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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 20 2025, 3:11pm
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TIME - December 20
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Today in Middle-earth
December 20, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. Bag End is restored.
(not from the appendices)
..."...One of the first things done in Hobbiton, before even the removal of the new mill, was the clearing of the Hill and Bag End, and the restoration of Bagshot Row. The front of the new sand-pit was all levelled and made into a large sheltered garden... ...new holes were dug in the southward face, back into the Hill, and they were lined with brick. The Gaffer was restored to Number Three; and he said often and did not care who heard it:
...'It's an ill wind as blows nobody no good, as I always say. And All's well as ends Better!'
...There was some discussion of the name that the new row should be given. Battle Gardens was thought of, or Better Smials. But after a while in sensible hobbit-fashion it was just called New Row. It was a purely Bywater joke to refer to it as Sharkey's End."
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 21 2025, 2:26pm
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Today in Middle-earth
December 21, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. The Fellowship prepares to depart.
(not from the appendices)
..."The Sword of Elendil was forged anew by elvish smiths, and on its blade was traced a device of seven stars set between the crescent Moon and the rayed Sun... ...above them were written many runes; for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war upon the marches of Mordor. Very bright was that sword when it was made whole again; the light of the sun shone redly in it, and the light of the moon shone cold, and its edge was hard and keen. And Aragorn gave it a new name and called it Andúril, Flame of the West."
December 21, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. The Shire is reborn.
(not from the appendices)
..."...the labour of repair went on apace, and Sam was kept very busy. Hobbits can work like bees when the mood and the need comes to them. Now there were thousands of willing hands of all ages, from the small but nimble... ...hobbit lads and lasses to the well-worn and horny ones of the gaffers and gammers. Before Yule not a brick was left standing of the new Shirriff-houses or of anything... ...built by 'Sharkey's Men'; but the bricks were used to repair many an old hole, to make it snugger and drier. Great stores of goods and food, and beer, were found that had been hidden away... ...in sheds and barns and deserted holes..."
December 21, 3021 (S.R. 1421)
1. The Shire is back to normal... for some.
(not from the appendices-no text)
...Rosie watches Sam as he quietly leads in the renewal of the Shire, tends to their gardens outside the windows of Bag End, and delights in play with baby Elanor. But she also sees him as he stands still in the garden resting heavily against his hoe looking to the distant west beyond the mountains and across the sea.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 22 2025, 2:17pm
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Today in Middle-earth
December 22, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. The Hobbits relax before departing.
(not from the appendices)
..."In those last days the hobbits sat together in the evening in the Hall of Fire, and there among many tales they heard told in full the lay of Beren and Lúthien and the winning of the Great Jewel; but in the day, while Merry and Pippin were out and about, Frodo and Sam were to be found with Bilbo in his own small room. Then Bilbo would read passages from his book... ...or scraps of his verses, or would take notes of Frodo's adventures."
December 22, 2000
1. Principal photography ends.
...Principal photography for Peter Jackson's 3-film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's saga The Lord of the Rings is completed. After nearly 3 months of cast preparation in swordplay, riding, boating, dancing and dialect coaching, concurrent filming for the 3-part story began on October 11, 1999 and was finished on December 22, 2000. However, it was not the end of photography as there were "pick up" shots before each subsequent film's release. For an average of 6 weeks each year, "pick ups" were shot from 2001 through 2004...after The Return of the King's 11-Oscar Award sweep on February 29, 2004… for a total of 17 Oscar Awards won for the trilogy.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 23 2025, 2:09pm
Post #4 of 19
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The 24th has quite a long post as Bilbo and Frodo have one more quiet visit. So I'm offering it in 2 parts. Here's the first as...
Tomorrow in Middle-earth.
December 24, 3018 (S.R. 1418) pt.1
1. The time has almost come to depart.
(not from the appendices)
..."On the morning of the last day Frodo was alone with Bilbo, and the old hobbit pulled out from under his bed a wooden box. He lifted the lid and fumbled inside.
...'Here is your sword.... ...But it was broken, you know. I took it to keep it safe, but I've forgotten to ask if the smiths could mend it. No time now. So I thought, perhaps, you would care to have this, don't you know?'
...He took from the box a small sword in an old shabby leather scabbard. Then he drew it, and its polished and well-tended blade glittered suddenly, cold and bright. 'This is Sting,' he said, and thrust it with little effort deep into a wooden beam. 'Take it... ...I shan't want it again, I expect.'
...Frodo accepted it gratefully.
...'Also there is this!' said Bilbo, bringing out a parcel which seemed to be rather heavy for its size. He unwound several folds of old cloth, and held up a small shirt of mail. It was close-woven of many rings, as supple almost as linen, cold as ice... ...harder than steel. It shone like moonlit silver, and was studded with white gems. With it was a belt of pearl and crystal.
...'It's a pretty thing, isn't it?' said Bilbo, moving it in the light. 'And useful. It is my dwarf-mail that Thorin gave me. I got it back from Michel Delving... ...and packed it with my luggage. I brought all the mementoes of my Journey away with me, except the Ring. But I did not expect to use this, and I don't need it now, except to look at sometimes. You hardly feel any weight when you put it on.'
...'I should look—well, I don't think I should look right in it,' said Frodo.
...'Just what I said myself... ...But never mind about looks. You can wear it under your outer clothes. Come on! You must share this secret with me. Don't tell anybody else! But I should feel happier if I knew you were wearing it. I have a fancy it would turn even the knives of the Black Riders,' he ended in a low voice.
...'Very well, I will take it,' said Frodo. Bilbo put it on him, and fastened Sting upon the glittering belt; and then Frodo put over the top his old weather-stained breeches, tunic, and jacket.
...'Just a plain hobbit you look... ...But there is more about you now than appears on the surface. Good luck to you!' He turned away and looked out of the window, trying to hum a tune."
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 24 2025, 11:48am
Post #5 of 19
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Today in Middle-earth.
December 24, 3018 (S.R. 1418) pt.2
1. The time has almost come to depart.
(not from the appendices)
..."'I cannot thank you as I should, Bilbo... ...and for all your past kindnesses,' said Frodo.
...'Don't try!' said the old hobbit, turning round and slapping him on the back. 'Ow!' he cried. 'You are too hard now to slap! but there you are: hobbits must stick together, and especially Bagginses. All I ask in return is take as much care of yourself as you can, and bring back all the news you can, and any old songs and tales you can... ...I'll do my best to finish my book before you return. I should like to write the second book, if I am spared.' He broke off and turned to the window again singing softly.
'I sit beside the fire and think
of all that I have seen,
of meadow-flowers and butterflies
in summers that have been;
Of yellow leaves and gossamer
in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun
and wind upon my hair.
I sit beside the fire and think
of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring
that I shall ever see.
For still there are so many things
that I have never seen:
in every wood in every spring
there is a different green.
I sit beside the fire and think
of people long ago,
and people who will see a world
that I shall never know.
But all the while I sit and think
of times there were before,
I listen for returning feet
and voices at the door.'"
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p.364 FotR)
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 25 2025, 1:22pm
Post #6 of 19
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Today in Middle-earth
December 25, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. The Company of the Ring leaves Rivendell at dusk.
(from the appendices)
..."...It was a cold grey day near the end of December... ...They were to start at dusk, for Elrond counselled them to journey under the cover of night as often as they could, until they were far from Rivendell.
...'You should fear the many eyes of the servants of Sauron,' he said. 'I do not doubt that news of the discomfiture of the Riders has already reached him, and he will be filled with wrath. Soon now his spies on foot and wing will be abroad... ...Even of the sky above you must beware as you go on your way.'
...The Company took little gear of war, for their hope was in secrecy not in battle. Aragorn had Andúril but no other weapon, and he went forth clad only in rusty green and brown, as a ranger of the wilderness. Boromir had a long sword, in fashion like Andúril but of less lineage, and he bore also a shield and his war-horn.
...'Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills,' he said, 'and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!' Putting it to his lips he blew a blast, and the echoes leapt from rock to rock, and all that heard that voice in Rivendell sprang to their feet.
...'Slow should you be to wind that horn again, Boromir,' said Elrond, 'until you stand once more on the borders of your land, and dire need is on you.'
...'Maybe... ...But always I have let my horn cry at setting forth, and though thereafter we may walk in the shadows, I will not go forth as a thief in the night.'
...Gimli the dwarf alone wore openly a short shirt of steel-rings... ...and in his belt was a broad-bladed axe. Legolas had a bow and a quiver, and at his belt a long white knife. The younger hobbits wore the swords that they had taken from the barrow; but Frodo took only Sting; and his mail-coat, as Bilbo wished, remained hidden. Gandalf bore his staff, but girt at his side was the Elven-sword Glamdring, the mate of Orcrist that lay now upon the breast of Thorin under the Lonely Mountain.
...All were well furnished by Elrond with thick warm clothes, and they had jackets and cloaks lined with fur. Spare food and clothes and blankets and other needs were laden on a pony, none other than the poor beast that they had brought from Bree.
...The stay in Rivendell had worked a great wonder... ...on him: he was glossy and seemed to have the vigour of youth. It was Sam who had insisted on choosing him, declaring that Bill (as he called him) would pine, if he did not come.
...'That animal can nearly talk... ...and would talk, if he stayed here much longer. He gave me a look as plain as Mr. Pippin could speak it: "If you don't let me go with you, Sam, I'll follow on my own."' So Bill was going as the beast of burden, yet he was the only member of the Company that did not seem depressed."
 
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(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Dec 25 2025, 1:24pm)
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 26 2025, 2:21pm
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Today in Middle-earth
December 26, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. The Fellowship sets out.
(not from the appendices)
... "At the Ford of Bruinen they left the Road... ...turning southwards [they] went on by narrow paths among the folded lands. Their purpose was to hold this course west of the Mountains for many miles and days. The country was much rougher and more barren than in the green vale of the great River in Wilderland on the other side of the range, and their going would be slow; but they hoped in this way to escape the notice of unfriendly eyes. The spies of Sauron had hitherto seldom been seen in this empty country... ...the paths were little known except to the people of Rivendell.
...Gandalf walked in front, and with him went Aragorn, who knew this land even in the dark. The others were in file behind, and Legolas whose eyes were keen was the rearguard."
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 27 2025, 2:36pm
Post #8 of 19
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Today in Middle-earth
December 27, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
1. Bilbo, Gandalf and Beorn finally arrive at Beorn's house.
(determined from text & no text)
..."Gandalf and Bilbo had come all the way back, along both edges of the Forest, to the doors of Beorn's house; and there for a while they both stayed."
...After travelling more than 480 miles from the Lonely Mountain, Gandalf and Bilbo looked forward to their winter refuge with Beorn. As they approached his home from the north, they could see smoke rising from the chimney and a warm glow from the windows. Clearly Beorn's wonderful animals knew their master was returning and had everything made ready.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 28 2025, 11:19am
Post #9 of 19
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Today in Middle-earth
December 28, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. The Fellowship travels the wild
(not from the appendices)
..."The first part of their journey was hard and dreary, and Frodo remembered little of it, save the wind. For many sunless days an icy blast came from the Mountains in the east, and no garment seemed able to keep out its searching fingers. Though the Company was well clad, they seldom felt warm, either moving or at rest."
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 29 2025, 3:29pm
Post #10 of 19
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Today in Middle-earth
December 29, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. Busy days at Bag End and Crickhollow
(not from the appendices - no text - a drabble)
...While Sam tended to Bag End's restoration, Merry and Pippin were busy at Crickhollow. Frodo had already decided to donate the little house to Buckland for families made homeless by the war.
..."Well, here's one good thing to come from Frodo's move," said Pippin while wrapping dishes from the cupboard. "The furniture and items he cares about most were not in Bag End to be ruined."
...Merry nodded. "I hope when all of this is put back where it belongs that it helps Frodo feel more comforted. The hardness he's been through still wears on him. Being home on the Hill will help."
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 30 2025, 1:32pm
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Today in Middle-earth
December 30, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
1. A Yule-tide celebration as Beorn's influence grows throughout the lands.
(determined from text)
..."...men came from far and wide to feast at Beorn's bidding. The goblins of the Misty Mountains were now few and terrified, and hidden in the deepest holes they could find; and the Wargs had vanished from the woods, so that men went abroad without fear. Beorn indeed became a great chief afterwards in those regions and ruled a wide land between the mountains and the wood..."
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 31 2025, 2:29pm
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It's time for some Year's End BS!
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Here is a holiday Book Spoiler. This time of the year holds the Yuledays of the Shire already touched on during this past week. Yule marks the end of one year and the beginning of the next, which is celebrated with a traditional festival and a plentiful feast. Let's look at a very special Yule... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From The Grey Havens: The Return of the King ... [After Sharkey's desolation of Hobbiton and the Shire, food and supplies were wanting. The Yuledays were fast approaching and all understood the Yule midwinter festival and feast would be meager this year.]
... "...the labour of repair went on apace... ...there were thousands of willing hands of all ages.... ...Before Yule not a brick was left standing... ...of anything that had been built by 'Sharkey's Men'...."
... [As the clearing progressed], "…great stores of goods and food... ...were found that had been hidden away by the ruffians in sheds and barns and deserted holes, and especially in the tunnels at Michel Delving and in the old quarries at Scary; so that there was a great deal better cheer that Yule than anyone had hoped for."
http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=22529;
And to round out the year, here are some Book Spoilers that look at some of the end-of-the-year events mentioned… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From In the House of Tom Bombadil: The Fellowship of the Ring … "Tom stirred like a man shaken out of a pleasant dream. 'Eh, what?' said he. 'Did I hear you calling? Nay, I did not hear: I was busy singing. Just chance brought me then, if chance you call it… …We heard news of you, and learned that you were wandering. We guessed you'd come ere long down to the water; all paths lead that way, down to Withywindle… …But Tom had an errand there, that he dared not hinder.' Tom nodded as if sleep was taking him again; but he went on in a soft singing voice:
I had an errand there: gathering water-lilies,
green leaves and lilies white to please my pretty lady,
the last ere the year's end to keep them from the winter,
to flower by her pretty feet till the snows are melted.
Each year at summer's end I go to find them for her,
in a wide pool, deep and clear, far down Withywindle;
there they open first in spring and there they linger latest.
By that pool long ago I found the River-daughter,
fair young Goldberry sitting in the rushes.
Sweet was her singing then, and her heart was beating!
He opened his eyes and looked at them with a sudden glint of blue:
And that proved well for you—for now I shall no longer
go down deep again along the forest-water,
not while the year is old. Nor shall I be passing
Old Man Willow's house this side of spring-time,
not till the merry spring, when the River-daughter
dances down the withy-path to bathe in the water.
[Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 175-176 FotR: Lord of the Rings]
From Homeward Bound: The Return of the King … "Mr. Butterbur had … …not changed his manner of talking, and still seemed to live in his old breathless bustle…the landlord's face looked rather wrinkled and careworn.
… He led them down the passage to the parlour that they had used on that strange night more than a year ago; and they followed him… …they said nothing, and waited.
… As they expected Mr. Butterbur came to the parlour after supper to see if all had been to their liking… '…if you could spare me half an hour before you go to your beds, I would dearly like to have some talk with you, quiet-like by ourselves.'
… 'That is just what we should like, too,' said Gandalf… 'And if you have any pipe-weed, we'll bless you.'
… 'Well, if you'd called for anything else, I'd have been happier,' said Butterbur. 'That's just a thing that we're short of, seeing how we've only got what we grow ourselves, and that's not enough…'
… When he came back he brought them enough to last them for a day or two, a wad of uncut leaf. 'Southlinch' he said, 'and the best we have; but not the match of Southfarthing…. '…and then they talked for many times half an hour… …Things were far from well… '…No one comes nigh Bree now from Outside... ...And there was trouble right here in Bree, bad trouble. Why, we had a real set-to, and there were some folk killed, killed dead…! …Harry Goatleaf that used to be on the West-gate, and that Bill Ferny, they came in on the strangers' side, and they've gone off with them; and it's my belief they let them in. On the night of the fight, I mean. And that was after we showed them the gates and pushed them out: before the year's end... ...and the fight was early in the New Year, after the heavy snow we had.
… 'And now they're gone for robbers and live outside, hiding in the woods beyond Archet, and out in the wilds north-away.'"
From The Grey Havens: The Return of the King … "Old Will Whitfoot had been in the Lockholes longer than any, and though he had perhaps been treated less harshly than some, he needed a lot of feeding up before he could look the part Of Mayor… …The task of hunting out the last remnant of the ruffians was left to Merry and Pippin, and it was soon done. The southern gangs… …fled out of the land and offered little resistance to the Thain. Before the Year's End the few survivors were rounded up in the woods, and those that surrendered were shown to the borders."
Let's show this past year to the borders!!!
Happy New Year Everyone xxxooo :D
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Jan 1, 12:13pm
Post #13 of 19
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It's TIME for some NEW YEAR BS!
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Here are some Book Spoilers to welcome in the New Year by observing some Middle-earth New Year activities... though when they occur may differ... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From The Hobbit: A Short Rest ... ""...what is Durin's Day?" asked Elrond.
... "The first day of the dwarves' New Year," said Thorin, "is as all should know the first day of the last moon of Autumn on the threshold of Winter. We still call it Durin's Day when the last moon of Autumn and the sun are in the sky together.""
From APPENDIX B
THE TALE OF YEARS: The Third Age: THE GREAT YEARS 3018: The Return of the King ... "In the North... ...there had been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire; but in the end Thranduil had the victory. And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest... ...they renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves. Thranduil took all the northern region as far as the mountains that rise in the forest for his realm; and Celeborn took the southern wood below the Narrows, and named it East Lórien; all the wide forest between was given to the Beornings and the Woodmen."
From The Field of Cormallen: The Return of the King ... "When Sam awoke, he found that he was lying on some soft bed...
... ...He remembered that smell: the fragrance of Ithilien. 'Bless me!' he mused. 'How long have I been asleep...?' ...where are we?'
... And a voice spoke softly behind him: 'In the land of Ithilien, and in the keeping of the King; and he awaits you.' With that Gandalf stood before him...
... ...Sam lay back, and stared with open mouth, and for a moment, between bewilderment and great joy, he could not answer. At last he gasped: 'Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead myself. Is everything sad going to come untrue? What's happened to the world?'
... 'A great Shadow has departed,' said Gandalf, and then he laughed, and the sound was like music... ...Frodo [was] sitting up and laughing in his turn. 'I fell asleep again waiting for you, Sam... ...now it must be nearly noon.'
... 'Noon!' said Sam, trying to calculate. 'Noon of what day?'
... 'The fourteenth of the New Year,' said Gandalf; 'or if you like, the eighth day of April in the Shire reckoning.* But in Gondor the New Year will always now begin upon the twenty-fifth of March when Sauron fell, and when you were brought out of the fire to the King."'
Happy New Year, everyone!!! Here's to another year of good TIMEs at TORn!
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Jan 2, 1:14pm
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What's in a name? How about some Book Spoilers addressing this question... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From The Shadow of the Past: The Fellowship of the Ring
..."Suddenly he stopped as if listening. Frodo became aware that all was very quiet, inside and outside. Gandalf crept to one side of the window... ...with a dart he sprang to the sill, and thrust a long arm out and downwards. There was a squawk, and up came Sam Gamgee's curly head hauled by one ear.
...'Well, well, bless my beard!' said Gandalf. 'Sam Gamgee is it? Now what may you be doing?'"
From At the Sign of the Prancing Pony: The Fellowship of the Ring
..."Frodo found that Strider was now looking at him, as if he had heard or guessed all that had been said... ...with a wave of his hand and a nod, he invited Frodo to come over and sit by him. As Frodo drew near he threw back his hood, showing a shaggy head of dark hair flecked with grey... ...in a pale stern face a pair of keen grey eyes.
...'I am called Strider,' he said in a low voice. 'I am very pleased to meet you, Master—Underhill, if old Butterbur got your name right.'
...'He did,' said Frodo stiffly. He felt far from comfortable under the stare of those keen eyes."
In the House of Tom Bombadil: The Fellowship of the Ring
..."'[Frodo] spoke at last out of his wonder...
...'...Who are you, Master?' he asked.
...'Eh, what?' said Tom sitting up, and his eyes glinting in the gloom. 'Don't you know my name yet? That's the only answer. Tell me, who are you, alone, yourself and nameless? But you are young and I am old. Eldest, that's what I am...'"
From Treebeard: The Fellowship of the Ring
..."Pippin, though still amazed, no longer felt afraid. Under those eyes he felt a curious suspense, but not fear. 'Please... ...who are you? And what are you?'
...A queer look came into the old eyes, a kind of wariness; the deep wells were covered over. 'Hrum, now... ...well, I am an Ent, or that's what they call me. Yes, Ent is the word. The Ent, I am, you might say, in your manner of speaking. Fangorn is my name according to some, Treebeard others make it. Treebeard will do.'
...'An Ent?' said Merry. 'What's that? But what do you call yourself? What's your real name?'
...'Hoo now!' replied Treebeard. 'Hoo! Now that would be telling! Not so hasty.'""
The Riders Of Rohan
...""Come! Who are you? Whom do you serve? At whose command do you hunt Orcs in our land?'
...'I serve no man,' said Aragorn; 'but the servants of Sauron I pursue into whatever land they may go. There are few among mortal Men who know more of Orcs... ...I do not hunt them in this fashion out of choice. The Orcs whom we pursued took captive two of my friends. In such need a man that has no horse will go on foot, and he will not ask for leave to follow the trail. Nor will he count the heads of the enemy save with a sword. I am not weaponless.'
...Aragorn threw back his cloak. The elven-sheath glittered as he grasped it... ...the bright blade of Andúril shone like a sudden flame as he swept it out. 'Elendil!' he cried. 'I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dúnadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor. Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!'"
From The White Rider: The Fellowship of the Ring
..."'Mithrandir!' he cried. 'Mithrandir!'
...'Well met, I say to you again, Legolas!' said the old man. They all gazed at him. His hair was white... ...and gleaming white was his robe; the eyes under his deep brows were bright, piercing as the rays of the sun; power was in his hand. Between wonder, joy, and fear they stood and found no words to say.
...At last Aragorn stirred. 'Gandalf!' he said. 'Beyond all hope you return to us in our need! What veil was over my sight? Gandalf!' Gimli said nothing, but sank to his knees...
...'...Gandalf,' the old man repeated, as if recalling from old memory a long disused word. 'Yes, that was the name. I was Gandalf.'
...He stepped down from the rock, and picking up his grey cloak wrapped it about him: it seemed as if the sun had been shining, but now was hid in cloud again. 'Yes, you may still call me Gandalf,' he said... ...the voice was the voice of their old friend and guide."
From An Unexpected Party: The Hobbit
..."What a lot of things you do use Good morning for!" said Gandalf. "Now you mean that you want to get rid of me... ...that it won't be good till I move off."
..."Not at all, not at all, my dear sir! Let me see, I don't think I know your name?"
..."Yes, yes, my dear sir—and I do know your name, Mr. Bilbo Baggins. And you do know my name, though you don't remember that I belong to it. I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me! To think that I should have lived to be good-morninged by Belladonna Took's son, as if I was selling buttons at the door!""
From Queer Lodgings: The Hobbit
..."Soon they reached a courtyard, three walls of which were formed by the wooden house and its two long wings. In the middle there was lying a great oak-trunk with many lopped branches... ...Standing near was a huge man with a thick black beard and hair and great bare arms and legs with knotted muscles... ...clothed in a tunic of wool down to his knees, and was leaning on a large axe. The horses were standing by him with their noses at his shoulder."
... "Ugh! here they are" he said to the horses. "They don’t look dangerous. You can be off!" He laughed ... ...put down his axe and came forward.
..."Who are you and what do you want?" he asked gruffly, standing in front of them and towering tall above Gandalf. As for Bilbo he could easily have trotted through his legs without ducking his head to miss the fringe of the man’s brown tunic.
..."I am Gandalf," said the wizard.
..."Never heard of him," growled the man.""
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Jan 3, 2:04pm
Post #15 of 19
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Today in Middle-earth - January 3, 1892
This is a long Birthday Spoiler to celebrate a very special birthday. If I've learned nothing else from the Good Professor, it's to never skimp on words when you're creating a moment... and our Master deserves no less in this special moment of Tolkien-zen :)
  
From A Long-Expected Party: The Fellowship of the Ring ..."After the feast... ...came the Speech. Most of the company were, however, now in a tolerant mood, at that delightful stage which they called 'filling up the corners'. They were sipping their favourite drinks, and nibbling at their favourite dainties... ...They were prepared to listen to anything, and to cheer at every full stop.
... My dear People, began Bilbo, rising in his place. 'Hear! Hear! Hear!' they shouted, and kept on repeating it in chorus... ...Bilbo left his place and went and stood on a chair under the illuminated tree. The light of the lanterns fell on his beaming face; the golden buttons shone on his embroidered silk waistcoat. They could all see him standing, waving one hand in the air, and the other was in his trouser-pocket.
... My dear Bagginses and Boffins... ...and my dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubbs, and Chubbs, and Burrowses, and Hornblowers, and Bolgers, Bracegirdles, Goodbodies, Brockhouses and Proudfoots. 'ProudFEET!' shouted an elderly hobbit from the back of the pavilion. His name... ...was Proudfoot, and well merited; his feet were large, exceptionally furry, and both were on the table.
... Proudfoots, repeated Bilbo. Also my good Sackville-Bagginses that I welcome back at last to Bag End. Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday: I am eleventy-one today! 'Hurray! Hurray! Many Happy Returns!' they shouted... ...Bilbo was doing splendidly. This was the sort of stuff they like: short and obvious.
... I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am.' Deafening cheers. Cries of YES (and NO). Noises of trumpets and horns, pipes and flutes, and other musical instruments.... ...Hundreds of musical crackers had been pulled. Most of them bore the mark DALE on them; which did not convey much to most of the hobbits, but they all agreed they were marvellous crackers. They contained instruments, small, but of perfect make and enchanting tones. Indeed, in one corner some of the young Tooks and Brandybucks, supposing Uncle Bilbo to have finished... ...got up an impromptu orchestra, and began a merry dance-tune. Master Everard Took and Miss Melilot Brandybuck got on a table and with bells in their hands began to dance the Springle-ring: a pretty dance, but rather vigorous.
...But Bilbo had not finished. Seizing a horn from a youngster near by, he blew three loud hoots. The noise subsided. I shall not keep you long... ...I have called you all together for a Purpose.' Something in the way that he said this made an impression. There was almost silence, and one or two of the Tooks pricked up their ears.
... Indeed, for Three Purposes! First of all, to tell you that I am immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits. Tremendous outburst of approval.
... I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. This was unexpected and rather difficult. There was some scattered clapping, but most of them were trying to work it out and see if it came to a compliment.
... Secondly, to celebrate my birthday... ...I should say: OUR birthday. For it is, of course, also the birthday of my heir and nephew, Frodo. He comes of age and into his inheritance today. Some perfunctory clapping by the elders; and some loud shouts of 'Frodo! Frodo! Jolly old Frodo,' from the juniors. The Sackville-Bagginses scowled and wondered what was meant by 'coming into his inheritance'.
... Together we score one hundred and forty-four. Your numbers were chosen to fit this remarkable total: One Gross, if I may use the expression. No cheers... ...Many of the guests, and especially the Sackville-Bagginses, were insulted, feeling sure they had only been asked to fill up the required number, like goods in a package. 'One Gross, indeed! Vulgar expression!'
... It is also, if I may be allowed to refer to ancient history, the anniversary of my arrival by barrel Esgaroth on the Long Lake; though the fact that it was my birthday slipped my memory on that occasion. I was only fifty-one then, and birthdays did not seem so important. The banquet was very splendid... ...though I had a bad cold at the time, I remember, and could only say "thag you very buch". I now repeat it more correctly: Thank you very much for coming to my little party. Obstinate silence. They all feared that a song or some poetry was now imminent; and they were getting bored... ...But Bilbo did not sing or recite. He paused for a moment.
... Thirdly and finally... ...I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. He spoke this last word so loudly and suddenly that everyone sat up who still could. I regret to announce that—though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you—this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!
...He stepped down and vanished. There was a blinding flash of light, and the guests all blinked. When they opened their eyes Bilbo was nowhere to be seen. One hundred and forty-four flabbergasted hobbits sat back speechless. Old Odo Proudfoot removed his feet from the table and stamped. Then there was a dead silence, until suddenly, after several deep breath, every Baggins, Boffin, Took, Brandybuck, Grubb, Chubb, Burrows, Bolger, Bracegirdle, Brockhouse, Goodbody, Hornblower, and Proudfoot began to talk at once."
A Toast
Happy Birthday, Dear Professor Tolkien. Thank you for creating and sharing this wonderful world.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Jan 4, 2:35pm
Post #16 of 19
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..Edith Bratt 1906
Here's a Book Spoiler celebrating J.R.R. Tolkien who called his wife, Edith, his Luthien... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From Of Beren and Lúthien: The Silmarillion ..."It is told in the Lay of Leithian that Beren came stumbling into Doriath grey and bowed as with many years of woe, so great had been the torment of the road. But wandering in the summer in the woods of Neldoreth he came upon Lúthien, daughter of Thingol and Melian, ...under moonrise... ...she danced upon the unfading grass in the glades beside Esgalduin. Then all memory of his pain departed from him, and he fell into an enchantment; for Lúthien was the most beautiful of all the Children of Ilúvatar. Blue was her raiment as the unclouded heaven, but her eyes were grey as the starlit evening; her mantle was sewn with golden flowers... ...her hair was dark as the shadows of twilight. As the light upon the leaves of trees, as the voice of clear waters, as the stars above the mists of the world, such was her glory and her loveliness; and in her face was a shining light.
...But she vanished from his sight; and he became dumb, as one that is bound under a spell... ...he strayed long in the woods, wild and wary as a beast, seeking for her. In his heart he called her Tinúviel... ...for he knew no other name for her....
......There came a time near dawn on the eve of spring, and Lúthien danced upon a green hill; and suddenly she began to sing. Keen, heart-piercing was her song as the song of the lark that rises from the gates of night and pours its voice among the dying stars... ...and the song of Lúthien released the bonds of winter... ...and flowers sprang from the cold earth where her feet had passed.
...Then the spell of silence fell from Beren, and he called to her, crying Tinúviel; and the woods echoed the name. Then she halted in wonder, and fled no more, and Beren came to her. But as she looked on him, doom fell upon her, and she loved him; yet she slipped from his arms and vanished from his sight even as the day was breaking. Then Beren lay upon the ground in a swoon, as one slain at once by bliss and grief; and he fell into a sleep as it were into an abyss of shadow... ...and his heart barren and forsaken. And wandering in mind he groped as one that is stricken with sudden blindness, and seeks with hands to grasp the vanished light. Thus he began the payment of anguish for the fate that was laid on him; and in his fate Lúthien was caught, and being immortal she shared in his mortality, and being free received his chain; and her anguish was greater than any other of the Eldalië has known.
...Beyond his hope she returned to him where he sat in darkness... ...she laid her hand in his. Thereafter often she came to him, and they went in secret through the woods together from spring to summer; and no others of the Children of Ilúvatar have had joy so great, though the time was brief."
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(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Jan 4, 2:42pm)
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Jan 5, 8:03pm
Post #17 of 19
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Here is the first of a 3-part Book Spoiler of the final minutes before the Fellowship's departure from Rivendell... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
The Ring Goes South: The Fellowship of the Ring ... "Their farewells had been said in the great hall by the fire, and they were only waiting now for Gandalf, who had not yet come out of the house. A gleam of firelight came from the open doors... ...Bilbo huddled in a cloak stood silent on the doorstep beside Frodo. Aragorn sat with his head bowed to his knees; only Elrond knew fully what this hour meant to him. The others could be seen as grey shapes in the darkness.
... Sam was standing by the pony, sucking his teeth, and staring moodily into the gloom where the river roared... ...his desire for adventure was at its lowest ebb.
... 'Bill, my lad... ...you oughtn't to have took up with us. You could have stayed here and et the best hay till the new grass comes.' Bill swished his tail and said nothing.
... Sam eased the pack on his shoulders, and went over anxiously in his mind all the things that he had stowed in it, wondering if he had forgotten anything: his chief treasure, his cooking gear; and the little box of salt that he always carried and refilled when he could; a good supply of pipe-weed... ...flint and tinder; woollen hose; linen; various small belongings of his master's that Frodo had forgotten and Sam had stowed to bring them out in triumph when they were called for. He went through them all.
... 'Rope!' he muttered. 'No rope! And only last night you said to yourself: "Sam, what about a bit of rope? You'll want it, if you haven't got it." Well, I'll want it. I can't get it now.'"
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Jan 6, 2:17pm
Post #18 of 19
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Here is part 2 of a 3-part Book Spoiler of the final minutes before the Fellowship's departure from Rivendell... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
The Ring Goes South: The Fellowship of the Ring ... "...Elrond came out with Gandalf, and he called the Company to him. 'This is my last word,' he said in a low voice. 'The Ring-bearer is setting out on the quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid; neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the Company and the Council, and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less easy will it be to withdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road.'
... 'Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens,' said Gimli.
... 'Maybe,' said Elrond, 'but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.'
... 'Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart,' said Gimli.
... 'Or break it,' said Elrond. 'Look not too far ahead! But go now with good hearts! Farewell, and may the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces!'
... 'Good...good luck!' cried Bilbo, stuttering with the cold. 'I don't suppose you will be able to keep a diary, Frodo my lad, but I shall expect a full account when you get back. And don't be too long! Farewell!'
... Many others of Elrond's household stood in the shadows and watched them go, bidding them farewell with soft voices. There was no laughter, and no song or music. At last they turned away and faded silently into the dusk.
... They crossed the bridge and wound slowly up the long steep paths that led out of the cloven vale of Rivendell; and they came at length to the high moor where the wind hissed through the heather. Then with one glance at the Last Homely House twinkling below them they strode away far into the night."
[Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 367-368 FotR: Lord of the Rings]
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Jan 7, 3:34pm
Post #19 of 19
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Here is part 3 of a 3-part Book Spoiler of the Fellowship's departure from Rivendell... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
The Ring Goes South: The Fellowship of the Ring ... "The first part of their journey was hard and dreary, and Frodo remembered little of it, save the wind. For many sunless days an icy blast came from the Mountains in the east... ...no garment seemed able to keep out its searching fingers. Though the Company was well clad, they seldom felt warm, either moving or at rest. They slept uneasily during the middle of the day, in some hollow of the land, or hidden under the tangled thorn-bushes that grew in thickets... ...In the late afternoon they were roused by the watch, and took their chief meal: cold and cheerless as a rule, for they could seldom risk the lighting of a fire. In the evening they went on again, always as nearly southward as they could find a way.
... At first it seemed to the hobbits that although they walked and stumbled until they were weary, they were creeping forward like snails... ...getting nowhere. Each day the land looked much the same as it had the day before. Yet steadily the mountains were drawing nearer. South of Rivendell they rose ever higher, and bent westwards... ...the feet of the main range there was tumbled an ever wider land of bleak hills, and deep valleys filled with turbulent waters. Paths were few and winding, and led them often only to the edge of some sheer fall, or down into treacherous swamps."
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It's time for some
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