Queer Lodgings
Queer Lodgings is the 7th chapter of The Hobbit.
Synopsis
It is morning in the Eagles' eyrie and Bilbo Baggins wakes up. Soon, fifteen Eagles safely carry Thorin and Company (including Bilbo and Gandalf) to Carrock. Bilbo is frightened of the flight and the Eagle carrying him attempts to cheer him up.
Once the Eagles leave, the company descends to a small cave at the bottom of the Carrock and plan their next move, and they are saddened to hear that Gandalf will leave them in a few days; however he intended to find Somebody he knew when he visited that region again, some years ago. Then they bathe and dry their clothes under the midday Sun and cross the ford.
On their way Gandalf tells them that this important person in Beorn, a skin-changer, who is generally kind, but gets angry easily and he becomes appalling then. Gandalf explained that he is no furrier (as Bilbo misunderstood) and eats only cream and honey, not eating his animals.
It was the middle of the afternoon before they came to patches of flowers, and Bilbo sees huge bees, at the edge of his bee-pastures. After a while they come to a belt of tall ancient oaks, and then a high thorn-hedge. Gandalf then explains that a pair of Dwarves should follow him at an interval of five minutes (Bombur would come last) and goes with Bilbo to find the gate.