Tolkien Tuesday #48…Double Post and An Apology

Posted on March 17, 2023 by sammicoxwriter

~ 16 March 2023 ~

So the comment catch-up I promised in the opening of the last Tolkien Tuesday post never happened. Why? The day after that post went live, I got a little under the weather, picking up another cold (my third of the year!) which coincided with a flare up of my anxiety. Sigh. I’ll be honest with you, I’m still not up to much, so I’ll not be making many promises about getting things done at the moment. However, with the magic of scheduled posts I’ve been able to keep things ticking over here, all bar the posts for our read-a-long, which I’ve been missing. And so, to keep to our schedule of half a chapter a week, I’ve decided to do one post for the whole of Book 3, Chapter 3.

Again, thanks so much for your patience with me 🙂

The Reading, and Ensuing Thoughts

This week, as I play catch-up, we are reading the entirety of Book 3, Chapter 3: The Uruk-Hai.

In this chapter we learn what has befallen Merry and Pippin since their capture by the Orcs on the banks of the River Anduin. At its opening, we learn that they are not certain of Boromir’s fate and that Merry especially, tried to fight off the Orcs.

When captured, they are bound at the wrists and ankles, and carried by the Orcs, who flee west. Though Merry is unconscious for much of the time, Pippin wakes on occasion from dark dreams, but the world on waking is no better.

It quickly becomes apparent to Pippin that all isn’t well amongst the Orcs, and there are three different factions amongst them: the Uruk-Hai from Isengard, the Orcs from Mordor, and the Northern Orcs, and all three have a different agenda. The hobbits also learn that the reason they are not dead yet is that the Orcs think they have the Ring, and the orders for Uruk-Hai, at least, are to get them to Saruman, as quickly as possible.

As they journey west, arguments and disagreements break out amongst the Orcs, leading to a few scuffles in which a handful of Orcs die. After one such incident, a dead Orc falls close to Pippin and he is able to use his weapon to cut the bonds around his wrist, before tying them up once more, but much more loosely, in case any of the Orcs should see, which they don’t. At one point, Pippin acknowledges that even if anyone is comes to save them, the confusing tracks of many Orc feet would not help them, so he runs off, not far, but far enough to create his own little track, and also casts aside the brooch from his elvish cloak.

The Orcs press on. Pippin notices that the Uruk-Hai are better adapted to running in daylight than the other Orcs, who slowly fall behind. The Orcs note that they are being pursued by riders of Rohan, but they do not fear them for they know another band of Orcs is making their way towards them to boost their ranks.

As the riders get closer, it is clear that they will have to fight, so Merry (who is now awake, and has woken a few times on the journey) and Pippin are thrown to the ground. As the horsemen begin to attack, one of the Orcs, using the distraction, decides to search the hobbits for what it is they carry. Pippin, understanding the seriousness of the situation, tries to make a bargain with the Orc. Merry quickly cottons on to Pippin’s plan and joins in. But the Orc is having none of it and tries to carry them off, only to be cut down by one of the horsemen.

The elven cloaks the hobbits are wearing helps to shield them from both the Orcs and the horsemen, the latter also being a concern for the hobbits as they do not know if they realise they are not the enemy. At first they are too scared to move, but realise they cannot stay where they are. If they are to escape, them must go. And so they decide to head towards Fangorn Forest.

One of my favourite parts of this chapter is where Pippin and Merry have gotten free from the Orcs and there is fighting going on all around them and they sit and eat some lembas bread before they make their escape. Great stuff!

Next week we will begin Book 3, Chapter 4: Treebeard.

Middle Earth Musings and Meditations

In this chapter, we get to see a very clear evolution of Pippin, from just another innocent hobbit out of his depth, one that had to beg and argue to be brought along with the others, to an active, risk-taking hero of a hobbit.

We are shown this in how he thinks at the beginning of the chapter, to how he acts at the end. At the start of the chapter, he finds himself asking questions like, “What good have I been? Just a nuisance: a passenger, a piece of luggage.” Then, when he finds himself hoping to be rescued, he quickly brings that line of thought into check. For he and Merry to be rescued means for the quest to have come completely off track, or wishing that those strong enough to save them have abandoned Frodo and he can’t have that.

And this, I think, is the turning point. In that moment, he knows that Merry and he are going to have to save themselves, yet Merry is unconscious and suffering more than he, meaning that the responsibility lies solely with him. That’s a lot of pressure to find himself facing, but he doesn’t baulk at it, instead he manages to cut the bonds at his wrist, leaves a trail of hobbit footprints should anyone be searching for them, and discards his brooch as another marker. Then, he has the wits to try and bargain with the Orc who tries to search them. In fact, Pippin has done so well that Merry commends him, and stresses he should have a whole chapter dedicated to him in Bilbo’s book.

Elsewhere

As I’ve been under the weather, one of my go to things is to watch The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, which I’ve enjoyed immensely, and yet at the same time, thanks I’m sure to this slow re-read, the differences between book and films have become even more obvious. I still love both though ❤

I’ve also decided to re-watch The Hobbit trilogy too, something I’ve not done very much, because, if I’m being honest, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with it. There are somethings that I do really love about it – the casting choices were fantastic. And there are some things that I really don’t like – the love triangle being one of them. But this is a whole other post entirely.

What I did take away from this re-watch was two things: I really want to re-read The Hobbit again, having not read it for maybe three or four years. The Lord of the Rings has always been my favourite of the two and that got a yearly re-read whilst The Hobbit didn’t. The second thing is, that no matter whether there are some parts of the film trilogy that I like less than others, the soundtrack, like that for The Lord of the Rings, is a triumph. I absolutely love it, and could quite happily listen to it all day long.

The Lord of the Rings Question of the Week

In our last Question of the Week, we shared our first thoughts of the people of Rohan. This week let’s turn our attention to the enemy. What do you think of the Orcs in this chapter?

I found it interesting that the Orcs had to use the Common Tongue to make themselves known to each other. That their own languages were so different that they couldn’t understand one another when using it, was something I had quite forgotten. This clearly demonstrates that although they are on the same side, they are somewhat separate from each other. They also struggle to get along, as we saw in this chapter. Continually arguing and bickering, and also fighting, in some cases with fatal consequences, they come across as being the complete opposite of the Fellowship. Betrayal and backstabbing seems to be their natural way of dealing with one another. We saw this not only between the different Orc factions, but on a more personal level too. After all, the Orc which tries searching Merry and Pippin for the Ring before being killed, was hoping to take the treasure for himself. He had little thought or care of the success of their mission. On the other hand, there is cohesion and leadership to be found here too, and for some, a respect of authority. Orcs are clearly more complicated and multi-faceted than simply being the evil baddies.

Tolkien Tuesday #47…On a Thursday

Posted on March 2, 2023 by sammicoxwriter

~ 2 March 2023 ~

Apologies for this post being a few days late…A super-comment-catch-up-marathon will be coming tomorrow, if I don’t get round to it this evening.

Thanks so much for your patience with me 🙂

The Reading, and Ensuing Thoughts

This week we conclude Book 3, Chapter 2: The Riders of Rohan.

On spotting Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, the riders of Rohan turn about and encircle the three strangers to this land in an impressive display of skill and horsemanship. Once introductions are made and identities revealed, the remnants of the Fellowship learn that the horsemen, led by Eomer, Third Marshal of Riddermark, had chased down and slain the entire company of Orcs they themselves had been following. Of the two hobbits, they saw no sign, and offered no hope in them finding them alive.

News is then shared between them. Eomer explains the state of affairs in Rohan: Saruman has claimed lordship over Rohan, Gandalf had fallen out of favour with the king, servants of Sauron have stolen the majority of the black horses from the country inciting a rumour that they were paying tribute to Mordor, and that not all Rohan’s enemies are to be found outside its borders.

Aragorn then explains what it is he knows (and can share): Boromir was slain by the Orcs Eomer and his men had killed, Gandalf fell to his doom in the Mines of Moria, that war is coming and there are only two choices: fighting with Sauron or against him, as well as revealing that he, Aragorn, is Isildur’s heir.

Once again, Eomer says there is no chance they will find the hobbits. Yet the three won’t be swayed from their quest and are not ready to give up on Merry and Pippin, even though Eomer has asked them to join with them. On hearing this, Eomer lets them go and gives them horses, but he has put himself at risk by doing so in allowing strangers to wander their lands in these dark times. Aragorn promises that once their search is over they will meet him at Meduseld and meet with the king, to prove they were worthy of Eomer’s trust.

Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli ride off in the direction of Fangorn forest, where they have been warned by Celeborn not to enter too far. They find the pile of smoldering ashes, all that remains of the Orcs, and Aragorn does his best to search for trail or clue as to the hobbits whereabouts or fate. He finds nothing.

They spend the night in the shadow of the forest, only using fallen and dead branches for their fire. They take it in turns to keep watch, but while Gimli is on guard, an old man in a hat appears suddenly on the other side of the fire. His reaction wakes the other two, and though Legolas and Aragorn see him too, the old man disappears when Aragorn invites him to join them. Then they notice the horses are gone, and cannot be found again. Recalling what Eomer said of Saruman, Gimli thinks he knows the identity of their visitor.

I really love the exchange between Eomer and Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas. I can never help but smile as I read the quips and insults thrown about. Also Eomer’s description of Saruman is fantastic: “he is a wizard both cunning and dwimmer-crafty, having many guises.”

If Aragorn doubted himself and his choices in the previous weeks’ reading, he is certainly carrying himself with more surety and confidence now. As he speaks to Eomer, he knows he can trust him to do the right thing, and both Gimli and Legolas recognise the change in him.

Next week we will begin Book 3, Chapter 3: The Uruk-Hai.

Middle Earth Musings and Meditations

This week, my musing is on storytelling…

As I read, I found myself thinking that Eomer’s reaction to what he’s being told by Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas, mirrors the readers reaction to the story being told to them by Tolkien. It is fantastical and wonderful and a little bit dangerous, and so he listens in fascination and wonder at what he is being told about the Lady in the Golden Wood, the sword that was broken being forged anew, and that Halflings have left the world of stories to walk amongst them.

And speaking of stories and storytelling, this quote, spoken by Aragorn, and discussing how events are remembered and retold by later generations, seems fitting: “For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time.”

Elsewhere

Last week it was announced that Warner Bros are planning on making new Lord of the Rings films.

And, I must admit, I’m excited by this, especially if Peter Jackson and the team are involved (somehow), and if the aesthetics match the films already made. The scope for which stories they have available, given the rights they have, certainly makes me pause and wonder and dream…I know what films I would like to see – the War in the North and the Angmar war immediately spring to mind.

What do you think of this news? What films would you like to see, if any?

The Lord of the Rings Question of the Week

What are your thoughts on our first meeting with the people of Rohan?

I think this meeting with the riders of Rohan tells us a lot about Middle Earth at that time. Suspicion abounds. You can’t simply look at someone and know whether they are friendly or the enemy. You don’t know who trust. And, even after speaking with them, how do you know whether they are telling the truth?

Eomer knows that Aragorn is telling the truth when he speaks (“Men of the Mark do not lie, and therefore are not easily deceived), but equally knows he is holding something back. And yet it is clear, that some of the riders with Eomer, Eothain especially, are not convinced, and their suspicion is not easily cast aside.

Tolkien Tuesday #46

Posted on February 21, 2023 by sammicoxwriter

~ 21 February 2023 ~

With the first signs of spring making themselves known in this little corner of the world, a particularly apt quote from this week’s half chapter not only seems very fitting, but the perfect way of opening this week’s discussion:

“They seem to have left winter clinging to the hills behind. Here the air was softer and warmer, and faintly scented, as if spring was already stirring and the sap was flowing again in herb and leaf.”

(page 424)

The Reading, and Ensuing Thoughts

This week we begin Book 3, Chapter 2: The Riders of Rohan.

Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli begin their pursuit of the Orcs in the hope of rescuing Merry and Pippin. The ground they are covering is difficult to navigate, especially in the dark, as the band are loathe to stop and rest unless they need to for fear of the gap between hunters and prey ever increasing.

At times they must guess as to the path the Orcs have taken, but clues present themselves. The first, slain Northern Orcs littering the ground, but none of the strange, new type they found amongst the foes Boromir had killed.

They leave the rocky land of the Emyn Muil and enter Rohan, where vast green plains filled the landscape. The second clue is found not long after: hobbit footprints and the brooch from an Elven cloak. They continue on.

When night descends, they have a hard choice before them: to go on in the dark and hope they don’t lose the trail, or stop and rest and wait for the light. Yet pausing will offer the Orcs a greater lead. Legolas wishes to press on. Gimli thinks they should rest. Aragorn must cast the deciding vote, and he decides not to chance it in the dark.

They start early the next morning, but not before Legolas reveals the Orcs have passed beyond his sight. Aragorn puts his ear to the ground to see what the earth might tell him but the message appears confused. Nothing is close by, though the faint sound of horses moving away northwards could be heard.

And still they press on without sight of their quarry, though they fear the silence in the landscape and the feeling of an unnatural weariness could be work the of some enchantment. They rest that night, but Aragorn and Gimli are awoken with a cry of alarm from Legolas. Something has occurred by the forest’s edge and he cannot tell what. They set off again at once.

That night they sleep fitfully atop a hill, and awake awaiting the dawn and the news it might bring. Yet it isn’t Orcs they see, but a vast number of horsemen, and behind them, smoke rising. They are riding towards them so decide to wait to see what they can learn. As they wait, Aragorn tells the other two what he knows of the people of Rohan.

When the riders reach them, they ride past, not appearing to see them, thanks to the camouflage qualities of their Elven cloaks. Only when Aragorn calls out to them, do the these three gain their attention.

Next week we will finish Book 3, Chapter 2: The Riders of Rohan.

Middle Earth Musings and Meditations

This week’s musing was on word choices…

To emphasise the tricky pursuit of their foe, as well as the mood of Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, an interesting selection of words jumped out at me…A reminder (as if we needed it) that we are reading the words of a master of language.

These were the words which stood out to project dismay, despondency and disquiet: bony land, scrambled, vanished, frowned *, “bruised and blackened”, “driven like cattle”, nightshade, blind night, peril, ill chooser, shrouded, “troubled my dreams”, empty, “a silence that did not seem to be the quiet of peace.”, distrust, “hope failed in his heart.

*My favourite: “A cliff frowned upon their right…”

And these were the ones which suggested optimism and hope: “Day leaped into the sky.”, “…the shadows of night melted”, glimmering snows, “…flushed with the rose of morning.”, “as if spring was already stirring”, eager, true-hearted, generous.

Elsewhere

Nothing to report here this week…

The Lord of the Rings Question of the Week

In this chapter we see Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli begin their chase of the Orcs who have taken Merry and Pippin. But do you think they made the right choice? Or should they have tried to catch up with Frodo and Sam? What would you have done?

Part of me has always thought that their duty is to the quest to destroy the Ring and in giving help to the Ringbearer, and I suspect that in most stories that is what would happen, (adventures and mishaps on their way to catch up to the “real” quest, not withstanding). Instead here we find characters deliberately choosing to go in another direction and formally accepting their part in the quest is done. And yet, I’ve never disagreed with their choice. It has always felt like the right one. Doing the right thing isn’t always doing what’s expected. After all, if the quest was put before the lives of their friends, I suspect I would have liked these three less.

Tolkien Tuesday #45

Posted on February 14, 2023 by sammicoxwriter

~ 14 February 2023 ~

Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤ I hope your day is filled with love and with doing the things you love. In my case, reading The Lord of the Rings – what could be better than discussing my favourite book with you all?!

The Reading, and Ensuing Thoughts

This week we finished Book 3, Chapter 1: The Departure of Boromir.

As I mentioned last week, this chapter is fairly short, only about 8 pages in the edition I’m reading. Apologies for the confusion to anyone who read the whole chapter last week.

Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli make a bier out of cloaks and roughly hewn branches to carry Boromir back to the riverside, where, once the boats have been collected from further upstream, they place his body in one. A mystery arises when it is noticed that only two boats remain. One is missing.

With Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli in one boat, and Boromir laid out in the other, they head towards the Falls of Rauros before cutting the rope and letting Boromir go. With hearts heavy with sadness, they sing a song in his honour, before turning their boat back towards their camp at Parth Galen.

Aragorn uses his tracking skills to help determine what became of the third boat. No Orcs had been there, but the footprints in the sand are, on the whole, confusing to read. The baggage is checked, and Sam’s pack and another is definitely missing. They deduce that Frodo and Sam have crossed the river with intent to go on alone, meaning Merry and Pippin have been taken captive by the Orcs.

The choice before Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli is whether to the try and catch up with Frodo and Sam or to rescue Merry and Pippin. They choose the latter, though the Orcs already have a few hours head start.

Next week we will begin Book 3, Chapter 2: Riders of Rohan.

Middle Earth Musings and Meditations

So in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be fun to share some quotes on love and friendship and such things from The Fellowship of the Ring:

“But I would have never come, had I known the danger of light and joy. ” (Farewell to Lorien)

“Here is the heart of Elvedom on earth,’ he said, ‘and here my heart dwells ever…” (Lothlorien)

“You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin-to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours-closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo.” (A Conspiracy Unmasked)

“A hunted man sometimes wearies of distrust and longs for friendship.” (Strider)

“I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.” (A Long-Expected Party)

Elsewhere

Now, I’ve never been one to be into Lego, but when I saw their latest product release last week – a 6,000+ piece build your own Rivendell – I must admit, I thought there’s a small chance I could be persuaded…

The Lord of the Rings Question of the Week

Did Boromir break the fellowship?

This is something I’ve often pondered. And it has lead me down a rabbit hole, if not a rabbit warren, of thoughts and more questions. Here are the highlights of my meandering ramblings for this week’s question:

If he had been stronger, might Boromir have been able to resist the ring, and then be less of a problem for Frodo, so much so, that Frodo would have have remained with the fellowship? Or would Frodo’s desire to keep his friends safe still have prompted him to go it alone? Or had the fellowship been fracturing since they lost Gandalf in Moria? Or is evil, and the evil work of Sauron, ultimately responsible for its breaking? Or does the breaking of the fellowship not come through losing members to death, but rather from conscious choice to pull away and go in a different direction? Was the fellowship always destined to break apart at some point?

Regarding Frodo’s choice, I think he would have still tried to go on alone, to protect those he cares about, yet I can also see that Gandalf could have been holding the fellowship together, at least in a way. Aragorn suspected Gandalf had a plan for more of the journey than he spoke of, and as a leader, and a wizard with a vast store of information in his memory, would there have been much question as to whether to follow him or not? We saw earlier discussions as to the road, where Gandalf and Aragorn were in disagreement, but Aragorn still followed him, so might everyone else? Boromir, was always heading towards home, the only question for him, was anyone else going to go with him. Or would the evil at work on Boromir grown and grown until it was finally acted upon? Would the ring and his desire to possess it have ensured he stayed with the company? I suspect so. Yet if things had been different, and he not be susceptible to its pull, might he have chosen to stay, to see the Ring destroyed, which would have been the ultimate measure of protection and defence of his home? Another question is, if the evil failed to ensnare Boromir, who would it have chosen next?

Tolkien Tuesday #44

Posted on February 7, 2023 by sammicoxwriter

~ 7 February 2023 ~

Here we are, the first post for The Lord of the Rings Part2, The Two Towers read-along. It’s a little later in the year than I anticipated, for which I apologise profusely. So grab a copy of the story, a mug of your favourite beverage, and let us begin the first chapter…

The Reading, and Ensuing Thoughts

This week we started Book 3, Chapter 1: The Departure of Boromir.

This chapter is fairly short, only about 8 pages in the edition I’m reading (see below).

When we were last with the Fellowship (Tolkien Tuesday #43), Frodo was missing and the others had split up to find him. Boromir is tasked with guarding Merry and Pippin. Frodo, after his encounter with Boromir, decides to try and make it to Mordor alone, but Sam guesses his plan and insists he goes with him. And so the Fellowship begins to break up.

The Two Towers begins with Aragorn in crisis. He has yet to locate Frodo, and but finds and follows his trail to the top of the hill. After a little deliberation, he, like Frodo, looks about him from the ruins of Amon Hen, hoping to find some useful insight that might guide him, yet he can see little and is quickly disturbed by the sounds of fighting in the forest. He can distinctly hear Orcs, and then the sound of Boromir’s horn being blown reaches him.

At once he runs down the hill in the direction of the fighting, wondering where Sam is as he goes. When he finds Boromir, he is mortally wounded, surrounded by the many Orcs he has slain. Boromir relates that the Orcs have taken the hobbits, but doesn’t specify which ones. He admits trying to take the Ring from Frodo, and with his last words asks Aragorn to go to Minas Tirith to save his people because he has failed.

Aragorn is overcome with grief and despondency, remaining with Boromir until Legolas and Gimli arrive. They encountered the band of Orcs and slayed many of them. They question Aragorn on the location of the hobbits, especially Frodo and the Ring, but they have no definitive answers.

Their attention is then turned to tending to Boromir’s remains, which they decide to place in a boat and send over the Falls of Rauros and let the River Anduin carry him back to Gondor, and ultimately towards the Sea. As they are gathering tokens from the fallen dead to place in the boat with Boromir, they discover a type of Orc they have never encountered before, bearing the mark of an S-rune, which they deduce to belong to Sarumun.

The question of what they should do next they decide to put off, until after they have said their final farewell to Boromir.

I remember the first time I read of Boromir’s death. It moved me deeply, and every time I have read it since, I’ve had to put it down for a little while before I can continue reading. And this part in the movie always gets me; I don’t think I have ever watched it and not cried. But then I’ve always found Boromir to be a fascinatingly complex, very human character, and his redemption comes through death which is so very poignant.

Next week we will finish Book 3, Chapter 1: The Departure of Boromir.

Middle Earth Musings and Meditations

Boromir’s redemption, as I think I’ve said before, has always been one of my favourite storylines in this trilogy. By giving his life trying to protects the hobbits (we do not know which ones yet) by fighting an enemy that clearly massively outnumbers him, shows his true character away from the influence of the Ring.

Yet I don’t think I noticed before just how religious this scene feels. I will save the discussion of Lord of the Rings and Christian allegory for another day. Here, today, I am just making a personal observation. Boromir is dying. He makes his final confession to Aragorn. And Aragorn on hearing it, appears, I think, to forgive him. What do you think?

Elsewhere

The copy of the book I’m reading from the moment is:

Notes on this edition: Paperback movie tie-in edition, published by HarperCollins, 2012.

This is the first time I’ve read this volume, and I was pleased to find on cracking open the spine a handy little synopsis of what occurred in The Fellowship of the Ring, if I required a refresh.

The Lord of the Rings Question of the Week

Although the half-chapter we read this week was (very) short, it actually covered quite a lot. What do you think were the most important themes in these few pages?

The over-riding impression I get from these pages is the feeling of being pressed for time. The day is moving on and the company cannot find Frodo. Then there is not enough time for Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli to reach Boromir before he is fatally wounded. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli then need to take the time to work out what has become of the hobbits, which they postpone because they know they need to lay Boromir to rest, which they don’t begrudge but are aware that it takes up precious time, should they decide to try and catch up with the band of Orcs, who are moving ever further and further away.

Other themes that I found noteworthy are Boromir’s confession about trying to take the ring from Frodo (he could have taken that to his grave with him), his feeling of failure and, ultimately his redemption upon his death. Then there is Aragorn’s crisis of faith in himself, and the idea that the remaining members of the company must properly say goodbye to Boromir before they can move on.

Tolkien Tuesday #43

Posted on November 22, 2022 by sammicoxwriter

~ 22 November 2022 ~

This is the last post in our The Fellowship of the Ring read along! What an amazing journey it’s been since January. It’s been wonderful to read along with everyone and hear your thoughts and views, as well as offering alternative perspectives on the story.

I’m already looking forward to January 2023 when we will begin The Two Towers. Hope to see you all again in the New Year!

The Reading, and Ensuing Thoughts

This week we finished Book 2, Chapter 10: The Breaking of the Fellowship, and so finished The Fellowship of the Ring 😦

Frodo flees from Boromir, not hearing his apology. He runs to the top of Amon Hen and sits upon the ruined stone seat. At first, he sees little but mist, for his still wearing the Ring, but soon he is offered views over great distances. Both east and west he looks, but wherever he casts his gaze he sees the marks of war. It is inescapable, except for a moment when he looks upon Minas Tirith and sees it gleaming, hope stirs in his heart but it is quickly dashed.

Then he knows the eye in the Dark Tower is aware of his presence and is looking for him, looking for the Ring. It is almost upon him when he throws himself to the ground and takes it off, and the danger, for the moment, has passed. Not only that but this almost encounter steels his will to go on from here alone. He slips on the Ring and plans for his immediate departure.

Back by the river, the others have been puzzling over Frodo’s decision. The consensus is to go to Minas Tirith, but none wish to abandon Frodo should he choose to go east. It is as they are having this discussion that they realise Boromir is missing. Just as they set out to look for Frodo, noticing he’s been gone longer than he should have been, Boromir reappears, and confesses to some of what passed between them.

In panic the majority of the company run off in search of Frodo. Boromir is tasked with guarding Merry and Pippin. Aragorn goes with Sam, but Sam has a hard time keeping up with him. Sam knows he has to use his head to find Frodo and anticipates he will need a boat to cross the river, as well as collect supplies for his journey.

When he gets to the boats, he can see no-one there, but one of the boats enters the river, and Sam knows Frodo is in it, and goes to follow. However, the water is deep and swift, and Sam is pulled under. Frodo, fearing for his friend, rescues him. They argue about Frodo continuing the last part of the quest on his own, and Sam wins by threatening to put hole in all the boats if he is not allowed to go with him.

Together, Frodo and Sam cross the river and hide their boat, before searching for a path that will lead them to Mordor.

The biggest takeaway from this half chapter, and from The Fellowship of the Ring as a whole, is the message of friendship, I think. Frodo wants to save those he cares about, even if that means going on from here on his own, whilst the others would rather risk the danger, and even their own lives, if it means Frodo does not face the burden of destroying the ring on his own.

And that’s it for this part of the read along. But we will be back in the New Year and so begin our read of The Two Towers. Don’t forget – all are welcome to read along and join in the discussion.

Middle Earth Musings and Meditations

As this book came to an end, my thoughts, as a reader, are immediately focused on looking ahead. Although practicality has dictated that it is best to wait until the New Year to begin reading The Two Towers, the reader in me is eager to begin. Some of my favourite parts of The Lord of the Rings occur in this book, and I am so excited to read them and discuss them here, with you.

In the meantime, I have been thinking about how Tolkien inspires me as a writer. Specifically, what lessons I’ve learned as part of this re-reading. Here are four of those lessons:

If you are going to write a fantasy story, you have to know your world inside out. You may not need to know the minutiae of how everything works in your world, but you do need to have an understanding of its people, its geography, its history, its languages and the rules governing magic systems (if there are any).

It’s the little things that add depth to your tale and help to create a well-rounded world with an authentic feel to it. These things could be suggestions of what is happening off-page in another part of the world. They could be references to events that happened in your world’s history. They could be pretty much anything, but what they do is allow the reader to know that there is more to your story than what they are reading.

Descriptions add dimension and richness, so learn how to write them well. This can be simply meant as giving the reader enough description to allow them to “see” the story, but equally the more a reader knows about a character or a place, the more immersed they can become in the storytelling. Add to this the way the descriptions are offered: not overly long, but beautifully evocative, perhaps on occasion more akin to poetry than prose…

Possibly most important of all, enjoy your writing and make time for it.

As a writer of fiction or non-fiction, or of poetry, what lessons have you learned from Tolkien?

Elsewhere

For those only just joining us, you can find all the links to the Tolkien Tuesday posts on the index page. Feel free to catch up over the coming weeks, in preparation for when we start reading The Two Towers in January 2023.

The Lord of the Rings Question of the Week

What has been your favourite part of, or place in, the story so far, and why?

This is a tough question, and I imagine if I was asked this question every day, I would give a different answer on each of them. Any of the ruins we’ve seen or passed have pulled at me, as has much of the geography. Then there was the awe-inspiring architecture of Moria, the different pubs, Rivendell, the Barrow-Downs…

However, at this moment, I am torn between answering Lothlorien, because on this re-reading I felt the parallels with the land of Faery more keenly than I have before, or The Old Forest, because the magic of the woodland really speaks to me. Yes, I think this is my answer for today…

Tolkien Tuesday #42

Posted on November 15, 2022 by sammicoxwriter

~ 15 November 2022 ~

Hello from a dull and wet corner of the Shire (Bedfordshire, for those who are wondering)!

I’ve done my best to try and condense my thoughts for this week’s post into a more manageable length, and I freely admit it’s been hard, mainly because of all things I want to write about Boromir. As a character, I find him fascinating.

And so, we begin the final chapter of The Fellowship of the Ring. Are you ready? Let’s go!

The Reading, and Ensuing Thoughts

This week we started Book 2, Chapter 10: The Breaking of the Fellowship.

Aragorn’s leads them to a grassy bank at the foot of Amon Hen. Nothing is seen or heard of their enemies. Frodo is on watch when Aragorn wakes in the night; Sting suggests orcs are closer than they would like but not near enough to be a problem at present.

Come morning, the decision on who is staying and who is going, and which direction Frodo as the ring-bearer wants to head in, must be made. Aragorn admits he cannot advise Frodo in this matter. Frodo begs an hour alone to make his choice.

Photo by Vittorio Staffolani on Pexels.com

He wanders into the woodland that cover the slopes of Amon Hen and begins to climb. He finds a place to rest and think, recalling all that has happened since Bilbo’s birthday party. He is pulled out of these thoughts by a strange feeling, realising he is not alone. Boromir has sought him out, claiming he was worried about him.

Boromir wants this time to explain to Frodo the merits of heading to Gondor without argument from anyone else. At first, their conversation is pleasant, but quickly it becomes heated as talk turns to the Ring. It then dawns on Frodo the danger he – and the Ring – are in. Boromir gets carried away as he is talking and announces what he would do if he had the Ring, how it’s silly for a mere hobbit to be given custody of it.

Things become perilous when Boromir thinks he has persuaded Frodo to go to Minas Tirith, but Frodo corrects him. Boromir makes to take the Ring from Frodo, and Frodo puts the ring on and flees. Only then does the episode pass and Boromir realises what he has done.

When Frodo and Boromir are having their conversation, I couldn’t help but think Frodo was being a bit careless, given the situation. Some of the things he said, which while true, were not going to make Boromir see things differently or calm the tension down. In fact, on this re-read, I heard myself saying, ‘Oh Frodo, why did you have to say that?!’ Now, this is the first time I have perceived it as such, and I wonder if being aware of what is to come and being fully present in this scene because of this slow re-read, has influenced my perception here. Obviously, Frodo’s mind is on other things and so perhaps he isn’t aware of the danger he’s in until it’s too late.

Next week we will finish the final chapter of Book 2, Chapter 10: The Breaking of the Fellowship, which will conclude our reading of The Fellowship of the Ring.

Middle Earth Musings and Meditations

My musings this week, unsurprisingly, centred on location, and where landscape meets history.

We again find ourselves in a Middle Earth landscape where the echoes of the past are not only distinctly heard but seen. We have already come across perhaps one of the most awe-inspiring examples of this: the Argonath, which means “King-stones” (ref: The Silmarillion).

Now, as Frodo walks the wooded slopes of Amon Hen, the Hill of Sight, he comes across a ruined road, steep, stone-hewn stairs that have fallen into disrepair, and a wide flat stone surrounded by grass and rowan trees.

This combined with the geography-rich nature of the area (hills, woodlands, waterfall, the river, the isle) makes for an enchanting, intriguing landscape, one that fires up the imagination. I can easily imagine walking and exploring here, meditating and musing on things…pretty much what Frodo has been doing.

Elsewhere

Nothing to add here this week…

The Lord of the Rings Question of the Week

If you were Frodo, what would you have said to Boromir? Would you have engaged with him? Or would you have tried to leave when he turned up because you had asked to be alone? Let me know how you would have handled this situation.

The first point to make is, I don’t personally think anything could have changed Boromir’s part in this. At best, it would have happened at a different time, in a different place, and perhaps with different company. At this point though, the situation is perfect for him to make his move. And, for me, his role in the story is to showcase how Men have fallen, and no matter how honourable, they can be influenced by the power of the Ring.

Personally, I would have tried to get back to the others, I think. If I wanted time alone to think by myself, I would resent someone trying to alter that, especially if they have an ulterior motive, which everyone knows Boromir does. He hasn’t exactly been quiet about what he intends to do, and what he thinks the company should do. Yet I also know that doesn’t really help Frodo get to the decision he eventually makes.

I don’t think in Frodo’s stead, I would have told Boromir outright what I thought of his plans, or that his ideas are wrong, but perhaps tried to appease him without making any firm commitments. Would this have calmed Boromir? Would it have been enough for him? Of course not. The Ring wants to make its way into more easily corruptible hands, and Boromir is unfortunately susceptible to its power.

Tolkien Tuesday #41

Posted on November 8, 2022 by sammicoxwriter

~ 8 November 2022 ~

This past weekend I made the conscious decision not to turn my PC on, so if you are wondering why comments have gone unanswered, it is because once again, I’m playing catch-up. Yet, after concluding my latest Damon the Demon story last week and beginning my NaNoWriMo project(s), I decided a break was well-needed.

During this break, I’ve been pondering on how to proceed once we conclude The Fellowship of the Ring in a couple of weeks time. And I think I shall do as last year and wait for the new year to begin The Two Towers. How does that sound? That gives a little break between reading over what is for most people, the busiest time of year. Also, there are parts of The Fellowship of the Ring that I would like to re-read and revisit before we move on. If this is something you might enjoy, please let me know!

For now, here is this week’s Tolkien Tuesday…

The Reading, and Ensuing Thoughts

This week we finished Book 2, Chapter 9: The Great River.

With a great effort, the three boats battle the current and move away from the rapids. But their relief is short. There are orcs on the eastern shore, loosing arrows in their direction. There are a couple of near misses, but the cloaks and boats of Lorien seemed to help in concealing them.

They head towards the western bank, and when they reach it, Legolas jumps ashore and checks it is safe. Yet not long after, a dark, menacing shape is seen in the sky above them. Legolas looses an arrow at it. There is a scream, and it disappears somewhere on the eastern shore, but this is met with wailing from the orcs.

Heading back upstream, they search for somewhere safe to spend the night. When they find a small bay, they pull into it, but they do not get out of the boats. That night, the company tries to work out how long they had spent in Lothlorien, with Legolas explaining how time is perceived by the Elves.

In the morning they wake to fog and mist. Boromir and Aragorn argue once again over the road ahead. Aragorn and Legolas go off in search the path that will allow them to skirt the rapids. They find it, and the rest of the day is spent moving the boats and gear downstream. The task is laborious but when complete, they spend what is left of the day resting.

The next day, they return to the boats and the river, and head downstream once more. They enter a ravine, and up ahead see two giant men carved out of stone. It’s the Argonath. Awe and fear are felt by Frodo, Sam and Boromir, but Aragorn, in the presence of the likeness of his forebears, takes on a kingly countenance.

Photo by Sebastian Palomino on Pexels.com

The sound of the Falls of Rauros can be heard, and not long after, they clear the ravine. A rocky island outcrop, Tol Brandir, can be seen ahead, between two rocky pinnacles on either side of the falls: Amon Lhaw and Amon Hen, the Hills of Hearing and Sight.

They let the current carry them towards the falls, but they know they must soon stop, and pick which shore, and which direction, east or west, to continue their journey.

In this part of the chapter, as well as the first, Boromir’s state of mind, and his intentions, really become apparent, and he isn’t shy in letting his opinions be heard. I found the geography of the area fascinating, and it really captured my imagination, especially where it intersects with Middle Earth history.

Next week we will begin the final chapter of Book 2, Chapter 10: The Breaking of the Fellowship.

Middle Earth Musings and Meditations

My mindful musings this week retraced some familiar ground from earlier in the year…

In earlier chapters, we often spoke of the role the weather played in the story. Of how bad weather often accompanied a bad turn of events (such as the Fog On The Barrow-downs, Book 1, Chapter 8) or reflected the low mood of the travellers (such as the weariness felt as the rain falls upon the hobbits and Strider as they are trying to traverse the wildlands on the way to the ford, Book 1, Chapter 12). Yet good weather naturally meant a good day’s travelling and an uplifting of the spirits.

Yet here, I think for the first time, we see bad weather, the fog and the mist over the river and eastern bank, help the company in keeping hidden from the enemy on the eastern shore, yet it lifts enough for Aragorn and Legolas to find the path they seek. The bad weather is seen as a blessing.

Elsewhere

If you’re interested in reading how Tolkien’s work – both his academic work and his fictional writing – influences subjects today, I came across a couple of interesting articles from BBC Future. There were a number of Tolkien-related articles on there, apart from the following ones, but I have yet to read them.

The first is “Eucatastrophe: Tolkien’s word for the anti-doomsday”. This was a thoroughly interesting read.

The second is “The surprising ancient roots of The Lord of the Rings”, which is interesting, but probably not completely surprising, at least in part, if you’ve been reading any of the literature that’s been written around Middle Earth over that past few decades. But definitely worth a read!

The Lord of the Rings Question of the Week:

So, we are at the point where a decision must be made on the direction the company are to take next. East or west? Which would you pick?

Hmm…suffering with anxiety, I have learnt that I cope better with difficult things if I get them over with, as quickly as possible. The longer I leave things, and the more I put them off, the higher the levels of procrastination rise, and my anxiety with it. I’m a terrible over-thinker. So, from this viewpoint, I would be very much in the “voting to go east” camp, because it’s more direct and it’s the direction you need to go in to get the job done.

Yet, I do see why heading west, towards Gondor, would be seen as more favourable, and potentially less dangerous. After all, we already know there are orcs on the eastern shore. And who wouldn’t feel better heading towards a land full of men who are well-used to fighting. Men like Aragorn and Boromir, strong and capable, who can handle themselves and protect those who can’t protect themselves. There is comfort and security in that path, even if we cannot categorically say there is no danger there.

Tolkien Tuesday #40

Posted on November 1, 2022 by sammicoxwriter

~ 1 November 2022 ~

I hope everyone had a Blessed Samhain!

Rather fittingly, today has been a day of endings and new beginnings. I shared the last chapter of my new Damon the Demon story, Cemetery Blues, which I had so much fun writing. And, being the first of November, that can only mean that NaNoWriMo has started. So, once I have posted this, I had better declare my project (more on that in tomorrow’s NaNo post) and get writing, which means responding to comments will be a task for tomorrow…

For now, though, let us begin the penultimate chapter of The Fellowship of the Ring…

The Reading, and Ensuing Thoughts

This week we begin Book 2, Chapter 9: The Great River

The company begin to make their way down The Great River in the three boats given them by Celeborn and Galadriel. The mood of the group is not good. Although there is a sense of relief that the decision as to their route has been delayed until they reach Rauros, it is still weighing heavily on their minds. They are not in a hurry to get there, allowing the river to carry them at its own pace.

The landscape does little to cheer them, and on occasion, makes them feel worse. Tree cover makes them wonder what is being concealed, but when the land is open and bare, they feel exposed and vulnerable.

The company tends to keep to themselves and withdraws inwards. Boromir is clearly suffering and is not himself, making Pippin and Merry uncomfortable with this change in him.

Sam spots a log with eyes in the river moving faster than the current. At first, he thinks it nothing more than a strange dream, but afterwards, he ponders on it and decides he know what he saw and more importantly, what it could be. He informs Frodo, who agrees it could be Gollum, and together they decide to set a watch. Sam’s watch is quiet, but Gollum is seen around the boats on Frodo’s stint. Aragorn wakes and tells Frodo that Gollum has been following them since Moria.

The decision is made to try and travel quicker and out distance Gollum. The landscape changes again, indicating they are coming to the last part of their boat journey. An eagle is spotted flying high above them, but they do not know what this means.

Aragorn, the only one of the company who has travelled down the river, is now past the point of his own experience and is having to guess from here on out. He thinks there is enough distance between them and the rapids to travel for one more night under the cover of darkness, but Sam is designated watchman in case he is wrong. And he is. In the dark they are forced to row upstream, against the current, in the hope of not dashing their boats, and possibly themselves, upon the rocks.

As the landscape is being described, it becomes even more apparent how much their stay in Lothlorien was a respite, and a time for readying themselves for what was to come. Yet it must also be harder for them mentally, I think, knowing that only recently they’ve experienced the very best in Middle Earth, even if that best is wrought with elven magic.

Next week we will finish Book 2, Chapter 9: The Great River.

Middle Earth Musings and Meditations

The presence and threat of Gollum is handled quite strangely by the company, I thought on reflection this week. And it is another point in the story that I hadn’t noticed before.

First Frodo and Haldir spot him the first night the company spend in Lothlorien, yet no one else seems to be explicitly informed, though it is suggested that Aragorn may have been.

Sam draws attention to Gollum following them. Frodo and Sam set their own watch to keep an eye out for Gollum, deciding not to let anyone else know what they are doing.

Then only after Frodo’s watch does Aragorn reveal he knew Gollum was about and has spent a couple of nights hoping to catch him. It seems strange to me that the policy here was not to make everyone aware, given everyone knows how dangerous the creature is.

Yet even as I muse on that, I wonder, does Boromir? I can only recollect that he has heard the sharing of the ring’s story at Rivendell and Gollum’s part in it. (He says of him at The Council of Elrond, “He is a small thing, you say, this Gollum? Small, but great in mischief.”)

The hobbits have grown up with Bilbo’s stories, as Sam explains in this chapter, and Gimli also may be familiar with these stories, given his father was on the same journey as Bilbo. We also know Aragorn and Legolas are acquainted with him. It was Aragorn who helped hunt Gollum down and eventually captured him, so knows how wily and deadly he can be. And it was to the Elves of Mirkwood that Gollum was sent and imprisoned before his escape.

I wonder why there is so much hush and secrecy around so big a threat. Is it to stop fear and panic from spreading throughout the company? I suspect so, yet it seems a strange course of action to take.

Do you have any thoughts on this? I do wonder if I may have inadvertently missed something here, so please feel free to enlighten me in the comments 🙂

Elsewhere

I’ve been reading some of Tolkien’s other writing this week. My favourite has to be a poem I stumbled across by accident on Halloween, in search of spooky stories to read…

The poem, Goblin Feet, might just be one of my favourite poems. I love the rhythm of it and the way it sounds when it’s read aloud, but mostly I love the imagery it conjures. If you’ve not read it before, I can highly recommend it. You can find it here:

https://americanliterature.com/author/jrr-tolkien/poem/goblin-feet

The Lord of the Rings Question of the Week:

The landscape gets a lot of coverage in this first half of the chapter. Were there any locations or descriptions which stood out to you, either in a good way or a negative way?

The one which always sticks out in my mind in a negative way is The Brown Lands, the name of which really says it all. With a name like it, it is of course going to sound inhospitable, uninviting and uninspiring, as it paints a picture of desolation.

‘You are looking now south-west across the north plains of the Riddermark, Rohan the land of the Horselords.’ I love Rohan, and so this sentence, spoken by Aragorn as he is explaining the lie of the land to Frodo, really speaks to me. I am so looking forward to starting The Two Towers, which I must confess, is my favourite of book of the trilogy…

Tolkien Tuesday #39

Posted on October 25, 2022 by sammicoxwriter

~ 25 October 2022 ~

Two more chapters to go, and we will have finished our almost year-long journey through The Fellowship of the Ring…And what a journey it’s been so far! So let’s press on, grab a cup of something nice (as always, I’m drinking tea!), and take a look at this week’s half chapter…

The Reading, and Ensuing Thoughts

This week we conclude Book 2, Chapter 8: Farewell to Lorien.

Once the meal with Celeborn and Galadriel is concluded, the topic of conversation turns once more to the route they might take and the geography of the land they are about to travel through. When mention is made of the Forest of Fangorn, Boromir says he has heard much of the forest, but it all sounds like old wives’ tales to him. In reply, Celeborn says:

“But do not despise the lore that has come down from distant years; for oft it may chance that old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know.”

They drink from the cup of parting and then the hosts bestow gifts on their guests. Aragorn is given a sheath for his sword and a brooch which once belonged to Arwen. Boromir receives a belt of gold. Merry and Pippin are given silver belts. Legolas receives a bow of the Galadhrim and a quiver of arrows. Sam is given a small box of earth from Galadriel’s garden, enchanted with her blessing. Gimli is granted three hairs from Galadriel’s golden head. Frodo is given a crystal phial full of starlight.

Then it is time to leave. They climb into the three boats, Aragorn with Sam and Frodo, Boromir with Merry and Pippin, and Legolas and Gimli together. There is naturally a melancholy associated with this parting, for in leaving Lorien they are leaving an enchanted land of beauty and safety and returning to a world full of danger and bleakness.

As I read this half chapter, elven goodbyes came across as being highly ritualised, at least here. Also, I really felt the transition from Lorien to the outside world, more so than I think I have before. I suspect an element of that is with past reads, I have wanted to press on and get to the more high-energy parts of the story, yet having to read slowly this time, I have been forced to experience the sanctuary that is Lothlorien, and I felt a little reluctant to leave.

Next week we will begin Book 2, Chapter 9: The Great River.

Middle Earth Musings and Meditations

As Celeborn and Galadriel offer their guests gifts, I’m reminded of this scene in the film, and the differences between the two. And for me, the book definitely comes out on top here. Why?

Mainly because in the film Sam is shown as well, almost ungrateful with his gift (in the film his gift is rope), asking instead if he could not have “one of those nice, shiny daggers” that Merry and Pippin are given.

Personally, I don’t think that fits in with his personality. Rather it is out-of-character for him to ask for something “better” than rope. After all, we know how much he loves rope and laments forgetting to pack it when they are leaving Rivendell, and is even saddened to learn that if the elves of Lothlorien knew he was interested in rope, they would have taught him how they make theirs…

Even if his gift had not been rope…even if he hadn’t been given a gift at all…I can’t imagine him ever complaining about it or asking for something else.

And, out of the gifts they are given according to the book, I think Sam’s is perhaps my favourite. Understated, when compared to gold, silver and gemstones, but so very important…

Elsewhere

I don’t have anything to add here this week…

The Lord of the Rings Question of the Week:

We’ve visited, and spent quite a bit of time at, two elven locations, Rivendell and Lothlorien? Which one is your favourite? If you could only visit one, which would it be?

That’s a tough question because I like the sound of both.

Loving trees and rivers, and how it can be considered as a land of fairy, Lothlorien really does appeal to me. But… I think… (can you sense how uncertain I am with this answer?) that Rivendell might just inch ahead, as a place to read, and learn, and listen to stories being told in front of a nice, warm fire. Also, I see Rivendell as a retreat from the world, but Lothlorien is almost separated from it…