In Chapter 9 of The Hobbit Bilbo does show compassion toward the wood-elves in one particular, small way. When he sneaks in to free the dwarves from their cells, he manages to take the keys from the two elven guards because they are drunk and asleep. Bilbo's plan is to release all the dwarves, climb into empty wine barrels, and float down the river to freedom. Before he carries out step two and three of...
In Chapter 9 of The Hobbit Bilbo does show compassion toward the wood-elves in one particular, small way. When he sneaks in to free the dwarves from their cells, he manages to take the keys from the two elven guards because they are drunk and asleep. Bilbo's plan is to release all the dwarves, climb into empty wine barrels, and float down the river to freedom. Before he carries out step two and three of his plan, however, the text says that,
"...Bilbo, before they went on, stole in an kindheartedly put the keys back on his [the guard's] belt." (The Hobbit, 163)
Although this may seem like a somewhat inconsequential act, Bilbo's actions are directly because he has compassion for the elven guard and wants to save him from getting into too much trouble the following day when it is discovered that the prisoners are gone from their cells. Bilbo's act of re-locking the doors and returning the keys, provides the guard with the argument that he truly does not know how they could have escaped - he has his keys after all, doesn't he?
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