The first great obstacle Bilbo and the dwarves overcome is the Misty Mountains. As is the case throughout their journey, the farther from home they travel, the greater the danger. The very name of “the Wild” provides a symbolic contrast with what is familiar, tame, and domestic, and the deserted terrain represents the difficulties they begin to face so far from home. They have one last opportunity to enjoy themselves at the home of Gandalf’s friend Elrond. The traditional enmity between elves and dwarves is depicted here in the dwarves’ rejection of the elves’ invitation and provides motivation for some of the events later in the novel.
Elrond assumes an important role in explaining to Thorin and Gandalf the significance of the swords they took from the trolls’ cave. The swords have enormous power because they were used to kill Goblins, and they are associated with the dragon from whom the dwarves wish to reclaim their treasure. They are important enough to have names of their own, like the weapons belonging to legendary heroes Beowulf and Arthur. Elrond’s ability to read runes also allows him to interpret the map that Thorin has inherited from his grandfather. Elrond’s translation of the map provides an important foreshadowing of the dramatic discovery of the secret door in Smaug’s mountain lair, much later in the novel.
