How Did Gandalf Know Smaug's Location: Prior Knowledge or Lucky Guess?
From the epic battles of the Lord of the Rings to the fascinating tales of the Hobbit, the presence of the mighty dragon Smaug and the location of the secret door to the dwarves' hoard have always been the central plot points. The question that often arises is: how did Gandalf, the wise wizard, know precisely where to find Smaug?
Major Events and Refugee Tales (How Did Word Spread That Smaug Was Alive After All?)
When Smaug made his move, the consequences were profound. Two cities fell under his relentless assault, displacing thousands of inhabitants and compelling them to spread the tale of destruction wherever they settled. However, not everyone was aware that the dragon was still alive, or at least knew exactly where Smaug was located.
Did Gandalf have prior knowledge, or was his location pinpointing a stroke of luck? Let's delve into the facts and analyze what we know about the circumstances.
Gandalf's Contributions During the Quest
Among Gandalf’s many contributions during the quest to reclaim Erebor from Smaug were:
The map bearing the location of the secret door behind the painting in Balin’s room.
The key that unlocked this door, one of the Arkenstones.
The nomination of Bilbo Baggins as the burglar who would lead the expedition.
His heroics in fighting off the Balrog to save the expedition.
His ongoing support and guidance as they traveled through the wilderness.
Was Gandalf simply lucky, or did he have prior knowledge of Smaug's location?
Thorin’s Knowledge
Thorin, the reluctant leader of the dwarves, knew where Smaug was. The fact that he chose to fight back and reclaim his home indicated that he had intimate knowledge of the dragon’s location. Thorin wasn’t just hoping but was likely confident that Smaug was still alive and occupying the Lonely Mountain. However, if he had explicitly shared this information with Gandalf, we would certainly have heard of it in the story.
Smaug, the Great Hoarder
The dragon Smaug was a formidable presence in Middle-earth. He made the Lonely Mountain his lair, amassing a vast horde from the treasuries of dozens of kingdoms. He terrorized the residents of nearby villages for decades, making the location of his lair a well-known secret. So, unless this information was somehow kept a closely guarded secret, it wouldn’t have remained hidden.
Exact Location and Its Relevance
Smaug’s presence in Erebor was not a secret, and often, his exact location might be known. However, this information could change dynamically, which makes such knowledge of limited use over extended periods. For instance, while traveling through the mountain, Smaug might choose a different location within the lair to rest. This fluctuation in location would mean that even if Gandalf had the knowledge, it might be outdated.
Moreover, when the company of dwarves reached the Lonely Mountain, Smaug’s location was most likely a crucial piece of information. Without it, breaking into the secret door and retrieving the hoard would be a significantly more challenging undertaking. Gandalf’s careful guidance and prior knowledge likely contributed to the success of the mission, but it would be fair to say that the location was widely known and conjectured, rather than an original secret.
In conclusion, Gandalf’s prior knowledge and the location of Smaug were likely pieces of information known to the people of Middle-earth. While his foreknowledge and guidance played a significant role, the assets were well known to the quest and the inhabitants of the region.