If they reach the human settlement of Lake-town it will be time for the hobbit Bilbo Baggins to fulfill ... them access to the hoard of the dragon Smaug. And, where has Gandalf got off to?

I n 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien created the epic fantasy world of Middle-earth for "The Hobbit" and filled it with magical creatures such as dragons, elves, and -- of course -- hobbits.