~~~Hello and welcome to the Busy Bee's Book Club Podcast!~~~

Today, we continue with Chapter 11, of The Hobbit.

Leaving the Lake Town of Men far behind them, the company of Thorin Oakenshield make their way nearer and nearer to the looming Lonely Mountain. What awaits them there saps their enthusiasm fairly quickly, as the sight of the ruins of Dale, and the Desolation left by Smaug are bleak to say the least. The surroundings are grim, and there doesn't seem much hope. Bilbo however, is able to keep his spirits up only a little higher than the rest of his dwarfish friends. He is determined to find the great door that will grant them access to the gloomy Mountain. Even now, it is uncertain whether the dragon is still in residence or not, and the thought weighs heavily on them all. After many failed searches, Bilbo finds a narrow path leading up the mountain, and while this brings them all some small hope. It quickly fizzles out, puzzled and lonesome, Bilbo sits and gazes Westward, towards home. Something tells him, he ought not to give up just yet...The Last day of Durin is coming, will they still have no luck?

~Have a wonderful day, and thanks for listening~