdead!\u201d \u201cDead!\tDead?\u201d\tshouted\tthe\tdwarves.\t\u201cDead!\tThen\twe\thave\tbeen\tin\tneedless fear\u2014and\tthe\ttreasure\tis\tours!\u201d\tThey\tall\tsprang\tup\tand\tbegan\tto\tcaper\tabout\tfor joy. \u201cYes,\tdead,\u201d\tsaid\tRo\u00e4c.\t\u201cThe\tthrush,\tmay\this\tfeathers\tnever\tfall,\tsaw\thim\tdie, and\twe\tmay\ttrust\this\twords.\tHe\tsaw\thim\tfall\tin\tbattle\twith\tthe\tmen\tof\tEsgaroth the\tthird\tnight\tback\tfrom\tnow\tat\tthe\trising\tof\tthe\tmoon.\u201d It\twas\tsome\ttime\tbefore\tThorin\tcould\tbring\tthe\tdwarves\tto\tbe\tsilent\tand listen\tto\tthe\traven\u2019s\tnews.\tAt\tlength\twhen\the\thad\ttold\tall\tthe\ttale\tof\tthe\tbattle\the went\ton:","\u201cSo\tmuch\tfor\tjoy,\tThorin\tOakenshield.\tYou\tmay\tgo\tback\tto\tyour\thalls\tin safety;\tall\tthe\ttreasure\tis\tyours\u2014for\tthe\tmoment.\tBut\tmany\tare\tgathering\thither beside\tthe\tbirds.\tThe\tnews\tof\tthe\tdeath\tof\tthe\tguardian\thas\talready\tgone\tfar\tand wide,\tand\tthe\tlegend\tof\tthe\twealth\tof\tThror\thas\tnot\tlost\tin\tthe\ttelling\tduring many\tyears;\tmany\tare\teager\tfor\ta\tshare\tof\tthe\tspoil.\tAlready\ta\thost\tof\tthe\telves is\ton\tthe\tway,\tand\tcarrion\tbirds\tare\twith\tthem\thoping\tfor\tbattle\tand\tslaughter.\tBy the\tlake\tmen\tmurmur\tthat\ttheir\tsorrows\tare\tdue\tto\tthe\tdwarves;\tfor\tthey\tare homeless\tand\tmany\thave\tdied,\tand\tSmaug\thas\tdestroyed\ttheir\ttown.\tThey\ttoo think\tto\tfind\tamends\tfrom\tyour\ttreasure,\twhether\tyou\tare\talive\tor\tdead. \u201cYour\town\twisdom\tmust\tdecide\tyour\tcourse;\tbut\tthirteen\tis\tsmall\tremnant\tof the\tgreat\tfolk\tof\tDurin\tthat\tonce\tdwelt\there,\tand\tnow\tare\tscattered\tfar.\tIf\tyou will\tlisten\tto\tmy\tcounsel,\tyou\twill\tnot\ttrust\tthe\tMaster\tof\tthe\tLake-men,\tbut rather\thim\tthat\tshot\tthe\tdragon\twith\this\tbow.\tBard\tis\the,\tof\tthe\trace\tof\tDale,\tof the\tline\tof\tGirion;\the\tis\ta\tgrim\tman\tbut\ttrue.\tWe\twould\tsee\tpeace\tonce\tmore among\tdwarves\tand\tmen\tand\telves\tafter\tthe\tlong\tdesolation;\tbut\tit\tmay\tcost\tyou dear\tin\tgold.\tI\thave\tspoken.\u201d Then\tThorin\tburst\tforth\tin\tanger:\t\u201cOur\tthanks,\tRo\u00e4c\tCarc\u2019s\tson.\tYou\tand your\tpeople\tshall\tnot\tbe\tforgotten.\tBut\tnone\tof\tour\tgold\tshall\tthieves\ttake\tor\tthe violent\tcarry\toff\twhile\twe\tare\talive.\tIf\tyou\twould\tearn\tour\tthanks\tstill\tmore, bring\tus\tnews\tof\tany\tthat\tdraw\tnear.\tAlso\tI\twould\tbeg\tof\tyou,\tif\tany\tof\tyou\tare still\tyoung\tand\tstrong\tof\twing,\tthat\tyou\twould\tsend\tmessengers\tto\tour\tkin\tin\tthe mountains\tof\tthe\tNorth,\tboth\twest\tfrom\there\tand\teast,\tand\ttell\tthem\tof\tour plight.\tBut\tgo\tspecially\tto\tmy\tcousin\tDain\tin\tthe\tIron\tHills,\tfor\the\thas\tmany people\twell-armed,\tand\tdwells\tnearest\tto\tthis\tplace.\tBid\thim\thasten!\u201d \u201cI\twill\tnot\tsay\tif\tthis\tcounsel\tbe\tgood\tor\tbad,\u201d\tcroaked\tRo\u00e4c,\t\u201cbut\tI\twill\tdo what\tcan\tbe\tdone.\u201d\tThen\toff\the\tslowly\tflew. \u201cBack\tnow\tto\tthe\tMountain!\u201d\tcried\tThorin.\t\u201cWe\thave\tlittle\ttime\tto\tlose.\u201d \u201cAnd\tlittle\tfood\tto\tuse!\u201d\tcried\tBilbo,\talways\tpractical\ton\tsuch\tpoints.\tIn\tany case\the\tfelt\tthat\tthe\tadventure\twas,\tproperly\tspeaking,\tover\twith\tthe\tdeath\tof\tthe dragon\u2014in\twhich\the\twas\tmuch\tmistaken\u2014and\the\twould\thave\tgiven\tmost\tof\this share\tof\tthe\tprofits\tfor\tthe\tpeaceful\twinding\tup\tof\tthese\taffairs. \u201cBack\tto\tthe\tMountain!\u201d\tcried\tthe\tdwarves\tas\tif\tthey\thad\tnot\theard\thim;\tso back\the\thad\tto\tgo\twith\tthem. As\tyou\thave\theard\tsome\tof\tthe\tevents\talready,\tyou\twill\tsee\tthat\tthe\tdwarves\tstill had\tsome\tdays\tbefore\tthem.\tThey\texplored\tthe\tcaverns\tonce\tmore,\tand\tfound,\tas","they\texpected,\tthat\tonly\tthe\tFront\tGate\tremained\topen;\tall\tthe\tother\tgates (except,\tof\tcourse,\tthe\tsmall\tsecret\tdoor)\thad\tlong\tago\tbeen\tbroken\tand\tblocked by\tSmaug,\tand\tno\tsign\tof\tthem\tremained.\tSo\tnow\tthey\tbegan\tto\tlabour\thard\tin fortifying\tthe\tmain\tentrance,\tand\tin\tmaking\ta\tnew\tpath\tthat\tled\tfrom\tit.\tTools were\tto\tbe\tfound\tin\tplenty\tthat\tthe\tminers\tand\tquarriers\tand\tbuilders\tof\told\thad used;\tand\tat\tsuch\twork\tthe\tdwarves\twere\tstill\tvery\tskilled. As\tthey\tworked\tthe\travens\tbrought\tthem\tconstant\ttidings.\tIn\tthis\tway\tthey learned\tthat\tthe\tElvenking\thad\tturned\taside\tto\tthe\tLake,\tand\tthey\tstill\thad\ta breathing\tspace.\tBetter\tstill,\tthey\theard\tthat\tthree\tof\ttheir\tponies\thad\tescaped\tand were\twandering\twild\tfar\tdown\tthe\tbanks\tof\tthe\tRunning\tRiver,\tnot\tfar\tfrom where\tthe\trest\tof\ttheir\tstores\thad\tbeen\tleft.\tSo\twhile\tthe\tothers\twent\ton\twith their\twork,\tFili\tand\tKili\twere\tsent,\tguided\tby\ta\traven,\tto\tfind\tthe\tponies\tand bring\tback\tall\tthey\tcould. They\twere\tfour\tdays\tgone,\tand\tby\tthat\ttime\tthey\tknew\tthat\tthe\tjoined\tarmies of\tthe\tLake-men\tand\tthe\tElves\twere\thurrying\ttoward\tthe\tMountain.\tBut\tnow their\thopes\twere\thigher;\tfor\tthey\thad\tfood\tfor\tsome\tweeks\twith\tcare\u2014chiefly cram,\tof\tcourse,\tand\tthey\twere\tvery\ttired\tof\tit;\tbut\tcram\tis\tmuch\tbetter\tthan nothing\u2014and\talready\tthe\tgate\twas\tblocked\twith\ta\twall\tof\tsquared\tstones\tlaid dry,\tbut\tvery\tthick\tand\thigh,\tacross\tthe\topening.\tThere\twere\tholes\tin\tthe\twall through\twhich\tthey\tcould\tsee\t(or\tshoot),\tbut\tno\tentrance.\tThey\tclimbed\tin\tor\tout with\tladders,\tand\thauled\tstuff\tup\twith\tropes.\tFor\tthe\tissuing\tof\tthe\tstream\tthey had\tcontrived\ta\tsmall\tlow\tarch\tunder\tthe\tnew\twall;\tbut\tnear\tthe\tentrance\tthey had\tso\taltered\tthe\tnarrow\tbed\tthat\ta\twide\tpool\tstretched\tfrom\tthe\tmountain-wall to\tthe\thead\tof\tthe\tfall\tover\twhich\tthe\tstream\twent\ttowards\tDale.\tApproach\tto\tthe Gate\twas\tnow\tonly\tpossible,\twithout\tswimming,\talong\ta\tnarrow\tledge\tof\tthe cliff,\tto\tthe\tright\tas\tone\tlooked\toutwards\tfrom\tthe\twall.\tThe\tponies\tthey\thad brought\tonly\tto\tthe\thead\tof\tthe\tsteps\tabove\tthe\told\tbridge,\tand\tunloading\tthem there\thad\tbidden\tthem\treturn\tto\ttheir\tmasters\tand\tsent\tthem\tback\triderless\tto\tthe South. There\tcame\ta\tnight\twhen\tsuddenly\tthere\twere\tmany\tlights\tas\tof\tfires\tand\ttorches away\tsouth\tin\tDale\tbefore\tthem. \u201cThey\thave\tcome!\u201d\tcalled\tBalin.\t\u201cAnd\ttheir\tcamp\tis\tvery\tgreat.\tThey\tmust have\tcome\tinto\tthe\tvalley\tunder\tthe\tcover\tof\tdusk\talong\tboth\tbanks\tof\tthe\triver.\u201d That\tnight\tthe\tdwarves\tslept\tlittle.\tThe\tmorning\twas\tstill\tpale\twhen\tthey\tsaw a\tcompany\tapproaching.\tFrom\tbehind\ttheir\twall\tthey\twatched\tthem\tcome\tup\tto","the\tvalley\u2019s\thead\tand\tclimb\tslowly\tup.\tBefore\tlong\tthey\tcould\tsee\tthat\tboth\tmen of\tthe\tlake\tarmed\tas\tif\tfor\twar\tand\telvish\tbowmen\twere\tamong\tthem.\tAt\tlength the\tforemost\tof\tthese\tclimbed\tthe\ttumbled\trocks\tand\tappeared\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe falls;\tand\tvery\tgreat\twas\ttheir\tsurprise\tto\tsee\tthe\tpool\tbefore\tthem\tand\tthe\tGate blocked\twith\ta\twall\tof\tnew-hewn\tstone. As\tthey\tstood\tpointing\tand\tspeaking\tto\tone\tanother\tThorin\thailed\tthem: \u201cWho\tare\tyou,\u201d\the\tcalled\tin\ta\tvery\tloud\tvoice,\t\u201cthat\tcome\tas\tif\tin\twar\tto\tthe gates\tof\tThorin\tson\tof\tThrain,\tKing\tunder\tthe\tMountain,\tand\twhat\tdo\tyou desire?\u201d But\tthey\tanswered\tnothing.\tSome\tturned\tswiftly\tback,\tand\tthe\tothers\tafter gazing\tfor\ta\twhile\tat\tthe\tGate\tand\tits\tdefences\tsoon\tfollowed\tthem.\tThat\tday\tthe camp\twas\tmoved\tto\tthe\teast\tof\tthe\triver,\tright\tbetween\tthe\tarms\tof\tthe\tMountain. The\trocks\techoed\tthen\twith\tvoices\tand\twith\tsong,\tas\tthey\thad\tnot\tdone\tfor\tmany a\tday.\tThere\twas\tthe\tsound,\ttoo,\tof\telven-harps\tand\tof\tsweet\tmusic;\tand\tas\tit echoed\tup\ttowards\tthem\tit\tseemed\tthat\tthe\tchill\tof\tthe\tair\twas\twarmed,\tand\tthey caught\tfaintly\tthe\tfragrance\tof\twoodland\tflowers\tblossoming\tin\tspring. Then\tBilbo\tlonged\tto\tescape\tfrom\tthe\tdark\tfortress\tand\tto\tgo\tdown\tand\tjoin in\tthe\tmirth\tand\tfeasting\tby\tthe\tfires.\tSome\tof\tthe\tyounger\tdwarves\twere\tmoved in\ttheir\thearts,\ttoo,\tand\tthey\tmuttered\tthat\tthey\twished\tthings\thad\tfallen\tout otherwise\tand\tthat\tthey\tmight\twelcome\tsuch\tfolk\tas\tfriends;\tbut\tThorin\tscowled. Then\tthe\tdwarves\tthemselves\tbrought\tforth\tharps\tand\tinstruments\tregained from\tthe\thoard,\tand\tmade\tmusic\tto\tsoften\this\tmood;\tbut\ttheir\tsong\twas\tnot\tas elvish\tsong,\tand\twas\tmuch\tlike\tthe\tsong\tthey\thad\tsung\tlong\tbefore\tin\tBilbo\u2019s little\thobbit-hole. Under\tthe\tMountain\tdark\tand\ttall The\tKing\thas\tcome\tunto\this\thall! His\tfoe\tis\tdead,\tthe\tWorm\tof\tDread, And\tever\tso\this\tfoes\tshall\tfall. The\tsword\tis\tsharp,\tthe\tspear\tis\tlong, The\tarrow\tswift,\tthe\tGate\tis\tstrong; The\theart\tis\tbold\tthat\tlooks\ton\tgold; The\tdwarves\tno\tmore\tshall\tsuffer\twrong.","The\tdwarves\tof\tyore\tmade\tmighty\tspells, While\thammers\tfell\tlike\tringing\tbells In\tplaces\tdeep,\twhere\tdark\tthings\tsleep, In\thollow\thalls\tbeneath\tthe\tfells. On\tsilver\tnecklaces\tthey\tstrung The\tlight\tof\tstars,\ton\tcrowns\tthey\thung The\tdragon-fire,\tfrom\ttwisted\twire The\tmelody\tof\tharps\tthey\twrung. The\tmountain\tthrone\tonce\tmore\tis\tfreed! O!\twandering\tfolk,\tthe\tsummons\theed! Come\thaste!\tCome\thaste!\tacross\tthe\twaste! The\tking\tof\tfriend\tand\tkin\thas\tneed. Now\tcall\twe\tover\tmountains\tcold, \u2018Come\tback\tunto\tthe\tcaverns\told\u2019! Here\tat\tthe\tGates\tthe\tking\tawaits, His\thands\tare\trich\twith\tgems\tand\tgold. The\tking\tis\tcome\tunto\this\thall Under\tthe\tMountain\tdark\tand\ttall. The\tWorm\tof\tDread\tis\tslain\tand\tdead, And\tever\tso\tour\tfoes\tshall\tfall! This\tsong\tappeared\tto\tplease\tThorin,\tand\the\tsmiled\tagain\tand\tgrew\tmerry; and\the\tbegan\treckoning\tthe\tdistance\tto\tthe\tIron\tHills\tand\thow\tlong\tit\twould\tbe before\tDain\tcould\treach\tthe\tLonely\tMountain,\tif\the\thad\tset\tout\tas\tsoon\tas\tthe message\treached\thim.\tBut\tBilbo\u2019s\theart\tfell,\tboth\tat\tthe\tsong\tand\tthe\ttalk:\tthey sounded\tmuch\ttoo\twarlike. The\tnext\tmorning\tearly\ta\tcompany\tof\tspearmen\twas\tseen\tcrossing\tthe\triver, and\tmarching\tup\tthe\tvalley.\tThey\tbore\twith\tthem\tthe\tgreen\tbanner\tof\tthe Elvenking\tand\tthe\tblue\tbanner\tof\tthe\tLake,\tand\tthey\tadvanced\tuntil\tthey\tstood right\tbefore\tthe\twall\tat\tthe\tGate.","Again\tThorin\thailed\tthem\tin\ta\tloud\tvoice:\t\u201cWho\tare\tyou\tthat\tcome\tarmed\tfor war\tto\tthe\tgates\tof\tThorin\tson\tof\tThrain,\tKing\tunder\tthe\tMountain?\u201d\tThis\ttime he\twas\tanswered. A\ttall\tman\tstood\tforward,\tdark\tof\thair\tand\tgrim\tof\tface,\tand\the\tcried:\t\u201cHail Thorin!\tWhy\tdo\tyou\tfence\tyourself\tlike\ta\trobber\tin\this\thold?\tWe\tare\tnot\tyet foes,\tand\twe\trejoice\tthat\tyou\tare\talive\tbeyond\tour\thope.\tWe\tcame\texpecting\tto find\tnone\tliving\there;\tyet\tnow\tthat\twe\tare\tmet\tthere\tis\tmatter\tfor\ta\tparley\tand\ta council.\u201d \u201cWho\tare\tyou,\tand\tof\twhat\twould\tyou\tparley?\u201d \u201cI\tam\tBard,\tand\tby\tmy\thand\twas\tthe\tdragon\tslain\tand\tyour\ttreasure delivered.\tIs\tthat\tnot\ta\tmatter\tthat\tconcerns\tyou?\tMoreover\tI\tam\tby\tright\tdescent the\their\tof\tGirion\tof\tDale,\tand\tin\tyour\thoard\tis\tmingled\tmuch\tof\tthe\twealth\tof his\thalls\tand\ttowns,\twhich\tof\told\tSmaug\tstole.\tIs\tnot\tthat\ta\tmatter\tof\twhich\twe may\tspeak?\tFurther\tin\this\tlast\tbattle\tSmaug\tdestroyed\tthe\tdwellings\tof\tthe\tmen of\tEsgaroth,\tand\tI\tam\tyet\tthe\tservant\tof\ttheir\tMaster.\tI\twould\tspeak\tfor\thim\tand ask\twhether\tyou\thave\tno\tthought\tfor\tthe\tsorrow\tand\tmisery\tof\this\tpeople.\tThey aided\tyou\tin\tyour\tdistress,\tand\tin\trecompense\tyou\thave\tthus\tfar\tbrought\truin only,\tthough\tdoubtless\tundesigned.\u201d Now\tthese\twere\tfair\twords\tand\ttrue,\tif\tproudly\tand\tgrimly\tspoken;\tand\tBilbo thought\tthat\tThorin\twould\tat\tonce\tadmit\twhat\tjustice\twas\tin\tthem.\tHe\tdid\tnot,\tof course,\texpect\tthat\tany\tone\twould\tremember\tthat\tit\twas\the\twho\tdiscovered\tall by\thimself\tthe\tdragon\u2019s\tweak\tspot;\tand\tthat\twas\tjust\tas\twell,\tfor\tno\tone\tever\tdid. But\talso\the\tdid\tnot\treckon\twith\tthe\tpower\tthat\tgold\thas\tupon\twhich\ta\tdragon\thas long\tbrooded,\tnor\twith\tdwarvish\thearts.\tLong\thours\tin\tthe\tpast\tdays\tThorin\thad spent\tin\tthe\ttreasury,\tand\tthe\tlust\tof\tit\twas\theavy\ton\thim.\tThough\the\thad\thunted chiefly\tfor\tthe\tArkenstone,\tyet\the\thad\tan\teye\tfor\tmany\tanother\twonderful\tthing that\twas\tlying\tthere,\tabout\twhich\twere\twound\told\tmemories\tof\tthe\tlabours\tand the\tsorrows\tof\this\trace. \u201cYou\tput\tyour\tworst\tcause\tlast\tand\tin\tthe\tchief\tplace,\u201d\tThorin\tanswered.\t\u201cTo the\ttreasure\tof\tmy\tpeople\tno\tman\thas\ta\tclaim,\tbecause\tSmaug\twho\tstole\tit\tfrom us\talso\trobbed\thim\tof\tlife\tor\thome.\tThe\ttreasure\twas\tnot\this\tthat\this\tevil\tdeeds should\tbe\tamended\twith\ta\tshare\tof\tit.\tThe\tprice\tof\tthe\tgoods\tand\tthe\tassistance that\twe\treceived\tof\tthe\tLake-men\twe\twill\tfairly\tpay\u2014in\tdue\ttime.\tBut\tnothing will\twe\tgive,\tnot\teven\ta\tloaf\u2019s\tworth,\tunder\tthreat\tof\tforce.\tWhile\tan\tarmed\thost lies\tbefore\tour\tdoors,\twe\tlook\ton\tyou\tas\tfoes\tand\tthieves. \u201cIt\tis\tin\tmy\tmind\tto\task\twhat\tshare\tof\ttheir\tinheritance\tyou\twould\thave\tpaid to\tour\tkindred,\thad\tyou\tfound\tthe\thoard\tunguarded\tand\tus\tslain.\u201d","\u201cA\tjust\tquestion,\u201d\treplied\tBard.\t\u201cBut\tyou\tare\tnot\tdead,\tand\twe\tare\tnot robbers.\tMoreover\tthe\twealthy\tmay\thave\tpity\tbeyond\tright\ton\tthe\tneedy\tthat befriended\tthem\twhen\tthey\twere\tin\twant.\tAnd\tstill\tmy\tother\tclaims\tremain unanswered.\u201d \u201cI\twill\tnot\tparley,\tas\tI\thave\tsaid,\twith\tarmed\tmen\tat\tmy\tgate.\tNor\tat\tall\twith the\tpeople\tof\tthe\tElvenking,\twhom\tI\tremember\twith\tsmall\tkindness.\tIn\tthis debate\tthey\thave\tno\tplace.\tBegone\tnow\tere\tour\tarrows\tfly!\tAnd\tif\tyou\twould speak\twith\tme\tagain,\tfirst\tdismiss\tthe\telvish\thost\tto\tthe\twoods\twhere\tit\tbelongs, and\tthen\treturn,\tlaying\tdown\tyour\tarms\tbefore\tyou\tapproach\tthe\tthreshold.\u201d \u201cThe\tElvenking\tis\tmy\tfriend,\tand\the\thas\tsuccoured\tthe\tpeople\tof\tthe\tLake\tin their\tneed,\tthough\tthey\thad\tno\tclaim\tbut\tfriendship\ton\thim,\u201d\tanswered\tBard. \u201cWe\twill\tgive\tyou\ttime\tto\trepent\tyour\twords.\tGather\tyour\twisdom\tere\twe return!\u201d\tThen\the\tdeparted\tand\twent\tback\tto\tthe\tcamp. Ere\tmany\thours\twere\tpast,\tthe\tbanner-bearers\treturned,\tand\ttrumpeters\tstood forth\tand\tblew\ta\tblast: \u201cIn\tthe\tname\tof\tEsgaroth\tand\tthe\tForest,\u201d\tone\tcried,\t\u201cwe\tspeak\tunto\tThorin Thrain\u2019s\tson\tOakenshield,\tcalling\thimself\tthe\tKing\tunder\tthe\tMountain,\tand\twe bid\thim\tconsider\twell\tthe\tclaims\tthat\thave\tbeen\turged,\tor\tbe\tdeclared\tour\tfoe.\tAt the\tleast\the\tshall\tdeliver\tone\ttwelfth\tportion\tof\tthe\ttreasure\tunto\tBard,\tas\tthe dragon-slayer,\tand\tas\tthe\their\tof\tGirion.\tFrom\tthat\tportion\tBard\twill\thimself contribute\tto\tthe\taid\tof\tEsgaroth;\tbut\tif\tThorin\twould\thave\tthe\tfriendship\tand honour\tof\tthe\tlands\tabout,\tas\this\tsires\thad\tof\told,\tthen\the\twill\tgive\talso somewhat\tof\this\town\tfor\tthe\tcomfort\tof\tthe\tmen\tof\tthe\tLake.\u201d Then\tThorin\tseized\ta\tbow\tof\thorn\tand\tshot\tan\tarrow\tat\tthe\tspeaker.\tIt\tsmote into\this\tshield\tand\tstuck\tthere\tquivering. \u201cSince\tsuch\tis\tyour\tanswer,\u201d\the\tcalled\tin\treturn,\t\u201cI\tdeclare\tthe\tMountain besieged.\tYou\tshall\tnot\tdepart\tfrom\tit,\tuntil\tyou\tcall\ton\tyour\tside\tfor\ta\ttruce\tand a\tparley.\tWe\twill\tbear\tno\tweapons\tagainst\tyou,\tbut\twe\tleave\tyou\tto\tyour\tgold. You\tmay\teat\tthat,\tif\tyou\twill!\u201d With\tthat\tthe\tmessengers\tdeparted\tswiftly,\tand\tthe\tdwarves\twere\tleft\tto consider\ttheir\tcase.\tSo\tgrim\thad\tThorin\tbecome,\tthat\teven\tif\tthey\thad\twished, the\tothers\twould\tnot\thave\tdared\tto\tfind\tfault\twith\thim;\tbut\tindeed\tmost\tof\tthem seemed\tto\tshare\this\tmind\u2014except\tperhaps\told\tfat\tBombur\tand\tFili\tand\tKili. Bilbo,\tof\tcourse,\tdisapproved\tof\tthe\twhole\tturn\tof\taffairs.\tHe\thad\tby\tnow\thad more\tthan\tenough\tof\tthe\tMountain,\tand\tbeing\tbesieged\tinside\tit\twas\tnot\tat\tall\tto his\ttaste. \u201cThe\twhole\tplace\tstill\tstinks\tof\tdragon,\u201d\the\tgrumbled\tto\thimself,\t\u201cand\tit","makes\tme\tsick.\tAnd\tcram\tis\tbeginning\tsimply\tto\tstick\tin\tmy\tthroat.\u201d","Chapter\tXVI A\tTHIEF\tIN\tTHE\tNIGHT Now\tthe\tdays\tpassed\tslowly\tand\twearily.\tMany\tof\tthe\tdwarves\tspent\ttheir\ttime piling\tand\tordering\tthe\ttreasure;\tand\tnow\tThorin\tspoke\tof\tthe\tArkenstone\tof Thrain,\tand\tbade\tthem\teagerly\tto\tlook\tfor\tit\tin\tevery\tcorner. \u201cFor\tthe\tArkenstone\tof\tmy\tfather,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201cis\tworth\tmore\tthan\ta\triver\tof gold\tin\titself,\tand\tto\tme\tit\tis\tbeyond\tprice.\tThat\tstone\tof\tall\tthe\ttreasure\tI\tname unto\tmyself,\tand\tI\twill\tbe\tavenged\ton\tanyone\twho\tfinds\tit\tand\twithholds\tit.\u201d Bilbo\theard\tthese\twords\tand\the\tgrew\tafraid,\twondering\twhat\twould\thappen, if\tthe\tstone\twas\tfound\u2014wrapped\tin\tan\told\tbundle\tof\ttattered\toddments\tthat\the used\tas\ta\tpillow.\tAll\tthe\tsame\the\tdid\tnot\tspeak\tof\tit,\tfor\tas\tthe\tweariness\tof\tthe days\tgrew\theavier,\tthe\tbeginnings\tof\ta\tplan\thad\tcome\tinto\this\tlittle\thead. Things\thad\tgone\ton\tlike\tthis\tfor\tsome\ttime,\twhen\tthe\travens\tbrought\tnews that\tDain\tand\tmore\tthan\tfive\thundred\tdwarves,\thurrying\tfrom\tthe\tIron\tHills, were\tnow\twithin\tabout\ttwo\tdays\u2019\tmarch\tof\tDale,\tcoming\tfrom\tthe\tNorth-East. \u201cBut\tthey\tcannot\treach\tthe\tMountain\tunmarked,\u201d\tsaid\tRo\u00e4c,\t\u201cand\tI\tfear\tlest there\tbe\tbattle\tin\tthe\tvalley.\tI\tdo\tnot\tcall\tthis\tcounsel\tgood.\tThough\tthey\tare\ta grim\tfolk,\tthey\tare\tnot\tlikely\tto\tovercome\tthe\thost\tthat\tbesets\tyou;\tand\teven\tif they\tdid\tso,\twhat\twill\tyou\tgain?\tWinter\tand\tsnow\tis\thastening\tbehind\tthem.\tHow shall\tyou\tbe\tfed\twithout\tthe\tfriendship\tand\tgoodwill\tof\tthe\tlands\tabout\tyou?\tThe treasure\tis\tlikely\tto\tbe\tyour\tdeath,\tthough\tthe\tdragon\tis\tno\tmore!\u201d But\tThorin\twas\tnot\tmoved.\t\u201cWinter\tand\tsnow\twill\tbite\tboth\tmen\tand\telves,\u201d he\tsaid,\t\u201cand\tthey\tmay\tfind\ttheir\tdwelling\tin\tthe\twaste\tgrievous\tto\tbear.\tWith\tmy friends\tbehind\tthem\tand\twinter\tupon\tthem,\tthey\twill\tperhaps\tbe\tin\tsofter\tmood to\tparley\twith.\u201d That\tnight\tBilbo\tmade\tup\this\tmind.\tThe\tsky\twas\tblack\tand\tmoonless.\tAs soon\tas\tit\twas\tfull\tdark,\the\twent\tto\ta\tcorner\tof\tan\tinner\tchamber\tjust\twithin\tthe","gate\tand\tdrew\tfrom\this\tbundle\ta\trope,\tand\talso\tthe\tArkenstone\twrapped\tin\ta\trag. Then\the\tclimbed\tto\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\twall.\tOnly\tBombur\twas\tthere,\tfor\tit\twas\this turn\tto\twatch,\tand\tthe\tdwarves\tkept\tonly\tone\twatchman\tat\ta\ttime. \u201cIt\tis\tmighty\tcold!\u201d\tsaid\tBombur.\t\u201cI\twish\twe\tcould\thave\ta\tfire\tup\there\tas they\thave\tin\tthe\tcamp!\u201d \u201cIt\tis\twarm\tenough\tinside,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo. \u201cI\tdaresay;\tbut\tI\tam\tbound\there\ttill\tmidnight,\u201d\tgrumbled\tthe\tfat\tdwarf.\t\u201cA sorry\tbusiness\taltogether.\tNot\tthat\tI\tventure\tto\tdisagree\twith\tThorin,\tmay\this beard\tgrow\tever\tlonger;\tyet\the\twas\tever\ta\tdwarf\twith\ta\tstiff\tneck.\u201d \u201cNot\tas\tstiff\tas\tmy\tlegs,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo.\t\u201cI\tam\ttired\tof\tstairs\tand\tstone\tpassages. I\twould\tgive\ta\tgood\tdeal\tfor\tthe\tfeel\tof\tgrass\tat\tmy\ttoes.\u201d \u201cI\twould\tgive\ta\tgood\tdeal\tfor\tthe\tfeel\tof\ta\tstrong\tdrink\tin\tmy\tthroat,\tand\tfor\ta soft\tbed\tafter\ta\tgood\tsupper!\u201d \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tgive\tyou\tthose,\twhile\tthe\tsiege\tis\tgoing\ton.\tBut\tit\tis\tlong\tsince\tI watched,\tand\tI\twill\ttake\tyour\tturn\tfor\tyou,\tif\tyou\tlike.\tThere\tis\tno\tsleep\tin\tme tonight.\u201d \u201cYou\tare\ta\tgood\tfellow,\tMr.\tBaggins,\tand\tI\twill\ttake\tyour\toffer\tkindly.\tIf there\tshould\tbe\tanything\tto\tnote,\trouse\tme\tfirst,\tmind\tyou!\tI\twill\tlie\tin\tthe\tinner chamber\tto\tthe\tleft,\tnot\tfar\taway.\u201d \u201cOff\tyou\tgo!\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo.\t\u201cI\twill\twake\tyou\tat\tmidnight,\tand\tyou\tcan\twake\tthe next\twatchman.\u201d As\tsoon\tas\tBombur\thad\tgone,\tBilbo\tput\ton\this\tring,\tfastened\this\trope, slipped\tdown\tover\tthe\twall,\tand\twas\tgone.\tHe\thad\tabout\tfive\thours\tbefore\thim. Bombur\twould\tsleep\t(he\tcould\tsleep\tat\tany\ttime,\tand\tever\tsince\tthe\tadventure\tin the\tforest\the\twas\talways\ttrying\tto\trecapture\tthe\tbeautiful\tdreams\the\thad\tthen); and\tall\tthe\tothers\twere\tbusy\twith\tThorin.\tIt\twas\tunlikely\tthat\tany,\teven\tFili\tor Kili,\twould\tcome\tout\ton\tthe\twall\tuntil\tit\twas\ttheir\tturn. It\twas\tvery\tdark,\tand\tthe\troad\tafter\ta\twhile,\twhen\the\tleft\tthe\tnewly\tmade\tpath and\tclimbed\tdown\ttowards\tthe\tlower\tcourse\tof\tthe\tstream,\twas\tstrange\tto\thim. At\tlast\the\tcame\tto\tthe\tbend\twhere\the\thad\tto\tcross\tthe\twater,\tif\the\twas\tto\tmake for\tthe\tcamp,\tas\the\twished.\tThe\tbed\tof\tthe\tstream\twas\tthere\tshallow\tbut\talready broad,\tand\tfording\tit\tin\tthe\tdark\twas\tnot\teasy\tfor\tthe\tlittle\thobbit.\tHe\twas\tnearly across\twhen\the\tmissed\this\tfooting\ton\ta\tround\tstone\tand\tfell\tinto\tthe\tcold\twater with\ta\tsplash.\tHe\thad\tbarely\tscrambled\tout\ton\tthe\tfar\tbank,\tshivering\tand spluttering,\twhen\tup\tcame\telves\tin\tthe\tgloom\twith\tbright\tlanterns\tand\tsearched for\tthe\tcause\tof\tthe\tnoise. \u201cThat\twas\tno\tfish!\u201d\tone\tsaid.\t\u201cThere\tis\ta\tspy\tabout.\tHide\tyour\tlights!\tThey","will\thelp\thim\tmore\tthan\tus,\tif\tit\tis\tthat\tqueer\tlittle\tcreature\tthat\tis\tsaid\tto\tbe\ttheir servant.\u201d \u201cServant,\tindeed!\u201d\tsnorted\tBilbo;\tand\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\this\tsnort\the\tsneezed loudly,\tand\tthe\telves\timmediately\tgathered\ttowards\tthe\tsound. \u201cLet\u2019s\thave\ta\tlight!\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tam\there,\tif\tyou\twant\tme!\u201d\tand\the\tslipped\toff his\tring,\tand\tpopped\tfrom\tbehind\ta\trock. They\tseized\thim\tquickly,\tin\tspite\tof\ttheir\tsurprise.\t\u201cWho\tare\tyou?\tAre\tyou the\tdwarves\u2019\thobbit?\tWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing?\tHow\tdid\tyou\tget\tso\tfar\tpast\tour sentinels?\u201d\tthey\tasked\tone\tafter\tanother. \u201cI\tam\tMr.\tBilbo\tBaggins,\u201d\the\tanswered,\t\u201ccompanion\tof\tThorin,\tif\tyou\twant to\tknow.\tI\tknow\tyour\tking\twell\tby\tsight,\tthough\tperhaps\the\tdoesn\u2019t\tknow\tme\tto look\tat.\tBut\tBard\twill\tremember\tme,\tand\tit\tis\tBard\tI\tparticularly\twant\tto\tsee.\u201d \u201cIndeed!\u201d\tsaid\tthey,\t\u201cand\twhat\tmay\tbe\tyour\tbusiness?\u201d \u201cWhatever\tit\tis,\tit\u2019s\tmy\town,\tmy\tgood\telves.\tBut\tif\tyou\twish\tever\tto\tget\tback to\tyour\town\twoods\tfrom\tthis\tcold\tcheerless\tplace,\u201d\the\tanswered\tshivering,\t\u201cyou will\ttake\tme\talong\tquick\tto\ta\tfire,\twhere\tI\tcan\tdry\u2014and\tthen\tyou\twill\tlet\tme speak\tto\tyour\tchiefs\tas\tquick\tas\tmay\tbe.\tI\thave\tonly\tan\thour\tor\ttwo\tto\tspare.\u201d That\tis\thow\tit\tcame\tabout\tthat\tsome\ttwo\thours\tafter\this\tescape\tfrom\tthe\tGate, Bilbo\twas\tsitting\tbeside\ta\twarm\tfire\tin\tfront\tof\ta\tlarge\ttent,\tand\tthere\tsat\ttoo, gazing\tcuriously\tat\thim,\tboth\tthe\tElvenking\tand\tBard.\tA\thobbit\tin\telvish\tarmour, partly\twrapped\tin\tan\told\tblanket,\twas\tsomething\tnew\tto\tthem. \u201cReally\tyou\tknow,\u201d\tBilbo\twas\tsaying\tin\this\tbest\tbusiness\tmanner,\t\u201cthings\tare impossible.\tPersonally\tI\tam\ttired\tof\tthe\twhole\taffair.\tI\twish\tI\twas\tback\tin\tthe West\tin\tmy\town\thome,\twhere\tfolk\tare\tmore\treasonable.\tBut\tI\thave\tan\tinterest\tin this\tmatter\u2014one\tfourteenth\tshare,\tto\tbe\tprecise,\taccording\tto\ta\tletter,\twhich fortunately\tI\tbelieve\tI\thave\tkept.\u201d\tHe\tdrew\tfrom\ta\tpocket\tin\this\told\tjacket (which\the\tstill\twore\tover\this\tmail),\tcrumpled\tand\tmuch\tfolded,\tThorin\u2019s\tletter that\thad\tbeen\tput\tunder\tthe\tclock\ton\this\tmantelpiece\tin\tMay! \u201cA\tshare\tin\tthe\tprofits,\tmind\tyou,\u201d\the\twent\ton.\t\u201cI\tam\taware\tof\tthat. Personally\tI\tam\tonly\ttoo\tready\tto\tconsider\tall\tyour\tclaims\tcarefully,\tand\tdeduct what\tis\tright\tfrom\tthe\ttotal\tbefore\tputting\tin\tmy\town\tclaim.\tHowever\tyou\tdon\u2019t know\tThorin\tOakenshield\tas\twell\tas\tI\tdo\tnow.\tI\tassure\tyou,\the\tis\tquite\tready\tto sit\ton\ta\theap\tof\tgold\tand\tstarve,\tas\tlong\tas\tyou\tsit\there.\u201d \u201cWell,\tlet\thim!\u201d\tsaid\tBard.\t\u201cSuch\ta\tfool\tdeserves\tto\tstarve.\u201d \u201cQuite\tso,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo.\t\u201cI\tsee\tyour\tpoint\tof\tview.\tAt\tthe\tsame\ttime\twinter\tis","coming\ton\tfast.\tBefore\tlong\tyou\twill\tbe\thaving\tsnow\tand\twhat\tnot,\tand\tsupplies will\tbe\tdifficult\u2014even\tfor\telves\tI\timagine.\tAlso\tthere\twill\tbe\tother\tdifficulties. You\thave\tnot\theard\tof\tDain\tand\tthe\tdwarves\tof\tthe\tIron\tHills?\u201d \u201cWe\thave,\ta\tlong\ttime\tago;\tbut\twhat\thas\the\tgot\tto\tdo\twith\tus?\u201d\tasked\tthe king. \u201cI\tthought\tas\tmuch.\tI\tsee\tI\thave\tsome\tinformation\tyou\thave\tnot\tgot.\tDain,\tI may\ttell\tyou,\tis\tnow\tless\tthan\ttwo\tdays\u2019\tmarch\toff,\tand\thas\tat\tleast\tfive\thundred grim\tdwarves\twith\thim\u2014a\tgood\tmany\tof\tthem\thave\thad\texperience\tin\tthe dreadful\tdwarf\tand\tgoblin\twars,\tof\twhich\tyou\thave\tno\tdoubt\theard.\tWhen\tthey arrive\tthere\tmay\tbe\tserious\ttrouble.\u201d \u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\ttell\tus\tthis?\tAre\tyou\tbetraying\tyour\tfriends,\tor\tare\tyou threatening\tus?\u201d\tasked\tBard\tgrimly. \u201cMy\tdear\tBard!\u201d\tsqueaked\tBilbo.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tbe\tso\thasty!\tI\tnever\tmet\tsuch suspicious\tfolk!\tI\tam\tmerely\ttrying\tto\tavoid\ttrouble\tfor\tall\tconcerned.\tNow\tI will\tmake\tyou\tan\toffer!\t!\u201d \u201cLet\tus\thear\tit!\u201d\tthey\tsaid. \u201cYou\tmay\tsee\tit!\u201d\tsaid\the.\t\u201cIt\tis\tthis!\u201d\tand\the\tdrew\tforth\tthe\tArkenstone,\tand threw\taway\tthe\twrapping. The\tElvenking\thimself,\twhose\teyes\twere\tused\tto\tthings\tof\twonder\tand beauty,\tstood\tup\tin\tamazement.\tEven\tBard\tgazed\tmarvelling\tat\tit\tin\tsilence.\tIt was\tas\tif\ta\tglobe\thad\tbeen\tfilled\twith\tmoonlight\tand\thung\tbefore\tthem\tin\ta\tnet woven\tof\tthe\tglint\tof\tfrosty\tstars. \u201cThis\tis\tthe\tArkenstone\tof\tThrain,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo,\t\u201cthe\tHeart\tof\tthe\tMountain; and\tit\tis\talso\tthe\theart\tof\tThorin.\tHe\tvalues\tit\tabove\ta\triver\tof\tgold.\tI\tgive\tit\tto you.\tIt\twill\taid\tyou\tin\tyour\tbargaining.\u201d\tThen\tBilbo,\tnot\twithout\ta\tshudder,\tnot without\ta\tglance\tof\tlonging,\thanded\tthe\tmarvellous\tstone\tto\tBard,\tand\the\theld\tit in\this\thand,\tas\tthough\tdazed. \u201cBut\thow\tis\tit\tyours\tto\tgive?\u201d\the\tasked\tat\tlast\twith\tan\teffort. \u201cO\twell!\u201d\tsaid\tthe\thobbit\tuncomfortably.\t\u201cIt\tisn\u2019t\texactly;\tbut,\twell,\tI\tam willing\tto\tlet\tit\tstand\tagainst\tall\tmy\tclaim,\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tknow.\tI\tmay\tbe\ta\tburglar\u2014 or\tso\tthey\tsay:\tpersonally\tI\tnever\treally\tfelt\tlike\tone\u2014but\tI\tam\tan\thonest\tone,\tI hope,\tmore\tor\tless.\tAnyway\tI\tam\tgoing\tback\tnow,\tand\tthe\tdwarves\tcan\tdo\twhat they\tlike\tto\tme.\tI\thope\tyou\twill\tfind\tit\tuseful.\u201d The\tElvenking\tlooked\tat\tBilbo\twith\ta\tnew\twonder.\t\u201cBilbo\tBaggins!\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cYou\tare\tmore\tworthy\tto\twear\tthe\tarmour\tof\telf-princes\tthan\tmany\tthat\thave looked\tmore\tcomely\tin\tit.\tBut\tI\twonder\tif\tThorin\tOakenshield\twill\tsee\tit\tso.\tI have\tmore\tknowledge\tof\tdwarves\tin\tgeneral\tthan\tyou\thave\tperhaps.\tI\tadvise\tyou","to\tremain\twith\tus,\tand\there\tyou\tshall\tbe\thonoured\tand\tthrice\twelcome.\u201d \u201cThank\tyou\tvery\tmuch\tI\tam\tsure,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo\twith\ta\tbow.\t\u201cBut\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tI ought\tto\tleave\tmy\tfriends\tlike\tthis,\tafter\tall\twe\thave\tgone\tthrough\ttogether.\tAnd I\tpromised\tto\twake\told\tBombur\tat\tmidnight,\ttoo!\tReally\tI\tmust\tbe\tgoing,\tand quickly.\u201d Nothing\tthey\tcould\tsay\twould\tstop\thim;\tso\tan\tescort\twas\tprovided\tfor\thim, and\tas\the\twent\tboth\tthe\tking\tand\tBard\tsaluted\thim\twith\thonour.\tAs\tthey\tpassed through\tthe\tcamp\tan\told\tman,\twrapped\tin\ta\tdark\tcloak,\trose\tfrom\ta\ttent\tdoor where\the\twas\tsitting\tand\tcame\ttowards\tthem. \u201cWell\tdone!\tMr.\tBaggins!\u201d\the\tsaid,\tclapping\tBilbo\ton\tthe\tback.\t\u201cThere\tis always\tmore\tabout\tyou\tthan\tanyone\texpects!\u201d\tIt\twas\tGandalf. For\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tfor\tmany\ta\tday\tBilbo\twas\treally\tdelighted.\tBut\tthere\twas\tno time\tfor\tall\tthe\tquestions\tthat\the\timmediately\twished\tto\task. \u201cAll\tin\tgood\ttime!\u201d\tsaid\tGandalf.\t\u201cThings\tare\tdrawing\ttowards\tthe\tend\tnow, unless\tI\tam\tmistaken.\tThere\tis\tan\tunpleasant\ttime\tjust\tin\tfront\tof\tyou;\tbut\tkeep your\theart\tup!\tYou\tmay\tcome\tthrough\tall\tright.\tThere\tis\tnews\tbrewing\tthat\teven the\travens\thave\tnot\theard.\tGood\tnight!\u201d Puzzled\tbut\tcheered,\tBilbo\thurried\ton.\tHe\twas\tguided\tto\ta\tsafe\tford\tand\tset across\tdry,\tand\tthen\the\tsaid\tfarewell\tto\tthe\telves\tand\tclimbed\tcarefully\tback towards\tthe\tGate.\tGreat\tweariness\tbegan\tto\tcome\tover\thim;\tbut\tit\twas\twell before\tmidnight\twhen\the\tclambered\tup\tthe\trope\tagain\u2014it\twas\tstill\twhere\the\thad left\tit.\tHe\tuntied\tit\tand\thid\tit,\tand\tthen\the\tsat\tdown\ton\tthe\twall\tand\twondered anxiously\twhat\twould\thappen\tnext. At\tmidnight\the\twoke\tup\tBombur;\tand\tthen\tin\tturn\trolled\thimself\tup\tin\this corner,\twithout\tlistening\tto\tthe\told\tdwarf\u2019s\tthanks\t(which\the\tfelt\the\thad\thardly earned).\tHe\twas\tsoon\tfast\tasleep\tforgetting\tall\this\tworries\ttill\tthe\tmorning.\tAs\ta matter\tof\tfact\the\twas\tdreaming\tof\teggs\tand\tbacon.","Chapter\tXVII THE\tCLOUDS\tBURST Next\tday\tthe\ttrumpets\trang\tearly\tin\tthe\tcamp.\tSoon\ta\tsingle\trunner\twas\tseen hurrying\talong\tthe\tnarrow\tpath.\tAt\ta\tdistance\the\tstood\tand\thailed\tthem,\tasking whether\tThorin\twould\tnow\tlisten\tto\tanother\tembassy,\tsince\tnew\ttidings\thad come\tto\thand,\tand\tmatters\twere\tchanged. \u201cThat\twill\tbe\tDain!\u201d\tsaid\tThorin\twhen\the\theard.\t\u201cThey\twill\thave\tgot\twind\tof his\tcoming.\tI\tthought\tthat\twould\talter\ttheir\tmood!\tBid\tthem\tcome\tfew\tin\tnumber and\tweaponless,\tand\tI\twill\thear,\u201d\the\tcalled\tto\tthe\tmessenger. About\tmidday\tthe\tbanners\tof\tthe\tForest\tand\tthe\tLake\twere\tseen\tto\tbe\tborne forth\tagain.\tA\tcompany\tof\ttwenty\twas\tapproaching.\tAt\tthe\tbeginning\tof\tthe narrow\tway\tthey\tlaid\taside\tsword\tand\tspear,\tand\tcame\ton\ttowards\tthe\tGate. Wondering,\tthe\tdwarves\tsaw\tthat\tamong\tthem\twere\tboth\tBard\tand\tthe Elvenking,\tbefore\twhom\tan\told\tman\twrapped\tin\tcloak\tand\thood\tbore\ta\tstrong casket\tof\tiron-bound\twood. \u201cHail\tThorin!\u201d\tsaid\tBard.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tstill\tof\tthe\tsame\tmind?\u201d \u201cMy\tmind\tdoes\tnot\tchange\twith\tthe\trising\tand\tsetting\tof\ta\tfew\tsuns,\u201d answered\tThorin.\t\u201cDid\tyou\tcome\tto\task\tme\tidle\tquestions?\tStill\tthe\telf-host\thas not\tdeparted\tas\tI\tbade!\tTill\tthen\tyou\tcome\tin\tvain\tto\tbargain\twith\tme.\u201d \u201cIs\tthere\tthen\tnothing\tfor\twhich\tyou\twould\tyield\tany\tof\tyour\tgold?\u201d \u201cNothing\tthat\tyou\tor\tyour\tfriends\thave\tto\toffer.\u201d \u201cWhat\tof\tthe\tArkenstone\tof\tThrain?\u201d\tsaid\the,\tand\tat\tthe\tsame\tmoment\tthe old\tman\topened\tthe\tcasket\tand\theld\taloft\tthe\tjewel.\tThe\tlight\tleapt\tfrom\this hand,\tbright\tand\twhite\tin\tthe\tmorning. Then\tThorin\twas\tstricken\tdumb\twith\tamazement\tand\tconfusion.\tNo\tone spoke\tfor\ta\tlong\twhile. Thorin\tat\tlength\tbroke\tthe\tsilence,\tand\this\tvoice\twas\tthick\twith\twrath.\t\u201cThat","stone\twas\tmy\tfather\u2019s,\tand\tis\tmine,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cWhy\tshould\tI\tpurchase\tmy\town?\u201d But\twonder\tovercame\thim\tand\the\tadded:\t\u201cBut\thow\tcame\tyou\tby\tthe\theirloom\tof my\thouse\u2014if\tthere\tis\tneed\tto\task\tsuch\ta\tquestion\tof\tthieves?\u201d \u201cWe\tare\tnot\tthieves,\u201d\tBard\tanswered.\t\u201cYour\town\twe\twill\tgive\tback\tin\treturn for\tour\town.\u201d \u201cHow\tcame\tyou\tby\tit?\u201d\tshouted\tThorin\tin\tgathering\trage. \u201cI\tgave\tit\tto\tthem!\u201d\tsqueaked\tBilbo,\twho\twas\tpeering\tover\tthe\twall,\tby\tnow in\ta\tdreadful\tfright. \u201cYou!\tYou!\u201d\tcried\tThorin,\tturning\tupon\thim\tand\tgrasping\thim\twith\tboth hands.\t\u201cYou\tmiserable\thobbit!\tYou\tundersized\u2014burglar!\u201d\the\tshouted\tat\ta\tloss for\twords,\tand\the\tshook\tpoor\tBilbo\tlike\ta\trabbit. \u201cBy\tthe\tbeard\tof\tDurin!\tI\twish\tI\thad\tGandalf\there!\tCurse\thim\tfor\this\tchoice of\tyou!\tMay\this\tbeard\twither!\tAs\tfor\tyou\tI\twill\tthrow\tyou\tto\tthe\trocks!\u201d\the\tcried and\tlifted\tBilbo\tin\this\tarms. \u201cStay!\tYour\twish\tis\tgranted!\u201d\tsaid\ta\tvoice.\tThe\told\tman\twith\tthe\tcasket\tthrew aside\this\thood\tand\tcloak.\t\u201cHere\tis\tGandalf!\tAnd\tnone\ttoo\tsoon\tit\tseems.\tIf\tyou don\u2019t\tlike\tmy\tBurglar,\tplease\tdon\u2019t\tdamage\thim.\tPut\thim\tdown,\tand\tlisten\tfirst\tto what\the\thas\tto\tsay!\u201d \u201cYou\tall\tseem\tin\tleague!\u201d\tsaid\tThorin\tdropping\tBilbo\ton\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\twall. \u201cNever\tagain\twill\tI\thave\tdealings\twith\tany\twizard\tor\this\tfriends.\tWhat\thave\tyou to\tsay,\tyou\tdescendant\tof\trats?\u201d \u201cDear\tme!\tDear\tme!\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo.\t\u201cI\tam\tsure\tthis\tis\tall\tvery\tuncomfortable. You\tmay\tremember\tsaying\tthat\tI\tmight\tchoose\tmy\town\tfourteenth\tshare? Perhaps\tI\ttook\tit\ttoo\tliterally\u2014I\thave\tbeen\ttold\tthat\tdwarves\tare\tsometimes politer\tin\tword\tthan\tin\tdeed.\tThe\ttime\twas,\tall\tthe\tsame,\twhen\tyou\tseemed\tto think\tthat\tI\thad\tbeen\tof\tsome\tservice.\tDescendant\tof\trats,\tindeed!\tIs\tthis\tall\tthe service\tof\tyou\tand\tyour\tfamily\tthat\tI\twas\tpromised,\tThorin?\tTake\tit\tthat\tI\thave disposed\tof\tmy\tshare\tas\tI\twished,\tand\tlet\tit\tgo\tat\tthat!\u201d \u201cI\twill,\u201d\tsaid\tThorin\tgrimly.\t\u201cAnd\tI\twill\tlet\tyou\tgo\tat\tthat\u2014and\tmay\twe never\tmeet\tagain!\u201d\tThen\the\tturned\tand\tspoke\tover\tthe\twall.\t\u201cI\tam\tbetrayed,\u201d\the said.\t\u201cIt\twas\trightly\tguessed\tthat\tI\tcould\tnot\tforbear\tto\tredeem\tthe\tArkenstone, the\ttreasure\tof\tmy\thouse.\tFor\tit\tI\twill\tgive\tone\tfourteenth\tshare\tof\tthe\thoard\tin silver\tand\tgold,\tsetting\taside\tthe\tgems;\tbut\tthat\tshall\tbe\taccounted\tthe\tpromised share\tof\tthis\ttraitor,\tand\twith\tthat\treward\the\tshall\tdepart,\tand\tyou\tcan\tdivide\tit\tas you\twill.\tHe\twill\tget\tlittle\tenough,\tI\tdoubt\tnot.\tTake\thim,\tif\tyou\twish\thim\tto\tlive; and\tno\tfriendship\tof\tmine\tgoes\twith\thim. \u201cGet\tdown\tnow\tto\tyour\tfriends!\u201d\the\tsaid\tto\tBilbo,\t\u201cor\tI\twill\tthrow\tyou","down.\u201d \u201cWhat\tabout\tthe\tgold\tand\tsilver?\u201d\tasked\tBilbo. \u201cThat\tshall\tfollow\tafter,\tas\tcan\tbe\tarranged,\u201d\tsaid\the.\t\u201cGet\tdown!\u201d \u201cUntil\tthen\twe\tkeep\tthe\tstone,\u201d\tcried\tBard. \u201cYou\tare\tnot\tmaking\ta\tvery\tsplendid\tfigure\tas\tKing\tunder\tthe\tMountain,\u201d said\tGandalf.\t\u201cBut\tthings\tmay\tchange\tyet.\u201d \u201cThey\tmay\tindeed,\u201d\tsaid\tThorin.\tAnd\talready,\tso\tstrong\twas\tthe bewilderment\tof\tthe\ttreasure\tupon\thim,\the\twas\tpondering\twhether\tby\tthe\thelp\tof Dain\the\tmight\tnot\trecapture\tthe\tArkenstone\tand\twithhold\tthe\tshare\tof\tthe reward. And\tso\tBilbo\twas\tswung\tdown\tfrom\tthe\twall,\tand\tdeparted\twith\tnothing\tfor all\this\ttrouble,\texcept\tthe\tarmour\twhich\tThorin\thad\tgiven\thim\talready.\tMore than\tone\tof\tthe\tdwarves\tin\ttheir\thearts\tfelt\tshame\tand\tpity\tat\this\tgoing. \u201cFarewell!\u201d\the\tcried\tto\tthem.\t\u201cWe\tmay\tmeet\tagain\tas\tfriends.\u201d \u201cBe\toff!\u201d\tcalled\tThorin.\t\u201cYou\thave\tmail\tupon\tyou,\twhich\twas\tmade\tby\tmy folk,\tand\tis\ttoo\tgood\tfor\tyou.\tIt\tcannot\tbe\tpierced\tby\tarrows;\tbut\tif\tyou\tdo\tnot hasten,\tI\twill\tsting\tyour\tmiserable\tfeet.\tSo\tbe\tswift!\u201d \u201cNot\tso\thasty!\u201d\tsaid\tBard.\t\u201cWe\twill\tgive\tyou\tuntil\ttomorrow.\tAt\tnoon\twe will\treturn,\tand\tsee\tif\tyou\thave\tbrought\tfrom\tthe\thoard\tthe\tportion\tthat\tis\tto\tbe set\tagainst\tthe\tstone.\tIf\tthat\tis\tdone\twithout\tdeceit,\tthen\twe\twill\tdepart,\tand\tthe elf-host\twill\tgo\tback\tto\tthe\tForest.\tIn\tthe\tmeanwhile\tfarewell!\u201d With\tthat\tthey\twent\tback\tto\tthe\tcamp;\tbut\tThorin\tsent\tmessengers\tby\tRo\u00e4c telling\tDain\tof\twhat\thad\tpassed,\tand\tbidding\thim\tcome\twith\twary\tspeed. That\tday\tpassed\tand\tthe\tnight.\tThe\tnext\tday\tthe\twind\tshifted\twest,\tand\tthe\tair was\tdark\tand\tgloomy.\tThe\tmorning\twas\tstill\tearly\twhen\ta\tcry\twas\theard\tin\tthe camp.\tRunners\tcame\tin\tto\treport\tthat\ta\thost\tof\tdwarves\thad\tappeared\tround\tthe eastern\tspur\tof\tthe\tMountain\tand\twas\tnow\thastening\tto\tDale.\tDain\thad\tcome.\tHe had\thurried\ton\tthrough\tthe\tnight,\tand\tso\thad\tcome\tupon\tthem\tsooner\tthan\tthey had\texpected.\tEach\tone\tof\this\tfolk\twas\tclad\tin\ta\thauberk\tof\tsteel\tmail\tthat\thung to\this\tknees,\tand\this\tlegs\twere\tcovered\twith\those\tof\ta\tfine\tand\tflexible\tmetal mesh,\tthe\tsecret\tof\twhose\tmaking\twas\tpossessed\tby\tDain\u2019s\tpeople.\tThe\tdwarves are\texceedingly\tstrong\tfor\ttheir\theight,\tbut\tmost\tof\tthese\twere\tstrong\teven\tfor dwarves.\tIn\tbattle\tthey\twielded\theavy\ttwo-handed\tmattocks;\tbut\teach\tof\tthem had\talso\ta\tshort\tbroad\tsword\tat\this\tside\tand\ta\troundshield\tslung\tat\this\tback. Their\tbeards\twere\tforked\tand\tplaited\tand\tthrust\tinto\ttheir\tbelts.\tTheir\tcaps\twere","of\tiron\tand\tthey\twere\tshod\twith\tiron,\tand\ttheir\tfaces\twere\tgrim. Trumpets\tcalled\tmen\tand\telves\tto\tarms.\tBefore\tlong\tthe\tdwarves\tcould\tbe seen\tcoming\tup\tthe\tvalley\tat\ta\tgreat\tpace.\tThey\thalted\tbetween\tthe\triver\tand\tthe eastern\tspur;\tbut\ta\tfew\theld\ton\ttheir\tway,\tand\tcrossing\tthe\triver\tdrew\tnear\tthe camp;\tand\tthere\tthey\tlaid\tdown\ttheir\tweapons\tand\theld\tup\ttheir\thands\tin\tsign\tof peace.\tBard\twent\tout\tto\tmeet\tthem,\tand\twith\thim\twent\tBilbo. \u201cWe\tare\tsent\tfrom\tDain\tson\tof\tNain,\u201d\tthey\tsaid\twhen\tquestioned.\t\u201cWe\tare hastening\tto\tour\tkinsmen\tin\tthe\tMountain,\tsince\twe\tlearn\tthat\tthe\tkingdom\tof old\tis\trenewed.\tBut\twho\tare\tyou\tthat\tsit\tin\tthe\tplain\tas\tfoes\tbefore\tdefended walls?\u201d\tThis,\tof\tcourse,\tin\tthe\tpolite\tand\trather\told-fashioned\tlanguage\tof\tsuch occasions,\tmeant\tsimply:\t\u201cYou\thave\tno\tbusiness\there.\tWe\tare\tgoing\ton,\tso\tmake way\tor\twe\tshall\tfight\tyou!\u201d\tThey\tmeant\tto\tpush\ton\tbetween\tthe\tMountain\tand the\tloop\tof\tthe\triver;\tfor\tthe\tnarrow\tland\tthere\tdid\tnot\tseem\tto\tbe\tstrongly guarded. Bard,\tof\tcourse,\trefused\tto\tallow\tthe\tdwarves\tto\tgo\tstraight\ton\tto\tthe Mountain.\tHe\twas\tdetermined\tto\twait\tuntil\tthe\tgold\tand\tsilver\thad\tbeen\tbrought out\tin\texchange\tfor\tthe\tArkenstone;\tfor\the\tdid\tnot\tbelieve\tthat\tthis\twould\tbe done,\tif\tonce\tthe\tfortress\twas\tmanned\twith\tso\tlarge\tand\twarlike\ta\tcompany. They\thad\tbrought\twith\tthem\ta\tgreat\tstore\tof\tsupplies;\tfor\tthe\tdwarves\tcan\tcarry very\theavy\tburdens,\tand\tnearly\tall\tof\tDain\u2019s\tfolk,\tin\tspite\tof\ttheir\trapid\tmarch, bore\thuge\tpacks\ton\ttheir\tbacks\tin\taddition\tto\ttheir\tweapons.\tThey\twould\tstand\ta siege\tfor\tweeks,\tand\tby\tthat\ttime\tyet\tmore\tdwarves\tmight\tcome,\tand\tyet\tmore, for\tThorin\thad\tmany\trelatives.\tAlso\tthey\twould\tbe\table\tto\treopen\tand\tguard some\tother\tgate,\tso\tthat\tthe\tbesiegers\twould\thave\tto\tencircle\tthe\twhole mountain;\tand\tfor\tthat\tthey\thad\tnot\tsufficient\tnumbers. These\twere,\tin\tfact,\tprecisely\ttheir\tplans\t(for\tthe\traven-messengers\thad\tbeen busy\tbetween\tThorin\tand\tDain);\tbut\tfor\tthe\tmoment\tthe\tway\twas\tbarred,\tso\tafter angry\twords\tthe\tdwarf-messengers\tretired\tmuttering\tin\ttheir\tbeards.\tBard\tthen sent\tmessengers\tat\tonce\tto\tthe\tGate;\tbut\tthey\tfound\tno\tgold\tor\tpayment.\tArrows came\tforth\tas\tsoon\tas\tthey\twere\twithin\tshot,\tand\tthey\thastened\tback\tin\tdismay. In\tthe\tcamp\tall\twas\tnow\tastir,\tas\tif\tfor\tbattle;\tfor\tthe\tdwarves\tof\tDain\twere advancing\talong\tthe\teastern\tbank. \u201cFools!\u201d\tlaughed\tBard,\t\u201cto\tcome\tthus\tbeneath\tthe\tMountain\u2019s\tarm!\tThey\tdo not\tunderstand\twar\tabove\tground,\twhatever\tthey\tmay\tknow\tof\tbattle\tin\tthe mines.\tThere\tare\tmany\tof\tour\tarchers\tand\tspearmen\tnow\thidden\tin\tthe\trocks upon\ttheir\tright\tflank.\tDwarf-mail\tmay\tbe\tgood,\tbut\tthey\twill\tsoon\tbe\thard\tput to\tit.\tLet\tus\tset\ton\tthem\tnow\tfrom\tboth\tsides,\tbefore\tthey\tare\tfully\trested!\u201d","But\tthe\tElvenking\tsaid:\t\u201cLong\twill\tI\ttarry,\tere\tI\tbegin\tthis\twar\tfor\tgold.\tThe dwarves\tcannot\tpass\tus,\tunless\twe\twill,\tor\tdo\tanything\tthat\twe\tcannot\tmark.\tLet us\thope\tstill\tfor\tsomething\tthat\twill\tbring\treconciliation.\tOur\tadvantage\tin numbers\twill\tbe\tenough,\tif\tin\tthe\tend\tit\tmust\tcome\tto\tunhappy\tblows.\u201d But\the\treckoned\twithout\tthe\tdwarves.\tThe\tknowledge\tthat\tthe\tArkenstone was\tin\tthe\thands\tof\tthe\tbesiegers\tburned\tin\ttheir\tthoughts;\talso\tthey\tguessed\tthe hesitation\tof\tBard\tand\this\tfriends,\tand\tresolved\tto\tstrike\twhile\tthey\tdebated. Suddenly\twithout\ta\tsignal\tthey\tsprang\tsilently\tforward\tto\tattack.\tBows twanged\tand\tarrows\twhistled;\tbattle\twas\tabout\tto\tbe\tjoined. Still\tmore\tsuddenly\ta\tdarkness\tcame\ton\twith\tdreadful\tswiftness!\tA\tblack cloud\thurried\tover\tthe\tsky.\tWinter\tthunder\ton\ta\twild\twind\trolled\troaring\tup\tand rumbled\tin\tthe\tMountain,\tand\tlightning\tlit\tits\tpeak.\tAnd\tbeneath\tthe\tthunder another\tblackness\tcould\tbe\tseen\twhirling\tforward;\tbut\tit\tdid\tnot\tcome\twith\tthe wind,\tit\tcame\tfrom\tthe\tNorth,\tlike\ta\tvast\tcloud\tof\tbirds,\tso\tdense\tthat\tno\tlight could\tbe\tseen\tbetween\ttheir\twings. \u201cHalt!\u201d\tcried\tGandalf,\twho\tappeared\tsuddenly,\tand\tstood\talone,\twith\tarms uplifted,\tbetween\tthe\tadvancing\tdwarves\tand\tthe\tranks\tawaiting\tthem.\t\u201cHalt!\u201d he\tcalled\tin\ta\tvoice\tlike\tthunder,\tand\this\tstaff\tblazed\tforth\twith\ta\tflash\tlike\tthe lightning.\t\u201cDread\thas\tcome\tupon\tyou\tall!\tAlas!\tit\thas\tcome\tmore\tswiftly\tthan\tI guessed.\tThe\tGoblins\tare\tupon\tyou!\tBolg*\tof\tthe\tNorth\tis\tcoming,\tO\tDain! whose\tfather\tyou\tslew\tin\tMoria.\tBehold!\tthe\tbats\tare\tabove\this\tarmy\tlike\ta\tsea of\tlocusts.\tThey\tride\tupon\twolves\tand\tWargs\tare\tin\ttheir\ttrain!\u201d Amazement\tand\tconfusion\tfell\tupon\tthem\tall.\tEven\tas\tGandalf\thad\tbeen speaking\tthe\tdarkness\tgrew.\tThe\tdwarves\thalted\tand\tgazed\tat\tthe\tsky.\tThe\telves cried\tout\twith\tmany\tvoices. \u201cCome!\u201d\tcalled\tGandalf.\t\u201cThere\tis\tyet\ttime\tfor\tcouncil.\tLet\tDain\tson\tof\tNain come\tswiftly\tto\tus!\u201d So\tbegan\ta\tbattle\tthat\tnone\thad\texpected;\tand\tit\twas\tcalled\tthe\tBattle\tof\tFive Armies,\tand\tit\twas\tvery\tterrible.\tUpon\tone\tside\twere\tthe\tGoblins\tand\tthe\tWild Wolves,\tand\tupon\tthe\tother\twere\tElves\tand\tMen\tand\tDwarves.\tThis\tis\thow\tit\tfell out.\tEver\tsince\tthe\tfall\tof\tthe\tGreat\tGoblin\tof\tthe\tMisty\tMountains\tthe\thatred\tof their\trace\tfor\tthe\tdwarves\thad\tbeen\trekindled\tto\tfury.\tMessengers\thad\tpassed\tto and\tfro\tbetween\tall\ttheir\tcities,\tcolonies\tand\tstrongholds;\tfor\tthey\tresolved\tnow to\twin\tthe\tdominion\tof\tthe\tNorth.\tTidings\tthey\thad\tgathered\tin\tsecret\tways;\tand","in\tall\tthe\tmountains\tthere\twas\ta\tforging\tand\tan\tarming.\tThen\tthey\tmarched\tand gathered\tby\thill\tand\tvalley,\tgoing\tever\tby\ttunnel\tor\tunder\tdark,\tuntil\taround\tand beneath\tthe\tgreat\tmountain\tGundabad\tof\tthe\tNorth,\twhere\twas\ttheir\tcapital,\ta vast\thost\twas\tassembled\tready\tto\tsweep\tdown\tin\ttime\tof\tstorm\tunawares\tupon the\tSouth.\tThen\tthey\tlearned\tof\tthe\tdeath\tof\tSmaug,\tand\tjoy\twas\tin\ttheir\thearts; and\tthey\thastened\tnight\tafter\tnight\tthrough\tthe\tmountains,\tand\tcame\tthus\tat\tlast on\ta\tsudden\tfrom\tthe\tNorth\thard\ton\tthe\theels\tof\tDain.\tNot\teven\tthe\travens\tknew of\ttheir\tcoming\tuntil\tthey\tcame\tout\tin\tthe\tbroken\tlands\twhich\tdivided\tthe\tLonely Mountain\tfrom\tthe\thills\tbehind.\tHow\tmuch\tGandalf\tknew\tcannot\tbe\tsaid,\tbut\tit is\tplain\tthat\the\thad\tnot\texpected\tthis\tsudden\tassault. This\tis\tthe\tplan\tthat\the\tmade\tin\tcouncil\twith\tthe\tElven-king\tand\twith\tBard; and\twith\tDain,\tfor\tthe\tdwarf-lord\tnow\tjoined\tthem:\tthe\tGoblins\twere\tthe\tfoes\tof all,\tand\tat\ttheir\tcoming\tall\tother\tquarrels\twere\tforgotten.\tTheir\tonly\thope\twas\tto lure\tthe\tgoblins\tinto\tthe\tvalley\tbetween\tthe\tarms\tof\tthe\tMountain;\tand themselves\tto\tman\tthe\tgreat\tspurs\tthat\tstruck\tsouth\tand\teast.\tYet\tthis\twould\tbe perilous,\tif\tthe\tgoblins\twere\tin\tsufficient\tnumbers\tto\toverrun\tthe\tMountain\titself, and\tso\tattack\tthem\talso\tfrom\tbehind\tand\tabove;\tbut\tthere\twas\tno\ttime\tto\tmake any\tother\tplan,\tor\tto\tsummon\tany\thelp. Soon\tthe\tthunder\tpassed,\trolling\taway\tto\tthe\tSouth-East;\tbut\tthe\tbat-cloud came,\tflying\tlower,\tover\tthe\tshoulder\tof\tthe\tMountain,\tand\twhirled\tabove\tthem shutting\tout\tthe\tlight\tand\tfilling\tthem\twith\tdread. \u201cTo\tthe\tMountain!\u201d\tcalled\tBard.\t\u201cTo\tthe\tMountain!\tLet\tus\ttake\tour\tplaces while\tthere\tis\tyet\ttime!\u201d On\tthe\tSouthern\tspur,\tin\tits\tlower\tslopes\tand\tin\tthe\trocks\tat\tits\tfeet,\tthe\tElves were\tset;\ton\tthe\tEastern\tspur\twere\tmen\tand\tdwarves.\tBut\tBard\tand\tsome\tof\tthe nimblest\tof\tmen\tand\telves\tclimbed\tto\tthe\theight\tof\tthe\tEastern\tshoulder\tto\tgain\ta view\tto\tthe\tNorth.\tSoon\tthey\tcould\tsee\tthe\tlands\tbefore\tthe\tMountain\u2019s\tfeet black\twith\ta\thurrying\tmultitude.\tEre\tlong\tthe\tvanguard\tswirled\tround\tthe\tspur\u2019s end\tand\tcame\trushing\tinto\tDale.\tThese\twere\tthe\tswiftest\twolf-riders,\tand\talready their\tcries\tand\thowls\trent\tthe\tair\tafar.\tA\tfew\tbrave\tmen\twere\tstrung\tbefore\tthem to\tmake\ta\tfeint\tof\tresistance,\tand\tmany\tthere\tfell\tbefore\tthe\trest\tdrew\tback\tand fled\tto\teither\tside.\tAs\tGandalf\thad\thoped,\tthe\tgoblin\tarmy\thad\tgathered\tbehind the\tresisted\tvanguard,\tand\tpoured\tnow\tin\trage\tinto\tthe\tvalley,\tdriving\twildly\tup between\tthe\tarms\tof\tthe\tMountain,\tseeking\tfor\tthe\tfoe.\tTheir\tbanners\twere countless,\tblack\tand\tred,\tand\tthey\tcame\ton\tlike\ta\ttide\tin\tfury\tand\tdisorder. It\twas\ta\tterrible\tbattle.\tThe\tmost\tdreadful\tof\tall\tBilbo\u2019s\texperiences,\tand\tthe one\twhich\tat\tthe\ttime\the\thated\tmost\u2014which\tis\tto\tsay\tit\twas\tthe\tone\the\twas\tmost","proud\tof,\tand\tmost\tfond\tof\trecalling\tlong\tafterwards,\talthough\the\twas\tquite unimportant\tin\tit.\tActually\tI\tmay\tsay\the\tput\ton\this\tring\tearly\tin\tthe\tbusiness,\tand vanished\tfrom\tsight,\tif\tnot\tfrom\tall\tdanger.\tA\tmagic\tring\tof\tthat\tsort\tis\tnot\ta complete\tprotection\tin\ta\tgoblin\tcharge,\tnor\tdoes\tit\tstop\tflying\tarrows\tand\twild spears;\tbut\tit\tdoes\thelp\tin\tgetting\tout\tof\tthe\tway,\tand\tit\tprevents\tyour\thead\tfrom being\tspecially\tchosen\tfor\ta\tsweeping\tstroke\tby\ta\tgoblin\tswordsman. The\telves\twere\tthe\tfirst\tto\tcharge.\tTheir\thatred\tfor\tthe\tgoblins\tis\tcold\tand bitter.\tTheir\tspears\tand\tswords\tshone\tin\tthe\tgloom\twith\ta\tgleam\tof\tchill\tflame, so\tdeadly\twas\tthe\twrath\tof\tthe\thands\tthat\theld\tthem.\tAs\tsoon\tas\tthe\thost\tof\ttheir enemies\twas\tdense\tin\tthe\tvalley,\tthey\tsent\tagainst\tit\ta\tshower\tof\tarrows,\tand each\tflickered\tas\tit\tfled\tas\tif\twith\tstinging\tfire.\tBehind\tthe\tarrows\ta\tthousand\tof their\tspearmen\tleapt\tdown\tand\tcharged.\tThe\tyells\twere\tdeafening.\tThe\trocks were\tstained\tblack\twith\tgoblin\tblood. Just\tas\tthe\tgoblins\twere\trecovering\tfrom\tthe\tonslaught\tand\tthe\telf-charge\twas halted,\tthere\trose\tfrom\tacross\tthe\tvalley\ta\tdeep-throated\troar.\tWith\tcries\tof \u201cMoria!\u201d\tand\t\u201cDain,\tDain!\u201d\tthe\tdwarves\tof\tthe\tIron\tHills\tplunged\tin,\twielding their\tmattocks,\tupon\tthe\tother\tside;\tand\tbeside\tthem\tcame\tthe\tmen\tof\tthe\tLake with\tlong\tswords. Panic\tcame\tupon\tthe\tGoblins;\tand\teven\tas\tthey\tturned\tto\tmeet\tthis\tnew attack,\tthe\telves\tcharged\tagain\twith\trenewed\tnumbers.\tAlready\tmany\tof\tthe goblins\twere\tflying\tback\tdown\tthe\triver\tto\tescape\tfrom\tthe\ttrap;\tand\tmany\tof their\town\twolves\twere\tturning\tupon\tthem\tand\trending\tthe\tdead\tand\tthe wounded.\tVictory\tseemed\tat\thand,\twhen\ta\tcry\trang\tout\ton\tthe\theights\tabove. Goblins\thad\tscaled\tthe\tMountain\tfrom\tthe\tother\tside\tand\talready\tmany\twere on\tthe\tslopes\tabove\tthe\tGate,\tand\tothers\twere\tstreaming\tdown\trecklessly, heedless\tof\tthose\tthat\tfell\tscreaming\tfrom\tcliff\tand\tprecipice,\tto\tattack\tthe\tspurs from\tabove.\tEach\tof\tthese\tcould\tbe\treached\tby\tpaths\tthat\tran\tdown\tfrom\tthe main\tmass\tof\tthe\tMountain\tin\tthe\tcentre;\tand\tthe\tdefenders\thad\ttoo\tfew\tto\tbar the\tway\tfor\tlong.\tVictory\tnow\tvanished\tfrom\thope.\tThey\thad\tonly\tstemmed\tthe first\tonslaught\tof\tthe\tblack\ttide. Day\tdrew\ton.\tThe\tgoblins\tgathered\tagain\tin\tthe\tvalley.\tThere\ta\thost\tof\tWargs came\travening\tand\twith\tthem\tcame\tthe\tbodyguard\tof\tBolg,\tgoblins\tof\thuge\tsize with\tscimitars\tof\tsteel.\tSoon\tactual\tdarkness\twas\tcoming\tinto\ta\tstormy\tsky; while\tstill\tthe\tgreat\tbats\tswirled\tabout\tthe\theads\tand\tears\tof\telves\tand\tmen,\tor fastened\tvampire-like\ton\tthe\tstricken.\tNow\tBard\twas\tfighting\tto\tdefend\tthe Eastern\tspur,\tand\tyet\tgiving\tslowly\tback;\tand\tthe\telf-lords\twere\tat\tbay\tabout their\tking\tupon\tthe\tsouthern\tarm,\tnear\tto\tthe\twatch-post\ton\tRavenhill.","Suddenly\tthere\twas\ta\tgreat\tshout,\tand\tfrom\tthe\tGate\tcame\ta\ttrumpet\tcall. They\thad\tforgotten\tThorin!\tPart\tof\tthe\twall,\tmoved\tby\tlevers,\tfell\toutward\twith a\tcrash\tinto\tthe\tpool.\tOut\tleapt\tthe\tKing\tunder\tthe\tMountain,\tand\this companions\tfollowed\thim.\tHood\tand\tcloak\twere\tgone;\tthey\twere\tin\tshining armour,\tand\tred\tlight\tleapt\tfrom\ttheir\teyes.\tIn\tthe\tgloom\tthe\tgreat\tdwarf\tgleamed like\tgold\tin\ta\tdying\tfire. Rocks\twere\thurled\tdown\tfrom\ton\thigh\tby\tthe\tgoblins\tabove;\tbut\tthey\theld on,\tleapt\tdown\tto\tthe\tfalls\u2019\tfoot,\tand\trushed\tforward\tto\tbattle.\tWolf\tand\trider\tfell or\tfled\tbefore\tthem.\tThorin\twielded\this\taxe\twith\tmighty\tstrokes,\tand\tnothing seemed\tto\tharm\thim. \u201cTo\tme!\tTo\tme!\tElves\tand\tMen!\tTo\tme!\tO\tmy\tkinsfolk!\u201d\the\tcried,\tand\this voice\tshook\tlike\ta\thorn\tin\tthe\tvalley. Down,\theedless\tof\torder,\trushed\tall\tthe\tdwarves\tof\tDain\tto\this\thelp.\tDown too\tcame\tmany\tof\tthe\tLake-men,\tfor\tBard\tcould\tnot\trestrain\tthem;\tand\tout\tupon the\tother\tside\tcame\tmany\tof\tthe\tspearmen\tof\tthe\telves.\tOnce\tagain\tthe\tgoblins were\tstricken\tin\tthe\tvalley;\tand\tthey\twere\tpiled\tin\theaps\ttill\tDale\twas\tdark\tand hideous\twith\ttheir\tcorpses.\tThe\tWargs\twere\tscattered\tand\tThorin\tdrove\tright against\tthe\tbodyguard\tof\tBolg.\tBut\the\tcould\tnot\tpierce\ttheir\tranks. Already\tbehind\thim\tamong\tthe\tgoblin\tdead\tlay\tmany\tmen\tand\tmany dwarves,\tand\tmany\ta\tfair\telf\tthat\tshould\thave\tlived\tyet\tlong\tages\tmerrily\tin\tthe wood.\tAnd\tas\tthe\tvalley\twidened\this\tonset\tgrew\tever\tslower.\tHis\tnumbers\twere too\tfew.\tHis\tflanks\twere\tunguarded.\tSoon\tthe\tattackers\twere\tattacked,\tand\tthey were\tforced\tinto\ta\tgreat\tring,\tfacing\tevery\tway,\themmed\tall\tabout\twith\tgoblins and\twolves\treturning\tto\tthe\tassault.\tThe\tbodyguard\tof\tBolg\tcame\thowling against\tthem,\tand\tdrove\tin\tupon\ttheir\tranks\tlike\twaves\tupon\tcliffs\tof\tsand.\tTheir friends\tcould\tnot\thelp\tthem,\tfor\tthe\tassault\tfrom\tthe\tMountain\twas\trenewed\twith redoubled\tforce,\tand\tupon\teither\tside\tmen\tand\telves\twere\tbeing\tslowly\tbeaten down. On\tall\tthis\tBilbo\tlooked\twith\tmisery.\tHe\thad\ttaken\this\tstand\ton\tRavenhill among\tthe\tElves\u2014partly\tbecause\tthere\twas\tmore\tchance\tof\tescape\tfrom\tthat point,\tand\tpartly\t(with\tthe\tmore\tTookish\tpart\tof\this\tmind)\tbecause\tif\the\twas going\tto\tbe\tin\ta\tlast\tdesperate\tstand,\the\tpreferred\ton\tthe\twhole\tto\tdefend\tthe Elvenking.\tGandalf,\ttoo,\tI\tmay\tsay,\twas\tthere,\tsitting\ton\tthe\tground\tas\tif\tin\tdeep thought,\tpreparing,\tI\tsuppose,\tsome\tlast\tblast\tof\tmagic\tbefore\tthe\tend. That\tdid\tnot\tseem\tfar\toff.\t\u201cIt\twill\tnot\tbe\tlong\tnow,\u201d\tthought\tBilbo,\t\u201cbefore the\tgoblins\twin\tthe\tGate,\tand\twe\tare\tall\tslaughtered\tor\tdriven\tdown\tand captured.\tReally\tit\tis\tenough\tto\tmake\tone\tweep,\tafter\tall\tone\thas\tgone\tthrough.\tI","would\trather\told\tSmaug\thad\tbeen\tleft\twith\tall\tthe\twretched\ttreasure,\tthan\tthat these\tvile\tcreatures\tshould\tget\tit,\tand\tpoor\told\tBombur,\tand\tBalin\tand\tFili\tand Kili\tand\tall\tthe\trest\tcome\tto\ta\tbad\tend;\tand\tBard\ttoo,\tand\tthe\tLake-men\tand\tthe merry\telves.\tMisery\tme!\tI\thave\theard\tsongs\tof\tmany\tbattles,\tand\tI\thave\talways understood\tthat\tdefeat\tmay\tbe\tglorious.\tIt\tseems\tvery\tuncomfortable,\tnot\tto\tsay distressing.\tI\twish\tI\twas\twell\tout\tof\tit.\u201d The\tclouds\twere\ttorn\tby\tthe\twind,\tand\ta\tred\tsunset\tslashed\tthe\tWest.\tSeeing the\tsudden\tgleam\tin\tthe\tgloom\tBilbo\tlooked\tround.\tHe\tgave\ta\tgreat\tcry:\the\thad seen\ta\tsight\tthat\tmade\this\theart\tleap,\tdark\tshapes\tsmall\tyet\tmajestic\tagainst\tthe distant\tglow. \u201cThe\tEagles!\tThe\tEagles!\u201d\the\tshouted.\t\u201cThe\tEagles\tare\tcoming!\u201d Bilbo\u2019s\teyes\twere\tseldom\twrong.\tThe\teagles\twere\tcoming\tdown\tthe\twind, line\tafter\tline,\tin\tsuch\ta\thost\tas\tmust\thave\tgathered\tfrom\tall\tthe\teyries\tof\tthe North. \u201cThe\tEagles!\tthe\tEagles!\u201d\tBilbo\tcried,\tdancing\tand\twaving\this\tarms.\tIf\tthe elves\tcould\tnot\tsee\thim\tthey\tcould\thear\thim.\tSoon\tthey\ttoo\ttook\tup\tthe\tcry,\tand it\techoed\tacross\tthe\tvalley.\tMany\twondering\teyes\tlooked\tup,\tthough\tas\tyet nothing\tcould\tbe\tseen\texcept\tfrom\tthe\tsouthern\tshoulders\tof\tthe\tMountain. \u201cThe\tEagles!\u201d\tcried\tBilbo\tonce\tmore,\tbut\tat\tthat\tmoment\ta\tstone\thurtling from\tabove\tsmote\theavily\ton\this\thelm,\tand\the\tfell\twith\ta\tcrash\tand\tknew\tno more.","Chapter\tXVIII THE\tRETURN\tJOURNEY When\tBilbo\tcame\tto\thimself,\the\twas\tliterally\tby\thimself.\tHe\twas\tlying\ton\tthe flat\tstones\tof\tRavenhill,\tand\tno\tone\twas\tnear.\tA\tcloudless\tday,\tbut\tcold,\twas broad\tabove\thim.\tHe\twas\tshaking,\tand\tas\tchilled\tas\tstone,\tbut\this\thead\tburned with\tfire. \u201cNow\tI\twonder\twhat\thas\thappened?\u201d\the\tsaid\tto\thimself.\t\u201cAt\tany\trate\tI\tam not\tyet\tone\tof\tthe\tfallen\theroes;\tbut\tI\tsuppose\tthere\tis\tstill\ttime\tenough\tfor\tthat!\u201d He\tsat\tup\tpainfully.\tLooking\tinto\tthe\tvalley\the\tcould\tsee\tno\tliving\tgoblins. After\ta\twhile\tas\this\thead\tcleared\ta\tlittle,\the\tthought\the\tcould\tsee\telves\tmoving\tin the\trocks\tbelow.\tHe\trubbed\this\teyes.\tSurely\tthere\twas\ta\tcamp\tstill\tin\tthe\tplain some\tdistance\toff;\tand\tthere\twas\ta\tcoming\tand\tgoing\tabout\tthe\tGate?\tDwarves seemed\tto\tbe\tbusy\tremoving\tthe\twall.\tBut\tall\twas\tdeadly\tstill.\tThere\twas\tno\tcall and\tno\techo\tof\ta\tsong.\tSorrow\tseemed\tto\tbe\tin\tthe\tair. \u201cVictory\tafter\tall,\tI\tsuppose!\u201d\the\tsaid,\tfeeling\this\taching\thead.\t\u201cWell,\tit seems\ta\tvery\tgloomy\tbusiness.\u201d Suddenly\the\twas\taware\tof\ta\tman\tclimbing\tup\tand\tcoming\ttowards\thim. \u201cHullo\tthere!\u201d\the\tcalled\twith\ta\tshaky\tvoice.\t\u201cHullo\tthere!\tWhat\tnews?\u201d \u201cWhat\tvoice\tis\tit\tthat\tspeaks\tamong\tthe\tstones?\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tman\thalting\tand peering\tabout\thim\tnot\tfar\tfrom\twhere\tBilbo\tsat. Then\tBilbo\tremembered\this\tring!\t\u201cWell\tI\u2019m\tblessed!\u201d\tsaid\the.\t\u201cThis invisibility\thas\tits\tdrawbacks\tafter\tall.\tOtherwise\tI\tsuppose\tI\tmight\thave\tspent\ta warm\tand\tcomfortable\tnight\tin\tbed!\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tme,\tBilbo\tBaggins,\tcompanion\tof\tThorin!\u201d\the\tcried,\thurriedly\ttaking\toff the\tring. \u201cIt\tis\twell\tthat\tI\thave\tfound\tyou!\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tman\tstriding\tforward.\t\u201cYou\tare needed\tand\twe\thave\tlooked\tfor\tyou\tlong.\tYou\twould\thave\tbeen\tnumbered","among\tthe\tdead,\twho\tare\tmany,\tif\tGandalf\tthe\twizard\thad\tnot\tsaid\tthat\tyour voice\twas\tlast\theard\tin\tthis\tplace.\tI\thave\tbeen\tsent\tto\tlook\there\tfor\tthe\tlast\ttime. Are\tyou\tmuch\thurt?\u201d \u201cA\tnasty\tknock\ton\tthe\thead,\tI\tthink,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo.\t\u201cBut\tI\thave\ta\thelm\tand\ta hard\tskull.\tAll\tthe\tsame\tI\tfeel\tsick\tand\tmy\tlegs\tare\tlike\tstraws.\u201d \u201cI\twill\tcarry\tyou\tdown\tto\tthe\tcamp\tin\tthe\tvalley,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tman,\tand\tpicked him\tlightly\tup. The\tman\twas\tswift\tand\tsure-footed.\tIt\twas\tnot\tlong\tbefore\tBilbo\twas\tset down\tbefore\ta\ttent\tin\tDale;\tand\tthere\tstood\tGandalf,\twith\this\tarm\tin\ta\tsling. Even\tthe\twizard\thad\tnot\tescaped\twithout\ta\twound;\tand\tthere\twere\tfew unharmed\tin\tall\tthe\thost. When\tGandalf\tsaw\tBilbo,\the\twas\tdelighted.\t\u201cBaggins!\u201d\the\texclaimed.\t\u201cWell I\tnever!\tAlive\tafter\tall\u2014I\tam\tglad!\tI\tbegan\tto\twonder\tif\teven\tyour\tluck\twould see\tyou\tthrough!\tA\tterrible\tbusiness,\tand\tit\tnearly\twas\tdisastrous.\tBut\tother news\tcan\twait.\tCome!\u201d\the\tsaid\tmore\tgravely.\t\u201cYou\tare\tcalled\tfor;\u201d\tand\tleading the\thobbit\the\ttook\thim\twithin\tthe\ttent. \u201cHail!\tThorin,\u201d\the\tsaid\tas\the\tentered.\t\u201cI\thave\tbrought\thim.\u201d There\tindeed\tlay\tThorin\tOakenshield,\twounded\twith\tmany\twounds,\tand\this rent\tarmour\tand\tnotched\taxe\twere\tcast\tupon\tthe\tfloor.\tHe\tlooked\tup\tas\tBilbo came\tbeside\thim. \u201cFarewell,\tgood\tthief,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tgo\tnow\tto\tthe\thalls\tof\twaiting\tto\tsit\tbeside my\tfathers,\tuntil\tthe\tworld\tis\trenewed.\tSince\tI\tleave\tnow\tall\tgold\tand\tsilver,\tand go\twhere\tit\tis\tof\tlittle\tworth,\tI\twish\tto\tpart\tin\tfriendship\tfrom\tyou,\tand\tI\twould take\tback\tmy\twords\tand\tdeeds\tat\tthe\tGate.\u201d Bilbo\tknelt\ton\tone\tknee\tfilled\twith\tsorrow.\t\u201cFarewell,\tKing\tunder\tthe Mountain!\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cThis\tis\ta\tbitter\tadventure,\tif\tit\tmust\tend\tso;\tand\tnot\ta mountain\tof\tgold\tcan\tamend\tit.\tYet\tI\tam\tglad\tthat\tI\thave\tshared\tin\tyour\tperils\u2014 that\thas\tbeen\tmore\tthan\tany\tBaggins\tdeserves.\u201d \u201cNo!\u201d\tsaid\tThorin.\t\u201cThere\tis\tmore\tin\tyou\tof\tgood\tthan\tyou\tknow,\tchild\tof\tthe kindly\tWest.\tSome\tcourage\tand\tsome\twisdom,\tblended\tin\tmeasure.\tIf\tmore\tof\tus valued\tfood\tand\tcheer\tand\tsong\tabove\thoarded\tgold,\tit\twould\tbe\ta\tmerrier world.\tBut\tsad\tor\tmerry,\tI\tmust\tleave\tit\tnow.\tFarewell!\u201d Then\tBilbo\tturned\taway,\tand\the\twent\tby\thimself,\tand\tsat\talone\twrapped\tin\ta blanket,\tand,\twhether\tyou\tbelieve\tit\tor\tnot,\the\twept\tuntil\this\teyes\twere\tred\tand his\tvoice\twas\thoarse.\tHe\twas\ta\tkindly\tlittle\tsoul.\tIndeed\tit\twas\tlong\tbefore\the had\tthe\theart\tto\tmake\ta\tjoke\tagain.\t\u201cA\tmercy\tit\tis,\u201d\the\tsaid\tat\tlast\tto\thimself, \u201cthat\tI\twoke\tup\twhen\tI\tdid.\tI\twish\tThorin\twere\tliving,\tbut\tI\tam\tglad\tthat\twe","parted\tin\tkindness.\tYou\tare\ta\tfool,\tBilbo\tBaggins,\tand\tyou\tmade\ta\tgreat\tmess\tof that\tbusiness\twith\tthe\tstone;\tand\tthere\twas\ta\tbattle,\tin\tspite\tof\tall\tyour\tefforts\tto buy\tpeace\tand\tquiet,\tbut\tI\tsuppose\tyou\tcan\thardly\tbe\tblamed\tfor\tthat.\u201d All\tthat\thad\thappened\tafter\the\twas\tstunned,\tBilbo\tlearned\tlater;\tbut\tit\tgave\thim more\tsorrow\tthan\tjoy,\tand\the\twas\tnow\tweary\tof\this\tadventure.\tHe\twas\taching\tin his\tbones\tfor\tthe\thomeward\tjourney.\tThat,\thowever,\twas\ta\tlittle\tdelayed,\tso\tin the\tmeantime\tI\twill\ttell\tsomething\tof\tevents.\tThe\tEagles\thad\tlong\thad\tsuspicion of\tthe\tgoblins\u2019\tmustering;\tfrom\ttheir\twatchfulness\tthe\tmovements\tin\tthe mountains\tcould\tnot\tbe\taltogether\thid.\tSo\tthey\ttoo\thad\tgathered\tin\tgreat numbers,\tunder\tthe\tgreat\tEagle\tof\tthe\tMisty\tMountains;\tand\tat\tlength\tsmelling battle\tfrom\tafar\tthey\thad\tcome\tspeeding\tdown\tthe\tgale\tin\tthe\tnick\tof\ttime.\tThey it\twas\twho\tdislodged\tthe\tgoblins\tfrom\tthe\tmountain-slopes,\tcasting\tthem\tover precipices,\tor\tdriving\tthem\tdown\tshrieking\tand\tbewildered\tamong\ttheir\tfoes.\tIt was\tnot\tlong\tbefore\tthey\thad\tfreed\tthe\tLonely\tMountain,\tand\telves\tand\tmen\ton either\tside\tof\tthe\tvalley\tcould\tcome\tat\tlast\tto\tthe\thelp\tof\tthe\tbattle\tbelow. But\teven\twith\tthe\tEagles\tthey\twere\tstill\toutnumbered.\tIn\tthat\tlast\thour\tBeorn himself\thad\tappeared\u2014no\tone\tknew\thow\tor\tfrom\twhere.\tHe\tcame\talone,\tand\tin bear\u2019s\tshape;\tand\the\tseemed\tto\thave\tgrown\talmost\tto\tgiant-size\tin\this\twrath. The\troar\tof\this\tvoice\twas\tlike\tdrums\tand\tguns;\tand\the\ttossed\twolves\tand goblins\tfrom\this\tpath\tlike\tstraws\tand\tfeathers.\tHe\tfell\tupon\ttheir\trear,\tand\tbroke like\ta\tclap\tof\tthunder\tthrough\tthe\tring.\tThe\tdwarves\twere\tmaking\ta\tstand\tstill about\ttheir\tlords\tupon\ta\tlow\trounded\thill.\tThen\tBeorn\tstooped\tand\tlifted\tThorin, who\thad\tfallen\tpierced\twith\tspears,\tand\tbore\thim\tout\tof\tthe\tfray. Swiftly\the\treturned\tand\this\twrath\twas\tredoubled,\tso\tthat\tnothing\tcould withstand\thim,\tand\tno\tweapon\tseemed\tto\tbite\tupon\thim.\tHe\tscattered\tthe bodyguard,\tand\tpulled\tdown\tBolg\thimself\tand\tcrushed\thim.\tThen\tdismay\tfell\ton the\tGoblins\tand\tthey\tfled\tin\tall\tdirections.\tBut\tweariness\tleft\ttheir\tenemies\twith the\tcoming\tof\tnew\thope,\tand\tthey\tpursued\tthem\tclosely,\tand\tprevented\tmost\tof them\tfrom\tescaping\twhere\tthey\tcould.\tThey\tdrove\tmany\tof\tthem\tinto\tthe Running\tRiver,\tand\tsuch\tas\tfled\tsouth\tor\twest\tthey\thunted\tinto\tthe\tmarshes about\tthe\tForest\tRiver;\tand\tthere\tthe\tgreater\tpart\tof\tthe\tlast\tfugitives\tperished, while\tthose\tthat\tcame\thardly\tto\tthe\tWood-elves\u2019\trealm\twere\tthere\tslain,\tor\tdrawn in\tto\tdie\tdeep\tin\tthe\ttrackless\tdark\tof\tMirkwood.\tSongs\thave\tsaid\tthat\tthree\tparts of\tthe\tgoblin\twarriors\tof\tthe\tNorth\tperished\ton\tthat\tday,\tand\tthe\tmountains\thad peace\tfor\tmany\ta\tyear.","Victory\thad\tbeen\tassured\tbefore\tthe\tfall\tof\tnight;\tbut\tthe\tpursuit\twas\tstill\ton foot,\twhen\tBilbo\treturned\tto\tthe\tcamp;\tand\tnot\tmany\twere\tin\tthe\tvalley\tsave\tthe more\tgrievously\twounded. \u201cWhere\tare\tthe\tEagles?\u201d\the\tasked\tGandalf\tthat\tevening,\tas\the\tlay\twrapped\tin many\twarm\tblankets. \u201cSome\tare\tin\tthe\thunt,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\twizard,\t\u201cbut\tmost\thave\tgone\tback\tto\ttheir eyries.\tThey\twould\tnot\tstay\there,\tand\tdeparted\twith\tthe\tfirst\tlight\tof\tmorning. Dain\thas\tcrowned\ttheir\tchief\twith\tgold,\tand\tsworn\tfriendship\twith\tthem forever.\u201d \u201cI\tam\tsorry.\tI\tmean,\tI\tshould\thave\tliked\tto\tsee\tthem\tagain,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo sleepily;\t\u201cperhaps\tI\tshall\tsee\tthem\ton\tthe\tway\thome.\tI\tsuppose\tI\tshall\tbe\tgoing home\tsoon?\u201d \u201cAs\tsoon\tas\tyou\tlike,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\twizard. Actually\tit\twas\tsome\tdays\tbefore\tBilbo\treally\tset\tout.\tThey\tburied\tThorin deep\tbeneath\tthe\tMountain,\tand\tBard\tlaid\tthe\tArkenstone\tupon\this\tbreast. \u201cThere\tlet\tit\tlie\ttill\tthe\tMountain\tfalls!\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cMay\tit\tbring\tgood\tfortune to\tall\this\tfolk\tthat\tdwell\there\tafter!\u201d Upon\this\ttomb\tthe\tElvenking\tthen\tlaid\tOrcrist,\tthe\telvish\tsword\tthat\thad\tbeen taken\tfrom\tThorin\tin\tcaptivity.\tIt\tis\tsaid\tin\tsongs\tthat\tit\tgleamed\tever\tin\tthe\tdark if\tfoes\tapproached,\tand\tthe\tfortress\tof\tthe\tdwarves\tcould\tnot\tbe\ttaken\tby surprise.\tThere\tnow\tDain\tson\tof\tNain\ttook\tup\this\tabode,\tand\the\tbecame\tKing under\tthe\tMountain,\tand\tin\ttime\tmany\tother\tdwarves\tgathered\tto\this\tthrone\tin the\tancient\thalls.\tOf\tthe\ttwelve\tcompanions\tof\tThorin,\tten\tremained.\tFili\tand Kili\thad\tfallen\tdefending\thim\twith\tshield\tand\tbody,\tfor\the\twas\ttheir\tmother\u2019s elder\tbrother.\tThe\tothers\tremained\twith\tDain;\tfor\tDain\tdealt\this\ttreasure\twell. There\twas,\tof\tcourse,\tno\tlonger\tany\tquestion\tof\tdividing\tthe\thoard\tin\tsuch shares\tas\thad\tbeen\tplanned,\tto\tBalin\tand\tDwalin,\tand\tDori\tand\tNori\tand\tOri,\tand Oin\tand\tGloin,\tand\tBifur\tand\tBofur\tand\tBombur\u2014or\tto\tBilbo.\tYet\ta\tfourteenth share\tof\tall\tthe\tsilver\tand\tgold,\twrought\tand\tunwrought,\twas\tgiven\tup\tto\tBard; for\tDain\tsaid:\t\u201cWe\twill\thonour\tthe\tagreement\tof\tthe\tdead,\tand\the\thas\tnow\tthe Arkenstone\tin\this\tkeeping.\u201d Even\ta\tfourteenth\tshare\twas\twealth\texceedingly\tgreat,\tgreater\tthan\tthat\tof many\tmortal\tkings.\tFrom\tthat\ttreasure\tBard\tsent\tmuch\tgold\tto\tthe\tMaster\tof Lake-town;\tand\the\trewarded\this\tfollowers\tand\tfriends\tfreely.\tTo\tthe\tElvenking he\tgave\tthe\temeralds\tof\tGirion,\tsuch\tjewels\tas\the\tmost\tloved,\twhich\tDain\thad restored\tto\thim. To\tBilbo\the\tsaid:\t\u201cThis\ttreasure\tis\tas\tmuch\tyours\tas\tit\tis\tmine;\tthough\told","agreements\tcannot\tstand,\tsince\tso\tmany\thave\ta\tclaim\tin\tits\twinning\tand\tdefence. Yet\teven\tthough\tyou\twere\twilling\tto\tlay\taside\tall\tyour\tclaim,\tI\tshould\twish\tthat the\twords\tof\tThorin,\tof\twhich\the\trepented,\tshould\tnot\tprove\ttrue:\tthat\twe\tshould give\tyou\tlittle.\tI\twould\treward\tyou\tmost\trichly\tof\tall.\u201d \u201cVery\tkind\tof\tyou,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo.\t\u201cBut\treally\tit\tis\ta\trelief\tto\tme.\tHow\ton\tearth should\tI\thave\tgot\tall\tthat\ttreasure\thome\twithout\twar\tand\tmurder\tall\talong\tthe way,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tAnd\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tI\tshould\thave\tdone\twith\tit\twhen\tI\tgot home.\tI\tam\tsure\tit\tis\tbetter\tin\tyour\thands.\u201d In\tthe\tend\the\twould\tonly\ttake\ttwo\tsmall\tchests,\tone\tfilled\twith\tsilver,\tand\tthe other\twith\tgold,\tsuch\tas\tone\tstrong\tpony\tcould\tcarry.\t\u201cThat\twill\tbe\tquite\tas much\tas\tI\tcan\tmanage,\u201d\tsaid\the. At\tlast\tthe\ttime\tcame\tfor\thim\tto\tsay\tgood-bye\tto\this\tfriends.\t\u201cFarewell, Balin!\u201d\the\tsaid;\t\u201cand\tfarewell,\tDwalin;\tand\tfarewell\tDori,\tNori,\tOri,\tOin,\tGloin, Bifur,\tBofur,\tand\tBombur!\tMay\tyour\tbeards\tnever\tgrow\tthin!\u201d\tAnd\tturning towards\tthe\tMountain\the\tadded:\t\u201cFarewell\tThorin\tOakenshield!\tAnd\tFili\tand Kili!\tMay\tyour\tmemory\tnever\tfade!\u201d Then\tthe\tdwarves\tbowed\tlow\tbefore\ttheir\tGate,\tbut\twords\tstuck\tin\ttheir throats.\t\u201cGood-bye\tand\tgood\tluck,\twherever\tyou\tfare!\u201d\tsaid\tBalin\tat\tlast.\t\u201cIf ever\tyou\tvisit\tus\tagain,\twhen\tour\thalls\tare\tmade\tfair\tonce\tmore,\tthen\tthe\tfeast shall\tindeed\tbe\tsplendid!\u201d \u201cIf\tever\tyou\tare\tpassing\tmy\tway,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo,\t\u201cdon\u2019t\twait\tto\tknock!\tTea\tis\tat four;\tbut\tany\tof\tyou\tare\twelcome\tat\tany\ttime!\u201d Then\the\tturned\taway. The\telf-host\twas\ton\tthe\tmarch;\tand\tif\tit\twas\tsadly\tlessened,\tyet\tmany\twere\tglad, for\tnow\tthe\tnorthern\tworld\twould\tbe\tmerrier\tfor\tmany\ta\tlong\tday.\tThe\tdragon was\tdead,\tand\tthe\tgoblins\toverthrown,\tand\ttheir\thearts\tlooked\tforward\tafter winter\tto\ta\tspring\tof\tjoy. Gandalf\tand\tBilbo\trode\tbehind\tthe\tElvenking,\tand\tbeside\tthem\tstrode\tBeorn, once\tagain\tin\tman\u2019s\tshape,\tand\the\tlaughed\tand\tsang\tin\ta\tloud\tvoice\tupon\tthe road.\tSo\tthey\twent\ton\tuntil\tthey\tdrew\tnear\tto\tthe\tborders\tof\tMirkwood,\tto\tthe north\tof\tthe\tplace\twhere\tthe\tForest\tRiver\tran\tout.\tThen\tthey\thalted,\tfor\tthe wizard\tand\tBilbo\twould\tnot\tenter\tthe\twood,\teven\tthough\tthe\tking\tbade\tthem stay\ta\twhile\tin\this\thalls.\tThey\tintended\tto\tgo\talong\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tforest,\tand round\tits\tnorthern\tend\tin\tthe\twaste\tthat\tlay\tbetween\tit\tand\tthe\tbeginning\tof\tthe Grey\tMountains.\tIt\twas\ta\tlong\tand\tcheerless\troad,\tbut\tnow\tthat\tthe\tgoblins\twere","crushed,\tit\tseemed\tsafer\tto\tthem\tthan\tthe\tdreadful\tpathways\tunder\tthe\ttrees. Moreover\tBeorn\twas\tgoing\tthat\tway\ttoo. \u201cFarewell!\tO\tElvenking!\u201d\tsaid\tGandalf.\t\u201cMerry\tbe\tthe\tgreenwood,\twhile\tthe world\tis\tyet\tyoung!\tAnd\tmerry\tbe\tall\tyour\tfolk!\u201d \u201cFarewell!\tO\tGandalf!\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tking.\t\u201cMay\tyou\tever\tappear\twhere\tyou\tare most\tneeded\tand\tleast\texpected!\tThe\toftener\tyou\tappear\tin\tmy\thalls\tthe\tbetter shall\tI\tbe\tpleased!\u201d \u201cI\tbeg\tof\tyou,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo\tstammering\tand\tstanding\ton\tone\tfoot,\t\u201cto\taccept this\tgift!\u201d\tand\the\tbrought\tout\ta\tnecklace\tof\tsilver\tand\tpearls\tthat\tDain\thad\tgiven him\tat\ttheir\tparting. \u201cIn\twhat\tway\thave\tI\tearned\tsuch\ta\tgift,\tO\thobbit?\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tking. \u201cWell,\ter,\tI\tthought,\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tknow,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo\trather\tconfused,\t\u201cthat,\ter, some\tlittle\treturn\tshould\tbe\tmade\tfor\tyour,\ter,\thospitality.\tI\tmean\teven\ta\tburglar has\this\tfeelings.\tI\thave\tdrunk\tmuch\tof\tyour\twine\tand\teaten\tmuch\tof\tyour\tbread.\u201d \u201cI\twill\ttake\tyour\tgift,\tO\tBilbo\tthe\tMagnificent!\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tking\tgravely.\t\u201cAnd\tI name\tyou\telf-friend\tand\tblessed.\tMay\tyour\tshadow\tnever\tgrow\tless\t(or\tstealing would\tbe\ttoo\teasy)!\tFarewell!\u201d Then\tthe\telves\tturned\ttowards\tthe\tForest,\tand\tBilbo\tstarted\ton\this\tlong\troad home. He\thad\tmany\thardships\tand\tadventures\tbefore\the\tgot\tback.\tThe\tWild\twas\tstill the\tWild,\tand\tthere\twere\tmany\tother\tthings\tin\tit\tin\tthose\tdays\tbeside\tgoblins;\tbut he\twas\twell\tguided\tand\twell\tguarded\u2014the\twizard\twas\twith\thim,\tand\tBeorn\tfor much\tof\tthe\tway\u2014and\the\twas\tnever\tin\tgreat\tdanger\tagain.\tAnyway\tby midwinter\tGandalf\tand\tBilbo\thad\tcome\tall\tthe\tway\tback,\talong\tboth\tedges\tof\tthe Forest,\tto\tthe\tdoors\tof\tBeorn\u2019s\thouse;\tand\tthere\tfor\ta\twhile\tthey\tboth\tstayed. Yule-tide\twas\twarm\tand\tmerry\tthere;\tand\tmen\tcame\tfrom\tfar\tand\twide\tto\tfeast\tat Beorn\u2019s\tbidding.\tThe\tgoblins\tof\tthe\tMisty\tMountains\twere\tnow\tfew\tand terrified,\tand\thidden\tin\tthe\tdeepest\tholes\tthey\tcould\tfind;\tand\tthe\tWargs\thad vanished\tfrom\tthe\twoods,\tso\tthat\tmen\twent\tabroad\twithout\tfear.\tBeorn\tindeed became\ta\tgreat\tchief\tafterwards\tin\tthose\tregions\tand\truled\ta\twide\tland\tbetween the\tmountains\tand\tthe\twood;\tand\tit\tis\tsaid\tthat\tfor\tmany\tgenerations\tthe\tmen\tof his\tline\thad\tthe\tpower\tof\ttaking\tbear\u2019s\tshape,\tand\tsome\twere\tgrim\tmen\tand\tbad, but\tmost\twere\tin\theart\tlike\tBeorn,\tif\tless\tin\tsize\tand\tstrength.\tIn\ttheir\tday\tthe\tlast goblins\twere\thunted\tfrom\tthe\tMisty\tMountains\tand\ta\tnew\tpeace\tcame\tover\tthe edge\tof\tthe\tWild.","It\twas\tspring,\tand\ta\tfair\tone\twith\tmild\tweathers\tand\ta\tbright\tsun,\tbefore Bilbo\tand\tGandalf\ttook\ttheir\tleave\tat\tlast\tof\tBeorn,\tand\tthough\the\tlonged\tfor home,\tBilbo\tleft\twith\tregret,\tfor\tthe\tflowers\tof\tthe\tgardens\tof\tBeorn\twere\tin springtime\tno\tless\tmarvellous\tthan\tin\thigh\tsummer. At\tlast\tthey\tcame\tup\tthe\tlong\troad,\tand\treached\tthe\tvery\tpass\twhere\tthe goblins\thad\tcaptured\tthem\tbefore.\tBut\tthey\tcame\tto\tthat\thigh\tpoint\tat\tmorning, and\tlooking\tbackward\tthey\tsaw\ta\twhite\tsun\tshining\tover\tthe\toutstretched\tlands. There\tbehind\tlay\tMirkwood,\tblue\tin\tthe\tdistance,\tand\tdarkly\tgreen\tat\tthe\tnearer edge\teven\tin\tthe\tspring.\tThere\tfar\taway\twas\tthe\tLonely\tMountain\ton\tthe\tedge\tof eyesight.\tOn\tits\thighest\tpeak\tsnow\tyet\tunmelted\twas\tgleaming\tpale. \u201cSo\tcomes\tsnow\tafter\tfire,\tand\teven\tdragons\thave\ttheir\tending!\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo, and\the\tturned\this\tback\ton\this\tadventure.\tThe\tTookish\tpart\twas\tgetting\tvery\ttired, and\tthe\tBaggins\twas\tdaily\tgetting\tstronger.\t\u201cI\twish\tnow\tonly\tto\tbe\tin\tmy\town armchair!\u201d\the\tsaid.","Chapter\tXIX THE\tLAST\tSTAGE It\twas\ton\tMay\tthe\tFirst\tthat\tthe\ttwo\tcame\tback\tat\tlast\tto\tthe\tbrink\tof\tthe\tvalley of\tRivendell,\twhere\tstood\tthe\tLast\t(or\tthe\tFirst)\tHomely\tHouse.\tAgain\tit\twas evening,\ttheir\tponies\twere\ttired,\tespecially\tthe\tone\tthat\tcarried\tthe\tbaggage;\tand they\tall\tfelt\tin\tneed\tof\trest.\tAs\tthey\trode\tdown\tthe\tsteep\tpath,\tBilbo\theard\tthe elves\tstill\tsinging\tin\tthe\ttrees,\tas\tif\tthey\thad\tnot\tstopped\tsince\the\tleft;\tand\tas soon\tas\tthe\triders\tcame\tdown\tinto\tthe\tlower\tglades\tof\tthe\twood\tthey\tburst\tinto\ta song\tof\tmuch\tthe\tsame\tkind\tas\tbefore.\tThis\tis\tsomething\tlike\tit: The\tdragon\tis\twithered, His\tbones\tare\tnow\tcrumbled; His\tarmour\tis\tshivered, His\tsplendour\tis\thumbled! Though\tsword\tshall\tbe\trusted, And\tthrone\tand\tcrown\tperish With\tstrength\tthat\tmen\ttrusted And\twealth\tthat\tthey\tcherish, Here\tgrass\tis\tstill\tgrowing, And\tleaves\tare\tyet\tswinging, The\twhite\twater\tflowing, And\telves\tare\tyet\tsinging \t\t\t\tCome!\tTra-la-la-lally! \t\t\t\tCome\tback\tto\tthe\tvalley! The\tstars\tare\tfar\tbrighter","Than\tgems\twithout\tmeasure, The\tmoon\tis\tfar\twhiter Than\tsilver\tin\ttreasure; The\tfire\tis\tmore\tshining On\thearth\tin\tthe\tgloaming Than\tgold\twon\tby\tmining, So\twhy\tgo\ta-roaming? \t\t\t\tO!\tTra-la-la-lally \t\t\t\tCome\tback\tto\tthe\tValley. O!\tWhere\tare\tyou\tgoing, So\tlate\tin\treturning? The\triver\tis\tflowing, The\tstars\tare\tall\tburning! O!\tWhither\tso\tladen, So\tsad\tand\tso\tdreary? Here\telf\tand\telf-maiden Now\twelcome\tthe\tweary \t\t\t\tWith\tTra-la-la-lally \t\t\t\tCome\tback\tto\tthe\tValley, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTra-la-la-lally \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFa-la-la-lally \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFa-la! Then\tthe\telves\tof\tthe\tvalley\tcame\tout\tand\tgreeted\tthem\tand\tled\tthem\tacross the\twater\tto\tthe\thouse\tof\tElrond.\tThere\ta\twarm\twelcome\twas\tmade\tthem,\tand there\twere\tmany\teager\tears\tthat\tevening\tto\thear\tthe\ttale\tof\ttheir\tadventures. Gandalf\tit\twas\twho\tspoke,\tfor\tBilbo\twas\tfallen\tquiet\tand\tdrowsy.\tMost\tof\tthe tale\the\tknew,\tfor\the\thad\tbeen\tin\tit,\tand\thad\thimself\ttold\tmuch\tof\tit\tto\tthe\twizard on\ttheir\thomeward\tway\tor\tin\tthe\thouse\tof\tBeorn;\tbut\tevery\tnow\tand\tagain\the would\topen\tone\teye,\tand\tlisten,\twhen\ta\tpart\tof\tthe\tstory\twhich\the\tdid\tnot\tyet know\tcame\tin. It\twas\tin\tthis\tway\tthat\the\tlearned\twhere\tGandalf\thad\tbeen\tto;\tfor\the overheard\tthe\twords\tof\tthe\twizard\tto\tElrond.\tIt\tappeared\tthat\tGandalf\thad\tbeen to\ta\tgreat\tcouncil\tof\tthe\twhite\twizards,\tmasters\tof\tlore\tand\tgood\tmagic;\tand\tthat they\thad\tat\tlast\tdriven\tthe\tNecromancer\tfrom\this\tdark\thold\tin\tthe\tsouth\tof","Mirkwood. \u201cEre\tlong\tnow,\u201d\tGandalf\twas\tsaying,\t\u201cthe\tForest\twill\tgrow\tsomewhat\tmore wholesome.\tThe\tNorth\twill\tbe\tfreed\tfrom\tthat\thorror\tfor\tmany\tlong\tyears,\tI hope.\tYet\tI\twish\the\twere\tbanished\tfrom\tthe\tworld!\u201d \u201cIt\twould\tbe\twell\tindeed,\u201d\tsaid\tElrond;\t\u201cbut\tI\tfear\tthat\twill\tnot\tcome\tabout\tin this\tage\tof\tthe\tworld,\tor\tfor\tmany\tafter.\u201d When\tthe\ttale\tof\ttheir\tjourneyings\twas\ttold,\tthere\twere\tother\ttales,\tand\tyet more\ttales,\ttales\tof\tlong\tago,\tand\ttales\tof\tnew\tthings,\tand\ttales\tof\tno\ttime\tat\tall, till\tBilbo\u2019s\thead\tfell\tforward\ton\this\tchest,\tand\the\tsnored\tcomfortably\tin\ta\tcorner. He\twoke\tto\tfind\thimself\tin\ta\twhite\tbed,\tand\tthe\tmoon\tshining\tthrough\tan open\twindow.\tBelow\tit\tmany\telves\twere\tsinging\tloud\tand\tclear\ton\tthe\tbanks\tof the\tstream. Sing\tall\tye\tjoyful,\tnow\tsing\tall\ttogether! The\twind\u2019s\tin\tthe\ttree-top,\tthe\twind\u2019s\tin\tthe\theather; The\tstars\tare\tin\tblossom,\tthe\tmoon\tis\tin\tflower, And\tbright\tare\tthe\twindows\tof\tNight\tin\ther\ttower. Dance\tall\tye\tjoyful,\tnow\tdance\tall\ttogether! Soft\tis\tthe\tgrass,\tand\tlet\tfoot\tbe\tlike\tfeather! The\triver\tis\tsilver,\tthe\tshadows\tare\tfleeting; Merry\tis\tMay-time,\tand\tmerry\tour\tmeeting. Sing\twe\tnow\tsoftly,\tand\tdreams\tlet\tus\tweave\thim! Wind\thim\tin\tslumber\tand\tthere\tlet\tus\tleave\thim! The\twanderer\tsleepeth.\tNow\tsoft\tbe\this\tpillow! Lullaby!\tLullaby!\tAlder\tand\tWillow! Sigh\tno\tmore\tPine,\ttill\tthe\twind\tof\tthe\tmorn! \t\t\t\tFall\tMoon!\tDark\tbe\tthe\tland! \t\t\t\tHush!\tHush!\tOak,\tAsh,\tand\tThorn! Hushed\tbe\tall\twater,\ttill\tdawn\tis\tat\thand! \u201cWell,\tMerry\tPeople!\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo\tlooking\tout.\t\u201cWhat\ttime\tby\tthe\tmoon\tis","this?\tYour\tlullaby\twould\twaken\ta\tdrunken\tgoblin!\tYet\tI\tthank\tyou.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyour\tsnores\twould\twaken\ta\tstone\tdragon\u2014yet\twe\tthank\tyou,\u201d\tthey answered\twith\tlaughter.\t\u201cIt\tis\tdrawing\ttowards\tdawn,\tand\tyou\thave\tslept\tnow since\tthe\tnight\u2019s\tbeginning.\tTomorrow,\tperhaps,\tyou\twill\tbe\tcured\tof\tweariness.\u201d \u201cA\tlittle\tsleep\tdoes\ta\tgreat\tcure\tin\tthe\thouse\tof\tElrond,\u201d\tsaid\the;\t\u201cbut\tI\twill take\tall\tthe\tcure\tI\tcan\tget.\tA\tsecond\tgood\tnight,\tfair\tfriends!\u201d\tAnd\twith\tthat\the went\tback\tto\tbed\tand\tslept\ttill\tlate\tmorning. Weariness\tfell\tfrom\thim\tsoon\tin\tthat\thouse,\tand\the\thad\tmany\ta\tmerry\tjest\tand dance,\tearly\tand\tlate,\twith\tthe\telves\tof\tthe\tvalley.\tYet\teven\tthat\tplace\tcould\tnot long\tdelay\thim\tnow,\tand\the\tthought\talways\tof\this\town\thome.\tAfter\ta\tweek, therefore,\the\tsaid\tfarewell\tto\tElrond,\tand\tgiving\thim\tsuch\tsmall\tgifts\tas\the would\taccept,\the\trode\taway\twith\tGandalf. Even\tas\tthey\tleft\tthe\tvalley\tthe\tsky\tdarkened\tin\tthe\tWest\tbefore\tthem,\tand wind\tand\train\tcame\tup\tto\tmeet\tthem. \u201cMerry\tis\tMay-time!\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo,\tas\tthe\train\tbeat\tinto\this\tface.\t\u201cBut\tour\tback is\tto\tlegends\tand\twe\tare\tcoming\thome.\tI\tsuppose\tthis\tis\tthe\tfirst\ttaste\tof\tit.\u201d \u201cThere\tis\ta\tlong\troad\tyet,\u201d\tsaid\tGandalf. \u201cBut\tit\tis\tthe\tlast\troad,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo. They\tcame\tto\tthe\triver\tthat\tmarked\tthe\tvery\tedge\tof\tthe\tborderland\tof\tthe Wild,\tand\tto\tthe\tford\tbeneath\tthe\tsteep\tbank,\twhich\tyou\tmay\tremember.\tThe water\twas\tswollen\tboth\twith\tthe\tmelting\tof\tthe\tsnows\tat\tthe\tapproach\tof summer,\tand\twith\tthe\tdaylong\train;\tbut\tthey\tcrossed\twith\tsome\tdifficulty,\tand pressed\tforward,\tas\tevening\tfell,\ton\tthe\tlast\tstage\tof\ttheir\tjourney. This\twas\tmuch\tas\tit\thad\tbeen\tbefore,\texcept\tthat\tthe\tcompany\twas\tsmaller, and\tmore\tsilent;\talso\tthis\ttime\tthere\twere\tno\ttrolls.\tAt\teach\tpoint\ton\tthe\troad Bilbo\trecalled\tthe\thappenings\tand\tthe\twords\tof\ta\tyear\tago\u2014it\tseemed\tto\thim more\tlike\tten\u2014so\tthat,\tof\tcourse,\the\tquickly\tnoted\tthe\tplace\twhere\tthe\tpony\thad fallen\tin\tthe\triver,\tand\tthey\thad\tturned\taside\tfor\ttheir\tnasty\tadventure\twith\tTom and\tBert\tand\tBill. Not\tfar\tfrom\tthe\troad\tthey\tfound\tthe\tgold\tof\tthe\ttrolls,\twhich\tthey\thad\tburied, still\thidden\tand\tuntouched.\t\u201cI\thave\tenough\tto\tlast\tme\tmy\ttime,\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo, when\tthey\thad\tdug\tit\tup.\t\u201cYou\thad\tbetter\ttake\tthis,\tGandalf.\tI\tdaresay\tyou\tcan find\ta\tuse\tfor\tit.\u201d \u201cIndeed\tI\tcan!\u201d\tsaid\tthe\twizard.\t\u201cBut\tshare\tand\tshare\talike!\tYou\tmay\tfind you\thave\tmore\tneeds\tthan\tyou\texpect.\u201d So\tthey\tput\tthe\tgold\tin\tbags\tand\tslung\tthem\ton\tthe\tponies,\twho\twere\tnot\tat all\tpleased\tabout\tit.\tAfter\tthat\ttheir\tgoing\twas\tslower,\tfor\tmost\tof\tthe\ttime\tthey","walked.\tBut\tthe\tland\twas\tgreen\tand\tthere\twas\tmuch\tgrass\tthrough\twhich\tthe hobbit\tstrolled\talong\tcontentedly.\tHe\tmopped\this\tface\twith\ta\tred\tsilk handkerchief\u2014no!\tnot\ta\tsingle\tone\tof\this\town\thad\tsurvived,\the\thad\tborrowed this\tone\tfrom\tElrond\u2014for\tnow\tJune\thad\tbrought\tsummer,\tand\tthe\tweather\twas bright\tand\thot\tagain. As\tall\tthings\tcome\tto\tan\tend,\teven\tthis\tstory,\ta\tday\tcame\tat\tlast\twhen\tthey were\tin\tsight\tof\tthe\tcountry\twhere\tBilbo\thad\tbeen\tborn\tand\tbred,\twhere\tthe shapes\tof\tthe\tland\tand\tof\tthe\ttrees\twere\tas\twell\tknown\tto\thim\tas\this\thands\tand toes.\tComing\tto\ta\trise\the\tcould\tsee\this\town\tHill\tin\tthe\tdistance,\tand\the\tstopped suddenly\tand\tsaid: Roads\tgo\tever\tever\ton, \t\t\t\t\t\tOver\trock\tand\tunder\ttree, By\tcaves\twhere\tnever\tsun\thas\tshone, \t\t\t\t\t\tBy\tstreams\tthat\tnever\tfind\tthe\tsea; Over\tsnow\tby\twinter\tsown, \t\t\t\t\t\tAnd\tthrough\tthe\tmerry\tflowers\tof\tJune, Over\tgrass\tand\tover\tstone, \t\t\t\t\t\tAnd\tunder\tmountains\tin\tthe\tmoon. Roads\tgo\tever\tever\ton \t\t\t\t\t\tUnder\tcloud\tand\tunder\tstar, Yet\tfeet\tthat\twandering\thave\tgone \t\t\t\t\t\tTurn\tat\tlast\tto\thome\tafar. Eyes\tthat\tfire\tand\tsword\thave\tseen \t\t\t\t\t\tAnd\thorror\tin\tthe\thalls\tof\tstone Look\tat\tlast\ton\tmeadows\tgreen \t\t\t\t\t\tAnd\ttrees\tand\thills\tthey\tlong\thave\tknown. Gandalf\tlooked\tat\thim.\t\u201cMy\tdear\tBilbo!\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cSomething\tis\tthe\tmatter with\tyou!\tYou\tare\tnot\tthe\thobbit\tthat\tyou\twere.\u201d And\tso\tthey\tcrossed\tthe\tbridge\tand\tpassed\tthe\tmill\tby\tthe\triver\tand\tcame right\tback\tto\tBilbo\u2019s\town\tdoor. \u201cBless\tme!\tWhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton?\u201d\the\tcried.\tThere\twas\ta\tgreat\tcommotion,\tand people\tof\tall\tsorts,\trespectable\tand\tunrespectable,\twere\tthick\tround\tthe\tdoor,\tand","many\twere\tgoing\tin\tand\tout\u2014not\teven\twiping\ttheir\tfeet\ton\tthe\tmat,\tas\tBilbo noticed\twith\tannoyance. If\the\twas\tsurprised,\tthey\twere\tmore\tsurprised\tstill.\tHe\thad\tarrived\tback\tin\tthe middle\tof\tan\tauction!\tThere\twas\ta\tlarge\tnotice\tin\tblack\tand\tred\thung\ton\tthe\tgate, stating\tthat\ton\tJune\tthe\tTwenty-second\tMessrs\tGrubb,\tGrubb,\tand\tBurrowes would\tsell\tby\tauction\tthe\teffects\tof\tthe\tlate\tBilbo\tBaggins\tEsquire,\tof\tBag-End, Underhill,\tHobbiton.\tSale\tto\tcommence\tat\tten\to\u2019clock\tsharp.\tIt\twas\tnow\tnearly lunchtime,\tand\tmost\tof\tthe\tthings\thad\talready\tbeen\tsold,\tfor\tvarious\tprices\tfrom next\tto\tnothing\tto\told\tsongs\t(as\tis\tnot\tunusual\tat\tauctions).\tBilbo\u2019s\tcousins\tthe Sackville-Bagginses\twere,\tin\tfact,\tbusy\tmeasuring\this\trooms\tto\tsee\tif\ttheir\town furniture\twould\tfit.\tIn\tshort\tBilbo\twas\t\u201cPresumed\tDead\u201d,\tand\tnot\teverybody\tthat said\tso\twas\tsorry\tto\tfind\tthe\tpresumption\twrong. The\treturn\tof\tMr.\tBilbo\tBaggins\tcreated\tquite\ta\tdisturbance,\tboth\tunder\tthe Hill\tand\tover\tthe\tHill,\tand\tacross\tthe\tWater;\tit\twas\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tmore\tthan\ta\tnine days\u2019\twonder.\tThe\tlegal\tbother,\tindeed,\tlasted\tfor\tyears.\tIt\twas\tquite\ta\tlong\ttime before\tMr.\tBaggins\twas\tin\tfact\tadmitted\tto\tbe\talive\tagain.\tThe\tpeople\twho\thad got\tspecially\tgood\tbargains\tat\tthe\tSale\ttook\ta\tdeal\tof\tconvincing;\tand\tin\tthe\tend to\tsave\ttime\tBilbo\thad\tto\tbuy\tback\tquite\ta\tlot\tof\this\town\tfurniture.\tMany\tof\this silver\tspoons\tmysteriously\tdisappeared\tand\twere\tnever\taccounted\tfor.\tPersonally he\tsuspected\tthe\tSackville-Bagginses.\tOn\ttheir\tside\tthey\tnever\tadmitted\tthat\tthe returned\tBaggins\twas\tgenuine,\tand\tthey\twere\tnot\ton\tfriendly\tterms\twith\tBilbo ever\tafter.\tThey\treally\thad\twanted\tto\tlive\tin\this\tnice\thobbit-hole\tso\tvery\tmuch. Indeed\tBilbo\tfound\the\thad\tlost\tmore\tthan\tspoons\u2014he\thad\tlost\this\treputation. It\tis\ttrue\tthat\tfor\tever\tafter\the\tremained\tan\telf-friend,\tand\thad\tthe\thonour\tof dwarves,\twizards,\tand\tall\tsuch\tfolk\tas\tever\tpassed\tthat\tway;\tbut\the\twas\tno longer\tquite\trespectable.\tHe\twas\tin\tfact\theld\tby\tall\tthe\thobbits\tof\tthe neighbourhood\tto\tbe\t\u2018queer\u2019\u2014except\tby\this\tnephews\tand\tnieces\ton\tthe\tTook side,\tbut\teven\tthey\twere\tnot\tencouraged\tin\ttheir\tfriendship\tby\ttheir\telders. I\tam\tsorry\tto\tsay\the\tdid\tnot\tmind.\tHe\twas\tquite\tcontent;\tand\tthe\tsound\tof\tthe kettle\ton\this\thearth\twas\tever\tafter\tmore\tmusical\tthan\tit\thad\tbeen\teven\tin\tthe quiet\tdays\tbefore\tthe\tUnexpected\tParty.\tHis\tsword\the\thung\tover\tthe mantelpiece.\tHis\tcoat\tof\tmail\twas\tarranged\ton\ta\tstand\tin\tthe\thall\t(until\the\tlent\tit to\ta\tMuseum).\tHis\tgold\tand\tsilver\twas\tlargely\tspent\tin\tpresents,\tboth\tuseful\tand extravagant\u2014which\tto\ta\tcertain\textent\taccounts\tfor\tthe\taffection\tof\this\tnephews and\this\tnieces.\tHis\tmagic\tring\the\tkept\ta\tgreat\tsecret,\tfor\the\tchiefly\tused\tit\twhen unpleasant\tcallers\tcame. He\ttook\tto\twriting\tpoetry\tand\tvisiting\tthe\telves;\tand\tthough\tmany\tshook\ttheir","heads\tand\ttouched\ttheir\tforeheads\tand\tsaid\t\u201cPoor\told\tBaggins!\u201d\tand\tthough\tfew believed\tany\tof\this\ttales,\the\tremained\tvery\thappy\tto\tthe\tend\tof\this\tdays,\tand those\twere\textraordinarily\tlong. One\tautumn\tevening\tsome\tyears\tafterwards\tBilbo\twas\tsitting\tin\this\tstudy writing\this\tmemoirs\u2014he\tthought\tof\tcalling\tthem\t\u201cThere\tand\tBack\tAgain,\ta Hobbit\u2019s\tHoliday\u201d\u2014when\tthere\twas\ta\tring\tat\tthe\tdoor.\tIt\twas\tGandalf\tand\ta dwarf;\tand\tthe\tdwarf\twas\tactually\tBalin. \u201cCome\tin!\tCome\tin!\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo,\tand\tsoon\tthey\twere\tsettled\tin\tchairs\tby\tthe fire.\tIf\tBalin\tnoticed\tthat\tMr.\tBaggins\u2019\twaistcoat\twas\tmore\textensive\t(and\thad real\tgold\tbuttons),\tBilbo\talso\tnoticed\tthat\tBalin\u2019s\tbeard\twas\tseveral\tinches longer,\tand\this\tjewelled\tbelt\twas\tof\tgreat\tmagnificence. They\tfell\tto\ttalking\tof\ttheir\ttimes\ttogether,\tof\tcourse,\tand\tBilbo\tasked\thow things\twere\tgoing\tin\tthe\tlands\tof\tthe\tMountain.\tIt\tseemed\tthey\twere\tgoing\tvery well.\tBard\thad\trebuilt\tthe\ttown\tin\tDale\tand\tmen\thad\tgathered\tto\thim\tfrom\tthe Lake\tand\tfrom\tSouth\tand\tWest,\tand\tall\tthe\tvalley\thad\tbecome\ttilled\tagain\tand rich,\tand\tthe\tdesolation\twas\tnow\tfilled\twith\tbirds\tand\tblossoms\tin\tspring\tand fruit\tand\tfeasting\tin\tautumn.\tAnd\tLake-town\twas\trefounded\tand\twas\tmore prosperous\tthan\tever,\tand\tmuch\twealth\twent\tup\tand\tdown\tthe\tRunning\tRiver; and\tthere\twas\tfriendship\tin\tthose\tparts\tbetween\telves\tand\tdwarves\tand\tmen.","The\tHall\tat\tBag-End\tResidence\tof\tB.\tBaggins\tEsquire","The\told\tMaster\thad\tcome\tto\ta\tbad\tend.\tBard\thad\tgiven\thim\tmuch\tgold\tfor\tthe help\tof\tthe\tLake-people,\tbut\tbeing\tof\tthe\tkind\tthat\teasily\tcatches\tsuch\tdisease\the fell\tunder\tthe\tdragon-sickness,\tand\ttook\tmost\tof\tthe\tgold\tand\tfled\twith\tit,\tand died\tof\tstarvation\tin\tthe\tWaste,\tdeserted\tby\this\tcompanions. \u201cThe\tnew\tMaster\tis\tof\twiser\tkind,\u201d\tsaid\tBalin,\t\u201cand\tvery\tpopular,\tfor,\tof course,\the\tgets\tmost\tof\tthe\tcredit\tfor\tthe\tpresent\tprosperity.\tThey\tare\tmaking songs\twhich\tsay\tthat\tin\this\tday\tthe\trivers\trun\twith\tgold.\u201d \u201cThen\tthe\tprophecies\tof\tthe\told\tsongs\thave\tturned\tout\tto\tbe\ttrue,\tafter\ta fashion!\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo. \u201cOf\tcourse!\u201d\tsaid\tGandalf.\t\u201cAnd\twhy\tshould\tnot\tthey\tprove\ttrue?\tSurely\tyou don\u2019t\tdisbelieve\tthe\tprophecies,\tbecause\tyou\thad\ta\thand\tin\tbringing\tthem\tabout yourself?\tYou\tdon\u2019t\treally\tsuppose,\tdo\tyou,\tthat\tall\tyour\tadventures\tand\tescapes were\tmanaged\tby\tmere\tluck,\tjust\tfor\tyour\tsole\tbenefit?\tYou\tare\ta\tvery\tfine person,\tMr.\tBaggins,\tand\tI\tam\tvery\tfond\tof\tyou;\tbut\tyou\tare\tonly\tquite\ta\tlittle fellow\tin\ta\twide\tworld\tafter\tall!\u201d \u201cThank\tgoodness!\u201d\tsaid\tBilbo\tlaughing,\tand\thanded\thim\tthe\ttobacco-jar.","","WORKS\tBY\tJ.R.R.\tTOLKIEN The\tHobbit Leaf\tby\tNiggle On\tFairy-Stories Farmer\tGiles\tof\tHam The\tHomecoming\tof\tBeorhtnoth The\tLord\tof\tthe\tRings The\tAdventures\tof\tTom\tBombadil The\tRoad\tGoes\tEver\tOn\t(with\tDonald\tSwann) Smith\tof\tWootton\tMajor WORKS\tPUBLISHED\tPOSTHUMOUSLY Sir\tGawain\tand\tthe\tGreen\tKnight,\tPearl\tand\tSir\tOrfeo The\tFather\tChristmas\tLetters The\tSilmarillion Pictures\tby\tJ.R.R.\tTolkien Unfinished\tTales The\tLetters\tof\tJ.R.R.\tTolkien Finn\tand\tHengest Mr\tBliss The\tMonsters\tand\tthe\tCritics\t&\tOther\tEssays Roverandom The\tChildren\tof\tH\u00farin The\tLegend\tof\tSigurd\tand\tGudr\u00fan THE\tHISTORY\tOF\tMIDDLE-EARTH\t\u2013\tBY\tCHRISTOPHER\tTOLKIEN I\tThe\tBook\tof\tLost\tTales,\tPart\tOne II\tThe\tBook\tof\tLost\tTales,\tPart\tTwo III\tThe\tLays\tof\tBeleriand IV\tThe\tShaping\tof\tMiddle-earth V\tThe\tLost\tRoad\tand\tOther\tWritings VI\tThe\tReturn\tof\tthe\tShadow VII\tThe\tTreason\tof\tIsengard VIII\tThe\tWar\tof\tthe\tRing IX\tSauron\tDefeated","X\tMorgoth\u2019s\tRing XI\tThe\tWar\tof\tthe\tJewels XII\tThe\tPeoples\tof\tMiddle-earth","COPYRIGHT This\tnew\treset\tedition\tis\tbased\ton\tthe\tedition first\tpublished\tin\t1995 First\tpublished\tby\tHarperCollins\tPublishers\t1991 Fifth\tedition\t(reset)\t1995 First\tpublished\tin\tGreat\tBritain\tby George\tAllen\t&\tUnwin\t1937 Second\tedition\t1951 Third\tedition\t1966 Fourth\tedition\t1978 Copyright\t\u00a9\tThe\tJ.\tR.\tR.\tTolkien\tCopyright\tTrust 1937,\t1951,\t1966,\t1978,\t1995 \u00ae\tand\t\u2018Tolkien\u2019\u00aeare\tregistered\ttrademarks\tof The\tJ.\tR.\tR.\tTolkien\tEstate\tLimited E-ISBN:\t978-0-547-95197-3 All\trights\treserved. For\tinformation\tabout\tpermission\tto\treproduce\tselections\tfrom\tthis\tbook,\twrite to\tPermissions,\tHoughton\tMifflin\tHarcourt,\t215\tPark\tAvenue\tSouth,\tNew\tYork, New\tYork\t10003. www.hmhbooks.com","*\tThe\treason\tfor\tthis\tuse\tis\tgiven\tin\tThe\tLord\tof\tthe\tRings,\tAppendix\tF. *\tSon\tof\tAzog.\tSee\t\u2020"]
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