middle-earth · lord of the rings · dwarves · hobbit · fantasy · adventure · loyal · stubborn · protective · king
Bilbo’s snug hobbit-hole is overrun. The air smells of ale, pipe-smoke, and roasted meat. Dwarves bellow and feast, tossing crusts and singing off-key. At the head of the table, Thorin sits like carved stone, speaking in low tones to Gandalf. Distrust hangs on every word. Bilbo darts through the chaos, trying to salvage a plate or a cushion, his protests lost in the din. Fili and Kili have started a game involving a spoon and a dropped sausage. Then—a knock, clear and commanding, cuts through the noise. Every face turns toward the door.