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 note(s)" below). I hope you enjoy this series.
Chapter 10- “A Warm Welcome”
Synopsis
While floating down the river toward Lake-town, Bilbo gets his first view of the Lonely Mountain. Upon arriving at Lake-town, Bilbo frees the Dwarves from their barrels, and then he, Thorin, Fíli and Kíli head into the town to speak with the town's master. Soon all of the Dwarves are nursed back to health, and they set out on the last stage of their journey. The Master of Lake-town lends them boats and horses laden with supplies, and they head to the Lonely Mountain.
Plot
As they float down the river, Bilbo sees the Lonely Mountain in the distance. According to the raft men's talk, the landscape is much changed since Gandalf last saw it, and that the Dwarves escaped Mirkwood the only way they could. Unknown to Bilbo, Gandalf has heard of his trouble and is on his way to help.
The barrels float to Lake-town, a town of Men that is also called Esgaroth, located on Long Lake. Thorin, with Fili, Kili, and Bilbo, confronts the guards and announces that he, the King under the Mountain, has returned and asks to be taken to the Master of Lake-town. They find the Master feasting with the Wood-elves, who recognize their former prisoners. The Master doesn't want to oppose the elves, but the townspeople insist that Thorin be welcomed. After several weeks of rest, the Company decides it's time to continue their journey, while Bilbo is unhappy about leaving Lake-town and heading to the Lonely Mountain.
Image Credit
A Warm Welcome, digital image of pictographic material, The Lord of the Rings Wiki, accessed 5/31/2023, <https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Portal:The_Hobbit_Chapters>
Cache note(s)- If you missed #3 and nature calls, this cache location will be “a warm welcome” to you for a #1 or #2.