Translations from the Elvish, by B.B., in a Rivendell Library

A favorite theme I am gradually working to document in painting from Tolkien's legendarium surrounds hobbit development of the texts we have come to think of as The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and related volumes. The chance to envision Bilbo actually working on one of the red books that bore the title "Translations from the Elvish, by B.B." is something I find meaningful, given the love Big Folk everywhere have come to feel for these writings.

Seated beside Elrond in this glorious library at Rivendell, Bilbo is quite surrounded by lore, even to the stained glass windows bearing a few branches of his host's family tree. At top, Melian the Maia and Thingol meet in tree-tangled Middle-earth, as do Beren and Lúthien. Dior and Nimloth the White tarry by the waterfall, while Eärendil and Elwing stand upon the sea.

"Lothlórien: The Chamber of Celeborn and Galadriel" - Miriam Ellis

Historic details

The green-gold wall covering is woven of mallorn leaves, in token of Elrond's departed wife, Celebrían, daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel. I wanted something of her in this room, for Elrond's sake, and you can see this is the same kind of woven hangings I envisioned for the reception chamber in the Golden Wood.

In trying to picture this Rivendell library, filled with priceless lore recording events that stretch back even farther than the Ages, I felt that everything in the room must have a story. I imagined some of Elrond's wandering folk coming across wild cherry trees, wantonly felled by Misty Mountain goblins. I supposed the elves might have brought them home and set them tenderly in this room to bloom forth again in scrolls and books of wisdom. Meanwhile, pine and mountain motifs in the chamber suggest the alpine setting of Imladris, in keeping with Tolkien's Swiss inspirations.

The bookstand is as old or older than the founding of Rivendell, and is of dwarvish make, studded with large, beautiful gems. It might date from that distant time in the Second Age in which the dwarves of Khazad-dûm were fighting alongside the elves in Eregion. I am not sure how it came here, but it is both a mighty heirloom and a token of the forthcoming, cross-cultural alliance that will be necessary for the rescue of Middle-earth. Gildor Inglorion stands behind it, a fond half-smile on his face, as he listens to little Bilbo earnestly translating all that Elrond is willing to tell him.

This painting is not only a tribute to Bilbo's authorship, but to Professor Tolkien, who devoted more time to studying the elves and telling us about them than anyone else of whom I have ever heard. I hope the Professor might enjoy this heartfelt portrayal of his life's work and his special love of the elves.

I don't believe this library is located in the front building at Rivendell, nor in the large wooden house behind it. Instead, I think its spire might be just visible amid the trees on the slope above the high garden. Though it would have been hushed and contemplative within, I think the sound of falling water would always have been present.

No wonder Bilbo chose this as his retirement community, where lore was not merely stewarded, but alive all around him in the beings of the ancient elves. Please, enjoy this pause in a Rivendell library, and please keep sharing the good lore.