The Wood-elves' Imprisonment and Escape

The dwarves' capture by the Wood-elves and their subsequent escape via barrels, a subplot highlighting Bilbo's ingenuity and the elves' distrust.

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Capture by Wood-elves

The Elvish Capture The Lost Path After escaping the spiders, the dwarves are lost and exhausted. They see lights and hear music, but when they approach, they are captured by Wood-elves. Thorin's Capture Thorin is taken separately. The Elvenking questions him, but Thorin remains silent. He is imprisoned in a deep dungeon. The Other Dwarves The rest of the dwarves are also imprisoned. Only Bilbo, thanks to the ring, remains free. He begins to explore the palace.

Bilbo's Exploration

The Invisible Spy Learning the Layout Bilbo wanders invisibly, discovering the cells and the water-gate. He learns the elves' routine and finds the trapdoors in the cellar. The Barrel Plan Bilbo sees empty barrels being floated down the river. He conceives a plan to hide the dwarves in barrels and escape. Stealing the Keys Bilbo gets the cell keys by drugging the guards with wine. He frees the dwarves one by one, including Thorin.

The Barrel Escape

The Escape Hiding in Barrels The dwarves hide in barrels, which are then pushed into the river. Bilbo clings to a barrel. They float downstream, enduring a rough ride. The River Journey The barrels drift through the dark, eventually reaching the Forest River. They are collected by raft-men near the Long Lake. Arrival at Lake-town The dwarves emerge, battered but free. They are welcomed in Lake-town. The escape is a success, thanks to Bilbo's cleverness.

In Mirkwood, after the spider battle

During the dwarves' imprisonment

Night of the escape