The Hobbit- There and Back Again by J.R.R Tolkien (1937)
This series of caches (each one named after a chapter in The Hobbit) will be placed counter-clockwise around the Aurora Reservoir as a tribute to J.R.R. Tolkien and an educational spurning for children of all ages to read the book for themselves. I’ve tried my best to pattern the finds and their physical locations after the content of the chapters themselves (see "cache notes" below). I hope you enjoy this series.
Chapter 2- “Roast Mutton”
Synopsis
Bilbo wakes up later than usual the following morning. He discovers all of the Dwarves are gone, but Gandalf is still in the pantry. He tells Bilbo about the Dwarves' letter to him, stating they are waiting for him at the Green Dragon Inn and are leaving shortly. Without hesitation, Bilbo runs after the Company, and is followed by Gandalf. The Company is overjoyed to have their "burglar" with them.
Bilbo realizes he has forgotten many of his belongings, but Gandalf arrives with them, and they set out. Throughout the first day, Bilbo complains and wishes to return home. That night, rain pours and the Company notices that Gandalf is missing, so they decide to look for a place to rest. Suddenly, one of their ponies runs away in fright; it runs to the river where Fíli and Kíli corral it, but most of their supplies are washed away.
Óin and Glóin try their best to make a fire, but to no avail. Balin, who is their lookout, spots a light in the distance, and the Company sends Bilbo to investigate and steal any supplies.
Bilbo finds three trolls (Tom, Bert and William) sitting by a fire, eating mutton and arguing. He goes into one of the trolls' pocket to steal his purse, but is caught immediately. The trolls argue on what to do with him. Bilbo accidentally mentions he is not alone, and the trolls decide to wait for the others to show up.
Balin arrives first. The trolls place a sack over his head and continue to wait. One by one, they are all caught. Gandalf secretly returns and tricks the trolls into arguing against each other all over again over what to do with everyone they captured. Eventually, the sun rises, which kills the trolls by turning them into stone.
Gandalf congratulates Bilbo as the Dwarves are released. Bilbo finds a key and Gandalf believes it leads to the trolls' lair nearby. Eventually, they find a cave full of stolen treasure. Gandalf and Thorin find two swords much to their liking, due to their beautiful scabbards and jeweled hilts. Bilbo takes a pocket knife-sized sword, which is long enough for his hobbit size. They leave the lair and continue on their journey. Thorin asks Gandalf where he went; Gandalf tells him that he went to scout the trail ahead, where he met two of Lord Elrond's people.
Image Credit
Roast Mutton, digital image of pictographic material, The Lord of the Rings Wiki, accessed 5/31/2023, <https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Portal:The_Hobbit_Chapters>
Caches notes- This cache is hidden in a pile of stones off the path. At the end of the chapter, the three trolls were caught unexpectedly by the sunrise and turned to stone.