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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Apr 27 2021, 10:41am
Post #1 of 38
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TIME - April 27 (and a peek at April 26)
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 Here's a peek at yesterday's TIME - April 26.
Today in Middle-earth
April 27, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
1. Thorin and Company ride out of Hobbiton at 11:00 a.m.
(from Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth)
..."...Bilbo began to whistle loudly and to forget about the night before. In fact he was just sitting down to a nice little second breakfast in the dining-room by the open window, when in walked Gandalf.
..."My dear fellow... ...whenever are you going to come? What about an early start?---and here you are having breakfast, or whatever you call it, at half past ten. They left you the message...."
..."...What message?" said poor Mr. Baggins all in a fluster.
..."Great Elephants!" said Gandalf, "you are not at all yourself this morning---you have never dusted the mantelpiece!"
..."What's that got to do with it? I have had enough to do with washing up for fourteen!"
..."If you had dusted the mantelpiece, you would have found this just under the clock," said Gandalf, handing Bilbo a note...."
..."...That leaves you just ten minutes. You will have to run," said Gandalf.
..."But---" said Bilbo.
..."No time for it," said the wizard.
..."But---" said Bilbo again.
..."No time for that either! Off you go!"
...To the end of his days Bilbo could never remember how he found himself outside, without a hat, walking-stick or any money, or anything that he usually took when he went out; leaving his second breakfast half-finished..."
..."...That's how they all came to start, jogging off from the inn one fine morning just before May, on laden ponies and Bilbo was wearing a dark-green hood (a little weather-stained) and a dark-green cloak borrowed from Dwalin....
......They had not been riding very long when up came Gandalf very splendid on a white horse. He had brought a lot of pocket-handkerchiefs, and Bilbo's pipe and tobacco."
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Apr 28 2021, 11:47am
Post #2 of 38
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Today in Middle-earth
April 28, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. Frodo begins plans for his adventure
(not from the appendices)
..."'You ought to go quietly, and you ought to go soon,' said Gandalf. Two or three weeks had passed, and still Frodo made no sign of getting ready to go.
...'I know. But it is difficult to do both,' he objected. 'If I must vanish like Bilbo, the tale will be all over the Shire in no time.'
...'Of course you mustn't vanish... ...That wouldn't do at all! I said soon, not instantly! If you can think of any way of slipping out of the Shire without its being generally knows, it will be worth a little delay. But you must not delay too long.'
...'What about the autumn, on or after Our Birthday?' asked Frodo. 'I think I could probably make some arrangements by then....'
......he was very reluctant to start, now that it had come to the point. Bag End seemed a more desirable residence than it had for years, and he wanted to savour as much as he could of his last summer in the Shire. When autumn came, he knew that part at least of his heart would think more kindly of journeying, as it always did at that season. He had indeed privately made up his mind to leave on his fiftieth birthday: Bilbo's one hundred and twenty-eighth.... ...Following Bilbo was uppermost in his mind, and the one thing that made the thought of leaving bearable. He thought as little as possible about the Ring, and where it might lead him in the end. But he did not tell all his thoughts to Gandalf. What the wizard guessed was always difficult to tell. He looked at Frodo and smiled. 'Very well... ...I think that will do—but it must not be any later. I am getting very anxious. In the meanwhile, do take care, and don't let out any hint of where you are going! And see that Sam Gamgee does not talk. If he does, I really shall turn him into a toad.'
...'As for where I am going... ...it would be difficult to give that away, for I have no clear idea myself, yet.'
...'Don't be absurd!' said Gandalf. 'I am not warning you against leaving an address at the post-office! But you are leaving the Shire—and that should not be known, until you are far away... ...and the direction should certainly not be known.'
...'I have been so taken up with the thought of leaving Bag End, and of saying farewell, that I have never even considered the direction,' said Frodo. 'For where am I to go? And by what shall I steer? What is to be my quest? Bilbo went to find a treasure, there and back again; but I go to lose one, and not return, as far as I can see.'
...'But you cannot see very far... ...Neither can I. It may be your task to find the Cracks of Doom; but that quest may be for others: I do not know. At any rate you are not ready for that long road yet...'
...'...make for Rivendell,' answered the wizard. 'That journey should not prove too perilous though the Road is less easy than it was, and it will grow worse as the year fails.'
...'Rivendell!' said Frodo. 'Very good: I will go east, and I will make for Rivendell. I will take Sam to visit the Elves; he will be delighted.' He spoke lightly; but his heart was moved suddenly with a desire to see the house of Elrond Halfelven, and breathe the air of that deep valley where many of the Fair Folk still dwell in peace."
April 28, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. The Host departs from Ithilien.
(not from the appendices)
..."...when the month of May was drawing near the Captains of the West set out again; and they went aboard ship with all their men, and they sailed from Cair Andros down Anduin to Osgiliath; and there they remained for one day."
[TIME entries in this calendar are maintained and updated by fans of The Lord of the Rings, and are in no way affiliated with Tolkien Enterprises or the Tolkien Estate. Copyrights and trademarks for the books from which dates and short quotes are taken are held by their respective owners and their use is allowed under the fair use clause of the Copyright Law.]
We have been there and back again.
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(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Apr 28 2021, 11:51am)
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Apr 29 2021, 1:16pm
Post #3 of 38
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Today in Middle-earth
April 29, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. Frodo begins plans for his departure.
(not from the appendices-no text)
... Now that the beginnings of a plan had been made, Frodo went to the chest and pulled out some old maps that Bilbo had left behind. He often pondered over these faded reminders of the old hobbit and wondered which direction he had gone. If he found adventure during his travels; if he was contented in a safe place or was never to be seen again. Frodo didn't dwell on the fear of Bilbo being lost. He always felt he would see him again, but how or when seemed far off. Now he began to hope the maps would lead him to Bilbo and they would once again share stories over pipes and pints in front of a warm hearth.
I'm including this original response to this TIME post from dernwyn in 2006... just because it's (typically) brilliant and so thought-provoking!.
Reply To: TIME - April 29, 2006 <grammaboodawg> [7:31] (1/1)
...This reminds me of the scene in the movie, Gandalf seeing the mess in Bilbo's study, and he picks up a map, and - geeky delight! It's Christopher T's map of Middle-earth!
...Meanwhile, while Frodo's thinking of Bilbo, certain ones of his friends are quietly thinking about him, and making their own plans toensure his safe, secret, and accompanied getaway... Plans of their own
...They had been scouring the edges of Buckland for weeks now, considering all possibilities, and this one seemed perfect. Down a less-used lane, surrounded by both hedge and trees, a house but hole-like enough; close to stabling, but more important, to the Hedge - perfect.
...Now, to convince his cousin that he should move there: nothing outright, of course, just little hints dropped here and there, enough to plant the seed in his mind and make him think it was his own idea to “find” this house...
..."Yes, that ought to work out quite well," thought Merry.
April 29, 2004
1. "Where to from here?"
... This was a question posed by TheOneRing.net co-Founder, Tehanu, in her report on TORn's 2004 Oscar Party. Check it out right here in Tehanu's Twenty-second Note.
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Apr 30 2021, 12:15pm
Post #4 of 38
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Today in Middle-earth
April 30, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. The Captains of the West return.
(not from the appendices)
..."...they came to the green fields of the Pelennor and saw again the white towers under tall Mindolluin, the City of the Men of Gondor, last memory of Westernesse, that had passed through the darkness and fire to a new day...
......there in the midst of the fields they set up their pavilions and awaited the morning; for it was the Eve of May, and the King would enter his gates with the rising of the Sun."
2. Minas Tirith prepares for the return of the victors
(not from the appendices)
..."All things were now made ready in the City; and there was great concourse of people, for the tidings had gone out into all parts of Gondor... ...and the far coasts of the sea; and all that could come to the City made haste to come. And the City was filled again with women and fair children that returned to their homes laden with flowers; and from Dol Amroth came the harpers that harped most skillfully in all the land... ...there were players upon viols and upon flutes and upon horns of silver, and clear-voiced singers from the vales of Lebennin.
...At last an evening came when from the walls the pavilions could be seen upon the field, and all night lights were burning as men watched for the dawn."
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
May 1 2021, 2:34pm
Post #5 of 38
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Today in Middle-earth
May 1, 2942 (S.R. 1342)
1. Gandalf and Bilbo reach Rivendell.
(from Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth)
..."It was on May the First that the two came back at last to the brink of the valley of Rivendell, where stood the Last (or the First) Homely House... ...their ponies were tired, especially the one that carried the baggage; and they all felt in need of rest. As they rode down the steep path, Bilbo heard the elves still singing in the trees, as if they had not stopped since he left..."
May 1, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. Sarn Ford where Gandalf and Aragorn met
(not from the appendices)
..."Strider looked grave. '...I came west with [Gandalf] in the spring. I have often kept watch on the borders of the Shire in the last few years, when he was busy elsewhere. He seldom left it unguarded. We last met on the first of May: at Sarn Ford down the Brandywine... ...his business with you had gone well, and that you will be starting for Rivendell in the last week of September. As I knew he was at your side, I went away on a journey of my own. And that has proved ill; for plainly some news reached him, and I was not at hand to help."
May 1, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. Crowning of King Elessar.
(from the appendices)
..."And when the sun rose in the clear morning above the mountains in the East... ...upon the White Tower of the citadel the standard of the Stewards, bright argent like snow in the sun, bearing no charge nor device, was raised over Gondor for the last time.
...Now the Captains of the West led their host towards the City, and folk saw them advance in line upon line... ...And so they came before the Gateway and halted a furlong from the walls. As yet no gates had been set up again, but a barrier was laid across the entrance to the City, and there stood men at arms in silver and black with long swords drawn. Before the barrier stood Faramir the Steward, and Húrin Warden of the Keys, and other captains of Gondor, and the Lady Éowyn of Rohan with Elfhelm the Marshal and many knights of the Mark; and upon either side of the Gate was a great press of fair people in raiment of many colours and garlands of flowers....
......A hush fell upon all as out from the host stepped the Dúnedain in silver and grey; and before them came walking slow the Lord Aragorn. He was clad in black mail girt with silver, and he wore a long mantle of pure white clasped at the throat with a great jewel of green that shone from afar; but his head was bare save for a star upon his forehead bound by a slender fillet of silver. With him were Éomer of Rohan, and the Prince Imrahil, and Gandalf robed all in white, and four small figures that many men marvelled to see.
...'Nay, cousin! they are not boys,' said Ioreth to her kinswoman... ...who stood beside her. 'They are Periannath, out of the far country of the Halflings, where they are princes of great fame, it is said... ...I had one to tend in the Houses. They are small, but they are valiant. Why, cousin, one of them went with only his esquire into the Black Country and fought with the Dark Lord all by himself, and set fire to his Tower... ...At least that is the tale in the City. That will be the one that walks with our Elfstone. They are dear friends, I hear. Now he is a marvel, the Lord Elfstone: not too soft in his speech... ...but he has a golden heart, as the saying is; and he has the healing hands. "The hands of the king are the hands of a healer", I said; and that was how it was all discovered. And Mithrandir, he said to me: "Ioreth, men will long remember your words", and ----'
...But Ioreth was not permitted to continue the instruction of her kinswoman... ...for a single trumpet rang, and a dead silence followed. Then forth from the Gate went Faramir with Húrin of the Keys, and no others, save that behind them walked four men in the high helms and armour of the Citadel, and they bore a great casket....
......Faramir met Aragorn in the midst of those there assembled, and he knelt, and said: "The last Steward of Gondor begs leave to surrender his office.' And he held out a white rod; but Aragorn took the rod and gave it back, saying: 'That office is not ended, and it shall be thine and thy heirs' as long as my line shall last. Do now thy office!'
...Then Faramir stood up and spoke in a clear voice: 'Men of Gondor... ...Behold! one has come to claim the kingship again at last. Here is Aragorn son of Arathorn, chieftain of the Dúnedain of Arnor, Captain of the Host of the West, bearer of the Star of the North, wielder of the Sword Reforged, victorious in battle, whose hands bring healing, the Elfstone, Elessar of the line of Valandil, Isildur's son, Elendil's son of Númenor. Shall he be king and enter into the City and dwell there?'
...And all the host and all the people cried yea with one voice...
......Men of Gondor, the loremasters tell that it was the custom of old that the king should receive the crown from his father ere he died; or... ...that he should go alone and take it from the hands of his father in the tomb where he was laid. But since things must now be done otherwise, using the authority of the Steward, I have today brought hither from Rath Dinen the crown of Eärnur the last king, whose days passed in the time of our longfathers of old.'
......Faramir opened the casket, and he held up an ancient crown... ...wings at either side were wrought of pearl and silver in the likeness of the wings of a sea-bird, for it was the emblem of kings who came over the Sea; and seven gems of adamant were set in the circlet, and upon its summit was set a single jewel the light of which went up like a flame.
...Then Aragorn took the crown and held it up and said; 'Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta!'
......those were the words that Elendil spoke when he came up out of the sea on the wings of the wind: 'Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.'
......Aragorn did not put the crown upon his head, but gave it back to Faramir, and said: 'By the labour and valour of many I have come into my inheritance. In token of this I would have the Ring-bearer bring the crown to me, and let Mithrandir set it upon my head... ...for he has been the mover of all that has been accomplished, and this is his victory.'
...Then Frodo came forward and took the crown from Faramir and bore it to Gandalf; and Aragorn knelt, and Gandalf set the White Crown upon his head, and said:
...'Now come the days of the King, and may they be blessed while the thrones of the Valar endure!'
......when Aragorn arose all that beheld him gazed in silence, for it seemed to them that he was revealed to them now for the first time. Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him. And then Faramir cried:
...'Behold the King!'
...And... ...all the trumpets were blown, and the King Elessar went forth and came to the barrier, and Húrin of the Keys thrust it back; and... ...the King passed through the flower-laden streets, and came to the Citadel, and entered in; and the banner of the Tree and the Stars was unfurled upon the topmost tower, and the reign of King Elessar began, of which many songs have told."
[furlong = .125 miles or 220 yards]
2. Elrond and Arwen set out from Rivendell.
(from the appendices-no text)
…On the day Aragorn entered the City to claim his kingship, a great Company departed from Rivendell on journey to the south. Elrond and members of his house were among the escort of Arwen Undómiel as she moved to fulfill her fate and a promise.
May 1, 3020 (S.R. 1420)
1. Samwise marries Rose.
(from the appendices)
..."'It's Rosie, Rose Cotton,' said Sam. 'It seems she didn't like my going abroad at all, poor lass; but as I hadn't spoken, she wouldn't say so. And I didn't speak because I had a job to do first. But now I have spoken and she said: "Well, you've wasted a year, so why wait longer?" "Wasted?... ...I wouldn't call it that." Still I see what she means. I feel TORn in two, as you might say.'
...'I see,' said Frodo: 'you want to get married, and yet you want to live with me in Bag End too? But my dear Sam, how easy! Get married as soon as you can, and then move in with Rosie. There's room enough in Bag End for as big a family as you could wish for.'
...And so it was settled. Sam Gamgee married Rose Cotton in the Spring of 1420... ...and they came and lived at Bag End."
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
May 2 2021, 2:03pm
Post #6 of 38
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Today in Middle-earth
May 2, 2942 (S.R. 1342)
1. Bilbo finds rest in Rivendell.
(determined from text)
..."When the tale of their journeying was told, there were other tales, and yet more tales, tales of long ago, and tales of new things, and tales of no time at all, till Bilbo's head fell forward on his chest, and he snored comfortably in a corner.
...He woke to find himself in a white bed, and the moon shining through an open window. Below it many elves were singing loud and clear....
..."...Well, Merry People!" said Bilbo looking out. "What time by the moon is this? Your lullaby would waken a drunken goblin! Yet I thank you."
..."And your snores would waken a stone dragon—yet we thank you," they answered with laughter. "It is drawing towards dawn, and you have slept now since the night's beginning. Tomorrow... ...you will be cured of weariness."
...A little sleep does a great cure in the house of Elrond," said he; "but I will take all the cure I can get. A second good night, fair friends!" And with that he went back to bed and slept till late morning."
May 2, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. The glad days of Gondor.
(not from the appendices)
..."In the days that followed the King sat on his throne in the Hall of the Kings and pronounced his judgements. And embassies came from many lands and peoples... ...and from the borders of Mirkwood, and from Dunland in the west. And the King pardoned the Easterlings that had given themselves up, and sent them away free, and he made peace with the peoples of Harad; and the slaves of Mordor he released and gave to them all the lands about Lake Núrnen to be their own."
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grammaboodawg
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May 3 2021, 12:40pm
Post #7 of 38
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Today in Middle-earth
May 3, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. The glad days of Gondor.
(not from the appendices)
..."And there were brought before him many to receive his praise and reward for their valour; and last the captain of the Guard brought to him Beregond to be judged.
...And the King said... '...Beregond, by your sword blood was spilled in the Hallows, where that is forbidden. Also you left your post without leave... ...For these things, of old, death was the penalty. Now therefore I must pronounce your doom.
...'All penalty is remitted for your valour in battle, and still more because all that you did was for the love of the Lord Faramir. Nonetheless you must leave the Guard of the Citadel, and you must go forth from the City....'
......Then the blood left Beregond's face, and he was stricken to the heart and bowed his head. But the King said:
...'So it must be, for you are appointed to the White Company, the Guard of Faramir, Prince of Ithilien, and you shall be its captain and dwell in Emyn Arnen in honour and peace, and in the service of him for whom you risked all, to save him from death.'
...And then Beregond, perceiving the mercy and justice of the King, was glad, and kneeling kissed his hand, and departed in joy and content. And Aragorn gave to Faramir Ithilien to be his princedom... ...in the hills of Emyn Arnen within sight of the City.
...'For,' said he, 'Minas Ithil in Morgul-vale shall be utterly destroyed, and though it may in time to come be made clean, no man may dwell there for many long years.'"
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
May 4 2021, 11:49am
Post #8 of 38
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It's time for some BS! May the Fourth be with you!
[In reply to]
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Here are some LotR and TH Book Spoilers honouring the Fourth wherever and whenever it occurs... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From the Prologue: Note on the Shire Records: The Fellowship of the Ring … "At the end of the Third Age the part played by the Hobbits in the great events that led to the inclusion of the Shire in the Reunited Kingdom awakened among them a more widespread interest in their own history; and many of their traditions, up to that time still mainly oral, were collected and written down.... ...By the end of the first century of the FourthAge there were already to be found in the Shire several libraries that contained many historical books and records.
… ...the Red Book of Westmarch.... ...most important source for the history of the War of the Ring was so called because it was long preserved at Undertowers, the home of the Fairbairns, Wardens of the Westmarch."
From A Knife in the Dark: The Fellowship of the Ring …"Their camping-place was damp, cold, and uncomfortable; and the biting insects would not let them sleep... ...abominable creatures haunting the reeds and tussocks that from the sound of them were evil relatives of the cricket. There were thousands of them, and they squeaked all round, neek-breek, breek-neek, unceasingly all the night, until the hobbits were nearly frantic.
… The next day, the fourth, was little better, and the night almost as comfortless. Though the Neekerbreekers (as Sam called them) had been left behind, the midges still pursued them."
From The Great River: The Fellowship of the Ring … "Sam had long ago made up his mind that, though boats were maybe not as dangerous as he had been brought up to believe, they were far more uncomfortable than even he had imagined. He was cramped and miserable, having nothing to do but stare at the winter-lands crawling by...
… ...As dusk drew down on the fourth day, he was looking back over the bowed heads of Frodo and Aragorn... ...Suddenly something caught this sight: at first he stared at it listlessly, then he sat up and rubbed his eyes; but when he looked again he could not see it any more."
From The Riders Of Rohan: The Two Towers … "'Your news is all of woe!' cried Éomer in dismay. 'Great harm is [Boromir's] death to Minas Tirith, and to us all. That was a worthy man... ...and likely to prove a great captain of his people when his time came. But we have had no word of this grief out of Gondor. When did he fall?'
… 'It is now the fourth day since he was slain,' answered Aragorn; 'and since the evening of that day we have journeyed from the shadow of Tol Brandir.'
… 'On foot?' cried Éomer.
… 'Yes, even as you see us.'
… Wide wonder came into Éomer's eyes. 'Strider is to poor a name, son of Arathorn,' he said. 'Wingfoot I name you. This deed of the three friends should be sung in many a hall. Forty leagues and five you have measured ere the fourth day is ended! Hardy is the race of Elendil!"
From The Black Gate is Closed: The Two Towers … "[Frodo] sat upon the ground for a long while, silent... ...striving to recall all that Gandalf had said to him. But for this choice he could recall no counsel. Indeed Gandalf's guidance had been taken from them too soon...
…...Frodo's head was bowed over his knees, but Sam leaned back, with hands behind his head, staring out of his hood at the empty sky... ...Then presently Sam thought he saw a dark bird-like figure wheel into the circle of his sight, and hover, and then wheel away again. Two more followed, and then a fourth... ...He covered his eyes and bent forward, cowering. The same warning fear was on him as he had felt in the presence of the Black Riders, the helpless horror that had come with the cry in the wind and the shadow on the moon... ...Frodo felt it too. His thought was broken. He stirred and shivered, but he did not look up. Gollum huddled himself together like a cornered spider. The winged shapes wheeled, and stooped swiftly down, speeding back to Mordor."
From Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit: The Two Towers … "The two hobbits trussed their small packs, and put them on ready for flight, and then crawled deeper into the fern. There they crouched listening.
…There was no doubt of the voices. They were speaking low and furtively, but they were near, and coming nearer. Then quite suddenly one spoke clearly close at hand.
…'Here! Here is where the smoke came from!' it said. ''Twill be night at hand... ...we shall learn what kind of thing it is.'
…'Aye, and what it knows!' said a second voice.
…At once four men came striding through the fern from different directions. Since flight and hiding were no longer possible, Frodo and Sam sprang to their feet, putting back to back and whipping out their small swords.
…If they were astonished at what they saw, their captors were even more astonished... ...All had swords at their sides, and were clad in green and brown of varied hues... ...their faces were hooded and masked with green, except for their eyes, which were very keen and bright...
…'...We have not found what we sought,' said one. 'But what have we found?'
…'Not Orcs,' said another, releasing the hilts of his sword, which he had seized when he saw the glitter of Sting in Frodo's hand.
…'Elves?' said a third, doubtfully.
…'Nay! Not Elves,' said the fourth, the tallest, and as it appeared the chief among them. 'Elves do not walk in Ithilien in these days. And Elves are wondrous fair to look upon, or so 'tis said.'
…'Meaning we're not, I take you,' said Sam. 'Thank you kindly. And when you've finished discussing us, perhaps you'll say who you are, and why you can't let two tired travellers rest.'
…The tall green man laughed grimly. 'I am Faramir, Captain of Gondor... ...But there are no travellers in this land: only the servants of the Dark Tower, or of the White.'
…'But we are neither,' said Frodo. 'And travellers we are, whatever Captain Faramir may say.'"
From Journey to the Cross-Roads: The Two Towers …"...[Frodo and Sam] reached the trees, and found that they stood in a great roofless ring, open in the middle to the sombre sky... ...In the very centre four ways met. Behind them lay the road to the Morannon; before them it ran out again upon its long journey south; to their right the road from old Osgiliath came climbing up, and crossing, passed out eastward into darkness: the fourth way, the road they were to take.
…Standing there for a moment filled with dread Frodo became aware that a light was shining; he saw it glowing on Sam's face beside him. Turning towards it, he saw... ...the road to Osgiliath running... ...into the West. There, far away, beyond sad Gondor now overwhelmed in shade, the Sun was sinking, finding at last the hem of the great slow-rolling pall of cloud, and falling in an ominous fire towards the yet unsullied Sea. The brief glow fell upon a huge sitting figure, still and solemn as the great stone kings of the Argonath."
From The Houses of Healing: The Two Towers …Pippin's face was anxious. 'Well, you had better come with me as quick as you can... ...I wish I could carry you. You aren't fit to walk any further... ...but you must forgive them. So many dreadful things have happened in the City, Merry, that one poor hobbit coming in from the battle is easily overlooked.'
…'It's not always a misfortune being overlooked,' said Merry. 'I was overlooked just now by—no, no, I can't speak of it. Help me, Pippin! It's all going dark again, and my arm is so cold.'
…'Lean on me, Merry lad!' said Pippin. 'Come now... ...It's not far.'
…'Are you going to bury me?' said Merry.
…'No, indeed!' said Pippin, trying to sound cheerful, though his heart was wrung with fear and pity. 'No, we are going to the Houses of Healing.'
…They turned out of the lane that ran between tall houses and the outer wall of the fourth circle, and they regained the main street climbing up to the Citadel. Step by step they went, while Merry swayed and murmured as one in sleep.
…'I'll never get him there,' thought Pippin."
From The Black Gate Opens: The Return of the King …"...Upon the fourth day from the Cross Roads and the sixth from Minas Tirith they came at last to the end of the living lands, and began to pass into the desolation that lay before the gates of the Pass of Cirith Gorgor... ...so deep the horror that lay on them that some of the host were unmanned, and they could neither walk nor ride further north.
… Aragorn looked at them, and there was pity in his eyes rather than wrath... ...they walked like men in a hideous dream made true, and they understood not this war nor why fate should lead them to such a pass.
… 'Go!' said Aragorn. 'But keep what honour you may, and do not run..!"
From The Tower of Cirith Ungol: The Two Towers … "Sam was looking at Orodruin, the Mountain of Fire. Ever and anon the furnaces far below its ashen cone would grow hot and with a great surging and throbbing pour fourth rivers of molten rock from chasms in its sides. Some would flow blazing towards Barad-dûr down great channels; some would wind their way into the stone plain, until they cooled and lay like twisted dragon-shapes vomited from the tormented earth. In such an hour of labour Sam beheld Mount Doom, and the light of it... ...now glared against the stark rock faces, so that they seemed to be drenched with blood."
From Queer Lodgings: The Hobbit …"It was difficult to think of pursuing goblins behind, and when they had put many miles between them and Beorn's house they began to talk and to sing again and to forget the dark forest-path that lay in front. But in the evening... ... most of them slept uneasily with dreams in which there came the howl of hunting wolves and the cries of goblins.
…Still the next morning dawned bright and fair again... ... they rode now for two more days... ...That third evening they were so eager to press on, for Beorn had said that they should reach the forest-gate early on the fourth day, that they rode still forward after dusk... ... As the light faded Bilbo thought he saw away to the right, or to the left, the shadowy form of a great bear prowling along in the same direction. But if he dared to mention it to Gandalf, the wizard only said: "Hush! Take no notice!""
From Flies and Spiders: The Hobbit …"[Bilbo] had picked his way stealthily for some distance, when he noticed a place of dense black shadow ahead of him black even for that forest... ...As he drew nearer, he saw that it was made by spider-webs one behind and over and tangled with another. Suddenly he saw, too, that there were spiders huge and horrible sitting in the branches above him... ...he realised that these loathsome creatures were speaking one to another... ...he could make out many of the words that they said. They were talking about the dwarves!
…"It was a sharp struggle, but worth it," said one... "...but I'll wager there is good juice inside."
…"Aye, they'll make fine eating, when they've hung a bit," said another.
…"Don't hang 'em too long," said a third. "They're not as fat as they might be..."
…]"Kill 'em, I say," hissed a fourth; "kill 'em now and hang 'em dead for a while..."
…"They're dead now, I'll warrant," said the first.
…"...That they are not. I saw one a-struggling just now..."
…...With that one of the fat spiders ran along a rope, till it came to a dozen bundles hanging in a row from a high branch... ...a toe shot up and kicked the spider straight and hard... ...and the enraged spider fell off the branch...
…...The others laughed. "You were quite right," they said, "the meat's alive and kicking!""
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grammaboodawg
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May 5 2021, 1:30pm
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Today in Middle-earth
May 5, 2942 (S.R. 1342)
1. Bilbo finds rest in Rivendell.
(determined from text)
..."Weariness fell from him soon in that house, and he had many a merry jest and dance, early and late, with the elves of the valley. Yet even that place could not long delay him now, and he thought always of his own home."
May 5, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. The glad days of Gondor.
(not from the appendices)
..."In the days that followed the King sat on his throne in the Hall of the Kings... ...And last of all Aragorn greeted Éomer of Rohan, and they embraced, and Aragorn said: 'Between us there can be no word of giving or taking, nor of reward; for we are brethren. In happy hour did Eorl ride from the North, and never has any league of peoples been more blessed, so that neither has ever failed the other, nor shall fail. Now... ...we have laid Théoden the Renowned in a tomb in the Hallows, and there he shall lie forever among the Kings of Gondor, if you will. Or if you desire it, we will come to Rohan and bring him back to rest with his own people.'
...And Éomer answered: 'Since the day when you rose before me out of the green grass of the downs I have loved you, and that love shall not fail. But now I must depart for a while to my own realm, where there is much to heal and set in order.... ...when all is made ready we will return for him; but here let him sleep a while.'
...And Éowyn said to Faramir: 'Now I must go back to my own land and look on it once again, and help my brother in his labour; but when one whom I long loved as father is laid at last to rest, I will return.'"
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Otaku-sempai
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May 5 2021, 2:36pm
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May 5, 1944 (Common Era)
1. John Rhys-Davies born today in Salisbury, U.K.
John Rhys-Davies (Gimli and Treebeard in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy) is celebrating his seventy-seventh birthday today. Happy birthday John!
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grammaboodawg
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May 6 2021, 10:47am
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This is a Book Spoiler that's not about smoke-rings, but about smoke-breathing… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From The Road to Isengard: Two Towers
... "The king and all his company sat silent on their horses, marvelling, perceiving that the power of Saruman was overthrown; but how they could not guess… … they turned their eyes towards the archway and the ruined gates… …and suddenly they were aware of two small figures lying on it at their ease… …One seemed asleep, the other, with crossed legs and arms behind his head, leaned back against a broken rock and sent from his mouth long wisps and little rings of thin blue smoke.
... For a moment Théoden and Éomer and all his men stared at them in wonder. Amid all the wreck of Isengard this seemed to them the strangest sight… …before the king could speak, the small smoke-breathing figure became suddenly aware of them… …He bowed very low, putting his hand upon his breast. Then seeming not to observe the wizard and his friends, he turned to Éomer and the king.
... 'Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!' he said. 'We are the door-wardens. Meriadoc, son of Saradoc is my name; and my companion, who, alas! is overcome with weariness…' ...here he gave the other a dig with his foot—'is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the house of Took. Far in the North is our home...'
... '...My people came out of the North long ago,' said Théoden. 'But I will not deceive you: we know no tales about hobbits. All that is said among us is that far away… …live the halfling folk that dwell in holes in sand-dunes. But there are no legends of their deeds, for it is said that they do little, and avoid the sight of men… …able to vanish in a twinkling; and they can change their voices to resemble the piping of birds. But it seems that more could be said.'
... 'It could indeed, lord,' said Merry.
... 'For one thing,' said Théoden, 'I had not heard that they spouted smoke from their mouths.'
... 'That is not surprising,' answered Merry; 'for it is an art which we have not practiced for more than a few generations. It was Tobold Hornblower, of Longbottom in the Southfarthing, who first grew the true pipe-weed in his garden...'
... '…You do not know your danger, Théoden,' interrupted Gandalf. 'These hobbits will sit on the edge of ruin and discuss the pleasures of the table, or the small doings of their fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, and remoter cousins to the ninth degree, if you encourage them with undue patience.'"
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grammaboodawg
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May 7 2021, 12:28pm
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Here's a Book Spoiler that gives Bilbo a chance to be a fly on the wall… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From Out of the Frying-Pan Into the Fire: The Hobbit ... "Bilbo had escaped the goblins... ...the sun began to sink westwards...
... ...He still wandered on, out of the little high valley, over its edge, and down the slopes beyond... ...when he heard voices.
...He stopped and listened. It did not sound like goblins; so he crept forward carefully… …the ground sloped away and there were dells below the level of the path… …In one of these dells under the bushes people were talking.
... He crept still nearer... ...He could have clapped and shouted for joy, but he did not. He had still got the ring on, for fear of meeting something unexpected and unpleasant...
... "...I will give them all a surprise," he thought, as he crawled into the bushes at the edge of the dell. Gandalf was arguing with the dwarves. They were discussing all that had happened to them in the tunnels, and wondering and debating what they were to do now. The dwarves were grumbling, and Gandalf was saying that they could not possibly go on with their journey leaving Mr. Baggins in the hand of the goblins, without trying to find out if he was alive or dead, and without trying to rescue him.
... "After all he is my friend," said the wizard, "and not a bad little chap. I feel responsible for him. I wish to goodness you had not lost him."
... The dwarves wanted to know why he had ever been brought at all, why he could not stick to his friends and come along with them, and why the wizard had not chosen someone with more sense. "He has been more trouble than use so far," said one. "If we have got to go back now into those abominable tunnels to look for him, then drat him, I say."
... Gandalf answered angrily: "I brought him, and I don't bring things that are of no use. Either you help me to look for him, or I go and leave you here to get out of the mess as best you can yourselves. If we can only find him again, you will thank me before all is over. Whatever did you want to go and drop him for, Dori?"
... "You would have dropped him," said Dori, 'if a goblin had suddenly grabbed your leg from behind in the dark, tripped up your feet, and kicked you in the back...!"
... "Then why didn't you pick him up again?"
... "Good heavens! Can you ask? Goblins fighting and biting in the dark, everybody falling over bodies and hitting one another! You nearly chopped off my head with Glamdring, and Thorin was stabbing here there and everywhere with Orcrist. All of a sudden you gave one of your blinding flashes, and we saw the goblins running back yelping. You shouted 'follow me everybody!' … …We thought everybody had. There was no time to count, as you know quite well, till we had dashed through the gate-guards, out of the lower door, and helter-skelter down here. And here we are—without the burglar, confusticate him!"
... "And here's the burglar!" said Bilbo stepping down into the middle of them, and slipping off the ring.
... Bless me, how they jumped! Then they shouted with surprise and delight. Gandalf was as astonished as any of them, but probably more pleased than all the others... ...It is a fact that Bilbo's reputation went up a very great deal with the dwarves after this. If they had still doubted that he was really a first-class burglar, in spite of Gandalf's words, they doubted no longer...
... "What did I tell you?" said Gandalf laughing. "Mr. Baggins has more about him than you guess." He gave Bilbo a queer look from under his bushy eyebrows..."
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grammaboodawg
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May 8 2021, 1:50pm
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Today in Middle-earth
May 8, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. Éomer and Éowyn depart for Rohan with the sons of Elrond.
(from the appendices)
..."So the glad days passed; and the Riders of Rohan made ready, and rode away by the North-way; and it was lined with people to do them honour and praise them, from the Gate of the City to the walls of the Pelennor.... ...in the City there was labour of many willing hands to rebuild and renew and to remove all the scars of war and the memory of the darkness.
...The Hobbits still remained in Minas Tirith, with Legolas and Gimli; for Aragorn was loth for the Fellowship to be dissolved. 'At last all such things must end,' he said, 'but I should have you wait a little while longer... ...A day draws near that I have looked for in all the years of my manhood, and when it comes I would have my friends beside me.' But of that day he would say no more.
...In those days the Companions of the Ring dwelt together in a fair house with Gandalf, and they went to and fro as they wished. And Frodo said to Gandalf: 'Do you know what this day is that Aragorn speaks of? For we are happy here... ...but the days are running away, and Bilbo is waiting; and the Shire is my home.'
...'As for Bilbo... ...he is waiting for the same day, and he knows what keeps you. And as for the passing of the days, it is now only May and high summer is not yet in; and though all things may seem changed, as if an age of the world had gone by, yet to the trees and the grass it is less than a year since you set out.'"
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grammaboodawg
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May 9 2021, 2:30pm
Post #15 of 38
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TIME - May 9 Happy Mother's Day!
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May 9-?, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
1. Bilbo's adventure is already getting old.
(determined from text)
..."...the party went along very merrily, and they told stories or sang songs as they rode forward all day, except of course when they stopped for meals. These didn't come quite as often as Bilbo would have liked them, but still he began to feel that adventures were not so bad after all.
...At first they had passed through hobbit-lands, a wild respectable country inhabited by decent folk, with good roads, and inn or two, and now and then a dwarf or a farmer ambling by on business. Then they came to lands where people spoke strangely, and sang songs Bilbo had never heard before."
Some Book Spoilers of Middle-earth Mothers on this Mother's Day-- A hearty Mother's Day to all, past and present and all varieties!
From A Knife in the Dark: The Fellowship of the Ring ..."'From [Lúthien Tinúviel] the lineage of the Elf-lords of old descended among Men. There live still those of whom Lúthien was the foremother, and it is said that her line shall never fail. Elrond of Rivendell is of that Kin. For of Beren and Lúthien was born Dior Thingol's heir; and of him Elwing the White whom Eärendil wedded, he that sailed his ship out of the mists of the world into the seas of heaven with the Silmaril upon his brow. And of Eärendil came the Kings of Númenor, that is Westernesse.'"
From Farewell to Lórien: The Fellowship of the Ring ..."And Aragorn answered: 'Lady, you know all my desire and long held in keeping the only treasure that I seek. Yet it is not yours to give me, even if you would; and only through darkness shall I come to it.'
...'Yet maybe this will lighten your heart,' said Galadriel; for it was left in my care to be given to you, should you pass through this land.' Then she lifted from her lap a great stone of a clear green, set in a silver brooch that was wrought in the likeness of an eagle with outspread wings; and as she held it up the gem flashed like the sun shining through the leaves of spring. 'This stone I gave to Celebrían my daughter, and she to hers; and now it comes to you as a token of hope. In this hour take the name that was foretold for you, Elessar, the Elfstone of the house of Elendil!'
...Then Aragorn took the stone and pinned the brooch upon his breast, and those who saw him wondered; for they had not marked before how tall and kingly he stood, and it seemed to them that many years of toil had fallen from his shoulders. 'For the gifts that you have given me I thank you,' he said, 'O Lady of Lórien of whom were sprung Celebrían and Arwen Evenstar. What praise could I say more?'"
**Sméagol's family was of high repute, for it was large and wealthier than most, and was headed by a grandmother, stern and wise in old lore, such as they had. When Sméagol started lying and thieving, his grandmother expelled him from the family and turned him out of her hole.
Mothers of Middle-earth
Bilbo Baggins - Belladonna Took
Frodo Baggins - Primula Brandybuck
Sam Gamgee – Bell Goodchild
Pippin Took – Eglantine Banks
Merry Brandybuck – Esmeralda Took
Fatty Bolger – Rosamunda Bolger
Lotho – Lobelia [Bracegirdle] Sackville-Baggins
Drogo Baggins – Ruby Bolger
Aragorn - Gilraen
Elrond - Elwing
Arwen/Elrohir/Elladan - Celebrían
Eldarion - Arwen
Lúthien – Melian
Dior/Nimloth - Lúthien
Celebrían – Galadriel
Galadriel - Eärwen
Lúthien - Melian of Doriath
Faramir/Boromir - Finduilas
Elboron - Éowyn
Rose Cotton – Lily Brown
...Rosie Cotton is Mother to Elanor the Fair, Frodo Gardner, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, Tolman (Tom)
Dis (Thorin's sister) – Fili and Kili
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(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on May 9 2021, 2:31pm)
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Otaku-sempai
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May 9 2021, 9:41pm
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May 9, 1975 (Common Era)
1. Juan Antonio Garcia Bayona is born in Barcelona, Spain.
Happy forty-sixth birthday to J.A. Bayona, an executive producer of Amazon Prime's The Lord of the Rings series and director of the two-part pilot.
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grammaboodawg
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May 10 2021, 12:27pm
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Here's part 1 of a 10-part Book Spoiler that walks with Sam as he journeys through Cirith Ungol... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
The Tower of Cirith Ungol: The Return of the King ... "All was ominously quiet. The light was no more than that of dusk at a dark day's end...
... ...Sam looked up towards the orc-tower, and suddenly from its narrow windows lights stared out like small red eyes. He wondered if they were some signal. His fear of the orcs, forgotten for a while in his wrath and desperation, now returned. As far as he could see, there was only one possible course for him to take: he must go on and try to find the main entrance to the dreadful tower; but his knees felt weak, and he found that he was trembling... ...he forced his unwilling feet to obey him, and slowly, listening with all his ears... ...he retraced his steps, past the place where Frodo fell, and still the stench of Shelob lingered...
... ...he halted and sat down. For the moment he could drive himself no further.... ...Without any clear purpose he drew out the Ring and put it on again. Immediately he felt the great burden of its weight, and felt afresh, but now more strong and urgent than ever, the malice of the Eye of Mordor, searching....
... ...Sam found that his hearing was sharpened, but that to his sight the things of this world seemed thin and vague.... ...he heard cries and the clash of metal... ...his hearing had deceived him: the orc-cries came from the tower, whose topmost horn was now right above him, on the left hand of the cleft.
... Sam shuddered and tried to force himself to move. There was plainly some devilry going on. Perhaps in spite of all orders the cruelty of the orcs had mastered them, and they were tormenting Frodo, or even savagely hacking him to pieces. He listened; and as he did so a gleam of hope came to him. There could not be much doubt: there was fighting in the tower, the orcs must be at war among themselves, Shagrat and Gorbag had come to blows. Faint as was the hope that his guess brought him, it was enough to rouse him. There might be just a chance. His love for Frodo rose above all other thoughts, and forgetting his peril he cried aloud: 'I'm coming, Mr. Frodo.'
... He ran forward to the crown of the climbing path, and over it. At once the road turned left and plunged steeply down. Sam had crossed into Mordor...."
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grammaboodawg
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May 11 2021, 12:08pm
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Here's part 2 of a 10-part Book Spoiler that walks with Sam as he journeys through Cirith Ungol... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
The Tower of Cirith Ungol: The Return of the King ... "He took off the Ring, moved it may be by some deep premonition of danger, though to himself he thought only that he wished to see more clearly. 'Better have a look at the worst... ...No good blundering about in a fog!'
... Hard and cruel and bitter was the land that met his gaze... ...but almost straight ahead, across a wide lake of darkness dotted with tiny fires, there was a great burning glow... ...Sam was looking at Orodruin, the Mountain of Fire. Ever and anon the furnaces far below its ashen cone would grow hot and with a great surging and throbbing pour fourth rivers of molten rock from chasms in its sides. Some would flow blazing towards Barad-dûr down great channels; some would wind their way into the stone plain, until they cooled and lay like twisted dragon-shapes vomited from the tormented earth. In such an hour of labour Sam beheld Mount Doom, and the light of it... ...now glared against the stark rock faces, so that they seemed to be drenched with blood.
... In that dreadful light Sam stood aghast, for now, looking to his left, he could see the Tower of Cirith Ungol in all its strength...
... ...Only too clearly Sam saw how hopeless it would be for him to creep down under those many-eyed walls and pass the watchful gate... ...But desperate as that road might be, his task was now far worse: not to avoid the gate and escape, but to enter it, alone."
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grammaboodawg
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May 12 2021, 11:30am
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Here's part 3 of a 10-part Book Spoiler that walks with Sam as he journeys through Cirith Ungol... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
The Tower of Cirith Ungol: The Return of the King ..." [Sam's] thought turned to the Ring, but there was no comfort there, only dread and danger. No sooner had he come in sight of Mount Doom... ...than he was aware of a change in his burden. As it drew near the great furnaces where, in the deeps of time, it had been shaped and forged, the Ring's power grew, and it became more fell, untameable save by some mighty will. As Sam stood there, even though the Ring was not on him but hanging by its chain about his neck, he felt himself enlarged, as if he were robed in a huge distorted shadow of himself...
......He felt that he had from now on only two choices; to forbear the Ring, though it would torment him; or to claim it, and challenge the Power that sat in its dark hold beyond the valley of shadows. Already the Ring tempted him, gnawing at his will and reason. Wild fantasies arose in his mind; and he saw Samwise the Strong... ...striding with a flaming sword across the darkened land, and armies flocking to his call as he marched to the overthrow of Barad-dûr... ...and at his command the vale of Gorgoroth became a garden of flowers and trees and brought forth fruit. He had only to put on the Ring and claim it for his own, and all this could be.
... In that hour of trial it was the love of his master that helped most to hold him firm; but also deep down in him lived still unconquered his plain hobbit-sense: he knew in the core of his heart that he was not large enough to bear such a burden... ...The one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due... ...his own hands to use, not the hands of others to command.
... 'And anyway all these notions are only a trick... ...He'd spot me and cow me, before I could so much as shout out. He'd spot me, pretty quick, if I put the ring on now, in Mordor. Well, all I can say is: things look as hopeless as a frost in spring. Just when being invisible would be really useful, I can't use the Ring! And if ever I get any further, it's going to be nothing but a drag and a burden every step. So what's to be done?'
... He was not really in any doubt... ...With a shrug of his shoulders, as if to shake off the shadow and dismiss the phantoms, he began slowly to descend. With each step he seemed to diminish. He had not gone far before he had shrunk again to a very small and frightened hobbit."
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grammaboodawg
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May 13 2021, 10:54am
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Here's part 4 of a 10-part Book Spoiler that walks with Sam as he journeys though Cirith Ungol... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
The Tower of Cirith Ungol: The Return of the King ... "He was now passing under the very walls of the Tower, and the cries and sounds of fighting could be heard with his unaided ears. At the moment the noise seemed to be coming from the court behind the outer wall...
......He went on, hugging the wall on this left. One look upward had shown him that there was no hope of climbing it. The stone-work rose thirty feet, without a crack or ledge, to overhanging courses like inverted steps. The gate was the only way.
... He crept on; and as he went he wondered how many orcs lived in the Tower with Shagrat, and how many Gorbag had, and what they were quarrelling about, if that was what was happening... ...Almost certainly they were quarrelling about Frodo, and the spoil. For a second Sam halted, for suddenly things seemed clear to him, almost as if he had seen them with his eyes. The mithril coat! Of course, Frodo was wearing it, and they would find it... ...But the orders of the Dark Tower were at present Frodo's only protection, and if they were set aside, Frodo might be killed out of hand at any moment.
... 'Come on, you miserable sluggard!' Sam cried to himself. 'Now for it!' He drew Sting and ran towards the open gate. But... ...under its great arch he felt a shock: as if he had run into some web like Shelob's, only invisible. He could see no obstacle, but something too strong for his will to overcome barred the way. He looked about, and then within the shadow of the gate he saw the Two Watchers."
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(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on May 13 2021, 10:54am)
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grammaboodawg
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May 13 2021, 10:56am
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I'm away from my computer for this one... so it's early
Here's part 5 of a 10-part Book Spoiler that walks with Sam as he journeys though Cirith Ungol... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
The Tower of Cirith Ungol: The Return of the King ... "[The Two Watchers] were like great figures seated upon thrones... ...carved out of huge blocks of stone, immovable, and yet they were aware: some dreadful spirit of evil vigilance abode in them. They knew an enemy. Visible or invisible none could pass unheeded. They would forbid his entry, or his escape.
... Hardening his will Sam thrust forward once again and halted with a jerk, staggering as if from a blow upon his breast and head. Then greatly daring... ...answering a sudden thought that came to him, he drew slowly out the phial of Galadriel and held it up. Its white light quickened swiftly, and the shadows under the dark arch fled. The monstrous Watchers sat there cold and still, revealed in all their hideous shape... ...but slowly he felt their will waver and crumble into fear.
... He sprang past them; but even as he did so, thrusting the phial back into his bosom, he was aware, as plainly as if a bar of steel had snapped to behind him, that their vigilance was renewed. And from those evil heads there came a high shrill cry that echoed in the towering walls before him....
... '...That's done it!' said Sam. 'Now I've rung the front-door bell! Well, come on somebody!' he cried. 'Tell Captain Shagrat that the great Elf-warrior has called, with his elf-sword too!'"
Remember this in the Trollshaws after reciting the Troll poem?
From Flight to the Ford: The Fellowship of the Ring ... "'Where did you come by that, Sam?' asked Pippin. 'I've never heard those words before.'
... Sam muttered something inaudible. 'It's out of his own head, of course,' said Frodo. 'I am learning a lot about Sam Gamgee on this journey. First he was a conspirator, now he's a jester. He'll end up becoming a wizard--or a warrior!'
... 'I hope not,' said Sam. 'I don't want to be neither!'"
We have been there and back again.
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(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on May 13 2021, 10:58am)
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
May 13 2021, 1:23pm
Post #23 of 38
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May 13, 1964 (Common Era).
1. Stephen Tyrone Colbert is born in Washington, DC.
Happy fifty-seventh birthday to the Lake-town Spy!
#FidelityToTolkien
#DiversityWithFidelity
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
May 16 2021, 1:40pm
Post #24 of 38
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Our Book Spoiler with Sam will continue soon; but for now...
May 16, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
1. The Company passes Amon Sûl.
(determined from text - referencing Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth)
..."Bilbo and Company follow the road that continues northeast past Weathertop and reaches the southeastern foot where they come to the last foothill below and camp at its foot."
~~Now here's a Book Spoiler that takes a look at Amon Sûl/Weathertop... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From Strider: The Fellowship of the Ring ..."'Weathertop?' said Sam. 'What's that?'
...'It is a hill, just to the north of the Road, about halfway from here to Rivendell. It commands a wide view all round; and there we shall have a chance to look about us...
...'...There is no barrow on Weathertop, nor on any of these hills,' answered Strider. 'The Men of the West did not live here; though in their latter days they defended the hills for a while against the evil that came out of Angmar. This path was made to serve the forts along the walls... ...in the first days of the North Kingdom, they built a great watch-tower on Weathertop. Amon Sûl they called it. It was burned and broken, and nothing remains of it now but a tumbled ring, like a rough crown on the old hill's head. Yet once it was tall and fair. It is told that Elendil stood there watching for the coming of Gil-galad out of the West, in the days of the Last Alliance.'"
May 16, 2001
1. Cannes Film Festival has first look at Middle-earth.
... Peter Jackson introduces a 24-minute presentation at the Cannes Film Festival. The preview of Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings features a completed sequence from the Mines of Moria (as the Fellowship enters the Great Hall to just before the Balrog appears), and a brief glimpse at footage from other scenes of the trilogy. Jaded industry representatives are reportedly blown away by what they see.
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
May 17 2021, 12:54pm
Post #25 of 38
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Today in Middle-earth
May 17, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
1. The Company continues northeast on the road, dropping slowly into the 'Lone-lands'.
(determined from text - referencing Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth)
..."...they had gone on far into the Lone-lands, where there were no people left, no inns, and the roads grew steadily worse. Not far ahead were dreary hills, rising higher and higher, dark with trees. On some of them were old castles with an evil look, as if they had been built by wicked people. Everything seemed gloomy, for the weather that day had taken a nasty turn."
We have been there and back again.
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