The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Gandalf discovers ancient ruins inscribed with the Black Speech, which motivates him to investigate the dark history of the Nazgûl. He knows this investigation is crucial to understanding the growing threat of the Necromancer, so he leaves the dwarves with strict instructions to stay on the path.

Foreshadowing: Earlier warnings from Beorn about the Necromancer's rising power foreshadow this decision.

• gandalf
• mirkwood
• black speech
• nazgul
• necromancer

The Morgul arrow pierces Kíli's shoulder, and the shard of the weapon remains embedded in his flesh. This injury is significant because Morgul wounds are corrupting and can eventually turn a victim into a wraith, similar to how the Nazgûl were created.

Foreshadowing: This injury becomes critical in the following film as the shard slowly works toward Kíli's heart.

• kili
• morgul arrow
• injury
• legolas
• tauriel

The Necromancer is revealed to be Sauron himself, returning to power in Middle-earth. Gandalf discovers the Nazgûl's tombs are empty because Sauron has summoned the Nine to Dol Guldur, signaling his imminent return and the orchestration of the events threatening the dwarves.

Foreshadowing: Galadriel's earlier concerns about the Necromancer and her prompting of Gandalf connect directly to this revelation.

• necromancer
• sauron
• dol guldur
• nazgul
• gandalf

Smaug attacks Laketown because he knows the dwarves arrived with help from the town's people. Additionally, he seeks revenge for the dragon's initial conquest of Erebor, when the men of Dale abandoned the dwarves. The town represents those who aided his enemies.

Foreshadowing: Smaug's conversation with Bilbo reveals his deep resentment toward the people of Esgaroth and Dale.

• smaug
• laketown
• esgaroth
• dragon attack
• bard

Tauriel demonstrates compassion that differs from King Thranduil's coldness toward the dwarves. She is moved by Kíli's injury and the dwarves' plight, choosing loyalty to her own conscience over her king's orders. Her feelings for Kíli particularly drive her decision to accompany them.

Foreshadowing: Earlier interactions between Tauriel and Kíli during the spider rescue establish their connection.

• tauriel
• dwarves
• kili
• legolas
• wood elves

Bard possesses the black arrow because he is a descendant of Girion, the last king of Dale. This ancestral connection gives him ownership of the legendary arrow, the only weapon known to be capable of killing a dragon. He keeps it hidden, waiting for the moment it might be needed.

Foreshadowing: The film's earlier references to Bard's mysterious background set up this revelation.

• bard
• black arrow
• smaug
• lake-town
• girion

Bilbo keeps the ring because it has already begun exerting its corrupting influence on him. When he drops the ring while fighting the spider, he violently kills the creature to reclaim it, showing the ring's power over its bearer. He fails to mention finding it to both Gandalf and the dwarves.

Foreshadowing: This moment foreshadows the ring's true nature as the One Ring and its corrupting influence.

• bilbo
• ring
• gollum
• one ring
• invisibility

Thorin confronts Thranduil because the Wood-elves refused to aid the dwarves when Smaug attacked Erebor sixty years earlier. This abandonment led to the dwarves' dispersion and suffering. Thorin holds the king responsible for the downfall of his people and resents the elves' inaction.

Foreshadowing: This confrontation establishes the deep historical resentment between dwarves and Wood-elves.

• thorin
• thranduil
• erebor
• dwarves
• wood elves

Bilbo and the dwarves use Smaug's own fire to melt a massive golden statue, briefly trapping the dragon beneath the molten gold. However, Smaug's immense strength allows him to break free from the golden prison before the gold fully solidifies. He emerges even more enraged and determined to destroy those who betrayed him.

Foreshadowing: Smaug's physical power and intelligence have been established throughout his confrontation with Bilbo.

• smaug
• golden statue
• erebor
• dwarves
• bilbo

Azog, the Pale Orc, has a personal vendetta against Thorin dating back to the Battle of Azanulbizar. Thorin killed Azog's father during that conflict, and Azog has sworn revenge. The Necromancer's summons to gather forces gives Azog renewed purpose to hunt down Thorin and his company.

Foreshadowing: This historical grudge explains Azog's relentless pursuit throughout the journey.

• azog
• thorin
• orcs
• pale orc
• battle of azanulbizar

Bilbo enters the Lonely Mountain through the secret entrance seeking the Arkenstone. However, his presence alone is enough to alert Smaug, who has been sleeping on the vast treasure hoard for decades. The dragon immediately senses the intruder and awakens, realizing the dwarves have returned to reclaim their kingdom.

Foreshadowing: The hidden entrance's location was a closely guarded secret, making Bilbo's discovery both fortunate and disastrous.

• bilbo
• smaug
• arkenstone
• lonely mountain
• dwarves

Thorin is consumed by his quest to reclaim Erebor and the Arkenstone, viewing any distraction as a threat to his goal. His single-minded determination leads him to refuse Bard's pleas for assistance, even as the dragon threatens to destroy the very people who helped the company reach the mountain.

Foreshadowing: Thorin's greed for the Arkenstone and his kingdom's restoration creates tension throughout the film.

• thorin
• laketown
• smaug
• arkenstone
• treasure