Left: FARMSTEAD Right: HOUSE
Beorn’s Wide Wooden Halls
BEORN’S FARMSTEAD lay due east of the Carrock, and the company walked much of the day to reach it. They knew they were close when they reached “great patches of flowers . . . his bee-pastures.”1 A belt of oaks and a thorn-hedge surrounded the farmstead itself, and the hedge allowed entry only where it was broken by a high, broad, wooden gate. Inside the gate and past the beehives on the southward side were more gardens and a wide grassy track that led to the “long low wooden house” and its collection of outbuildings: “barns, stables, sheds.”2
The house was apparently U-shaped, for the track came to the open side of a courtyard that was enclosed in the rear by the house and on the sides by the two long wings.3 The central portion was most likely the hall into which Beorn led the two visitors—the same hall where the company later ate and slept. An illustration by Tolkien gave much information about the room:4 It appeared longer than it was wide, and if the temporary trestle table were about four by eight feet, the room would have been about twenty by thirty-five feet, and the central fireplace about six by eight feet. Running along both side walls were the raised platforms in which the boards and trestles for the table were stored, and on which the travellers’ beds were laid.5 The side walls probably abutted the wings, so they had no windows, making the hall dimly lit.6 The door shown in Tolkien’s drawing was probably that which exited to the veranda. The pleasant roofed porch faced south and had steps leading down to a path that passed through the gardens and back around the house to the main track. It was along that path the Dwarves appeared as Gandalf told his tale.7
Left: OFF THE PATH Right: THE SPIDER BATTLE
Attercop, Attercop
STRUGGLING ALONG THROUGH MIRKWOOD, the Dwarves saw Elf-fires off the path. Against all advice they left the trail. The distance shown was based on the fire’s being “a longish way off.”1 The company’s efforts were in vain, for the Elves around the fire immediately vanished. Two more times this scene was repeated with each fire being “not far way.”2 The third attempt resulted in Thorin’s capture by the Wood-elves, the other Dwarves’ wandering away and being caught by spiders, and Bilbo’s being left alone only to find himself partially enmeshed in a web.3
After Bilbo killed the spider he correctly guessed the direction the Dwarves had been taken and reached their ring after going “stealthily for some distance.”4 It has been assumed the spiders’ glade lay even farther from the path than the fire-rings, for both of those were kept clear of spiders.5 Upon reaching the clearing, Bilbo spotted the Dwarves hanging from a line on the far side. He stoned a creature about to poison Bombur, then attempted to lead the spiders away from the glade. Many followed, but others closed the openings around the clearing, so Bilbo was forced to return briefly and cut an entrance. Then he continued his diversion, before creeping back, leaving the hunting spiders in the woods. He had managed to release seven of the twelve Dwarves before their captors returned, then fought while the remaining Dwarves were freed. To get out of the losing battle Bilbo once more chose to draw off the spiders, going alone to the right; while he instructed the Dwarves, under Balin’s command, to break through “to the left . . . towards the place where we saw the last elf-fires.”6 The spiders split and followed both Bilbo and the Dwarves, so the weary company was still having to stop frequently to fight when Bilbo returned to help. At last the spiders quit, just as the company reached an Elf-clearing.
THRANDUIL’S CAVERNS
THE ELVENKING WAS THRANDUIL, who once had lived with Thingol and Melian, so his dwellings were understandably reminiscent of both Menegroth and Nargothrond:1 All lay under a wooded hill beside a river, with a stone bridge leading to the great gates; all had a great pillared hall used as a throneroom, and many twisting passages leading to other rooms of varying sizes at different levels; all had been enhanced by the mining efforts of Dwarves.2 Thranduil’s dwelling was different in two ways: Although extensive, it seems to have been somewhat smaller than the great ancient underground kingdoms; and it had an underground stream. The Forest River apparently dropped rather steeply between the gate and the stream, for the main passage led to the upper galleries, while the stream originated in the heart of the hill and “flowed under part of the lowest regions of the palace, and joined the Forest River some way further to the east, beyond the steep slope out of which the main mouth opened.”3
When the Wood-elves captured them, the Dwarves were led over the bridge, up a stair cutting through the steep bank, across a grassy terrace, through the great gates that “closed by magic,” and down twisting passages to Thranduil’s great hall.4 As they refused to tell the Elvenking their purpose, they were imprisoned in “twelve cells in different parts of the palace.” Thorin’s was in “one of the inmost caves with strong wooden doors.”5 One of these same dungeons may have been used years later to imprison Gollum.6 Little was told of the remainder of the rooms except that there were upper halls large enough to allow feasting, and that “the lowest cellars” overlay the tunnel of the underground stream.7 It was to those cellars Bilbo led the Dwarves to escape: first Balin and last Thorin, whose cell was “fortunately not far from the cellars.” 8 The guard and butler were in the small room adjacent to the one with the trap-door, and Balin watched them while Bilbo packed the Dwarves in barrels. Once the Elves had cast the barrels into the stream, the distance seemed fairly short to where they floated under the arched portcullis into the main river.9
Lake-town
AS THE BARRELS FLOATED PAST the promontory that formed the rocky gates between the Forest River and the Long Lake, Bilbo saw the village that seems to have been unique in Middle-earth—Lake-town. Although all of the cities Tolkien described—and many of the smaller towns as well—had some physical barrier, being walled and/or constructed on hills or underground, only Lake-town employed water as its protection against evil. Using the great forest trees of Mirkwood, gigantic pilings sunk far into the bottom of the Long Lake supported a platform on which were erected the warehouses, shops, and dwellings of the Lake-men. During the prestigious days of the Dwarves the larger city of Esgaroth had stood on the same site, but it was destroyed at some point (possibly by Smaug) and its rotting pilings could still be seen at low water.1
The map of Lake-town was based almost entirely upon an illustration by Tolkien from which size, shape, and orientation could all be estimated; and even houses could be located from their roof-lines.2 The platform paralleled the west shore of the lake north of the Forest River. In the lee of the promontory lay a protected bay with a shelving shore on which stood “a few huts and buildings,” probably used for storage of the barrels collected there.3 One was a guardhouse at the end of the great wooden bridge that ran out to the town.4
At the far end of the bridge were gates, and beyond was a very small compact village, only about two city blocks in size but with numerous two-storied buildings constructed with only narrow openings between, utilizing every square foot of space. Depending on the size of families and apartments, the tiny area could have housed a population of four hundred or more. A wide quay was left on all sides of the platform, from which steps led down to the water. Passing between the buildings near the bridge the company was led beside “a wide circle of quiet water” that functioned as the central market place.5 By descending one of the pool’s numerous stairs and ladders one could reach the lake by rowing through a canal that passed under an arched tunnel that pierced the walkways and even one building.
Only four specific structures were mentioned within the village: the “great hall” where the Dwarves found the Master at feast, the large house where the company lived during their stay, the Town Hall from which they departed, and the “Great House” that was smashed by Smaug.6 One or more of these terms may actually have referred to the same location. It is tempting to correlate the great feast hall with the Town Hall, but the former stood by the market-pool while the latter had steps leading down to the lake itself. The great feast hall has t
herefore been shown in the location of a large building in the center of Tolkien’s drawing, while the Town Hall has been interpreted as the prominent structure at the bridge corner. Neither the “large house” nor the “Great House” was located, but the feast hall may have been synonymous with the Great House, for the buildings around the pool were all “greater houses” and the feast hall seems to have been the largest.7
All of the buildings were wooden, making them very vulnerable to an attack by the fire-breathing dragon. In spite of valiant efforts and an abundant source of water the buildings were well on their way to destruction even before Smaug fell to his ruin. The town was subsequently rebuilt “more fair and large” farther north up the shore.8
LAKE-TOWN
THROR’S MAP indicated that the diameter of Lonely Mountain was equal to about half the distance to the Long Lake, which lay about twenty miles south.1 The summit was high enough to be snowcapped at least as late as spring, and so was possibly 3500 feet in elevation.2 The shape of the mountain’s spurs showed clearly on Thrór’s map: six ridges radiating from the central peak. Within the broad south-facing valley lay the ruins of Dale, once a thriving city of Men.3 The Running River, which originated from a spring just inside the Front Gate,4 descended over two falls,5 then swirled around Dale in a wide loop that passed first near the eastern spur, then west beyond Ravenhill, before turning east and south to Long Lake.6 Just north of Ravenhill, on the western side, the company made its first camp. Within a few days they moved to a narrower vale, about three miles long, between the two western spurs. There at the east end, just behind an overhanging cliff of 150 feet, was the hidden bay with its secret door.7 Bilbo discovered the foot of the path “down the valley . . . at its southern corner.”8 There were rough steps that ascended to the top of the southern ridge and along a narrow ledge across the head of the vale. Directly above the camp the path turned east behind a boulder into the steep-walled bay. Sitting with his back against the far wall, Bilbo could look west toward the Misty Mountains; yet the opening was so narrow it appeared only as a crack. Beyond the grassy terrace the trail continued along the mountain-face, but the Dwarves went no further, for they were certain this was the “doorstep.”9
On Durin’s Day Thorin opened the magical Side-door and gained entrance to the ancient tunnels of Erebor, the kingdom under the Mountain. Of the many “halls, and lanes, and tunnels, alleys, cellars, mansions and passages,”10 the only ones mentioned were the secret tunnel leading to the “bottommost cellar” and the stairs and halls ascending to the “great chamber of Thrór” near the Front Gate, which was the only remaining entrance.11 The secret tunnel was considered small, even though “five feet high the door and three may walk abreast.”12 It descended in a smooth straight line to Smaug’s chamber. As the dungeon-hall lay at the “Mountain’s root,”13 and the bay was at the eastern end of the valley, the tunnel has been estimated as being two miles long. In the dark, creeping along to prevent echoes, Bilbo spent about three hours traversing that distance.14
In the hall lay Smaug’s hoard, attesting the wealth of gold and jewels that had been mined there.15 An illustration by Tolkien allowed estimates of the size of the hall.16 Smaug appeared about sixty feet long, giving the impression that the room was at least 180 feet in length. Its vast size was further emphasized by the ever-shrinking light of Bilbo’s torch “far away in the distance.”17 Two great stairways exited through arched doors on the eastern wall. Thorin led the company up one of these to reach the Front Gate. “They climbed long stairs and turned and went down wide echoing ways, and turned again and climbed more stairs and yet more stairs again.”18 As the lower chamber was in the heart of the Mountain, and the Front Gate was in the center of the south face, the passages must generally have gone east, then south, then west again. At the head of the steps they entered the great chamber of Thrór, and after passing through came upon the source of the Running River, which was routed in a straight narrow channel to a fall at the gate. Beside it ran a wide road that passed beneath the tall arching gateway and onto a rocky terrace.19
The old pathway and bridge below the terrace had crumbled, but across the stream the stairs on the west bank were still intact and led the company to a path that ascended the southwest spur to the watch-post on Ravenhill: the only such post described of the several present.20 It had a large outer chamber and a small inner one. The company stayed there briefly, then returned to the Front Gate, where they walled in the arch and flooded the terrace (including the old path), leaving only a narrow ledge on the west to approach the gate. There they awaited the coming armies.21
LONELY MOUNTAIN Cross Section: WEST-EAST
The Battle of Five Armies
THE NEWS OF SMAUG’S DEMISE spread quickly, and within days much of the north was on the move seeking to gain the unguarded treasure. The Goblins and wolves had already mustered great forces at Gundabad after the slaying of the Great Goblin and were well prepared to utilize the unexpected advantage. Immediately they started east through the Grey Mountains, observed secretly by the watchful eagles.1 The Elvenking also was marching east but turned toward Lake-town on Bard’s plea. Eleven days after Smaug’s fall their combined forces passed the north end of Long Lake.2 Meanwhile, Thorin had sent raven messengers to his “kin in the mountains of the North” and especially to his cousin Dáin in the Iron Hills,3 some two hundred fifty miles away. Bard and the Elvenking arrived first, and in response to Thorin’s grim refusals they besieged the Mountain. The length of the siege was not given, but it ended upon Dáin’s arrival: possibly about ten days later. The battle was about to be joined as Dáin attempted to reach the gate, when the Goblins and wolves suddenly appeared out of the broken lands to the north.4
Quickly the Elves, Men, and Dwarves allied against the oncoming enemies. They were hopelessly outnumbered: Dáin had brought “five hundred grim dwarves”;5 the Elvenking commanded at least a thousand spearmen, plus archers;6 and while Bard’s forces were uncertain, they may have been as few as two hundred, judging from the size of the town. In contrast, the enemy had “a vast host.”7 According to Gandalf’s plan, the Elves manned the southwestern spur, and the Dwarves and Men, the southeastern. The Goblins poured into the valley, seeking the gate, and were attacked from both sides. First the Elves charged from the west, then allowing no respite, Dáin and the Lake-men plunged in from the east, and the Elves reattacked. The strategy was working successfully, with the Goblins pinned in the head of the valley fighting on two fronts; when the ambushers were ambushed. Goblins had scaled a mountain path that divided just above the gate and had gained the higher ground on both spurs of the mountains. From that vantage they attacked the rear of the allied armies from above, allowing the Goblins in the valley to regroup and bring in fresh troops, including Bolg and his powerful bodyguard.8
Upper: TO THE BATTLE Lower: THE BATTLE
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
Introduction
DURING THE SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS between Bilbo’s finding th
e Ring and Frodo’s quest to destroy it, Sauron reestablished his power in Mordor; Balin attempted to recolonize Moria; Saruman turned wholly to evil; Aragorn undertook great journeys; Bilbo moved to Rivendell; and Gollum went in search of Thief Baggins.1 Gollum left his mountain cave in 2944, and his wanderings took him through Mirkwood to Esgaroth and Dale. In 2951 he was heading west toward the Shire when he was drawn toward Mordor. He lurked on the borders until he was captured in 3017, and later that year he was allowed to leave, only to be caught again—this time by Aragorn.2 He was held in Mirkwood by Thranduil, but was rescued by Ores and reached Moria.3
Gollum’s imprisonment in Mordor had allowed Sauron to learn of Bilbo’s finding the Ring but not the location of the Shire. After the Battle for Osgiliath,4 the Nazgûl crossed the river and passed up the Vale of Anduin, searching unsuccessfully for Halflings. It was mid-September before they returned and were sent by Sauron to Isengard for information. From there they rode west toward the Shire.5 Meanwhile, Saruman’s treachery had delayed Gandalf. In late June, Gandalf had gone to the borders of the Shire, and while journeying up the Greenway met Radagast and learned of the Nazgûls’ ride and Saruman’s offer of help.6 He spent the night at Bree, then rode to Isengard, where he was imprisoned atop Orthanc until September 18.7 After Gwaihir the eagle carried him to Edoras, he tamed Shadowfax. On that swiftest of steeds he galloped toward Hobbiton like the wind, only to arrive too late: Frodo had gone, with the Black Riders in close pursuit.8