It's time for some BS!

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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This is part-1 of a 2-part Book Spoiler that looks at the Rangers of Ithilien... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit: The Two Towers​
... "'Farewell!' said Frodo, bowing low [Speaking to Faramir]. 'Think what you will, I am a friend of all enemies of the One Enemy. We would go with you, if we halfling folk could hope to serve you, such doughty men and strong as you seem, and if my errand permitted it. May the light shine on your swords!'
... 'The Halflings are courteous folk, whatever else they be,' said Faramir. 'Farewell!'
... The hobbits sat down again... ...Close by, just under the dappling shadow of the dark bay-trees, two men remained on guard. They took off their masks now and again to cool them, as the day-heat grew, and Frodo saw that they were goodly men, pale-skinned, dark of hair, with grey eyes and faces sad and proud. They spoke together in soft voices, at first using the Common Speech, but after the manner of older days, and then changing to another language of their own. To his amazement, as he listened Frodo became aware that it was the Elven-tongue that they spoke, or one but little different; and he looked at them with wonder, for he knew then that they must be Dúnedain of the South, men of the line of the Lords of Westernesse.
... After a while he spoke to them; but they were slow and cautious in answering. They named themselves Mablung and Damrod, soldiers of Gondor, and they were Rangers of Ithilien; for they were descended from folk who lived in Ithilien at one time, before it was overrun... ...such men the Lord Denethor chose his forayers, who crossed the Anduin secretly... ...to harry the Orcs and other enemies that roamed between the Ephel Dúath and the River.
... 'It is close on ten leagues hence to the east-shore of Anduin,' said Mablung, 'and we seldom come so far afield. But we have a new errand on this journey: we come to ambush the Men of Harad. Curse them!'"

[continues tomorrow]
 
This is part-2 of a 2-part Book Spoiler that looks at the Rangers of Ithilien as they speak with Sam and Frodo about the Men of Harad... for a moment of Tolkien-zen.
From Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit: The Two Towers​
... "'...curse the Southrons!' said Damrod. ''Tis said that there were dealings of old between Gondor and the kingdoms of the Harad in the Far South; though there was never friendship.... ...'Tis many lives of Men since any passed to or from between us. Now of late we have learned that the Enemy has been among them, and they are gone over to Him, or back to Him—they were ever ready to His will—as have so many also in the East. I doubt not that the days of Gondor are numbered, and the walls of Minas Tirith are doomed, so great is His strength and malice.'
... 'But still we will not sit idle and let Him do all as He would,' said Mablung. 'These cursed Southrons come now marching up the ancient roads to swell the hosts of the Dark Tower. Yea, up the very roads that craft of Gondor made. And they go ever more heedlessly... ...thinking that the power of their new master is great enough, so that the mere shadow of His hills will protect them. We come to teach them another lesson. Great strength of them was reported to us some days ago, marching north. One of their regiments is due... ...to pass by, some time ere noon—up on the road above, where it passes through the cloven way. The road may pass, but they shall not! Not while Faramir is Captain. He leads now in all perilous ventures. But his life is charmed, or fate spares him for some other end.'
... Their talk died down into a listening silence. All seemed still and watchful. Sam, crouched by the edge of the fern-brake, peered out With his keen hobbit-eyes he saw that many more Men were about. He could see them stealing up the slopes, singly or in long files, keeping always to the shade of grove or thicket, or crawling, hardly visible in their brown and green raiment, through grass and brake. All were hooded and masked, and had gauntlets on their hands, and were armed like Faramir and his companions. Before long they had all passed and vanished."
 
Today in Middle-earth

May 8, 2942 (S.R. 1342)
1. Gandalf and Bilbo leave Rivendell for Hobbiton.
(determined from text – referencing Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth)
..."[Bilbo] said farewell to Elrond, and giving him such small gifts as he would accept, he rode away with Gandalf.
...Even as they left the valley the sky darkened in the West... ...and wind and rain came up to meet them.
..."Merry is May-time!" said Bilbo, as the rain beat into his face. "But our back is to legends and we are coming home. I suppose this is a first taste of it."
..."There is a long road yet," said Gandalf.
..."But it is the last road," said Bilbo.
...They came to the river that marked the very edge of the borderland of the Wild, and to the ford beneath the steep bank... ...The water was swollen both with the melting of the snows at the approach of summer, and with the daylong rain; but they crossed with some difficulty, and pressed forward, as evening fell, on the last stage of their journey."


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.'"
 
Today in Middle-earth

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."
 
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Some Book Spoilers of Middle-earth Mothers on this Mother's Day-- A hearty Happy 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?'"

From the Shadow of the Past: The Fellowship of the Ring​
...[Smeagol's family]"'…very long ago, there lived by the banks of the Great River on the edge of Wilderland a clever-handed and quiet-footed little people… …they were of a hobbit-kind; akin to the fathers of the fathers of the Stoors…. …There was among them a family of high repute, for it was large and wealthier than most, and it was ruled by a grandmother of the folk, stern and wise in old lore, such as they had.'"

From The Grey Havens: The Fellowship of the Ring​
... [Frodo foretells for Sam] "'…you have Rose, and Elanor; and Frodo-lad will come, and Rosie-lass, and Merry, and Goldilocks, and Pippin; and perhaps more that I cannot see….'"
...…Sam turned to Bywater, and so came back up the Hill, as day was ending once more. And he went on, and there was yellow light, and fire within; and the evening meal was ready, and he was expected. And Rose drew him in, and set him on his chair, and put little Elanor upon his lap.


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
Rose Cotton – Lily Brown
...Rosie Cotton is Mother to Elanor the Fair, Frodo Gardner, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose,

Aragorn - Gilraen
Faramir/Boromir - Finduilas
Elboron - Éowyn

Elrond - Elwing
Arwen/Elrohir/Elladan - Celebrían
Eldarion - Arwen
Lúthien - Melian of Doriath
Dior/Nimloth - Lúthien
Celebrían – Galadriel
Galadriel - Eärwen

Dis (Thorin's sister) – Fili and Kili

Sméagol/Smeagol – The only mention of Smeagol's parentage is his Grandmother.
 
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