The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 1, Chapter 12 // Flight to the Ford

Well, finally figured out how to get my internet to cooperate this evening. And here we are at the end of Book 1! Can you believe it?

I forgot this chapter had so much more wandering in the wilderness, especially in the first half. But finding the trolls is such a little spot of unexpected fun; and I love how even Strider lightens up, smacking the stone troll and teasing the hobbits a bit.

And we meet Glorfindel. (I like the little description of the hobbits scrambling up the bank through the heather and bilberry bushes. What are bilberry bushes anyway? ...Ok, I just looked it up and they look like a close twin to blueberries that seem to grow in Scotland/the northern UK etc.)

Glorfindel is not only one of the few who can hold his own against the fell king of Angmar, leader of the Nine, but the two of them have actually met before.

So, I'm no expert on all the kingdoms or ages of Middle Earth history, but we have been hearing references to the fall of Angmar and this meeting takes place during that war, recounted in Appendix A at the back of The Return of the King:

"...so utterly was Angmar defeated that not a man nor an orc of that realm remained west of the Mountains.

"But it is said that when all was lost suddenly the Witch-king himself appeared, black-robed and black-masked upon a black horse. Fear fell upon all who beheld him; but he singled out the Captain of Gondor for the fullness of his hatred, and with a terrible cry he rode straight upon him. Eärnur would have withstood him; but his horse could not endure that onset, and it swerved and bore him far away before he could master it.

"Then the Witch-king laughed, and none that heard it ever forgot the horror of that cry. But Glorfindel rode up then on his white horse, and in the midst of his laughter the Witch-king turned to flight and passed into the shadows. For night came down on the battlefield, and he was lost, and none saw whither he went.

"Eärnur now rode back, but Glorfindel, looking into the gathering dark, said: "Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall."

Soo... sound familiar? This prophecy is hugely important of course and I was so excited to find it came from Glorfindel. Did you know that?

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention we have our first mention of athelas, which will have a crucial part to play later too.

Quotes:

• "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 by becoming a wizard -- or a warrior!"
• "With his last failing senses Frodo heard cries, and it seemed to him that he saw, beyond the Riders that hesitated on the shore, a shining figure of white light; and behind it ran small shadowy forms waving flames, that flared red in the grey mist that was falling over the world."
  

 

For thought:

• Does the cascading flood pouring down on the Black Riders remind you of anything else (i.e. an historical event or a classic myth, etc)?