Most quests are started with little chance that they will succeed; we usually only hear about the ones that are successful. When Thingol gave Beren his quest to retrieve the Silmaril from Morgoth's crown, he thought it was a surefire way of ridding a strong suitor from the life of his daughter, L’thien. Same when Elrond said Aragorn could only wed Arwen when he became King over both Arnor and Gondor. Finally, who in their right mind would believe a couple of hobbits could break into Mordor and toss Sauron's prize possession down the fiery tube right under the enemy's nose, or eye, as it were.

Who says nobody is interested? I think that indeed it is a weird plot, but so is LOTR's. I mean, a little hobbit with a Ring that happens to be Sauron's, who sets off for Mordor to save the world, and what's the best: he succeeds! That's just Tolkien for me!

Brilliant, isn't it?

Too true, too true. Otherwise people would stop believing it!

Bard used a strong magical arrow to defeat Smaug. For more details about the dwarves and Gandalf, read the Unfinished Tales.

Its not wierd....its perfectly reasonable darn it!!!!!
If on the past evidence, (of vast armies failing to defeat Smaug), then sneaking in a dozen dwarves and a "thief" to find the way in, seems like the best way. after all it only takes 1 man to slay a beast if his aim is good! If you want ridiculous and wierd plots look to most blockbuster movies and video games where 1 hero takes out a million baddies solo, in the daylight and with a penknife......wish someone had told that to the poor sods in the Somme......

[Edited on 8/4/2003 by Grondmaster]