Rest In Rivendell

The company moving on from the encounter with the trolls continued East. Once again they were running low on supplies but this time Gandalf was with them and leading with a purpose. The wizard was asked where he was intending to go and responded: "'Hidden somewhere ahead of us in the fair valley or Rivendell where Elrond lives in the Last Homely House'" (p. 56, The Hobbit). Eventually Gandalf found the way as dusk was darkening and the company was greeted by merry Elves whom they heard but did not see. Indeed, the Elves sang quite a silly song part in jest and part in welcome to weary company.

They seemed to know all about Bilbo and could not resist making fun of the Dwarve's beards. This could have been a bit precarious since Dwarves and Elves do not get along but the promise of food and rest kept Thorin and his followers moving forward. Bilbo, however, wanted to stay and listen to the Elves sing all night. They eventually crossed a narrow bridge over a river and made their way to Elrond's house. I love the description Tolkien gives of Elrond here, especially knowing the Middle-earth mythology was still young in the Professor's mind:

"The master of the house was an elf-friend--one of those people whose fathers came into strange stories before the beginning of History, the wars of evil goblins and the elves, and the first men in the North. In those days of our tale there were still some people who had both elves and heroes of the North for ancestors, and Elrond the master of the house was their chief. He was as noble and as fair as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves, and as a kind as summer" (p. 61, The Hobbit).

Gandalf, Bilbo, Thorin and the other Dwarves stayed in Rivendell for two weeks. They recovered their strength, rested, ate, and were equipped for the journey ahead. Being wise in runes Elrond looked at the swords Gandalf and Thorin found in the trolls' cave. "'These are not troll-make. They are old swords, very old swords, of the High Elves of the West, my kin. They were made in Gondolin for the Goblin-wars. They must have come form a dragon's hoard or goblin plunder, for goblins and dragons destroyed that city many ages ago. This, Thorin, the runes name Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver in the ancient tongue of Gondolin; it was a famous blade. This, Gandalf, was Glamdring, Foe-hammer, that the king of Gondolin once wore. Keep them well!'" (p. 62, The Hobbit).

Elrond proceeded to look over Thror's map. It was a crescent moon night, midsummer's day eve, and in that light Elrond discovered moon-letters. This was a secret craft by the Dwarves who were able to write runes that could only be seen in certain moon-light. Thorin and Gandalf were a bit upset that Elrond was the first to find the letters but asked him to transalte: "'Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks,' read Elrond, 'and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the key-hole'" (p. 63, The Hobbit). Thorin explained that Durin's Day was the Dwarven New Year in celebration of Durin, the father of the Longbeard's (of which Thorin was his heir). The Dwarven New Year took place on the last moon of Autumn before Winter comes. Thorin was not sure that this information would be helpful but Gandalf felt that remained to be seen. The next morning, on midsummer's day, the company left Rivendell (though they were none to eager to go) and began journeying to The Lonely Mountain.

Middle-earth timeline: 2941, Third Age

Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, pages 55-64