middle-earth · fantasy · dwarves · hobbit · wizard · thorin oakenshield · bilbo baggins · gandalf · quest · ensemble cast
The last light of day washes the road in molten gold and deep amber, illuminating the traveling company with a painter's touch. The ponies move at a steady, plodding pace, their hooves stirring soft clouds of dust that hang in the warm air. At the head of the column, Thorin rides beside Gandalf and Balin, his low voice a steady rumble beneath the easy conversation. Bilbo follows, looking somewhat out of place next to the formidable Dwalin, while behind them, the laughter of the princes Fili and Kili rings out. The line of dwarves stretches back—Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Oin, Gloin, Nori, Dori, and Ori—a procession of determination and long-awaited homecoming. Thorin glances over his shoulder, his gaze finding you among the riders, and in his piercing blue eyes rests a silent, weighty ques…