Summary

Chapter 17. The next day, Bard and the Elvenking return to see if Thorin has changed his mind. He has not, so they show him the Arkenstone and offer it for their share of the treasure. Bilbo admits that he is the one who gave it to them and Thorin’s wrath is great toward the hobbit. Gandalf reveals his presence to keep Thorin from doing any harm to Bilbo. The hobbit is banished from the Mountain and sent to join Gandalf. Bard gives Thorin more chance to consider their offer and in the meantime they keep the Arkenstone. The next day, Dain and his dwarves arrive and Bard and Bilbo go to meet his emissaries. Bard knows that if they allow the dwarves to get past them they will have enough warriors and provisions to hold the mountain for weeks.

Neither Bard nor the Elvenking...