At this point, Bilbo demands some clarification about the point of the whole expedition. Thorin explains that his grandfather, Thror, had mined the mountain shown on the map and discovered a wealth of gold and jewels. Thror then became King under the Mountain, but his fantastic treasure attracted unwanted attention. Soon, the dragon Smaug came and killed or scattered all of Thror's people. The dragon has been guarding the treasure ever since. Thorin and the rest of the dwarves are out to reclaim their rightful inheritance, even though they are unsure of what they will do with Smaug when they find him. Bilbo has a suspicion that they want him to play a part in this; although his Baggins side would like nothing better than to sit at home with his pipe, the Took in him is curious for adventure and is excited by tales of dragons and treasure and great battles. After looking at the map and discussing the adventure, the hobbit makes up beds for all his guests and then spends his night in troubled dreams. Bilbo wakes up rather late the next morning and is surprised--and a little relieved--to see that the dwarves have left without him. However, he is just sitting down to a quiet breakfast when Gandalf enters and rushes him off to the Bywater Inn, where Thorin and the rest of the dwarves have been waiting to begin their journey. As they head east on the main road, Bilbo sulks at having gone without breakfast or proper preparations. As if to spite him, rain begins to fall. By the time dusk approaches, the whole company is tired, hungry, ready to camp, and annoyed at Gandalf's mysterious disappearance earlier in the day.
Suddenly, they see what looks like the light of a fire in the distance. They move closer to investigate it, and Bilbo is sent ahead in his first official task as "burglar." Coming near a clearing in the woods, he sees three huge trolls sitting around a fire and eating mutton. Bilbo tries to make off with one of their money purses, but they hear the noise and grab him.
