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 4- “Over Hill and Under Hill”
Plot
Gandalf, Bilbo, and the Dwarves begin their journey through the Misty Mountains. While spending the night in a cave, they are captured by Goblins and brought before the Great Goblin; however, Gandalf rescues them, though during their escape Bilbo becomes lost in the tunnels.
Synopsis
With the advice of Elrond and under the direction of Gandalf, Bilbo and the Dwarves head into the Misty Mountains. The weather and the terrain grows more treacherous, and Bilbo again thinks of the joys of summer back at home. The Dwarves are hopeful of reaching the Lonely Mountain by Durin's Day, but Gandalf is skeptical because he knows that the land they are traveling has become evil and dangerous.
The travelers are caught in a violent thunderstorm that is the work of Stone-giants. With their ponies, the Company seeks shelter and sleep in a cave. Bilbo dreams that a crack opens in the back of the cave; he wakes to find that the crack is real and that the ponies have disappeared through it and Goblins have entered. When the Goblins try to grab Gandalf, he creates a great lightning-like flash in the cave and several Goblins fall dead. The crack closes, and Gandalf disappears.
With whips, the Goblins drive Bilbo and the Dwarves to the cavern of the Great Goblin. On the way, they see their ponies, who are eaten by the Goblins. The Great Goblin interrogates Thorin and accuses the Dwarves of being spies, thieves and murderers. The Goblins discover Thorin's sword Orcrist, which they recognize as an Elvish sword that killed many Goblins; they know it as Biter. The Great Goblin is enraged and orders the Dwarves to be killed. Suddenly, room grows dark and the sword Glamdring appears by itself, and runs through the Great Goblin, killing him.
Gandalf's voice leads the Dwarves and Bilbo out of the cavern. The Goblins chase after them until, finally, Thorin and Gandalf turn and, with their swords, kill several of the Goblins. Bilbo, the Dwarves, and Gandalf descend deeper into the tunnels. Goblins sneak up behind Dori, who is carrying Bilbo. He falls, and Bilbo too falls, hitting his head on a rock and losing consciousness.
Image Credit
Over Hill and Under Hill, 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 located near the entrance to a fairly steep bike path leaving you feeling that you are “under hill.” This spot overlooks (across a field of yucca plants) one of the southern fingers of the reservoir.