The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 8 // Farewell to Lorien

I'm back, I'm back! My dear husband got me a lovely working laptop for Christmas AND I found another audio version of LOTR that works (sit down reading time is honestly reeeaally hard to fit in during this current season) so the cogs are all flowing together smoothly and the stars have aligned and I'm back with our next chapter. :) :) Thank you so much for your patience!

Also, I had to share pictures of our very own mallorn tree in the garden. (Actually, we're trying to figure out if it's a cottonwood or poplar. Point is, we call it our blessing tree as it was a completely surprise volunteer, creating very very welcome shade near the house, and has shot up like a weed, literally growing about ten feet this year. It's amazing.)

~

As for our chapter... 

Near the beginning Celeborn says, "Now is the time... when those who wish to continue the Quest must harden their hearts to leave this land. Those who no longer wish to go forward may remain here, for a while. But whether they stay or go, none can be sure of peace. For we are come now to the edge of doom. Here those who wish may await the oncoming of the hour till either the ways of the world lie open again, or we summon them to the last need of Lorien. Then they may return to their own lands, or else go to the long home of those that fall in battle."

I love how, like Elrond, he gives any who are fainthearted an honorable out. They're standing on the knife edge of a dark crumbling precipice and there are no sure calls. At the same time, hope is a definite theme of this chapter. Not in a rosy we-know-how-it's-all-going-to-work-out-so-don't-worry-about-it-fashion, but in the way of warriors grimly going forth. They're going to do or die in the attempt, but the fight is worth it and there's light on the horizon.

I'm also realizing how much I like Gimli's character. Near the end of the chapter he says, 

"Truly Elrond spoke, saying that we could not foresee what we might meet upon our road. Torment in the dark was the danger that I feared, and it did not hold me back. But I would not have come, had I known the danger of light and joy." 

Which of course reminds me as always of one of my favorite Lewis quotes, 

“Joy is distinct not only from pleasure in general but even from aesthetic pleasure. It must have the stab, the pang, the inconsolable longing.” 

Both quotes are just... words fail me. <333

Quotes:

• "Sleep in peace! Do not trouble your hearts overmuch with thought of the road tonight. Maybe the paths that you each shall tread are already laid before your feet, though you do not see them."
• "...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 Celebrian 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." (Love the phrasing + references to Arwen.)
• "...the Lady unbraided one of her long tresses, and cut off three golden hairs, and laid them in Gimli's hand. 'These words shall go with the gift,' she said. 'I do not foretell, for all foretelling is now vain: on the one hand lies darkness, and on the other only hope. But if hope should not fail, then I say to you, Gimli son of Gloin, that your hands shall flow with gold, and yet over you gold shall have no dominion."
  

 

For thought:

• I hope this doesn't sound silly, but I'm curious. Do any of you know the difference between 'Lorien' and 'Lothlorien'? Tolkien seems to use them interchangeably sometimes. Is Lorien just a short hand reference?
  

The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 7 // The Mirror of Galadriel

Well! Obviously my posting plan didn't pan out as intended, so we'll just forget about that. *face palm* Thank you so so much for your patience, dear fellow readers!

~

This is a dreamy chapter: both in the deep, golden peace and safety all round our weary travelers -- and then the whole mirror sequence, with its glimpses of uncertain doings in the outside world, most of them flashing like scenes in a nightmare.

I know this might cause an outcry, but I think this chapter is where I really start loving Master Samwise. Dear Sam.

And reading through the whole passage where Frodo and Sam are further processing the grief and loss of Gandalf, I realized how much I think LOTR shaped me during my growing up. I mean, I knew it, but I hadn't thought of it in this area before. It was in learning to see the depths, and the interrelation between dark and light threads. He's not laying it on heavy 'i.e. here's a lesson book to hand your children to learn how to deal with the heavy stuff'. He's just telling what is simple and deeply true. It's a personal thing, hard to describe, and I can't really go into it right now, but I'm very grateful and it's yet another reason to, yes, read Tolkien to your children.

We also see the thread yet again of how those who are truly wise and venerable are wise because they know how little they can really be sure of; they know how to weigh the balances, and every bit of their advice is tempered like the fine point of a steel blade because they have seen much and know all ways can lead to unexpected turnings -- going astray but also potentially very very aright.

Quotes:

• "...the Dwarf, hearing the names given in his own ancient tongue, looked up and met her eyes; and it seemed to him that he looked suddenly into the heart of an enemy and saw there love and understanding. Wonder came into his face, and then he smiled in answer." 
• "...not in vain will it prove, maybe, that you came to this land seeking aid, as Gandalf himself plainly purposed. For the Lord of the Galadhrim is accounted the wisest of the Elves of Middle-earth, and a giver of gifts beyond the power of kings."
  
• "...even now there is hope left. I will not give you counsel, saying do this, or do that. For not in doing or contriving, nor in choosing between this course and another, can I avail; but only in knowing what was and is, and in part also what shall be. But this I will say to you: your Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while all the Company is true."
• "...the Mirror shows many things, and not all have yet come to pass. Some never come to be, unless those that behold the visions turn aside from their path to prevent them." 
• "Frodo bent his head. 'And what do you wish?' he said at last. 'That what should be shall be,' she answered. '...For the fate of Lothlorien you are not answerable, but only for the doing of your own task."
• "She lifted up her hand and from the ring that she wore there issued a great light that illumined her alone and left all else dark. She stood before Frodo seeming now tall beyond measurement, and beautiful beyond enduring, terrible and worshipful. Then she let her hand fall, and the light faded, and suddenly she laughed again, and lo! she was shrunken: a slender elf-woman, clad in simple white, whose gentle voice was soft and sad."
  

 

For thought:

• Sam says, "...I reckon there's Elves and Elves. They're all elvish enough, but they're not all the same. Now these folks aren't wanderers or homeless, and seem a bit nearer to the likes of us: they seem to belong here, more even than Hobbits do in the Shire. Whether they've made the land, or the land's made them, it's hard to say, if you take my meaning. ...If there's any magic about, it's right down deep, where I can't lay my hands on it, in a manner of speaking." It's an interesting comparison and not one I would have initially thought of. One similarity that does jump out at me is how both are very content dwelling within the confines of their own borders, protected and caring little what happens beyond its confines (though the elves do have long memories of the elder days, but I mean in the sense that they're little concerned with the doings of other folk). Can you think of any other similarities and/or dissimilarities?

• I don't agree with everything (or rather, have to keep thinking on some points), but this easy to read essay on Celeborn is well worth a read, particularly if you've ever thought he comes across as weaker than his consort. So far I have to say it's revolutionizing my perception of his character. Here's the link. I'd definitely like to hear your thoughts on it! (The author also makes an interesting point on his and Galadriel's hair color, which I'd love to have your feedback on.)
  
• Here's a beautiful, wistful, and lilting version of Frodo's Lament for Gandalf.
  

Stories are Soul Food Podcast // Tolkien Ep

Popping in to share a thought provoking new podcast I just ran across, specifically their recent episode on Tolkien. 

They make some really interesting points, including some great observations on how Tolkien's lengthy descriptive passages fit into the entire story -- for which reason I immediately wanted to share with y'all.

(I do take a little issue with the ending discussion, i.e. where I'm realizing I'm much more in Tolkien's camp on various deep myth questions than Lewis's/at least with Narnia. Don't get me wrong, I do love Narnia, but, big picture wise, I love and am so much more comfortable with Tolkien's approach. N.D. Wilson seems to be on the other side of the discussion... but that particular myth debate is open-ended and will probably keep going for generations. ;))

LISTEN HERE

I'd love to hear what you think!

The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 6 // Lothlorien

Since I somehow just posted one chapter last week I'll trrrrrrry to post three this week so we can stay on track for finishing The Fellowship next week. (Yikes! I know I've been a bit off lately, but can you believe we're that close?!)

~

And ahhhhhhhhh, we've made it to Lothlorien. <3 *taking a deep breath*

I have a bunch of miscellaneous little observations that popped to mind while reading.

-- In the last couple chapters Gimli was able to give a bit of a cultural introduction to the dwarves and now Legolas gets a turn with the elves. So that's kinda neat (juxtaposed like that I mean). And while they're kindred, they're both not From There, if you follow my meaning. Gimli is from the Lonely Mountain/Dale (yet with history of older generations taking over/delving in Moria) and Legolas is from Mirkwood (his kindred tying back, but separating in long days past from those in Lothlorien).

-- I like the little moments between Frodo and Gimli; with Gimli wanting him to see the pool of Kheled-zaram and then both bringing up the rear and listening to the noises behind and round them.

-- While we're on the subject of Gimli, I noticed he's actually the one who first thought of sleeping in the trees. It's just a little thing, but it made me laugh.

-- And did you notice how earlier, Boromir defended the true faith of Rohan to the council and now Aragorn makes a similar argument about Lothlorien? I don't have a lot to say about that, but the parallel is striking.

-- I love the description of crossing the Nimrodel: "One by one they climbed down and followed Legolas. For a moment Frodo stood near the brink and let the water flow over his tired feet. It was cold but its touch was clean, and as he went on and it mounted to his knees, he felt that the stain of travel and all weariness was washed from his limbs."

There are definite Edenic connotations; and I'm not necessarily drawing any sort of direct comparison, but the phrasing in this section + any mention of the Great River, Anduin, (so concepts in the entire chapter and running right through their stay in Lothlorien, I guess), just reminded me of this passage from Ezekiel (47:1-12):

"Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. 

"And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, 'Son of man, have you seen this?' Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river. 

"When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. Then he said to me: 'This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many. But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

Quotes:

• "You, Legolas, must answer to us for them. Call us, if anything is amiss! And have an eye on that dwarf!" (Just makes me laugh.)
  
• "Alas for the folly of these days!' said Legolas. 'Here all are enemies of the one Enemy, and yet I must walk blind, while the sun is merry in the woodland under leaves of gold!' 'Folly it may seem,' said Haldir. 'Indeed in nothing is the power of the Dark Lord more clearly shown than in the estrangement that divides all those who still oppose him."
• "The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."
• "In Rivendell there was memory of ancient things; in Lorien the ancient things still lived on in the waking world."
• "The others cast themselves down upon the fragrant grass, but Frodo stood awhile still lost in wonder. It seemed to him that he had stepped through a high window that looked on a vanished world. A light was upon it for which his language had no name. All that he saw was shapely, but the shapes seemed at once clear cut, as if they had been first conceived and drawn at the uncovering of his eyes, and ancient as if they had endured for ever. He saw no color but those he knew, gold and white and blue and green, but they were fresh and poignant, as if he had at that moment first perceived them and made for them names new and wonderful. In winter here no heart could mourn for summer or for spring. No blemish or sickness or deformity could be seen in anything that grew upon the earth. On the land of Lorien there was no stain. He turned and saw that Sam was now standing beside him, looking round with a puzzled expression, and rubbing his eyes as if he was not sure that he was awake. 'It's sunlight and bright day, right enough,' he said. 'I thought that Elves were all for moon and stars: but this is more elvish than anything I ever heard tell of. I feel as if I was inside a song, if you take my meaning."
  

 

For thought:

• "Say not unscathed, but if you say unchanged, then maybe you will speak the truth,' said Aragorn. ...'Then lead on!' said Boromir. 'But it is perilous.' 'Perilous indeed,' said Aragorn, 'fair and perilous; but only evil need fear it, or those who bring some evil with them." 

Our current definition of fair as meaning either 'beautiful' or 'just' dates from the mid-19th century. The Old English sense of the word was associated with 'beautify' and 'appear or become clean' (which could also tie in with the later judicial definition). (And it's more than possible Tolkien knew both definitions very well, of course... but that's just an interesting brain teaser.) 

The question is: what is this saying about beauty? Do you think of beauty, pure beauty -- unstained or washed clean -- as being something vivid and powerful, dangerous and feared by its enemies?

The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 5 // The Bridge of Khazad-Dum

(Our internet's down again this morning so I'm typing this off my phone, but I think we can manage all right. :))

Well, this chapter's just packed full of excitement, isn't it?

And sorrow. Such grief and sorrow... both in the beginning and the ending. 

It's crazy how short (meaning how few chapters) the duration of the fellowship actually takes place in, but it's all these adventures and misadventures that forge everyone tightly together even through all the separations that happen in the subsequent books. In the last chapter they went through ice and now they're literally going through and under fire together.

We start in Balin's tomb with the discovery of the Book of Records, detailing the foolhardy but nonetheless brave last stand of the dwarves -- and then our brave little company promptly finds itself in the same situation. We have the whole courageous firework-y bit with everyone fighting back to back, swords out in real battle. (When they're heading out I love how Aragorn snatches Frodo up -- it's 'no man left behind' bred into the bone.)

And then after a final mad scamper through the dark, we have the Balrog. And Gandalf's last stand. And rich imagery just popping everywhere.

Bear with me for a short history lesson (and this can be confusing, so feel free to add/correct any details in the comments ;)): as I understand it, in Tolkien's legendarium, Iluvatar is the creator and source of life. The Valar (Ainur, angelic spirits), brought into being by his thought, assisted him in the creation of the earth, and obviously there are a bunch of subsidiary details about how exactly they then entered into and shepherded the creation. So keeping this straightforward, Iluvatar is at the top and center and the Valar are his angelic emissaries. Melkor (aka Morgoth) was greatest of the Ainur, but (in very short form here) he rebelled, defying the will of Iluvatar and trying to take power for himself. So we have Iluvatar, the Valar, and then the Maiar, who are lesser spirits, vassals of the Valar. Some of the Maiar are Istari, appearing in the form of old men with great powers that are supposed to be used in fighting the darkness. Sauron was also created as a Maia, but became Melkor's lieutenant in the early wars and after the fall of his master became what he is in our current tale (trying not to give any spoilers here). The Balrog is made of the same stuff and status, though following a different path -- a Maia, likewise corrupted by Morgoth. So Sauron has grown great in wickedness, cunning, and forbidden powers, but originally he, Gandalf, and the Balrog were of similar standing in the creation order.

Whew! Ok, I hope that answered any questions (or maybe raised new ones xD).

After that horrible heart-stopping moment at the edge of the chasm, I love how Aragorn immediately shoulders (well, leaps) to the front to lead them on and out and then Boromir brings up the rear guard without a second thought -- standing between everyone and the orcs and drums and unknown, mind-numbing awfulness behind them.

And then they make the final mad dash to temporary safety out under the sun, into a quiet place with clear air and the wind on their faces.

Quotes:

• "The Balrog made no answer and the fire in it seemed to die, but the darkness grew. It stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall; but still Gandalf could be seen, glimmering in the gloom; he seemed small, and altogether alone: grey and bent, like a wizened tree before the onset of a storm."
• "Aragorn smote to the ground the captain that stood in his path, and the rest fled in terror of his wrath."
  

 

For thought:

• In the chamber, why do you think the orc captain went directly for Frodo?

The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 4 // A Journey in the Dark

(Isn't this picture amazing?)

Pictures aside, I think this chapter and the next are still very probably my least favorite in the entire book. That said, this one is exciting -- what with all the mysterious wolves, the dark pool filled with slimy wriggling arms, getting into Moria, and the whole long long march in the dark.

I do enjoy the whole episode at the gate with Gandalf searching so hard for the password and sensible Merry being on the right track from the beginning.

Once inside, Moria does sound mind-boggling. And I love the description of Aragorn treading along at the back, still not at all thrilled about the turn of events, but grimly being a good sport and serving as rear-guard. On previous reads somehow I always felt like Gandalf knew exactly what he was doing, so it's interesting to notice this time around how often he's unsure of the right path. He's a Maia/angelic being -- so in an entirely different category, with an additional wealth of knowledge and long memory of the elder days -- but I've been really struck this time around by how he still counsels with Aragorn and takes his word/even follows his lead into the snow and all that. Which of course, the truly wise and humble do -- knowing how much Unknown there is running all through and round any decision, and the uncertainty of all roads.

This chapter definitely leaves us smack dab in the middle of things, so I'm looking forward to getting Chapter 5 up early next week. Let us onward!

Quotes:

• "There was a roar and a crackle, and the tree above him burst into a leaf and bloom of blinding flame. The fire leapt from tree-top to tree-top. The whole hill was crowned with dazzling light. The swords and knives of the defenders shone and flickered. The last arrow of Legolas kindled in the air as it flew..."
• "Behind them the sinking Sun filled the cool western sky with glimmering gold."
• "The others looked dismayed; only Aragorn, who knew Gandalf well, remained silent and unmoved."

 

For thought:

• Pippin's fascination with the well/dropping in the stone reminds me of Digory's waking of Jadis in The Magician's Nephew. Both bring up similar questions. In here, do you think it was all just Pippin messing around or were there darker forces at work?
  

The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 3 // The Ring Goes South

Doesn't this chapter title just give you tingles? At long last, the full Company is chosen and the Sword of Elendil is forged anew and our journey is REALLY under way. (Hurrah!)

Not to strike a down note, but it's really interesting to me that delay was a problem at the beginning when leaving the Shire/giving the Enemy more time to mobilize, but then Tolkien has them delaying their start from Rivendell too while all the scouts go out. Maybe because Rivendell was one of the last fortresses/they were safe and leaving there (in a sense) it's a going to war and they have to properly prepare? Obviously, he was also throwing more adventures in their way and it had to be wintertime etc., but it's an interesting brain teaser.

When it comes to N/S/E/W directions in Middle Earth, I've been realizing I have a very similar brain to Pippin's. I can study the maps, but when journeying along I've realized I needed to turn round all the directions and adjust the position of the sun and the entire mountain range in my head.

I was also brought up short by the description of the Elves of Hollin. Is it surprising to to you, too, thinking of elves delving rock? I always tend to think of them more closely tied with the turning of seasons and trees and falling water, etc. etc.

And we run into our first major roadblock, which of course gives all sorts of room for problem solving. I love how much the different characters and personalities are starting to develop: Boromir concerned for the hobbits, Gimli being both gruff and eloquent, and Legolas running back and forth hassling Aragorn and Boromir as they're plowing through the snow together. <3

Quotes:

• "I can foresee very little of your road; and how your task is to be achieved I do not know. The Shadow has crept now to the feet of the Mountains, and draws nigh even to the borders of the Greyflood; and under the Shadow all is dark to me. You will meet many foes, some open, and some disguised; and you may find friends upon your way when you least look for it."
  
• "Their farewells had been said in the great hall by the fire, and they were only waiting now for Gandalf, who had not yet come out of the house. A gleam of firelight came from the open doors, and soft lights were glowing in many windows. Bilbo huddled in a cloak stood silent on the doorstep beside Frodo. Aragorn sat with his head bowed to his knees; only Elrond knew fully what this hour meant to him. The others could be seen as grey shapes in the darkness." <333 (Such a little moment, but I love it so much.) 
  
• "A fair jaw-cracker dwarf-language must be!"
• "...happily your Caradhras has forgotten that you have Men with you,' said Boromir, who came up at that moment. 'And doughty Men too, if I may say it; though lesser men with spades might have served you better. Still, we have thrust a lane through the drift; and for that all here may be grateful who cannot run as light as Elves."
  

 

For thought:

• Personally, I actually love the idea of the storm coming from Caradhras itself, but what do you think caused it?
• And where do you think the birds are coming from?