Discussion: The Hobbit, Chapter 17: The Clouds Burst
1. Suppose that things had fallen out the way Bard expected: that Thorin should prepare Bilbo's fourteenth share of the hoard and trade it for the Arkenstone. The Elves would have returned to Mirkwood and Bard might have eventually gone to Dale. What would the relationship have been between the three peoples in that region, if not for the intervention of the Battle of Five Armies?
2. Thranduil proves his wisdom, I think, when he says, "Long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for gold."
3. Tolkien does seem to have liked Eagles. Of course, it wouldn't have been as exciting had Bilbo cried out, "The Turkeys! The Turkeys! The Turkeys are coming!"
2. Thranduil proves his wisdom, I think, when he says, "Long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for gold."
3. Tolkien does seem to have liked Eagles. Of course, it wouldn't have been as exciting had Bilbo cried out, "The Turkeys! The Turkeys! The Turkeys are coming!"