The Hobbit

so hasty! I never met such suspicious folk! I am merely trying to avoid trouble
     for all concerned. Now I will make you an offer! !”
    “Let us hear it!” they said.
    “You may see it!” said he. “It is this!” and he drew forth the Arkenstone, and threw away the wrapping.
    The Elvenking himself, whose eyes were used to things of wonder and beauty, stood up in amazement. Even Bard gazed marvelling
     at it in silence. It was as if a globe had been filled with moonlight and hung before them in a net woven of the glint of
     frosty stars.
    “This is the Arkenstone of Thrain,” said Bilbo, “the Heart of the Mountain; and it is also the heart of Thorin. He values
     it above a river of gold. I give it to you. It will aid you in your bargaining.” Then Bilbo, not without a shudder, not without
     a glance of longing, handed the marvellous stone to Bard, and he held it in his hand, as though dazed.
    “But how is it yours to give?” he asked at last with an effort.
    “O well!” said the hobbit uncomfortably. “It isn’t exactly; but, well, I am willing to let it stand against all my claim,
     don’t you know. I may be a burglar—or so they say: personally I never really felt like one—but I am an honest one, I hope,
     more or less. Anyway I am going back now, and the dwarves can do what they like to me. I hope you will find it useful.”
    The Elvenking looked at Bilbo with a new wonder. “Bilbo Baggins!” he said. “You are more worthy to wear the armour of elf-princes
     than many that have looked more comely in it. But I wonder if Thorin Oakenshield will see it so. I have more knowledge of
     dwarves in general than you have perhaps. I advise you to remain with us, and here you shall be honoured and thrice welcome.”
    “Thank you very much I am sure,” said Bilbo with a bow. “But I don’t think I ought to leave my friends like this, after all
     we have gone through together. And I promised to wake old Bombur at midnight, too! Really I must be going, and quickly.”
    Nothing they could say would stop him; so an escort was provided for him, and as he went both the king and Bard saluted him
     with honour. As they passed through the camp an old man, wrapped in a dark cloak, rose from a tent door where he was sitting
     and came towards them.
    “Well done! Mr. Baggins!” he said, clapping Bilbo on the back. “There is always more about you than anyone expects!” It was
     Gandalf.
    For the first time for many a day Bilbo was really delighted. But there was no time for all the questions that he immediately
     wished to ask.
    “All in good time!” said Gandalf. “Things are drawing towards the end now, unless I am mistaken. There is an unpleasant time
     just in front of you; but keep your heart up! You
may
come through all right. There is news brewing that even the ravens have not heard. Good night!”
    Puzzled but cheered, Bilbo hurried on. He was guided to a safe ford and set across dry, and then he said farewell to the elves
     and climbed carefully back towards the Gate. Great weariness began to come over him; but it was well before midnight when
     he clambered up the rope again—it was still where he had left it. He untied it and hid it, and then he sat down on the wall
     and wondered anxiously what would happen next.
    At midnight he woke up Bombur; and then in turn rolled himself up in his corner, without listening to the old dwarf’s thanks
     (which he felt he had hardly earned). He was soon fast asleep forgetting all his worries till the morning. As a matter of
     fact he was dreaming of eggs and bacon.

Chapter
XVII
THE CLOUDS BURST
    Next day the trumpets rang early in the camp. Soon a single runner was seen hurrying along the narrow path. At a distance
     he stood and hailed them, asking whether Thorin would now listen to another embassy, since new tidings had come to hand, and
     matters were changed.
    “That will be Dain!” said Thorin when he heard. “They will have got wind of his coming. I thought that would alter their mood!
     Bid them come few in number and weaponless, and I will hear,” he called to the messenger.
    About midday the banners of the Forest and the Lake were seen to be borne forth again. A company of twenty was approaching.
     At the beginning of the narrow way they laid aside sword and spear, and came on towards the Gate. Wondering, the dwarves saw
     that among them were both Bard and the Elvenking, before whom an old man wrapped in cloak and hood bore a strong casket