The Return Journey Of Gandalf And Bilbo Baggins, The Hobbit

It was Spring, and a fair one with mild weathers and a bright sun before Bilbo and Gandalf took their leave at last of Beorn, and though he longed for home, Bilbo left with regret, for the flowers of the garden of Beorn were in springtime no less marvellous than in high summer.

At last they came up the long road, and reached the very pass where the goblins has captured the before.

But they came to that high point at morning, and looking backward they saw a white sun shining over the outstretched lands.

There behind lay Mirkwood, blue in the distance, and darkly green at the outer edge even in the Spring. There far away was the Lonely Mountain on the edge of eyesight.

JRR Tolkien – The Hobbit, Chapter XVIII: The Return Journey