Beautiful gems, MARCIE. From the description in 'The Hobbit', I gather that it was faceted
so the smooth stones wouldn't fit. I have an image in my mind's eye, and I imagine each of
us does.
That could be great fun, JUDE, ..going out to have a 'Hobbit' meal. Hopefully, ideas from
Bilbo's pantries rather than the journey fare.
The beautiful Arkenstone. Bilbo cannot resist it. He places it in his pocket, justifying himself by deciding this is his choice for his share. But like the ring, he decides not to tell the dwarves about it just now. The Arkenstone, like the ring, seem to be key treasures in this story.
But how he can keep quiet about it when he sees how much it means to Thorin...that disturbs
me.
And Thorin, he keeps changing from the courageous king to the timid 'you do it' guy. Bilbo is ready to explore the treasure cavern, but Thorin, the supposed leader of this expedition, says that Bilbo is still the official investigator, and if he wanted to risk a light that was his affair, and they would wait in the tunnel 'for his report'. I would think these incidents would lessen him in the eyes of his followers, but perhaps this is typical dwarf behavior.