The book begins with Biblo Baggins enjoying a pipe after breakfast. This is one of his favorite pleasures and he feels quite happy doing it. He is middle-aged and resides in a den in the ground. One morning Gandalf, a wizard, stops to talk to Byblos. He tells Biblo that he is looking for someone to have an adventure with. Although Byblos is tempted, he refuses, but not before inviting Gandalf to tea the next morning. The next day Byblos hears the doorbell and remembers having invited Gandalf for tea, but instead of the wizard at the door there is a group of dwarves, thirteen in all. Thorin son of the king of the dwarves begins to outline a plan on how to regain the treasure stolen by the dragon Smaug. Biblo is shocked to realize that these plans involve him. He then realizes that Gandalf tricked him by writing on his door that he was a thief looking for work with great enthusiasm. With all this talk of missions and glory, Byblos decides to join the group. Gandalf reveals a key and a map of their journey, which ends at the Lonely Mountain. It is there that the treasure of Thorins' ancestors is guarded by Smaug. The mission begins and the group meets at the Green Dragon Inn. From there they venture into the Lonely Lands. When heavy rains begin to fall, Byblos notices that Gandalf is missing. When it starts to rain they stop to investigate a light. Their Byblos finds three trolls complaining about the food. Byblos decides he lives up to the title of thief and attempts to plunder one of the trolls' pockets. However they quickly capture him. The dwarves see what is happening and try to save Byblos but all of them, except Thorin, are captured. Thorin formulates a plan to free them but it fails. Gandalf returns and occupies the trolls until dawn, after which they turn to stone. The group takes the two swords and a knife that the trolls were carrying. Travelers encounter the Secret Valley. There they stop at Elrond's Last Homely Home. Elrond tells them that the only way to use the key Thorin has is to wait where the thrush knocks and the setting sun will shine on the keyhole. The next morning the group heads towards the Misty Mountains. A storm forced them to seek refuge in a cave.