A Short Rest

           Theydidnotsingortellstoriesthatday,eventhoughtheweatherimproved;northenextday,northedayafter.Theyhadbeguntofeelthatdangerwasnotfarawayoneitherside.Theycampedunderthestars,andtheirhorseshadmoretoeatthantheyhad;fortherewasplentyofgrass,buttherewasnotmuchintheirbags,evenwithwhattheyhadgotfromthetrolls.Onemorningtheyfordedariveratawideshallowplacefullofthenoiseofstonesandfoam.Thefarbankwassteepandslippery.Whentheygottothetopofit,leadingtheirponies,theysawthatthegreatmountainshadmarcheddownveryneartothem.AlreadytheyIseemedonlyaday’seasyjourneyfromthefeetofthenearest.Darkanddrearitlooked,thoughtherewerepatchesofsunlightonitsbrownsides,andbehinditsshouldersthetipsofsnow-peaksgleamed.

           "IsthatTheMountain?"askedBilboinasolemnvoice,lookingatitwithroundeyes.Hehadneverseenathingthatlookedsobigbefore."Ofcoursenot!"saidBalin."ThatisonlythebeginningoftheMistyMountains,andwehavetogetthrough,orover,orunderthosesomehow,beforewecancomeintoWilderlandbeyond.AnditisadealofawayevenfromtheothersideofthemtotheLonelyMountainintheEastWhereSmaugliesonourtreasure."

           "O!"saidBilbo,andjustatthatmomenthefeltmorefaredthanheeverrememberedfeelingbefore.Hewasthinkingonceagainofhiscomfortablechairbeforethefireinhisfavouritesitting-roominhishobbit-hole,andofthekettlesinging.Notforthelasttime!

           NowGandalfledtheway."Wemustnotmisstheroad,orweshallbedonefor,"hesaid."Weneedfood,foronething,andrestinreasonablesafety-alsoitisverynecessarytotackletheMistyMountainsbytheproperpath,orelseyouwillgetlostinthem,andhavetocomebackandstartatthebeginningagain(ifyouevergetbackatall)."