The Hobbit

~ THE HOBBIT, or there and back again ~

"In a hole in the ground lived a hobbit." This hobbit was Mr. Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit of esteemed descent. On a day, his hole (in Hobbiton, the Shire), was visited by the wizard Gandalf. They agreed to meet Wednesday. To his surprise, on Wednesday, Bilbo is visited not only by Gandalf, but also by 13 dwarves. Of them, Thorin Oakenshield, is a dwarf of particular importance. He is the heir of the Kings of the dwarven realm "Erebor", the Lonely Mountain. Years ago, Smaug the Terrible, a giant dragon, conquered Erebor, destroying most of its inhabitants and collecting all treasures. Thorin was one of the few who managed to escape. Now, Thorin and his companions plan to regain the treasures taken from them. They know of a secret entrance to the Lonely Mountain, to which Gandalf provides a key. The only thing they need is a burglar. That is where Bilbo comes to play. To his surprise (and scaring the wits out of him) he is suggested by Gandalf to be the burglar. Although Bilbo protests, he is set on a journey east the next day.

On their way east, they encounter 3 trolls, which are known to be dangerous creatures. Bilbo wants to prove his capabilities as a burglar, but all 13 dwarves end up being captured by the trolls. Gandalf eventually saves them all by causing the trolls to argue until dawn, after which they are turned into stone. They find some Troll treasure, of which Bilbo takes a small sword. This sword is "Sting". Sting has magical properties, because it glows with a faint blue light when Goblins are around. They continue their journey and find a place to rest at Rivendell, where Elrond the Half-Elf reigns. Elrond discovers secret silver letters (moon letters) on a map Thorin has of Erebor, claiming: "Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks and the the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole". After their visit to Rivendell, they continue their journey over the great mountains. They end up being captured by the Goblins living under the mountains. Again, Gandalf saves the company. On their rush out, Bilbo is lost in the caves.

In the dark caves under the great mountains, Bilbo, by chance, puts his hand onto a small golden ring. He picks it up and slides it into his pocket. In these caves, a creature named Gollum lives. He has a magic ring which makes him invisible. Bilbo is lost onto the very deepest cave, where the creature Gollum lives. They start a riddle game (just to win time, because Gollum cannot find his ring!). They ask each other riddles until Bilbo asks (not knowing what to ask next): "What do I have in my pocket?" Gollum cannot guess the answer and Bilbo wins the game. Too late Gollum realizes that Bilbo has his ring (his "precioussss") in his pocket. In anger Gollum chases Bilbo, but he cannot see him, because Bilbo is wearing the magic ring. Hunting for Bilbo, Gollum shows Bilbo the way out and Bilbo is reunited with his friends. They travel forth and after being attacked by Goblins and Wargs (wolves), the are saved by the Eagles. The venture forth to meet Beorn, a strange human who can shapechange into a bear. Beorn provides them with food and other supplies. Arriving at the borders of Mirkwood, Gandalf leaves the company "to pay attention to his own business". The company of 14 enters Mirkwood and is attacked by giant spiders. Eventually, all but Bilbo are captured by the Elves of Mirkwood, who are not fond of dwarves. By smart play and his magic ring, Bilbo manages to free the dwarves by putting them into wooden barrels, which are used for wine transport by river. They end up in Esgaroth, a place built on long stakes in the water, inhabited by men.

They travel forth until they reach the Lonely Mountain. They find the secret entrance (a lark reveals the keyhole on Durin's day (the Dwarf new-year)), and Bilbo enters Erebor. He locates Smaug the dragon, who is sleeping, and steals some treasure. Smaug discovers some of his treasure is lost and is furious. In his anger, he flies to Esgaroth, meaning to destroy the town. Fortunately, Bard, a brave leader from Esgaroth, shoots Smaug from the sky with his mighty bow..

Meanwhile, the dwarves have regained control over Erebor. Drawn by mythical treasure, several groups camp before the doors of Erebor: Dwarves, coming to aid Thorin, and Men, claiming their part of the treasure, because they have killed Smaug. Bilbo ends up stealing the famous Arkenstone from Erebor. Because he wants to put and end to the argue, he hands the stone to the men of Esgaroth. Just before a battle is to break loose, news is that a large army of Goblins and Wargs is approaching. Dwarves and Men team up to beat this host in the Battle of the Five Armies. At the same time, Gandalf and other members of the White Council, chase the Evil Wizard from Dol Guldur. He is the one who planned the attack (actually, this Wizard is Sauron).

All ends well and Bilbo returns with bags of gold to Hobbiton, where the other hobbits thought Bilbo had been lost. His close-to-kin relatives the Sacksville-Bagginses had already claimed his beautiful hole at Bag's End. But all ends well and Bilbo regains his home and lives happily for a long time.