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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Nov 28 2025, 3:07pm
Post #1 of 29
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TIME - November 29
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Today in Middle-earth
  
November 29, 1971
1. The passing of Edith Tolkien.
...Born on January 21, 1889, Edith Mary Bratt Tolkien passed away on November 29, 1971 at the age of 82. Edith and J.R.R. Tolkien were wedded on March 22, 1916 and had been married 55 years at the time of her loss. They have 4 children; the most notable is Christopher Tolkien who contributed to and continued his father's work at his passing on September 2, 1973 at the age of 81.
... Edith was cherished by J.R.R and was known to be his muse and inspiration for his Middle-earth elves, Lúthien Tinúviel and Arwen Undómiel. He wrote of his admiration for his wife and her "willingness to marry a man with no job, little money, and no prospects except the likelihood of being killed in the Great War."
Children
Michael Hilary (1920–1984)
Christopher John (1924–2020)
John Francis (1917–2003)
Priscilla Anne (b. 1929)
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
(This post was edited by Ataahua on Nov 29 2025, 7:21pm)
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Nov 29 2025, 2:14pm
Post #2 of 29
(672 views)
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Today in Middle-earth
November 28, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. The Gift of Galadriel
(not from the appendices)
..."The trees were the worst loss and damage, for at Sharkey's bidding they had been cut down recklessly far and wide over the Shire; and Sam grieved over this more than anything else. For one thing, this hurt would take long to heal, and only his great-grandchildren... ...would see the Shire as it ought to be.
...Then suddenly one day, for he had been too busy for weeks to give a thought to his adventures, he remembered the gift of Galadriel. He brought the box out and showed it to the other Travellers (for so they were now called by everyone), and asked their advice.
...'I wondered when you would think of it,' said Frodo. 'Open it!'
...Inside it was filled with a grey dust, soft and fine, in the middle of which was a seed, like a small nut with a silver shale. 'What can I do with this...?'
...'...Throw it in the air on a breezy day and let it do its work!' said Pippin.
...'On what?' said Sam.
...'Choose one spot as a nursery, and see what happens to the plants there,' said Merry.
...'But I'm sure the Lady would not like me to keep it all for my own garden, now so many folk have suffered,' said Sam.
...'Use all the wits and knowledge you have of your own, Sam,' said Frodo, 'and then use the gift to help your work and better it. And use it sparingly. There is not much here, and I expect every grain has a value.'
...So Sam planted saplings in all the places where specially beautiful or beloved trees had been destroyed, and he put a grain of the precious dust in the soil at the root of each. He went up and down the Shire in this labour; but if he paid special attention to Hobbiton and Bywater no one blamed him... ...at the end he found that he still had a little of the dust left; so he went to the Three-Farthing Stone... ...near to the centre of the Shire as no matter, and cast it in the air with his blessing. The little silver nut he planted in the Party Field where the tree had once been; and he wondered what would come of it. All through the winter he remained as patient as he could, and tried to restrain himself from going round constantly to see if anything was happening."
We have been there and back again.
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Nov 29 2025, 2:21pm
Post #3 of 29
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is so appropriate. 
I wonder if that's something that's taken care of by the cemetery groundskeepers, or do fans do a bit of planting in there?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Nov 30 2025, 3:09pm
Post #4 of 29
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Today in Middle-earth
November 30, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
1. Bilbo, Gandalf and Beorn depart from the Elves.
(determined from text – referencing Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth)
... "Gandalf and Bilbo rode behind the Elvenking, and beside them strode Beorn... ...and he laughed and sang in a loud voice upon the road. So they went on until they drew near to the borders of Mirkwood, to the north of the place where the Forest River ran out. Then they halted, for the wizard and Bilbo would not enter the wood, even though the king bade them stay a while in his halls. They intended to go along the edge of the forest, and round its northern end in the waste that lay between it and the beginning of the Grey Mountains... ...Moreover Beorn was going that way too.
..."Farewell! O Elvenking!" said Gandalf. "Merry be the greenwood, while the world is yet young! And merry be all your folk!"
..."Farewell! O Gandalf... ...May you ever appear where you are most needed and least expected! The oftener you appear in my halls the better shall I be pleased!"
..."I beg of you," said Bilbo stammering and standing on one foot, "to accept this gift!" and he brought out a necklace of silver and pearls that Dain had given him at their parting.
... "In what way have I earned such a gift, O hobbit...?"
... "...Well, er, I thought, don't you know," said Bilbo rather confused, "that, er, some little return should be made for your, er, hospitality. I mean even a burglar has his feelings. I have drunk much of your wine and eaten much of your bread."
... "I will take your gift, O Bilbo the Magnificent!" said the king gravely. "And I name you elf-friend and blessed. May your shadow never grow less (or stealing would be too easy)! Farewell!"
... Then the elves turned towards the Forest, and Bilbo started on his long road home."
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Nov 30 2025, 3:23pm
Post #5 of 29
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The groundskeepers *bows to them* who I'll bet pay extra attention for those visiting... and those visiting to pay tribute to the Tolkiens for bringing so much to our lives.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 1 2025, 4:06pm
Post #6 of 29
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Did you ever wonder about the Old Forest? Professor Tolkien spent a LOT of time in that Forest, so let's take a look at the Hobbits' perception during their journey as they leave Crickhollow and seek the gate in the Hedge. Here's the 1st of a 5-part Book Spoiler that describes The Old Forest… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From The Old Forest: The Fellowship of the Ring
... "...After riding for about an hour, slowly and without talking, they saw the Hedge looming suddenly ahead. It was tall and netted over with silver cobwebs...
... …along the Hedge.. …they came to a point where it bent inwards, running along the lip of a hollow. A cutting had been made, at some distance from the Hedge, and went sloping gently down into the ground. It had walls of brick at the sides, which rose steadily, until suddenly they arched over and formed a tunnel that dived deep under the Hedge and came out in the hollow on the other side… …[They] rode down the slope and disappeared… …into the tunnel.
... It was dark and damp. At the far end it was closed by a gate of thick-set iron bars. Merry got down and unlocked the gate, and when they had all passed through he pushed it to again. It shut with a clang, and the lock clicked. The sound was ominous.
... 'There!' said Merry. 'You have left the Shire, and am now outside, and on the edge of the Old Forest…'
... '…There are various queer things living deep in the Forest, and on the far side… …something makes paths. Whenever one comes inside one finds open tracks; but they seem to shift and change from time to time in a queer fashion.'
... …The hobbits now left the tunnel-gate and rode across the wide hollow. On the far side was a faint path leading up on to the floor of the Forest, a hundred yards and more beyond the Hedge; but it vanished as soon as it brought them under the trees. Looking back they could see the dark line of the Hedge through he stems of trees that were already thick about them. Looking ahead they could see only tree-trunks of innumerable sizes and shapes: straight or bent, twisted, leaning, squat or slender, smooth or gnarled and branched; and all the stems were green or grey with moss and slimy, shaggy growths…
...…their ponies plodded along, carefully avoiding the many writhing and interlacing roots. There was no undergrowth. The ground was rising steadily, and as they went forward it seemed that the trees became taller, darker, and thicker. There was no sound, except an occasional drip of moisture falling through the still leaves. For the moment there was no whispering or movement among the branches; but they all got an uncomfortable feeling that they were being watched with disapproval, deepening to dislike and even enmity. The feeling steadily grew, until they found themselves looking up quickly, or glancing back over their shoulders, as if they expected a sudden blow.
... There was not as yet any sign of a path, and the trees seemed constantly to bar their way. Pippin suddenly felt that he could not bear it any longer, and without warning let out a shout. 'Oi! Oi!' he cried. 'I am not going to do anything. Just let me pass through, will you..!' … but the cry fell as if muffled by a heavy curtain. There was no echo or answer though the wood seemed to become more crowded and more watchful than before.
... 'I should not shout, if I were you,' said Merry. 'It does more harm than good.'"
We have been there and back again.
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Otaku-sempai
Elvenhome
Dec 1 2025, 9:15pm
Post #7 of 29
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December 29 - Happy Birthday, Fili!
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Birthday greetings to Dean O'Gorman (age 49) who played Fili in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy.
“Hell hath no fury like that of the uninvolved.” - Tony Isabella
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 2 2025, 12:45pm
Post #8 of 29
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Here is part 2 of a 5-part Book Spoiler look at the Hobbits' perception of the Old Forest… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From The Old Forest: The Fellowship of the Ring ... "'Well, well!' [Merry] said. 'These trees do shift. There is the Bonfire Glade in front of us (or I hope so), but the path to it seems to have moved away!'
... The light grew clearer as they went forward. Suddenly they came out of the trees and found themselves in a wide circular space. There was sky above them, blue and clear to their surprise, for down under the Forest-roof they had not been able to see the rising morning and the lifting of the mist… …The leaves were all thicker and greener about the edges of the glade, enclosing it with an almost solid wall. No tree grew there, only rough grass and many tall plants; stalky and faded hemlocks and wood-parsley, fire-weed seeding into fluffy ashes, and rampant nettles and thistles. A dreary place: but it seemed a charming and cheerful garden after the close Forest…
... …At the far side of the glade there was a break in the wall of trees, and a clear path beyond it. They could see it running on into the wood, wide in places and open above, though every now and again the trees drew in and overshadowed it with their dark boughs. Up this path they rode. They were still climbing gently… …the air began to get hot and stuffy. The trees drew close again on either side, and they could no longer see far ahead. Now stronger than ever they felt again the ill will of the wood pressing on them. So silent was it that the fall of their ponies' hoofs, rustling on dead leaves and occasionally stumbling on hidden roots, seemed to thud in their ears…
... …Frodo tried to sing a song to encourage them, but his voice sank to a murmur... ...The air seemed heavy and the making of words wearisome. Just behind them a large branch fell from an old overhanging tree with a crash into the path. The trees seemed to close in before them.
... '...I should not sing any more at present...'[said Merry].
... ...He spoke cheerfully... ...The others did not answer. They were depressed. A heavy weight was settling steadily on Frodo's heart, and he regretted now with every step forward that he had ever thought of challenging the menace of the trees... ...when things took a new turn. The path stopped climbing, and became for a while nearly level. The dark trees drew aside, and ahead they could see the path going almost straight forward... ...but some distance off, there stood a green hill-top, treeless, rising like a bald head out of the encircling wood. The path seemed to be making directly for it... ...delighted with the thought of climbing out for a while above the roof of the Forest. The path dipped, and then again began to climb upwards, leading them at last to the foot of the steep hillside. There it left the trees and faded into the turf. The wood stood all round the hill like thick hair that ended sharply in a circle round a shaven crown."
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 3 2025, 1:58pm
Post #9 of 29
(578 views)
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Here is part 3 of a 5-part Book Spoiler look at the Hobbits' perception of the Old Forest… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From The Old Forest: The Fellowship of the Ring ... "The hobbits led their ponies up, winding round and round until they reached the top [of the green treeless hill-top]... ...they stood and gazed about them. The air was gleaming and sunlit, but hazy; and they could not see to any great distance. Near at hand the mist was now almost gone; though here and there it lay in hollows of the wood, and to the south of them, out of a deep fold cutting right across the Forest, the fog still rose like steam or wisps of white smoke.
... 'That,' said Merry, pointing with his hand, 'that is the line of the Withywindle. It comes down out of the Downs and flows south-west through the midst of the Forest to join the Brandywine below Haysend. We don't want to go that way! The Withywindle valley is said to be the queerest part of the whole wood--the centre from which all the queerness comes, as it were.'
... The sun on the hill-top was now getting hot… …the autumn haze still prevented them from seeing much in other directions. In the west they could not make out either the line of the Hedge or the valley of the Brandywine beyond it. Northward, where they looked most hopefully, they could see nothing that might be the line of the great East Road, for which they were making. They were on an island in a sea of trees, and the horizon was veiled.
... On the south-eastern side the ground fell very steeply, as if the slopes of the hill were continued far down under the trees, like island-shores that really are the sides of a mountain rising out of deep waters… …As the sun rose and passed noon they glimpsed far off in the east the grey-green lines of the Downs that lay beyond the Old Forest on that side. That cheered them greatly; for it was good to see a sight of anything beyond the wood's borders, though they did not mean to go that way, if they could help it: the Barrow-downs had as sinister a reputation in Hobbit-legend as the Forest itself…
... …The path that had brought them to the hill reappeared on the northward side; but they had not followed it far before they became aware that it was bending steadily to the right. Soon it began to descend rapidly… …it must actually be heading towards the Withywindle valley: not at all the direction they wished to take. After some discussion they decided to leave this misleading path and strike northward; for although they had not been able to see it from the hill-top, the Road must lie that way, and it could not be many miles off. Also northward and to the left of the path, the land seemed to be drier and more open, climbing up to slopes where the trees were thinner, and pines and firs replaced the oaks and ashes and other strange and nameless trees of the denser wood."
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 4 2025, 1:23pm
Post #10 of 29
(571 views)
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Here is part 4 of a 5-part Book Spoiler look at the Hobbits' perception of the Old Forest… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From The Old Forest: The Fellowship of the Ring ... "At first their choice seemed to be good: they got along at a fair speed, though whenever they got a glimpse of the sun in an open glade they seemed unaccountably to have veered eastwards. But after a time the trees began to close in again just where they had appeared from a distance to be thinner and less tangled. Then deep folds in the ground were discovered unexpectedly, like the ruts of great giant-wheels or wide moats and sunken roads long disused and choked with brambles. These lay unusually right across their line of march, and cold only be crossed by scrambling down and out again… …Each time they climbed down they found the hollow filled with thick bushes and matted undergrowth, which somehow would not yield to the left, but only gave way when they turned to the right… …they had to go some distance along the bottom before they could find a way up the further bank. Each time they clambered out, the trees seemed deeper and darker; and always to the left and upwards it was most difficult to find a way, and they were forced to the right and downwards.
... After an hour or two they lost all clear sense of direction though they knew well enough that they had long ceased to go northward at all. They were being headed off and were simply following a course chosen for them--eastwards and southwards, into the heart of the Forest and not out of it.
... The afternoon was wearing away when they scrambled and stumbled into the fold that was wider and deeper than any they had yet met. It was so steep and overhung that it proved impossible to climb out of it again, either forwards or backwards, without leaving their ponies and their baggage... ...All they could do was to follow the fold--downwards. The ground grew soft, and in places boggy; springs appeared in the banks, and soon they found themselves following a brook that trickled and babbled through a weedy bed. Then the ground began to fall rapidly... ...the brook growing strong and noisy, flowed and leaped swiftly downhill. They were in a deep dim-lit gully over-arched by trees high above them.
... After stumbling along for some way along the stream, they came quite suddenly out of the gloom. As if through a gate they saw the sunlight before them. Coming to the opening they found that they had made their way down through a cleft in a high steep bank, almost a cliff. At its feet was a wide space of grass and reeds... ...in the distance could be glimpsed another bank almost as steep... ...sunshine lay warm and drowsy upon the hidden land between. In the midst of it there wound lazily a dark river of brown water, bordered with ancient willows, arched over with willows, blocked with fallen willows, and flecked with thousands of faded willow-leaves....
... '...Well, now I have at least some notion of where we are!' said Merry."
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Dec 4 2025, 1:28pm)
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Otaku-sempai
Elvenhome
Dec 4 2025, 2:23pm
Post #11 of 29
(567 views)
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Happy Birthday, Daughter of Helm
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Birthday greetings to Gaia Wise (age 26), the voice of Héra, daughter of Helm Hammerhand (The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim).
“Hell hath no fury like that of the uninvolved.” - Tony Isabella
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 5 2025, 2:45pm
Post #12 of 29
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Here is part 5 of a 5-part Book Spoiler look at the Hobbits' perception of the Old Forest… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From The Old Forest: The Fellowship of the Ring ... [Merry] "'We have come almost in the opposite direction to which we intended. This is the River Withywindle....'
... ...there was fairly solid ground between the cliff-foot and the river; in some places firm turf went down to the water's edge. 'What's more,' he said, 'there seems to be something like a footpath winding along on this side of the river. If we turn left and follow it, we shall be bound to come out on the east side of the Forest eventually.'
... [Pippin] '...Who made the track, do you suppose, and why? I am sure it was not for our benefit. I am getting very suspicious of this Forest and everything in it...'
... ...There being nothing else for it, they filed out, and Merry led them to the path that he had discovered. Everywhere the reeds and grasses were lush and tall, in places far above their heads... ...once found, the path was easy to follow, as it turned and twisted, picking out the sounder ground among the bogs and polls. Here and there it passed over other rills, running down gullies into the Withywindle out of the higher forest-lands, and at these points there were tree-trunks or bundles of brushwood laid carefully across.
... The hobbits began to feel very hot. There were armies of flies of all kinds buzzing round their ears... ...At last they came suddenly into a thin shade; great grey branches reached across the path. Each step forward became more reluctant than the last. Sleepiness seemed to be creeping out of the ground and up their legs, and falling softly out of the air upon their heads and eyes.
... Frodo felt his chin go down and his head nod. Just in front of him Pippin fell forward on to his knees.... '...It's no good,' he heard Merry saying. 'Can't go another step without rest... ...It's cool under the willows. Less flies!'
... Frodo did not like the sound of this. 'Come on!' he cried. 'We can't have a nap yet. We must get clear of the Forest first.' But the others were too far gone to care. Beside them Sam stood yawning and blinking stupidly."
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 6 2025, 1:49pm
Post #13 of 29
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Today in Middle-earth
December 6, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
1. Gandalf and Bilbo travel with Beorn along the border of Mirkwood.
(determined from text)
..."[Bilbo] had many hardships and adventures before he got back. The Wild was still the Wild, and there were many other things in it in those days besides goblins; but he was well guided and well guarded—the wizard was with him, and Beorn... ...and he was never in great danger again."
December 6, 3022 (S.R. 1422)
1. Raindrops in Valinor.
(not from the appendices - no text - a drabble)
...One rainy evening, Frodo stood looking out the window, his breath appearing on his reflection, then vanishing. His eyes followed one glimmering drop as it travelled from high on the pane. Its erratic trail occasionally brushed against some drops while coming into full contact with others, but rarely joining. Many drops would hang suspended, unchanged as the one passed by. Sometimes it caught on the glass's texture, then plummeted in freefall without choice but to travel in one direction. Finally, it reached the end and vanished. Frodo's thoughts turned to Sam. "There, but for the grace of you, go I."
We have been there and back again.
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(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Dec 6 2025, 1:54pm)
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 7 2025, 2:36pm
Post #14 of 29
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Today in Middle-earth
December 7, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. The Hobbits rest in Rivendell.
(not from the appendices - no text - a drabble)
...Frodo and Sam often enjoyed quiet walks in the Rivendell gardens. Their travel was slow on the days they stopped to investigate flowers of unique colour or scent. Sam would study their manner of growth while Frodo sketched their likeness in his journal. More than once they came upon Bilbo and Gandalf resting on low couches quietly talking. All around them rings of coloured smoke made it appear as if they were at ease in a magical cloud. The hobbits would leave silently not wanting to disturb the old friends, never guessing the elders had done the same for them.
December 7, 3019 (S.R. 1419)
1. The Shire is reborn.
(not from the appendices)
..."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, after hearing the news of the Battle of Bywater, 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."
December 7, 3020 (S.R. 1420)
1. The Shire recovers.
(not from the appendices-no text)
...Hobbiton was getting back to normal as it slowly began to look as it once did through the tireless work of the Hobbits. Sam and Rosie lived with Frodo at Bag End in the New Row, and no hobbit was ever looked after better.
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 8 2025, 2:37pm
Post #15 of 29
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Here's a Book Spoiler on the ever underestimated shrewdness of Sam Gamgee when it comes to Gollum… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From The Passage of the Marshes: The Two Towers
..."[Gollum] led the way, and following him the hobbits climbed down into the gloom... ...There was running water at the bottom: it was in fact the bed of one of the many small rivers that trickled down from the hills to feed the stagnant pools and mires beyond. Gollum turned to the right, southward more or less, and splashed along with his feet in the shallow stony stream. He seemed greatly delighted to feel the water, and chuckled to himself, sometimes even croaking in a sort of song.
The cold hard lands
they bits our hands,
they gnaws our feet.
The rocks and stones
are like old bones
all bare of meat.
But stream and pool,
is wet and cool:
so nice for feet!
And now we wish---
... 'Ha! ha! What does we wish?' he said, looking sidelong at the hobbits. 'We'll tell you... ...He guessed it long ago, Baggins guessed it.' A glint came into his eyes, and Sam catching the gleam in the darkness thought it far from pleasant.
Alive without breath;
as cold as death;
never thirsting, ever drinking
clad in mail, never clinking.
Drowns on dry land,
thinks an island
is a mountain;
thinks a fountain
is a puff of air.
So sleek, so fair!
What a joy to meet!
We only wish
to catch a fish,
so juicy-sweet!
... These words only made more pressing to Sam's mind a problem that had been troubling him from the moment when he understood that his master was going to adopt Gollum as a guide: the problem of food. It did not occur to him that his master might also have thought of it, but he supposed Gollum had. Indeed how had Gollum kept himself in all his lonely wandering? 'Not too well... ...He looks fair famished. Not too dainty to try what hobbit tastes like, if there ain't no fish, I'll wager—supposing as he could catch us napping. Well, he won't: not Sam Gamgee for one.'"
We have been there and back again.
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Otaku-sempai
Elvenhome
Dec 8 2025, 7:29pm
Post #16 of 29
(526 views)
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December 7: A happy belated birthday to Nicholas Hoult (36), born on December 7, 1989 (couldn't post yesterday due to numerous time outs).
December 8: Birthday greetings to Dominic Monaghan (49), born on December 8, 1979.
“Hell hath no fury like that of the uninvolved.” - Tony Isabella
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 9 2025, 1:12pm
Post #17 of 29
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This is a Book Spoiler that describes the most famous establishment in Bree: The Prancing Pony... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From At the Sign of the Prancing Pony: The Fellowship of the Ring ... "The hobbits rode on up a slope, passing a few detached houses, and drew up outside the inn.... ...Sam stared up at the inn with its three storeys and many windows... ...Even from the outside the inn looked a pleasant house to familiar eyes. It had a front on the Road, and two wings running back on land partly cut out of the lower slopes of the hill, so that at the rear the second-floor windows were level with the ground. There was a wide arch leading to a courtyard between the two wings... ...on the left under the arch there was a large doorway reached by a few broad steps. The door was open... ...light streamed out of it. Above the arch there was a lamp... ...beneath it swung a large signboard: a fat white pony reared up on its hind legs. Over the door was painted in white letters: THE PRANCING PONY by BARLIMAN BUTTERBUR. Many of the lower windows showed lights behind thick curtains....
... ...They led their ponies under the arch, and leaving them standing in the yard they climbed up the steps...
... '[Butterbur]...we've got a room or two in the north wing that were made special for hobbits, when this place was built. On the ground floor as they usually prefer; round windows and all as they like it.... ...This way now!'
... He led them a short way down a passage, and opened a door. 'Here is a nice little parlour!'
... ...They found themselves in a small and cosy room. There was a bit of bright fire burning on the hearth, and in front of it were some low and comfortable chairs. There was a round table, already spread with a white cloth, and on it was a large hand-bell...
... ...The company was in the big common-room of the inn... ...[Light] came chiefly from a blazing log-fire, for the three lamps hanging from the beams were dim, and half veiled in smoke."
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 10 2025, 7:06pm
Post #18 of 29
(463 views)
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Here's a Book Spoiler about the description of Derndingle... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From Treebeard: The Two Towers ... "'Where is Entmoot?' Pippin ventured to ask.
... 'Hoo, eh? Entmoot?' said Treebeard, turning round. 'It is not a place, it is a gathering of Ents… …We shall meet in the place where we have always met: Derndingle Men call it. It is away south from here. We must be there before noon...'
... …Treebeard turned a little away from the hills and plunged into the deep groves, where the trees were larger, taller, and thicker than any that the hobbits had ever seen before. For a while they felt faintly the sense of stifling which they had noticed when they first ventured into Fangorn, but it soon passed…
... …They had been going for a long while--Pippin had tried to keep count of the 'ent-strides' but had failed, getting lost at about three thousand… …they came at last to what looked like an impenetrable wall of dark evergreen trees, trees of a kind that the hobbits had never seen before: they branched out right from the roots, and were densely clad in dark glossy leaves like thornless holly, and they bore many stiff upright flower-spikes with large shining olive-coloured buds.
... Turning to the left and skirting this huge hedge Treebeard came in a few strides to a narrow entrance. Through it a worn path passed and dived suddenly down a long steep slope. The hobbits saw that they were descended into a great dingle, almost as round as a bowl, very wide and deep, crowned at the rim with the high dark evergreen hedge. It was smooth and grassclad inside, and there were no trees except three very tall and beautiful silver-birches that stood at the bottom of the bowl. Two other paths led down into the dingle: from the west and from the east… …onto the wide grassy floor of the dingle…."
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 11 2025, 3:40pm
Post #19 of 29
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Here's a Book Spoiler that looks at the description of Isengard… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From The Road to Isengard: The Two Towers ... "...the highway... ...was broad and hard, and well-tended... ...the long arm of the mountains rising on their left. They had passed into Nan Curunír, the Wizard's Vale. That was a sheltered valley open only to the South. Once it had been fair and green, and through it the Isen flowed, already deep and strong before it found the plains...
... ...After they had ridden for some miles, the highway became a wide street, paved with great flat stones, squared and laid with skill; no blade of grass was seen in any joint. Deep gutters, filled with trickling water, ran down on either side...
... ...Beneath the mountain's arm within the Wizard's Vale through years uncounted had stood that ancient place that Men called Isengard. Partly it was shaped in the making of the mountains, but mighty works the Men of Westernesse had wrought there of old; and Saruman had dwelt there long and had not been idle...
... ...A great ring-wall of stone, like towering cliffs, stood out from the shelter of the mountain-side, from which it ran and then returned again. One entrance only was there made in it, a great arch delved in the southern wall. Here through the black rock a long tunnel had been hewn, close at either end with might doors of iron. They were so wrought and poised upon their huge hinges, posts of steel driven into the living stone, that when unbarred they could be moved with a light thrust of the arms, noiselessly. One who passed in and came at length out of the echoing tunnel, beheld a plain, a great circle, somewhat hollowed like a vast shallow bowl: a mile it measured from rim to rim. Once it had been green and filled with avenues, and groves of fruitful trees, watered by streams that flowed from the mountains to a lake...
... ...To the centre all the roads... ...There stood a tower of marvellous shape. It was fashioned by the builders of old, who smoothed the Ring of Isengard, and yet it seemed a thing not made by the craft of Men, but riven from the bones of the earth in the ancient torment of the hills. A peak and isle of rock it was, black and gleaming hard: four mighty piers of many-sided stone were welded into one, but near the summit they opened into gaping horns, their pinnacles sharp as the points of spears, keen-edged as knives. Between them was a narrow space, and there upon a floor of polished stone, written with strange signs, a man might stand five hundred feet above the plain. This was Orthanc... ...the name of which had (by design or chance) a twofold meaning; for in the Elvish speech orthanc signifies Mount Fang, but in the language of the Mark of old the Cunning Mind.
... A strong place and wonderful was Isengard, and long it had been beautiful; and there great lords had dwelt, the wardens of Gondor upon the West, and wise men that watched the stars."
We have been there and back again.
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(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Dec 11 2025, 3:48pm)
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 12 2025, 2:12pm
Post #20 of 29
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Here's a Book Spoiler that gives a description of the River Anduin travel and where it meets Fangorn and Rohan... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From Farewell to Lórien: The Fellowship of the Ring ... "Celeborn spoke to them again of their journey, and lifting his hand he pointed south to the woods beyond the Tongue.
... 'As you go down the water... ...you will find that the trees will fail, and you will come to a barren country. There the River flows in stony vales amid high moors, until at last after many leagues it comes to the tall island of the Tindrock, that we call Tol Brandir. There it casts its arms about the steep shores of the isle, and falls then with a great noise and smoke over the cataracts of Rauros down into the Nindalf, the Wetwang... ...That is a wide region of sluggish fen where the stream becomes tortuous and much divided. There the Entwash flows in by many mouths from the Forest of Fangorn in the west. About that stream, on this side of the Great River, lies Rohan. On the further side are the bleak hills of the Emyn Muil. The wind blows from the East there... ...over the Dead Marshes and the Noman-lands to Cirith Gorgor and the black gates of Mordor.
... 'Boromir, and any that go with him seeking Minas Tirith, will do well to leave the Great River above Rauros and cross the Entwash before it finds the marshes. Yet they should not go too far up that stream, nor risk becoming entangled in the Forest of Fangorn. That is a strange land, and is now little known....'
... '...Indeed we have heard of Fangorn in Minas Tirith,' said Boromir. 'But what I have heard seems to me... ...old wives' tales, such as we tell to our children. All that lies north of Rohan is now to us so far away that fancy can wander freely there. Of old Fangorn lay upon the borders of our realm; but it is now many lives of men since any of us visited it, to prove or disprove the legends that have come down from distant years.
... 'I have myself been... ...in Rohan, but I have never crossed it northwards. When I was sent out as a messenger, I passed through the Gap by the skirts of the White Mountains, and crossed the Isen and the Greyflood into Northerland. A long and wearisome journey. Four hundred leagues I reckoned... …After that journey, and the road I have trodden with this Company, I do not much doubt that I shall find a way through Rohan, and Fangorn too, if need be.'
... 'Then I need say no more,' said Celeborn. 'But do not despise the lore that has come down from distant years; for oft it may chance that old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know.'"
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 13 2025, 4:01pm
Post #21 of 29
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Today in Middle-earth
December 13, 2013
1. The Desolation of Smaug.
...The U.S. release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
December 13, 2023
1. The Desolation of Smaug.
...Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the U.S. release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
...Peter Jackson fulfills his quest to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's tale of The Hobbit to the screen and to take us back to Middle-earth. So here we are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Jackson's adaptation of part 2 of the 3–part story of The Hobbit and joins the saga of The Lord of the Rings.
Here's a bit of BS to celebrate the day… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From On the Doorstep: The Hobbit ... [As the Company made their way to the mountain] "It was a weary journey… …The land about them grew bleak and barren, though once, as Thorin told them, it had been green and fair. There was little grass, and before long there was neither bush nor tree, and only broken and blackened stumps to speak of one long vanished…
... …They reached the skirts of the Mountain… …without meeting any danger or any sign of the Dragon other than the wilderness he had made about his lair. The Mountain lay dark and silent before them… …They made their first camp on the western side of the great southern spur, which ended in a height called Ravenhill…
... …Balin and Fili and Kili, and… …Bilbo… …marched under the grey and silent cliffs to the feet of Ravenhill. There the river, after winding a wide loop over the valley of Dale, turned from the Mountain on its road to the Lake, flowing swift and noisily. Its bank was bare and rocky, tall and steep above the stream; and… …they could see in the wide valley shadowed by the Mountain's arms and the grey ruins of ancient houses, towers, and walls.
... "There lies all that is left of Dale," said Balin. "The mountain's sides were green with woods and all the sheltered valley rich and pleasant in the days when the bells rang in that town." He looked both sad and grim as he said this: he had been one of Thorin's companions on the day the Dragon came."
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 15 2025, 2:13am
Post #22 of 29
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Today in Middle-earth
December 14, 2012
1. An Unexpected Journey.
... The U.S. release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
December 14, 2022
1. An Unexpected Journey.
... Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the U.S. release and premier of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey!!
...Peter Jackson fulfills his quest to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's tale of The Hobbit to the screen and to take us back to Middle-earth. So here we are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Jackson's adaptation of part 1 of the 3–part story of The Hobbit and joins the saga of The Lord of the Rings.
Here's a bit of BS to celebrate the day… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From Roast Mutton: The Hobbit
..."...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...."
"Thorin and Company to Burglar Bilbo greeting! For your hospitality our sincerest thanks, and for your offer of professional assistance our grateful acceptance.
Terms: cash on delivery, up to and not exceeding one fourteenth of total profits (if any); all traveling expenses guaranteed in any event; funeral expenses
to be defrayed by us or our representatives, if occasion arises and the matter is not otherwise arranged for.
Thinking it unnecessary to disturb your esteemed repose, we have proceeded in advance to make requisite preparations, and shall await your respected person
at the Green Dragon Inn, Bywater, at 11 a.m. sharp. Trusting that you will be punctual..."
..."...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… …pushing his keys into Gandalf's hands, and running as fast as his furry feet could carry him down the lane, past the great Mill, across The Water, and then on for a whole mile or more.
... Very puffed he was, when he got to Bywater just on the stroke of eleven, and found he had come without a pocket-handkerchief!
... "Bravo!" said Balin who was standing at the inn door looking out for him.
... Just then all the others came round the corner of the road from the village. They were on ponies… …slung about with all kinds of baggages, packages, parcels, and paraphernalia. There was a very small pony, apparently for Bilbo.
... "Up you two get, and off we go!' said Thorin.
... "I'm awfully sorry… …but I have come without my hat, and I have left my pocket-handkerchief behind, and I haven't got any money. I didn't get your note until after 10.45 to be precise."
... "Don't be precise," said Dwalin, "and don't worry! You will have to manage without pocket-handkerchiefs, and a good many other things, before you get to the journey's end."
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 15 2025, 1:49pm
Post #23 of 29
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Here is a Book Spoiler that describes Black Riders to the hobbits… for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From A Knife in the Dark: The Fellowship of the Ring ... "'Can the Riders see?' asked Merry. 'I mean, they seem usually to have used their noses rather than their eyes, smelling for us… …at least in the daylight. But you made us lie down flat when you saw them down below; and now you talk of being seen, if we move.'
... 'I was too careless on the hill-top,' answered Strider. 'I was very anxious to find some sign of Gandalf; but it was a mistake for three of us to go up and stand there so long. For the black horses can see, and the Riders can use men and other creatures as spies… …They themselves do not see the world of light as we do, but our shapes cast shadows in their minds, which only the noon sun destroys; and in the dark they perceive many signs and forms that are hidden from us: then they are most to be feared. And at all times they smell the blood of living things, desiring and hating it… …We can feel their presence—it troubled our hearts, as soon as we came here, and before we saw them; they feel ours more keenly. Also,' he added, and his voice sank to a whisper, 'the Ring draws them.'
... 'Is there no escape then?' said Frodo, looking round wildly. 'If I move I shall be seen and hunted! If I stay, I shall draw them to me!'
... Strider laid his hand on his shoulder. 'There is still hope… …You are not alone. Let us take this wood that is set ready for the fire as a sign. There is little shelter or defence here, but fire shall serve for both. Sauron can put fire to his evil uses, as he can all things, but these Riders do not love it, and fear those who wield it. Fire is our friend in the wilderness.'
... 'Maybe,' muttered Sam. 'It is also as good a way of saying "here we are" as I can think of, bar shouting.'"
We have been there and back again.
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(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Dec 15 2025, 1:53pm)
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Otaku-sempai
Elvenhome
Dec 15 2025, 3:17pm
Post #24 of 29
(435 views)
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Happy birthday to Stewart Townsend (53), Peter Jackson's first Aragorn before he was replaced by Viggo Mortensen.
“Hell hath no fury like that of the uninvolved.” - Tony Isabella
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Dec 16 2025, 2:25pm
Post #25 of 29
(412 views)
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Today in Middle-earth
December 16, 2941 (S.R. 1342)
1. Travelling around Mirkwood.
(determined from text-no text)
...Gandalf, Bilbo and Beorn continue travelling around the border of Mirkwood after leaving the Lonely Mountain. They chose to skirt the Forest along the northern edge of the waste and not to journey through Mirkwood as Bilbo and the Dwarves attempted before. Bilbo wondered why Beorn planned to travel north instead of following the old forest path encouraged by the Elvenking… though he was glad to be with these two sturdy friends on this journey.
We have been there and back again.
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