Ah, good. In this illustration I can see the little rounded tummy. More hair on the legs
than the feet, tho'. The face simply seems too ordinarily human. I have such a vivid
picture in my mind of Bilbo, and I prefer it to this one.
That same quandary was in my mind, JOANP. If Bilbo did decide to go home, how could he
make it alone?
PATH, seeing it's all fantasy, I suppose 'geographically unlikely' could be acceptable.
I did find it a bit exasperating, trying to figure out the movements of men, elves, etc.
as they closed in on the mountain. I think that first map could be a sort of guideline to
the different places, scenes,etc. that Tolkien planned to develop in his tale. A sort of
rough sketch.
The dwarves are relying more on Bilbo, MARCIE. It seems to me most of the dwarves are
followers. Good fighters, ready to follow orders, etc. Fully exercising the soldiers
right to gripe. But not up to planning strategy. Thorin should be their 'general', but
that doesn't seem to be his strong suit. Perhaps we should think of him as 'the king'
in need of a good general...like Gandalf. Or now, Bilbo.
In any case, they do get away and arrive alive, if somewhat battered and half-drowned, at
the lake town. Ah, another warm reception, with food, comfort, fresh clothes and comfortable beds. Rest and restoration. The mayor things it's all a con, but the majority of the citizens think this is the wonderful fulfillment of a legend. And who knows...if the dwarves really do slay a dragon and bring out treasure, the mayor will be sure he gets a good share of it. For the first time, our adventurers are dealing with the species mankind. Actually, the over-all reaction sounds quite believable.