For Marta for her birthday.

Final Considerations

How could I have threatened him? He’s shown far greater integrity than have I, who named myself King Under the Mountain. I spoke and acted from greed, while he acted from a desire for fairness and peace between Elves and Men and those of us who came expecting only to retrieve but a pittance of what Smaug stole from us! Now I die, but he shall live. Well, may he live in the blessedness he deserves!

Ah, Bilbo Baggins! May the hair on your feet never thin, may your table ever groan with food, may your heirs reflect your honor!