1. The Hobbit – Notes on Pages 281-End
We’re reaching the end of our journey.

2. Previously on Big Hobbit Theory
Thorin and company have reclaimed the Lonely Mountain and all its gold, though Bard of Lake Town slew the dragon, and its citizens lost their homes.
Now, armies of humans and wood elves camp outside the Lonely Mountain, prepared for war.
Bilbo has attempted to solve things peaceably by giving the two armies a trump card – the Arkenstone.
However, now that Thorin’s cousin Dain is here with an army of dwarves, they are exceedingly more inclined to fight and take that is theirs rather than negotiate.
All the while, the magical greed imbued upon the gold by Smaug maintains its hold on Thorin.

3. Page 281
Just as battle is about to ensue between dwarves, wood elves, and humans, darkness rolls in, and winter chills – an omen.
Gandalf explains that it is not just a darkness that sweeps across the land toward them – but an army of goblins riding wargs, also desiring the treasure.
Note that if you’ve seen the live-action film, Gandalf notes that the army is lead by Bolg, son of the goblin Dain slew in Moria. In the live-action film, Bolg’s father is the “pale orc” who is not slain, but lives on to become a major plot point in the three films.

4. Page 282
And so, those who were poised to fight each other had to hurriedly band together against the coming force. Nothing like a mutual enemy that wants them all dead to help unite armies.
Apparently the goblins had hoped to claim the whole area in light of the power vacuum left by Smaug. Furthermore, they approached unseen by way of tunnels and caves for much of their journey.

5. Page 283
“It was a terrible battle. The most dreadful of all Bilbo’s experiences, and the one which at the time he hated most” – Note that Tolkien had experience in WWI’s trench warfare, and may have drawn on such experiences for his views of the battle.
One side of the battle had three armies, but the goblins had many soldiers in general.

6. Page 284 – 287 (End of Chapter)
Furthermore, the goblins had wargs and, apparently, bats to assist them.
The battle raged back and forth for pages…
Even Bilbo fought, despite the animated film’s depiction. Though he did have the ring to help him.
As things seem dark, a fifth army comes in – who is it?
Apparently, this is enough to help turn things around.

7. Page 288 (Start of Chapter)
“The Return Journey”
Note the subtitle of The Hobbit – There and Back Again. This and the current chapter title are related.
Bilbo, knocked out by a flying rock, comes to and finds himself alone on Ravenhill.
“Victory after all, I suppose!” Bilbo states. However, “There was no call and no echo of a song. Sorrow seemed to be in the air.”
What does this portend for the results of the battle?

8. Page 289
How has Bilbo gone unnoticed, throughout the rest of the battle, without being slain or rescued?
When Bilbo finally presents himself, apparently they’d been looking for him for some time with some urgency, ready to number him among the dead.

9. Page 290 They bring Bilbo to Thorin, who lays wounded (and dying).
Let’s read page 290 together.

10. Page 291
After Thorin passes, Bilbo hears the tale of the remainder of the battle.
The Eagles turned the tide of the battle.
Furthermore, Beorn joined in, too.
At last, they won, but with many losses.

11. Page 292 The Eagles have departed.
Thorin is laid to rest in the depths of the mountain, with the Arkenstone on his chest.
And in time, Bilbo makes ready to go home, saying his goodbyes to the ten remaining dwarves of their original company.

12. Page 293
As it happens, Dain gives 1/14 share of the treasure to Bard for the aide of Lake Town:
“We…honour the agreement of the dead, and he has now the Arkenstone in his keeping.” – Dain
How much does Bilbo take with him?
Practical, as ever.

13. Page 294 Final goodbyes are said. Bilbo departs.
Many march away from the battlefields sad of their losses, but glad that Smaug and a massive portion of the goblins are gone.
Gandalf and Bilbo travel along the edge of Mirkwood, refusing the dark path this time, as there is no great hurry.

14. Page 295 Comically, what does Bilbo give to the Elvenking? Why?
In the end, they part as friends, wishing each other well, despite prior events.
Gandalf, Bilbo, and even Beorn for a time, travelled back along Bilbo’s route.

15. Page 296 (End of Chapter)
The goblins were few, and posed no threat along the way.
In time, Bilbo and Gandalf left Mirkwood behind, Beorn’s house behind, and continued on.
“The Tookish part was getting very tired, and the Baggins was daily getting stronger.”
Bilbo’s adventurous appetite has had its fill, and now it’s time to go home and rest.

16. Page 297-298 (Start of Chapter)
“The Last Stage”
The last chapter of Bilbo’s journey “back again.”
Bilbo and Gandalf have made it all the way back to Elrond’s home, Rivendell.
There, the elves continue to sing – this time of their adventures (See ).

17. Page 299
Note that we get a hint of Gandalf’s adventures now, while he was away from the dwarves.
“They had at last driven the Necromancer from his dark hold in the south of Mirkwood…Ere long now…the Forest will grow somewhat more wholesome.”
Note that the evil is banished, but not gone.
This will play a significantly larger role in the next books, The Lord of the Rings.
Yet another song ensues ( )

18. Page 300
Though many ups and downs have befallen the world in Bilbo’s travels, the elves of Rivendell are apparently still trading jokes:
“Your lullaby would waken a drunken goblin!” – Bilbo
“And your snores would waken a stone dragon.” – The Elves

19. Page 301
At last, Gandalf and Bilbo ride out from Rivendell toward the Shire.
“There is a long road yet.” – Gandalf
“But it is the last road” – Bilbo.

20. Page 302 They dig up the Troll treasure along the way.
Summer rolls in.
And again, a new song for the long walk home (See 302).
Gandalf remarks that Bilbo has changed since the beginning, after hearing his traveling song.

21. Page 303 What’s going on when they reach Bilbo’s house? Why?
How did his relatives and neighbors react to Bilbo’s return?

22. Page 304 Aside from possessions, what else has Bilbo “lost”?
How do other hobbits think of him, now?
What does Bilbo do with much of his wealth?
With his ring?
With his time, he takes to writing – both poetry and the tale of his journeys (basically, this book, in a way).

23. Page 305 (The End)
In time, Gandalf and Balin come back to visit Bilbo.
They exchange news – of how Bard has rebuilt Dale and leads his own town, now.
The Master fell under the dragon sickness of the gold, deserted the town, and died in the wilderness, alone.
Let’s read the last portion together, from “Then the prophecies.”
And thus, Bilbo happily returns to his simple, comfy, cozy life.