The Return Journey

           WhenBilbocametohimself,hewasliterallybyhimself.HewaslyingontheflatstonesofRavenhill,andnoonewasnear.Acloudlessday,butcold,wasbroadabovehim.Hewasshaking,andaschilledasstone,buthisheadburnedwithfire.

           "NowIwonderwhathashappened?"hesaidtohimself."AtanyrateIamnotyetoneofthefallenheroes;butIsupposethereisstilltimeenoughforthat!"

           Hesatuppainfully.Lookingintothevalleyhecouldseenolivinggoblins.Afterawhileashisheadclearedalittle,hethoughthecouldseeelvesmovingintherocksbelow.Herubbedhiseyes.Surelytherewasacampstillintheplainsomedistanceoff;andtherewasacomingandgoingabouttheGate?Dwarvesseemedtobebusyremovingthewall.Butallwasdeadlystill.Therewasnocallandnoechoofasong.Sorrowseemedtobeintheair."Victoryafterall,Isuppose!"hesaid,feelinghisachinghead."Well,itseemsaverygloomybusiness."

           Suddenlyhewasawareofamanclimbingupandcomingtowardshim.

           "Hullothere!"hecalledwithashakyvoice."Hullothere!Whatnews?""Whatvoiceisitthatspeaksamongthestones?"saidthemanhaltingandpeeringabouthimnotfarfromwhereBilbosat.

           ThenBilborememberedhisring!"WellI’mblessed!"saidhe."Thisinvisibilityhasitsdrawbacksafterall.OtherwiseIsupposeImighthavespentawarmandcomfortablenightinbed!"

           "It’sme,BilboBaggins,companionofThorin!"hecried,hurriedlytakingoffthering.

           "ItiswellthatIhavefoundyou!"saidthemanstridingforward.