The Hobbit Tolkien ch16-19

But Bard will remember me, and it is Bard I
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particularly want to see.”

However
you don’t know Thorin Oakenshield as well as I do now.

For it I will give one fourteenth
share of the hoard in silver and gold, setting aside the gems; but that
shall be accounted the promised share of this traitor, and with that reward
he shall depart, and you can divide it as you will.

“The Eagles!” cried Bilbo once more, but at that moment a stone
hurtling from above smote heavily on his helm, and he fell with a crash
and knew no more.

He drew
from a pocket in his old jacket (which he still wore over his mail), crumpled
and much folded, Thorin’s letter that had been put under the clock on his
mantelpiece in May!

Is this ail the service of you and your family
that I was promised.

The bed of the stream was there shallow but already broad,
and fording it in the dark was not easy for the little hobbit.

“This
invisibility has its drawbacks after all.

A few brave men were strung before them to make a feint of
resistance, and many there fell before the rest drew back and fled to
either side.

“But they cannot reach the Mountain unmarked,” said R(ac, “and I
fear
lest there be battle in the valley.

Many of the dwarves spent
their time piling and ordering the treasure; and now Thorin spoke of the
Arkenstone of Thrain, and bade them eagerly to look for it in every comer.

Ever since the fall of the Great Goblin of
the Misty Mountains the hatred of their race for the dwarves had been
rekindled to fury.

Their beards were forked and
plaited and thrust into their belts.

“Servant, indeed!” snorted Bilbo; and in the middle of his snort he
sneezed loudly, and the elves immediately gathered towards the sound.

It cannot be pierced .by arrows; but
if you do not hasten, I will sting your miserable feet.

Ere long
the vanguard swirled round the spur’s end and came rushing into Dale.

Though they are a grim folk, they are not likely to overcome the host that
besets you; and even if they did so, what will you gain?

May his beard wither!

Just as the goblins were recovering from the onslaught
and the elf-charge was halted, there rose from across the valley a deepthroated
roar.

Great weariness began to come over
him; but it was well before midnight when he clambered up the rope
again — it was still where he had left it.

The light
leapt from his hand, bright and white in the morning.

Actually I must say he put on his
ring early in the business, and vanished from sight, if not from all danger.

A few brave men were strung before them to make a feint of
resistance, and many there fell before the rest drew back and fled to
either side.

Bombur would sleep (he could sleep at
any time, and ever since the adventure in the forest he was always trying
to recapture the beautiful dreams he had then); and all the others were
busy with Thorin.

“I will wake you at midnight, and you can
wake the next watchman.”

That stone of all the
treasure I name unto myself, and I will be avenged on anyone who finds
it and withholds it.”

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Goblins had scaled the Mountain from the other side and already
many were on the slopes above the Gate, and others were streaming
down recklessly, heedless of those that fell screaming from cliff and
precipice, to attack the spurs from above.

They it
was who dislodged the goblins from the mountain-slopes, casting them
over precipices, or driving them down shrieking and bewildered among
their foes.

He had arrived
back in the middle of an auction!

Still the
elf-host has not departed as I bade!

The Wargs were
scattered and Thorin drove right against the bodyguards of Bolg.

Soon actual darkness was
coming into a stormy sky; while still the great bats swirled about the
heads and ears of elves and men, or fastened vampire-like on the stricken.

At the
beginning of the narrow way they laid aside sword and spear, and came
on towards the Gate.

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Goblins had scaled the Mountain from the other side and already
many were on the slopes above the Gate, and others were streaming
down recklessly, heedless of those that fell screaming from cliff and
precipice, to attack the spurs from above.

But I have an interest in this matter-one fourteenth share, to be precise,
according to a letter, which fortunately I believe I have kept.”

“Well, er, I thought, don’t you know,” said Bilbo rather confused,
“that, er, some little return should be made for your, er, hospitality.

Already many of the goblins
were flying back down the river to escape from the trap: and many of
their own wolves were turning upon them and rending the dead and the
wounded.

I assure you, he
is quite ready to sit on a heap of gold and starve, as long as you sit here.”

These were the swiftest wolf-riders, and already their cries and howls rent
the air afar.

At a distance he stood and
hailed them, asking whether Thorin would now listen to another embassy,
since new tidings had come to hand, and matters were changed.

Though they are a grim folk, they are not likely to overcome the host that
besets you; and even if they did so, what will you gain?

It cannot be pierced .by arrows; but
if you do not hasten, I will sting your miserable feet.

At a distance he stood and
hailed them, asking whether Thorin would now listen to another embassy,
since new tidings had come to hand, and matters were changed.

They drove many of them
into the Running River, and such as fled south or west they hunted into
the marshes about the Forest River; and there the greater part of the last
fugitives perished, while those that came hardly to the Wood-elves’ realm
were there slain, or drawn in to die in the trackless dark of Mirkwood.

For it I will give one fourteenth
share of the hoard in silver and gold, setting aside the gems; but that
shall be accounted the promised share of this traitor, and with that reward
he shall depart, and you can divide it as you will.

They drove many of them
into the Running River, and such as fled south or west they hunted into
the marshes about the Forest River; and there the greater part of the last
fugitives perished, while those that came hardly to the Wood-elves’ realm
were there slain, or drawn in to die in the trackless dark of Mirkwood.

With my friends behind them and winter upon them, they will
perhaps be in softer mood to parley with.”

“This is a bitter adventure, if it must end so; and
not a mountain of gold can amend it.

Thorin at length broke the silence, and his
voice was thick with wrath.

“The Eagles!” cried Bilbo once more, but at that moment a stone
hurtling from above smote heavily on his helm, and he fell with a crash
and knew no more.

And as the valley widened his
onset grew ever slower.

And already, so strong was the
bewilderment of the treasure upon him, he was pondering whether by the
help of Dain he might not recapture the Arkenstone and withhold the
share of the reward.

The wind’s in the free-top, the wind’s in the heather;
The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower,
And bright are the windows of Night in her tower.

“Hullo there!” he called with a shaky voice.

If Balin noticed that Mr. Baggins’ waistcoat was more extensive
(and had real gold buttons), Bilbo also noticed that Balm’s beard was
several inches longer, and his jewelled belt was of great magnificence.

He gave
a great cry: he had seen a sight that made his heart leap, dark shapes
small yet majestic against the distant glow.

But who are you that sit in the plain as
foes before defended walls?”

But the Elvenking said: “Long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for
gold.

About midday the banners of the Forest and the Lake were seen to
be borne forth again.

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Sing we now softly, and dreams let us weave him!

On the Southern spur, in its lower slopes and in the rocks at its feet,
the Elves were set; on the Eastern spur were men and dwarves.

But Bard
and some of the nimblest of men and elves climbed to the height of the
Eastern shoulder to gain a view to the North.

Yet I wish he were banished from the world!”

“You are more worthy to wear the armour
of elf-princes than many that have looked more comely in it.

“Baggins!” he exclaimed.

So be swift!”

Are you betraying your friends, or are you
threatening us?” asked Bard grimly.

They
intended to go along the edge of the forest, and round its northern end in
the waste that lay between it and the beginning of the Grey Mountains.

Some courage and some wisdom, blended in
measure.

Gandalf it was who spoke, for Bilbo was fallen
quiet and drowsy.

Arrows came forth as soon as they were within
shot, and they hastened back in dismay.

“What voice is it that speaks among the stones?” said the man
halting and peering about him not far from where Bilbo sat.

He was determined to wait until the gold and silver had
been brought out in exchange for the Arkenstone: for he did not believe
that this would be done, if once the fortress was manned with so large
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and warlike a company.

But the land was green and there was much
grass through which the hobbit strolled along contentedly.

Each one of
his folk was clad in a hauberk of steel mail that hung to his knees, and his
legs were covered with hose of a fine and flexible metal mesh, the secret
of whose making was possessed by Dain’s people.

One autumn evening some years afterwards Bilbo was sitting in his
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study writing his memoirs — he thought of calling them “There and Back
Again, a Hobbit’s Holiday” — when there was a ring at the door.

The knowledge that the
Arkenstone was in the hands of the besiegers burned in their thoughts;
also they guessed the hesitation of Bard and his friends, and resolved to
strike while they debated.

Winter thunder on a wild wind rolled
roaring up and rumbled in the Mountain, and lightning lit its peak.

The Eagles had long had suspicion of the goblins’ mustering;
from their watchfulness the movements in the mountains could not be
altogether hid.

About midday the banners of the Forest and the Lake were seen to
be borne forth again.

“That shall follow after, as can be arranged,” said he.

Soon the thunder passed, rolling away to the South-East; but the
bat-cloud came, flying lower, over the shoulder of the Mountain, and
whirled above them shutting out the light and filling them with dread.

And
beneath the thunder another blackness could be seen whirling forward;
but it did not come with the wind, it came from the North, like a vast
cloud of birds, so dense that no light could be seen between their wings.

How did you get so far
past our sentinels?” they asked one after another.

“I am Mr. Bilbo Baggins,” he answered, “companion of Thorin, if
you want to know.

Their only hope was to lure the goblins into the valley between the arms
of the Mountain; and themselves to man the great spurs that struck south
and east.

Swiftly
he returned and his wrath was redoubled, so that nothing could withstand
him, and no weapon seemed to bite upon him.

That stone of all the
treasure I name unto myself, and I will be avenged on anyone who finds
it and withholds it.”

Perhaps I took it too literally —1 have been told that
dwarves are sometimes politer in word than in deed.

In short Bilbo was “Presumed Dead,” and not everybody that
said so was sorry to find the presumption wrong.

With that they went back to the camp; but Thorin sent messengers
by R(ac telling Dain of what had passed, and bidding him come with wary
speed.

Though sword shall be rusted,
And throne and crown perish
With strength that men trusted
And wealth that they cherish,
Here grass is still growing,
And leaves are yet swinging,
The white water flowing,
And elves are yet singing
Come!

It was very dark, and the road after
a while, when he left the newly made path and climbed down towards the
lower course of the stream, was strange to him.

Then they marched and
gathered by hill and valley, going ever by tunnel or under dark, until
around and beneath the great mountain Gundabad of the North, where
was their capital, a vast host was assembled ready to sweep down in time
of storm unawares upon the South.

Part of the wall, moved by levers, fell
outward with a crash into the pool.

Then Beorn stooped and lifted Thorin,
who had fallen pierced with spears, and bore him out of the fray.

Though they are a grim folk, they are not likely to overcome the host that
besets you; and even if they did so, what will you gain?

“I can’t give you those, while the siege is going on.

That is how it came about that some two hours after his escape
from the Gate, Bilbo was sitting beside a warm fire in front of a large tent,
and there sat too, gazing curiously at him, both the Elvenking and Bard.

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Goblins had scaled the Mountain from the other side and already
many were on the slopes above the Gate, and others were streaming
down recklessly, heedless of those that fell screaming from cliff and
precipice, to attack the spurs from above.

“Winter and snow will bite both men
and elves,” he said, “and they may find their dwelling in the Waste grievous
to bear.

Yet this would be perilous, if the goblins were in sufficient
numbers to overrun the Mountain itself, and so attack them also from
behind and above; but there was no time for make any other plan, or to
summon any help.

Many of the dwarves spent
their time piling and ordering the treasure; and now Thorin spoke of the
Arkenstone of Thrain, and bade them eagerly to look for it in every comer.

The water was swollen
both with the melting of the snows at the approach of summer, and with
the daylong rain; but they crossed with some difficulty, and pressed forward,
as evening fell, on the last stage of their journey.

Sale to commence
at ten o’clock sharp.

These were the swiftest wolf-riders, and already their cries and howls rent
the air afar.

As they rode
down the steep path, Bilbo heard the elves still singing in the trees, as if
they had not stopped since he left; and as soon as their riders came down
into the lower glades of the wood they burst into a song of much the
same kind as before.

If there should be anything to note, rouse me first, mind you!

A magic ring of that sort is not a complete protection in a goblin charge,
nor does it stop flying arrows and wild spears; but it does help in getting
out of the way, and it prevents your head from being specially chosen for
a sweeping stroke by a goblin swordsman.

The dragon was dead, and the goblins overthrown, and their
hearts looked forward after winter to a spring of joy.

“What voice is it that speaks among the stones?” said the man
halting and peering about him not far from where Bilbo sat.

The people who had got specially good bargains at the Sale
took a deal of convincing; and in the end to sav6 time Bilbo had to buy
back quite a lot of his own furniture.

“It will not be long now,”
thought Bilbo, “before the goblins win the Gate, and we are all slaughtered
or driven down and captured.

The bodyguard of Bolg came howling against
them, and drove in upon their ranks like waves upon cliffs of sand.

O Dain! whose father you slew in Moria.

Perhaps I took it too literally —1 have been told that
dwarves are sometimes politer in word than in deed.

Suddenly without a signal they sprang silently forward to attack.

When they arrive there may be serious trouble.”

I assure you, he
is quite ready to sit on a heap of gold and starve, as long as you sit here.”

They drove many of them
into the Running River, and such as fled south or west they hunted into
the marshes about the Forest River; and there the greater part of the last
fugitives perished, while those that came hardly to the Wood-elves’ realm
were there slain, or drawn in to die in the trackless dark of Mirkwood.

Even Bard gazed marvelling at it in
silence.

The most dreadful of all Bilbo’s experiences,
and the one which at the time he hated most — which is to say it was the
one he was most proud of, and most fond of recalling long afterwards,
although he was quite unimportant in it.

I advise you to remain with us, and here
you shall be honoured and thrice welcome.”

Down too came many of the Lake-men, for Bard could not restrain them;
and out upon the other side came many of the spearmen of the elves.

Wondering, the dwarves saw that among them
were both Bard and the Elvenking, before whom an old man wrapped in
cloak and hood bore a strong casket of iron-bound wood.

Nothing they could say would stop him; so an escort was provided
for him, and as he went both the king and Bard saluted him with honour.

On its highest peak snow yet unmelted was gleaming pale.

Soon actual darkness was
coming into a stormy sky; while still the great bats swirled about the
heads and ears of elves and men, or fastened vampire-like on the stricken.

His gold and
silver was largely spent in presents, both useful and extravagant — which
to a certain extent accounts for the affection of his nephews and his
nieces.

Just as the goblins were recovering from the onslaught
and the elf-charge was halted, there rose from across the valley a deepthroated
roar.

Fili and Kili had fallen defending him with shield and body, for
he was their mother’s elder brother.

With cries of “Moria!” and “Dain, Dain!” the dwarves of the
Iron Hills plunged in, wielding their mattocks, upon the other side; and
beside them came the men of the Lake with long swords.

They seized him quickly, in spite of their surprise.

“What of the Arkenstone of Thrain?” said he, and at the same
moment the old man opened the casket and held aloft the jewel.

If Balin noticed that Mr. Baggins’ waistcoat was more extensive
(and had real gold buttons), Bilbo also noticed that Balm’s beard was
several inches longer, and his jewelled belt was of great magnificence.

A company of twenty was approaching.

“It will not be long now,”
thought Bilbo, “before the goblins win the Gate, and we are all slaughtered
or driven down and captured.

With my friends behind them and winter upon them, they will
perhaps be in softer mood to parley with.”

On all this Bilbo looked with misery.

Roads go ever ever on
Under cloud and under star,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.

Eyes that fire and sword have seen
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green
And trees and hills they long have known.

Messengers had passed to and fro between all their
cities, colonies and strongholds; for they resolved now to win the dominion
of the North.

Nothing they could say would stop him; so an escort was provided
for him, and as he went both the king and Bard saluted him with honour.

I thought that would alter their mood!

In short Bilbo was “Presumed Dead,” and not everybody that
said so was sorry to find the presumption wrong.

For the first time for many a day Bilbo was really delighted.

He mopped
his face with a red silk handkerchief-no! not a single one of his own had
survived, he had borrowed this one from Elrond —for now June had brought
summer, and the weather was bright and hot again.

Each one of
his folk was clad in a hauberk of steel mail that hung to his knees, and his
legs were covered with hose of a fine and flexible metal mesh, the secret
of whose making was possessed by Dain’s people.

“You miserable hobbit!

Hushed be all water, till dawn is at hand!

But I have an interest in this matter-one fourteenth share, to be precise,
according to a letter, which fortunately I believe I have kept.”

“I beg of you,” said Bilbo stammering and standing on one foot, “to
accept this gift!” and he brought out a necklace of silver and pearls that
Dain had given him at their parting.

CHAPTER 16.

Soon a single runner
was seen hurrying along the narrow path.

Whither so laden,
So sad and so dreary?

Some courage and some wisdom, blended in
measure.

The bed of the stream was there shallow but already broad,
and fording it in the dark was not easy for the little hobbit.

But I have an interest in this matter-one fourteenth share, to be precise,
according to a letter, which fortunately I believe I have kept.”

Bows twanged and arrows whistled; battle was about to be joined.

The people who had got specially good bargains at the Sale
took a deal of convincing; and in the end to sav6 time Bilbo had to buy
back quite a lot of his own furniture.

The next day the wind shifted west,
and the air was dark and gloomy.

So they too had gathered in great numbers, under the
great Eagle of the Misty Mountains; and at length smelling battle from
afar they had come speeding down the gale in the nick of time.

The bed of the stream was there shallow but already broad,
and fording it in the dark was not easy for the little hobbit.

They drove many of them
into the Running River, and such as fled south or west they hunted into
the marshes about the Forest River; and there the greater part of the last
fugitives perished, while those that came hardly to the Wood-elves’ realm
were there slain, or drawn in to die in the trackless dark of Mirkwood.

Gandalf, too, I may say, was there, sitting on the
ground as if in deep thought, preparing, I suppose, some last blast of
magic before the end.

“Good-bye and good luck, wherever you fare!” said Balin at
last.

There now Dain son of Nain took up his abode, and he became King
under the Mountain, and in time many other dwarves gathered to his
throne in the ancient halls.

“There is yet time for council.

They had only stemmed the first onslaught of the
black tide.

THE RETURN JOURNEY
When Bilbo came to himself, he was literally by himself.

“You are not making a very splendid figure as King under the
Mountain,” said Gandalf.

As soon as it was full dark, he went to a corner of an inner chamber just
within the gate and drew from his bundle a rope, and also the Arkenstone
wrapped in a rag.

“But
our back is to legends and we are coming home.

Yet I am glad that I have shared in
your perils — that has been more than any Baggins deserves.”

These were, in fact, precisely their plans (for the raven-messengers
had been busy between Thorin and Dain); but for the moment the way
was barred, so after angry words the dwarf-messengers retired muttering
in their beards.

They seized him quickly, in spite of their surprise.

As soon as it was full dark, he went to a corner of an inner chamber just
within the gate and drew from his bundle a rope, and also the Arkenstone
wrapped in a rag.

It was as if a globe had been filled with moonlight and hung
before them in a net woven of the glint of frosty stars.

THE CLOUDS BURST
Next day the trumpets rang early in the camp.

But who are you that sit in the plain as
foes before defended walls?”

But weariness left their enemies
with the coming of new hope, and they pursued them closely, and prevented
most of them from escaping where they could.

To
the Elvenking he gave the emeralds of Girion, such jewels as he most
loved, which Dain had restored to him.

They
intended to go along the edge of the forest, and round its northern end in
the waste that lay between it and the beginning of the Grey Mountains.

Sigh no more Pine, till the wind of the morn!

“I am aware of that.

Just as the goblins were recovering from the onslaught
and the elf-charge was halted, there rose from across the valley a deepthroated
roar.

For the first time for many a day Bilbo was really delighted.

Weariness fell from him soon in that house, and he had many a
merry jest and dance, early and late, with the elves of the valley.

Before long you will be having snow and what
not, and supplies will be difficult — even for elves I imagine.

But
they came to that high point at morning, and looking backward they saw
a white sun shining over the out-stretched lands.

I know your king well by sight, though perhaps he
doesn’t know me to look at.

“May it bring good
fortune to all his folk that dwell here after!”

Soon they could see the
lands before the Mountain’s feet black with a hurrying multitude.

From that treasure Bard sent much gold to the
Master of Lake-town; and he rewarded his followers and friends freely.

As Gandalf had hoped, the goblin army had gathered behind
the resisted vanguard, and poured now in rage into the valley, driving
wildly up between the arms of the Mountain, seeking for the foe.

You!” cried Thorin, turning upon him and grasping him with
both hands.

If Balin noticed that Mr. Baggins’ waistcoat was more extensive
(and had real gold buttons), Bilbo also noticed that Balm’s beard was
several inches longer, and his jewelled belt was of great magnificence.

“The new Master is of wiser kind,” said Balin, “and very popular, for,
of course, he gets most of the credit for the present prosperity.

Your wish is granted!” said a voice.

If you don’t like my Burglar, please don’t damage him.

It was spring, and a fair one
with mild weathers and a bright sun, before Bilbo and Gandalf took their
leave at last of Beorn, and though he longed for home.

And
beneath the thunder another blackness could be seen whirling forward;
but it did not come with the wind, it came from the North, like a vast
cloud of birds, so dense that no light could be seen between their wings.

Also they would be able to reopen and guard some other
gate, so that the besiegers would have to encircle the whole mountain;
and for that they had not sufficient numbers.

He had taken his stand on
Ravenhill among the Elves-partly because there was more chance of escape
from that point, and partly (with the more Tookish part of his mind) because
if he was going to be in a last desperate stand, he preferred on the whole
to defend the Elvenking.

Personally he suspected the
Sackville-Bagginses.

“Halt!” he called in a voice like thunder, and his staff blazed forth
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with a flash like the lightning.

On their side they never admitted that the returned
Baggins was genuine, and they were not on friendly terms with Bilbo ever
after.

You don’t really suppose, do you, that all
your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your
sole benefit?

Each one of
his folk was clad in a hauberk of steel mail that hung to his knees, and his
legs were covered with hose of a fine and flexible metal mesh, the secret
of whose making was possessed by Dain’s people.

It seems very uncomfortable, not to say distressing.

Even a fourteenth share was wealth exceedingly great, greater than
that of many mortal kings.

“Did you come to ask me idle questions?

Victory had been assured before the fall of night, but the pursuit
was still on foot, when Bilbo returned to the camp; and not many were in
the valley save the more grievously wounded.

“Why should I purchase my own?”

The knowledge that the
Arkenstone was in the hands of the besiegers burned in their thoughts;
also they guessed the hesitation of Bard and his friends, and resolved to
strike while they debated.