The Hobbit Discussion

We had a good discussion today. We had questions that led to other questions that led to more. One of the few questions we discussed about was (All the way back) Why were they getting blacked out when they tried to interact with the wood-elves. We had a good guessed that it was because the elves using magic for them to fall asleep, but then why that magic. Why sleep magic. Also, why is it the same magic that the suspiciously black water has. We assumed that the elves didn't want to kill people (due to how well they treat prisoners), but instead just tried to keep away strangers. That's also why we guessed why it was the same magic that kept the water black, but wouldn't that effect the animals and nature around it? We just assumed that it didn't since we spent so much time on one question. Also we discussed why Smaug was gone, but we just read that page where it tells you today.