The Quest for the Treasure

Bilbo Baggins is recruited by Gandalf to join Thorin Oakenshield and his company of dwarves on a perilous journey to reclaim the lost treasure of the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug.

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Unexpected Party

The Unexpected Party Gandalf's Arrival Gandalf, the wandering wizard, visits Bilbo Baggins at Bag-End and proposes an adventure. Initially reluctant, Bilbo is intrigued by the prospect of danger and riches. The wizard marks Bilbo's door with a sign, setting the stage for the arrival of the dwarves. The Company Gathers Thirteen dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, arrive unexpectedly at Bilbo's home. They discuss their quest to reclaim the treasure of their ancestors from Smaug, the dragon. Bilbo, despite his initial hesitation, agrees to join as the "burglar" of the company. The Departure After a night of singing and planning, the dwarves leave the next morning, and Bilbo, spurred by a note from Thorin, rushes to catch up. The journey begins, and Bilbo's adventure officially starts.

Encounter with Trolls

The Trolls' Camp Bilbo's First Burglary Attempt While scouting ahead, Bilbo encounters three trolls—William, Bert, and Tom—who have captured the dwarves. He tries to pick William's pocket but is caught, leading to a confrontation. Gandalf's Intervention Gandalf returns and mimics the trolls' voices, causing them to argue until dawn. The sunlight turns them to stone, saving the company. The dwarves are freed, and they discover the trolls' cave, where they find swords and supplies. The Swords Gandalf and Thorin take the ancient elven swords Glamdring and Orcrist, while Bilbo acquires a small sword he later names Sting. These weapons prove crucial later.

Rest at Rivendell

The Last Homely House Elrond's Hospitality The company arrives at Rivendell, where the elf-lord Elrond welcomes them. They rest and recover, and Elrond interprets the moon-letters on Thror's Map, revealing the secret door's opening condition. Moon-letters Elrond deciphers the message: "Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the key-hole." This gives them hope for entering the mountain. Renewed Purpose With new knowledge and provisions, the company leaves Rivendell, their spirits lifted. The stay reinforces the importance of allies and ancient wisdom.

Thunderstorm and Capture by Goblins

The High Pass The Storm The company faces a severe thunderstorm and stone-giants. They seek shelter in a cave, but it is a goblin trap. The goblins capture the dwarves and Bilbo, dragging them into Goblin-town. The Great Goblin The Great Goblin interrogates them but is killed by Gandalf, who escapes using his magic. The company flees through the tunnels, but Bilbo is knocked unconscious and left behind. Separation Bilbo wakes alone in the dark. This separation is a turning point, leading to his encounter with Gollum and the discovery of the Ring.

Riddles in the Dark

The Riddle Game Meeting Gollum Bilbo stumbles upon the underground lake where Gollum lives. Gollum, a slimy creature, challenges him to a riddle game for his life. Bilbo agrees, and they exchange riddles. The Ring During the game, Bilbo finds a golden ring on the tunnel floor. After Gollum fails to guess Bilbo's final riddle, he realizes the ring is missing. He becomes furious and pursues Bilbo, but the ring makes Bilbo invisible, allowing him to escape. Escape Bilbo follows Gollum to the back door of the goblin tunnels and escapes into the forest. The ring's power of invisibility is revealed, and Bilbo keeps it secret from the dwarves.

Out of the Frying-pan into the Fire

Reunion and Danger Bilbo Rejoins the Company Bilbo sneaks back to the dwarves, surprising them with his reappearance. He reveals only part of his story, keeping the ring secret. They continue their journey, but soon encounter Wargs. The Wargs and the Trees The company climbs trees to escape a pack of Wargs. The goblins also arrive, and they set the trees on fire. Gandalf uses pine-cones as fiery projectiles to fight back. The Eagles' Rescue The Lord of the Eagles and his eagles swoop in, rescuing the company from the flames. They carry them to safety on the Carrock, a rock formation in the river. This marks the end of the mountain perils.

Beorn's Hospitality

The Skin-changer Meeting Beorn Gandalf leads the company to Beorn's house. Beorn is a skin-changer who can become a bear. He is initially suspicious but becomes friendly after hearing their story and verifying it. Provisions and Advice Beorn provides the dwarves with ponies, food, and advice for the journey through Mirkwood. He warns them not to leave the path and about the enchanted stream. Departure The company leaves Beorn's house, well-equipped. Beorn's help is crucial for their survival in the dark forest.

Journey through Mirkwood

The Dark Forest Entering Mirkwood The company enters Mirkwood. The forest is dark and oppressive. They follow the path but soon become lost and hungry. The enchantment of the forest affects them, especially Bombur, who falls into a magical sleep. The Enchanted Stream They cross the enchanted stream, which causes forgetfulness. Bombur falls in and sleeps for days. The company's food runs out, and they become desperate. The Elvish Feast They see lights and hear music, but when they approach, the elves vanish. This happens repeatedly, leading them astray. Eventually, they are captured by giant spiders or by the Wood-elves.

Spiders and Rescue

The Spider Attack Bilbo's Heroism The dwarves are captured by giant spiders. Bilbo, using the ring, kills a spider and rescues them. He names his sword Sting. He leads the dwarves in a battle against the spiders. The Wood-elves After escaping the spiders, the dwarves are captured by Wood-elves. Thorin is taken separately. The elves imprison them in the Elvenking's halls. Bilbo's Stealth Bilbo remains invisible and follows the elves. He discovers the dwarves' cells and begins planning their escape.

Escape from the Elvenking's Halls

The Barrel Plan Bilbo's Discovery Bilbo explores the Elvenking's halls and discovers the water-gate and the trapdoors in the cellar. He learns that empty barrels are floated down the river to Lake-town. Stealing the Keys Bilbo steals the keys from the chief guard and the butler after they fall asleep from wine. He frees the dwarves one by one, including Thorin. The Escape The dwarves hide in barrels, which are then pushed into the river. Bilbo clings to a barrel as they float downstream. They escape the forest and head towards the Long Lake.

Arrival at Lake-town

The Warm Welcome Entering Lake-town The barrels reach Lake-town. The dwarves emerge, battered but alive. Thorin declares himself as the King under the Mountain, and the townspeople, recalling old prophecies, eagerly welcome them. The Master's Hospitality The Master of Lake-town initially hesitates but is swayed by public enthusiasm. The dwarves are given food, lodging, and supplies. They prepare for the final stage of the journey. Departure After a fortnight, the company leaves Lake-town with boats and provisions. They head towards the Lonely Mountain, now visible in the distance.

The Secret Door

Searching for the Door The Desolation The company reaches the Desolation of the Dragon. They search the western slopes for the secret door. After days of fruitless searching, they find a hidden path. The Door Opens Bilbo notices a thrush knocking a snail against a stone. Remembering the moon-letters, he realizes the door opens at sunset on Durin's Day. Thorin uses the key, and the door swings open, revealing a dark tunnel. The Entrance The dwarves debate who should enter first. Bilbo is chosen as the burglar. He ventures into the tunnel, descending towards the dragon's lair.

Encounter with Smaug

The Dragon's Lair Bilbo's First Visit Bilbo enters the vast hall and sees Smaug asleep on a pile of treasure. He steals a golden cup. Smaug wakes and discovers the theft, flying into a rage. He searches for the intruder but cannot find the hidden door. The Conversation Bilbo returns to the hall, now wearing the ring. He engages in a riddling conversation with Smaug, trying to learn about the dragon's weaknesses. Smaug, suspicious, deduces Bilbo's connection to Lake-town. The Weak Spot During the conversation, Bilbo notices a bare patch on Smaug's left breast. This information proves crucial later. He escapes back up the tunnel as Smaug attacks the mountain.

Smaug's Attack on Lake-town

The Dragon Rampage Smaug's Wrath Smaug, enraged by the theft and the conversation, flies south to Lake-town. He attacks the town, setting it on fire. The townspeople panic, but the archer Bard organizes a defense. The Thrush's Message An old thrush whispers to Bard, telling him of Smaug's weak spot. Bard, firing his last arrow, strikes the bare patch and kills the dragon. Smaug crashes into the lake, destroying the town. Aftermath The people of Lake-town mourn their losses but celebrate the dragon's death. Bard emerges as a hero. The Elvenking and his army arrive to help.

The Siege of the Mountain

The Gathering of Armies News of the Death Roäc, the raven, brings news of Smaug's death to the dwarves inside the Mountain. Thorin fortifies the Front Gate, expecting conflict. Bard and the Elvenking march to the Mountain to claim a share of the treasure. The Parley Bard and the Elvenking parley with Thorin, demanding compensation for the destruction of Lake-town and a portion of the treasure. Thorin refuses, and a siege begins. The Standoff The dwarves are besieged inside the Mountain. Tensions rise. Bilbo, seeing the potential for war, devises a plan to give the Arkenstone to Bard to use as leverage.

The Battle of Five Armies

The Unexpected Enemy The Goblin Army Just as the dwarves and men are about to fight, a huge army of goblins and Wargs arrives, led by Bolg. The armies of men, elves, and dwarves unite against this common foe. The Battle The Battle of Five Armies ensues. The eagles and Beorn join the fight. Thorin leads a charge from the Mountain but is mortally wounded. The goblins are defeated, but many are killed. Aftermath Thorin dies, reconciled with Bilbo. Dain becomes King under the Mountain. The treasure is divided. Bilbo takes only a small portion, but he gains the respect of all.

The Return Journey

Homeward Bound Departure from the Mountain Bilbo, Gandalf, and Beorn travel back through Mirkwood, avoiding the forest. They stay with Beorn for Yule, then continue to Rivendell. Rest at Rivendell They rest at Rivendell, where Bilbo learns of Gandalf's role in the White Council's defeat of the Necromancer. He recovers his strength. The Final Stage In May, Bilbo and Gandalf return to the Shire. Bilbo finds his home being auctioned off. He reclaims his property and settles back into his old life, though he is now considered eccentric.

Late April, a Wednesday evening

Early in the journey, near the Lone-lands

Midsummer, after crossing the Lone-lands

High in the Misty Mountains, shortly after Rivendell

Deep in the goblin tunnels, immediately after the capture

After escaping the goblins, on the eastern side of the Misty Mountains

After the eagles, in the lands east of the mountains

Early autumn, after leaving Beorn

Deep in Mirkwood, after the dwarves are lost

During the dwarves' imprisonment in the Elvenking's halls

After the barrel ride, autumn

Late autumn, on the western side of the Lonely Mountain

Inside the Mountain, at the dragon's lair

The night after the theft, two days before the Battle

After Smaug's death, winter approaching

Shortly after the siege begins, in the valley before the Mountain

After the battle, winter turning to spring