The Trolls' cave
The Trolls' cave is a hidden stone chamber in the Lone-lands, discovered by Thorin and Company after their encounter with the three trolls William, Bert, and Tom. It is a pivotal location early in the quest, providing the company with much-needed provisions, a cache of gold coins, and—most significantly—the ancient elvish swords Orcrist and Glamdring, which later prove decisive in battles against goblins. The cave also yields a small knife that Bilbo Baggins will name Sting, a weapon that becomes emblematic of his transformation from a reluctant hobbit into a resourceful burglar.
Discovery and Contents
After Gandalf tricks the trolls into remaining above ground until dawn, turning them to stone, the wizard leads the dwarves to search for the trolls' hiding place. They find a big stone door leading to a cave, but cannot open it until Bilbo produces a largish key he found on the ground where the trolls had fought—a key William had dropped before his petrification. Inside, the cave is littered with bones and a nasty smell, but also holds a good deal of food jumbled carelessly on shelves and on the ground, among an untidy litter of plunder ranging from brass buttons to pots full of gold coins standing in a corner. There are also lots of clothes hanging on the walls, too small for trolls, evidently belonging to victims. Among these are several swords of various makes, shapes, and sizes; two catch the eyes of Gandalf and Thorin particularly because of their beautiful scabbards and jewelled hilts. Gandalf and Thorin each take one of these swords, while Bilbo takes a knife in a leather sheath that, though a tiny pocket-knife for a troll, is as good as a short sword for the hobbit.
The Swords and Their Significance
The swords from the Trolls' cave are not troll-make. When the company later reaches Rivendell, Elrond examines them and reveals their true origin: they are old swords of the High Elves of the West, made in Gondolin for the Goblin-wars. Thorin's sword is named Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver in the ancient tongue of Gondolin; Gandalf's is Glamdring, Foe-hammer, once worn by the king of Gondolin. These weapons are immediately recognized and feared by goblins, who call them Biter and Beater respectively. The discovery of these blades thus provides the company with weapons of legendary power that will later save their lives in the goblin tunnels beneath the Misty Mountains. Bilbo's knife, though unnamed at this point, is also an elvish blade, and its pale gleam in the dark later comforts him when he is lost and alone.
Aftermath and Legacy
The company carries out the pots of coins and such food as is untouched and looks fit to eat, along with one barrel of ale still full. After a much-needed breakfast and sleep, they bury the pots of gold very secretly not far from the track by the river, putting a great many spells over them, just in case they ever have the chance to come back and recover them. The cave itself is left behind, but its contents have a lasting impact on the quest. The gold coins, though buried, represent the first tangible treasure the company acquires. More importantly, the swords from the cave become instruments of survival and vengeance: Orcrist and Glamdring kill the Great Goblin and terrify his followers, enabling the company's escape from Goblin-town. The cave thus functions as an early turning point, equipping the adventurers with the tools they will need to face the greater dangers ahead, from the goblins of the Misty Mountains to the dragon Smaug himself.
