It's interresting that you should make mention of that there are no places in
the narrative of the Silmarillion to pause. I think it is important to keep in
mind that the Silmarillion as published is a work of edition by Christopher
Tolkien, as opposed to a finished work by his father. In the very
beginning of the entire conception of middle earth we find ourselves by a
fireside in "the Cottage of Lost Play". I wonder if JRR Tolkien would
have included a "fireside" to rest by had he managed to complete the work
before he passed away.
Such images for me conjur up a sense of security and rest; a place where time
stops its relentless progression and a moment can last forever. I'm
certainly glad that Tolkien included Rivendell in both the Hobbit and the Lord
of the
Rings.
