THEHOBBIT

ORTHEREANDBACKAGAIN

BYJ.R.R.TOLKIEN

HoughtonMifflinHarcourt

CONTENTS

TITLEPAGE

LISTOFILLUSTRATIONS

NOTEONTHETEXT

AUTHOR’SNOTE

CHAPTERI:ANUNEXPECTEDPARTY

CHAPTERII:ROASTMUTTON

CHAPTERIII:ASHORTREST

CHAPTERIV:OVERHILLANDUNDERHILL

CHAPTERV:RIDDLESINTHEDARK

CHAPTERVI:OUTOFTHEFRYING-PANINTOTHEFIRE

CHAPTERVII:QUEERLODGINGS

CHAPTERVIII:FLIESANDSPIDERS

CHAPTERIX:BARRELSOUTOFBOND

CHAPTERX:AWARMWELCOME

CHAPTERXI:ONTHEDOORSTEP

CHAPTERXII:INSIDEINFORMATION

CHAPTERXIII:NOTATHOME

CHAPTERXIV:FIREANDWATER

CHAPTERXV:THEGATHERINGOFTHECLOUDS

CHAPTERXVI:ATHIEFINTHENIGHT

CHAPTERXVII:THECLOUDSBURST

CHAPTERXVIII:THERETURNJOURNEY

CHAPTERXIX:THELASTSTAGE

WORKSBYJ.R.R.TOLKIEN

COPYRIGHT

ILLUSTRATIONS

Thror’sMapTheTrollsTheMountain-pathTheMistyMountainslookingWestBeorn’sHallTheElvenking’sGateLakeTownTheFrontGateTheHallatBag-EndMapofWilderland

NOTEONTHETEXT

TheHobbitwasfirstpublishedinSeptember1937.Its1951secondedition(fifthimpression)containsasignificantlyrevisedportionofChapterV,“RiddlesintheDark,”whichbringsthestoryofTheHobbitmoreinlinewithitssequel,TheLordoftheRings,theninprogress.TolkienmadesomefurtherrevisionstotheAmericaneditionpublishedbyBallantineBooksinFebruary1966,andtotheBritishthirdedition(sixteenthimpression)publishedbyGeorgeAllen&Unwinlaterthatsameyear.

Forthe1995Britishhardcoveredition,publishedbyHarperCollins,thetextofTheHobbitwasenteredintoword-processingfiles,andanumberoffurthercorrectionsofmisprintsanderrorsweremade.Sincethen,variouseditionsofTheHobbithavebeengeneratedfromthatcomputerizedtextfile.Forthepresenttext,thatfilehasbeencomparedagain,linebyline,withtheearliereditions,andanumberoffurthercorrectionshavebeenmadetopresentatextthat,ascloselyaspossible,representsTolkien’sfinalintendedform.

ReadersinterestedindetailsofthechangesmadeatvarioustimestothetextofTheHobbitarereferredtoAppendixA,“TextualandRevisionalNotes,”ofTheAnnotatedHobbit(1988),andJ.R.R.Tolkien:ADescriptiveBibliographybyWayneG.Hammond,withtheassistanceofDouglasA.Anderson(1993).

DouglasA.Anderson

May2001

Author'sNote

Thisisastoryoflongago.Atthattimethelanguagesandletterswerequitedifferentfromoursoftoday.Englishisusedtorepresentthelanguages.Buttwopointsmaybenoted.(1)InEnglishtheonlycorrectpluralofdwarfisdwarfs,andtheadjectiveisdwarfish.Inthisstorydwarvesanddwarvishareused*,butonlywhenspeakingoftheancientpeopletowhomThorinOakenshieldandhiscompanionsbelonged.(2)OrcisnotanEnglishword.Itoccursinoneortwoplacesbutisusuallytranslatedgoblin(orhobgoblinforthelargerkinds).Orcisthehobbits’formofthenamegivenatthattimetothesecreatures,anditisnotconnectedatallwithourorc,ork,appliedtosea-animalsofdolphin-kind.

Runeswereoldlettersoriginallyusedforcuttingorscratchingonwood,stone,ormetal,andsowerethinandangular.AtthetimeofthistaleonlytheDwarvesmaderegularuseofthem,especiallyforprivateorsecretrecords.TheirrunesareinthisbookrepresentedbyEnglishrunes,whichareknownnowtofewpeople.IftherunesonThror’sMaparecomparedwiththetranscriptionsintomodernletters††,thealphabet,adaptedtomodernEnglish,canbediscoveredandtheaboverunictitlealsoread.OntheMapallthenormalrunesarefound,except forX.IandUareusedforJandV.TherewasnoruneforQ(useCW);norforZ(thedwarf-rune maybeusedifrequired).Itwillbefound,however,thatsomesinglerunesstandfortwomodernletters:th,ng,ee;otherrunesofthesamekind( eaand st)werealsosometimesused.ThesecretdoorwasmarkedD .Fromthesideahandpointedtothis,andunderitwaswritten: ThelasttworunesaretheinitialsofThrorandThrain.Themoon-runesreadbyElrond

were:

OntheMapthecompasspointsaremarkedinrunes,withEastatthetop,asusualindwarf-maps,andsoreadclockwise:E(ast),S(outh),W(est),N(orth).

ChapterI

ANUNEXPECTEDPARTY

Inaholeinthegroundtherelivedahobbit.Notanasty,dirty,wethole,filledwiththeendsofwormsandanoozysmell,noryetadry,bare,sandyholewithnothinginittositdownonortoeat:itwasahobbit-hole,andthatmeanscomfort.

Ithadaperfectlyrounddoorlikeaporthole,paintedgreen,withashinyyellowbrassknobintheexactmiddle.Thedooropenedontoatube-shapedhalllikeatunnel:averycomfortabletunnelwithoutsmoke,withpanelledwalls,andfloorstiledandcarpeted,providedwithpolishedchairs,andlotsandlotsofpegsforhatsandcoats—thehobbitwasfondofvisitors.Thetunnelwoundonandon,goingfairlybutnotquitestraightintothesideofthehill—TheHill,asallthepeopleformanymilesroundcalledit—andmanylittlerounddoorsopenedoutofit,firstononesideandthenonanother.Nogoingupstairsforthehobbit:bedrooms,bathrooms,cellars,pantries(lotsofthese),wardrobes(hehadwholeroomsdevotedtoclothes),kitchens,dining-rooms,allwereonthesamefloor,andindeedonthesamepassage.Thebestroomswereallontheleft-handside(goingin),fortheseweretheonlyonestohavewindows,deep-setroundwindowslookingoverhisgarden,andmeadowsbeyond,slopingdowntotheriver.

Thishobbitwasaverywell-to-dohobbit,andhisnamewasBaggins.TheBagginseshadlivedintheneighbourhoodofTheHillfortimeoutofmind,andpeopleconsideredthemveryrespectable,notonlybecausemostofthemwererich,butalsobecausetheyneverhadanyadventuresordidanythingunexpected:youcouldtellwhataBagginswouldsayonanyquestionwithoutthebotherofaskinghim.ThisisastoryofhowaBagginshadanadventure,andfoundhimselfdoingandsayingthingsaltogetherunexpected.Hemayhavelostthe

neighbours’respect,buthegained—well,youwillseewhetherhegainedanythingintheend.

Themotherofourparticularhobbit—whatisahobbit?Isupposehobbitsneedsomedescriptionnowadays,sincetheyhavebecomerareandshyoftheBigPeople,astheycallus.Theyare(orwere)alittlepeople,abouthalfourheight,andsmallerthanthebeardedDwarves.Hobbitshavenobeards.Thereislittleornomagicaboutthem,excepttheordinaryeverydaysortwhichhelpsthemtodisappearquietlyandquicklywhenlargestupidfolklikeyouandmecomeblunderingalong,makinganoiselikeelephantswhichtheycanhearamileoff.Theyareinclinedtobefatinthestomach;theydressinbrightcolours(chieflygreenandyellow);wearnoshoes,becausetheirfeetgrownaturalleatherysolesandthickwarmbrownhairlikethestuffontheirheads(whichiscurly);havelongcleverbrownfingers,good-naturedfaces,andlaughdeepfruitylaughs(especiallyafterdinner,whichtheyhavetwiceadaywhentheycangetit).Nowyouknowenoughtogoonwith.AsIwassaying,themotherofthishobbit—ofBilboBaggins,thatis—wasthefamousBelladonnaTook,oneofthethreeremarkabledaughtersoftheOldTook,headofthehobbitswholivedacrossTheWater,thesmallriverthatranatthefootofTheHill.Itwasoftensaid(inotherfamilies)thatlongagooneoftheTookancestorsmusthavetakenafairywife.Thatwas,ofcourse,absurd,butcertainlytherewasstillsomethingnotentirelyhobbitlikeaboutthem,andonceinawhilemembersoftheTook-clanwouldgoandhaveadventures.Theydiscreetlydisappeared,andthefamilyhusheditup;butthefactremainedthattheTookswerenotasrespectableastheBagginses,thoughtheywereundoubtedlyricher.

NotthatBelladonnaTookeverhadanyadventuresaftershebecameMrs.BungoBaggins.Bungo,thatwasBilbo’sfather,builtthemostluxurioushobbit-holeforher(andpartlywithhermoney)thatwastobefoundeitherunderTheHilloroverTheHilloracrossTheWater,andtheretheyremainedtotheendoftheirdays.StillitisprobablethatBilbo,heronlyson,althoughhelookedandbehavedexactlylikeasecondeditionofhissolidandcomfortablefather,gotsomethingabitqueerinhismake-upfromtheTookside,somethingthatonlywaitedforachancetocomeout.Thechanceneverarrived,untilBilboBagginswasgrownup,beingaboutfiftyyearsoldorso,andlivinginthebeautifulhobbit-holebuiltbyhisfather,whichIhavejustdescribedforyou,untilhehadinfactapparentlysettleddownimmovably.

Bysomecuriouschanceonemorninglongagointhequietoftheworld,whentherewaslessnoiseandmoregreen,andthehobbitswerestillnumerous

andprosperous,andBilboBagginswasstandingathisdoorafterbreakfastsmokinganenormouslongwoodenpipethatreachednearlydowntohiswoollytoes(neatlybrushed)—Gandalfcameby.Gandalf!IfyouhadheardonlyaquarterofwhatIhaveheardabouthim,andIhaveonlyheardverylittleofallthereistohear,youwouldbepreparedforanysortofremarkabletale.Talesandadventuressproutedupallovertheplacewhereverhewent,inthemostextraordinaryfashion.HehadnotbeendownthatwayunderTheHillforagesandages,notsincehisfriendtheOldTookdied,infact,andthehobbitshadalmostforgottenwhathelookedlike.HehadbeenawayoverTheHillandacrossTheWateronbusinessesofhisownsincetheywereallsmallhobbit-boysandhobbit-girls.

AllthattheunsuspectingBilbosawthatmorningwasanoldmanwithastaff.Hehadatallpointedbluehat,alonggreycloak,asilverscarfoverwhichhislongwhitebeardhungdownbelowhiswaist,andimmenseblackboots.

“GoodMorning!”saidBilbo,andhemeantit.Thesunwasshining,andthegrasswasverygreen.ButGandalflookedathimfromunderlongbushyeyebrowsthatstuckoutfurtherthanthebrimofhisshadyhat.

“Whatdoyoumean?”hesaid.“Doyouwishmeagoodmorning,ormeanthatitisagoodmorningwhetherIwantitornot;orthatyoufeelgoodthismorning;orthatitisamorningtobegoodon?”

“Allofthematonce,”saidBilbo.“Andaveryfinemorningforapipeoftobaccooutofdoors,intothebargain.Ifyouhaveapipeaboutyou,sitdownandhaveafillofmine!There’snohurry,wehaveallthedaybeforeus!”ThenBilbosatdownonaseatbyhisdoor,crossedhislegs,andblewoutabeautifulgreyringofsmokethatsailedupintotheairwithoutbreakingandfloatedawayoverTheHill.

“Verypretty!”saidGandalf.“ButIhavenotimetoblowsmoke-ringsthismorning.IamlookingforsomeonetoshareinanadventurethatIamarranging,andit’sverydifficulttofindanyone.”

“Ishouldthinkso—intheseparts!Weareplainquietfolkandhavenouseforadventures.Nastydisturbinguncomfortablethings!Makeyoulatefordinner!Ican’tthinkwhatanybodyseesinthem,”saidourMr.Baggins,andstuckonethumbbehindhisbraces,andblewoutanotherevenbiggersmoke-ring.Thenhetookouthismorningletters,andbegantoread,pretendingtotakenomorenoticeoftheoldman.Hehaddecidedthathewasnotquitehissort,andwantedhimtogoaway.Buttheoldmandidnotmove.Hestoodleaningonhisstickandgazingatthehobbitwithoutsayinganything,tillBilbogotquite

uncomfortableandevenalittlecross.“Goodmorning!”hesaidatlast.“Wedon’twantanyadventureshere,thank

you!YoumighttryoverTheHilloracrossTheWater.”Bythishemeantthattheconversationwasatanend.

“WhatalotofthingsyoudouseGoodmorningfor!”saidGandalf.“Nowyoumeanthatyouwanttogetridofme,andthatitwon’tbegoodtillImoveoff.”

“Notatall,notatall,mydearsir!Letmesee,Idon’tthinkIknowyourname?”

“Yes,yes,mydearsir—andIdoknowyourname,Mr.BilboBaggins.Andyoudoknowmyname,thoughyoudon’trememberthatIbelongtoit.IamGandalf,andGandalfmeansme!TothinkthatIshouldhavelivedtobegood-morningedbyBelladonnaTook’sson,asifIwassellingbuttonsatthedoor!”

“Gandalf,Gandalf!Goodgraciousme!NotthewanderingwizardthatgaveOldTookapairofmagicdiamondstudsthatfastenedthemselvesandnevercameundonetillordered?Notthefellowwhousedtotellsuchwonderfultalesatparties,aboutdragonsandgoblinsandgiantsandtherescueofprincessesandtheunexpectedluckofwidows’sons?Notthemanthatusedtomakesuchparticularlyexcellentfireworks!Irememberthose!OldTookusedtohavethemonMidsummer’sEve.Splendid!Theyusedtogouplikegreatliliesandsnapdragonsandlaburnumsoffireandhanginthetwilightallevening!”YouwillnoticealreadythatMr.Bagginswasnotquitesoprosyashelikedtobelieve,alsothathewasveryfondofflowers.“Dearme!”hewenton.“NottheGandalfwhowasresponsibleforsomanyquietladsandlassesgoingoffintotheBlueformadadventures?Anythingfromclimbingtreestovisitingelves—orsailinginships,sailingtoothershores!Blessme,lifeusedtobequiteinter—Imean,youusedtoupsetthingsbadlyinthesepartsonceuponatime.Ibegyourpardon,butIhadnoideayouwerestillinbusiness.”

“WhereelseshouldIbe?”saidthewizard.“AllthesameIampleasedtofindyouremembersomethingaboutme.Youseemtoremembermyfireworkskindly,atanyrate,andthatisnotwithouthope.IndeedforyouroldgrandfatherTook’ssake,andforthesakeofpoorBelladonna,Iwillgiveyouwhatyouaskedfor.”

“Ibegyourpardon,Ihaven’taskedforanything!”“Yes,youhave!Twicenow.Mypardon.Igiveityou.InfactIwillgosofar

astosendyouonthisadventure.Veryamusingforme,verygoodforyou—andprofitabletoo,verylikely,ifyouevergetoverit.”

“Sorry!Idon’twantanyadventures,thankyou.Nottoday.Goodmorning!Butpleasecometotea—anytimeyoulike!Whynottomorrow?Cometomorrow!Goodbye!”Withthatthehobbitturnedandscuttledinsidehisroundgreendoor,andshutitasquicklyashedared,nottoseemrude.Wizardsafterallarewizards.

“WhatonearthdidIaskhimtoteafor!”hesaidtohimself,ashewenttothepantry.Hehadonlyjusthadbreakfast,buthethoughtacakeortwoandadrinkofsomethingwoulddohimgoodafterhisfright.

Gandalfinthemeantimewasstillstandingoutsidethedoor,andlaughinglongbutquietly.Afterawhilehesteppedup,andwiththespikeonhisstaffscratchedaqueersignonthehobbit’sbeautifulgreenfront-door.Thenhestrodeaway,justaboutthetimewhenBilbowasfinishinghissecondcakeandbeginningtothinkthathehadescapedadventuresverywell.

ThenextdayhehadalmostforgottenaboutGandalf.Hedidnotrememberthingsverywell,unlessheputthemdownonhisEngagementTablet:likethis:GandalfTeaWednesday.Yesterdayhehadbeentooflusteredtodoanythingofthekind.

Justbeforetea-timetherecameatremendousringonthefront-doorbell,andthenheremembered!Herushedandputonthekettle,andputoutanothercupandsaucer,andanextracakeortwo,andrantothedoor.

“Iamsosorrytokeepyouwaiting!”hewasgoingtosay,whenhesawthatitwasnotGandalfatall.Itwasadwarfwithabluebeardtuckedintoagoldenbelt,andverybrighteyesunderhisdark-greenhood.Assoonasthedoorwasopened,hepushedinside,justasifhehadbeenexpected.

Hehunghishoodedcloakonthenearestpeg,and“Dwalinatyourservice!”hesaidwithalowbow.

“BilboBagginsatyours!”saidthehobbit,toosurprisedtoaskanyquestionsforthemoment.Whenthesilencethatfollowedhadbecomeuncomfortable,headded:“Iamjustabouttotaketea;praycomeandhavesomewithme.”Alittlestiffperhaps,buthemeantitkindly.Andwhatwouldyoudo,ifanuninviteddwarfcameandhunghisthingsupinyourhallwithoutawordofexplanation?

Theyhadnotbeenattablelong,infacttheyhadhardlyreachedthethirdcake,whentherecameanotherevenlouderringatthebell.

“Excuseme!”saidthehobbit,andoffhewenttothedoor.“Soyouhavegothereatlast!”ThatwaswhathewasgoingtosaytoGandalf

thistime.ButitwasnotGandalf.Insteadtherewasaveryold-lookingdwarfonthestepwithawhitebeardandascarlethood;andhetoohoppedinsideassoon

asthedoorwasopen,justasifhehadbeeninvited.“Iseetheyhavebeguntoarrivealready,”hesaidwhenhecaughtsightof

Dwalin’sgreenhoodhangingup.Hehunghisredonenexttoit,and“Balinatyourservice!”hesaidwithhishandonhisbreast.

“Thankyou!”saidBilbowithagasp.Itwasnotthecorrectthingtosay,buttheyhavebeguntoarrivehadflusteredhimbadly.Helikedvisitors,buthelikedtoknowthembeforetheyarrived,andhepreferredtoaskthemhimself.Hehadahorriblethoughtthatthecakesmightrunshort,andthenhe—asthehost:heknewhisdutyandstucktoithoweverpainful—hemighthavetogowithout.

“Comealongin,andhavesometea!”hemanagedtosayaftertakingadeepbreath.

“Alittlebeerwouldsuitmebetter,ifitisallthesametoyou,mygoodsir,”saidBalinwiththewhitebeard.“ButIdon’tmindsomecake—seed-cake,ifyouhaveany.”

“Lots!”Bilbofoundhimselfanswering,tohisownsurprise;andhefoundhimselfscuttlingoff,too,tothecellartofillapintbeer-mug,andthentoapantrytofetchtwobeautifulroundseed-cakeswhichhehadbakedthatafternoonforhisafter-suppermorsel.

WhenhegotbackBalinandDwalinweretalkingatthetablelikeoldfriends(asamatteroffacttheywerebrothers).Bilboplumpeddownthebeerandthecakeinfrontofthem,whenloudcamearingatthebellagain,andthenanotherring.

“Gandalfforcertainthistime,”hethoughtashepuffedalongthepassage.Butitwasnot.Itwastwomoredwarves,bothwithbluehoods,silverbelts,andyellowbeards;andeachofthemcarriedabagoftoolsandaspade.Intheyhopped,assoonasthedoorbegantoopen—Bilbowashardlysurprisedatall.

“WhatcanIdoforyou,mydwarves?”hesaid.“Kiliatyourservice!”saidtheone.“AndFili!”addedtheother;andthey

bothsweptofftheirbluehoodsandbowed.“Atyoursandyourfamily’s!”repliedBilbo,rememberinghismannersthis

time.“DwalinandBalinherealready,Isee,”saidKili.“Letusjointhethrong!”“Throng!”thoughtMr.Baggins.“Idon’tlikethesoundofthat.Ireallymust

sitdownforaminuteandcollectmywits,andhaveadrink.”Hehadonlyjusthadasip—inthecorner,whilethefourdwarvessatroundthetable,andtalkedaboutminesandgoldandtroubleswiththegoblins,andthedepredationsofdragons,andlotsofotherthingswhichhedidnotunderstand,anddidnotwant

to,fortheysoundedmuchtooadventurous—when,ding-dong-a-ling-dang,hisbellrangagain,asifsomenaughtylittlehobbit-boywastryingtopullthehandleoff.

“Someoneatthedoor!”hesaid,blinking.“Somefour,Ishouldsaybythesound,”saidFili.“Besides,wesawthem

comingalongbehindusinthedistance.”Thepoorlittlehobbitsatdowninthehallandputhisheadinhishands,and

wonderedwhathadhappened,andwhatwasgoingtohappen,andwhethertheywouldallstaytosupper.Thenthebellrangagainlouderthanever,andhehadtoruntothedoor.Itwasnotfourafterall,itwasfive.Anotherdwarfhadcomealongwhilehewaswonderinginthehall.Hehadhardlyturnedtheknob,beforetheywereallinside,bowingandsaying“atyourservice”oneafteranother.Dori,Nori,Ori,Oin,andGloinweretheirnames;andverysoontwopurplehoods,agreyhood,abrownhood,andawhitehoodwerehangingonthepegs,andofftheymarchedwiththeirbroadhandsstuckintheirgoldandsilverbeltstojointheothers.Alreadyithadalmostbecomeathrong.Somecalledforale,andsomeforporter,andoneforcoffee,andallofthemforcakes;sothehobbitwaskeptverybusyforawhile.

Abigjugofcoffeehadjustbeensetinthehearth,theseed-cakesweregone,andthedwarveswerestartingonaroundofbutteredscones,whentherecame—aloudknock.Notaring,butahardrat-tatonthehobbit’sbeautifulgreendoor.Somebodywasbangingwithastick!

Bilborushedalongthepassage,veryangry,andaltogetherbewilderedandbewuthered—thiswasthemostawkwardWednesdayheeverremembered.Hepulledopenthedoorwithajerk,andtheyallfellin,oneontopoftheother.Moredwarves,fourmore!AndtherewasGandalfbehind,leaningonhisstaffandlaughing.Hehadmadequiteadentonthebeautifuldoor;hehadalso,bytheway,knockedoutthesecretmarkthathehadputtherethemorningbefore.

“Carefully!Carefully!”hesaid.“Itisnotlikeyou,Bilbo,tokeepfriendswaitingonthemat,andthenopenthedoorlikeapop-gun!LetmeintroduceBifur,Bofur,Bombur,andespeciallyThorin!”

“Atyourservice!”saidBifur,Bofur,andBomburstandinginarow.Thentheyhunguptwoyellowhoodsandapalegreenone;andalsoasky-blueonewithalongsilvertassel.ThislastbelongedtoThorin,anenormouslyimportantdwarf,infactnootherthanthegreatThorinOakenshieldhimself,whowasnotatallpleasedatfallingflatonBilbo’smatwithBifur,Bofur,andBomburontopofhim.ForonethingBomburwasimmenselyfatandheavy.Thorinindeedwas

veryhaughty,andsaidnothingaboutservice;butpoorMr.Bagginssaidhewassorrysomanytimes,thatatlasthegrunted“praydon’tmentionit,”andstoppedfrowning.

“Nowweareallhere!”saidGandalf,lookingattherowofthirteenhoods—thebestdetachablepartyhoods—andhisownhathangingonthepegs.“Quiteamerrygathering!Ihopethereissomethingleftforthelate-comerstoeatanddrink!What’sthat?Tea!Nothankyou!Alittleredwine,Ithinkforme.”

“Andforme,”saidThorin.“Andraspberryjamandapple-tart,”saidBifur.“Andmince-piesandcheese,”saidBofur.“Andpork-pieandsalad,”saidBombur.“Andmorecakes—andale—andcoffee,ifyoudon’tmind,”calledtheother

dwarvesthroughthedoor.“Putonafeweggs,there’sagoodfellow!”Gandalfcalledafterhim,asthe

hobbitstumpedofftothepantries.“Andjustbringoutthecoldchickenandpickles!”

“SeemstoknowasmuchabouttheinsideofmylardersasIdomyself!”thoughtMr.Baggins,whowasfeelingpositivelyflummoxed,andwasbeginningtowonderwhetheramostwretchedadventurehadnotcomerightintohishouse.Bythetimehehadgotallthebottlesanddishesandknivesandforksandglassesandplatesandspoonsandthingspileduponbigtrays,hewasgettingveryhot,andredintheface,andannoyed.

“Confusticateandbebotherthesedwarves!”hesaidaloud.“Whydon’ttheycomeandlendahand?”Loandbehold!therestoodBalinandDwalinatthedoorofthekitchen,andFiliandKilibehindthem,andbeforehecouldsayknifetheyhadwhiskedthetraysandacoupleofsmalltablesintotheparlourandsetouteverythingafresh.

Gandalfsatattheheadofthepartywiththethirteendwarvesallround:andBilbosatonastoolatthefireside,nibblingatabiscuit(hisappetitewasquitetakenaway),andtryingtolookasifthiswasallperfectlyordinaryandnotintheleastanadventure.Thedwarvesateandate,andtalkedandtalked,andtimegoton.Atlasttheypushedtheirchairsback,andBilbomadeamovetocollecttheplatesandglasses.

“Isupposeyouwillallstaytosupper?”hesaidinhispolitestunpressingtones.

“Ofcourse!”saidThorin.“Andafter.Weshan’tgetthroughthebusinesstilllate,andwemusthavesomemusicfirst.Nowtoclearup!”

Thereuponthetwelvedwarves—notThorin,hewastooimportant,andstayedtalkingtoGandalf—jumpedtotheirfeet,andmadetallpilesofallthethings.Offtheywent,notwaitingfortrays,balancingcolumnsofplates,eachwithabottleonthetop,withonehand,whilethehobbitranafterthemalmostsqueakingwithfright:“pleasebecareful!”and“please,don’ttrouble!Icanmanage.”Butthedwarvesonlystartedtosing:

Chiptheglassesandcracktheplates!Blunttheknivesandbendtheforks!That’swhatBilboBagginshates–Smashthebottlesandburnthecorks!

Cuttheclothandtreadonthefat!Pourthemilkonthepantryfloor!Leavethebonesonthebedroommat!Splashthewineoneverydoor!

Dumpthecrocksinaboilingbowl;Poundthemupwithathumpingpole;Andwhenyou’vefinished,ifanyarewhole,Sendthemdownthehalltoroll!

That’swhatBilboBagginshates!So,carefully!carefullywiththeplates!

Andofcoursetheydidnoneofthesedreadfulthings,andeverythingwascleanedandputawaysafeasquickaslightning,whilethehobbitwasturningroundandroundinthemiddleofthekitchentryingtoseewhattheyweredoing.Thentheywentback,andfoundThorinwithhisfeetonthefendersmokingapipe.Hewasblowingthemostenormoussmoke-rings,andwhereverhetoldonetogo,itwent—upthechimney,orbehindtheclockonthemantelpiece,orunderthetable,orroundandroundtheceiling;butwhereveritwentitwasnotquickenoughtoescapeGandalf.Pop!hesentasmallersmoke-ringfromhisshortclay-pipestraightthrougheachoneofThorin’s.ThenGandalf’ssmoke-ring

wouldgogreenandcomebacktohoveroverthewizard’shead.Hehadacloudofthemabouthimalready,andinthedimlightitmadehimlookstrangeandsorcerous.Bilbostoodstillandwatched—helovedsmoke-rings—andthenheblushedtothinkhowproudhehadbeenyesterdaymorningofthesmoke-ringshehadsentupthewindoverTheHill.

“Nowforsomemusic!”saidThorin.“Bringouttheinstruments!”KiliandFilirushedfortheirbagsandbroughtbacklittlefiddles;Dori,Nori,

andOribroughtoutflutesfromsomewhereinsidetheircoats;Bomburproducedadrumfromthehall;BifurandBofurwentouttoo,andcamebackwithclarinetsthattheyhadleftamongthewalking-sticks.DwalinandBalinsaid:“Excuseme,Ileftmineintheporch!”“Justbringmineinwithyou!”saidThorin.Theycamebackwithviolsasbigasthemselves,andwithThorin’sharpwrappedinagreencloth.Itwasabeautifulgoldenharp,andwhenThorinstruckitthemusicbeganallatonce,sosuddenandsweetthatBilboforgoteverythingelse,andwassweptawayintodarklandsunderstrangemoons,faroverTheWaterandveryfarfromhishobbit-holeunderTheHill.

ThedarkcameintotheroomfromthelittlewindowthatopenedinthesideofTheHill;thefirelightflickered—itwasApril—andstilltheyplayedon,whiletheshadowofGandalf’sbeardwaggedagainstthewall.

Thedarkfilledalltheroom,andthefiredieddown,andtheshadowswerelost,andstilltheyplayedon.Andsuddenlyfirstoneandthenanotherbegantosingastheyplayed,deep-throatedsingingofthedwarvesinthedeepplacesoftheirancienthomes;andthisislikeafragmentoftheirsong,ifitcanbeliketheirsongwithouttheirmusic.

FaroverthemistymountainscoldTodungeonsdeepandcavernsoldWemustawayerebreakofdayToseekthepaleenchantedgold.

Thedwarvesofyoremademightyspells,WhilehammersfelllikeringingbellsInplacesdeep,wheredarkthingssleep,Inhollowhallsbeneaththefells.

ForancientkingandelvishlordTheremanyagleaminggoldenhoardTheyshapedandwrought,andlighttheycaughtTohideingemsonhiltofsword.

OnsilvernecklacestheystrungThefloweringstars,oncrownstheyhungThedragon-fire,intwistedwireTheymeshedthelightofmoonandsun.

FaroverthemistymountainscoldTodungeonsdeepandcavernsoldWemustaway,erebreakofday,Toclaimourlong-forgottengold.

GobletstheycarvedthereforthemselvesAndharpsofgold;wherenomandelvesTherelaytheylong,andmanyasongWassungunheardbymenorelves.

Thepineswereroaringontheheight,Thewindsweremoaninginthenight.Thefirewasred,itflamingspread;Thetreesliketorchesblazedwithlight.

ThebellswereringinginthedaleAndmenlookedupwithfacespale;Thedragon’siremorefiercethanfireLaidlowtheirtowersandhousesfrail.

Themountainsmokedbeneaththemoon;Thedwarves,theyheardthetrampofdoom.Theyfledtheirhalltodyingfall

Beneathhisfeet,beneaththemoon.

FaroverthemistymountainsgrimTodungeonsdeepandcavernsdimWemustaway,erebreakofday,Towinourharpsandgoldfromhim!

Astheysangthehobbitfelttheloveofbeautifulthingsmadebyhandsandbycunningandbymagicmovingthroughhim,afierceandajealouslove,thedesireoftheheartsofdwarves.ThensomethingTookishwokeupinsidehim,andhewishedtogoandseethegreatmountains,andhearthepine-treesandthewaterfalls,andexplorethecaves,andwearaswordinsteadofawalking-stick.Helookedoutofthewindow.Thestarswereoutinadarkskyabovethetrees.Hethoughtofthejewelsofthedwarvesshiningindarkcaverns.SuddenlyinthewoodbeyondTheWateraflameleaptup—probablysomebodylightingawood-fire—andhethoughtofplunderingdragonssettlingonhisquietHillandkindlingitalltoflames.Heshuddered;andveryquicklyhewasplainMr.BagginsofBag-End,Under-Hill,again.

Hegotuptrembling.Hehadlessthanhalfamindtofetchthelamp,andmorethanhalfamindtopretendto,andgoandhidebehindthebeer-barrelsinthecellar,andnotcomeoutagainuntilallthedwarveshadgoneaway.Suddenlyhefoundthatthemusicandthesinginghadstopped,andtheywerealllookingathimwitheyesshininginthedark.

“Whereareyougoing?”saidThorin,inatonethatseemedtoshowthatheguessedbothhalvesofthehobbit’smind.

“Whataboutalittlelight?”saidBilboapologetically.“Welikethedark,”saidallthedwarves.“Darkfordarkbusiness!Thereare

manyhoursbeforedawn.”“Ofcourse!”saidBilbo,andsatdowninahurry.Hemissedthestoolandsat

inthefender,knockingoverthepokerandshovelwithacrash.“Hush!”saidGandalf.“LetThorinspeak!”AndthisishowThorinbegan.“Gandalf,dwarvesandMr.Baggins!Wearemettogetherinthehouseofour

friendandfellowconspirator,thismostexcellentandaudacioushobbit—maythehaironhistoesneverfallout!allpraisetohiswineandale!—”Hepausedforbreathandforapoliteremarkfromthehobbit,butthecomplimentswerequitelostonpoorBilboBaggins,whowaswagginghismouthinprotestatbeing

calledaudaciousandworstofallfellowconspirator,thoughnonoisecameout,hewassoflummoxed.SoThorinwenton:

“Wearemettodiscussourplans,ourways,means,policyanddevices.Weshallsoonbeforethebreakofdaystartonourlongjourney,ajourneyfromwhichsomeofus,orperhapsallofus(exceptourfriendandcounsellor,theingeniouswizardGandalf)mayneverreturn.Itisasolemnmoment.Ourobjectis,Itakeit,wellknowntousall.TotheestimableMr.Baggins,andperhapstooneortwooftheyoungerdwarves(IthinkIshouldberightinnamingKiliandFili,forinstance),theexactsituationatthemomentmayrequirealittlebriefexplanation—”

ThiswasThorin’sstyle.Hewasanimportantdwarf.Ifhehadbeenallowed,hewouldprobablyhavegoneonlikethisuntilhewasoutofbreath,withouttellinganyonethereanythingthatwasnotknownalready.Buthewasrudelyinterrupted.PoorBilbocouldn’tbearitanylonger.Atmayneverreturnhebegantofeelashriekcomingupinside,andverysoonitburstoutlikethewhistleofanenginecomingoutofatunnel.Allthedwarvessprangup,knockingoverthetable.Gandalfstruckabluelightontheendofhismagicstaff,andinitsfireworkglarethepoorlittlehobbitcouldbeseenkneelingonthehearth-rug,shakinglikeajellythatwasmelting.Thenhefellflatonthefloor,andkeptoncallingout“struckbylightning,struckbylightning!”overandoveragain;andthatwasalltheycouldgetoutofhimforalongtime.Sotheytookhimandlaidhimoutofthewayonthedrawing-roomsofawithadrinkathiselbow,andtheywentbacktotheirdarkbusiness.

“Excitablelittlefellow,”saidGandalf,astheysatdownagain.“Getsfunnyqueerfits,butheisoneofthebest,oneofthebest—asfierceasadragoninapinch.”

Ifyouhaveeverseenadragoninapinch,youwillrealizethatthiswasonlypoeticalexaggerationappliedtoanyhobbit,eventoOldTook’sgreat-grand-uncleBullroarer,whowassohuge(forahobbit)thathecouldrideahorse.HechargedtheranksofthegoblinsofMountGramintheBattleoftheGreenFields,andknockedtheirkingGolfimbul’sheadcleanoffwithawoodenclub.Itsailedahundredyardsthroughtheairandwentdownarabbit-hole,andinthiswaythebattlewaswonandthegameofGolfinventedatthesamemoment.

Inthemeanwhile,however,Bullroarer’sgentlerdescendantwasrevivinginthedrawing-room.Afterawhileandadrinkhecreptnervouslytothedooroftheparlour.Thisiswhatheheard,Gloinspeaking:“Humph!”(orsomesnortmoreorlesslikethat).“Willhedo,doyouthink?ItisallverywellforGandalftotalk

aboutthishobbitbeingfierce,butoneshrieklikethatinamomentofexcitementwouldbeenoughtowakethedragonandallhisrelatives,andkillthelotofus.Ithinkitsoundedmorelikefrightthanexcitement!Infact,ifithadnotbeenforthesignonthedoor,Ishouldhavebeensurewehadcometothewronghouse.AssoonasIclappedeyesonthelittlefellowbobbingandpuffingonthemat,Ihadmydoubts.Helooksmorelikeagrocerthanaburglar!”

ThenMr.Bagginsturnedthehandleandwentin.TheTooksidehadwon.Hesuddenlyfelthewouldgowithoutbedandbreakfasttobethoughtfierce.Asforlittlefellowbobbingonthematitalmostmadehimreallyfierce.ManyatimeafterwardstheBagginspartregrettedwhathedidnow,andhesaidtohimself:“Bilbo,youwereafool;youwalkedrightinandputyourfootinit.”

“Pardonme,”hesaid,“ifIhaveoverheardwordsthatyouweresaying.Idon’tpretendtounderstandwhatyouaretalkingabout,oryourreferencetoburglars,butIthinkIamrightinbelieving”(thisiswhathecalledbeingonhisdignity)“thatyouthinkIamnogood.Iwillshowyou.Ihavenosignsonmydoor—itwaspaintedaweekago—,andIamquitesureyouhavecometothewronghouse.AssoonasIsawyourfunnyfacesonthedoor-step,Ihadmydoubts.Buttreatitastherightone.Tellmewhatyouwantdone,andIwilltryit,ifIhavetowalkfromheretotheEastofEastandfightthewildWere-wormsintheLastDesert.Ihadagreat-great-great-grand-uncleonce,BullroarerTook,and—”

“Yes,yes,butthatwaslongago,”saidGloin.“Iwastalkingaboutyou.AndIassureyouthereisamarkonthisdoor—theusualoneinthetrade,orusedtobe.Burglarwantsagoodjob,plentyofExcitementandreasonableReward,that’showitisusuallyread.YoucansayExpertTreasure-hunterinsteadofBurglarifyoulike.Someofthemdo.It’sallthesametous.GandalftoldusthattherewasamanofthesortinthesepartslookingforaJobatonce,andthathehadarrangedforameetingherethisWednesdaytea-time.”

“Ofcoursethereisamark,”saidGandalf.“Iputittheremyself.Forverygoodreasons.Youaskedmetofindthefourteenthmanforyourexpedition,andIchoseMr.Baggins.JustletanyonesayIchosethewrongmanorthewronghouse,andyoucanstopatthirteenandhaveallthebadluckyoulike,orgobacktodiggingcoal.”

HescowledsoangrilyatGlointhatthedwarfhuddledbackinhischair;andwhenBilbotriedtoopenhismouthtoaskaquestion,heturnedandfrownedathimandstuckouthisbushyeyebrows,tillBilboshuthismouthtightwithasnap.“That’sright,”saidGandalf.“Let’shavenomoreargument.Ihavechosen

Mr.Bagginsandthatoughttobeenoughforallofyou.IfIsayheisaBurglar,aBurglarheis,orwillbewhenthetimecomes.Thereisalotmoreinhimthanyouguess,andadealmorethanhehasanyideaofhimself.Youmay(possibly)alllivetothankmeyet.NowBilbo,myboy,fetchthelamp,andlet’shavealittlelightonthis!”

Onthetableinthelightofabiglampwitharedshadehespreadapieceofparchmentratherlikeamap.

“ThiswasmadebyThror,yourgrandfather,Thorin,”hesaidinanswertothedwarves’excitedquestions.“ItisaplanoftheMountain.”

“Idon’tseethatthiswillhelpusmuch,”saidThorindisappointedlyafteraglance.“IremembertheMountainwellenoughandthelandsaboutit.AndIknowwhereMirkwoodis,andtheWitheredHeathwherethegreatdragonsbred.”

“ThereisadragonmarkedinredontheMountain,”saidBalin,“butitwillbeeasyenoughtofindhimwithoutthat,ifeverwearrivethere.”

“Thereisonepointthatyouhaven’tnoticed,”saidthewizard,“andthatisthesecretentrance.YouseethatruneontheWestside,andthehandpointingtoitfromtheotherrunes?ThatmarksahiddenpassagetotheLowerHalls.”(Lookatthemapatthebeginningofthisbook,andyouwillseetheretherunes.)

“Itmayhavebeensecretonce,”saidThorin,“buthowdoweknowthatitissecretanylonger?OldSmaughaslivedtherelongenoughnowtofindoutanythingthereistoknowaboutthosecaves.”

“Hemay—buthecan’thaveuseditforyearsandyears.”“Why?”“Becauseitistoosmall.‘Fivefeethighthedoorandthreemaywalkabreast’

saytherunes,butSmaugcouldnotcreepintoaholethatsize,notevenwhenhewasayoungdragon,certainlynotafterdevouringsomanyofthedwarvesandmenofDale.”

“Itseemsagreatbigholetome,”squeakedBilbo(whohadnoexperienceofdragonsandonlyofhobbit-holes).Hewasgettingexcitedandinterestedagain,sothatheforgottokeephismouthshut.Helovedmaps,andinhishalltherehungalargeoneoftheCountryRoundwithallhisfavouritewalksmarkedonitinredink.“Howcouldsuchalargedoorbekeptsecretfromeverybodyoutside,apartfromthedragon?”heasked.Hewasonlyalittlehobbityoumustremember.

“Inlotsofways,”saidGandalf.“Butinwhatwaythisonehasbeenhiddenwedon’tknowwithoutgoingtosee.FromwhatitsaysonthemapIshould

guessthereisacloseddoorwhichhasbeenmadetolookexactlylikethesideoftheMountain.Thatistheusualdwarves’method—Ithinkthatisright,isn’tit?”

“Quiteright,”saidThorin.“Also,”wentonGandalf,“Iforgottomentionthatwiththemapwentakey,a

smallandcuriouskey.Hereitis!”hesaid,andhandedtoThorinakeywithalongbarrelandintricatewards,madeofsilver.“Keepitsafe!”

“IndeedIwill,”saidThorin,andhefastenedituponafinechainthathungabouthisneckandunderhisjacket.“Nowthingsbegintolookmorehopeful.Thisnewsaltersthemmuchforthebetter.Sofarwehavehadnoclearideawhattodo.WethoughtofgoingEast,asquietandcarefulaswecould,asfarastheLongLake.Afterthatthetroublewouldbegin—.”

“Alongtimebeforethat,ifIknowanythingabouttheroadsEast,”interruptedGandalf.

“WemightgofromthereupalongtheRiverRunning,”wentonThorintakingnonotice,“andsototheruinsofDale—theoldtowninthevalleythere,undertheshadowoftheMountain.ButwenoneofuslikedtheideaoftheFrontGate.TheriverrunsrightoutofitthroughthegreatcliffattheSouthoftheMountain,andoutofitcomesthedragontoo—fartoooften,unlesshehaschangedhishabits.”

“Thatwouldbenogood,”saidthewizard,“notwithoutamightyWarrior,evenaHero.Itriedtofindone;butwarriorsarebusyfightingoneanotherindistantlands,andinthisneighbourhoodheroesarescarce,orsimplynottobefound.Swordsinthesepartsaremostlyblunt,andaxesareusedfortrees,andshieldsascradlesordish-covers;anddragonsarecomfortablyfar-off(andthereforelegendary).ThatiswhyIsettledonburglary—especiallywhenIrememberedtheexistenceofaSide-door.AndhereisourlittleBilboBaggins,theburglar,thechosenandselectedburglar.Sonowlet’sgetonandmakesomeplans.”

“Verywellthen,”saidThorin,“supposingtheburglar-expertgivesussomeideasorsuggestions.”Heturnedwithmock-politenesstoBilbo.

“FirstIshouldliketoknowabitmoreaboutthings,”saidhe,feelingallconfusedandabitshakyinside,butsofarstillTookishlydeterminedtogoonwiththings.“Imeanaboutthegoldandthedragon,andallthat,andhowitgotthere,andwhoitbelongsto,andsoonandfurther.”

“Blessme!”saidThorin,“haven’tyougotamap?anddidn’tyouhearoursong?andhaven’twebeentalkingaboutallthisforhours?”

“Allthesame,Ishouldlikeitallplainandclear,”saidheobstinately,putting

onhisbusinessmanner(usuallyreservedforpeoplewhotriedtoborrowmoneyoffhim),anddoinghisbesttoappearwiseandprudentandprofessionalandliveuptoGandalf’srecommendation.“AlsoIshouldliketoknowaboutrisks,out-of-pocketexpenses,timerequiredandremuneration,andsoforth”—bywhichhemeant:“WhatamIgoingtogetoutofit?andamIgoingtocomebackalive?”

“Overywell,”saidThorin.“LongagoinmygrandfatherThror’stimeourfamilywasdrivenoutofthefarNorth,andcamebackwithalltheirwealthandtheirtoolstothisMountainonthemap.Ithadbeendiscoveredbymyfarancestor,ThraintheOld,butnowtheyminedandtheytunnelledandtheymadehugerhallsandgreaterworkshops—andinadditionIbelievetheyfoundagooddealofgoldandagreatmanyjewelstoo.Anywaytheygrewimmenselyrichandfamous,andmygrandfatherwasKingundertheMountainagain,andtreatedwithgreatreverencebythemortalmen,wholivedtotheSouth,andweregraduallyspreadinguptheRunningRiverasfarasthevalleyovershadowedbytheMountain.TheybuiltthemerrytownofDalethereinthosedays.Kingsusedtosendforoursmiths,andrewardeventheleastskillfulmostrichly.Fatherswouldbegustotaketheirsonsasapprentices,andpayushandsomely,especiallyinfood-supplies,whichweneverbotheredtogroworfindforourselves.Altogetherthoseweregooddaysforus,andthepoorestofushadmoneytospendandtolend,andleisuretomakebeautifulthingsjustforthefunofit,nottospeakofthemostmarvellousandmagicaltoys,thelikeofwhichisnottobefoundintheworldnow-a-days.Somygrandfather’shallsbecamefullofarmourandjewelsandcarvingsandcups,andthetoymarketofDalewasthewonderoftheNorth.

“Undoubtedlythatwaswhatbroughtthedragon.Dragonsstealgoldandjewels,youknow,frommenandelvesanddwarves,wherevertheycanfindthem;andtheyguardtheirplunderaslongastheylive(whichispracticallyforever,unlesstheyarekilled),andneverenjoyabrassringofit.Indeedtheyhardlyknowagoodbitofworkfromabad,thoughtheyusuallyhaveagoodnotionofthecurrentmarketvalue;andtheycan’tmakeathingforthemselves,notevenmendalittleloosescaleoftheirarmour.TherewerelotsofdragonsintheNorthinthosedays,andgoldwasprobablygettingscarceupthere,withthedwarvesflyingsouthorgettingkilled,andallthegeneralwasteanddestructionthatdragonsmakegoingfrombadtoworse.Therewasamostspeciallygreedy,strongandwickedwormcalledSmaug.Onedayheflewupintotheairandcamesouth.ThefirstweheardofitwasanoiselikeahurricanecomingfromtheNorth,andthepine-treesontheMountaincreakingandcrackinginthewind.

Someofthedwarveswhohappenedtobeoutside(Iwasoneluckily—afineadventurousladinthosedays,alwayswanderingabout,anditsavedmylifethatday)—well,fromagoodwayoffwesawthedragonsettleonourmountaininaspoutofflame.Thenhecamedowntheslopesandwhenhereachedthewoodstheyallwentupinfire.BythattimeallthebellswereringinginDaleandthewarriorswerearming.Thedwarvesrushedoutoftheirgreatgate;buttherewasthedragonwaitingforthem.Noneescapedthatway.TheriverrushedupinsteamandafogfellonDale,andinthefogthedragoncameonthemanddestroyedmostofthewarriors—theusualunhappystory,itwasonlytoocommoninthosedays.ThenhewentbackandcreptinthroughtheFrontGateandroutedoutallthehalls,andlanes,andtunnels,alleys,cellars,mansionsandpassages.Afterthattherewerenodwarvesleftaliveinside,andhetookalltheirwealthforhimself.Probably,forthatisthedragons’way,hehaspileditallupinagreatheapfarinside,andsleepsonitforabed.LaterheusedtocrawloutofthegreatgateandcomebynighttoDale,andcarryawaypeople,especiallymaidens,toeat,untilDalewasruined,andallthepeopledeadorgone.WhatgoesontherenowIdon’tknowforcertain,butIdon’tsupposeanyonelivesnearertotheMountainthanthefaredgeoftheLongLakenow-a-days.

“Thefewofusthatwerewelloutsidesatandweptinhiding,andcursedSmaug;andtherewewereunexpectedlyjoinedbymyfatherandmygrandfatherwithsingedbeards.Theylookedverygrimbuttheysaidverylittle.WhenIaskedhowtheyhadgotaway,theytoldmetoholdmytongue,andsaidthatonedayinthepropertimeIshouldknow.Afterthatwewentaway,andwehavehadtoearnourlivingsasbestwecouldupanddownthelands,oftenenoughsinkingaslowasblacksmith-workorevencoalmining.Butwehaveneverforgottenourstolentreasure.Andevennow,whenIwillallowwehaveagoodbitlaidbyandarenotsobadlyoff”—hereThorinstrokedthegoldchainroundhisneck—“westillmeantogetitback,andtobringourcurseshometoSmaug—ifwecan.

“Ihaveoftenwonderedaboutmyfather’sandmygrandfather’sescape.IseenowtheymusthavehadaprivateSide-doorwhichonlytheyknewabout.Butapparentlytheymadeamap,andIshouldliketoknowhowGandalfgotholdofit,andwhyitdidnotcomedowntome,therightfulheir.”

“Ididnot‘getholdofit,’Iwasgivenit,”saidthewizard.“YourgrandfatherThrorwaskilled,youremember,intheminesofMoriabyAzogtheGoblin.”

“Cursehisname,yes,”saidThorin.“AndThrainyourfatherwentawayonthetwenty-firstofApril,ahundred

yearsagolastThursday,andhasneverbeenseenbyyousince—”

“True,true,”saidThorin.“Well,yourfathergavemethistogivetoyou;andifIhavechosenmyown

timeandwayforhandingitover,youcanhardlyblameme,consideringthetroubleIhadtofindyou.Yourfathercouldnotrememberhisownnamewhenhegavemethepaper,andhenevertoldmeyours;soonthewholeIthinkIoughttobepraisedandthanked!Hereitis,”saidhehandingthemaptoThorin.

“Idon’tunderstand,”saidThorin,andBilbofelthewouldhavelikedtosaythesame.Theexplanationdidnotseemtoexplain.

“Yourgrandfather,”saidthewizardslowlyandgrimly,“gavethemaptohissonforsafetybeforehewenttotheminesofMoria.Yourfatherwentawaytotryhisluckwiththemapafteryourgrandfatherwaskilled;andlotsofadventuresofamostunpleasantsorthehad,buthenevergotneartheMountain.HowhegotthereIdon’tknow,butIfoundhimaprisonerinthedungeonsoftheNecromancer.”

“Whateverwereyoudoingthere?”askedThorinwithashudder,andallthedwarvesshivered.

“Neveryoumind.Iwasfindingthingsout,asusual;andanastydangerousbusinessitwas.EvenI,Gandalf,onlyjustescaped.Itriedtosaveyourfather,butitwastoolate.Hewaswitlessandwandering,andhadforgottenalmosteverythingexceptthemapandthekey.”

“WehavelongagopaidthegoblinsofMoria,”saidThorin;“wemustgiveathoughttotheNecromancer.”

“Don’tbeabsurd!Heisanenemyfarbeyondthepowersofallthedwarvesputtogether,iftheycouldallbecollectedagainfromthefourcornersoftheworld.Theonethingyourfatherwishedwasforhissontoreadthemapandusethekey.ThedragonandtheMountainaremorethanbigenoughtasksforyou!”

“Hear,hear!”saidBilbo,andaccidentallysaiditaloud.“Hearwhat?”theyallsaidturningsuddenlytowardshim,andhewasso

flusteredthatheanswered“HearwhatIhavegottosay!”“What’sthat?”theyasked.“Well,IshouldsaythatyououghttogoEastandhavealookround.Afterall

thereistheSide-door,anddragonsmustsleepsometimes,Isuppose.Ifyousitonthedoor-steplongenough,Idaresayyouwillthinkofsomething.Andwell,don’tyouknow,Ithinkwehavetalkedlongenoughforonenight,ifyouseewhatImean.Whataboutbed,andanearlystart,andallthat?Iwillgiveyouagoodbreakfastbeforeyougo.”

“Beforewego,Isupposeyoumean,”saidThorin.“Aren’tyoutheburglar?

Andisn’tsittingonthedoor-stepyourjob,nottospeakofgettinginsidethedoor?ButIagreeaboutbedandbreakfast.Ilikesixeggswithmyham,whenstartingonajourney:friednotpoached,andmindyoudon’tbreak’em.”

Afteralltheothershadorderedtheirbreakfastswithoutsomuchasaplease(whichannoyedBilboverymuch),theyallgotup.Thehobbithadtofindroomforthemall,andfilledallhisspare-roomsandmadebedsonchairsandsofas,beforehegotthemallstowedandwenttohisownlittlebedverytiredandnotaltogetherhappy.Onethinghedidmakehismindupaboutwasnottobothertogetupveryearlyandcookeverybodyelse’swretchedbreakfast.TheTookishnesswaswearingoff,andhewasnotnowquitesosurethathewasgoingonanyjourneyinthemorning.

AshelayinbedhecouldhearThorinstillhummingtohimselfinthebestbedroomnexttohim:

FaroverthemistymountainscoldTodungeonsdeepandcavernsoldWemustaway,erebreakofday,Tofindourlong-forgottengold.

Bilbowenttosleepwiththatinhisears,anditgavehimveryuncomfortabledreams.Itwaslongafterthebreakofday,whenhewokeup.

ChapterII

ROASTMUTTON

UpjumpedBilbo,andputtingonhisdressing-gownwentintothedining-room.Therehesawnobody,butallthesignsofalargeandhurriedbreakfast.Therewasafearfulmessintheroom,andpilesofunwashedcrocksinthekitchen.Nearlyeverypotandpanhepossessedseemedtohavebeenused.Thewashing-upwassodismallyrealthatBilbowasforcedtobelievethepartyofthenightbeforehadnotbeenpartofhisbaddreams,ashehadratherhoped.Indeedhewasreallyrelievedafteralltothinkthattheyhadallgonewithouthim,andwithoutbotheringtowakehimup(“butwithneverathank-you”hethought);andyetinawayhecouldnothelpfeelingjustatrifledisappointed.Thefeelingsurprisedhim.

“Don’tbeafool,BilboBaggins!”hesaidtohimself,“thinkingofdragonsandallthatoutlandishnonsenseatyourage!”Soheputonanapron,litfires,boiledwater,andwashedup.Thenhehadanicelittlebreakfastinthekitchenbeforeturningoutthedining-room.Bythattimethesunwasshining;andthefrontdoorwasopen,lettinginawarmspringbreeze.Bilbobegantowhistleloudlyandtoforgetaboutthenightbefore.Infacthewasjustsittingdowntoanicelittlesecondbreakfastinthedining-roombytheopenwindow,wheninwalkedGandalf.

“Mydearfellow,”saidhe,“wheneverareyougoingtocome?Whataboutanearlystart?—andhereyouarehavingbreakfast,orwhateveryoucallit,athalfpastten!Theyleftyouthemessage,becausetheycouldnotwait.”

“Whatmessage?”saidpoorMr.Bagginsallinafluster.“GreatElephants!”saidGandalf,“youarenotatallyourselfthismorning—

youhaveneverdustedthemantelpiece!”“What’sthatgottodowithit?Ihavehadenoughtodowithwashingupfor

fourteen!”“Ifyouhaddustedthemantelpiece,youwouldhavefoundthisjustunderthe

clock,”saidGandalf,handingBilboanote(written,ofcourse,onhisownnote-paper).

Thisiswhatheread:

“ThorinandCompanytoBurglarBilbogreeting!Foryourhospitalityoursincerestthanks,andforyourofferofprofessionalassistanceourgratefulacceptance.Terms:cashondelivery,uptoandnotexceedingonefourteenthoftotalprofits(ifany);alltravellingexpensesguaranteedinanyevent;funeralexpensestobedefrayedbyusorourrepresentatives,ifoccasionarisesandthematterisnototherwisearrangedfor.

“Thinkingitunnecessarytodisturbyouresteemedrepose,wehaveproceededinadvancetomakerequisitepreparations,andshallawaityourrespectedpersonattheGreenDragonInn,Bywater,at11a.m.sharp.Trustingthatyouwillbepunctual,

“Wehavethehonourtoremain“Yoursdeeply“Thorin&Co.”

“Thatleavesyoujusttenminutes.Youwillhavetorun,”saidGandalf.“But—,”saidBilbo.“Notimeforit,”saidthewizard.“But—,”saidBilboagain.“Notimeforthateither!Offyougo!”TotheendofhisdaysBilbocouldneverrememberhowhefoundhimself

outside,withoutahat,awalking-stickoranymoney,oranythingthatheusuallytookwhenhewentout;leavinghissecondbreakfasthalf-finishedandquiteunwashed-up,pushinghiskeysintoGandalf’shands,andrunningasfastashisfurryfeetcouldcarryhimdownthelane,pastthegreatMill,acrossTheWater,andthenonforamileormore.

Verypuffedhewas,whenhegottoBywaterjustonthestrokeofeleven,andfoundhehadcomewithoutapocket-handkerchief!

“Bravo!”saidBalinwhowasstandingattheinndoorlookingoutforhim.Justthenalltheotherscameroundthecorneroftheroadfromthevillage.

Theywereonponies,andeachponywasslungaboutwithallkindsofbaggages,packages,parcels,andparaphernalia.Therewasaverysmallpony,apparently

forBilbo.“Upyoutwoget,andoffwego!”saidThorin.“I’mawfullysorry,”saidBilbo,“butIhavecomewithoutmyhat,andIhave

leftmypocket-handkerchiefbehind,andIhaven’tgotanymoney.Ididn’tgetyournoteuntilafter10.45tobeprecise.”

“Don’tbeprecise,”saidDwalin,“anddon’tworry!Youwillhavetomanagewithoutpocket-handkerchiefs,andagoodmanyotherthings,beforeyougettothejourney’send.Asforahat,Ihavegotasparehoodandcloakinmyluggage.”

That’showtheyallcametostart,joggingofffromtheinnonefinemorningjustbeforeMay,onladenponies;andBilbowaswearingadark-greenhood(alittleweather-stained)andadark-greencloakborrowedfromDwalin.Theyweretoolargeforhim,andhelookedrathercomic.WhathisfatherBungowouldhavethoughtofhim,Idaren’tthink.Hisonlycomfortwashecouldn’tbemistakenforadwarf,ashehadnobeard.

Theyhadnotbeenridingverylong,whenupcameGandalfverysplendidonawhitehorse.Hehadbroughtalotofpocket-handkerchiefs,andBilbo’spipeandtobacco.Soafterthatthepartywentalongverymerrily,andtheytoldstoriesorsangsongsastheyrodeforwardallday,exceptofcoursewhentheystoppedformeals.Thesedidn’tcomequiteasoftenasBilbowouldhavelikedthem,butstillhebegantofeelthatadventureswerenotsobadafterall.

Atfirsttheyhadpassedthroughhobbit-lands,awiderespectablecountryinhabitedbydecentfolk,withgoodroads,aninnortwo,andnowandthenadwarforafarmeramblingbyonbusiness.Thentheycametolandswherepeoplespokestrangely,andsangsongsBilbohadneverheardbefore.NowtheyhadgoneonfarintotheLone-lands,wheretherewerenopeopleleft,noinns,andtheroadsgrewsteadilyworse.Notfaraheadweredrearyhills,risinghigherandhigher,darkwithtrees.Onsomeofthemwereoldcastleswithanevillook,asiftheyhadbeenbuiltbywickedpeople.Everythingseemedgloomy,fortheweatherthatdayhadtakenanastyturn.MostlyithadbeenasgoodasMaycanbe,canbe,eveninmerrytales,butnowitwascoldandwet.IntheLone-landstheyhadbeenobligedtocampwhentheycould,butatleastithadbeendry.

“TothinkitwillsoonbeJune!”grumbledBilbo,ashesplashedalongbehindtheothersinaverymuddytrack.Itwasaftertea-time;itwaspouringwithrain,andhadbeenallday;hishoodwasdrippingintohiseyes,hiscloakwasfullofwater;theponywastiredandstumbledonstones;theothersweretoogrumpytotalk.“AndI’msuretherainhasgotintothedryclothesandintothefood-bags,”

thoughtBilbo.“Botherburglingandeverythingtodowithit!IwishIwasathomeinmyniceholebythefire,withthekettlejustbeginningtosing!”Itwasnotthelasttimethathewishedthat!

Stillthedwarvesjoggedon,neverturningroundortakinganynoticeofthehobbit.Somewherebehindthegreycloudsthesunmusthavegonedown,foritbegantogetdarkastheywentdownintoadeepvalleywithariveratthebottom.Windgotup,andwillowsalongitsbanksbentandsighed.Fortunatelytheroadwentoveranancientstonebridge,fortheriver,swollenwiththerains,camerushingdownfromthehillsandmountainsinthenorth.

Itwasnearlynightwhentheyhadcrossedover.Thewindbrokeupthegreyclouds,andawanderingmoonappearedabovethehillsbetweentheflyingrags.Thentheystopped,andThorinmutteredsomethingaboutsupper,“andwhereshallwegetadrypatchtosleepon?”

NotuntilthendidtheynoticethatGandalfwasmissing.Sofarhehadcomeallthewaywiththem,neversayingifhewasintheadventureormerelykeepingthemcompanyforawhile.Hehadeatenmost,talkedmost,andlaughedmost.Butnowhesimplywasnotthereatall!

“Justwhenawizardwouldhavebeenmostuseful,too,”groanedDoriandNori(whosharedthehobbit’sviewsaboutregularmeals,plentyandoften).

Theydecidedintheendthattheywouldhavetocampwheretheywere.Theymovedtoaclumpoftrees,andthoughitwasdrierunderthem,thewindshooktherainofftheleaves,andthedrip,drip,wasmostannoying.Alsothemischiefseemedtohavegotintothefire.Dwarvescanmakeafirealmostanywhereoutofalmostanything,windornowind;buttheycouldnotdoitthatnight,notevenOinandGloin,whowerespeciallygoodatit.

Thenoneoftheponiestookfrightatnothingandbolted.Hegotintotheriverbeforetheycouldcatchhim;andbeforetheycouldgethimoutagain,FiliandKiliwerenearlydrowned,andallthebaggagethathecarriedwaswashedawayoffhim.Ofcourseitwasmostlyfood,andtherewasmightylittleleftforsupper,andlessforbreakfast.

Theretheyallsatglumandwetandmuttering,whileOinandGloinwentontryingtolightthefire,andquarrellingaboutit.Bilbowassadlyreflectingthatadventuresarenotallpony-ridesinMay-sunshine,whenBalin,whowasalwaystheirlook-outman,said:“There’salightoverthere!”Therewasahillsomewayoffwithtreesonit,prettythickinparts.Outofthedarkmassofthetreesthey

couldnowseealightshining,areddishcomfortable-lookinglight,asitmightbeafireortorchestwinkling.

Whentheyhadlookedatitforsomewhile,theyfelltoarguing.Somesaid“no”andsomesaid“yes”.Somesaidtheycouldbutgoandsee,andanythingwasbetterthanlittlesupper,lessbreakfast,andwetclothesallthenight.

Otherssaid:“Thesepartsarenonetoowellknown,andaretoonearthemountains.Travellersseldomcomethiswaynow.Theoldmapsarenouse:thingshavechangedfortheworseandtheroadisunguarded.Theyhaveseldomevenheardofthekingroundhere,andthelessinquisitiveyouareasyougoalong,thelesstroubleyouarelikelytofind.”Somesaid:“Afteralltherearefourteenofus.”Otherssaid:“WherehasGandalfgotto?”Thisremarkwasrepeatedbyeverybody.Thentherainbegantopourdownworsethanever,andOinandGloinbegantofight.

Thatsettledit.“Afterallwehavegotaburglarwithus,”theysaid;andsotheymadeoff,leadingtheirponies(withalldueandpropercaution)inthedirectionofthelight.Theycametothehillandweresooninthewood.Upthehilltheywent;buttherewasnoproperpathtobeseen,suchasmightleadtoahouseorafarm;anddowhattheycouldtheymadeadealofrustlingandcracklingandcreaking(andagooddealofgrumblinganddratting),astheywentthroughthetreesinthepitchdark.

Suddenlytheredlightshoneoutverybrightthroughthetree-trunksnotfarahead.

“Nowitistheburglar’sturn,”theysaid,meaningBilbo.“Youmustgoonandfindoutallaboutthatlight,andwhatitisfor,andifallisperfectlysafeandcanny,”saidThorintothehobbit.“Nowscuttleoff,andcomebackquick,ifalliswell.Ifnot,comebackifyoucan!Ifyoucan’t,hoottwicelikeabarn-owlandoncelikeascreech-owl,andwewilldowhatwecan.”

OffBilbohadtogo,beforehecouldexplainthathecouldnothootevenoncelikeanykindofowlanymorethanflylikeabat.Butatanyratehobbitscanmovequietlyinwoods,absolutelyquietly.Theytakeaprideinit,andBilbohadsniffedmorethanonceatwhathecalled“allthisdwarvishracket,”astheywentalong,thoughIdon’tsupposeyouorIwouldhavenoticedanythingatallonawindynight,notifthewholecavalcadehadpassedtwofeetoff.AsforBilbowalkingprimlytowardstheredlight,Idon’tsupposeevenaweaselwouldhavestirredawhiskeratit.So,naturally,hegotrightuptothefire—forfireitwas—withoutdisturbinganyone.Andthisiswhathesaw.

Threeverylargepersonssittingroundaverylargefireofbeech-logs.They

weretoastingmuttononlongspitsofwood,andlickingthegravyofftheirfingers.Therewasafinetoothsomesmell.Alsotherewasabarrelofgooddrinkathand,andtheyweredrinkingoutofjugs.Buttheyweretrolls.Obviouslytrolls.EvenBilbo,inspiteofhisshelteredlife,couldseethat:fromthegreatheavyfacesofthem,andtheirsize,andtheshapeoftheirlegs,nottomentiontheirlanguage,whichwasnotdrawing-roomfashionatall,atall.

“Muttonyesterday,muttontoday,andblimey,ifitdon’tlooklikemuttonagaintomorrer,”saidoneofthetrolls.

“Neverablinkingbitofmanfleshhavewehadforlongenough,”saidasecond.“Whatthe’ellWilliamwasa-thinkin’oftobringusintothesepartsatall,beatsme—andthedrinkrunnin’short,what’smore,”hesaidjoggingtheelbowofWilliam,whowastakingapullathisjug.

Williamchoked.“Shutyermouth!”hesaidassoonashecould.“Yercan’texpectfolktostophereforeverjusttobeetbyyouandBert.You’veetavillageandahalfbetweenyer,sincewecomedownfromthemountains.Howmuchmored’yerwant?Andtime’sbeenupourway,whenyer’dhavesaid‘thankyerBill’foranicebito’fatvalleymuttonlikewhatthisis.”Hetookabigbiteoffasheep’sleghewasroasting,andwipedhislipsonhissleeve.

Yes,Iamafraidtrollsdobehavelikethat,eventhosewithonlyoneheadeach.AfterhearingallthisBilbooughttohavedonesomethingatonce.Eitherheshouldhavegonebackquietlyandwarnedhisfriendsthattherewerethreefair-sizedtrollsathandinanastymood,quitelikelytotryroasteddwarf,orevenpony,forachange;orelseheshouldhavedoneabitofgoodquickburgling.Areallyfirst-classandlegendaryburglarwouldatthispointhavepickedthetrolls’pockets—itisnearlyalwaysworthwhile,ifyoucanmanageit—,pinchedtheverymuttonoffthespits,purloinedthebeer,andwalkedoffwithouttheirnoticinghim.Othersmorepracticalbutwithlessprofessionalpridewouldperhapshavestuckadaggerintoeachofthembeforetheyobservedit.Thenthenightcouldhavebeenspentcheerily.

Bilboknewit.Hehadreadofagoodmanythingshehadneverseenordone.Hewasverymuchalarmed,aswellasdisgusted;hewishedhimselfahundredmilesaway,andyet—andyetsomehowhecouldnotgostraightbacktoThorinandCompanyemptyhanded.Sohestoodandhesitatedintheshadows.Ofthevariousburglariousproceedingshehadheardofpickingthetrolls’pocketsseemedtheleastdifficult,soatlasthecreptbehindatreejustbehindWilliam.

BertandTomwentofftothebarrel.Williamwashavinganotherdrink.ThenBilbopluckedupcourageandputhislittlehandinWilliam’senormouspocket.

Therewasapurseinit,asbigasabagtoBilbo.“Ha!”thoughthe,warmingtohisnewworkashelifteditcarefullyout,“thisisabeginning!”

Itwas!Trolls’pursesarethemischief,andthiswasnoexception.“’Ere,’ooareyou?”itsqueaked,asitleftthepocket;andWilliamturnedroundatonceandgrabbedBilbobytheneck,beforehecouldduckbehindthetree.

“Blimey,Bert,lookwhatI’vecopped!”saidWilliam.“Whatisit?”saidtheotherscomingup.“Lumme,ifIknows!Whatareyer?”“BilboBaggins,abur—ahobbit,”saidpoorBilbo,shakingallover,and

wonderinghowtomakeowl-noisesbeforetheythrottledhim.“Aburrahobbit?”saidtheyabitstartled.Trollsareslowintheuptake,and

mightysuspiciousaboutanythingnewtothem.“What’saburrahobbitgottodowithmypocket,anyways?”saidWilliam.“Andcanyercook’em?”saidTom.“Yercantry,”saidBert,pickingupaskewer.“Hewouldn’tmakeaboveamouthful,”saidWilliam,whohadalreadyhada

finesupper,“notwhenhewasskinnedandboned.”“P’rapstherearemorelikehimroundabout,andwemightmakeapie,”said

Bert.“Hereyou,arethereanymoreofyoursorta-sneakin’intheseherewoods,yernasstylittlerabbit,”saidhelookingatthehobbit’sfurryfeet;andhepickedhimupbythetoesandshookhim.

“Yes,lots,”saidBilbo,beforeherememberednottogivehisfriendsaway.“Nononeatall,notone,”hesaidimmediatelyafterwards.

“Whatd’yermean?”saidBert,holdinghimrightwayup,bythehairthistime.

“WhatIsay,”saidBilbogasping.“Andpleasedon’tcookme,kindsirs!Iamagoodcookmyself,andcookbetterthanIcook,ifyouseewhatImean.I’llcookbeautifullyforyou,aperfectlybeautifulbreakfastforyou,ifonlyyouwon’thavemeforsupper.”

“Poorlittleblighter,”saidWilliam.Hehadalreadyhadasmuchsupperashecouldhold;alsohehadhadlotsofbeer.“Poorlittleblighter!Lethimgo!”

“Nottillhesayswhathemeansbylotsandnoneatall,”saidBert.“Idon’twanttohavemethroatcutinmesleep!Holdhistoesinthefire,tillhetalks!”

“Iwon’thaveit,”saidWilliam.“Icaughthimanyway.”“You’reafatfool,William,”saidBert,“asI’vesaidaforethisevening.”“Andyou’realout!”“AndIwon’ttakethatfromyou,BillHuggins,”saysBert,andputshisfistin

William’seye.Thentherewasagorgeousrow.Bilbohadjustenoughwitsleft,whenBert

droppedhimontheground,toscrambleoutofthewayoftheirfeet,beforetheywerefightinglikedogs,andcallingoneanotherallsortsofperfectlytrueandapplicablenamesinveryloudvoices.Soontheywerelockedinoneanother’sarms,androllingnearlyintothefirekickingandthumping,whileTomwhackedatthembothwithabranchtobringthemtotheirsenses—andthatofcourseonlymadethemmadderthanever.

ThatwouldhavebeenthetimeforBilbotohaveleft.ButhispoorlittlefeethadbeenverysquashedinBert’sbigpaw,andhehadnobreathinhisbody,andhisheadwasgoinground;sotherehelayforawhilepanting,justoutsidethecircleoffirelight.

RightinthemiddleofthefightupcameBalin.Thedwarveshadheardnoisesfromadistance,andafterwaitingforsometimeforBilbotocomeback,ortohootlikeanowl,theystartedoffonebyonetocreeptowardsthelightasquietlyastheycould.NosoonerdidTomseeBalincomeintothelightthanhegaveanawfulhowl.Trollssimplydetesttheverysightofdwarves(uncooked).BertandBillstoppedfightingimmediately,and“asack,Tom,quick!”theysaid.BeforeBalin,whowaswonderingwhereinallthiscommotionBilbowas,knewwhatwashappening,asackwasoverhishead,andhewasdown.

“There’smoretocomeyet,”saidTom,“orI’mmightymistook.Lotsandnoneatall,itis,”saidhe.“Noburrahobbits,butlotsoftheseheredwarves.That’sabouttheshapeofit!”

“Ireckonyou’reright,”saidBert,“andwe’dbestgetoutofthelight.”Andsotheydid.Withsacksintheirhands,thattheyusedforcarryingoff

muttonandotherplunder,theywaitedintheshadows.Aseachdwarfcameupandlookedatthefire,andthespilledjugs,andthegnawedmutton,insurprise,pop!wentanastysmellysackoverhishead,andhewasdown.SoonDwalinlaybyBalin,andFiliandKilitogether,andDoriandNoriandOriallinaheap,andOinandGloinandBifurandBofurandBomburpileduncomfortablynearthefire.

“That’llteach’em,”saidTom;forBifurandBomburhadgivenalotoftrouble,andfoughtlikemad,asdwarveswillwhencornered.

Thorincamelast—andhewasnotcaughtunawares.Hecameexpectingmischief,anddidn’tneedtoseehisfriends’legsstickingoutofsackstotellhimthatthingswerenotallwell.Hestoodoutsideintheshadowssomewayoff,andsaid:“What’sallthistrouble?Whohasbeenknockingmypeopleabout?”

“It’strolls!”saidBilbofrombehindatree.Theyhadforgottenallabouthim.“They’rehidinginthebusheswithsacks,”saidhe.

“O!arethey?”saidThorin,andhejumpedforwardtothefire,beforetheycouldleaponhim.Hecaughtupabigbranchallonfireatoneend;andBertgotthatendinhiseyebeforehecouldstepaside.Thatputhimoutofthebattleforabit.Bilbodidhisbest.HecaughtholdofTom’sleg—aswellashecould,itwasthickasayoungtree-trunk—buthewassentspinningupintothetopofsomebushes,whenTomkickedthesparksupinThorin’sface.

TheTrolls

Tomgotthebranchinhisteethforthat,andlostoneofthefrontones.Itmadehimhowl,Icantellyou.ButjustatthatmomentWilliamcameupbehindandpoppedasackrightoverThorin’sheadanddowntohistoes.Andsothefightended.Anicepickletheywereallinnow:allneatlytiedupinsacks,withthreeangrytrolls(andtwowithburnsandbashestoremember)sittingbythem,arguingwhethertheyshouldroastthemslowly,ormincethemfineandboilthem,orjustsitonthemonebyoneandsquashthemintojelly;andBilboupinabush,withhisclothesandhisskintorn,notdaringtomoveforfeartheyshouldhearhim.

ItwasjustthenthatGandalfcameback.Butnoonesawhim.Thetrollshadjustdecidedtoroastthedwarvesnowandeatthemlater—thatwasBert’sidea,andafteralotofargumenttheyhadallagreedtoit.

“Nogoodroasting’emnow,it’dtakeallnight,”saidavoice.BertthoughtitwasWilliam’s.

“Don’tstarttheargumentalloveragain,Bill,”hesaid,“oritwilltakeallnight.”

“Who’sa-arguing?”saidWilliam,whothoughtitwasBertthathadspoken.“Youare,”saidBert.“You’realiar,”saidWilliam;andsotheargumentbeganalloveragain.In

theendtheydecidedtomincethemfineandboilthem.Sotheygotagreatblackpot,andtheytookouttheirknives.

“Nogoodboiling’em!Weain’tgotnowater,andit’salongwaytothewellandall,”saidavoice.BertandWilliamthoughtitwasTom’s.

“Shutup!”saidthey,“orwe’llneverhavedone.Andyercanfetchthewateryerself,ifyersayanymore.”

“Shutupyerself!”saidTom,whothoughtitwasWilliam’svoice.“Who’sarguingbutyou,I’dliketoknow.”

“You’reabooby,”saidWilliam.“Boobyyerself!”saidTom.Andsotheargumentbeganalloveragain,andwentonhotterthanever,until

atlasttheydecidedtositonthesacksonebyoneandsquashthem,andboilthemnexttime.

“Whoshallwesitonfirst?”saidthevoice.“Bettersitonthelastfellowfirst,”saidBert,whoseeyehadbeendamaged

byThorin.HethoughtTomwastalking.

“Don’ttalktoyerself!”saidTom.“Butifyouwantstositonthelastone,sitonhim.Whichishe?”

“Theonewiththeyellowstockings,”saidBert.“Nonsense,theonewiththegreystockings,”saidavoicelikeWilliam’s.“Imadesureitwasyellow,”saidBert.“Yellowitwas,”saidWilliam.“Thenwhatdidyersayitwasgreyfor?”saidBert.“Ineverdid.Tomsaidit.”“ThatIneverdid!”saidTom.“Itwasyou.”“Twotoone,soshutyermouth!”saidBert.“Whoareyoua-talkin’to?”saidWilliam.“Nowstopit!”saidTomandBerttogether.“Thenight’sgettin’on,anddawn

comesearly.Let’sgetonwithit!”“Dawntakeyouall,andbestonetoyou!”saidavoicethatsoundedlike

William’s.Butitwasn’t.Forjustatthatmomentthelightcameoverthehill,andtherewasamightytwitterinthebranches.Williamneverspokeforhestoodturnedtostoneashestooped;andBertandTomwerestucklikerocksastheylookedathim.Andtheretheystandtothisday,allalone,unlessthebirdsperchonthem;fortrolls,asyouprobablyknow,mustbeundergroundbeforedawn,ortheygobacktothestuffofthemountainstheyaremadeof,andnevermoveagain.ThatiswhathadhappenedtoBertandTomandWilliam.

“Excellent!”saidGandalf,ashesteppedfrombehindatree,andhelpedBilbotoclimbdownoutofathorn-bush.ThenBilbounderstood.Itwasthewizard’svoicethathadkeptthetrollsbickeringandquarrelling,untilthelightcameandmadeanendofthem.

Thenextthingwastountiethesacksandletoutthedwarves.Theywerenearlysuffocated,andveryannoyed:theyhadnotatallenjoyedlyingtherelisteningtothetrollsmakingplansforroastingthemandsquashingthemandmincingthem.TheyhadtohearBilbo’saccountofwhathadhappenedtohimtwiceover,beforetheyweresatisfied.

“Sillytimetogopractisingpinchingandpocket-picking,”saidBombur,“whenwhatwewantedwasfireandfood!”

“Andthat’sjustwhatyouwouldn’thavegotofthosefellowswithoutastruggle,inanycase,”saidGandalf.“Anyhowyouarewastingtimenow.Don’tyourealizethatthetrollsmusthaveacaveoraholedugsomewhereneartohidefromthesunin?Wemustlookintoit!”

Theysearchedabout,andsoonfoundthemarksoftrolls’stonybootsgoing

awaythroughthetrees.Theyfollowedthetracksupthehill,untilhiddenbybushestheycameonabigdoorofstoneleadingtoacave.Buttheycouldnotopenit,notthoughtheyallpushedwhileGandalftriedvariousincantations.

“Wouldthisbeanygood?”askedBilbo,whentheyweregettingtiredandangry.“Ifounditonthegroundwherethetrollshadtheirfight.”Heheldoutalargishkey,thoughnodoubtWilliamhadthoughtitverysmallandsecret.Itmusthavefallenoutofhispocket,veryluckily,beforehewasturnedtostone.

“Whyonearthdidn’tyoumentionitbefore?”theycried.Gandalfgrabbeditandfitteditintothekeyhole.Thenthestonedoorswungbackwithonebigpush,andtheyallwentinside.Therewerebonesonthefloorandanastysmellwasintheair;buttherewasagooddealoffoodjumbledcarelesslyonshelvesandontheground,amonganuntidylitterofplunder,ofallsortsfrombrassbuttonstopotsfullofgoldcoinsstandinginacorner.Therewerelotsofclothes,too,hangingonthewalls—toosmallfortrolls,Iamafraidtheybelongedtovictims—andamongthemwereseveralswordsofvariousmakes,shapes,andsizes.Twocaughttheireyesparticularly,becauseoftheirbeautifulscabbardsandjewelledhilts.

GandalfandThorineachtookoneofthese;andBilbotookaknifeinaleathersheath.Itwouldhavemadeonlyatinypocket-knifeforatroll,butitwasasgoodasashortswordforthehobbit.

“Theselooklikegoodblades,”saidthewizard,halfdrawingthemandlookingatthemcuriously.“Theywerenotmadebyanytroll,norbyanysmithamongmeninthesepartsanddays;butwhenwecanreadtherunesonthem,weshallknowmoreaboutthem.”

“Let’sgetoutofthishorriblesmell!”saidFili.Sotheycarriedoutthepotsofcoins,andsuchfoodaswasuntouchedandlookedfittoeat,alsoonebarrelofalewhichwasstillfull.Bythattimetheyfeltlikebreakfast,andbeingveryhungrytheydidnotturntheirnosesupatwhattheyhadgotfromthetrolls’larder.Theirownprovisionswereveryscanty.Nowtheyhadbreadandcheese,andplentyofale,andbacontotoastintheembersofthefire.

Afterthattheyslept,fortheirnighthadbeendisturbed;andtheydidnothingmoretilltheafternoon.Thentheybroughtuptheirponies,andcarriedawaythepotsofgold,andburiedthemverysecretlynotfarfromthetrackbytheriver,puttingagreatmanyspellsoverthem,justincasetheyeverhadthechancetocomebackandrecoverthem.Whenthatwasdone,theyallmountedoncemore,andjoggedalongagainonthepathtowardstheEast.

“Wheredidyougoto,ifImayask?”saidThorintoGandalfastheyrode

along.“Tolookahead,”saidhe.“Andwhatbroughtyoubackinthenickoftime?”“Lookingbehind,”saidhe.“Exactly!”saidThorin;“butcouldyoubemoreplain?”“Iwentontospyoutourroad.Itwillsoonbecomedangerousanddifficult.

AlsoIwasanxiousaboutreplenishingoursmallstockofprovisions.Ihadnotgoneveryfar,however,whenImetacoupleoffriendsofminefromRivendell.”

“Where’sthat?”askedBilbo.“Don’tinterrupt!”saidGandalf.“Youwillgetthereinafewdaysnow,if

we’relucky,andfindoutallaboutit.AsIwassayingImettwoofElrond’speople.Theywerehurryingalongforfearofthetrolls.Itwastheywhotoldmethatthreeofthemhadcomedownfromthemountainsandsettledinthewoodsnotfarfromtheroad:theyhadfrightenedeveryoneawayfromthedistrict,andtheywaylaidstrangers.

“IimmediatelyhadafeelingthatIwaswantedback.LookingbehindIsawafireinthedistanceandmadeforit.Sonowyouknow.Pleasebemorecareful,nexttime,orweshallnevergetanywhere!”

“Thankyou!”saidThorin.

ChapterIII

ASHORTREST

Theydidnotsingortellstoriesthatday,eventhoughtheweatherimproved;northenextday,northedayafter.Theyhadbeguntofeelthatdangerwasnotfarawayoneitherside.Theycampedunderthestars,andtheirhorseshadmoretoeatthantheyhad;fortherewasplentyofgrass,buttherewasnotmuchintheirbags,evenwithwhattheyhadgotfromthetrolls.Onemorningtheyfordedariveratawideshallowplacefullofthenoiseofstonesandfoam.Thefarbankwassteepandslippery.Whentheygottothetopofit,leadingtheirponies,theysawthatthegreatmountainshadmarcheddownveryneartothem.Alreadytheyseemedonlyaday’seasyjourneyfromthefeetofthenearest.Darkanddrearitlooked,thoughtherewerepatchesofsunlightonitsbrownsides,andbehinditsshouldersthetipsofsnow-peaksgleamed.

“IsthatTheMountain?”askedBilboinasolemnvoice,lookingatitwithroundeyes.Hehadneverseenathingthatlookedsobigbefore.

“Ofcoursenot!”saidBalin.“ThatisonlythebeginningoftheMistyMountains,andwehavegottogetthrough,orover,orunderthosesomehow,beforewecancomeintoWilderlandbeyond.AnditisadealofawayevenfromtheothersideofthemtotheLonelyMountainintheEastwhereSmaugliesonourtreasure.”

“O!”saidBilbo,andjustatthatmomenthefeltmoretiredthanheeverrememberedfeelingbefore.Hewasthinkingonceagainofhiscomfortablechairbeforethefireinhisfavouritesitting-roominhishobbit-hole,andofthekettlesinging.Notforthelasttime!

NowGandalfledtheway.“Wemustnotmisstheroad,orweshallbedonefor,”

hesaid.“Weneedfood,foronething,andrestinreasonablesafety—alsoitisverynecessarytotackletheMistyMountainsbytheproperpath,orelseyouwillgetlostinthem,andhavetocomebackandstartatthebeginningagain(ifyouevergetbackatall).”

Theyaskedhimwherehewasmakingfor,andheanswered:“YouarecometotheveryedgeoftheWild,assomeofyoumayknow.HiddensomewhereaheadofusisthefairvalleyofRivendellwhereElrondlivesintheLastHomelyHouse.Isentamessagebymyfriends,andweareexpected.”

Thatsoundedniceandcomforting,buttheyhadnotgotthereyet,anditwasnotsoeasyasitsoundstofindtheLastHomelyHousewestoftheMountains.Thereseemedtobenotreesandnovalleysandnohillstobreakthegroundinfrontofthem,onlyonevastslopegoingslowlyupanduptomeetthefeetofthenearestmountain,awidelandthecolourofheatherandcrumblingrock,withpatchesandslashesofgrass-greenandmoss-greenshowingwherewatermightbe.

Morningpassed,afternooncame;butinallthesilentwastetherewasnosignofanydwelling.Theyweregrowinganxious,fortheysawnowthatthehousemightbehiddenalmostanywherebetweenthemandthemountains.Theycameonunexpectedvalleys,narrowwithsteepsides,thatopenedsuddenlyattheirfeet,andtheylookeddownsurprisedtoseetreesbelowthemandrunningwateratthebottom.Thereweregulliesthattheycouldalmostleapover,butverydeepwithwaterfallsinthem.Thereweredarkravinesthatonecouldneitherjumpovernorclimbinto.Therewerebogs,someofthemgreenpleasantplacestolookat,withflowersgrowingbrightandtall;butaponythatwalkedtherewithapackonitsbackwouldneverhavecomeoutagain.

Itwasindeedamuchwiderlandfromthefordtothemountainsthaneveryouwouldhaveguessed.Bilbowasastonished.Theonlypathwasmarkedwithwhitestones,someofwhichweresmall,andotherswerehalfcoveredwithmossorheather.Altogetheritwasaveryslowbusinessfollowingthetrack,evenguidedbyGandalf,whoseemedtoknowhiswayaboutprettywell.

Hisheadandbeardwaggedthiswayandthatashelookedforthestones,andtheyfollowedhislead,buttheyseemednonearertotheendofthesearchwhenthedaybegantofail.Tea-timehadlonggoneby,anditseemedsupper-timewouldsoondothesame.Thereweremothsflutteringabout,andthelightbecameverydim,forthemoonhadnotrisen.Bilbo’sponybegantostumbleoverrootsandstones.TheycametotheedgeofasteepfallinthegroundsosuddenlythatGandalf’shorsenearlyslippeddowntheslope.

“Hereitisatlast!”hecalled,andtheothersgatheredroundhimandlookedovertheedge.Theysawavalleyfarbelow.Theycouldhearthevoiceofhurryingwaterinarockybedatthebottom;thescentoftreeswasintheair;andtherewasalightonthevalley-sideacrossthewater.

Bilboneverforgotthewaytheyslitheredandslippedintheduskdownthesteepzig-zagpathintothesecretvalleyofRivendell.Theairgrewwarmerastheygotlower,andthesmellofthepine-treesmadehimdrowsy,sothateverynowandagainhenoddedandnearlyfelloff,orbumpedhisnoseonthepony’sneck.Theirspiritsroseastheywentdownanddown.Thetreeschangedtobeechandoak,andtherewasacomfortablefeelinginthetwilight.Thelastgreenhadalmostfadedoutofthegrass,whentheycameatlengthtoanopengladenotfarabovethebanksofthestream.

“Hmmm!itsmellslikeelves!”thoughtBilbo,andhelookedupatthestars.Theywereburningbrightandblue.Justthentherecameaburstofsonglikelaughterinthetrees:

O!Whatareyoudoing,Andwhereareyougoing?Yourponiesneedshoeing!Theriverisflowing!O!tra-la-la-lallyheredowninthevalley!

O!Whatareyouseeking,Andwhereareyoumaking?Thefaggotsarereeking,Thebannocksarebaking!O!tril-lil-lil-lollythevalleyisjolly,ha!ha!

O!WhereareyougoingWithbeardsalla-wagging?Noknowing,noknowingWhatbringsMisterBaggins

AndBalinandDwalindownintothevalleyinJuneha!ha!

O!Willyoubestaying,Orwillyoubeflying?Yourponiesarestraying!Thedaylightisdying!Toflywouldbefolly,TostaywouldbejollyAndlistenandharkTilltheendofthedarktoourtuneha!ha!

Sotheylaughedandsanginthetrees;andprettyfairnonsenseIdaresayyouthinkit.Notthattheywouldcare;theywouldonlylaughallthemoreifyoutoldthemso.Theywereelvesofcourse.SoonBilbocaughtglimpsesofthemasthedarknessdeepened.Helovedelves,thoughheseldommetthem;buthewasalittlefrightenedofthemtoo.Dwarvesdon’tgetonwellwiththem.EvendecentenoughdwarveslikeThorinandhisfriendsthinkthemfoolish(whichisaveryfoolishthingtothink),orgetannoyedwiththem.Forsomeelvesteasethemandlaughatthem,andmostofallattheirbeards.

“Well,well!”saidavoice.“Justlook!Bilbothehobbitonapony,mydear!Isn’titdelicious!”

“Mostastonishingwonderful!”ThenofftheywentintoanothersongasridiculousastheoneIhavewritten

downinfull.Atlastone,atallyoungfellow,cameoutfromthetreesandbowedtoGandalfandtoThorin.

“Welcometothevalley!”hesaid.“Thankyou!”saidThorinabitgruffly;butGandalfwasalreadyoffhishorse

andamongtheelves,talkingmerrilywiththem.“Youarealittleoutofyourway,”saidtheelf:“thatis,ifyouaremakingfor

theonlypathacrossthewaterandtothehousebeyond.Wewillsetyouright,butyouhadbestgetonfoot,untilyouareoverthebridge.Areyougoingtostay

abitandsingwithus,orwillyougostraighton?Supperispreparingoverthere,”hesaid.“Icansmellthewood-firesforthecooking.”

Tiredashewas,Bilbowouldhavelikedtostayawhile.Elvishsingingisnotathingtomiss,inJuneunderthestars,notifyoucareforsuchthings.Alsohewouldhavelikedtohaveafewprivatewordswiththesepeoplethatseemedtoknowhisnamesandallabouthim,althoughhehadneverseenthembefore.Hethoughttheiropinionofhisadventuremightbeinteresting.Elvesknowalotandarewondrousfolkfornews,andknowwhatisgoingonamongthepeoplesoftheland,asquickaswaterflows,orquicker.

Butthedwarveswereallforsupperassoonaspossiblejustthen,andwouldnotstay.Ontheyallwent,leadingtheirponies,tilltheywerebroughttoagoodpathandsoatlasttotheverybrinkoftheriver.Itwasflowingfastandnoisily,asmountain-streamsdoofasummerevening,whensunhasbeenalldayonthesnowfarupabove.Therewasonlyanarrowbridgeofstonewithoutaparapet,asnarrowasaponycouldwellwalkon;andoverthattheyhadtogo,slowandcareful,onebyone,eachleadinghisponybythebridle.Theelveshadbroughtbrightlanternstotheshore,andtheysangamerrysongasthepartywentacross.

“Don’tdipyourbeardinthefoam,father!”theycriedtoThorin,whowasbentalmostontohishandsandknees.“Itislongenoughwithoutwateringit.”

“MindBilbodoesn’teatallthecakes!”theycalled.“Heistoofattogetthroughkey-holesyet!”

“Hush,hush!GoodPeople!andgoodnight!”saidGandalf,whocamelast.“Valleyshaveears,andsomeelveshaveovermerrytongues.Goodnight!”

AndsoatlasttheyallcametotheLastHomelyHouse,andfounditsdoorsflungwide.

Nowitisastrangething,butthingsthataregoodtohaveanddaysthataregoodtospendaresoontoldabout,andnotmuchtolistento;whilethingsthatareuncomfortable,palpitating,andevengruesome,maymakeagoodtale,andtakeadealoftellinganyway.Theystayedlonginthatgoodhouse,fourteendaysatleast,andtheyfoundithardtoleave.Bilbowouldgladlyhavestoppedthereforeverandever—evensupposingawishwouldhavetakenhimrightbacktohishobbit-holewithouttrouble.Yetthereislittletotellabouttheirstay.

Themasterofthehousewasanelf-friend—oneofthosepeoplewhosefatherscameintothestrangestoriesbeforethebeginningofHistory,thewarsoftheevilgoblinsandtheelvesandthefirstmenintheNorth.Inthosedaysofour

taletherewerestillsomepeoplewhohadbothelvesandheroesoftheNorthforancestors,andElrondthemasterofthehousewastheirchief.

Hewasasnobleandasfairinfaceasanelf-lord,asstrongasawarrior,aswiseasawizard,asvenerableasakingofdwarves,andaskindassummer.Hecomesintomanytales,buthispartinthestoryofBilbo’sgreatadventureisonlyasmallone,thoughimportant,asyouwillsee,ifweevergettotheendofit.Hishousewasperfect,whetheryoulikedfood,orsleep,orwork,orstory-telling,orsinging,orjustsittingandthinkingbest,orapleasantmixtureofthemall.Evilthingsdidnotcomeintothatvalley.

IwishIhadtimetotellyouevenafewofthetalesoroneortwoofthesongsthattheyheardinthathouse.Allofthem,theponiesaswell,grewrefreshedandstronginafewdaysthere.Theirclothesweremendedaswellastheirbruises,theirtempersandtheirhopes.Theirbagswerefilledwithfoodandprovisionslighttocarrybutstrongtobringthemoverthemountainpasses.Theirplanswereimprovedwiththebestadvice.Sothetimecametomidsummereve,andtheyweretogoonagainwiththeearlysunonmidsummermorning.

Elrondknewallaboutrunesofeverykind.Thatdayhelookedattheswordstheyhadbroughtfromthetrolls’lair,andhesaid:“Thesearenottroll-make.Theyareoldswords,veryoldswordsoftheHighElvesoftheWest,mykin.TheyweremadeinGondolinfortheGoblin-wars.Theymusthavecomefromadragon’shoardorgoblinplunder,fordragonsandgoblinsdestroyedthatcitymanyagesago.This,Thorin,therunesnameOrcrist,theGoblin-cleaverintheancienttongueofGondolin;itwasafamousblade.This,Gandalf,wasGlamdring,Foe-hammerthatthekingofGondolinoncewore.Keepthemwell!”

“Whencedidthetrollsgetthem,Iwonder?”saidThorinlookingathisswordwithnewinterest.

“Icouldnotsay,”saidElrond,“butonemayguessthatyourtrollshadplunderedotherplunderers,orcomeontheremnantsofoldrobberiesinsomeholdinthemountains.IhaveheardthattherearestillforgottentreasuresofoldtobefoundinthedesertedcavernsoftheminesofMoria,sincethedwarfandgoblinwar.”

Thorinponderedthesewords.“Iwillkeepthisswordinhonour,”hesaid.“Mayitsooncleavegoblinsonceagain!”

“Awishthatislikelytobegrantedsoonenoughinthemountains!”saidElrond.“Butshowmenowyourmap!”

Hetookitandgazedlongatit,andheshookhishead;forifhedidnotaltogetherapproveofdwarvesandtheirloveofgold,hehateddragonsandtheir

cruelwickedness,andhegrievedtoremembertheruinofthetownofDaleanditsmerrybells,andtheburnedbanksofthebrightRiverRunning.Themoonwasshininginabroadsilvercrescent.Heheldupthemapandthewhitelightshonethroughit.“Whatisthis?”hesaid.“Therearemoon-lettershere,besidetheplainruneswhichsay‘fivefeethighthedoorandthreemaywalkabreast.’”

“Whataremoon-letters?”askedthehobbitfullofexcitement.Helovedmaps,asIhavetoldyoubefore;andhealsolikedrunesandlettersandcunninghandwriting,thoughwhenhewrotehimselfitwasabitthinandspidery.

“Moon-lettersarerune-letters,butyoucannotseethem,”saidElrond,“notwhenyoulookstraightatthem.Theycanonlybeseenwhenthemoonshinesbehindthem,andwhatismore,withthemorecunningsortitmustbeamoonofthesameshapeandseasonasthedaywhentheywerewritten.Thedwarvesinventedthemandwrotethemwithsilverpens,asyourfriendscouldtellyou.Thesemusthavebeenwrittenonamidsummer’seveinacrescentmoon,alongwhileago.”

“Whatdotheysay?”askedGandalfandThorintogether,abitvexedperhapsthatevenElrondshouldhavefoundthisoutfirst,thoughreallytherehadnotbeenachancebefore,andtherewouldnothavebeenanotheruntilgoodnessknowswhen.

“Standbythegreystonewhenthethrushknocks,”readElrond,“andthesettingsunwiththelastlightofDurin’sDaywillshineuponthekey-hole.”

“Durin,Durin!”saidThorin.“HewasthefatherofthefathersoftheeldestraceofDwarves,theLongbeards,andmyfirstancestor:Iamhisheir.”

“ThenwhatisDurin’sDay?”askedElrond.“Thefirstdayofthedwarves’NewYear,”saidThorin,“isasallshouldknow

thefirstdayofthelastmoonofAutumnonthethresholdofWinter.WestillcallitDurin’sDaywhenthelastmoonofAutumnandthesunareintheskytogether.Butthiswillnothelpusmuch,Ifear,foritpassesourskillinthesedaystoguesswhensuchatimewillcomeagain.”

“Thatremainstobeseen,”saidGandalf.“Isthereanymorewriting?”“Nonetobeseenbythismoon,”saidElrond,andhegavethemapbackto

Thorin;andthentheywentdowntothewatertoseetheelvesdanceandsinguponthemidsummer’seve.

Thenextmorningwasamidsummer’smorningasfairandfreshascouldbedreamed:blueskyandneveracloud,andthesundancingonthewater.Nowtheyrodeawayamidsongsoffarewellandgoodspeed,withtheirheartsreadyformoreadventure,andwithaknowledgeoftheroadtheymustfollowoverthe

MistyMountainstothelandbeyond.

ChapterIV

OVERHILLANDUNDERHILL

Thereweremanypathsthatledupintothosemountains,andmanypassesoverthem.Butmostofthepathswerecheatsanddeceptionsandlednowhereortobadends;andmostofthepasseswereinfestedbyevilthingsanddreadfuldangers.Thedwarvesandthehobbit,helpedbythewiseadviceofElrondandtheknowledgeandmemoryofGandalf,tooktherightroadtotherightpass.

LongdaysaftertheyhadclimbedoutofthevalleyandlefttheLastHomelyHousemilesbehind,theywerestillgoingupandupandup.Itwasahardpathandadangerouspath,acrookedwayandalonelyandalong.Nowtheycouldlookbackoverthelandstheyhadleft,laidoutbehindthemfarbelow.Far,farawayintheWest,wherethingswereblueandfaint,Bilboknewtherelayhisowncountryofsafeandcomfortablethings,andhislittlehobbit-hole.Heshivered.Itwasgettingbittercolduphere,andthewindcameshrillamongtherocks.Boulders,too,attimescamegallopingdownthemountain-sides,letloosebymid-daysunuponthesnow,andpassedamongthem(whichwaslucky),orovertheirheads(whichwasalarming).Thenightswerecomfortlessandchill,andtheydidnotdaretosingortalktooloud,fortheechoeswereuncanny,andthesilenceseemedtodislikebeingbroken—exceptbythenoiseofwaterandthewailofwindandthecrackofstone.

“Thesummerisgettingondownbelow,”thoughtBilbo,“andhaymakingisgoingonandpicnics.Theywillbeharvestingandblackberrying,beforeweevenbegintogodowntheothersideatthisrate.”Andtheotherswerethinkingequallygloomythoughts,althoughwhentheyhadsaidgood-byetoElrondinthehighhopeofamidsummermorning,theyhadspokengailyofthepassageofthemountains,andofridingswiftacrossthelandsbeyond.TheyhadthoughtofcomingtothesecretdoorintheLonelyMountain,perhapsthatverynextlast

moonofAutumn—“andperhapsitwillbeDurin’sDay”theyhadsaid.OnlyGandalfhadshakenhisheadandsaidnothing.Dwarveshadnotpassedthatwayformanyyears,butGandalfhad,andheknewhowevilanddangerhadgrownandthrivenintheWild,sincethedragonshaddrivenmenfromthelands,andthegoblinshadspreadinsecretafterthebattleoftheMinesofMoria.EventhegoodplansofwisewizardslikeGandalfandofgoodfriendslikeElrondgoastraysometimeswhenyouareoffondangerousadventuresovertheEdgeoftheWild;andGandalfwasawiseenoughwizardtoknowit.

Heknewthatsomethingunexpectedmighthappen,andhehardlydaredtohopethattheywouldpasswithoutfearfuladventureoverthosegreattallmountainswithlonelypeaksandvalleyswherenokingruled.Theydidnot.Allwaswell,untilonedaytheymetathunderstorm—morethanathunderstorm,athunder-battle.Youknowhowterrificareallybigthunderstormcanbedowninthelandandinariver-valley;especiallyattimeswhentwogreatthunderstormsmeetandclash.Moreterriblestillarethunderandlightninginthemountainsatnight,whenstormscomeupfromEastandWestandmakewar.Thelightningsplintersonthepeaks,androcksshiver,andgreatcrashessplittheairandgorollingandtumblingintoeverycaveandhollow;andthedarknessisfilledwithoverwhelmingnoiseandsuddenlight.

Bilbohadneverseenorimaginedanythingofthekind.Theywerehighupinanarrowplace,withadreadfulfallintoadimvalleyatonesideofthem.Theretheywereshelteringunderahangingrockforthenight,andhelaybeneathablanketandshookfromheadtotoe.Whenhepeepedoutinthelightning-flashes,hesawthatacrossthevalleythestone-giantswereout,andwerehurlingrocksatoneanotherforagame,andcatchingthem,andtossingthemdownintothedarknesswheretheysmashedamongthetreesfarbelow,orsplinteredintolittlebitswithabang.Thencameawindandarain,andthewindwhippedtherainandthehailaboutineverydirection,sothatanoverhangingrockwasnoprotectionatall.Soontheyweregettingdrenchedandtheirponieswerestandingwiththeirheadsdownandtheirtailsbetweentheirlegs,andsomeofthemwerewhinnyingwithfright.Theycouldhearthegiantsguffawingandshoutingalloverthemountainsides.

“Thiswon’tdoatall!”saidThorin.“Ifwedon’tgetblownoff,ordrowned,orstruckbylightning,weshallbepickedupbysomegiantandkickedsky-highforafootball.”

TheMountain-path

“Well,ifyouknowofanywherebetter,takeusthere!”saidGandalf,whowasfeelingverygrumpy,andwasfarfromhappyaboutthegiantshimself.

TheendoftheirargumentwasthattheysentFiliandKilitolookforabettershelter.Theyhadverysharpeyes,andbeingtheyoungestofthedwarvesbysomefiftyyearstheyusuallygotthesesortofjobs(wheneverybodycouldseethatitwasabsolutelynousesendingBilbo).Thereisnothinglikelooking,ifyouwanttofindsomething(orsoThorinsaidtotheyoungdwarves).Youcertainlyusuallyfindsomething,ifyoulook,butitisnotalwaysquitethesomethingyouwereafter.Soitprovedonthisoccasion.

SoonFiliandKilicamecrawlingback,holdingontotherocksinthewind.“Wehavefoundadrycave,”theysaid,“notfarroundthenextcorner;andponiesandallcouldgetinside.”

“Haveyouthoroughlyexploredit?”saidthewizard,whoknewthatcavesupinthemountainswereseldomunoccupied.

“Yes,yes!”theysaid,thougheverybodyknewtheycouldnothavebeenlongaboutit;theyhadcomebacktooquick.“Itisn’tallthatbig,anditdoesnotgofarback.”

That,ofcourse,isthedangerouspartaboutcaves:youdon’tknowhowfartheygoback,sometimes,orwhereapassagebehindmayleadto,orwhatiswaitingforyouinside.ButnowFiliandKili’snewsseemedgoodenough.Sotheyallgotupandpreparedtomove.Thewindwashowlingandthethunderstillgrowling,andtheyhadabusinessgettingthemselvesandtheirponiesalong.Stillitwasnotveryfartogo,andbeforelongtheycametoabigrockstandingoutintothepath.Ifyousteppedbehind,youfoundalowarchinthesideofthemountain.Therewasjustroomtogettheponiesthroughwithasqueeze,whentheyhadbeenunpackedandunsaddled.Astheypassedunderthearch,itwasgoodtohearthewindandtherainoutsideinsteadofallaboutthem,andtofeelsafefromthegiantsandtheirrocks.Butthewizardwastakingnorisks.Helituphiswand—ashedidthatdayinBilbo’sdining-roomthatseemedsolongago,ifyouremember—,andbyitslighttheyexploredthecavefromendtoend.

Itseemedquiteafairsize,butnottoolargeandmysterious.Ithadadryfloorandsomecomfortablenooks.Atoneendtherewasroomfortheponies;andtheretheystood(mightygladofthechange)steaming,andchampingintheirnosebags.OinandGloinwantedtolightafireatthedoortodrytheirclothes,butGandalfwouldnothearofit.Sotheyspreadouttheirwetthingsonthefloor,andgotdryonesoutoftheirbundles;thentheymadetheirblanketscomfortable,gotouttheirpipesandblewsmokerings,whichGandalfturnedintodifferent

coloursandsetdancingupbytherooftoamusethem.Theytalkedandtalked,andforgotaboutthestorm,anddiscussedwhateachwoulddowithhisshareofthetreasure(whentheygotit,whichatthemomentdidnotseemsoimpossible);andsotheydroppedofftosleeponebyone.Andthatwasthelasttimethattheyusedtheponies,packages,baggages,toolsandparaphernaliathattheyhadbroughtwiththem.

ItturnedoutagoodthingthatnightthattheyhadbroughtlittleBilbowiththem,afterall.For,somehow,hecouldnotgotosleepforalongwhile;andwhenhedidsleep,hehadverynastydreams.Hedreamedthatacrackinthewallatthebackofthecavegotbiggerandbigger,andopenedwiderandwider,andhewasveryafraidbutcouldnotcalloutordoanythingbutlieandlook.Thenhedreamedthatthefloorofthecavewasgivingway,andhewasslipping—beginningtofalldown,down,goodnessknowswhereto.

Atthathewokeupwithahorriblestart,andfoundthatpartofhisdreamwastrue.Acrackhadopenedatthebackofthecave,andwasalreadyawidepassage.Hewasjustintimetoseethelastoftheponies’tailsdisappearingintoit.Ofcoursehegaveaveryloudyell,asloudayellasahobbitcangive,whichissurprisingfortheirsize.

Outjumpedthegoblins,biggoblins,greatugly-lookinggoblins,lotsofgoblins,beforeyoucouldsayrocksandblocks.Thereweresixtoeachdwarf,atleast,andtwoevenforBilbo;andtheywereallgrabbedandcarriedthroughthecrack,beforeyoucouldsaytinderandflint.ButnotGandalf.Bilbo’syellhaddonethatmuchgood.Ithadwakenedhimupwideinasplinteredsecond,andwhengoblinscametograbhim,therewasaterrificflashlikelightninginthecave,asmelllikegunpowder,andseveralofthemfelldead.

Thecrackclosedwithasnap,andBilboandthedwarveswereonthewrongsideofit!WherewasGandalf?Ofthatneithertheynorthegoblinshadanyidea,andthegoblinsdidnotwaittofindout.TheyseizedBilboandthedwarvesandhurriedthemalong.Itwasdeep,deep,dark,suchasonlygoblinsthathavetakentolivingintheheartofthemountainscanseethrough.Thepassagestherewerecrossedandtangledinalldirections,butthegoblinsknewtheirway,aswellasyoudotothenearestpost-office;andthewaywentdownanddown,anditwasmosthorriblystuffy.Thegoblinswereveryrough,andpinchedunmercifully,andchuckledandlaughedintheirhorriblestonyvoices;andBilbowasmoreunhappyeventhanwhenthetrollhadpickedhimupbyhistoes.Hewishedagainandagainforhisnicebrighthobbit-hole.Notforthelasttime.

Nowtherecameaglimmerofaredlightbeforethem.Thegoblinsbeganto

sing,orcroak,keepingtimewiththeflapoftheirflatfeetonthestone,andshakingtheirprisonersaswell.

Clap!Snap!theblackcrack!Grip