The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Contents
CHAPTER III: A SHORT REST
Overview
The company, anxious and hungry, finally finds Rivendell with the help of singing elves and rests in Elrond’s Last Homely House. Elrond identifies their troll-hoard blades as ancient Gondolin swords and reveals moon-letters on Thror’s map. The hidden instruction about Durin’s Day and the keyhole reframes their quest before they depart for the Misty Mountains.
Summary
After days of wary, food-poor travel, the company approaches the looming Misty Mountains. Bilbo Baggins mistakes a nearer ridge for their ultimate destination, and Gandalf insists they must find the proper path to Rivendell before attempting the passes.
As dusk deepens, Gandalf finally locates the hidden valley. Elves singing in the trees tease the dwarves yet guide the travelers safely across a narrow stone bridge. The company reaches the Last Homely House, where they are warmly received despite dwarven gruffness.
They remain there for at least a fortnight, recovering strength and spirits. Elrond, noble and wise, oversees their mending and provisioning, and their plans improve with his counsel as midsummer approaches.
On midsummer eve, Elrond examines the swords from the trolls’ cave, identifying Thorin’s as Orcrist and Gandalf’s as Glamdring, famed blades from Gondolin’s wars against goblins. Holding Thror’s map to the crescent moon, Elrond reveals moon-letters that instruct: when the thrush knocks, the last light of Durin’s Day will shine upon the keyhole.
Thorin explains Durin’s Day as the dwarves’ New Year when sun and the last autumn moon share the sky. With this crucial clue, the company departs at dawn of a fair midsummer morning, hearts lifted and route set toward the Misty Mountains and the lands beyond.
Who Appears
- Bilbo BagginsTired yet curious; enjoys the elves; learns key map lore that will guide his burglary.
- GandalfLeads the party to Rivendell; confers with elves; receives Glamdring’s identity from Elrond.
- ElrondHost of Rivendell; identifies ancient swords; reveals moon-letters that instruct how to find the keyhole.
- Thorin OakenshieldGrim leader; accepts Orcrist; explains Durin’s Day, linking heritage to the map’s instructions.
- Elves of RivendellMerry guides who tease the dwarves; lead the party over the bridge and celebrate midsummer.
- BalinClarifies the Misty Mountains are only the beginning; travels on to Rivendell with the others.