CHAPTER XVIII: THE RETURN JOURNEY

Bilbo awakens alone on Ravenhill, sore and dazed, and is found by a man searching at Gandalf’s direction. Carried to the camp in Dale, Bilbo finds Gandalf wounded but alive and is led to the tent where Thorin lies dying. Thorin withdraws his harsh words and parts with Bilbo in friendship; Bilbo grieves deeply.

Bilbo later learns how the battle was won: the Eagles arrived in time to break the goblins’ hold on the heights, but numbers still favored the enemy until Beorn came in bear-shape, rescued the wounded Thorin, then returned to slay Bolg and scatter the goblins. Pursuit continued until the enemy was destroyed or driven off, bringing peace to the North for many years.

After victory, Thorin is buried beneath the Mountain with the Arkenstone on his breast, and the Elvenking lays Orcrist upon his tomb. Fíli and Kíli are mourned for falling in Thorin’s defense. Dain son of Nain becomes King under the Mountain, and the dwarves gather to his rule.

Honoring old promises, Dain grants Bard a fourteenth share, and Bard rewards the Master and friends, restoring Girion’s emeralds to the Elvenking. Bard offers Bilbo rich reward, but Bilbo declines great wealth and accepts only two small chests of silver and gold that a pony can carry.

Bilbo bids farewell to the dwarves and departs with Gandalf, accompanying the Elvenking’s host. At Mirkwood’s edge, Bilbo gifts the Elvenking a necklace and is named an elf-friend. Choosing the safer northern route, Bilbo travels with Gandalf and for long stretches with Beorn, wintering merrily at Beorn’s hall before setting out again in spring.

Reaching the high pass where they were once captured, Bilbo looks back on Mirkwood and the Lonely Mountain, reflecting that “even dragons have their ending,” and turns his face toward home, his adventurous Tookish side waning as his Baggins nature reasserts itself.