The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 3 // The Uruk-Hai

Ok, so this chapter's not as much fun. In fact, all things considered it's pretty fairly unpleasant. Still, we get to know Merry and Pippin better -- very plucky the both of them. <3

In case anyone's getting confused, basically we have a band of orcs made up of troops from Isengard, serving Saruman, and Mordor, serving Sauron. The big bullying captain Ugluk is from Isengard and the sneaky, sneering-voiced Grishnakh is from Mordor. They're fighting and arguing all the way along about where to ultimately take their prizes and in the end they all get wiped out by the Rohirrim.

As for Merry and Pippin: though they don't feel it, both are really impressively heroic in here -- what with Merry hacking off orc arms and hands at the beginning and Pippin running off like that to drop his brooch + worrying that even if Strider comes to rescue them it will throw off their plans. And both keeping their wits about them, observing what's happening and later stringing Grishnakh along etc.

I also found it impressive when it says, "He (Pippin) ate the stale grey bread hungrily, but not the meat. He was famished but not yet so famished as to eat flesh flung to him by an Orc, the flesh of he dared not guess what creature." Of course, I totally concur, but I have to say, this is one already vastly adventure-toughened hobbit.

Finally, a bit later:

"He slipped the cords off his wrists, and fished out a packet. The cakes were broken, but good, still in their leaf-wrappings. The hobbits each ate two or three pieces. The taste brought back to them the memory of fair faces, and laughter, and wholesome food in quiet days now far away. For a while they ate thoughtfully, sitting in the dark, heedless of the cries and sounds of battle nearby."

It's a little moment, but popped out at me as being rather unusual. I'm not trying to extrapolate too much from the section itself, but from a Christian perspective it immediately reminded me of the Eucharist: God spreading a table -- good and living bread for His people -- right in the midst of our enemies and darkness and battle. 

Quotes:

• "I wish Gandalf had never persuaded Elrond to let us come,' he thought. 'What good have I been? Just a nuisance: a passenger, a piece of luggage. And now I have been stolen and I am just a piece of luggage for the Orcs."
• "...Merry stood up, looking pale but grim and defiant, and very much alive."
• "Evil dreams and evil waking were blended into a long tunnel of misery, with hope growing ever fainter behind."
  

 

For thought:

• Do you tend to identify more with Merry or Pippin? Or both equally?
  

The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 2 // The Riders of Rohan

I. love. this. chapter. so. much.

I love the dogged tenacity and loyalty of our three hunters. I love the camaraderie. And I realized it does still all happen in early spring, but near the beginning I always picture them coming down out of the stony land into a world of water and wind-washed lush, soft, rejuvenating knee high green grass. Pure refreshment.

There's so much development going on theme-wise -- there's the pressing on and persevering with or without hope... discernment... the loyalty... and again, help in unexpected places. Aragorn just keeps getting better and better, and I feel like we learn so much about Gimli particularly too. He has some little flashes of wry humor and in other moments we glimpse his great depth of feeling -- particularly in his worry for Merry and Pippin. Of course Legolas is always great and made me smile several times.

As for the new face in our midst... Isn't Eomer just grand?!? Yup. Definitely utterly and entirely splendid. I could go on and on, but I'm getting so many different ideas popping and zinging round in my head (part of the reason it took me till this evening to post ;P) that I've finally decided that trying to pull it together right now is near impossible and I'm gonna try and do a proper study/tribute post to his character sometime later this year (maybe for Hamlette's Tolkien Week? *hints broadly* xD). At the moment I'll leave you with some eloquent splutters and squeal-y exclamation points. 

So here goes..... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XD 

Whew. Ok, being serious again. Well, as serious as possible.

I had one little unrelated thought about the champing-at-the-bit delays (in Rivendell and Lothlorien) we've all been noticing. Eomer says, "...at this time our chief concern is with Saruman. He has claimed lordship over all this land, and there has been war between us for many months." Simply from a plot point perspective, maybe Tolkien needed time for the tension to amp up and certain happenings in the wide world to get properly under way? I also thought it was funny how Tolkien references elves' sleeping habits twice in the one chapter. It doesn't bother me, but it's encouraging to know it might have taken him awhile to write it and/or things can always slide by during the editing process. (That's if it's a problem at all, which I'm not saying it is. It's just an interesting little side note. ;)) 

To go back briefly to the interchange at the heart of the chapter: there's so much just exploding out -- organically, but like the entire story is really hitting its stride. As aforementioned (and I won't go into it much yet due to spoilers + I'd rather just let it speak for itself) but we can already see the conflict of divided loyalties, having to discern fundamentals/on whose side to fight, truth v. lie/s, which will all just keep getting bigger and coming into clearer and clearer focus as we go on.

It's also really interesting that Eomer knew the words of the riddle/about Boromir's mission. For some reason I thought his quest was more of a deep dark secret (known only to his father and brother). Am I forgetting something? Does Eomer knowing about it strike anyone else as surprising?

Finally, I guess it's not necessarily singular -- plenty of people knew who Aragorn was and the Company had definitely seen little glimpses of him coming into his own (i.e. going through the Pillars of the Kings etc.) -- but the moment when he announces himself to Eomer does seem to be a revelatory turning point:

"Aragorn threw back his cloak. The elven-sheath glittered as he grasped it, and the bright blade of Anduril shone like a sudden flame as he swept it out. 'Elendil!' he cried. 'I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dunadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor. Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swifty!' ...in his living face they caught a brief vision of the power and majesty of the kings of stone. For a moment it seemed to the eyes of Legolas that a white flame flickered on the brows of Aragorn like a shining crown."

Quotes:

• I'm reading and rereading the descriptions near the beginning of sunrise over the meads of Rohan and then the grass swelling up to the Emyn Muil as our hunters go down into the land. I'm not going to copy it out here, but I'm definitely reveling in all the descriptive deliciousness.... <333
• "Eomer stepped back and a look of awe was in his face. He cast down his proud eyes. 'These are indeed strange days,' he muttered. 'Dreams and legends spring to life out of the grass. Tell me, lord,' he said, 'what brings you here? ...What doom do you bring out of the North?" "The doom of choice,' said Aragorn. 'You may say this to Theoden son of Thengel: open war lies before him, with Sauron or against him. None may live now as they have lived, and few shall keep what they call their own."
• "Halflings!' laughed the Rider that stood beside Eomer. 'Halflings! ...Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?' 'A man may do both,' said Aragorn. 'For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!'
• "...the Men of the Mark do not lie, and therefore they are not easily deceived."
  
• "I had forgotten that,' said Eomer. 'It is hard to be sure of anything among so many marvels. The world is all grown strange. Elf and Dwarf in company walk in our daily fields; and folk speak with the Lady of the Wood and yet live; and the Sword comes back to war that was broken in the long ages ere the fathers of our fathers rode into the Mark! How shall a man judge what to do in such times?' 'As he ever has judged,' said Aragorn. 'Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men. It is a man's part to discern them, as much in the Golden Wood as in his own house."
  
• "Farewell, and may you find what you seek!' cried Eomer. 'Return with what speed you may, and let our swords hereafter shine together!' 'I will come,' said Aragorn. 'And I will come too,' said Gimli. 'The matter of the Lady Galadriel lies still between us. I have yet to teach you gentle speech.' 'We shall see,' said Eomer. 'So many strange things have chanced that to learn the praise of a fair lady under the loving strokes of a Dwarf's axe will seem no great wonder. Farewell!"
  
• "The counsel of Gandalf was not founded on foreknowledge of safety, for himself or for others,' said Aragorn. 'There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark."
  

 

For thought:

• What was your favorite moment in this chapter?
  

The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 1 // The Departure of Boromir

I AM SO EXCITED TO BE STARTING TWO TOWERS!! I forgot how many of my favorite events happen in here and I'm looking forward to so many deliciously quotable, tingly sections. <333 *rubbing hands in anticipation of all the splendors lying in wait*

And thank you for your feedback! I know posting on Thursday doesn't look very promising, but I am hoping to do three chapters a week. Because I'm so excited. And I think it'll work well. 

Okay, so let's do this thing before I start blathering even more incoherently. xD

~

This first chapter drops us right into the action, moments after we left off in The Fellowship. And straightaway it's very very sad, but also triumphant, with Boromir proving himself a true and faithful man, a worthy and most doughty warrior. It's heartbreaking, but I love how he defends Merry and Pippin to the last. And you can see how he genuinely loves his people... they're his last thought. The little moment with Aragorn commending him makes me Very Happy. (And I'm determined not to drop spoilers here, but I also love how it ties in/kinda foreshadows Certain Events that happen later.)

Finally, after ongoing debate we have our remaining three setting out on their grand and desperate venture, which makes me want to cheer (and I may or may not be grinning ridiculously at the computer screen as I write this).

Chapter 2 here we come!

Quotes:

• "...we have no time to ponder riddles,' said Gimli. 'Let us bear Boromir away!' 'But after that we must guess the riddles, if we are to choose our course rightly,' answered Aragorn. 'Maybe there is no right choice,' said Gimli."
  
• "Yes,' said Aragorn, 'we shall need the endurance of Dwarves. But come! With hope or without hope we will follow the trail of our enemies. And woe to them, if we prove the swifter! We will make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the Three Kindreds: Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Forth the Three Hunters!"
• "They passed away, grey shadows in a stony land."
  

 

For thought:

• I thiiiink this version of Lament for Boromir is my top favorite of all the Tolkien songs entirely. It makes me want to cry and has definitely been a favorite for a long LONG time. <3 The two voices and the piano are incredible. Set your volume as high as you can and be sure to give it a listen. :) HERE'S THE LINK.
  

The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 10 // The Breaking of the Fellowship

Whew! There's so much action in here, rolling right the way up to the cliffhanger ending; and so much development, plot point and theme wise.

As far as Boromir falling under the power of the Ring (or rather, maybe, his momentary madness, because he comes out of it), this time round I was noticing -- not so much the temptation to grasp ultimate power, though that's definitely present -- but all the contrasts Tolkien is making. The temptation's always there to try and use the devil's own means to fight, and it can all look very logical. Over and against such grandly 'logical' plans, the path of faithfulness we're called to in the face of real darkness sometimes looks like sheer insanity, impossible and difficult and incredibly, hopelessly small.

And we have dear faithful Sam coming into his own, and the further bond of real, close camaraderie and friendship emerging between him and Frodo. Which warms my heart. <3

I also like the part with Frodo at the top of Amon Hen. It reminds me of Moses looking over the land, and as Frodo and Sam will be so cut off from everyone else (well, pretty entirely) for the rest of the quest I really really love how Frodo gets this glimpse of everything before he goes. He gets to know and see what he's going to toil and fight for, the battlefields where all his friends will be playing out their parts as he does his. I don't know.... it just gives me tingles.

~

*deep breath and back to business* We finished FOTR, everyone!! *high fives all round* I'm so excited to start The Two Towers. I'm tossing round the idea of bumping up to three chapters a week (ha, laughing at self xD), but I almost think the momentum might help keep me on track/a decent posting schedule. (Otherwise it's like too much time elapses and it's hard to remember to get the post up...) At the moment I think I'll wait for feedback/plan to start TTT the week of the 17th. 

So! On that note what do y'all think about three chapters?

Quotes:

• "The summit of Tol Brandir was tipped with gold."
  
• "Frodo rose to his feet. A great weariness was on him, but his will was firm and his heart lighter."
  

 

For thought:

• I have a big juicy thought running through my mind re Frodo crouching under the seat, fighting the power of the Eye, and the 'other point of power' that flashes to his mental aid etc., but I don't want to give away any delicious spoilers, so I'll exercise great self restraint and maybe we'll discuss it later. ;) 

  As we're wrapping up this section do you have any concluding thoughts popping to mind regarding this chapter or The Fellowship as a whole?

The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 9 // The Great River

I know not much of an earthshaking nature happens in this chapter -- and all is pretty cold and wet and miserable -- but this stage of the quest really appeals to me.

We do get cold and wet, and Gollum is popping up and we're now officially on the frontier, with orcs and far darker things, but we also have valiant deeds, and straight up problem solving and good-natured ribbing. It's genuine adventure -- including the cold and damp and cranky bits of adventure that don't always get talked about.

Incidentally, I've always loved when Frodo and Sam are doing their detective work on Gollum and Aragorn (probably Gandalf too back in Moria) already knew about him. It's still a grim topic, but the little interchange there always makes me smile.

And it struck me how (thus far) we have Gimli longing to see the clear waters of Kheled-Zaram, then Legolas singing in Lothlorien and now -- going through Argonath, the Pillars of the Kings -- we have a glimpse of the king returning from exile to his own land: Aragorn, Elessar, the Elfstone, Isildur's son, the heir of Elendil -- longing for his own city -- and also to stand once more high upon Amon Hen, the Mount of Sight now looming before them.

(Also, they're not perfect, but just thought you'd enjoy seeing one of the little Princess's Christmas gifts. xD)

Our last chapter's coming this weekend and then, to quote Lewis, it's onward and upward! Hang in there everyone! <3

Quotes:

• "Time flows on to a spring of little hope."
• "When the day came the mood of the world about them had become soft and sad."
  

 

For thought:

• Contains some slight spoilers if you haven't read the story before, but I just ran across this post and found it refreshing so thought y'all might like it too. Here's the link.

  Last but not least, do you agree with Sam about fog? Or in general do you find it romantic and mysterious?
  

Quick housekeeping note

I'm planning to get the last two Fellowship chapters up next week, then starting TTT on the 12th.

Looking forward to it :) and hope you're all having a lovely Saturday. Happy New Year! 🎉