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.He is a strong king.and hisrealm now reaches far south and east of Esgaroth.''And what of your own people?' asked Frodo.`There is much to tell, good and bad,' said Gluin; 'yet it is mostlygood: we have so far been fortunate, though we do not escape the shadow ofthese times.If you really wish to hear of us, I will tell you tidingsgladly.But stop me when you are weary! Dwarves' tongues run on whenspeaking of their handiwork, they say.'And with that Gluin embarked on a long account of the doings of theDwarf-kingdom.He was delighted to have found so polite a listener; forFrodo showed no sign of weariness and made no attempt to change the subject,though actually he soon got rather lost among the strange names of peopleand places that he had never heard of before.He was interested, however, tohear that Dbin was still King under the Mountain, and was now old (havingpassed his two hundred and fiftieth year), venerable, and fabulously rich.Of the ten companions who had survived the Battle of Five Armies seven werestill with him: Dwalin, Gluin, Dori, Nori, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur.Bomburwas now so fat that he could not move himself from his couch to his chair attable, and it took six young dwarves to lift him.'And what has become of Balin and Ori and Uin?' asked Frodo.A shadow passed over Gluin's face.`We do not know,' he answered.'Itis largely on account of Balin that I have come to ask the advice of thosethat dwell in Rivendell.But tonight let us speak of merrier things!'Gluin began then to talk of the works of his people, telling Frodoabout their great labours in Dale and under the Mountain.'We have donewell,' he said.`But in metalwork we cannot rival our fathers, many ofwhose.secrets are lost.We make good armour and keen swords, but we cannotagain make mail or blade to match those that were made before the dragoncame.Only in mining and building have we surpassed the old days.You shouldsee the waterways of Dale, Frodo, and the fountains, and the pools! Youshould see the stone-paved roads of many colours! And the halls andcavernous streets under the earth with arches carved like trees; and theterraces and towers upon the Mountain's sides! Then you would see that wehave not been idle.''I will come and see them, if ever I can,' said Frodo.'How surprisedBilbo would have been to see all the changes in the Desolation of Smaug!'Gluin looked at Frodo and smiled.'You were very fond of Bilbo were younot?' he asked.`Yes,' answered Frodo.'I would rather see him than all the towers andpalaces in the world.'At length the feast came to an end.Elrond and Arwen rose and went downthe hall, and the company followed them in due order.The doors were thrownopen, and they went across a wide passage and through other doors, and cameinto a further hall.In it were no tables, but a bright fire was burning ina great hearth between the carven pillars upon either side.Frodo found himself walking with Gandalf.`This is the Hall of Fire'said the wizard.`Here you will hear many songs and tales-if you can keepawake.But except on high days it usually stands empty and quiet, and peoplecome here who wish for peace, and thought.There is always a fire here, allthe year round, but there is little other light.'As Elrond entered and went towards the seat prepared for him, elvishminstrels began to make sweet music.Slowly the hall filled, and Frodolooked with delight upon the many fair faces that were gathered together;the golden firelight played upon them and shimmered in their hair.Suddenlyhe noticed, not far from the further end of the fire, a small dark figureseated on a stool with his back propped against a pillar.Beside him on theground was a drinking-cup and some bread.Frodo wondered whether he was ill(if people were ever ill in Rivendell), and had been unable to come to thefeast.His head seemed sunk in sleep on his breast, and a fold of his darkcloak was drawn over his face.Elrond went forward and stood beside the silent figure.'Awake littlemaster.he said, with a smile.Then, turning to Frodo, he beckoned to him.'Now at last the hour has come that you have wished for, Frodo,' he said.`Here is a friend that you have long missed.'The dark figure raised its head and uncovered its face.`Bilbo!' cried Frodo with sudden recognition, and he sprang forward.`Hullo, Frodo my lad!' said Bilbo.`So you have got here at last.Ihoped you would manage it.Well, well! So all this feasting is in yourhonour, I hear.I hope you enjoyed yourself?''Why weren't you there?' cried Frodo.`And why haven't I been allowedto see you before?'`Because you were asleep.I have seen a good deal of you.I have sat byyour side with Sam each day.But as for the feast` I don't go in for suchthings much now.And I had something else to do.'`What were you doing?'`Why, sitting and thinking.I do a lot of that nowadays, and this isthe best place to do it in, as a rule.Wake up, indeed!' he said, cocking aneye at Elrond.There was a bright twinkle in it and no sign of sleepinessthat Frodo could see.`Wake up! I was not asleep.Master Elrond
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