By virtue of a slight advantage in intellect and a forceful character, William the Troll is the trio's leader and provider, snatching up the Dwarves' ponies for their dinner. Calculating - by Troll standards - it is William who realises catching Bilbo is the key to disarming the angry Dwarf mob that attacks them. He is the only one of the group who grasps that the Hobbit is trying to trick them with cooking tips and tales of parasites, but, unfortunately for the Trolls, a little too late.