A bit of dwarf-ishness: Bilbo's Contract

So, I'm  a little late getting this posted (it's been up on theonering.net for a while now) but it's pretty cool, so I thought I'd better put it up anyways.

Using some high-res images of Bilbo holding the contract from Thorin & Co, DarkJackal managed to decipher some of the test of the contract. You can read more about the process over on his blog, Heirs of Durin. And even if you don't want to read the whole process, you should head over anyway 'cause there's some cool content over there.

To keep this post shorter, I'll just put down the finished "translation" that DarkJackal came up with. Note that he's divided the contract up into lettered sections that correspond to the pictures you can see to the right.

The Contract as set forth by Thorin & Co.

Part A

(?) agreement or undertaking….

and witnessed below as set forth hereunder:

[very fine print]

I, the undersigned, [referred to hereinafter as Burglar] agree to travel

to the Lonely Mountain, path to be determined by Thorin Oakenshield, who

has a right to alter the course of the journey at his so choosing, without prior

notification and/or liability for accident or injury incurred.

Part B

The aforementioned journey and subsequent extraction from the Lonely

Mountain of any and all goods, valuables, and chattels [which activities are described

collectively herein as the Adventure] shall proceed in a timely manner and with all due

care and consideration as seen fit by said Thorin Oakenshield and companions,

numbering thirteen, more or less, to wit, the Company.

Part C

Burglar holds harmless and without blame in perpetuity the Company

and its successors for…………………………….or……………………………….

Part C – Bonus section

Funeral expenses to be defrayed by us or our representatives

if occasion arises, and the matter is not otherwise arranged for.

Part D

Burglar shall choose………………………………………

……………………………………………………Company’s

………………….successful……..of……………………….

squatter in said home shall not necessarily earn any additional monetary or fiscal

reward, but will definitely guarantee Burglar (if he survives) and Burglar’s family

the undying gratitude and promise of service (?) (?) and forever of the

Company and its successors.

Part E

Eviction or elimination of any undesirable guardian of Company’s

property, goods, or premises or holdings, shall take priority over the recovery of

said property, goods, premises or holdings, should such (?) be encountered.

Elimination shall take priority over eviction in any and all cases.

Part F

Burglar hereby accepts……………………………

…………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………….

Part G

Meals provided (or not) at the sole discretion of the Director,

with due respect for availability, season, or any special dietary

requirements not disclosed at the outset.

Part H

The Principles agreeing to this contract, namely the Company, [as

represented by Thorin Oakenshield] and the Burglar, and known collectively

henceforth as the Parties, shall signify their agreement to all clauses

contained herein [the Conditions of Employment] by signing or making their

marks in the spaces provided for so doing, and affixing seals if applicable.

The (?) to the Contract………………………..whose (?) marks or seals

…………………………..and before their understanding and endorsed

agreement to all that is contained herein.

Part I

Confidentiality is of utmost importance and must be strictly

maintained at all times. During the course of his employment with the Company,

Burglar will hear, see, learn, apprehend, comprehend, and in short, gain knowledge

of particular facts, ideas, plans, strategies, theories, geography, cartography,

iconography, (?), tactics and/or policies, whether actual, tangible, conceptual,

historical or fanciful. Burglar understands and agrees to maintain this knowledge

in utmost secrecy and confidentiality and to neither divulge nor make known

said knowledge by any means, including but not limited to speech, writing

demonstration, re-enactment, mime, or storage and retrieval within means

or apparatus currently known or unknown, or as yet unthought of.

Part J

Early termination of this Contract shall (?) (?) early termination

fee to be determined by Thorin and Company at their sole and absolute

discretion. All clauses contained herein shall survive such termination and

remain enforceable in all countries whether existent now or in the future,

throughout the known world.

Part K

Disputes arising between the Contract Parties shall be heard…

Part L

This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties, and replaces

and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements whether written or oral, with

respect to the subject matter described and set forth herein.

Except as is set forth in the key provisions, Burglar [page bends]

permit or allow any distribution of the recovered goods of any kind whatsoever(?) without the

Company’s written permission, which may be granted [or not] at the Company’s sole discretion.