Last Homely House

The Last Homely House, also called Rivendell, is the hidden valley refuge of Elrond, located west of the Misty Mountains. It is described as the "Last Homely House" west of the Mountains, a place of perfect comfort and safety where evil things do not enter. For Thorin and Company, it serves as a critical waypoint on their journey east, providing essential rest, counsel, and the key to their quest: the deciphering of the moon-letters on Thror's Map.

Location and Nature

The Last Homely House is hidden in a secret valley, reached by a steep zig-zag path that descends from the barren slopes of the Misty Mountains. The air grows warmer as one descends, and the scent of pine-trees gives way to beech and oak. The valley is filled with the sound of a hurrying river and the light of lanterns. Elrond, the master of the house, is described as an elf-friend, noble and fair as an elf-lord, strong as a warrior, wise as a wizard, and kind as summer. His house is perfect for food, sleep, work, story-telling, singing, or simply sitting and thinking. The company stays there for fourteen days, finding it hard to leave, and Bilbo would have gladly stopped there forever.

Role in the Quest

Elrond's knowledge proves vital to the dwarves' quest. He examines the swords the company took from the trolls' lair, identifying them as Orcrist and Glamdring, ancient blades of the High Elves of Gondolin. More importantly, he studies Thror's Map. By holding it up to the moonlight, he reveals hidden moon-letters beside the plain runes. These letters read: "Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the key-hole." This message provides the crucial condition for opening the secret door to the Lonely Mountain. The company departs on midsummer morning, refreshed and with a knowledge of the road they must follow over the Misty Mountains.

Narrative Significance

The Last Homely House represents a sanctuary of wisdom and peace in the wild, a place where the company is restored and given the knowledge necessary to proceed. It is a liminal space between the familiar world of the Shire and the dangers of the Wild. The elves of the valley greet the company with song, and the house itself is a place of healing and good counsel. Bilbo returns there after the adventure, where he learns from Gandalf about the White Council's actions against the Necromancer. The house remains a symbol of the enduring goodness and wisdom that exists in the world, a place where weary travelers can find rest and guidance.