Guide to The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Hobbit - A Short Rest

Plot
The company continues on. Bilbo and the dwarves approach the Misty Mountains. Sensing danger, Bilbo thinks of home. Gandalf warns that they are at the edge of Wild. They can stay in Rivendell with their friend Elrond in Rivendell. Arriving, they are greeted by singing elves. Bilbo loves elves, but learns that dwarves and elves are traditional enemies. This manifests in Bilbo's companions' decision to decline of the elves' invition to supper.

The group arrives at the house of Elrond, a wise and hospitable elf. Elrond is joyful people have come. They stay 2 weeks until midsummer, eating, singing, and telling tales.

Elrond identifies the sources of their swords as come from dragon plunder or the Goblin-wars and translates their runes: Gandal's sword is named Glamdring and Thor's sword is named Orcrist. Elrond also interprets the moon-letters on Thorin's map, letters that can be seen by the light of a moon as the way it was written. The letters tell the reader to stand by a stone near a thrush and the setting sun of Durin's Day will shine on a key-hole, a secret entranceway to the Lonely Mountain. Thorin, Durin's heir, explains that Durin's Day is the first day of the dwarves' New Year.

The next day, the dwarves pack up and leave toward the Misty Mountains and beyond. Though they are puzzled by the message, the group is in high spirits when they depart from Rivendell. The two weeks of rest has enabled the group to be well-rested.

Analysis
Chapter 2 and 3 indicate that the further a journey gets, the more difficult it gets.

Elrond assumes an important role as he explains things to the group the significance of the swords they took from the trolls' cave.

Main Characters

 * Elrond

Other Characters

 * Thorin Oakenshield
 * Gandalf
 * Bilbo Baggins
 * Dwalin
 * Balin
 * Fili
 * Kili
 * Oin
 * Gloin
 * Bifur
 * Bofur
 * Bombur
 * Ori
 * Nori
 * Dori

Locations

 * Rivendell

Glossary
lair den; refuge or hiding place.

hoard a supply stored up or hidden away.

Goblins grotesque, malicious creatures.

plundered/plunderers to take by force; to rob or loot; those who take by force, rob, or loot.

cleave to split or pass through by cutting.

Portrayal in adaptations
In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the Company are chased by Warg-scouts and Gandalf leads them to safety. The Warg-scouts, on the other hand, are hunted and killed by the Elves of Rivendell, led by Elrond himself. Lindir welcomes the Company as Elrond provides food and shelter for them. Galadriel is also present, along with Saruman, who are there for the meeting of the White Council.

Songs and Verses

 * 1) Down in the Valley