back now, and the dwarves can do what they like to me. I hope you will
find it useful.” The Elvenking looked at Bilbo with a new wonder.
     “Bilbo Baggins!” he said. “You are more worthy to wear the armour of
elf-princes than many that have looked more comely in it. But I wonder
if Thorin Oakenshield will see it so. I have more knowledge of dwarves
in general than you have perhaps. I advise you to remain with us, and
here you shall be honoured and thrice welcome.”
     “Thank you very much I am sure,” said Bilbo with a bow. “But I don’t
think I ought to leave my friends like this, after all we have gone
through together. And I promised to wake old Bombur at midnight, too!
Really I must be going, and quickly.”
     Nothing they could say would stop him; so an escort was provided for
him, and as he went both the king and Bard saluted him with honour. As
they passed through the camp an old man wrapped in a dark cloak, rose
from a tent door where he was sitting and came towards them.
     “Well done! Mr. Baggins!” he said, clapping Bilbo on the back. “There
is always more about you than
     For the first time for many a day Bilbo was really delighted. But
there was
     “All in good time!” said Gandalf. “Things are drawing towards the end