INTERESTING FACTS:

TITLE: The Silmarillion

AUTHOR: J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by C.J.R. Tolkien

DATE PUBLISHED: 15-09-1977

PUBLISHER: George Allen and Unwin

WORD COUNT: 153,791 incl. foreword and appendices

ISBN: 0-04-823139-8

 

CONCEPT

Although the Silmarillion was published after the author's death, it considers the oldest matter written on the world of Middle Earth.

Scandinavian Background

In 1913, Tolkien, while studying English Language and Literature at Oxford University, came in touch with the poem "the Crist of Cynewulf". Tolkien was especially fascinated by the cryptic couplet: Eálá Earendel engla beorhtast Ofer middangeard monnum sended - "Hail Earendel, brightest of angels, over Middle Earth sent to men ". This poem inspired him to start thinking of a world in his imagination. The earliest written notes on Middle Earth that Christopher Tolkien used to compile the Silmarillion date back to 1917.

Already in 1915 he was working on various poetic attempts, and on his invented languages, especially one that he came to call "Qenya", which was heavily influenced by Finnish.

 

World War I

It was in 1917, during the madness of WW1, that Tolkien started writing the backbone of the Silmarillion. When he was stationed in France, the ordering of his imagination developed into the Book of Lost Tales, in which most of the major stories of the Silmarillion appear in their first form: tales of the Elves and the "Gnomes", (i. e. Deep Elves, the later Noldor), with their languages Qenya and Goldogrin. Here are found the first recorded versions of the wars against Morgoth, the siege and fall of Gondolin and Nargothrond, and the tales of Túrin and of Beren and Lúthien. He called the collection of myths "The Legendarium".

While recovering from the wounds of WW1, it was when he was stationed at Hull that he and Edith went walking in the woods at nearby Roos. There in a grove thick with hemlock Edith Bratt, his wife, danced for him. This was the inspiration for the tale of Beren and Lúthien, a recurrent theme in his "Legendarium". He came to think of Edith as "Lúthien" and himself as "Beren".(1)

 Professorship and friends

While working as a college professor at the University of Leeds, he continued working on the lost tales and his invented languages. When he changed his professorship to Oxford, he soon became a founding member of the "Inklings", a group of writers which included C.S. Lewis, who discussed each others work in progress. No doubt Tolkien read some parts of the Silmarillion to them.

 Publishing the unpublishable.

After writing "The Hobbit" in 1937, when requests reached the publisher for "more stories on Hobbits", Tolkien tried to complete some stories of his Legendarium to publishable state. Since then, he has been calling these stories the "Quenta Silmarillion". Unfortunately, the publisher did not consider the Quenta Silmarillion commercially publishable. Next, Tolkien started working on his epic "The Lord of the Rings".

Tolkien continued working on the Silmarillion for the rest of his life. After his death in 1973, his son Christopher Tolkien gathered his father's notes and compiled the Silmarillion, a collection of stories about the first and second Era of Middle Earth, which have more or less been completed by J.R.R. Tolkien. The sales of the Silmarillion left the publisher, George Allen and Unwin, with surprise. Three years after the publication of the Silmarillion, Christopher Tolkien collected many other stories, which were not completely finished by J.R.R. Tolkien. They were published in "Unfinished Tales". The sales rates were again unexpectedly high, leading to the publication of the "History of Middle Earth" series by Christopher Tolkien.

SUMMARY

 

AINULINDALË

The Ainulindalë tells about Eru (Ilúvatar), the One, who created the Ainur. The Ainur were holy spirits, who were gathered by Ilúvatar to complete a theme in a mighty song. While singing this song, Melkor, the mightiest of the Ainur, started to weave own thoughts, which were in disharmony with the main theme, into the song. Three times Ilúvatar changed the theme of the song. Finally, Ilúvatar brought their music to life in a vision. In that vision, Arda, the world that is, was shown. The Ainur saw the coming of the Children of Ilúvatar, the Elves and Men. So great was their emotion that Ilúvatar decided to bring the vision to life. With one word "Eä", he created Arda, a world of its own. Some of the Ainur decided to enter Arda, with the restriction that they would forever be bound to the borders of Arda. Of these, Manwë was the mightiest. The most powerful Ainur are known as the Valar. They were the main architects of Arda. Besides the Valar, Melkor also entered Arda, to undo all the beautiful work of the Valar.

VALAQUENTA

The Valaquenta is concerned with the 7 Valar and 7 Valier, the male and female spirits, who shaped Arda. Manwë Súlimo, Lord of the Winds, is the mightiest Valar and is considered by the others to be the King of Arda. His wife is Varda, whom the Elves call Elbereth, who is the Lady of the Stars. Together they live on the Taniquetil, the highest mountain on Arda. Ulmo is the Lord of the Waters and Aulë considers all materials on Arda and the craftmanship of making things from these matters. Aulë's wife is Yavanna, the Giver of Fruits. Mandos (Námo) is the guardian of the houses of the Dead and Lórien (Irmo) is a master of Visions and Dreams. Their wives are Vairë the Weaver and Estë the Friendly who heals all Wounds and Sorrow. Nienna is the Lady of Mourning and the bravest of the Valar is Tulkas the Brave. Tulkas' wife is Nessa, who is the sister of Oromë, Lord of the Woods.

Melkor (Morgoth) was the one who was given the most power by Ilúvatar, but who used this power for evil purposes. He desired to rule Arda and all its inhabitants. His most important servant was Sauron, or Gorthaur the Cruel, who used to be one of the Maiar of Aulë.

QUENTA SILMARILLION

The Valar fought for ages against Melkor, who destroyed everything the Valar had been creating. When Tulkas came to Arda, Melkor flew for his wrath and there was peace. During this peace, the Valar lived in Almaren, which was situated in the East of Middle Earth. All Valar shaped different parts of Arda. Aulë created two mighty lamps which were lit by Yavanna. These Lamps shed the first light on Arda. When the Valar were celebrating their progress shaping Arda, Melkor entered Arda again and destroyed the Lamps. Melkor started to build a giant fort, called Utumno. From this fort, evil and pestilence spread over Arda. Because Almaren was completely destroyed, the Valar left Middle Earth to Aman, the most west of all lands. There, Melkor had no power. The Valar lived in the city of Valinor, where Yavanna created the Two Trees, Telperion and Stilpion, which spread their golden and silver light on the surface of Arda. Light was back again. But Middle Earth was still dark. Therefore, with the aid of Aulë, Varda created the Stars to shine upon Middle Earth.

Aulë was occupied with the vision of the coming of the Firstborn, the Elves. He created his own race, the 7 forefathers of the Dwarves, whom he was eager to teach all about craftsmanship. When Ilúvatar perceived his deeds, he was merciful and spared the lives of the Dwarfs, although they were put to sleep to awake after the Firstborn, the Elves had awoken on Arda.

The Elves awoke at Lake Cuviénen in Middle Earth. Their first perception was the light of the stars. Therefore, they worship Varda (Elbereth) most of all Valar. Melkor captured many Elves and he transformed them to awfull creatures, the Orks, because he despized Ilúvatar and all the Valar. The Valar started a war against Melkor and captured him, destroying Utumno, but leaving his second fort, Angband, partially intact. Melkor's servant, Sauron, escaped from the wrath of the Valar.

Because of deception by Melkor, the Elves (or Quendi), were afraid of the Valar when Oromë contacted them to invite them to come live in the light of Aman. Three Elven leaders, Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë were chosen to go to Aman first. When they returned, only part of the Quendi was willing to follow them to Aman. These Elves are known as the Eldar. The people of Ingwë (the Vanyar) were the first to reach Aman, and they are conidered to be the highest Elves and Ingwë is considered the High King of the Elves. The Noldor were the people of Finwë and they came second to Aman. Last came the biggest host, the Teleri, which was leaded by Elwë Singollo and Olwë, his brother. During the trip, Elwë was lost is the western parts of Middle Earth, during which he encountered Melian, a Maia (holy spirit of lesser power than the Valar). They married and remained in Middle Earth. Elwe is most known by his nickname Thingol and he was granted great power by his wife. The Teleri reached Aman last, and because they were most reluctant to leave Middle Earth, they lived at the coast, just outside Aman, in Aqualondë, their major city.

The Quenta Silmarillion is mainly concerned with the Noldor, who learned most from Aulë. The brightest of all Noldor was Feanor, the son of Finwë. He was the first to create beautiful and powerful gems.

Meanwhile, Melkor was released from imprisonment after pleading guilty and claiming to have changed his live. He was permitted to live as the lowest servant in Valinor. But Melkor secretly started to spread evil and rumours in Aman. By this time Feanor created his master work, the Silmarils, which were 3 precious jewels, in which shone the light of the trees of Valinor was captured. Feanor was so proud that he would not allow any other to view or touch the Silmarils. Most of Melkor's hate was directed against Feanor.

Finally, Melkor allied with Ungoliant, an evil spirit in the shape of a giant spider. Together they killed and poisoned the Two Trees of Valinor, killing all light in Aman. Feanor was asked to sacrifice the Silmarils to rescue the Two Trees, but in pride and guided by the lies of Melkor, he refused. While flying from Aman, Melkor, from then known as Morgoth (a name given to him by Feanor), and Ungoliant killed Finwë, the High King of the Noldor and stole the three Silmarils. He returned to Middle Earth where he rebuilt his residence at Angband.

Feanor was furious and swore a terrible oath together with his seven sons: To chase and destroy every living being who was in the possession of one of the Silmarils. They lead most of the Noldor out of Aman. While reaching Aqualondë, the Teleri were reluctant to provide their beautiful ships to the Noldor. By force, Feanor and his sons took the ships. This was thereafter known as the Kinslaying of the Eldar. While there were not enough ships, Feanor and his nearest allies left Aman by ship, leaving the major host, who had not participated in the blood bath in Aqualondë and which was leaded by Feanor's brother Fingolfin, behind. Bound by promise, Fingolfin lead the host over the terrible icefields of Helcaraxë, losing many Noldor. Finfarin, Feanors other brother, returned to Valinor in regret. During their departure from Aman, the Prophecy of the North was proclaimed by Mandos, predicting the Doom and fall of the Noldor.

Not all Elves had come to Aman. Of those who stayed in Middle Earth, the Sindar were most renowned. They were the Teleri that did not cross the ocean to Aman. Elu Thingol was their King and Beleriand was the part in the North-West of Middle Earth in which they lived. Their main city was Menegroth, the city of the thousand caves in the woods of Doriath. Doriath was protected by the powers of Melian (the Belt of Melian).

Meanwhile, the Valar decided to hide Aman forever from Middle Earth. A large girdle of mysterious islands was created in front of the coast of Aman, through which only one passage existed ("The Straight Path"). The mountains in the East of Aman were raised highly, so that none could pass. Yavanna took the last fruits from the Two Trees and created the Sun and the Moon. When the Sun rose for the first time, the Youngest Children of Ilúvatar, the Men, awoke in the land Hildórien. They were greatly influenced by the lies of Morgoth.

When Feanor arrived in Beleriand, he burned the ships of the Teleri. Morgoth, perceiving the fires, attacked Feanor in the land Hithlum. This was the Second War of Beleriand. Feanor and his sons quickly countered the attack and in his fury, Feanor followed the flying Orks all the way to Angband. There, he was surrounded by Morgoths most vicious servants, the Balrogs, who were spirits of fire. He was slain by Gothmog, the Lord of the Balrogs.

Morgoth pretended to surrender and by ambush he captured Maedhros, one of Feanor's sons. His hand was captured in a band of steel and he hung from a cliff of the Thangorodrim in Angband. Meanwhile, Fingolfin's host had reached Middle earth with many losses. They were almost in war with Feanors sons, when Fingon, Fingolfin's son, went to Angband alone and released Maedhros to ease the tension between the two groups of Elves. Maedhros, on behalf of the other sons of Feanor, asked for forgiveness and gave up their claim to the Kingship of the Noldor. Since then, the house of Fingolfin is the House of the Kings of the Noldor. Despite these gestures, lies of Morgoth and the deeds in the past always resulted in a certain tension.

Thingol allowed the Noldor to live in Beleriand, as long as they guarded the North (which was closest to Angband). Many new realms were created. The most important of them were Nargothrond, the realm of Finrod, Finfarin's son. It was located at the falls of the Narog. The other was Gondolin, the secret realm of Turgon, Fingolfin's son, who left the other Noldor to live in the city of Gondolin, which was situated in the hidden valley of Tumladen. The sons of Feanor lived most North, guarding the passes from Angband to Beleriand.

Morgoth attacked Beleriand various times. The Third Battle of Beleriand was the Dagor Agarleb, the Glorious Battle. Altough Morgoth attacked suddenly, the Noldor managed to defend the borders and defeated the host of Morgoth. Two more times Morgoth attacked, but each time his Orks were defeated by the brave Noldor.

Turgon lived in Gondolin isolated from the other Noldor. No one of his people was allowed to leave the valley of Tumladen. His sister, Aredhel, wanted to be free to roam through Middle Earth again. Eventually, she left Gondolin and married Eöl, a dark Elf. She bore a son, Maeglin. After a few years, against the will of Eöl, she returned with Maeglin to Gondolin. Eöl followed her, but was killed for revealing the secret location of Gondolin without wanting to live there forever. Maeglin grew up in Gondolin.

Meanwhile, Finrod Fegalund had contacted Men. He engaged a bond with the House of Bëor, one of the most noble Men. The three houses of Elvenfriends were called the Edain and they defended Beleriand side by side with the Noldor against the forces of Morgoth in many battles.

After some years, Morgoth attacked Beleriand again in the Fourth Battle of Beleriand, the Dagor Bragollach, the Battle of the Sudden Flame. Morgoth used Dragons, of which Glaurung was the greatest, to attack the Noldor. Many Elves, among which Fingolfin, and many Men died in this battle. The North of Beleriand was destroyed and many of the Noldor flew. Fingolfin was killed in a direct battle with Morgoth. Fingon became the High King of the Noldor. His son was Gil-Galad.

Two of the bravest Men from the House of Bëor who fought in that war were Huor and Húrin. They discovered the Hidden city of Gondolin. They were allowed, after a long stay, to leave Gondolin.

The greatest story of that time was the story of Beren, the son of Barahir, a Man. He encountered Lúthien, the beautiful daughter of Thingol and Melian and they fell in love. Thingol was not reluctant to agree with this relationship and demanded Beren to bring him a Silmaril (an impossible task) to marry Lúthien. During his quest, Beren was captured by Sauron, together with Finrod Fegalund. Finrod killed a gaint werewolf, but died soon after. With the aid of Lúthien, Beren escaped from the enprisonment of Sauron. Húan, a large dog helped them both to enter Angband, where Beren took one of the Silmarils from the crown of Morgoth. His hand was wasted by the flame of the Silmaril. Since then, he is called Beren Erchamion (Onehand). The Silmaril was bitten from his body by the Wolf Carcharoth while escaping from Angband. When returning empty-handed to Thingol, he gained his sympathy and married Lúthien. This was the first marriage between Elf and Men. Later Carcharoth was killed by Húan, and although deadly wounded himself, Beren offered the Silmaril to Thingol.

Next, Morgoth attacked again in the Fifth Battle of Beleriand, the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle of the Uncounted Tears. By treason of Men, the Nolder were overthrown and although the Dwarves came to help, the battle was lost. Fingon was killed by Gothmog the Balrog. Turgon flew from the battle to Gondolin, leaving Hurin and Huor behind.

The son of Húrin was Túrin, of whom the complete story is told in "Unfinished Tales" in the Narn i Hîn Húrin. When Húrin was eventually killed, Glaudrung the dragon conquered Nargothrond, Túrin roamed through Beleriand, becoming friends with Beleg, the Hunter of King Thingol. Túrin became the leader of a band of men who lived in the house of Mîm, a Dwarf. After Túrin was captured by Orks, Beleg came to his rescue. In a sudden move, Túrin killed his liberator, thinking he was an enemy. Túrin went to Nargothrond, where he encountered Glaurung. Being guided by Glaurungs lies, many evil things were started. Finally, Túrin killed Glaurung, but he killed himself afterwards after perceiving the results of the lies of Glaurung.

The Silmaril in Doriath was the basis for a dispute between the Elves and Dwarves. Thingol wanted to make a beautifull necklace of it. The Dwarves, by his request, did so, but refused to hand over the final result. While protesting, Thingol was killed by the Dwarves. The Dwarves who returned to their relatives, lied about what happened and a large army of Dwarves attacked Doriath. Beren, raised from the dead by the sacrifice of Lúthien, took the Silmaril. Their son, Dior, came in the possession of the Silmaril when Beren died eventually. The remaining sons of Feanor attacked Doriath, and so, by treason, lies and oaths, Doriath was destroyed. Dior's daughter, Elwing, took the Silmaril and flew south.

Tuor, the son of Húor, was guided by Ulmo the Valar to Gondolin. There, he married Idril, Turgon's daughter. This was the second marriage between Elf and Men. This to the anger of Maeglin, who was in love with Idril. Maeglin betrayed Gondolin by revealing its location to Morgoth. In a furious battle, the last realm of the Elves in Beleriand was lost. Gondolin was destroyed by many Orks and Balrogs, although Tuor and Idril escaped. Turgon was slain. Gil-Galad, son of Fingon, became the high King of the Noldor.

The son of Tuor and Idril was Eärendil, who married Elwing, the daughter of Dior. Seeing all was lost, Eärendil built a mighty ship, Vingilot, with the aid of Círdan, a Sindarin Elf who ruled the Havens at the mounds of the Sirion. Carrying a Silmaril to guide him, Eärendil reached Aman and, as a descent from the two marriages of Elf and Men, he pleaded their case for Manwë. Manwë granted the request for help and a large army moved to Middle earth and Morgoth was captured forever and cast into the Emptyness. In this battle, the shape of Middle Earth changed and Beleriand was lost in sea.

The sons of Eärendil, Elrond and Elros, were to choose to become Men or Elf. Elrond chose to become an Elf; later he founded the Elven settlement at Rivendell. Elros chose to be Human. He was the first King of Númenor (or Westernesse), an island within the sight of Aman, granted from the Valar to the human descents of Eärendil.

AKALLABÊTH

Akallabêth is the story of the downfall of Numenor. This Island was inhabited by the remaining Edain (descents from the House of Bëor). The island was located in the sight of Aman. During many ages, they respected and worshipped the Valar and it became a mighty Kingdom. They were friendly engaged with the Teleri, living at the coast of Aman. After a few ages, the Numenorian Realm had grown with such force, that parts of Middle Earth were conquered. Even Sauron, Morgoth's servant, who escaped the final battle, was captured by them. By the lies of Sauron, Ar-Pharazôn, the last and greatest King of Numenor raised in pride against the Valar. Numenor was destroyed, and only a few ships, leaded by Elendil, managed to escape. Elendil, father of Isildur, founded the Kingdom of the Numenoreans in Middle Earth, later divided in Gondor and Arnor.

Later, the Last Alliance of Elves and Men was raised by Elendil and Gil-Galad, the King of the Noldor. United, they attacked Sauron in Mordor. It was The Sword of Elendil and the Spear of Gil-Galad that overthrew Sauron. Isildur took Sauron's One Ring, of which more is told in "The Lord of the Rings"

INTERESTING FACTS:

 

TITLE: The Hobbit, or there and back again

AUTHOR: J.R.R. Tolkien

DATE PUBLISHED: 21-09-1937

PUBLISHER: George Allen and Unwin

WORD COUNT: 95,337 excl. title and foreword

ISBN: 0-395-47690-9

 

 

CONCEPT

The idea for the the Hobbit was produced in a peculiar way. According to his own account, one day, when Tolkien was engaged in the soul-destroying task of marking examination papers, he discovered that one candidate had left one page of an answer-book blank. On this page, moved by who knows what anarchic daemon, he wrote "In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit". In typical Tolkien fashion, he then decided he needed to find out what a Hobbit was, what sort of a hole it lived in, why it lived in a hole, etc. From this investigation grew a tale that he told to his younger children, and even passed round.

In 1936 an incomplete typescript of it came into the hands of Susan Dagnall, an employee of the publishing firm of George Allen and Unwin (merged in 1990 with HarperCollins). She asked Tolkien to finish it, and presented the complete story to Stanley Unwin, the then Chairman of the firm. He tried it out on his 10-year old son Rayner, who wrote an approving report, and it was published as The Hobbit in 1937. It immediately scored a success, and has not been out of especially children's recommended reading lists ever since.(1)

Tolkien himself about the hobbit (in a NYTimes interview, 1967):
""The Hobbit" wasn't written for children, and it certainly wasn't done just for the amusement of Tolkien's three sons and one daughter, as is generally reported. "That's all sob stuff. No, of course, I didn't. If you're a youngish man and you don't want to be made fun of, you say you're writing for children. At any rate, children are your immediate audience and you write or tell them stories, for which they are mildly grateful: long rambling stories at bedtime.
"'The Hobbit' was written in what I should now regard as bad style, as if one were talking to children. There's nothing my children loathed more. They taught me a lesson. Anything that in any way marked out 'The Hobbit' as for children instead of just for people, they disliked-instinctively. I did too, now that I think about it. All this 'I won't tell you any more, you think about it' stuff. Oh no, they loathe it; it's awful."

Since 1937, the Hobbit has been reprinted several times, and the book has been translated into over 20 languages. Several editions exist, among which one with illustrations by Alan Lee (1997, HarperCollins) and a luxurious edition, bound in black leather with a golden dragon on it (HarperCollins, special edition, 1000 reprints).

 

 

SUMMARY

"In a hole in the ground lived a hobbit." This hobbit was Mr. Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit of esteemed descent. On a day, his hole (in Hobbiton, the Shire), was visited by the wizard Gandalf. They agreed to meet Wednesday. To his surprise, on Wednesday, Bilbo is visited not only by Gandalf, but also by 13 dwarves. Of them, Thorin Oakenshield, is a dwarf of particular importance. He is the heir of the Kings of the dwarven realm "Erebor", the Lonely Mountain. Years ago, Smaug the Terrible, a giant dragon, conquered Erebor, destroying most of its inhabitants and collecting all treasures. Thorin was one of the few who managed to escape. Now, Thorin and his companions plan to regain the treasures taken from them. They know of a secret entrance to the Lonely Mountain, to which Gandalf provides a key. The only thing they need is a burglar. That is where Bilbo comes to play. To his surprise (and scaring the wits out of him) he is suggested by Gandalf to be the burglar. Although Bilbo protests, he is set on a journey east the next day.

On their way east, they encounter 3 trolls, which are known to be dangerous creatures. Bilbo wants to prove his capabilities as a burglar, but all 13 dwarves end up being captured by the trolls. Gandalf eventually saves them all by causing the trolls to argue until dawn, after which they are turned into stone. They find some Troll treasure, of which Bilbo takes a small sword. This sword is "Sting". Sting has magical properties, because it glows with a faint blue light when Goblins are around. They continue their journey and find a place to rest at Rivendell, where Elrond the Half-Elf reigns. Elrond discovers secret silver letters (moon letters) on a map Thorin has of Erebor, claiming: "Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks and the the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole".

After their visit to Rivendell, they continue their journey over the great mountains. They end up being captured by the Goblins living under the mountains. Again, Gandalf saves the company. On their rush out, Bilbo is lost in the caves.

In the dark caves under the great mountains, Bilbo, by chance, puts his hand onto a small golden ring. He picks it up and slides it into his pocket. In these caves, a creature named Gollum lives. He has a magic ring which makes him invisible. Bilbo is lost onto the very deepest cave, where the creature Gollum lives. They start a riddle game (just to win time, because Gollum cannot find his ring!). They ask each other riddles until Bilbo asks (not knowing what to ask next): "What do I have in my pocket?" Gollum cannot guess the answer and Bilbo wins the game. Too late Gollum realizes that Bilbo has his ring (his "precioussss") in his pocket. In anger Gollum chases Bilbo, but he cannot see him, because Bilbo is wearing the magic ring. Hunting for Bilbo, Gollum shows Bilbo the way out and Bilbo is reunited with his friends.

They travel forth and after being attacked by Goblins and Wargs (wolves), the are saved by the Eagles. The venture forth to meet Beorn, a strange human who can shapechange into a bear. Beorn provides them with food and other supplies. Arriving at the borders of Mirkwood, Gandalf leaves the company "to pay attention to his own business". The company of 14 enters Mirkwood and is attacked by giant spiders. Eventually, all but Bilbo are captured by the Elves of Mirkwood, who are not fond of dwarves. By smart play and his magic ring, Bilbo manages to free the dwarves by putting them into wooden barrels, which are used for wine transport by river. They end up in Esgaroth, a place built on long stakes in the water, inhabited by men.

They travel forth until they reach the Lonely Mountain. They find the secret entrance (a lark reveals the keyhole on Durin's day (the Dwarf new-year)), and Bilbo enters Erebor. He locates Smaug the dragon, who is sleeping, and steals some treasure. Smaug discovers some of his treasure is lost and is furious. In his anger, he flies to Esgaroth, meaning to destroy the town. Fortunately, Bard, a brave leader from Esgaroth, shoots Smaug from the sky with his mighty bow..

Meanwhile, the dwarves have regained control over Erebor. Drawn by mythical treasure, several groups camp before the doors of Erebor: Dwarves, coming to aid Thorin, and Men, claiming their part of the treasure, because they have killed Smaug. Bilbo ends up stealing the famous Arkenstone from Erebor. Because he wants to put and end to the argue, he hands the stone to the men of Esgaroth. Just before a battle is to break loose, news is that a large army of Goblins and Wargs is approaching. Dwarves and Men team up to beat this host in the Battle of the Five Armies. At the same time, Gandalf and other members of the White Council, chase the Evil Wizard from Dol Guldur. He is the one who planned the attack (actually, this Wizard is Sauron).

All ends well and Bilbo returns with bags of gold to Hobbiton, where the other hobbits thought Bilbo had been lost. His close-to-kin relatives the Sacksville-Bagginses had already claimed his beautiful hole at Bag's End. But all ends well and Bilbo regains his home and lives happily for a long time.