Thursday, January 7, 2021

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?

2 comments:

  1. I don't mind fog. My husband loves it, and so does my son. One of my daughters is indifferent, and the other hates it.

    Interesting post about some unusual favorite lines!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like fog! It's pretty.

    My favorite quote from this chapter:
    "For the Elves the world moves, and it moves both very swift and very slow. Swift, because they themselves change little, and all else fleets by: it is a grief to them. Slow, because they do not count the running years, not for themselves. The passing seasons are but ripples ever repeated in the long long stream. Yet beneath the sun all things must wear to an end at last."

    ReplyDelete

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