Part 2/10:

At first glance, it might appear that the primary aim of the adventure is for the dwarves to recover their lost kingdom and treasures. However, Gandalf's true motives extend beyond mere restitution. He is acutely aware of the lurking threat that Smaug poses not only to the dwarves but to the world at large. Smaug has made the mountain his lair for over a century, feasting on both riches and the inhabitants of the nearby valley, leaving it desolate.