Nightfall had fallen over Middle-Earth. Gandalf led Bilbo, Thorin, Dwalin and the rest of the Dwarvish company to the small town known as Bree, located on the edge of the Shire.

"We will stay the night at The Prancing Pony then continue our trip to Rivendell in the morning," Gandalf told the company when they all were gathered before the entrance to Bree.

Exhaustion had taken root in all fourteen Dwarvish company members with such heaviness, that none of them had the energy or strength to make any comments. Seeing the results of exhaustion, Gandalf took the company's silence as an agreement.

Gandalf nudged his horse to move and the company followed the Wizard into the small town.

Although the fourteen members were exhausted, the exhaustion did not stop the one thought all fourteen minds thought: why could not we have stayed in Bag End for the night? Of course all fourteen members knew why, the thought just made sense. When traveling with a Wizard, sometimes common sense was not a playing factor.

After the horses were taken away to a nearby barn for the night, Gandalf led the company down a small dirt road, around a corner to the left, and down the dirt road to end up stopping outside a small inn. The inn was not very big and a wood sign hung from the building above the dirt road; a pony image had been carved into the wood between the lettering that read: The Prancing Pony.

Not caring about the size of the inn, the Dwarvish company walked in the inn that was filled with warm golden light, filled with the sounds of friendly chatter and loud laughter. The Dwarvish company stopped at the front desk just inside the inn. While Gandalf talked to the keeper about rooms, the fourteen members let their entire being be filled by the friendly, happy and warm environment, for what might be their last time to enjoy such an environment that is now valued as precious.

After Gandalf got the bunking situation in order, the Wizard led Bilbo and the Dwarves to the nearest table to order hot food. Gandalf noticed that none of the members still had not uttered a sound. Still too exhausted to even complain or argue, Gandalf thought while the company sat down in the empty chairs; Thorin at the head, of course, with Dwalin sitting in the first chair near Thorin, Gandalf on the other side, and the rest of the company sitting on either side along the table.

Dwalin and Thorin exchanged a look; Dwalin noticing shadows under his best friend's eyes from exhaustion, and Thorin noticed the same shadows had formed under Dwalin's eyes. The look Dwalin shared with his best friend was one that they both agreed on: seeking help from the Elves was not something they were too happy about.

Food was finally served; steak, potatoes, rolls of bread and mugs of beer. All fourteen members silently dug in their meals.