Theloadoftherings:ThehobbitChapter1AnUnexpectedPartyInaholeinthegroundtherelivedahobbit.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-setroundwindowslookingoverhisgardenandmeadowsbeyond,slopingdowntotheriver.Thishobbitwasaverywell-to-dohobbit,andhisnamewasBaggins.TheBagginseshadlivedintheneighbourhoodofTheHillfortimeoutofmind,andpeopleconsideredthemveryrespectable,notonlybecausemostofthemwererich,butalsobecausetheyneverhadanyadventuresordidanythingunexpected:youcouldtellwhataBagginswouldsayonanyquestionwithoutthebotherofaskinghim.ThisisastoryofhowaBagginshadanadventure,foundhimselfdoingandsayingthingsaltogetherunexpected.Hemayhavelosttheneighbours'respect,buthegained-well,youwillseewhetherhegainedanythingintheend.Themotherofourparticularhobbit...whatisahobbit?Isupposehobbitsneedsomedescriptionnowadays,sincetheyhavebecomerareandshyoftheBigPeople,astheycallus.Theyare(orwere)alittlepeople,abouthalfourheight,andsmallerthanthebeardedDwarves.Hobbitshavenobeards.Thereislittleornomagicaboutthem,excepttheordinaryeverydaysortwhichhelpsthemtodisappearquietlyandquicklywhenlargestupidfolklikeyouandmecomeblunderingalong,makinganoiselikeelephantswhichtheycanhearamileoff.Theyareinclinedtobeatinthestomach;theydressinbrightcolours(chieflygreenandyellow);wearnoshoes,becausetheirfeetgrownaturalleatherysolesandthickwarmbrownhairlikethestuffontheirheads(whichiscurly);havelongcleverbrownfingers,good-naturedfaces,andlaughdeepfruitylaughs(especiallyafterdinner,whichtheyhavetwiceadaywhentheycangetit).Nowyouknowenoughtogoonwith.AsIwassaying,themotherofthishobbit-ofBilboBaggins,thatis-wasthefabulousBelladonnaTook,oneofthethreeremarkabledaughtersoftheOldTook,headofthehobbitswholivedacrossTheWater,thesmallriverthatranatthefootofTheHill.Itwasoftensaid(inotherfamilies)thatlongagooneoftheTookancestorsmusthavetakenafairywife.Thatwas,ofcourse,absurd,butcertainlytherewasstillsomethingnotentirelyhobbit-likeaboutthem,-andonceinawhilemembersoftheTook-clanwouldgoandhaveadventures.Theydiscreetlydisappeared,andthefamilyhusheditup;butthefactremainedthattheTookswerenotasrespectableastheBagginses,thoughtheywereundoubtedlyricher.NotthatBelladonnaTookeverhadanyadventuresaftershebecameMrs.BungoBaggins.Bungo,thatwasBilbo'sfather,builtthemostluxurioushobbit-holeforher(andpartlywithhermoney)thatwastobefoundeitherunderTheHilloroverTheHilloracrossTheWater,andtheretheyremainedtotheendoftheirdays.StillitisprobablethatBilbo,heronlyson,althoughhelookedandbehavedexactlylikeasecondeditionofhissolidandcomfortablefather,gotsomethingabitqueerinhismakeupfromtheTookside,somethingthatonlywaitedforachancetocomeout.Thechanceneverarrived,untilBilboBagginswasgrownup,beingaboutfiftyyearsoldorso,andlivinginthebeautifulhobbit-holebuiltbyhisfather,whichIhavejustdescribedforyou,untilhehadinfactapparentlysettleddownimmovably.Bysomecuriouschanceonemorninglongagointhequietoftheworld,whentherewaslessnoiseandmoregreen,andthehobbitswerestillnumerousandprosperous,andBilboBagginswasstandingathisdoorafterbreakfastsmokinganenormouslongwoodenpipethatreachednearlydowntohiswoollytoes(neatlybrushed)-Gandalfcameby.Gandalf!IfyouhadheardonlyaquarterofwhatIhaveheardabouthim,andIhaveonlyheardverylittleofallthereistohear,youwouldbepreparedforanysortIofremarkabletale.Talesandadventuressproutedupallovertheplacewhereverhewent,inthemostextraordinaryfashion.HehadnotbeendownthatwayunderTheHillforagesandages,notsincehisfriendtheOldTookdied,infact,andthehobbitshadalmostforgottenwhathelookedlike.HehadbeenawayoverTheHillandacrossTheWateronbusinessofhisownsincetheywereallsmallhobbit-boysandhobbit-girls.AllthattheunsuspectingBilbosawthatmorningwasanoldmanwithastaff.Hehadatallpointedbluehat,alonggreycloak,asilverscarfoverwhichawhitebeardhungdownbelowhiswaist,andimmenseblackboots."Goodmorning!"saidBilbo,andhemeantit.Thesunwasshining,andthegrasswasverygreen.ButGandalflookedathimfromunderlongbushyeyebrowsthatstuckoutfurtherthanthebrimofhisshadyhat."Whatdoyoumean?"besaid."Doyouwishmeagoodmorning,ormeanthatitisagoodmorningwhetherIwantnot;orthatyoufeelgoodthismorning;orthatitismorningtobegoodon?""Allofthematonce,"saidBilbo."Andaveryfinemorningforapipeoftobaccooutofdoors,intothebargain.Ifyouhaveapipeaboutyou,sitdownandhaveafillofmine!There'snohurry,wehaveallthedaybeforeus!"ThenBilbosatdownonaseatbyhisdoor,crossedhislegs,andblewoutabeautifulgreyringofsmokethatsailedupintotheairwithoutbreakingandfloatedawayoverTheHill."Verypretty!"saidGandalf."ButIhavenotimetoblowsmoke-ringsthismorning.IamlookingforsomeonetoshareinanadventurethatIamarranging,andit'sverydifficulttofindanyone.""Ishouldthinkso-intheseparts!Weareplainquietfolkandhavenouseforadventures.Nasty.disturbinguncomfortablethings!Makeyoulatefordinner!Ican'tthinkwhatanybodyseesinthem,"saidourMr.Baggins,andstuckonethumbbehindhisbraces,andblewoutanotherevenbiggersmoke-ring.Thenhetookouthismorningletters,andbegintoread,pretendingtotakenomorenoticeoftheoldman.Hehaddecidedthathewasnotquitehissort,andwantedhimtogoaway.Buttheoldmandidnotmove.Hestoodleaningonhisstickandgazingatthehobbitwithoutsayinganything,tillBilbogotquiteuncomfortableandevenalittlecross."Goodmorning!"hesaidatlast."Wedon'twantanyadventureshere,thankyou!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!"shewenton."NottheGandalfwhowasresponsibleforsomanyquietladsandlassesgoingoffintotheBlueformadadventures.AnythingfromclimbingtreestovisitingElves-orsailinginships,sailingtoothershores!Blessme,lifeusedtobequiteinter-Imean,youusedtoupsetthingsbadlyinthesepartsonceuponatime.Ibegyourpardon,butIhadnoideayouwerestillinbusiness.""WhereelseshouldIbe?"saidthewizard."AllthesameIampleasedtofindyouremembersomethingaboutme.Youseemtoremembermyfireworkskindly,atanyrate,landthatisnotwithouthope.Indeedforyouroldgrand-fatherTook'ssake,andforthesakeofpoorBelladonna,Iwillgiveyouwhatyouaskedfor.""Ibegyourpardon,Ihaven'taskedforanything!""Yes,youhave!Twicenow.Mypardon.Igiveityou.InfactIwillgosofarastosendyouonthisadventure.Veryamusingforme,verygoodforyouandprofitabletoo,verylikely,ifyouevergetoverit.""Sorry!Idon'twantanyadventures,thankyou.Nottoday.Goodmorning!Butpleasecometotea-anytimeyoulike!Whynottomorrow?Cometomorrow!Good-bye!"Withthatthehobbitturnedandscuttledinsidehisroundgreendoor,andshutitasquicklyashedared,nottoseenrude.Wizardsafterallarewizards."WhatonearthdidIaskhimtoteafor!"hesaidtohim-self,ashewenttothepantry.Hehadonlyjusthadbreakfast,buthethoughtacakeortwoandadrinkofsomethingwoulddohimgoodafterhisfright.Gandalfinthemeantimewasstillstandingoutsidethedoor,andlaughinglongbutquietly.Afterawhilehesteppedup,andwiththespikeofhisstaffscratchedaqueersignonthehobbit'sbeautifulgreenfront-door.Thenhestrodeaway,justaboutthetimewhenBilbowasfinishinghissecondcakeandbeginningtothinkthathehadescapeadventuresverywell.ThenextdayhehadalmostforgottenaboutGandalfHedidnotrememberthingsverywell,unlessheputthemdownonhisEngagementTablet:likethis:Gandalf'￥aWednesday.Yesterdayhehadbeentooflusteredtodoanythingofthekind.Justbeforetea-timetherecameatremendousringonthefront-doorbell,andthenheremembered!Herushedandputonthekettle,andputoutanothercupandsaucerandanextracakeortwo,andrantothedoor."Iamsosorrytokeepyouwaiting!"hewasgoingtosay,whenhesawthatitwasnotGandalfatall.Itwasadwarfwithabluebeardtuckedintoagoldenbelt,andverybrighteyesunderhisdark-greenhood.Assoonathedoorwasopened,hepushedinside,justasifhehadbeenexpected.Hehunghishoodedcloakonthenearestpeg,and"Dwalinatyourservice!"hesaidwithalowbow."BilboBagginsatyours!"saidthehobbit,toosurprisedtoaskanyquestionsforthemoment.Whenthesilencethatfollowedhadbecomeuncomfortable,headded:"Iamjustabouttotaketea;praycomeandhavesomewithme."Alittlestiffperhaps,buthemeantitkindly.Andwhatwouldyoudo,ifanuninviteddwarfcameandhunghisthingsupinyourhallwithoutawordofexplanation?Theyhadnotbeenattablelong,infacttheyhadhardlyreachedthethirdcake,whentherecameanotherevenlouderringatthebell."Excuseme!"saidthehobbit,andoffhewenttothedoor."Soyouhavegothereatlast!"waswhathewasgoingtosaytoGandalfthistime.ButitwasnotGandalf.Insteadtherewasaveryold-lookingdwarfonthestepwithawhitebeardandascarlethood;andhetoohoppedinsideassoonasthedoorwasopen,justasifhehadbeeninvited."Iseetheyhavebeguntoarrivealready,"hesaidwhenhecaughtsightofDwalin'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,andtothepantrytofetchtwobeautifulroundseed-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;andtheybothsweptofftheirbluehoodsandbowed."Atyoursandyourfamily's!"repliedBilbo,rememberinghismannersthistime."DwalinandBalinherealready,Isee,"saidKili."Letusjointhethrong!""Throng!"thoughtMr.Baggins."Idon'tlikethesoundofthat.Ireallymustsitdownforaminuteandcollectmywits,andhaveadrink."Hehadonlyjusthadasip-inthecorner,whilethefourdwarvessataroundthetable,andtalkedaboutminesandgoldandtroubleswiththegoblins,andthedepredationsofdragons,andlotsofotherthingswhichhedidnotunderstand,anddidnotwantto,fortheysoundedmuchtooadventurous-when,ding-dong-a-ling-'dang,hisbellrangagain,asifsomenaughtylittlehobbit-boywastryingtopullthehandleoff."Someoneatthedoor!"hesaid,blinking."Somefour,Ishouldsaybythesound,"saidFili."Be-sides,wesawthemcomingalongbehindusinthedistance."Thepoorlittlehobbitsatdowninthehallandputhisheadinhishands,andwonderedwhathadhappened,andwhatwasgoingtohappen,andwhethertheywouldallstaytosupper.Thenthebellrangagainlouderthanever,andhehadtoruntothedoor.Itwasnotfourafterall,twasFIVE.Anotherdwarfhadcomealongwhilehewaswonderinginthehall.Hehadhardlyturnedtheknob,be-x)retheywereallinside,bowingandsaying"atyourservice"oneafteranother.Dori,Nori,Ori,Oin,andGloinweretheirnames;andverysoontwopurplehoods,agreyhood,abrownhood,andawhitehoodwerehangingonthepegs,andofftheymarchedwiththeirbroadhandsstuckintheirgoldandsilverbeltstojointheothers.Alreadyithadalmostbecomeathrong.Somecalledforale,andsomeforporter,andoneforcoffee,andallofthemforcakes;sothehobbitwaskeptverybusyforawhile.Abigjugofcoffeebadjustbeensetinthehearth,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.Thorinindeedwasveryhaughty,andsaidnothingaboutservice;butpoorMr.Bagginssaidhewassorrysomanytimes,thatatlasthegrunted"praydon'tmentionit,"andstoppedfrowning."Nowweareallhere!"saidGandalf,lookingattherowofthirteenhoods-thebestdetachablepartyhoods-andhisownhathangingonthepegs."Quiteamerrygathering!Ihopethereissomethingleftforthelate-comerstoeatanddrink!What'sthat?Tea!Nothankyou!Alittleredwine,Ithink,forme.""Andforme,"saidThorin."Andraspberryjamandapple-tart,"saidBifur."Andmince-piesandcheese,"saidBofur."Andpork-pieandsalad,"saidBombur."Andmorecakes-andale-andcoffee,ifyoudon'tmind,"calledtheotherdwarvesthroughthedoor."Putonafeweggs,there'sagoodfellow!"Gandalfcalledafterhim,asthehobbitstumpedofftothepantries."Andjustbringoutthecoldchickenandpickles!""SeemstoknowasmuchabouttheinsideofmylardersasIdomyself!"thoughtMr.Baggins,whowasfeelingpositivelyflummoxed,andwasbeginningtowonderwhetheramostwretchedadventurehadnotcomerightintohishouse.Bythetimehehadgotallthebottlesanddishesandknivesandforksandglassesandplatesandspoonsandthingspileduponbigtrays,hewasgettingveryhot,andredintheface,andannoyed."Confusticateandbebotherthesedwarves!"hesaidaloud."Whydon'ttheycomeandlendahand?"Loandbehold!therestoodBalinandDwalinatthedoorofthekitchen,andFiliandKilibehindthem,andbeforehecouldsayknifetheyhadwhiskedthetraysandacoupleofsmalltablesintotheparlourandsetouteverythingafresh.Gandalfsatattheheadofthepartywiththethirteen,dwarvesallround:andBilbosatonastoolatthefireside,nibblingatabiscuit(hisappetitewasquitetakenaway),andtryingtolookasifthiswasallperfectlyordinaryand.notintheleastanadventure.Thedwarvesateandate,andtalkedandtalked,andtimegoton.Atlasttheypushedtheirchairsback,andBilbomadeamovetocollecttheplatesandglasses."Isupposeyouwillallstaytosupper?"hesaidinhispolitestunpressingtones."Ofcourse!"saidThorin."Andafter.Weshan'tgetthroughthebusinesstilllate,andwemusthavesomemusicfirst.Nowtoclearup!"Thereuponthetwelvedwarves-notThorin,hewastooimportant,andstayedtalkingtoGandalf-jumpedtotheirfeetandmadetallpilesofallthethings.Offtheywent,notwaitingfortrays,balancingcolumnsofplates,eachwithabottleonthetop,withonehand,whilethehobbitranafterthemalmostsqueakingwithfright:"pleasebecareful!"and"please,don'ttrouble!Icanmanage."Butthedwarvesonlystartedtosing:Chiptheglassesandcracktheplates!Blunttheknivesandbendtheforks!That'swhatBilboBagginshates-Smashthebottlesandburnthecorks!Cuttheclothandtreadonthefat!Pourthemilkonthepantryfloor!Leavethebonesonthebedroommat!Splashthewineoneverydoor!Dumpthecrocksinaboilingbawl;Poundthemupwithathumpingpole;Andwhenyou'vefinished,ifanyarewhole,Sendthemdownthehalltoroll!That'swhatBilboBagginshates!So,carefully!carefullywiththeplates!Andofcoursetheydidnoneofthesedreadfulthings,andeverythingwascleanedandputawaysafeasquickaslightning,whilethehobbitwasturningroundandroundinthemiddleofthekitchentryingtoseewhattheyweredoing.Thentheywentback,andfoundThorinwithhisfeetonthefendersmokingapipe.Hewasblowingthemostenormoussmoke-rings,andwhereverhetoldonetogo,itwent-upthechimney,orbehindtheclockontheman-telpiece,orunderthetable,orroundandroundtheceiling;butwhereveritwentitwasnotquickenoughtoescapeGandalf.Pop!hesentasmallersmoke-ringfromhisshortclay-pipestraightthrougheachoneofThorin's.TheGandalf'ssmoke-ringwouldgogreenandcomebacktohoveroverthewizard'shead.Hehadquiteacloudofthemabouthimalready,andinthedimlightitmadehimlookstrangeandsorcerous.Bilbostoodstillandwatched-helovedsmoke-rings-andthenbeblushedtothinkhowproudhehadbeenyesterdaymorningofthesmoke-ringshehadsentupthewindoverTheHill."Nowforsomemusic!"saidThorin."Bringouttheinstruments!"KiliandFilirushedfortheirbagsandbroughtbacklittlefiddles;Dori,Nori,andOribroughtoutflutesfromsomewhereinsidetheircoats;Bomburproducedadrumfromthehall;BifurandBofurwentouttoo,andcamebackwithclarinetsthattheyhadleftamongthewalking-sticksDwalinandBalinsaid:"Excuseme,Ileftmineintheporch!""Justbringmineinwithyou,"saidThorin.Theycamebackwithviolsasbigasthemselves,andwithThorin'sharpwrappedinagreencloth.Itwasabeautifulgold-enharp,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.ForancientkingandelvishlordTheremanyagloaminggoldenhoardTheyshapedandwrought,andlighttheycaughtTohideingemsonhiltofsword.OnsilvernecklacestheystrungThefloweringstars,oncrownstheyhungThedragon-fire,intwistedwireTheymeshedthelightofmoonandsun.FaroverthemistymountainscoldTodungeonsdeepandcavernsoldWemustaway,erebreakofday,Toclaimourlong-forgottengold.GobletstheycarvedthereforthemselvesAndharpsofgold;wherenomandelvesTherelaytheylong,andmanyasongWassungunheardbymenorelves.Thepineswereroaringontheheight,Thewindsweremoaninginthenight.Thefirewasred,itflamingspread;Thetreesliketorchesbiasedwithlight,ThebellswereringinginthedaleAndmenlookedupwithfacespale;Thedragon'siremorefiercethanfireLaidlowtheirtowersandhousesfrail.Themountainsmokedbeneaththemoon;Thedwarves,theyheardthetrampofdoom.Theyfledtheirhalltodying-fallBeneathhisfeet,beneaththemoon.FaroverthemistymountainsgrimTodungeonsdeepandcavernsdimWemustaway,erebreakofday,Towinourharpsandgoldfromhim!Astheysangthehobbitfelttheloveofbeautifulthingsmadebyhandsandbycunningandbymagicmovingthroughhim,afierceandjealouslove,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,andgoandhidebehindthebeerbarrelsinthecellar,andnotcomeoutagainuntilallthedwarveshadgoneaway.Suddenlyhefoundthatthemusicandthesinginghadstopped,andtheywerealllookingathimwitheyesshininginthedark."Whereareyougoing?"saidThorin,inatonethatseemedtoshowthatheguessedbothhalvesofthehobbit'smind."Whataboutalittlelight?"saidBilboapologetically."Welikethedark,"saidthedwarves."Darkfordarkbusiness!Therearemanyhoursbeforedawn.""Ofcourse!"saidBilbo,andsatdowninahurry.Hemissedthestoolandsatinthefender,knockingoverthepokerandshovelwithacrash."Hush!"saidGandalf."LetThorinspeak!"AndthisisbowThorinbegan."Gandalf,dwarvesandMr.Baggins!Wearenottogetherinthehouseofourfriendandfellowconspirator,thismostexcellentandaudacioushobbit-maythehaironhistoesneverfallout!allpraisetohiswineandale!-"Hepausedforbreathandforapoliteremarkfromthehob-bit,butthecomplimentswerequiteloston-poorBilboBaggins,whowaswagginghismouthinprotestatbeingcalledaudaciousandworstofallfellowconspirator,thoughnonoisecameout,hewassoflummoxed.SoThorinwenton:"Wearemettodiscussourplans,ourways,means,policyanddevices.Weshallsoonbeforethebreakofdaystartonourlongjourney,ajourneyfromwhichsomeofus,orperhapsallofus(exceptourfriendandcounsellor,theingeniouswizardGandalf)mayneverreturn.Itisasolemnmoment.Ourobjectis,Itakeit,wellknowntousall.TotheestimableMr.Baggins,andperhapstooneortwooftheyoungerdwarves(IthinkIshouldberightinnamingKiliandFi