Stay at Rivendell

The Stay at Rivendell marks a decisive turning point in the journey of Thorin and Company, a brief but essential respite from the perils of the Wild that provides not only physical and spiritual restoration but also the critical intelligence needed to continue their quest. After the harrowing encounter with the trolls, the company, guided by Gandalf, makes its way to the hidden valley of Rivendell, the Last Homely House west of the Misty Mountains. There, under the care of the wise and noble Elrond, the dwarves and Bilbo Baggins find fourteen days of peace, healing, and the revelation of the moon-letters that hold the secret to entering the Lonely Mountain.

Journey to the Hidden Valley

The path to Rivendell was a test of endurance and faith. After fording a river, the company saw the great mountains marching down towards them, and Bilbo, mistaking the Misty Mountains for their final destination, felt a wave of weariness and homesickness. Gandalf led them through a silent, deceptive landscape of hidden valleys, bogs, and ravines, following a path marked only by white stones. The journey was slow and anxious, and as the day failed, they came to the edge of a steep fall, where they finally looked down upon the secret valley of Rivendell. The descent into the warmer, pine-scented air was a relief, and the sight of the Last Homely House with its doors flung wide promised safety and comfort.

Welcome and Hospitality

The company's arrival was greeted by the elves of the valley, who sang a playful, welcoming song that teased the dwarves and Bilbo by name. Though the dwarves were gruff and eager for supper, the elves' merriment was infectious. They were led across a narrow, parapetless stone bridge, lit by elvish lanterns, to the house itself. The master of the house, Elrond, was an elf-friend of ancient lineage, noble, wise, and kind. His house was a place of perfect comfort, where evil things did not enter. The company stayed for a full fortnight, during which their clothes were mended, their bruises healed, their tempers soothed, and their hopes restored. Their bags were refilled with provisions, and their plans were improved with the best advice.

The Revelation of the Moon-Letters

The most significant event of their stay was Elrond's examination of the swords taken from the trolls' lair and, more importantly, of Thror's Map. Elrond identified the swords as ancient blades of the High Elves of the West: Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver, and Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, forged in Gondolin for the Goblin-wars. This revelation gave the weapons a legendary history and a specific purpose. Then, turning to the map, Elrond held it up to the light of the crescent moon and discovered hidden moon-letters, runes invisible to ordinary sight. He read the crucial message: "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 provided the company with the precise, if enigmatic, conditions for finding and opening the secret door into the Mountain, a piece of knowledge that would prove essential to their entire quest.

Departure and Significance

On midsummer morning, the company departed Rivendell, refreshed and armed with new knowledge. They rode away amid songs of farewell, their hearts ready for more adventure. The stay at Rivendell was a classic "mentor" stage in the hero's journey, where the adventurers received the tools and wisdom necessary to proceed. It was a moment of calm and clarity before the descent into the true dangers of the Wild, providing a stark contrast to the hardships that lay ahead in the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood. The revelation of the moon-letters, in particular, transformed a vague hope into a concrete plan, giving the quest a specific goal and a timeline, however uncertain.