The Capture of the Great Goblin and Thorin's Company

The capture of Thorin and Company by the Great Goblin marks a pivotal crisis in their journey eastward, transforming a desperate search for shelter from a thunderstorm into a life-or-death struggle deep within the Misty Mountains. This event not only separates the company from their ponies and supplies but also introduces the goblins as a relentless enemy, setting the stage for Bilbo Baggins's subsequent encounter with Gollum and his discovery of the magic ring.

Background and Circumstances

After crossing the Misty Mountains via the High Pass, Thorin and Company, guided by Gandalf, are caught in a violent thunderstorm. The storm is so severe that stone-giants are seen hurling rocks at one another for sport, and the company seeks refuge in what appears to be a dry cave. Fili and Kili, the youngest dwarves, are sent to scout and quickly return, claiming the cave is safe. Despite Gandalf's caution—he knows caves in the mountains are seldom unoccupied—the company settles in for the night. They spread out their wet clothes, light their pipes, and discuss their shares of the treasure, unaware that the cave is actually the "Front Porch" of the goblins' domain. This moment of false security is shattered when a crack opens at the back of the cave, revealing a wide passage from which goblins emerge.

The Capture

Bilbo Baggins, unable to sleep, has a nightmare about the floor giving way and wakes to see the last of the ponies' tails disappearing into the crack. He yells, alerting the company, but it is too late. Goblins, described as "big goblins, great ugly-looking goblins, lots of goblins," swarm out, six to each dwarf and two for Bilbo. They grab the entire company and carry them through the crack before Gandalf can react. However, Bilbo's yell also wakes Gandalf, who, when goblins try to seize him, produces a "terrific flash like lightning in the cave, a smell like gunpowder," killing several goblins. The crack closes with a snap, leaving Bilbo and the dwarves on the wrong side, separated from the wizard. The goblins, not waiting to find out what happened, seize the prisoners and hurry them along through deep, dark, tangled passages, down into the heart of the mountain. The goblins are rough, pinching the prisoners and laughing with "horrible stony voices," and they sing a terrifying song about "Clap! Snap! the black crack!" and "Grip, grab! Pinch, nab!" as they drive the company forward with whips.

Confrontation with the Great Goblin

The prisoners are dragged into a large cavern lit by a great red fire and torches, filled with goblins. The ponies are already there, huddled in a corner, and the baggage is being rummaged and quarreled over. The goblins chain the prisoners' hands behind their backs, link them together in a line, and drag them to the far end of the cavern, where the Great Goblin sits on a large flat stone, surrounded by armed guards carrying axes and bent swords. The Great Goblin, described as "tremendous" with a "huge head," demands to know who the prisoners are. The drivers report that they found the dwarves "sheltering in our Front Porch." The Great Goblin accuses them of spying and thievery, and Thorin, speaking for the company, claims they were merely seeking shelter from a storm. However, a goblin driver reveals that several goblins were killed by lightning in the cave and holds up Thorin's sword, Orcrist, which the goblins call "Biter." The Great Goblin recognizes the sword, which had killed hundreds of goblins in the wars with the elves of Gondolin, and flies into a rage, ordering the prisoners to be taken away to "dark holes full of snakes." He jumps off his seat and rushes at Thorin with his mouth open.

The Great Goblin's Death and Aftermath

At the moment of the Great Goblin's attack, all the lights in the cavern go out, and the great fire explodes into a tower of blue glowing smoke that scatters piercing white sparks among the goblins. In the ensuing chaos, a sword flashes in its own light, and Bilbo sees it go right through the Great Goblin, who falls dead. The goblin soldiers flee in terror. The sword belongs to Gandalf, who had followed the company and now leads them to safety. He cuts their chains with Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, and they escape through the dark passages, pursued by the enraged goblins. The death of the Great Goblin not only saves the company from immediate execution but also throws the goblin forces into disarray, delaying their pursuit and allowing the dwarves to reach the back door. However, in the chaos of the escape, Bilbo is knocked unconscious and left behind, setting the stage for his solitary journey through the tunnels and his fateful encounter with Gollum.