Places in Middle-earth
Last Bridge, The
Type: Fords, Bridges, Crossings
Region: Arnor/Eriador/Lindon
Other Names The Bridge of Mitheithel
Location: A bridge in Eriador where the Great East Road crosses over the River Hoarwell (Mitheithel).
Description: "I am afraid we must go back to the Road here for a while,' said Strider. 'We have now come to the River Hoarwell, that the Elves call Mitheithel. It flows down out of the Ettenmoors, the troll-fells north of Rivendell, and joins the Loudwater away in the South. Some call it the Greyflood after that. It is a great water before it finds the Sea. There is no way over it below its sources in the Ettenmoors, except by the Last Bridge on which the Road crosses.'
'What is that other river we can see far away there?' asked Merry.
'That is Loudwater, the Bruinen of Rivendell,' answered Strider. 'The Road runs along the edge of the hills for many miles from the Bridge to the Ford of Bruinen. But I have not yet thought how we shall cross that water. ... We shall be fortunate indeed if we do not find the Last Bridge held against us.'
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 1, Ch 12, Flight to the Ford
They hurried along with all the speed they could make, and after a mile or two they saw the Last Bridge ahead, at the bottom of a short steep slope. ...
They crossed the Bridge in safety, hearing no sound but the water swirling against its three great arches. A mile further on they came to a narrow ravine that led away northwards through the steep lands on the left of the Road. Here Strider turned aside, and soon they were lost in a sombre country of dark trees winding among the feet of sullen hills.
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 1, Ch 12, Flight to the Ford
'This is Glorfindel, who dwells in the house of Elrond,' said Strider. ...
'There are few even in Rivendell that can ride openly against the Nine; but such as there were, Elrond sent out north, west, and south. ...
'It was my lot to take the Road, and I came to the Bridge of Mitheithel, and left a token there, nigh on seven days ago. Three of the servants of Sauron were upon the Bridge, but they withdrew and I pursued them westward.'
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 1, Ch 12, Flight to the Ford
Contributors: Elena Tiriel 3Jul04
