Ch 16 Hobbit Style

[Desi Baggins]

Did you find it odd that Bilbo still wore his jacket over his chain mail? Why do you think Bilbo did this?

[Stormrider]

I imagine Bilbo was not yet accustomed to wearing strange attire such as battle armor! He was still just a plain hobbit and did not put on airs by flaunting his valuables. Wearing the shirt was easier to keep track of, light weight compared to most mail shirts, and very good for protection.

With the approach of the Men and Elves at the base of the mountain and Thorin shooting an arrow at them as answer to their requests, Bilbo must have anticipated more trouble ahead.

So he kept the shirt on. This would give him protection should anyone shoot at him and there would be "more to him than meets the eye." (Where have we heard that phrase before?)

[Stormrider]

I agree with DesiBaggins that Bilbo was still just a common hobbit and did not like putting on airs. I think he may have hidden the mithril coat under his jacket also because it would have been very shiny and, if the sun hit it, even shinier. That would have drawn the enemies eye to him. However, after slipping on the Ring, none of Bilbo nor his accessories was visible!

Another reason to keep it hidden was so others would not realize he had grown into a much more worldly, quick-thinking, capable hobbit who was not easily crossed and fooled!