The Hobbit - Chapter 11 - On the Doorstep

[Estelyn Telcontar]

They were at the end of their journey, but as far as ever, it seemed, from the end of their quest.

In this chapter, Bilbo and the Dwarves reach their goal. But there is little satisfaction in the fact, for the desolation makes the earnest of their situation obvious. Once again Tolkien uses the calendar to great effect - doesn't it make you shiver to read:

...they were come at the waning of the year.

The landscape of and around the Mountain is described in detail. Can you visualize it?

Waiting is an important part of the story in this chapter. Nothing that they could do would make Durin's Day come faster, though they all seem to have forgotten the moon runes on the map. Apparently, only Bilbo still thinks of them; it seems strange to me that Thorin, at least, wouldn't have recalled something so central to their quest. Do you think that Bilbo's expectancy indicates a spiritual kind of awareness, unusual for a hobbit?

Were the moon runes (yes, I went back to read them in the chapter on Rivendell) generally speaking or specifically prophetic for this occasion? Do you imagine a thrush knocking every Durin's Day for many years? And why a thrush? Is there any significance to that particular bird?

The door opens, and with that cliffhanger - only darkness can be seen - Tolkien ends this short chapter.

Despite the fulfillment of the prophetic moon runes, this chapter again feels transitional, doesn't it? Do you enjoy it, or press on to read what follows?