To Gandalf: As per your instructions...
... I'm keeping this log of our journey through Mirkwood forest.
I should make good use of it some day as a base of my memoirs.
...which I intend to call:
There and back again: a hobbit's holiday.
The days are terrible, and the nights are impossible...
... for we are hungry and thirsty.
The berries which grow here are hideous.
Everything about these woods is unpleasant.
One day we decided someone...
... should climb to the top of the tallest tree and have a look about.
I couldn't argue. My contract is vague on several points.
There are moments...
... which can change a person for all time.
And I suddenly wondered if I would ever see my snug hobbit hole again.
I wondered, if I actually wanted to.
I awoke the next morning to a hideous surprise.
Now I will give you a name.
And I shall call you Sting!
The remainder of the morning I was spending seeking my companions.
And I found them, finally, in a place as black and terrible...
... as a patch of midnight that had never been cleared away.
They'll make fine eating...
... when they hung a day!
Go away!
Bombur!
I certainly could not let my companions, my comrades...
... become of meal for these hideous spiders. Action was called for.
Now you are all free. I know, the spiders' poison have made you weak,
but you must follow me. Quickly!
Look! On the path ahead! There it is.
It has freed our supper!
Now we see you again!
We will eat you and leave your skin hanging in a tree.
Grab it!
I think I can hold them on! Run to the wood-elves' clearing!
But, how can you...
I will do the stinging. Run.
Swiftly, now!
We have trapped them now. Close the circle.
It can't escape us!
Lazy Lob! Attercop!
My bless! What is it?
Sting! Sting! Sting!
Away! Retreat! We are no match for Sting!
I joined my companions at the clearing of the wood-elves.
But when I found them, I was in for another surprise.
The wood-elves had returned, but armed for battle.
The dwarves, weakened as they were by the encounter with the spiders...
... gave up without a struggle.
We travelled all day and into the night.
Finally, we came to the palace of the elf king...
... which was of the very eastern edge of the forest.
We'd come all the way through...
... only to end up as prisoners.
- Why did you dwarves try to attack? - No attack!
We came to beg! We were starving!
And why were you in the forest in the first place?
- That is our business. - Very well.
Take them away until they are feeling inclined to tell the truth...
... even if they wait a hundred years!
Greed. The fortune we were after was big enough to share with the elves.
They'd make valuable allies against that old worm Smaug.
Instead, they became the enemy and we were their prisoners.
And even though my invisibility allowed me to move about with ease...
... I had no way of opening the locks.
So it was weeks before I found a way to free my companions.
Part of the river flowed under the caves.
Deliveries of fine wines were brought up the river by human men...
... who lived on Long Lake.
Now wood-elves enjoyed their wine and the barrels were soon drained.
Oh, stop complaining!
I never promised to burgle you first class accomodation.
I'd come far and through many adventures to see it...
... and now I did not like the look of it at all!
Within hours we reached the colony of humans called Lake-town.
A precise, if not too imaginative name...
... but the village was actually built on the surface of Long Lake.
Here, the descendants of the men of Dale still dare to dwell...
... and do business in the shadow of old Smaug's mountain.
I am Thorin...
... grand son of King under the Mountain!
I have returned!
Hail, Thorin Oakenshield.
I am Bard the guardsman. We are honoured by your presence.
Your grandfather lives in our songs and legends.
What help we can offer will be yours, and we trust to your gratitude...
... the dragon Smaug is killed and your kingdom is regained.
We were fed, fattened, given supplies...
... and two weeks later found us near in the end of our journey.
And chances were, it would be a very horrible end, indeed.
That smell! I've not smelled a dragon before!
All the halls within must be filled with his foul reek.
And while Smaug slept inside...
... we spent our days searching for that illusive secret door.
Then, one afternoon...
And so, Gandalf, while I wait, I inscribe the final pages of your log.
My only companion is an annoying bird cracking snails.
"Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks,
... and the last light of the setting sun...
... will shine upon the keyhole."
Oh, my goodness!
Wake up! Wake up! It's happening!
My thunder!
There it is!
Thorin, before it's gone again, use your key.
Well, here we are.
But, what now?
Now is the time for our esteemed Mr. Baggins to perform the service...
... for which he was included in our company.
- Me? - You must earn your reward. We do have a contract.
You think it's my job: to go in first?
I've already got you out of two messes not in the original bargain.
And who will come with me?
Any of you?
I see.
Well, you are the burglar.
Go down and burgle something.
Very well. I won't refuse.
Good luck.
Thank you.
I've begun to trust my luck more than in the old days.
Now, you're in for it at last, Bilbo Baggins.
Why are you here? You've no use for dragon treasures.
Feel the worm's heat, Mr. Baggins?
A few more steps and you shall see...
... the old dragon Smaug at last.
You can still turn back, you know.
But to go on, to take those steps...
... that would be the bravest of all moments.
Whatever happens afterwards is nothing.
Yes, here is where...
... you fight your real battle, Mr. Bilbo Baggins.
Do you go back?
Well, thief...
... I smell you, feel your air.
I hear your breath.
Come on!
Help yourself. There is plenty and to spare.
Oh, thank you, oh, Smaug the Magnificent.
I did not come for presents. I only wish to have a look at you...
... and see if you are truly as great as tales say.
I did not believe them.
Do you, now?
They fall utterly short of the reality...
... oh Smaug, the Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities!
You have nice manners for a thief...
... and a liar.
You know me...
... but I don't remember smelling you before.
Who are you and where do you come from?
I come from under the hill.
And under the hill and over the hills my paths led.
And through the air. I am he that walks unseen.
You make riddles?
What is your name?
I am the lucky number, the web-cutter, the spider sting...
Lovely titles.
I am he that drowns his friends and draws them alive again from the water.
I am the guest of eagles, the Ringwinner, and the Luckwearer.
... the clue-finder and the Barrel-rider.
Barrel-rider, eh?
Then I have guessed your riddle!
You are one of those miserable...
... tub-trading lakemen!
You and your town shall pay dearly for this intrusion!
So the lakemen would steal my treasure?
Wait! You don't know everything. Not gold alone brought me hither.
Be done with your riddles!
What else got you, Lakeman?
Revenge!
Revenge?
Surely you must realized that your success...
... has made you some bitter enemies.
Revenge? You? Ha!
I am Smaug!
I kill what I wish!
I am strong...
... strong...
... strong!
My armor is like tenfold shields...
... my teeth are like swords...
... my claws, spears...
... the shock of my tail...
... a thunderbolt!
My wings...
... a hurricane!
And my breath...
... death!
Well?
Where are your riddles now?
Very, very impressive.
However...
... I have always understood that dragons...
... were soft underneath. Vulnerable.
Especially, in the region of the chest.
You have heard wrong!
I am armoured above and below
Well, I don't know about that.
"You don't know about that."
I shall show you!
Look!
What do you say to this?
Rare and wonderful, eh?
Dazzling!
Marvellous!
Perfect!
Flawless!
Staggering! Mag...
Old fool!
There is a patch in the hollow of your left breast...
... as bare as a snail out of its shell.
What's that?
More riddles?
No, my riddling is done.
I really must not detain Your Magnificence any longer.
Sorry you could not find me. But a fine burglar takes expert catching.
Burgler?
Burgler!
Thief! Fire! Murder!
- We should have gone with him. - To be roasted alive?
It's the burglar!
Three cheers for good old Bilbo!
Thank you! But I'd appreciate a more pragmatic salute.
In other words...
... extinguish me!
There we go! There we go! Always glad to help a friend.
I can' tell you how grateful I am.
Oh, never mind that. What did you burgle?
This.
What's that?
Earthquake?
Into the secret passage! Our only chance!
Barrel-rider!
Thief Lakemen!
Your people shall see my vengeance!
The lake people are doomed, unless...
Yes, you! You are a mere trush, and yet, so much more.
You have seen Smaug. You know his vulnerable spot!
Go now! To Lake-town! There's a guardsman, Bard. Tell him!
This breeze is strangely warm for autumn.
Bard! What's that?
The dragon is coming, or I'm a fool!
Cut the bridges! To arms! To arms!
The dragon! Old Smaug!
Awake after all these years! The dragon is coming!
Ready? As he passes over...
Arrows!
--- Rearm!
Away, you fool bird! Away!
You speak?
Bilbo Baggins?
He found what?
Yes! I'll look!
You speak the truth, old thrush!
Black arrow, you've never failed me. And I've always recovered you.
I had you from my father and he from of old.
If ever you came from the forges of the true King under the Mountain...
... go now and speed well!
Now I am king!
Stop!
There is only one King under the Mountain, and I am he...
... Thorin!
Hail Thorin! Hip hip hurrah! Hip hip hurrah!
Now, now...
... much have be done. We must cataloge our wealth.
Dear me! And pack it for shipment.
Join the fun, burgler! Part of this is yours!
Might be mine! What if Smaug returns?
Oh, he've gone for a week now! Found greener pastures, no doubt.
Has this wealth made you mad?
We must find our way out of this mountain...
... and see for ourselves if he's gone, and quickly!
According to this map, the main gate lies in this direction.
Follow me, gentlemen!
Bless my soul!
What are they?
Is the entire valley flowed? Populated by giant fireflies?
Not fireflies! Fires! Campfires!
Nonsense! Not an army would need that many fires.
No, my friend. Two armies!
Bard of Lake-town? What did you say?
Two armies!
Smaug is dead. I have slein him. The thrush delivered your message.
Really? Splendid news, our fellow!I hoped he would!
My people have made me king.
King? Really? Congratulations!
Couldn't happen to a nicer chap. Really! I don't know how to thank you.
Our town is destroyed and must be rebuilt.
You can thank us by sharing your fortune.
Why of course, of course. There's plenty for all.
Wait! The fortune is ours! And belongs to dwarves alone!
It wouldn't be yours if Smaug do lived.
A technicality.
- So you brought two armies to take it? - I brought one army.
The other is mine!
You, who threw us into the dungeon?
My people have suffered greatly from the worm through the years.
We demand retribution.
Never!
But why not? There's enough for all in this mountain.
It's a matter of principle, of honour!
Then, tomorrow we take it!
We will meet at sunrise on the field of battle.
You realize you're hopelessly outnumbered.
This is ridiculous!
Quiet! What does a burgler know of these matters?
Then tomorrow, it is!
This is deucedly uncomfortable. I'm certain to get a rash.
That armor was forged in the foundries of my grandfather.
Wear it proudly and it will carry you to victory!
--- and be bothered victory!
My only hope is to be taken prisoner as quickly as possible.
Those are the words of a covard.
The covard who flushed out Smaug?
The covard who saved you time and time again?
The covard who always went forward while you cringed behind?
You don't see us cringing now, do you?
This is madness! Fourteen against ten thousand...
... and yet to march off to certain destruction...
... as if you were on your way for another tea-party.
Your kind will never understand war, hobbit.
This is war! War!
Our lookout has found something!
Oh, great King under the Mountain!
- Balin, it's only Thorin! - Quiet!
- Yes, general? - "General"?
Another army approaches from the north-east!
An army of our kind. An army of dwarves!
- My cousin Dain from the Iron Hills? - Non other!
Ha! Now, we are not outnumbered! Now we have an army!
- A battle of three armies? - To war!
Onward!
Forward!
To battle!
- scurvy dwarves! - Thieving dwarves!
Kill them!
- Chop them! - Take their heads!
Kill the men! Kill the elves!
Save the gold for ourselves!
Personally, I would be back in Hobbiton.
- Who's that old man? - Get out of the way!
- Move, you old fool!
Old fool?
Gandalf!
Halt!
I would speak with the kings!
Dread has come upon you all!
An army of goblins with claim to the treasure comes from the north!
Behold!
They ride on wolves!
Oh, great Elf King, my truest friend and ally.
We must join our forces against this common scourge.
But of course, oh noble King under the Mountain.
Your people are like brothers onto mine.
And my men and all their weapons are as one with yours.
Together we will vanquish the foul foe!
Together!
Thorin is correct. I simply do not understand war.
A battle of four armies.
One, two, three... yes, four!
Our cause is hopeless! The goblins are too powerful!
But we'll spill much of their blood before the day has finished.
If these be our last moments, men, let us live them with honour.
Hold! All is not lost. The goblins have many enemies.
There is yet still another army on the way.
The eagles!
Five armies now?
Mr. Bilbo Baggins, enough is enough.
Bombur! You're hurt!
I still live. And you?
A slight wound. Crack on the head. Out for hours. What happened?
We won.
Bombur gone, too?
Of our original thirteen, how many are left?
Seven.
And Thorin?
Soon will be only six.
I have brought him.
Farewell, good thief.
I wish to part in friendship...
... and would take back my words at the Gate.
There are many words I would take back also.
And does it take this...
... to make us each other?
- Thorin! - Hush!
You are no covard, my friend. I am sorry I so named you.
- This is not important... - And I was wrong.
You did understand war.
It was I who did not.
Until now.
Farewell, King under the Mountain.
Child of the kindly west.
I have come to know...
... If more of us valued your ways,...
... food and cheer above hoarded gold,...
... it would be a merrier world.
But sad or merry...
... I must leave it now.
- Farewell. - Farewell, Thorin.
You take only two tiny bags of gold home with you?
Your share was greater.
It's all my pony could carry, and it's more than I'll ever need.
But you have other prizes.
The ring? Oh, yes.
I'll keep it as a souvenir in a glass box, on the mantel.
And so, the prophecies of all have come true.
Smaug is gone and the goblins driven away.
The dwarves and elves live in peace...
... and the men thrive, multiply and build a civilization.
Prophecies!
- What? - I had a hand in all that!
Surely you don't disbelieve the prophecies because you helped bring them about?
You don't really suppose, do you,...
... that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck...
... just for your sole benefit?
You're a very fine person, Mr. Baggins. And I'm very fond of you...
... but you're only quite a little fellow in a wide world, after all.
Thank goodness!
Yes, you'll returned your home...
... place your souvenir ring on your mantel...
... publish your story, which you believe has come to its end...
What dod you mean: "believe it has come to an end"?
It has, hasn't it?
Oh, Bilbo Baggins, if you really understood that ring...
... - but someday members of your family not yet born will - ...
... then you'd realize that this story has not ended...
... but is only beginning.