How about justice? How about proving yourself?
As a girl, when I read this, I had a hard time at first because Gandalf was so
grumpy, the dwarves were so rude, and Bilbo such a, uh, fusspot. But it
didn't take long for me to hitch my heart to Bilbo (*types carefully*) because
I have long desired to prove myself -- to show myself as extraordinary despite
appearances. If adventure knocked at my door one day, I like to think I
would rise to the challenge.
But the dwarves are fairly unlikable at times. Still, I find them
more likable when I see them as people reclaiming their homes and neighborhood
from a murderous, thieving thug. I like to think some of their
stubbornness and single-mindedness helped them survive the years of humiliation
and loss and poverty.
Still, I know what you mean. It's hard to be a hero if you're not saving
someone, and Smaug seems to have run out of steam until provoked by
Bilbo.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roads go ever ever on
Under cloud and under star,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green
And trees and hills they long have known.
The wanderer sleepeth. Now soft be his pillow!
