Smaug: "Where's that confounded bridge?"

[Eljorahir]

Escarothians look North across the Long Lake:

"...they could see him as a spark of fire rushing towards them and growing ever huger and more bright, and not the most foolish doubted that the prophecies had gone rather wrong. Still they had a little time. Every vessel in the town was filled with water, every warrior was armed, every arrow and dart was ready, and the bridge to the land was thrown down and destroyed, before the roar of Smaug's terrible approach grew loud, and the lake rippled red as fire beneath the awful beating of his wings."

"Amid shrieks and wailing and shouts of men he came over them, swept towards the bridges and was foiled! The bridge was gone, and his enemies were on an island in deep water--too deep and dark anc cool for his liking. If he plunged into it...it would quench him before he could pass through."

Every time I read The Hobbit, this question always confusticates me: In what way was Smaug foiled by the destruction of the bridges?

If the bridges had been intact, would Smaug have landed on shore, crossed the bridges on foot and then trampled and burned the town? It seems to me that Smaug would want to stay away from the water's surface. Therefore, attack from the air would be preferable to landing on the bridge or crossing the bridge.

I'll be interested to hear anyone's ideas. Maybe there's an obvious explanation I'm missing.
🔥🐲

 

[Jimbo Baggins]

I think it was a mistake. He got high and was suspended.

 

[Radaghast]

Escarothians look North across the Long Lake:

"...they could see him as a spark of fire rushing towards them and growing ever huger and more bright, and not the most foolish doubted that the prophecies had gone rather wrong. Still they had a little time. Every vessel in the town was filled with water, every warrior was armed, every arrow and dart was ready, and the bridge to the land was thrown down and destroyed, before the roar of Smaug's terrible approach grew loud, and the lake rippled red as fire beneath the awful beating of his wings."

"Amid shrieks and wailing and shouts of men he came over them, swept towards the bridges and was foiled! The bridge was gone, and his enemies were on an island in deep water--too deep and dark anc cool for his liking. If he plunged into it...it would quench him before he could pass through."

Every time I read The Hobbit, this question always confusticates me: In what way was Smaug foiled by the destruction of the bridges?

If the bridges had been intact, would Smaug have landed on shore, crossed the bridges on foot and then trampled and burned the town? It seems to me that Smaug would want to stay away from the water's surface. Therefore, attack from the air would be preferable to landing on the bridge or crossing the bridge.

I'll be interested to hear anyone's ideas. Maybe there's an obvious explanation I'm missing.
🔥🐲

I was always a bit puzzled by this too, but I think the simple answer is the he didn't want to risk getting doused, or even any contact with the water.

Thumbs up for the Led Zeppelin reference, btw 🤘

 

[Vorondil]

I can imagine Smaug spouting unprintables as he realises he would have to get wet. Maybe dragons are like cats.