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

Today, we continue with Chapter 12, of The Hobbit.

Having now happened upon the hidden door, the company of Thorin Oakenshield stood upon the threshold of the Mountain Halls of Thror, and Thrain before him. There was undoubtedly, no return from this point onwards, as if there had ever been since little Bilbo had first left Bag-End. An eon ago in our tales telling, to be sure. Bilbo knows what is to be asked of him, and heads deep into the Mountain passage with little to keep him company, after Balin sees him off. He is grateful at least that the passage was made by expert dwarves, without crags and stones to usher sound or catch his footing. Reaching the treasure was another spectacle entirely, as he can now grasp what it is that persuaded Thorin and his kin to embark on such a foolhardy quest in the first place. The dragon's hoard is breathtaking, and the Dragon himself fiercely unsettling. Perhaps, our little friend would have known greater caution, had the dragon not been asleep when he first stole in. As it is, the great and wily dragon Smaug will not be fooled for a moment after his hoard has a changed scent. Which leaves us here, Bilbo unsettled and wary, a great enraged Dragon flying towards Esgaroth, and the dwarves on a mission to take back what was theirs while fire encompasses the mountainside. And what of our dear Gandalf, will he ever see the Burglar-Hobbit again? We can only hope...

~Have a wonderful day, and thanks for listening~