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TIME - September 29

grammaboodawg
Immortal

Sep 29 2012, 4:40am

Views: 783

TIME - September 29

Today in Middle-earth.

September 29, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. Frodo reaches Bree at night.
(from the appendices)
..."...Even from the outside the inn looked a pleasant house to familiar eyes... ...Over the door was painted in white letters: The Prancing Pony by Barliman Butterbur.... ...Frodo went forward and nearly bumped into a short fat man with a bald head and a red face... '...Half a minute, if you please!' shouted the man over his shoulder, and vanished into a babel of voices and a cloud of smoke. In a moment he was out again, wiping his hands on his apron.
...'Good evening, little master!' he said, bending down. 'What may you be wanting?'
...'Beds for four, and stabling for five ponies, if that can be managed. Are you Mr. Butterbur?'
...'That's right! Barliman is my name! Barliman Butterbur at your service! You're from the Shire, eh...? ...Hobbits!' he cried. 'Now what does that remind me of...?'

......The landlord hovered round for a little, and then proposed to leave them. 'I don't know whether you would care to join the company, when you have supped,' he said... '...We don't get Outsiders—travellers from the Shire, I should say, begging your pardon...'
......Frodo, Pippin and Sam decided to join the company. Merry said it would be too stuffy. 'I shall sit here quietly by the fire for a bit, and perhaps go out later for a sniff of the air. Mind your Ps and Qs, and don't forget that you are supposed to be escaping in secret...'
......As soon as the Shire-hobbits entered, there was a chorus of welcome from the Bree-landers. The strangers, especially those that had come up the Greenway, stared at them curiously.... ...Sam and Pippin, where were now feeling quite at home, and were chatting gaily about events in the Shire....
......Suddenly Frodo noticed that a strange-looking weather-beaten man, sitting in the shadows near the wall, was also listening intently to the hobbit-talk. He had a tall tankard in front of him, and was smoking a long-stemmed pipe curiously carved. His legs were stretched out before him, showing high boots of supple leather that fitted him well, but had seen much wear and were now caked with mud. A travel-stained cloak of heavy dark-green cloth was drawn close about him, and in spite of the heat of the room he wore a hood that overshadowed his face; but the gleam of his eyes could be seen as he watched the hobbits.
...'Who is that?' Frodo asked, when he got a chance to whisper to Mr. Butterbur...
...'Him?' said the landlord... ...cocking an eye without turning his head. 'I don't rightly know. He is one of the wandering folk—Rangers we call them. He seldom talks: not but what he can tell a rare tale when he has the mind. He disappears for a month, or a year, and then he pops up again. He was in and out pretty often last spring; but I haven't seen him about lately. What his right name is I've never heard: but he's known round here as Strider. Goes about at a great pace on his long shanks...' ...Frodo found that Strider was now looking at him..."

2. Gandalf visits the Gaffer.
(from the appendices)
..."But fear grew in me as I rode. Ever as I came north I heard tidings of the Riders, and though I gained on them day by day, they were ever before me. They had divided their forces... ...some remained on the eastern borders, not from the Greenway, and some invaded the Shire from the south. I came to Hobbiton and Frodo had gone; but I had words with old Gamgee. Many words and few to the point. He had much to say about the short-comings of the new owners of Bag End... ...I gathered at last that Frodo had left Hobbiton less than a week before, and that a black horseman had come to the Hill the same evening. Then I rode on in fear..."

September 29, 3021 (S.R. 1421)
1. They come to the Grey Havens.
(from the appendices)
..."...they came to the Far Downs, and to the Towers, and looked on the distant Sea; and so they rode down at last to Mithlond, to the Grey Havens in the long firth of Lune.
...As they came to the gates Círdan the Shipwright came forth to greet them... ...and he looked at them and bowed, and said: 'All is now ready.'
...Then Círdan led them to the Havens, and there was a white ship lying, and upon the quay stood a figure robed all in white awaiting them. As he turned and came towards them Frodo saw that it was Gandalf; and on his hand he wore the Third Ring, Narya the Great, and the stone upon it was red as fire. Then those who were to go were glad, for they knew that Gandalf also would take ship with them."

2. Frodo and Bilbo depart over the Sea with the Three Keepers.
(from the appendices)
..."But Sam was now sorrowful at heart, and it seemed to him that if the parting would be bitter, more grievous still would be the long road home alone. But even as they stood there, and the Elves were going aboard, and all was being made ready to depart, up rode Merry and Pippin in great haste. And amid his tears Pippin laughed.
...'You tried to give us the slip once before and failed, Frodo... ...This time you have nearly succeeded... ...It was not Sam, though, that gave you away this time, but Gandalf himself!'
...'Yes,' said Gandalf; 'for it will be better to ride back three together than one alone. Well, here at last, dear friends, on the shores of the Sea comes the end of our fellowship in Middle-earth. Go in peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.'
...Then Frodo kissed Merry and Pippin, and last of all Sam, and went aboard; and the sails were drawn up, and the wind blew, and slowly the ship slipped away... ...the light of the glass of Galadriel that Frodo bore glimmered and was lost. And the ship went out into the High Sea and passed on into the West...

......to Sam the evening deepened to darkness as he stood at the Haven; and as he looked at the grey sea he saw only a shadow on the waters... ...There still he stood far into the night, hearing only the sigh and murmur of the waves on the shores of Middle-earth, and the sound of them sank deep into his heart. Beside him stood Merry and Pippin, and they were silent.
...At last the three companions turned away, and never again looking back they rode slowly homewards; and they spoke no word to one another until they came back to the Shire, but each had great comfort in his friends on the long grey road."

3. The end of the Third age.
(from the appendices)
..."...The Third Age was over, and the Days of the rings were passed, and an end was come of the story and song of those times. With them went many Elves of the High Kindred who would no longer stay in Middle-earth..."

......at last on a night of rain Frodo smelled a sweet fragrance on the air and heard the sound of singing that came over the water. And then it seemed to him that as in his dream in the house of Bombadil, the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise.

I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.

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Lily Fairbairn
Half-elven

Sep 29 2012, 2:29pm

Views: 399

A far green country....

*sniffle*

grammaboodawg
Immortal

Sep 29 2012, 2:49pm

Views: 414

me too

no matter how many times I read it.... *sigh*

I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.

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dernwyn
Forum Admin / Moderator

Sep 29 2012, 8:22pm

Views: 379

A wind from the East

but no longer an ill wind: "...and the sails were drawn up, and the wind blew, and slowly the ship slipped away..." out of sight, out of Time, and out of the world they knew, as Manwe guides them homeward.

That was a long time to be silent, the several days' journey of the three back to the Shire. I think that when Tolkien wrote "they spoke no word to one another", he was referring to any discussion of what they had all gone through, and what had just taken place, not to the normal everyday "breakfast ready" and "lovely day" and "thank you". Beyond this, though, they each would be in inner contemplation as they rode slowly homeward.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I desired dragons with a profound desire"

grammaboodawg
Immortal

Sep 30 2012, 1:25am

Views: 379

Ya got me teary all over again...

Water... the perfect conductor.

I think you're right. Hobbits (especially Merry & Pippin) always make light during trying times... like when Merry & Pippin were captured and carried by the orcs and again when recovering in the Houses of Healing. They would surely be doing the same for Sam now.

I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.

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grammaboodawg
Immortal

Sep 30 2012, 11:47am

Views: 389

TIME - September 30

Today in Middle-earth.

September 30, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. Crickhollow and the Inn at Bree are raided in the early hours.
(from the appendices)
..."...enemies were in Buckland, some strange invasion from the Old Forest. And they lost no more time.

FEAR! FIRE! FOES!

...The Brandybucks were blowing the Horn-call of Buckland, that had not sounded for a hundred years, not since the white wolves came in the Fell Winter, when the Brandywine was frozen over.

FEAR! FIRE! FOES!

...Far-away answering horns were heard. The alarm was spreading.
...The black figures fled from the house. One of them let fall a hobbit-cloak on the step, as he ran. In the lane the noise of hoofs broke out, and gathering to a gallop, went hammering away into the darkness. All about Crickhollow there was the sound of horns blowing, and voices crying and feet running. But the Black Riders rode like a gale to the North Gate. Let the little people blow! Sauron would deal with them later...

......In the early night Frodo woke from deep sleep, suddenly, as if some sound or presence had disturbed him. He saw that Strider was sitting alert in his chair: his eyes gleamed in the light of the fire... ...Frodo soon went to sleep again; but his dreams were again troubled with the noise of wind and of galloping hoofs...
......As soon as Strider had roused them all, he led the way to their bedrooms. When they saw them they were glad that they had taken his advice: the windows had been forced open and were swinging, and the curtains were flapping; the beds were tossed about, and the bolsters slashed and flung upon the floor... '...We will leave at once,' said Strider. 'Never mind about breakfast: a drink and a bite standing will have to do. We shall be packed in a few minutes....'
......The ponies had vanished! The stable-doors had all been opened in the night, and they were gone... ...Strider sat silent for a while, looking at the hobbits, as if he was weighing up their strength and courage. 'Ponies would not help us to escape horsemen,' he said at last, thoughtfully, as if he guessed what Frodo had in mind. 'We should not go much slower on foot, not on the roads that I mean to take. I was going to walk in any case. It is the food and stores that trouble me.... ...How much are you prepared to carry on your backs?'
...'As much as we must,' said Pippin with a sinking heart, but trying to show that he was tougher than he looked (or felt). 'I can carry enough for two,' said Sam defiantly...'
......No horse or pony was to be got for love or money in the neighbourhood—except one: Bill Ferny had one that he might possibly sell. 'A poor old half-starved creature it is,' said Bob; 'but he won't part with it for less than thrice its worth, seeing how you're placed, not if I knows Bill Ferny...'"

2. Frodo leaves Bree.
(from the appendices)
... "...They said goodbye to Nob and Bob, and took leave of Mr. Butterbur with many thanks... ...Sam was chewing an apple thoughtfully. He had a pocket full of them... '...Apples for walking, and a pipe for sitting,' he said. 'But I reckon I'll miss them both before long...' ...Over the hedge another man was staring boldly... '...Morning, Longshanks!' he said. 'Off early? Found some friends at last?' Strider nodded, but did not answer.
...'Morning, my little friends!' he said to the others. 'I suppose you know who you've taken up with? That's Stick-at-nought Strider, that is! Though I've heard other names not so pretty. Watch out tonight! And you, Sammie, don't go ill-treating my poor old pony! Pah!' He spat again.
...Sam turned quickly. 'And you, Ferny,' he said, 'put your ugly face out of sight, or it will get hurt.' With a sudden flick, quick as lightning, an apple left his hand and hit Bill square on the nose. He ducked too late, and curses came from behind the hedge. 'Waste of a good apple,' said Sam regretfully, and strode on."

3. Gandalf comes to Crickhollow, and reaches Bree at night.
(from the appendices)
... " '...I came to Buckland and found it in uproar, as busy as a hive of ants that has been stirred with a stick. I came to the house at Crickhollow, and it was broken open and empty; but on the threshold there lay a cloak that had been Frodo's. Then for a while hope left me, and I did not wait to gather news, or I might have been comforted; but I rode on the trail of the Riders. It was hard to follow, for it went many ways... ...But it seemed to me that one or two had ridden towards Bree; and that way I went, for I thought of words that might be said to the innkeeper.' "Butterbur they call him," thought I. "If this delay was his fault, I will melt all the butter in him. I will roast the old fool over a slow fire..."
...'So overjoyed was I by the news that I got out of him, when he stopped quaking, that I embraced the old fellow... ...I learned that you had gone off that morning with Strider....' '"Ass! Fool! Thrice worthy and beloved Barliman!" said I. "It's the best news I have had since midsummer: it's worth a gold piece at the least. May your beer be laid under an enchantment of surpassing excellence for seven years!"'"

I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.

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grammaboodawg
Immortal

Oct 1 2012, 9:17am

Views: 378

TIME - October 1

Today in Middle-earth.

October 1, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
1. Bilbo and the Dwarves continue to enjoy the hospitality and praise of Lake-town.
(not from the appendices-no text)
...Bilbo was beginning to get used to hearing the sound of water under the floor of the wooden house where he was staying. It still felt as if he was on a boat which was at times unsettling. Especially during strong weather. The food of Lake-town, however, was very good. Most of the meals included something from the water such as fish or water fowl that he found he liked very much and enjoyed whenever he could get it for years to come.

October 1, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. Gandalf leaves Bree.
(from the appendices)
..."'So I stayed there that night, wondering much what had become of the Riders; for only of two had there yet been any news in Bree, it seemed. But in the night we heard more. Five at least came from the west, and they threw down the gates and passed through Bree like a howling wind; and the Bree-folk are still shivering and expecting the end of the world. I got up before dawn and went after them....
......it seems clear to me that this is what happened. Their Captain remained in secret away south of Bree, while two rode ahead through the village, and four more invaded the Shire. But when these were foiled in Bree and at Crickhollow, they returned to their Captain with tidings, and so left the Road unguarded for a while except by their spies. The Captain sent some eastward straight across country, and he himself with the rest rode along the Road in great wrath.'"

2. But where's he leadin' us? [Aragorn makes for Weathertop]
(not from the appendices)
..."Whether because of Strider's skill or for some other reason, they saw no sign and heard no sound of any other living thing... ...they began to steer a steady course eastwards; and still all was quiet and peaceful."

October 1, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. The hobbits rest with Bilbo in Rivendell.
(not from the appendices-no text)
...Bilbo never tired of watching the hobbits' awe with every new discovery as he guided them to another garden or workshop. Sam was delighted to finally learn how to make elven rope.

October 1, 3021 (S.R. 1421)
1. The Hobbits ride home from the Havens.
(not from the appendices)
..."...they rode slowly homewards; and they spoke no word to one another until they came back to the Shire, but each had great comfort in his friends on the long grey road."

I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.

TORn's Observations Lists
Unused Scenes

(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Oct 1 2012, 9:18am)

grammaboodawg
Immortal

Oct 2 2012, 9:22am

Views: 405

TIME - October 2

Today in Middle-earth.

October 2, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. The hobbits and Strider leave Chetwood.
(not from the appendices)
..."...they came out of the Chetwood. The land had been falling steadily, ever since they turned aside from the Road, and they now entered a wide flat expanse of country, much more difficult to manage. They were far beyond the borders of the Bree-land, out in the pathless wilderness, and drawing near to the Midgewater Marshes.
...The ground now became damp, and in places boggy ... ...and wide stretches of reeds and rushes filled with the warbling of little hidden birds. They had to pick their way carefully to keep both dry-footed and on their proper course. At first they made fair progress, but as they went on, their passage became slower and more dangerous. The marshes were bewildering and treacherous, and there was no permanent trail even for Rangers to find through their shifting quagmires. The flies began to torment them, and the air was full of clouds of tiny midges that crept up their sleeves and breeches and into their hair.
...'I am being eaten alive!' cried Pippin. 'Midgewater! There are more midges than water!'
...'What do they live on when they can't get hobbit?' asked Sam, scratching his neck."

October 2, 3020 (S.R. 1420)
1. Sam enjoys being home in his Shire.
(not from the appendices)
..."All thing now went well, with hope always of becoming still better; and Sam was as busy and as full of delight as even a hobbit could wish. Nothing for him marred that whole year, except for some vague anxiety about his master."

October 2, 3021 (S.R. 1421)
1. Sam's long ride home from the Havens.
(not from the appendices-no text)
...Sam's mind wandered as he rode silently next to Pippin. He thought of the time that had passed since their return from Rivendell. Frodo seemed healed and at peace during their long stay with Bilbo in Imladris, but since they left that realm, Sam knew he suffered from unrest. Why would Frodo hide from him the depth of his wounds? There must have been something he could have done to ease his burden.

October 2, 1980
Tolkien's Unfinished Tales first published.

I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.

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dernwyn
Forum Admin / Moderator

Oct 2 2012, 4:28pm

Views: 409

Mmm....hobbit...

Especially well-fed hobbit! Laugh

But I think those marshes might have been a very pleasant place to stroll through, had it not been for the insects, and had there been a path. Tall reeds, warbling birds, and a raised wooden pathway with occasional benches - we could make a nature preserve out of it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I desired dragons with a profound desire"

grammaboodawg
Immortal

Oct 2 2012, 4:32pm

Views: 420

I'm with you!

There came a time for each of them that a stroll through those marshes would have been very welcomed! ;)

I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.

TORn's Observations Lists
Unused Scenes

grammaboodawg
Immortal

Oct 3 2012, 9:29am

Views: 376

TIME - October 3

Today in Middle-earth.

October 3, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
1. It was nearing time to leave.
(from Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth-no text)
...Bilbo was finally over his cold. While Thorin and the Dwarves seemed in no rush to get underway, he grew restless to finally leave for the Lonely Mountain forever looming in the distance. He longed for the comfort of his hole under the hill and familiar surroundings.

October 3, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. He (Gandalf) is attacked at night on Weathertop.
(from the appendices)
..."'I galloped to Weathertop like a gale, and I reached it before sundown on my second day from Bree—and they were there before me. They drew away from me, for they felt the coming of my anger and they dared not face it while the Sun was in the sky. But they closed round at night, and I was besieged on the hill-top, in the old ring of Amon Sűl. I was hard put to it indeed: such light and flame cannot have been seen on Weathertop since the war-beacons of old.'"

[He left clues:]
..."'...I should say,' answered Strider, 'that [the marks] stood for G3, and were a sign that Gandalf was here on October the third... ...It would also show that he was in a hurry and danger was at hand, so that he had no time or did not dare to write anything longer or plainer. If that is so, we must be wary.'
...'I wish we could feel sure that he made the marks, whatever they may mean,' said Frodo. 'It would be a great comfort to know that he was on the way, in front of us or behind us.'"

2. Into the wild...and into the marshes.
(not from the appendices)
..."...They spent a miserable day in this lonely and unpleasant country. Their camping-place was damp, cold, and uncomfortable; and the biting insects would not let them sleep. There were also abominable creatures haunting the reeds and tussocks that from the sound of them were evil relatives of the cricket (wetas?). There were thousands of them, and they squeaked all round, neek-breek, breek-neek, unceasingly all the night, until the hobbits were nearly frantic....

......Though the neekerbreekers had been left behind, the midges still pursued them. As Frodo lay tired but unable to close his eyes, it seemed to him that far away there came a light in the eastern sky: it flashed and faded many times. It was not the dawn, for that was still some hours off.
...'What is the light?' he said to Strider, who had risen, and was standing, gazing ahead into the night.
...'I do not know,' Strider answered. 'It is too distant to make out... ...like lightning that leaps up from the hilltops.'
...Frodo lay down again, but for a long while he could still see the white flashes, and against them the tall dark figure of Strider, standing silent and watchful. At last he passed into uneasy sleep."

October 3, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. Sam and Frodo feel the call to leave.
(not from the appendices)
..."'Well, Mr. Frodo, we've been far and seen a deal, and yet I don't think we've found a better place than this. There's something of everything here, if you understand me: the Shire and the Golden Wood and Gondor and Kings' houses and inns and meadows and mountains all mixed. And yet... ...I feel we ought to be going soon. I'm worried about my gaffer, to tell you the truth.'
...'Yes, something of everything, Sam, except the Sea,' Frodo had answered; and he repeated it now to himself: 'Except the Sea.'"

I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.

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Beren0nehanded
Bree

Oct 3 2012, 11:51am

Views: 418

2. Into the wild...and into the marshes.

Gah! I love these early moments with Strider!

If any of you have read any of The Song of Ice and Fire, the character Coldhands reminds me a lot of Strider from these early chapter leading to Rivendell. GRRM must have been paying some homage to Strider in the Coldhands character. Hope that wasn't too off topic!

Don't be hasty.

grammaboodawg
Immortal

Oct 4 2012, 12:36am

Views: 441

*eyebrows shoot up*

I haven't read that, but you've got me VERY curious! *makes note to check out Coldhands*

THANKS! :)

I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.

TORn's Observations Lists
Unused Scenes