tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7907626168821180402024-03-05T19:12:13.179-08:00Literary Adventures Along the BrandywineA Read-Along BlogHeidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-66970294607925268112021-03-12T15:50:00.001-08:002021-03-12T15:50:06.759-08:00The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 10 // The Voice of Saruman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoFcRfj3TlbcSvHhjQ077Q5JNiHw4q_5Olwg3CBE8XKy0YaxHozradbzbdJsdYrFhowman5-hKGbLB-7Nf3Na2EGkDE_cF26R5ooGWIVW0UtR_P9rD3lnELVp9unPEUROI8kUSwGzo-U/s899/Orthanc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoFcRfj3TlbcSvHhjQ077Q5JNiHw4q_5Olwg3CBE8XKy0YaxHozradbzbdJsdYrFhowman5-hKGbLB-7Nf3Na2EGkDE_cF26R5ooGWIVW0UtR_P9rD3lnELVp9unPEUROI8kUSwGzo-U/w251-h400/Orthanc.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div><p></p><p>Bet you can't tell I've been procrastinating this chapter, eh? ;) Seriously though, there's so so much to think about, I really wanted to get a handle on it before posting. I'm still thinking on it, but a few talking points have finally come together.</p><p>Again, Tolkien wasn't making any sort of allegory, but his imagination was so steeped and saturated in the words and symbols of God, it can't help welling up right and left in his prose. That said, when quoting below I'm not saying there's necessarily a direct typology connection, just sharing my reverberating thoughts this week.<br /></p><p>Three specific things I'm cogitating on are: the wilderness, the serpent, and the deep, <i>deep </i>folly of pride.</p><p>I was thinking of the serpent in the wilderness separately and then while listening to the chapter (for I think the fourth or fifth time in the last two weeks), the opening paragraph just leapt out at me:</p><blockquote><p>"They passed through the ruined tunnel and stood upon a heap of stones, gazing at the dark rock of Orthanc, and its many windows, a menace still in the desolation that lay all about it. The waters had now nearly all subsided. Here and there gloomy pools remained, covered with scum and wreckage; but most of the wide circle was bare again, a wilderness of slime and tumbled rock..."<br /></p></blockquote><p>And into this rocky wilderness they will go, to meet and be tempted by the serpent with his smooth words.</p><p>And so we come to the voice of Saruman:</p><blockquote><p>"Suddenly another voice spoke, low and melodious, its very sound an enchantment. Those who listened unwarily to that voice could seldom report the words that they heard; and if they did, they wondered, for little power remained in them. Mostly they remembered only that it was a delight to hear the voice speaking, all that it said seemed wise and reasonable, and desire awoke in them by swift agreement to seem wise themselves. When others spoke they seemed harsh and uncouth by contrast; and if they gainsaid the voice, anger was kindled in the hearts of those under the spell. For some the spell lasted only while the voice spoke to them, and when it spoke to another they smiled, as men do who see through a juggler's trick while others gape at it. For many the sound of the voice alone was enough to hold them enthralled; but for those whom it conquered the spell endured when they were far away, and ever they heard that soft voice whispering and urging them. But none were unmoved; none rejected its pleas and its commands without an effort of mind and will..."<br /></p></blockquote><p>The voice of the devil -- that dangerous siren song. Compelling and attractive, even <i>lovely</i>. And so very, very reasonable. Even appealing to (what we think) are our noble instincts. But its end is utter destruction. </p><p>It also immediately brings to mind the entire episode with the Queen of Underland in Lewis's <i>Silver Chair</i>. Theoden's voice breaking in here is akin to Puddleglum's bravely burnt feet and sturdy stand for truth. (One wonders what discussions might have happened on some late night between Lewis and Tolkien with their pipes and ale mugs before them, leading to these two incredible scenes. :))</p><p>Finally we have pride: the lifting up -- the lust for power -- the wanting to<i> be God</i> -- the root of idolatry leading to all kinds of evil. That lust that sways us from our first love, our desires, our duty. True authority does not need to graspingly assert itself, and a true counselor <i>serves. </i>Saruman, wishing to command, soon becomes entangled in a web of his own making. <br /></p><p>To extrapolate a little on another note: Gimli's sturdy line is also very apropos/a great reminder in these
tumultuous times when we may sometimes find ourselves using the same
terminology as others, but with entirely divergent understandings: "The words of this wizard stand on their heads,'
he growled..." Not immediately what Gimli was talking about, but it got me thinking how counterfeits and lies can be especially attractive and hook us in, simply because they <i>do </i>sometimes recognize a genuine problem/issue<i>, </i>there can be a germ of truth there. But there's no peace in a counterfeit solution, a middling warfare. And in going out on his own wisdom, Saruman finds himself fighting against the truth and ultimately swallowed by the darkness. </p><p></p><blockquote>“How you are fallen from heaven,<br />O Lucifer, son of the morning!<br />How you are cut down to the ground,<br />You who weakened the nations!<br />For you have said in your heart:<br />‘I will ascend into heaven,<br />I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;<br />I will also sit on the mount of the congregation<br />On the farthest sides of the north;<br />I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,<br />I will be like the Most High." Isaiah 14:12-14</blockquote><p style="text-align: left;">The only solution for our broken, hurting world is in the truth -- in the cross and resurrection and authority of Christ. There and there alone dwells life for the dead and true peace, unity, and food for the hungry and heart sore and weary. And in the power of His word -- sharper than any two-edged sword -- there is real and utter aid. "He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole." Job 5:18 It may hurt, but in the end therein lies the only help and healing for all our ills. </p><p style="text-align: center;">~ <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Finally, returning to Isengard: the flood of judgment has swept all clean, upended everything, and trees will be coming back to clothe the desolation. The desert will become a lush wood: wild, dangerous, well tended, loved, and full of life. </p><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Merry and Pippin sat on the bottom step, feeling both unimportant and unsafe."</li><li>"Eomer spoke. 'Lord, hear me!' he said. 'Now we feel the peril that we were warned of. Have we ridden forth to victory, only to stand at last amazed by an old liar with honey on his forked tongue?"</li><li>"The treacherous are ever distrustful..."</li><li>"Often does hatred hurt itself!"</li><li>Last but not least, we definitely need to revive the phrase, "Turn elsewhither"! Can I get a second on that? ;)<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>What stuck out to you the most in this chapter?<br /></p></li></ul></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-45634800706927005932021-03-05T16:44:00.007-08:002021-03-05T17:02:56.192-08:00The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 9 // Flotsam and Jetsam<div></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB-b5vUtPmwGij7FjmBAkfsqAgLf_C2iKnf1QAomD9Bo3yUwQ__TJu4bl4hNzYrYlU1FSZns-85elt6LrKRyfMFhg5rU5cSo-0Pg1GVxRILinDwT52loc6ZkoZqUQS6rBVTLPgHwq2no/s564/Isengard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="564" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB-b5vUtPmwGij7FjmBAkfsqAgLf_C2iKnf1QAomD9Bo3yUwQ__TJu4bl4hNzYrYlU1FSZns-85elt6LrKRyfMFhg5rU5cSo-0Pg1GVxRILinDwT52loc6ZkoZqUQS6rBVTLPgHwq2no/w400-h199/Isengard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Bet y'all thought I fell off the face of the earth, eh? Nope, spring has just sprung here and birds are calling and the sun is shining and there's soooo much to do out of doors (and indoors, I'm finally tackling my laundry pile today). Anyhow! So yes, little old me is still here and popping up in your feed like an inquisitive rabbit.</p><p>I don't know if you've all taken a break too or raced ahead and already finished the entire trilogy, but no worries either way. <br /></p><p>So! Let's concentrate on our chapter for a minute. Speaking of which, first things first, I've always dearly loved this chapter, including its very title -- 'Flotsam & Jetsam'. And how perfectly delicious is it that this meeting of friends is taking place on March the 5th in Shire-reckoning and here we all are to join right in on our March 5th? I'm beyond delighted. xD</p><p>There are a number of lines I find particularly delightful and funny, such as when the hobbits are recounting their meeting with Gandalf and how he starts right in without small talk, calling Pippin a "tom-fool of a Took" before going straight to the point with Treebeard, telling him he has 10,000 orcs to manage.</p><p>And do you remember how in Bree (at the time) it all felt strange and none too safe, and now it's positively cozy to look back on that episode -- after all the perils and cold and great matters that have happened since?</p><p>Lastly, I'm seriously considering 'Wellinghall' as a proper name for our
domicile. It's very British (which we like), but I think it could also passably fit with the
wild western-y flair running round here (or at least fairly passably... maybe?). I
like the Biblical connotations too + the strength of our well is
actually one of the most notable features about our 10 acres. Hmmm....
have to keep pondering it, but I definitely like it as a name. <br /></p><p> </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Now let us take our ease here for a little!' said Aragorn. 'We will sit on the edge of ruin and talk, as Gandalf says, while he is busy elsewhere.' ...'Look!' said Pippin. 'Strider the Ranger has come back!' 'He has never been away,' said Aragorn. 'I am Strider and Dunadan too, and I belong both to Gondor and the North."</li><li>"One who cannot cast away a treasure at need is in fetters."</li><li>"It is difficult with these evil folk to know when they are in league, and when they are cheating one another."</li><li>"Wherever I have been, I am back," he answered in the genuine Gandalf manner."<br /></li><li>"You said much less than you might, and no more than you should."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>Merry says: "I don't know what Saruman thought was happening; but anyway he did not
know how to deal with it. His wizardry may have been falling off lately,
of course; but anyway I think he has not much grit, not much plain
courage alone in a tight place without a lot of slaves and machines and
things, if you know what I mean. Very different from old Gandalf." I don't want to push this too far/being respectful of Tolkien's insistence that his story is <u>not</u> a political allegory + his direct experience was more in WWI. Still, his life experience couldn't help but come into play a little bit and he did live through WWII. Do you think he might have had Hitler in mind at least a little when he wrote that? </p><p>And I'm trying not to delve into anything that will come up more in the next chapter, so I'll stick with this final thought: does Grima Wormtongue remind anyone else of Gollum? We haven't spent much time with the latter yet (so please disregard this question if it's your first time through the story), but for some reason I've always thought of them as being very similar and I'm trying to figure out why. Maybe it's just the cringing sneakiness? <br /></p></li></ul></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-71182855191346555742021-02-20T23:34:00.005-08:002021-02-21T01:54:32.129-08:00The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 8 // The Road to Isengard<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTUStK09DF6hkjEc_cVqtUZ9DDEdYj0krPqFoCYw4uBDI_3aIqlSqosAN1rVJMTYgE4H5A1SVTSyxUn_XUMBldb3dQQsg5uEtjjGq94F0J_fUn_OK53qGfOLjUvdbelW3MEEzYvE3R80/s1002/Athabasca+Falls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTUStK09DF6hkjEc_cVqtUZ9DDEdYj0krPqFoCYw4uBDI_3aIqlSqosAN1rVJMTYgE4H5A1SVTSyxUn_XUMBldb3dQQsg5uEtjjGq94F0J_fUn_OK53qGfOLjUvdbelW3MEEzYvE3R80/w360-h640/Athabasca+Falls.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A transitional chapter, this takes a big deep breath right smack dab in the middle of everything. <div><p>And this just popped out at me, but I think friendship features prominently. Not in a gushy touchy-feely way, but in the deep, Jonathan and David, have your back, shoulder to shoulder, proactively think and notice things and go the tough extra mile sort of way.</p><p>We have Gimli and Legolas at the beginning of course. And then when we get to the Fords of Isen, Theoden is getting discouraged and heartsore and this interchange happens with Gandalf:</p><p>"Look!' said Gandalf. 'Friends have labored here.' And they saw that in the midst of the eyot a mound was piled, ringed with stones, and set about with many spears. 'Here lie all the Men of the Mark that fell near this place,' said Gandalf. 'Here let them rest!' said Eomer. 'And when their spears have rotted and rusted, long still may their mound stand and guard the Fords of Isen!' 'Is this your work also, Gandalf, my friend?' said Theoden. 'You accomplished much in an evening and a night!"</p><p>I know 'friend' can just be a colloquial expression, but it's definitely a moment that means a lot to Theoden so I think we should take note.</p><p>And finally we have the beginning of our reunion with the hobbits (I love that Theoden has heard of them!), hearkening back to the long chase of our three mighty hunters. </p><p>Other miscellaneous point -- earlier, I love how Gandalf laughs 'long and merrily'.<br /></p><p>And then I'd forgotten the riddle he quotes:</p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"Ere iron was found or tree was hewn, </div><div style="text-align: left;">When young was mountain under moon;</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ere ring was made, or wrought was woe,</div><div style="text-align: left;">It walked the forests long ago."</div></blockquote><p>Did anyone else find the mention of the ring there interesting?</p><p> </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"I have lived to see strange days."</li><li>"You are not without allies, even if you know them not."</li><li>"A strong place and wonderful was Isengard, and long it had been beautiful; and there great lords had dwelt... But Saruman had slowly shaped it to his shifting purposes, and made it better, as he thought, being deceived -- for all those arts and subtle devices, for which he forsook his former wisdom, and which fondly he imagined were his own, came but from Mordor..." (pretty plain speaking there on Professor Tolkien's part)</li><li>And it's too much to quote at length, but of course I LOVE all the hobbit-y bit at the end so much xD <333<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>Which would be first on your adventure-with-a-friend itinerary: the glittering caverns of Helm's Deep or the Forest of Fangorn? :)</p></li></ul></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-52044784505585417552021-02-19T23:41:00.003-08:002021-02-19T23:50:25.480-08:00The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 7 // Helm's Deep<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBXRuAAnnWxiW6hoIGhWj3IM9Tz_uq6lHNwSryyFJ2Voa5ASfPq-NhrzCogE51IuY_Z5IxE0JqrLJdVxo8zOHrec4ssXSbzUQ8fNrcCKLbTVUyJzYoA0xN7GVzqwZ0KVda2IGLNlBhr4/s564/Helms+Deep.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="564" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBXRuAAnnWxiW6hoIGhWj3IM9Tz_uq6lHNwSryyFJ2Voa5ASfPq-NhrzCogE51IuY_Z5IxE0JqrLJdVxo8zOHrec4ssXSbzUQ8fNrcCKLbTVUyJzYoA0xN7GVzqwZ0KVda2IGLNlBhr4/w400-h225/Helms+Deep.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Well, this chapter is just a whole heap o' excitement, isn't it?</p><p></p><p>The friendship between Gimli and Legolas is firmly cemented and really hitting its stride -- I love the rivalry between them and when they get separated how Legolas is honestly concerned for Gimli's safety and covers it with his whole quip of wanting to boast about his current orc tally.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb1MnWKmkasRy8lNqOoITrRCOxWzg3AHLjCzjfeyCJKKNaTqYT0ywGj89BIRMQbGmwhaziGVyF9q1tHxXvH6rE61DyBUUUv5edC30J2zIuHDgjaCWOvuoYoChjvA8sdKa9GFsR9JblJs/s705/Legolas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb1MnWKmkasRy8lNqOoITrRCOxWzg3AHLjCzjfeyCJKKNaTqYT0ywGj89BIRMQbGmwhaziGVyF9q1tHxXvH6rE61DyBUUUv5edC30J2zIuHDgjaCWOvuoYoChjvA8sdKa9GFsR9JblJs/w320-h400/Legolas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>And then there's the development with Aragorn and Eomer too, now finally drawing sword together. I don't think I'd noticed before how quickly the bond of loyalty grows between them. But that's the whole idea behind being brothers-in-arms. Mettle is tested and after you've been through a night like that together you pretty much know where you're at. Great deeds lie right before you and small talk is dispensed with. </p><p>Finally we have the last charge: <br /></p><p></p><blockquote>"And with that shout the king came. His horse was white as snow, golden
was his shield, and his spear was long. At his right hand was Aragorn, Elendil's heir, behind him rode the lords of the House of Eorl the Young. Light sprang in the sky. Night departed." <br /></blockquote><p></p><p>And then the entire thing just rolls and swells, tingling and throbbing. Legends forming right before our eyes. <3<br /></p><p> </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"...behind us comes a very storm of Mordor,' said Gandalf."</li><li>"He that flies counts every foeman twice..."</li><li>"This is more to my liking,' said the dwarf, stamping on the stones. 'Ever my heart rises as we draw near the mountains."</li><li>"...oft the unbidden guest makes the best company."</li><li>"Dawn is not far off,' said Gamling, who had now climbed up beside him. 'But dawn will not help us I fear.' 'Yet dawn is ever the hope of men,' said Aragorn."</li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>Do you have a favorite moment in this chapter? And in need, which would come handier to you -- a sword, bow, or axe?</p></li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-25486420430785708722021-02-19T08:47:00.002-08:002021-02-19T11:00:27.566-08:00The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 6 // The King of the Golden Hall<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfMuHs4tUNeXsFcUmcw9n1sHHjQpFj640smTxLHqr2LWMVSt2E6NfBzKQnLpXON7kG6HOLzzVX12rHL590pOeRRmdHS7sthvxVxYAC9vCxs7e1iO7j2kwXO73Zkb0WhUEfyUFemio2mI/s695/07ab55bf45a4be9b78daa177ac243a12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="498" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfMuHs4tUNeXsFcUmcw9n1sHHjQpFj640smTxLHqr2LWMVSt2E6NfBzKQnLpXON7kG6HOLzzVX12rHL590pOeRRmdHS7sthvxVxYAC9vCxs7e1iO7j2kwXO73Zkb0WhUEfyUFemio2mI/w286-h400/07ab55bf45a4be9b78daa177ac243a12.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>We're in Rohan!!!!!!! And this entire chapter is just wonderful. <3<br /></p><p>There's so much going on: what with the new place, all the new characters, and then all the bandying wordplay.</p><p>Just a short summary in case anyone's confused -- Theoden (Lord of the Mark/King of Rohan) is listening to cunning, craven counsel from a henchman planted by Saruman, who has been trying to maneuver Rohan into staying out of the war and/or ultimately just giving in to despair and rolling over in easy defeat.</p><p>But then our three travelers arrive and expose all his machinations, bringing light and clarity and purpose and courage. The helped are now giving help. <br /></p><p>And we meet Eowyn for the first time.<br /></p><p></p><blockquote>"The woman turned and went slowly into the house. As she passed the doors she turned and looked back. Grave and thoughtful was her glance, as she looked on the king with cool pity in her eyes. Very fair was her face, and her long hair was like a river of gold. Slender and tall she was in her white robe girt with silver; but strong she seemed and stern as steel, a daughter of kings. Thus Aragorn for the first time in the full light of day beheld Eowyn, Lady of Rohan, and thought her fair, fair and cold, like a morning of pale spring that is not yet come to womanhood. And she now was suddenly aware of him: tall heir of kings, wise with many winters, greycloaked, hiding a power that yet she felt. For a moment still as stone she stood, then turning swiftly she was gone."</blockquote><p></p><p>And we can soon see she very quickly has feelings for Aragorn, which -- perceptive and honorable man that he is and faithful to his love, Arwen -- troubles him. I've got some more to say on that, but I think I'll save it till matters further develop. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgms7oecOm_fW2IPmjV96S9WJY56Lj0GcScqkF9N01F1ja8OQfgAQGLA16woyh9bgiiIBDHKzpaJ_4M8ZZgb_d2D6kjR1WrRGiOgrudjBD6q9KFV0thpgGqiDmoM-dmE1fIVDEKGrm1GIo/s624/b34f4f2e32f35c01bc9e7fc5ac72092a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgms7oecOm_fW2IPmjV96S9WJY56Lj0GcScqkF9N01F1ja8OQfgAQGLA16woyh9bgiiIBDHKzpaJ_4M8ZZgb_d2D6kjR1WrRGiOgrudjBD6q9KFV0thpgGqiDmoM-dmE1fIVDEKGrm1GIo/w320-h400/b34f4f2e32f35c01bc9e7fc5ac72092a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Growing up, I didn't exactly figure out what Wormtongue's full designs
on Eowyn were and now that I have more of an idea what he could've been
up to... ugh, I don't particularly want to speculate on whatever slimy
manipulations and blackness he had in his devious mind. I just grinned
all over this time when Theoden says that Eomer threatened death to
Grima in his hall, mostly over that. I so wish we got an entire
description of that episode, but you can pretty much imagine it already,
can't you? Three cheers for Eomer! <br /></p><p>Something else I noticed this time... Running all through LOTR we have the theme of small, unlikely figures being called to huge, unlikely tasks. What I noticed in this chapter (and which seems to be ongoing as it'll come out later with Faramir too), is the idea of unexpectedly taking on the weight of a position you'd never planned on or expected. Of course, Eomer (and Faramir, though not going too much there yet due to spoilers) were already great lords in their own right and raised to be leaders of men, but at the same time they were a nephew and a younger son -- neither expecting to be the heir of their house. It reminds me of King Alfred the Great, coming to the throne after the untimely death of his four older brothers. That might all seem obvious and transparent, but I just want to pay special attention to it on this read through and see if I notice any more as we go along. <br /></p><p>All of which.... was absolutely and entirely unintentional XD, but made a great segue into my last point. We love watching the BBC Time Team round these parts. (They're off on prehistory dates, of course, but otherwise it's a program I highly HIGHLY recommend. Amazon Prime has 18 seasons/all in order, but I think you can find most of them on Youtube as well.) Anyway, last week we watched one where they discovered evidence for the largest Saxon hall ever found in Britain. Part way through, it was brought up how very little was/is actually known about the Saxons + they mentioned the link with Tolkien/LOTR/Rohan as he was good friends with the archaeologist who originally excavated round the area they were working on. Tingly stuff. <3 Anyhow, I'll leave the link below and hope you're able to check it out. The program as a whole is fascinating and generally relaxing and at the same time sometimes gets me all fired up with my brain going a mile-a-minute. ;D<br /></p><p> </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"A king will have his way in his own hall..."</li><li>"...behold! the storm comes, and now all friends should gather together, lest each singly be destroyed." </li><li>"I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a serving-man till the lightning falls."</li><li>"Too long have you sat in shadows and trusted to twisted tales and crooked promptings."</li><li>"A man may love you and yet not love Wormtongue or his counsels,' said Gandalf."</li><li>"I owe much to Eomer,' said Theoden. 'Faithful heart may have forward tongue.' 'Say also,' said Gandalf, 'that to crooked eyes truth may wear a wry face."</li><li>"Their spears were like a springing wood."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>A couple musical settings I like: Aragorn's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwDKs0rj8O8" target="_blank">Lament of the Rohirrim</a> and Gandalf's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YOt3gdymeo" target="_blank">Song of Lorien</a>. What's your favorite rendition for both of these?</p><p>And make sure to check out that Time Team ep <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D8yreKToYQ" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br /></p><p>Finally, what are your impressions of Theoden and Eowyn so far? Are you as excited to get to Rohan as I am?<br /></p></li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-83424115782165629992021-02-14T08:15:00.001-08:002021-02-14T08:15:26.995-08:00Quick check-in<p>What ho my fellow adventurers! </p><p>This is mostly an apology for not posting earlier last week. I probably should've just taken the week off here to begin with, but in my over ambitious plan I was thinking, "Host a period drama party on AtB, keep up with LOTR posts AND declutter the kitchen and stay on top of house cleaning? Totally doable." Only.... then I had a magnificent, revolutionary idea for my current historical novel-in-progress (not that I got to writing it yet, I was too busy jotting down all the red hot ideas as they came flying over the plate -- while loading dishes and scrubbing sticky cupboards), but yeah, turns out apparently I only have so much brain space and/or it's really hard to be in that many different worlds at once. ;P</p><p>But! This week we should be back into it asap and I did discover some interesting details I'm really excited to share and discuss soon.</p><p>Hoping you all have a lovely Sunday!</p>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-89282852282761284822021-02-05T22:24:00.000-08:002021-02-05T22:24:08.093-08:00The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 5 // The White Rider<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPd_mFh1LOOPwfWTeLrYfy90KHsnqGDsIy2P8M1yHPCxAYL2Z3Eot1OoqzEMt12sB0nWJTJ5uUEPNN_2_V7AQ1r98unWATsHG78x7bqWZQHKJRX2l4FH7mmCxrFhtfqjB8e9clmXzktBc/s563/forest+glade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="563" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPd_mFh1LOOPwfWTeLrYfy90KHsnqGDsIy2P8M1yHPCxAYL2Z3Eot1OoqzEMt12sB0nWJTJ5uUEPNN_2_V7AQ1r98unWATsHG78x7bqWZQHKJRX2l4FH7mmCxrFhtfqjB8e9clmXzktBc/w400-h272/forest+glade.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I love this chapter so so much.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">What
with all the personality dynamics... Gimli stamping and snorting and
being all suspicious and even Legolas asking questions too and Aragorn
being his diligent self.</p><p>And then there's the surprise and the <i>joy</i>. The rich, stirring, piercing joy. *sniffs* <333<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqvOqrGfvNsK_SvSmYrnQqHukv4ZFKR52e6ezsJyqYaTJ5VJTp6cXMhwu7CW8US5KRnTmvDkKNkyRMXjuu8MacPD0BbBLYeaVKrzVXxIb9WYZOnYxY3iohmBVFSi8n4fQ6f6nittacN8/s829/Gandalf+smiling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="829" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqvOqrGfvNsK_SvSmYrnQqHukv4ZFKR52e6ezsJyqYaTJ5VJTp6cXMhwu7CW8US5KRnTmvDkKNkyRMXjuu8MacPD0BbBLYeaVKrzVXxIb9WYZOnYxY3iohmBVFSi8n4fQ6f6nittacN8/w400-h226/Gandalf+smiling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We discussed this a little earlier in reference to beauty, but here
Gandalf says something slightly different:</p><blockquote><p>"Dangerous!' cried Gandalf.
'And so am I, very dangerous: more dangerous than anything you will ever
meet, unless you are brought alive before the seat of the Dark Lord.
And Aragorn is dangerous, and Legolas is dangerous. You are beset with
dangers, Gimli son of Gloin; for you are dangerous yourself, in your own
fashion. Certainly the forest of Fangorn is perilous -- not least to
those that are too ready with their axes; and Fangorn himself, he is
perilous too; yet he is wise and kindly nonetheless."<br /></p></blockquote>Not all kittens and flowers but a roaring storm and a thunderclap, goodness can be a dangerous and a fearsome thing. <p> </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"The
old man was too quick for him. He sprang to his feet and leaped to the
top of a large rock. There he stood, grown suddenly tall, towering above
them. His hood and his grey rags were flung away. His white garments
shone. He lifted up his staff, and Gimli's axe leaped from his grasp and
fell ringing on the ground. The sword of Aragorn, stiff in his
motionless hand, blazed with a sudden fire. Legolas gave a great shout
and shot an arrow high into the air: it vanished in a flash of flame.
'Mithrandir!' he cried. 'Mithrandir!' 'Well met, I say to you again,
Legolas!' said the old man. They all gazed at him. His hair was white as
snow in the sunshine; and gleaming white was his robe; the eyes under
his deep brows were bright, piercing as the rays of the sun; power was
in his hand. Between wonder, joy, and fear they stood and found no words
to say."</li><li>"We meet again. At the turn of the tide. The great storm is coming, but the tide has turned."</li><li>"It
was not in vain that the young hobbits came with us, if only for
Boromir's sake. But that is not the only part they have to play. They
were brought to Fangorn, and their coming was like the falling of small
stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains. Even as we talk here, I
hear the first rumblings. Saruman had best not be caught away from home
when the dam bursts!"</li><li>"He laughed, but the sound now seemed warm and kindly as a gleam of sunshine."</li><li>"Gandalf
laughed again. 'Yes, my good Dwarf,' he said, 'it is a comfort not to
be mistaken at all points. Do I not know it only too well! But, of
course, I never blamed you for your welcome of me. How could I do so,
who have so often counselled my friends to suspect even their own hands
when dealing with the Enemy. Bless you, Gimli, son of Gloin! Maybe you
will see us both together one day and judge between us!"</li><li>"A
thing is about to happen which has not happened since the Elder Days:
the Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong."</li><li>"...we have met in time, who otherwise might have met too late."</li><li>"Go where you must go, and hope!"<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>Do you think of goodness as being perilous (i.e. the two things tied together)?<br /></p></li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-88618661794866810852021-02-04T17:20:00.001-08:002021-02-04T17:24:16.178-08:00The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 4 // Treebeard<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGkLvXSYpXRIDSU781BfLBlopxz18vaNv1TZd9eUzAc3NsTGyHt2uhviD6k0g1hmsDMyy9zX982f4yd5WWpJMOJTAydZXqQK1Pl1ny_sAj2Bn5pagBIJVE2FMPm_wHsKjGriE_3QUyHM/s789/forest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGkLvXSYpXRIDSU781BfLBlopxz18vaNv1TZd9eUzAc3NsTGyHt2uhviD6k0g1hmsDMyy9zX982f4yd5WWpJMOJTAydZXqQK1Pl1ny_sAj2Bn5pagBIJVE2FMPm_wHsKjGriE_3QUyHM/w286-h400/forest.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p></p><p>Hilarious anecdote (speaking facetiously of course), I'm <b>soooo </b>excited about Chapter 5 coming up (and have already listened to it twice) that I didn't realize till I sat down at the computer just now and was staring at the post list that apparently I utterly and completely forgot to post on Chapter 4! *face palm*</p><p>Well, let us to it without more delay and then Chapter 5 can come as quickly as ever it can. xD</p><p>No two ways about it, Chapter 4 maaaaaay be the longest in the trilogy (if it's not, because I'm being very un-technical in saying so, it's at least gotta be close). In here particularly again, the writing (as reflecting the content itself) is just jumping out at me again -- careful and slow moving, even a bit sleepy in places, but sturdy and deep and <i>abiding.</i> There's clamor pressing outside the forest, but at the moment, snatched away from all the hurly-burly, it's like we're caught inside a rainbow glinting bubble -- all relaxed and dreamy and very quiet, but then moving slowly yet surely with greater and greater impetus into the final rumbling, impetuous, thrilling march to battle.<br /></p><p>Ents are so unusual aren't they? And specific to Tolkien's imagination as hobbits are. <br /></p><p>I can never quite tell what I think when it comes to the tale of the Ent-wives, especially as I can see both sides of the question. My take on it being the Ents, while shepherding what is, possibly wanting to more let things happen as they will, approach matters in more of a custodial fashion; while the Ent-wives wanted to impose more order, to maybe be involved more in the act of ongoing creativity itself? Sorry, that's kind of a rough-hewn thought. It's all just so sad it's kinda hard to think about. It is interesting in that it's another thread (<i>somewhat </i>similar to Bombadil) which doesn't have any direct bearing on the current events, but I think helps make the entire thing real/into an archetypal story; life, or in this case, Middle Earth -- all those other stories with just one chapter passing through ours or where we just catch a glimpse of the edges, but that go to building up the entire huge tapestry, making a glorious and cohesive creation, yet made of threads running every which way. (And I'm just referencing the little bits of their back story we get here, obviously the Ents themselves will be a big part of our story going forward.)</p><p>Anyhow! Treebeard is a brick and it does crack me up when he refers to "young Saruman down at Isengard."<br /></p><p>I also find it so interesting how Tolkien says trolls are counterfeit Ents, made by the Enemy. Very neat that.<br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"For a moment, Treebeard stood under the rain of the falling spring, and took a deep breath; then he laughed, and passed inside... Treebeard lifted two great vessels and stood them on the table. They seemed to be filled with water; but he held his hands over them, and immediately they began to glow, one with a golden and the other with a rich green light; and the blending of the two lights lit the bay, as if the sun of summer was shining through a roof of young leaves. Looking back, the hobbits saw that the trees in the court had also begun to glow, faintly at first, but steadily quickening, until every leaf was edged with light: some green, some gold, some red as copper..." <br /></li><li>"The effect of the draught began at the toes, and rose steadily through every limb, bringing refreshment and vigour as it coursed upwards, right to the tips of the hair. Indeed the hobbits felt that the hair on their heads was actually standing up, waving and curling and growing."<br /></li><li>"He has a mind of metal and wheels; and he does not care for growing things..."</li><li>"Good! Good!' said Treebeard. 'But I spoke hastily. We must not be hasty. I have become too hot. I must cool myself and think; for it is easier to shout <i>stop! </i>than to do it.' He strode to the archway and stood for some time under the falling rain of the spring. Then he laughed and shook himself, and wherever the drops of water fell glittering from him to the ground they glinted like red and green sparks."</li><li>"Of course, it is likely enough, my friends,' he said slowly, 'likely enough that we are going to our own doom: the last march of the Ents. But if we stayed at home and did nothing, doom would find us anyway, sooner or later."</li><li>"But there, my friends, songs like trees bear fruit only in their own time and their own way..."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>I know it happened gradually/unfortunately and all for the purposes of the story, but do you think the different approaches to life of the Ents and Ent-wives are actually in contradiction/had to be mutually exclusive?<br /></p></li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-79354927513502351542021-01-28T17:17:00.008-08:002021-01-28T17:26:39.603-08:00The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 3 // The Uruk-Hai<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggP-Dw-jaGxNqR-xFrYjDtafhlul94NnvVTS3OCZ83FznlvFuAmuD69UQHMIpem70wYEBopV8zIDXuiSf6UmYn9BXr8kC7e9h_DV8LBGQTpVVfHAhByJof1_otrrpq0foP1rgQdrd0pg8/s557/grasslands+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="557" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggP-Dw-jaGxNqR-xFrYjDtafhlul94NnvVTS3OCZ83FznlvFuAmuD69UQHMIpem70wYEBopV8zIDXuiSf6UmYn9BXr8kC7e9h_DV8LBGQTpVVfHAhByJof1_otrrpq0foP1rgQdrd0pg8/w400-h294/grasslands+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>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<br /></p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Finally, a bit later:</p><p></p><blockquote>"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."</blockquote><p></p><p>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. <br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"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."</li><li>"...Merry stood up, looking pale but grim and defiant, and very much alive."</li><li>"Evil dreams and evil waking were blended into a long tunnel of misery, with hope growing ever fainter behind."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>Do you tend to identify more with Merry or Pippin? Or both equally?<br /></p></li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-68831931034676896782021-01-26T23:43:00.031-08:002021-01-27T00:47:46.333-08:00The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 2 // The Riders of Rohan<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63tDTOeMvEjmfZ9bj-0hJRv0L43pNLNr5RziLLZKhKz4GYyrbHQ5XkWuIvmm4oyHqFc_Mo3euuM3FXNvRhdgYmTJPmejlgYJ7liT89-xBbUrp8b39qhWkqyDfTqYQuUFRjPMETaxer5o/s377/the+three+hunters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="377" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63tDTOeMvEjmfZ9bj-0hJRv0L43pNLNr5RziLLZKhKz4GYyrbHQ5XkWuIvmm4oyHqFc_Mo3euuM3FXNvRhdgYmTJPmejlgYJ7liT89-xBbUrp8b39qhWkqyDfTqYQuUFRjPMETaxer5o/s320/the+three+hunters.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I. love. this. chapter. so. much.</p><p></p><p>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.<br /></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>So here goes..... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XD </p><p>Whew. Ok, being serious again. Well, as serious as possible.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1XZCXfJkfRkUdIN9OwrulXloBTl6b4lfn_GeE4HVv4VCjRmnk1w6fTvh97j1PyvkTI4_RDbdFKMq1tIXrBY2_5YlLinCr16yAcJUUEIsG6TdamETDFgW2U14UaJoAnowmUcDfh_NkUg/s564/fire+and+mountains.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1XZCXfJkfRkUdIN9OwrulXloBTl6b4lfn_GeE4HVv4VCjRmnk1w6fTvh97j1PyvkTI4_RDbdFKMq1tIXrBY2_5YlLinCr16yAcJUUEIsG6TdamETDFgW2U14UaJoAnowmUcDfh_NkUg/s320/fire+and+mountains.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>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. ;)) <br /></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p>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?<br /></p><p>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:</p><blockquote><p>"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."</p></blockquote><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>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</li><li>"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."</li><li>"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!'</li><li>"...the Men of the Mark do not lie, and therefore they are not easily deceived."<br /></li><li>"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."<br /></li><li>"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!"<br /></li><li>"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."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>What was your favorite moment in this chapter?<br /></p></li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-25146795923736632482021-01-21T21:28:00.004-08:002021-01-21T21:28:21.482-08:00The Two Towers // Book 3, Chapter 1 // The Departure of Boromir <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6twpKOoMlGNuIQodpYdlXvFbj3oKO31KKRxZPhota5f1viwVyHacGNE9BlO2TGtT79-TGD_wO3eBHNW4MHE45F46fvzZwZ3sZsuOoe8jMrPH13bMC7o10o_DL5y83Ull1tkFl8msICs/s750/trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6twpKOoMlGNuIQodpYdlXvFbj3oKO31KKRxZPhota5f1viwVyHacGNE9BlO2TGtT79-TGD_wO3eBHNW4MHE45F46fvzZwZ3sZsuOoe8jMrPH13bMC7o10o_DL5y83Ull1tkFl8msICs/w266-h400/trail.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p>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*<br /></p><p>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. </p><p>Okay, so let's do this thing before I start blathering even more incoherently. xD</p><p style="text-align: center;">~ <br /></p><p>This first chapter drops us right into the action, moments after we left off in <i>The Fellowship. </i>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.)</p><p>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).</p><p>Chapter 2 here we come!<br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"...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."<br /></li><li>"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!"</li><li>"They passed away, grey shadows in a stony land."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>I thiiiink this version of <i>Lament for Boromir </i>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. :) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edK7tIQ6cqI&list=PLmH3Oqi-IvPvmQUJXnZQL52boR8XsizxY&index=36&t=0s" target="_blank">HERE'S THE LINK</a>.<br /></p></li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-76404780999312242042021-01-10T23:46:00.016-08:002021-01-15T12:33:40.044-08:00The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 10 // The Breaking of the Fellowship<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96xgSS8D4Ctzf1n5jqjFz89wc4teUpDS_wekS594CFgWkitV_Km0fC4Ts-IfiBNn8_ZJFCXhqTWkwaUdmqw78vosZG2vMAv_rFICGe5fw6qxG6Seurk2XV16or3DigD-uckVgz-etWsQ/s556/fire+on+the+shore.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="477" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96xgSS8D4Ctzf1n5jqjFz89wc4teUpDS_wekS594CFgWkitV_Km0fC4Ts-IfiBNn8_ZJFCXhqTWkwaUdmqw78vosZG2vMAv_rFICGe5fw6qxG6Seurk2XV16or3DigD-uckVgz-etWsQ/w344-h400/fire+on+the+shore.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><p></p><p>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.</p><p>As far as Boromir falling under the power of the Ring (or rather, maybe, his momentary madness, because <i>he comes out of it</i>), 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 <u>very logical</u>. 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.<br /></p><p>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</p><p>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.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">~<br /></p><p>*deep breath and back to business* We finished FOTR, everyone!! *high fives all round* I'm so excited to start <i>The Two Towers</i>. 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. </p><p>So! On that note what do y'all think about three chapters?</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"The summit of Tol Brandir was tipped with gold."<br /></li><li>"Frodo rose to his feet. A great weariness was on him, but his will was firm and his heart lighter."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>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. ;) </p><p>As we're wrapping up this section do you have any concluding thoughts popping to mind regarding this chapter or <i>The Fellowship</i> as a whole? </p></li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-67356809452613205572021-01-07T14:52:00.011-08:002021-01-09T18:33:18.516-08:00The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 9 // The Great River<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOyaoqK4Q0byzR0F6D0U-wnhjL160jlleNl2mc1iYJv6Te6zl12XnishHBgt_tR16hfBFC807xdx-y1dbqQ1lu5NtMaC11lsX62g-p1GkG7i4m7W9YyYeZ6Xip1Im4twKUw5wl-I23cw/s360/pillars+of+the+kings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="360" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOyaoqK4Q0byzR0F6D0U-wnhjL160jlleNl2mc1iYJv6Te6zl12XnishHBgt_tR16hfBFC807xdx-y1dbqQ1lu5NtMaC11lsX62g-p1GkG7i4m7W9YyYeZ6Xip1Im4twKUw5wl-I23cw/w400-h266/pillars+of+the+kings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>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.<br /></p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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.<br /></p><p>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.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA_5EDoB8whe6XkZOExfMp42Vl-87Fm5MRYs8GDY78UkvT5-49fqq7jARmQ5NASG1z2em-f9957wrjSWzmg8g145rGeDUtByGItFhWG37Nx1yhL_nzLa43vxHkronUtE9-qKPXlE5Dx8/s4618/IMG_20210106_131905545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA_5EDoB8whe6XkZOExfMp42Vl-87Fm5MRYs8GDY78UkvT5-49fqq7jARmQ5NASG1z2em-f9957wrjSWzmg8g145rGeDUtByGItFhWG37Nx1yhL_nzLa43vxHkronUtE9-qKPXlE5Dx8/w400-h300/IMG_20210106_131905545.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>(Also, they're not perfect, but just thought you'd enjoy seeing one of the little Princess's Christmas gifts. xD)</p><p>Our last chapter's coming this weekend and then, to quote Lewis, it's onward and upward! Hang in there everyone! <3<br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Time flows on to a spring of little hope."</li><li>"When the day came the mood of the world about them had become soft and sad."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>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. <a href="https://earthandoak.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/best-quotations-from-the-lord-of-the-rings/" target="_blank">Here's the link</a>.</p><p>Last but not least, do you agree with Sam about fog? Or in general do you find it romantic and mysterious?<br /></p></li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-83333064041450968772021-01-02T14:46:00.002-08:002021-01-02T14:46:29.226-08:00Quick housekeeping note<p>I'm planning to get the last two Fellowship chapters up next week, then starting TTT on the 12th.</p><p>Looking forward to it :) and hope you're all having a lovely Saturday. Happy New Year! 🎉</p>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-5850266963961629792020-12-29T23:34:00.004-08:002020-12-29T23:35:11.199-08:00The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 8 // Farewell to Lorien<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ngDUL5kieJS0NL_PgL4hydtRuB2u1V_AGb8gMGiR9HUMqmcOpujYQBJxs0eFJG2cwdQs-RZqTrsnAonNk-WQ71VVrNTx3t3Wdv5jIksBrbw8Tp4xXUVrGmVHEQn0HykdwaFywBdJQFo/s4618/IMG_20201223_142217032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ngDUL5kieJS0NL_PgL4hydtRuB2u1V_AGb8gMGiR9HUMqmcOpujYQBJxs0eFJG2cwdQs-RZqTrsnAonNk-WQ71VVrNTx3t3Wdv5jIksBrbw8Tp4xXUVrGmVHEQn0HykdwaFywBdJQFo/w480-h640/IMG_20201223_142217032.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>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!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-1H5vHDbJT6aBAjS7DdWtZiUKwhr6mTIWgcWDA0uDqcHND2lVS4fFNLT6B4U9njTzhTGK4d_FNnqkFWR1EvKkuWes-oLbKgcyqnbFA3XQholpwN4l6Xv5-YsSibGDUx031xUJBrBjIY/s4618/IMG_20201223_142147863.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-1H5vHDbJT6aBAjS7DdWtZiUKwhr6mTIWgcWDA0uDqcHND2lVS4fFNLT6B4U9njTzhTGK4d_FNnqkFWR1EvKkuWes-oLbKgcyqnbFA3XQholpwN4l6Xv5-YsSibGDUx031xUJBrBjIY/w480-h640/IMG_20201223_142147863.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>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.)</p><p style="text-align: center;">~ <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6bvtN9q-UgCrgVn-mi42vtK_55vS1lYBmRaobkdpZ4LKkdTae0D1QCN11nIDi5U4JI1scPAIYt2GCPIOlJn3D9pC0IBXNXfdNcJiGFU6fTSdSjMMDfBGDhybMFokG4Gb698O9akICz8/s4618/IMG_20201223_142246795.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6bvtN9q-UgCrgVn-mi42vtK_55vS1lYBmRaobkdpZ4LKkdTae0D1QCN11nIDi5U4JI1scPAIYt2GCPIOlJn3D9pC0IBXNXfdNcJiGFU6fTSdSjMMDfBGDhybMFokG4Gb698O9akICz8/w480-h640/IMG_20201223_142246795.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>As for our chapter... </p><p>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."</p><p>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.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsI9jN6Rz8M5NKv_ylp162lMgIkQLGyhY7gxtQLyaJvx_F2xgz8_ogozKV8JFrck4bWn4zYUrR-6SBj8RXa_mUWeMMS4qH870hxUIQqxdFZxfj2XBDbTwpOrK3cYBkes5yYjB7kVjkyA/s4618/IMG_20201223_142235827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsI9jN6Rz8M5NKv_ylp162lMgIkQLGyhY7gxtQLyaJvx_F2xgz8_ogozKV8JFrck4bWn4zYUrR-6SBj8RXa_mUWeMMS4qH870hxUIQqxdFZxfj2XBDbTwpOrK3cYBkes5yYjB7kVjkyA/w480-h640/IMG_20201223_142235827.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>I'm also realizing how much I like Gimli's character. Near the end of the chapter he says, </p><blockquote><p>"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." </p></blockquote><p>Which of course reminds me as always of one of my favorite Lewis quotes, </p><blockquote><p>“Joy is distinct not only from pleasure in general but even from aesthetic pleasure. It must have the stab, the pang, the inconsolable longing.” </p></blockquote><p>Both quotes are just... words fail me. <333<br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"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."</li><li>"...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.)</li><li>"...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."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>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?<br /></p></li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-8795846615588223732020-12-20T23:29:00.005-08:002020-12-21T11:08:27.978-08:00The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 7 // The Mirror of Galadriel<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRXKLIwukD0mHd3Q0KO324t6pNR5JHcTcnyFf6vjrP2Maz42rXGoobGygXFSK2p5jTMuDATA-0bzJHFl4nwnkyLPTRIhzeQ9H5HxDCOW7SpRhbJBNOAkheMv4ZMcfNvcN9jENgB5R2gQ/s652/Galadriel+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="454" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRXKLIwukD0mHd3Q0KO324t6pNR5JHcTcnyFf6vjrP2Maz42rXGoobGygXFSK2p5jTMuDATA-0bzJHFl4nwnkyLPTRIhzeQ9H5HxDCOW7SpRhbJBNOAkheMv4ZMcfNvcN9jENgB5R2gQ/w279-h400/Galadriel+1.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><p></p><p>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!<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">~<br /></p><p>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. </p><p>I know this might cause an outcry, but I think this chapter is where I really start loving Master Samwise. Dear Sam.</p><p>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, <b>yes, read Tolkien to your children. </b><br /></p>We also see the thread yet again of how those who are truly wise and venerable <i>are </i>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.<br /><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"...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." </li><li>"...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."<br /></li><li>"...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."</li><li>"...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." </li><li>"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."</li><li>"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."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>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?</p></li><li>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. <a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/3758032" target="_blank">Here's the link</a>. 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.)<br /></li><li>Here's a beautiful, wistful, and lilting version of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp95cnHn2Lk" target="_blank">Frodo's Lament for Gandalf</a>.<br /></li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-50748861077401294172020-12-16T16:20:00.000-08:002020-12-16T16:20:08.329-08:00Stories are Soul Food Podcast // Tolkien Ep<p>Popping in to share a thought provoking new podcast I just ran across, specifically their recent episode on Tolkien. </p><p>They make some really interesting points, including some great observations on <u>how</u>
Tolkien's lengthy descriptive passages fit into the entire story -- for
which reason I immediately wanted to share with y'all. <br /></p><p>(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, <b><u>I do love Narnia</u></b>, 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. ;))</p><p><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-tolkien/id1537642847?i=1000501580172" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a><br /></p><p>I'd love to hear what you think!</p>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-39992445870932479662020-12-14T11:55:00.000-08:002020-12-14T11:55:02.998-08:00The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 6 // Lothlorien<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7ifHtX-Pzfj8FRezHplL7LswfsbEsWx1H06JsUP7oPlbpK8bE1F8-Gnm-kXpRbdZZXBsTsGEZp3U0x8bIKMybC5zniYUyCmY-nzBhUuyqIZMhgaCB7yrET9acvDhsqLhCsXrx8DNly4/s640/stone+steps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7ifHtX-Pzfj8FRezHplL7LswfsbEsWx1H06JsUP7oPlbpK8bE1F8-Gnm-kXpRbdZZXBsTsGEZp3U0x8bIKMybC5zniYUyCmY-nzBhUuyqIZMhgaCB7yrET9acvDhsqLhCsXrx8DNly4/w300-h400/stone+steps.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>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 <i>The Fellowship</i> next week. (Yikes! I know I've been a bit off lately, but can you believe we're that close?!)</p><p style="text-align: center;">~<br /></p><p>And ahhhhhhhhh, we've made it to Lothlorien. <3 *taking a deep breath*</p><p>I have a bunch of miscellaneous little observations that popped to mind while reading.<br /></p><p>-- 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). <br /></p><p>-- 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.</p><p>-- 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.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeCafOO9D5xQSR6AmROMZ_jusyn80dt9fO7rAuUiTCnu8wE9YK4f5BBEaTkK66kZjurMyJECYkFa0Y-p_pISHaXN6r1v7yaFyfujvuVBiQVBSDz5bBw1QhJCeIC3Q6hwUHzATSvLXmJw/s473/aspens+Colorado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeCafOO9D5xQSR6AmROMZ_jusyn80dt9fO7rAuUiTCnu8wE9YK4f5BBEaTkK66kZjurMyJECYkFa0Y-p_pISHaXN6r1v7yaFyfujvuVBiQVBSDz5bBw1QhJCeIC3Q6hwUHzATSvLXmJw/s320/aspens+Colorado.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>-- 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.</p><p>-- 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."<br /></p><p>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): <br /></p><blockquote><p>"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. </p><p>"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. </p><p>"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.”</p></blockquote><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"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.)<br /></li><li>"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."</li><li>"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."</li><li>"In Rivendell there was memory of ancient things; in Lorien the ancient things still lived on in the waking world." </li><li>"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 <i>inside </i>a song, if you take my meaning."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Say not <i>unscathed</i>, but if you say <i>unchanged</i>, 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." </li></ul>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.) </div><div><p style="text-align: left;">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?</p></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-43368794565332977762020-12-09T13:47:00.003-08:002020-12-10T10:50:58.289-08:00The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 5 // The Bridge of Khazad-Dum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EK86SBsquZGnvEUt0n8i-Sqf82kbjamrS_5-fZ0ilXwllSYDiw-mu9GZkLUKHs_eS-naCacCpS2hZaXjjE38hAxGEPAcfB9gtV9iyu0UKroEJPrQc14IaR0odTjFgasChyiCvwYZ_Sw/s900/Gandalf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EK86SBsquZGnvEUt0n8i-Sqf82kbjamrS_5-fZ0ilXwllSYDiw-mu9GZkLUKHs_eS-naCacCpS2hZaXjjE38hAxGEPAcfB9gtV9iyu0UKroEJPrQc14IaR0odTjFgasChyiCvwYZ_Sw/s320/Gandalf.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>(Our internet's down again this morning so I'm typing this off my phone, but I think we can manage all right. :))</p><p>Well, this chapter's just packed full of excitement, isn't it?</p><p>And sorrow. Such grief and sorrow... both in the beginning and the ending. </p><p>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.</p><p>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.)</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Whew! Ok, I hope that answered any questions (or maybe raised new ones xD).</p><p>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.<br /></p><p>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.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"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."</li><li>"Aragorn smote to the ground the captain that stood in his path, and the rest fled in terror of his wrath."<br /></li></ul><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>In the chamber, why do you think the orc captain went directly for Frodo?</li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-56709712465666874922020-12-05T21:45:00.005-08:002020-12-06T15:06:12.253-08:00The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 4 // A Journey in the Dark<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1mCDzvT7ym_PZHJDRB8SeQUQ7NwCaNpzf-Mx5RBMDtSNBzf5vEeDNCUN3JVi-c_cReUAan3MHfv-LWi7gTf_Kxm_FmefDa_2EMQeUvpLswUYa2fvo-gnZGFm1ZkkAeHfe_5vgi1Nf7o/s734/ring+of+fire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1mCDzvT7ym_PZHJDRB8SeQUQ7NwCaNpzf-Mx5RBMDtSNBzf5vEeDNCUN3JVi-c_cReUAan3MHfv-LWi7gTf_Kxm_FmefDa_2EMQeUvpLswUYa2fvo-gnZGFm1ZkkAeHfe_5vgi1Nf7o/w308-h400/ring+of+fire.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><p></p><p>(Isn't this picture amazing?)</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.<br /></p><p>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!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"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..."</li><li>"Behind them the sinking Sun filled the cool western sky with glimmering gold."</li><li>"The others looked dismayed; only Aragorn, who knew Gandalf well, remained silent and unmoved."</li></ul><div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Pippin's fascination with the well/dropping in the stone reminds me of Digory's waking of Jadis in <i>The Magician's Nephew. </i>Both bring up similar questions. In here, do you think it was all just Pippin messing around or were there darker forces at work? <br /></li></ul></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-80114325413307418212020-12-03T16:48:00.002-08:002020-12-03T17:48:52.484-08:00The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 3 // The Ring Goes South<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1aq7bLnhr5c4AL28EyzRlzYBWCmCq88sg3GoPzqw5qSVXarmtsxRCg_hu-dR5GiTEAi2D3ar31qnURBD-9sFYRRSIPbOm52oWY9Qx1zaNPlodhq7vHRAlQtCwnK_9FvbBiQa0Wh606A/s540/a2751bba9c08b27a37199e9961d2f891.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="540" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1aq7bLnhr5c4AL28EyzRlzYBWCmCq88sg3GoPzqw5qSVXarmtsxRCg_hu-dR5GiTEAi2D3ar31qnURBD-9sFYRRSIPbOm52oWY9Qx1zaNPlodhq7vHRAlQtCwnK_9FvbBiQa0Wh606A/w320-h296/a2751bba9c08b27a37199e9961d2f891.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>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!)<br /></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.<br /></p><p></p><p>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</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"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." <br /></li><li>"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.) <br /></li><li>"A fair jaw-cracker dwarf-language must be!"</li><li>"...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."<br /></li></ul><div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Personally, I actually love the idea of the storm coming from Caradhras itself, but what do you think caused it?</li><li>And where do you think the birds are coming from?<br /></li></ul></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-38582590483321194982020-11-28T12:59:00.005-08:002021-03-05T16:15:47.507-08:00The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 2 // The Council of Elrond<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhmuYfN5b4ZytR1o2-_8qeCNOnUQWF66Oo7JTFFaKTMbqxiP8_4iuZYAMMKjNz0TYGw6NAHF1F43fg7rNKm2isVE8iLeLveG6INWIXsYfl0DtptwmCgjwv8yJzSGMNaIkzxPgAJdkaEw/s563/Rivendell+colorful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="563" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhmuYfN5b4ZytR1o2-_8qeCNOnUQWF66Oo7JTFFaKTMbqxiP8_4iuZYAMMKjNz0TYGw6NAHF1F43fg7rNKm2isVE8iLeLveG6INWIXsYfl0DtptwmCgjwv8yJzSGMNaIkzxPgAJdkaEw/w400-h278/Rivendell+colorful.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here I am again!! Thank you all so much for your patience.</p><p></p><p>Ok, whew! What a chapter.<br /></p><p>I'd forgotten that Faramir is mentioned (though not by name) in the very chapter we meet Boromir. So he's not an afterthought, rather -- though he can't come in for a while due to the very nature of the plot -- the two brothers, while different, are always shoulder to shoulder. I love the very, very short sentences we have underlining how they were brothers in arms. You <i>know </i>they had each others backs. <3<br /></p><p>Akin to when we first meet him in Bree, I love how Aragorn is sitting in a corner all booted and clothed for a journey again. It adds yet more focus on the pressure and imminence of the decision they're all wrangling out. And he's very involved, but also withdrawn, with that air of mystery. </p><p>And, possibly small among all the great matters discussed (though isn't that the very theme of this chapter?) we hear of Gwaihir and Shadowfax for the first time.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so. Believe rather that it is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none others, must now find counsel for the peril of the world."</li><li>"White.' he sneered. 'It serves as a beginning. White cloth may be dyed. The white page can be overwritten; and the white light can be broken.' 'In which case it is no longer white,' said I. 'And he that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom."</li><li>"It is not despair, for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not. It is wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope. Well, let folly be our cloak, a veil before the eyes of the Enemy!"</li><li>"The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere." <br /></li><li>"If I understand aright all that I have heard,' he said, 'I think that this task is appointed for you, Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will. This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it?"</li><li>"A nice pickle we have landed ourselves in, Mr. Frodo!' he said, shaking his head."<br /></li></ul><div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>So much happened in this chapter: new characters and so much history -- with threads both dark and light; so much character development and different
characters playing off each other with all the seeds of tension and foreshadowing -- I'd love to hear what stood out to you the most. And was any part of the recounted stories a surprise/new to you?<br /></li><li>What is one of your favorite quotes from this chapter?<br /></li></ul></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-41657437235908712512020-11-24T17:22:00.007-08:002020-11-25T22:38:52.574-08:00Quick FYI<p>Hi friends! I've missed chatting the last few days and so sorry as you're probably all wondering what's up, so just wanted to quickly touch base.</p><p>In short, some heavy life things happened recently (don't worry, we're all well here) so I've been processing some roller coaster emotions, and I also had some commitments on my other blog that I'd scheduled to work on quite a while ago, plus as you all know we're on (I think) the longest chapter of the entire trilogy, so yeah, it kind of turned into the perfect storm as far as keeping up with my posting schedule. I've been thinking about all you lovely LOTR friends often though and I'm very very much hoping to get the next chapter up asap. I can't wait to keep catching up on comments and our further discussion.</p><p>Hope all is well with you this evening and Happy Thanksgiving! 🧡</p>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-57728341465154175002020-11-18T23:55:00.003-08:002020-11-28T11:31:53.201-08:00The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 2, Chapter 1 // Many Meetings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7KDtcuQUjntv5s9zk95aExFUea6pmfftTwkEP7xr5ySmWvxTltrOlV4cdBKJp5SGPx0Ko35pOAMCkVluT-BVpVnGgKf7YRn3wnEl_D9yKk0rJCFoR0SgYhCt9HR1LjSMqbFWeLC6Y2Q/s848/fire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7KDtcuQUjntv5s9zk95aExFUea6pmfftTwkEP7xr5ySmWvxTltrOlV4cdBKJp5SGPx0Ko35pOAMCkVluT-BVpVnGgKf7YRn3wnEl_D9yKk0rJCFoR0SgYhCt9HR1LjSMqbFWeLC6Y2Q/w265-h400/fire.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><p>Book 2 here we come! I'm actually really excited about this.<br /></p><p>And here we are in Rivendell. After all the terror and hunger and fatigue, to come into a place of such sweet refreshment -- an oasis, a fortress. Warm and peaceful, where cares can slide off bowed shoulders and be forgotten for a while. After rocky hills, waterfalls and gardens; after the barren wasteland, tables laden with sumptuous fare; after the dark soul shriveling speech of the Riders, poignant living words in a Hall of Fire. </p><p>And clean raiment and Frodo's deliverance at the hands of a skilled healer.</p><p>We have seen Elrond, a lord among elves and men. And we have glimpsed his daughter from afar, Arwen Undómiel, Evenstar of her people.</p><p>And GANDALF IS BACK. Such wonderfulness!! I love Frodo's catch up session when he awakens.</p><p>We also meet Bilbo again. I must admit, it's actually not my favorite Bilbo moment, but I do very much relish the little back and forth as he and Frodo quiz
each other on how they reference Aragorn. That is one of my favorite
bits. And of course Aragorn himself coming in and all that.</p><p></p><p></p><p>As I was reading the chapter, I noticed how (the writing style doesn't change from what's gone before, of course), but the very phrases and turns of expression glide smoothly along, mirroring the content, creating a refreshing read through and through. There's peace and contentment, and at the end of it I literally heaved a happy sigh.<br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Yes,' he said, 'I am here. And you are lucky to be here, too, after all the absurd things you have done since you left home.' Frodo lay down again. He felt too comfortable and peaceful to argue, and in any case he did not think he would get the better of an argument."</li><li>"Yes, I, Gandalf the Grey,' said the wizard solemnly. 'There are many powers in the world, for good or for evil. Some are greater than I am. Against some I have not yet been measured." <br /></li><li>"...to the wizard's eye there was a faint change, just a hint as it were of transparency, about him, and especially about the left hand that lay outside upon the coverlet. 'Still that must be expected,' said Gandalf to himself. 'He is not half through yet, and to what he will come in the end not even Elrond can foretell. Not to evil, I think. He may become like a glass filled with a clear light for eyes to see that can."</li><li>"Frodo was now safe in the Last Homely House east of the Sea. That house was, as Bilbo had long ago reported, 'a perfect house, whether you like food or sleep or story-telling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all'. Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness." </li><li>Frodo halted for a moment, looking back. Elrond was in his chair and the fire was on his face like summer-light upon the trees. Near him sat the Lady Arwen. To his surprise Frodo saw that Aragorn stood beside her; his dark cloak was thrown back, and he seemed to be clad in elven-mail, and a star shone on his breast. They spoke together, and then suddenly it seemed to Frodo that Arwen turned towards him, and the light of her eyes fell on him from afar and pierced his heart. He stood still enchanted, while the sweet syllables of the elvish song fell like clear jewels of blended word and melody." <br /></li></ul><div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If you wanted to do some thinking and musing in the house of Elrond, would you prefer to scramble up to the pine woods or stay near the gardens and waterfall under the shaded portico or find a quiet corner in the Hall of Fire? <br /></li><li>When Bilbo says, "Don't adventures ever have an end?" in the context (to
me) he sounds a bit tired and maybe, just maybe, a tad regretful, but it made me think of what C.S. Lewis
wrote in <i>The Last Battle</i>, “...the things that began to happen
after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. ...now
at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one
on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is
better than the one before.” Do you think adventures have an end? Or do you think they just keep growing and growing and leading into new ones?<br /></li></ul></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-790762616882118040.post-21448876677383242242020-11-14T23:30:00.001-08:002020-11-14T23:30:43.379-08:00The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 1, Chapter 12 // Flight to the Ford<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQh0oFCMdG80pPX7uNonAF0O5kJb4tNqM9VAbWYDBHMUWZLvEMOTuvF8rto1r7O9Fu0NXsu_QNfTEPZ97VqdjFnu4R9FBb4O-dcAnfh2-DL-G_OLjNOf9-drSYyclyYh3yp2sjt7oJ0k/s564/c47cba773fa94fd888942988be2645ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="564" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQh0oFCMdG80pPX7uNonAF0O5kJb4tNqM9VAbWYDBHMUWZLvEMOTuvF8rto1r7O9Fu0NXsu_QNfTEPZ97VqdjFnu4R9FBb4O-dcAnfh2-DL-G_OLjNOf9-drSYyclyYh3yp2sjt7oJ0k/w400-h309/c47cba773fa94fd888942988be2645ab.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>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? </p><p>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.<br /></p><p>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.) <br /></p><p>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.<br /></p><p>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 <i>The Return of the King</i>:</p><p></p><blockquote><p>"...so utterly was Angmar defeated that not a man nor an orc of that realm remained west of the Mountains.</p><p>"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.</p><p>"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.</p><p>"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."</p></blockquote><p>Soo... sound familiar? This prophecy is hugely important of course and I was so excited to find it came from <i><u>Glorfindel</u>. </i>Did you know that?<br /></p><p>Oh, and I almost forgot to mention we have our first mention of <i>athelas, </i>which will have a crucial part to play later too.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quotes: <br /></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"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!"</li><li>"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."<br /></li></ul><div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">For thought:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>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)?<br /></li></ul></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17418854988524303306noreply@blogger.com2