Category: An Unexpected Journey

Bilbo has reappeared, said his peace and now they are all finally on the same page. What they want is not the gold, or the treasure hidden inside the Lonely Mountain, they want a place they can call home, a place they could belong to. Thorin may have done everything in his power to provide for his people after the exile, however, the feeling of home they all long for he couldn’t emulate. They couldn’t find their place in the world of Men where they labored, for that is not their world. 

Finally, the company, and Bilbo, are free and clear of that horrid place in the mountain: the Dwarves because they were able to escape with their lives intact from the Great Goblin and the persecution of his minions after his death, and Bilbo who managed to escape capture and violent death by Gollum. Now that they have the safety of daylight on their side they can take a breath, regroup and continue on with their quest. 

While Bilbo is desperately trying to find a way out of the labyrinth of caves and avoid being captured by Gollum, the Dwarves experience the same threat to their lives. In their case, however, the amount of Goblins present to assure their death is much more intimidating than Bilbo’s one-on-one hide and seek.

As incredible as it may appear to Bilbo, Gollum’s change of attitude when games are mentioned throw their assailant/victim dynamic completely off. All of a sudden, Gollum’s hunger for Bilbo is non-existent, his thoughts are completely diverted and preoccupied with the mention of games. This wasn’t even Bilbo’s intention but rather a happy coincidence, given what his alternative was. 

While the Dwarves fear for their lives on a higher level of this enormous cavernous space, on the ground floor, Bilbo is facing the same. After having been attacked by a stray Goblin and falling into the chasm, he now finds himself amidst unknown vegetation that saved him from fatal injury whilst falling. He, along with his assailant are lying on the ground incapacitated. 

As sand falls through the crack in the ground and Thorin alarms everyone to wake up, the time to escape their fate is already gone. They fall through the shaft two or three at a time and continue circling in a downward spiral toward a landing place they couldn’t have foreseen. What waits for them at the end of their journey is a vicious attack of the Goblins.

Facing death hanging by one hand over a ledge of a mountain that had just come to life must have been an experience Bilbo wasn’t ready for. How could he be? Stone giants throwing boulders at each other, headbutting one another…complete mayhem. It was an unbelievable event to witness, a legend coming true. As the Dwarves saw Bilbo holding onto the ledge, they made an effort to return him to safety. 

The company heads out of Rivendell. As the White Council learns of their escape, the Dwarves leave the protective shield of the Elves’ magic. The only one to feel it is Bilbo. He remains behind to enjoy the sight of Rivendell once more before they step into the Wild.

And then Lady Galadriel steps in. As soon as she does, Saruman retreats his argumentative claws against Gandalf. Galadriel can see the importance of these concerns of Gandalf’s. 

What Thorin accurately predicted is coming true. Now that Balin and Thorin have revealed the purpose of their quest, intentionally or accidentally, Lord Elrond is free to share his opinion on the subject, and he won’t be the only one.