Orcrist

Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver, is an ancient sword of the High Elves of the West, forged in the hidden city of Gondolin during the wars against the goblins. It is discovered by Thorin Oakenshield and Gandalf in the cave of the three trolls, Bert, Tom, and William, after the trolls are turned to stone at dawn. The sword is one of several found among the trolls' plunder, distinguished by its beautiful scabbard and jewelled hilt. Elrond, the master of the Last Homely House, later identifies the blade, reading its runes and revealing its origin and name: Orcrist, meaning Goblin-cleaver in the ancient tongue of Gondolin. He notes that it must have come from a dragon's hoard or goblin plunder, as dragons and goblins destroyed Gondolin many ages ago. Thorin, upon hearing this, declares he will keep the sword in honour and wishes it may soon cleave goblins once again.

Role in the Escape from Goblin-town

When the dwarves and Bilbo are captured by goblins in the Misty Mountains and brought before the Great Goblin, the goblins immediately recognize Orcrist. The Great Goblin gives a truly awful howl of rage at the sight of it, for the sword had killed hundreds of goblins in its time when the fair elves of Gondolin hunted them. The goblins call it Biter and hate it and anyone who carries it. The Great Goblin orders the prisoners taken away to dark holes full of snakes, but in the ensuing chaos, Gandalf kills the Great Goblin with his own sword, Glamdring, and the goblins flee. Later, when the dwarves and Gandalf are pursued through the tunnels, Thorin and Gandalf turn a corner and draw their swords. The goblins, seeing Orcrist and Glamdring shining cold and bright, shriek "Biter and Beater!" and fall into confusion, allowing the company to escape.

Legacy and Final Resting Place

After the Battle of Five Armies, Thorin Oakenshield is mortally wounded. He is buried deep beneath the Lonely Mountain, and upon his tomb the Elvenking lays Orcrist, the elvish sword that had been taken from Thorin during his captivity in the Elvenking's halls. It is said in songs that the sword gleamed ever in the dark if foes approached, and thus the fortress of the dwarves could not be taken by surprise. Orcrist thus becomes a lasting guardian of the dwarves' restored kingdom, a symbol of the alliance between elves and dwarves forged in the aftermath of the great conflict, and a final honour to Thorin's memory.