The crowds begin gathering as news of the strange cylinder gets out. Just in time for the Martians to reveal themselves in all their horrific glory. Chapters 3 and 4 of The War of the Worlds, by H.G. Wells. Music: Dark Times by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3611-dark-times License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

We kick off Season 2 of the Books Elf podcast with a classic Sci-fi story. What happens when humanity is faced with an enemy far advanced from us, with designs of their own on our fair planet? “The chances of anything coming from Mars, are a million to one, he said.” Chapters 1 and 2 of The War of the Worlds, by H.G. Wells.

Having adventured far and seen many sights, Bilbo looks upon the last stage of his journey, his trip home. Chapter 19 of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Music: Long Road Ahead by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3996-long-road-ahead License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Coming back to consciousness, Bilbo Baggins finds himself unharmed, if a little bruised, in the aftermath of the Battle of Five Armies. Chapter 18 of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Music: The Parting by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4501-the-parting License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

The gathering clouds of hostility burst open as Dain and the dwarves of the Iron Hills arrive to support Thorin, who has some choice words for his burglar. As the dwarves begin to make battle on the men and elves however, a darker threat reveals itself. Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a brief glimpse of what my recording sessions sound like, and why I should pick accents I’m better at for characters with lots of dialogue. Chapter 17 of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Music: Five Armies by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3762-five-armies License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

As Thorin Oakenshield digs his heels in and refuses to parley with the forces of Mirkwood and Dale, Bilbo decides to take matters into his own hands. Chapter 16 of J.R.R Tolkien’s classic novel, The Hobbit. Music: Del Rio Bravo by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5706-del-rio-bravo License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Midnight Tale by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4710-midnight-tale License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

While Bard the Bowman and the people of Lake-town are preparing to march on The Lonely Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield receives news of the forces gathering about him and we learn something of the hearts of dwarves, and the power of dragon-guarded gold. Music: The Path of the Goblin King by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4503-the-path-of-the-goblin-king License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

As Thorin’s Company settles down for some rest, we learn where Smaug went after leaving the mountain. His attention and anger turns to Lake-town, and the people within. Chapter 14 of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Music: Five Armies by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3762-five-armies License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Following Smaug’s outburst, Bilbo and the dwarves hunker down in the secret tunnel and wait for a safe moment to creep out. Chapter 13 of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Music: Lost Time by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4005-lost-time License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

The Lonely Mountain has been reached, and the secret door found and opened. With their quest so tantalizingly close to it’s end, all that stands in the way of Thorin’s company is one last hurdle, the great dragon Smaug. Time for Bilbo Baggins to prove Gandalf right. Chapter 12 of The Hobbit, by J.R.R Tolkien. Music: Vanishing by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4578-vanishing License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Sound Effects by zapsplat.com