CHAPTER X: A WARM WELCOME

Riding the Forest River into widening marshes, Bilbo glimpses the Lonely Mountain and feels foreboding as the barrels near the Long Lake. The raft is towed to Lake-town, a wooden settlement of Men built over the water. When night falls, Bilbo frees the dwarves from the casks; Thorin, Fili, and Kili accompany Bilbo to the guarded bridge.

Inside the hall, Thorin declares himself “King under the Mountain.” Elven raft-men protest they are escaped prisoners, but townsfolk revive old songs and clamour for the returning king. The Master, cautious and trade-minded, yields to public excitement, seats Thorin in honor, and extends hospitality. The rest of the dwarves are brought in, healed, fed, and celebrated; Bilbo remains ill with a cold.

Meanwhile, the Wood-elves retreat upriver in unease. The Elvenking, suspecting theft rather than dragon-slaying, dispatches spies along the lake and northward to watch the dwarves’ movements. In Lake-town, new songs predict Smaug’s fall and rich trade, pleasing the Master more than the dwarves.

After a fortnight, Thorin presses to depart while fervor remains high. Though surprised, the Master is glad to see them go and publicly offers aid, expecting future gratitude. Equipped with boats, rowers, and provisions, the company sets out north across the lake toward their final approach to the Mountain, while Bilbo alone feels thoroughly unhappy and apprehensive.