"What happened? Bilbo, we all heard you yell just now!"

Seeing that Bilbo was safe and sound, and his face did not look frightened, the dwarves immediately approached him curiously and asked what happened.

"I didn't mean to yell just now, a bat suddenly flew out and damaged my torch!"

Not sure whether the false alarm he just encountered was unlucky or not, the Hobbit Snitch shook his head guiltily.

Hearing Bilbo's sudden shouting, it was because of such a trivial matter as the little bat smashed the torch. The dwarves, who thought it was the snitch returning from encountering the evil dragon, breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help complaining about the hobbit's fuss.

Seeing the grumbling complaints of the dwarves, for some reason, Bilbo secretly felt relieved that he had not revealed the news about the Heart of the Mountain and Thorin's heirloom diamond right away.

Of course, Bilbo was never prepared to take possession of the diamond he found. He just felt that it was not a good opportunity to hand it over to Thorin at the moment. Especially when the dwarves were looking for gold and silver in the future.

The greedy reaction further strengthened the Hobbit's idea of ​​repaying another day.

As they lit torches and moved forward, the glittering golden scene nearby once again awakened the pursuit and desire for treasure in the hearts of the dwarves.

At that moment, the dwarves in Bilbo's eyes seemed not to be like the dwarf companions he was very familiar with along the way. Compared with the good performance of these companions in the past, who were rude but straightforward, often complained but never held grudges, at this moment

The dwarves acted more like they were blinded by the countless gold coins that they saw piled up like small streams along the way.

Soon, Bilbo's ears could hear the whispers of the dwarves talking about their wealth. In the dim tunnel lit by torches, the hobbit snitch, who felt lonely, even suddenly saw a bit of that wealth in his companions.

The shadow of Gollum, the monster obsessed with the Lord of the Rings seen in the past.

Bilbo couldn't help but feel worried about the sudden and unexplained changes in his team. However, as all his dwarf companions were as enthusiastic about the treasure as if they were at their fingertips, he didn't know who to share this terrible feeling with.

After walking for a while, Bilbo, who focused part of his attention on observing the expressions and movements of his companions, sadly discovered that no one in the entire team could feel this strange atmosphere with him. Every member of the team, no matter who they were in the past,

Thorin, who is cautious and calm in the face of any difficulties, and Balin, the wise and kind old dwarf. Like other dwarves, they are all caught up in the greed and glory of returning to their homeland and regaining the treasure of their ancestors.

All the dwarves were holding torches high. They were very timid when they first entered the tunnel because they were afraid of waking up the dragon. As time passed, the voices of the conversations among each other became louder and louder, and soon the volume of the conversation became louder and louder.

It became noisy.

When the sound of conversation did not cause the roar of the evil dragon at the end of the tunnel, that is, from the underground hall, it was sure that the evil dragon must have left the underground hall and went to who knows where. The dwarves were completely immersed in some kind of swaggering excitement.

.

After entering the hall completely, the dwarves who discovered that the evil dragon was really not in the underground hall started their own carnival as if they were having fun!

The youngest dwarf brothers in the team, Fili and Kili, were almost crazy with joy. They loved music and accidentally stumbled upon a golden harp with silver strings placed everywhere in the corner. With this gratifying discovery, the two brothers

I immediately laughed and started playing these exquisitely crafted luxury instruments.

Compared to the two dwarf brothers who look like artistic youths, the other dwarves are more pragmatic or greedy for money. They all bent over and lowered their heads, looking for easy-to-store, high-value items among the mountains of gold and silver all over the hall.

gems. Once they find gems that meet their requirements, these trophies will be quickly stuffed into their pockets and pockets in the seams of their trousers.

Compared to his men's crazy behavior of picking up gems, Thorin behaved more gracefully. Of course, looking left and right, he didn't miss anything in search of something. In fact, he was focused on finding the heirloom of their Turin royal family.

of diamonds.

After searching like a carnival for a while, Thorin, who did not find the Silmarillion, could only lead everyone to the area where sophisticated weapons were stored. No matter what, they needed these sophisticated weapons and equipment to be armed in order to cope with the coming battle.

.

Then, the dwarves took off the armor and weapons from the walls and armed themselves. Thorin put on gold-encrusted chainmail and had an ax inlaid with rubies at his waist. He really looked very royal.

"Mr. Baggins!" he shouted: "Come and get your first reward! Here, this mithril soft armor can make you unable to be cut by ordinary swords after wearing it. Take it.

, this is the reward you deserve!"

Before he finished speaking, he put a piece of chain mail on Bilbo, which was made for a young elf prince many years ago. It was made of silver steel, which is what the elves call mithril.

The complete set also includes a belt made of pearls and crystals. The hobbit wears a light helmet made of leather on his head, with an iron plate protection underneath and white gems inlaid on the edge.

"I feel great!" he thought: "But I might look a little funny. If this were back home, I wonder how they would laugh at me! I really wish there was a full-length mirror here for me to look at!"

However, faced with the temptation of these treasures, Mr. Baggins behaved much more calmly and cautiously than the dwarves. Compared with the dwarves who like gold, silver and gems, the hobbits are more peaceful in nature and like peace. Naturally, Bilbo

It is less likely to be tempted by foreign objects.

"Thorin!" he shouted: "What should we do next? We are fully armed, but what use are these weapons in the face of the terrifying Smaug? We have wasted too much time on gold! OK!

Well, we need to find a way out before the evil dragon comes back, but don’t forget, the exit of the road we came from has collapsed!"

"You're right!" After Bilbo's reminder, Thorin also realized the dilemma everyone faced: "I'll lead the way. This is our dwarf kingdom. Even if it's thousands of years later, I will never forget it.

Any road. I know those roads that can lead everyone out."

After saying these words, he ordered others to gather together and walked out of the door holding torches high. Many people still looked back at the cave behind reluctantly.

Everyone covered their shiny armor with shabby cloaks, and their faded hats covered their shiny helmets. Everyone followed Thorin closely one by one. In the darkness, their steps often stopped abruptly, fearing the evil dragon.

Will it appear suddenly?

Although most of the old decorations here have been destroyed, battered by the comings and goings of monsters, Thorin still knows every corner and every lane. They climbed long stairs and followed twisting tunnels.

, and then started walking up the stairs. Fortunately, the dwarves kept going up the road without hearing any strange noises of the evil dragon returning. Only the dwarves were holding torches in the tunnel.

A small shadow escaping in front of the light.

These stairs were not built for the hobbit's calves. Just when Bilbo felt that he could no longer hold on, the roof of the cave suddenly became open and left the range of the firelight. They could see the white light coming from the opening on the top.

The air became sweeter with the light, and the weak light shined through the broken and charred door.

"This is the hall that Thor ordered to build," Thorin said: "When he was the king of the dwarves, this was the place where everyone held parties and banquets. Let's go over there, and the door out is not far from us!

"

They walked through the ruined hall. The tables and chairs were in tatters, and the remaining furniture was staggered here and there, some charred, some rotten. Skeletons were scattered among the tableware on the floor, and a thick layer of ash was the only way for the bones to rest.

As soon as they stepped out of the distant door, they heard the gurgling sound of water, and the gray light became brighter.

"This is the source of the running river," Thorin said, "Following its direction will lead us to the gate. Let's go!"

A very fast stream of water emerged from the opening in the rock wall, and it rushed out along the narrow river channel. This river channel was the result of the ingenuity of ancient craftsmen.

Bats awakened by the torches flew out in swarms. As the group walked forward, they almost fell down due to the smooth floor tiles on the ground caused by the dragons. The turbulent water flowed in front of their eyes and rushed all the way to the river valley. They

He threw the torch to the ground and looked at the scenery outside with dazzling eyes. Everyone had arrived at the gate and was overlooking the river valley.

"Okay!" said Bilbo, "I never thought I could look out from this door, nor did I expect it would be so pleasant to see the sun again and feel the breeze. Wow! This wind is really cold!"

Indeed, the icy cold wind blowing from the east hinted at the coming winter. It swirled along the mountains and finally blew into the valley, sighing beside the rocks. For a long time they hid in the cave where the dragon was raging.

After a while, even with the sunshine, they still couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Suddenly, Bilbo realized that he was not only tired, but also very hungry. "It seems it's still morning," he said, "Let's find a place to rest for a while! I'm exhausted, and I'm also very hungry."

Everyone hasn’t had breakfast yet, and our starved bodies can’t continue traveling as fast as before.”

"Bilbo is right, we need to take a rest." Balin said, "I think I know where to go. We should go to a watchtower in the southwest of the mountains."

"How far is that?" asked the hobbit.

"I remember that it should take five hours to walk. The road will not be easy to walk. The road from the gate along the ridge on the left seems to be ruined. Look over there!"

"Oh my God!" Looking in the direction Balin pointed, the hobbits muttered dissatisfied: "We have to climb more mountains, and we haven't had breakfast yet! I wonder how many meals I missed in that dark cave?

"

In fact, since the dragon broke the secret door, they spent a day and two nights inside.

Even though they ate some dry food supplies in their backpacks in the tunnel, they had lost the concept of time and seemed unable to refute Bilbo's words. For everyone, the time they just ran for their lives in the tunnel could be either

One night, maybe a whole week.

The speed and slowness of time passing are vividly reflected in everyone at this moment.

But at this moment when everyone had opinions, Thorin, as the leader of the team, stood up without hesitation.

"Okay, maybe what you said makes sense. But I also have a question." Thorin said with a smile. "Although you can see that you are all very tired and in urgent need of rest, I will only say one thing.

Goko hasn't appeared yet. Who can say for sure whether it will attack suddenly while everyone is resting? In my opinion, it is best to stay away from the mountains before resting."

"Unless Smaug dies, it won't be so fast!" Bilbo said gloomily: "The dragon is not us. It doesn't need to run desperately because it is worried about the enemy catching up with it. No matter where it is, I just hope it won't hide.

Watch for us in the mountains!"

This idea worried the dwarves, and they quickly nodded in agreement with Balin and Bilbo's opinions.

"We have to get out of here quickly!" Fili was heard saying.

.....

Going along the mountain wall to the right is a dead end, so they can only go down the Shuo River along the rocks on the left bank of the river.

After that, they continued forward, the road turning westward away from the river. The southern branch of the mountain came closer and closer, and finally they reached the road on the hill. The path went steeply toward

Extending upward, they climbed up slowly one after another. Finally, they finally reached the top of the mountain ridge, just in time to see the sun setting tiredly towards the west.

They found a piece of flat land here. There was no shelter on three sides. Only the mountain wall on the north had an opening that looked like a door. From that door, one could overlook the east, west and south.

"This is right here," Bahrain said: "This used to be the outpost and residence of the guards. This is a good place that is hidden and not easily discovered by the enemy. If we hide here for a while, we don't need to worry about being caught.

The enemy found out."

"If we are seen when we come here, there is not much use hiding here," Fili kept looking at the hilltop along the way, as if he thought Smaug would perch there like a bird.

"Okay, no need to say more. Everyone is tired and must rest." Thorin said, "Everyone, please put down the salutes. We will rest here tonight!"

"Yes!" cried Bilbo and lay down.

The stone chamber can accommodate hundreds of people, and there is also a smaller room inside, which blocks the cold wind from the outside.

After choosing a place for everyone to rest, the dwarves immediately put down their backpacks and chatted while eating dry food.
Chapter completed!