The Fellowship of the Ring – Book II – J. R. R. Tolkien
1. Frodo’s Strength: [Gandalf] “‘. . . You were beginning to
fade,’ answered Gandalf. ‘The wound was overcoming you at last. A few more hours and you would have been
beyond our aid. But you have some
strength in you, my dear hobbit! As you
showed in the Barrow. That was touch and
go: perhaps the most dangerous moment of all.
I wish you could have held out at Weathertop.’” p. 290
2. Powers Greater
than Gandalf: [Gandalf] “‘. . . At
the moment I will only say that I was held captive.’ - - - ‘You?’ cried Frodo.
- - - ‘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 measured. But my time is coming.’” pp. 290-291
3. Who the Rangers
Are: “‘Do you really mean that
Strider is one of the people of the old Kings?’ said Frodo in wonder. ‘I thought they had all vanished long
ago. I thought he was only a Ranger.’ -
- - ‘Only a Ranger!’ cried Gandalf. ‘My
dear Frodo, that is just what the Rangers are: the last remnant in the North
helped me before; and I shall need their help in the days of the great people.
The Men of the West.’” p. 291
4. Morgul-knife: [Gandalf] “‘They tried to pierce your heart
with a Morgul-knife which remains in the wound.
If they had succeeded you would have become like they are, only weaker
and under their command. You would have
become a wraith under the dominion of the Dark Lord; and he would have tormented
you for trying to keep his Ring, if any greater torment were possible than
being robbed of it and seeing it on his hand.’” p. 293
5. The Power of the
Elves – Glorfindel: [Frodo] “‘What
about Rivendell and the Elves? Is
Rivendell safe?’ - - - ‘Yes, at present, until all else is conquered. The Elves may fear the Dark Lord, and they
may fly before him, but never again will they listen to him or serve him. And here in Rivendell there live still some
of his chief foes: the Elven-wise, lords of the Eldar from beyond the furthest
seas. They do not fear the Ringwraiths,
for those who have dwelt in the Blessed Realm live at once in both worlds, and
against both the Seen and the Unseen they have great power.’ - - - ‘I thought
that I saw a white figure that shone and did not grow dim like the others. Was that Glorfindel then?’ - - - ‘Yes, you
saw him for a moment as he is upon the other side: one of the mighty of the
First-born. He is an elf-lord of a house
of princes. Indeed there is a power in
Rivendell to withstand the might of Mordor, for a while: and elsewhere other
powers still dwell. There is power, too,
of another kind in the Shire. But all
such places will soon become islands under siege, if things go on as they are
going. The Dark Lord is putting forth all his strength.’ - - - ‘Still,’ he
said, standing suddenly up and sticking out his chin, while his beard went
stiff and straight like bristling wire, ‘we must keep up our courage. You will soon be well, if I do not talk you
to death. You are in Rivendell, and you
need not worry about anything for the present.’” p. 294
6. Elf-lord Revealed:
“‘When the Ringwraiths swept by, your friends ran up behind. Close to the Ford there is a small hollow
beside the road masked by a few stunted tress.
There they hastily kindled fire; for Glorfindel knew that a flood would
come down, if the Riders tried to cross, and then he would have to deal with
any that were left on his side of the river.
The moment the flood appeared, he rushed out, followed by Aragorn and
the others with flaming brands. Caught
between fire and water, and seeing an Elf-lord revealed in his wrath, they were
dismayed, and their horses were stricken with madness. Three were carried away by the first assault
of the flood; the others were now hurled into the water by their horses and
overwhelmed.’” p. 295
7. Wraiths Not Easily
Destroyed: “‘And is that the end of
the Black Riders?’ asked Frodo. - - - ‘No,’ said Gandalf. ‘Their horses must have perished, and without
them they are crippled. But the
Ringwraiths themselves cannot be so easily destroyed.’” p. 295
8. Honor to Frodo: [Gandalf] “‘. . . Soon there will be feasting
and merrymaking to celebrate the victory at the Ford of Bruinen, and you will
all be there in places of honour.’ - - - ‘Splendid!’ said Frodo. ‘It is wonderful that Elrond, and Glorfindel
and such great lords, not to mention Strider, should take so much trouble and
show me so much kindness.’ - - - ‘Well, there are many reasons why they
should.’ Said Gandalf, smiling. ‘I am
one good reason. The Ring is another:
you are the Ring-bearer. And you are the heir of Bilbo, the Ring-finder.’” p296
9. The Last Homely
House: “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.” pp. 296-297
10. Sam on Elves: [Sam] “. . . ‘And Elves, sir! Elves here, and
Elves there! Some like kings, terrible and splendid; and some as merry as
children. And the music and the
singing—not that I have had the time or the heart for much listening since we
got here.’” p. 297
11. The Lords of the
West: “Elrond, as was his custom,
sat in a great chair at the end of the long table upon the dais; and next to
him on the one side sat Glorfindel, on the other side sat Gandalf. - - - Frodo
looked at them in wonder, for he had never before seen Elrond, of whom so many
tales spoke; and as they sat upon his right hand and his left, Glrofindel, and
even Gandalf, whom he thought he knew so well were revealed as lords of dignity
and power.
Gandalf was shorter in stature than the other two; but his
long white hair, his sweeping silver beard, and his broad shoulders, made him
look like some wise king of ancient legend.
In his aged face under great snowy brows his dark eyes were set like
coals that could leap suddenly into fire.
Glorfindel was tall and straight; his hair was of shining
gold, his face fair and young and fearless and full of joy; his eyes were
bright and keen, and his voice like music; on his brow sat wisdom, and in his
hand was strength.
[Elrond] The face of Elrond was ageless, neither old nor
young, though in it was written the memory of many things both glad and
sorrowful. His hair was dark as the
shadows of twilight, and upon it was set a circlet of silver; his eyes were
gray as a clear evening, and in them was a light like the light of stars. Venerable he seemed as a king crowned with
many winters, and yet hale as a tried warrior in the fullness of his
strength. He was the Lord of Rivendall
and might among both Elves and Men.
[Arwen] In the middle of the table, against the woven cloths
upon the wall, there was a chair under a canopy, and there sat a lady fair to
look upon, and so like was she in form of womanhood to Elrond that Frodo
guessed that she was one of his close kindred.
Young she was and yet not so.
[Arwen was 2777 years old at this time.] The braids of her dark hair
were touched by no frost; her white arms and clear face were flawless and
smooth, and the light of stars was in her bright eyes, grey as a cloudless
night; yet queenly she looked, and thought and knowledge were in her glance, as
of one who has known many things that the years bring. Above her brow her head was covered with a
cap of sliver lace netted with small gems, glittering white; but her soft gray
raiment had no ornament save a girdle of leaves wrought in silver. - - - So it
was that Frodo saw her whom few mortals had yet seen; Arwen, daughter of
Elrond, in whom it was said that the likeness of Luthien had come on earth
again; and she was called Undomiel, for she was the Evenstar of her people.” pp299-300
12. Frodo’s Seat of Honor: “Such loveliness in living things Frodo had
never seen before nor imagined in his mind; and he was both surprised and
abashed to find that he had a seat at Elrond’s table among all these folk so
high and fair. Though he had a suitable
chair, and was raised upon several cushions, he felt very small, and rather out
of place; but that feeling quickly passed.”
p. 300
13. Gloin: “. . . next to Frodo on his right sat a dwarf
of important appearance, richly dressed.
His beard, very long and forked, was white, nearly as white as the snow-white
cloth of his garments. He wore a silver
belt, and round his neck hung a chain of silver and diamonds. Frodo stopped eating to look at him. - - -
‘Welcome and well met!’ said the dwarf, turning towards him. Then he actually rose from his seat and
bowed. ‘Gloin at your service,’ he said,
and bowed still lower. - - - ‘Frodo Baggins at your service and your family’s,’
said Frodo correctly, rising in surprise and scattering his cushions. ‘Am I right in guessing that you are the Gloin, one of the twelve companions
of the great Thorin Oakenshield?’ - - - ‘Quite right,’ said the dwarf,
gathering up the cushions and courteously assisting Frodo back into his
seat.” p. 300
14. The Doings of the Dwarves: “. . . Dain was still King under the
mountain, and was now old (having passed his two hundred and fiftieth year),
venerable, and fabulously rich. Of the
ten companions who had survived the Battle of Five Armies seven were still with
him; Dwalin, Gloin, Dori, Nori, Bifur, Bofur and Bombur. . . - - - And what has
become of Balin and Orin and Oin?’ asked Frodo. - - - A shadow passed over
Gloin’s face. ‘We do not know,’ he
answered. ‘It is largely on account of
Balin that I have come to ask the advice of those that dwell in
Rivendell.’” p. 302
15. Frodo’s Love for
Bilbo: “Gloin looked at Frodo and
smiled. “you were very fond of Bilbo
were you not?’ he asked. - - - ‘Yes,’ answered Frodo. ‘I would rather see him than all the towers
and palaces in the world.’” p. 303
16. Bilbo, Frodo, and
the Ring: “. . . Slowly he [Frodo]
drew it out. Bilbo put out his
hand. But Frodo quickly drew back the
Ring. To his distress and amazement he
found that he was no longer looking at Bilbo; a shadow seemed to have fallen
between them, and through it he found himself eyeing a little wrinkled creature
with a hungry face and bony groping hands.
He felt a desire to strike him. -
- - The music and singing round them seemed to falter, and a silence
fell. Bilbo looked quickly at Frodo’s
face and passed his hand across his eyes. ‘I understand now,’ he said. ‘Put it away! I am sorry; sorry you have come
in for this burden: sorry about everything. Don’t; adventures ever have an
end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the
story. Well, it can’t be helped. I wonder if it’s any good trying to finish my
book? But don’t let’s worry about it
now—let’s have some real News! Tell me
about the Shire?’” p. 306
17. Dunadan Defined: “‘The
Dunadan,’ said Bilbo. ‘He is often
called that here. But I thought you knew
enough Elvish at last to know dun-adan:
Man of the West, Numerorean’” pp. 306-307
18. The Words of
Elvin Songs Take Shape: “At first
the beauty of the melodies and the interwoven words in the Elven-tongue, even though
he understood them little, held him in a spell, as soon as he began to attend
to them. Almost it seemed that the words
took shape, and visons of far lands and bright things that he had never yet
imagined opened out before him; and the firelit hall became like a golden mist
above the seas of foam that sighed upon the margins of the world.” p. 307
19. Elves, Music, and
Stories: “‘It is difficult to keep awake here, until you get used to it,’ said
Bilbo. ‘Not that hobbits would ever
acquire quite the elvish appetite for music and poetry and tales. They seem to like them as much as food, or
more. They will be going on for a long
time yet.’” p. 312
20. At the Council of
Elrond: “He [Elrond] then pointed
out and named those whom Frodo had not met before. There was a younger dwarf at Gloin’s side:
his son Gimli. Beside Glorfindel there
were several other counsellors of Elrond’s household, of whom Erestor was the
chief; and with him was Baldor, an Elf from the Grey Havens who had come on and
errand from Cirdan the Shipwright. There
was also a strange Elf clad in green and brown, Legolas, a messenger from his
father, Thranduil, the King of the Elves of Northern Mirkwood. And seated a little apart was a tall man with
a fair and noble face, dark-haired and
grey-eyed, proud and stern of glance. . . - - - ‘Here’ said Elrond, turning to
Gandalf, ‘is Boromir, a man from the South.’”
p. 315
21. Gloin on Moria: “Gloin sighed. Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern
world! Too deep we delved there, and
woke the nameless fear. Long have its
vast mansions lain empty since the children of Durin fled. But now we spoke of it again with longing,
and yet with dread; for no dwarf has dared to pass the doors of Khazad-dum for
many lives of kings, save Thror only, and he perished. At last, however, Balin listened to the
whispers, and resolved to go; and though Dain did not give leave willingly, he
took with him Ori and Oin and many of our folk, and they went away south. ‘ - -
- ‘That was nigh on thirty years ago.
For a while we had news and it seemed good: messages reported that Moria
had been entered and a great work begun there.
Then there was silence, and no word has ever come from Moria
since.’” p. 316
22. The Ultimatum to
Dain: “‘Then about a year ago a
messenger came to Dain, but not from Moria—from Mordor: a horseman in the
night, who called Dain to his gate. The
Lord Sauron the Great, so he said, wished for our friendship. Rings he would give for it, such as he gave
of old. And he asked urgently concerning
hobbits, of what kind they were, and
where they dwelt. “For Sauron knows,”
said he, “that one of these was known to you on a time.” - - -‘At this we were
greatly troubled, and we gave no answer.
And then his fell voice was lowered, and he would have sweetened it if
he could. “As a small token only of you
friendship Sauron asks this,” he said: “that you should find this thief,” such
was his word, “and get from him, willing or no, a little ring, the least of
rings, that once he stole. It is but a
trifle that Sauron fancies, and an earnest of your good will. Find it, and three rings that the dwarf sires
possessed of old shall be returned to you, and the realm of Moria shall be
yours for ever. Find only news of the thief, whether he still lives
and where, and you shall have great reward and lasting friendship from the
Lord. Refuse, and things will not seem
so well. Do you refuse?” - - - ‘At that
his breath came like the hiss of snakes, and all who stood by shuddered, but
Dain said: “I say neither ya nor
nay. I must consider this message and
what it means under its fair cloak.” - - - ‘ “Consider well, but not too long,”
said he. - - -“ ’ . . . Twice the messenger has returned, and has gone
unanswered. The third and last time, so
he says, is soon to come, before the ending of the year. - - - ‘And so I have been sent at last by Dain to warn Bilbo
that he is sought by the Enemy, and to learn, if may be, why he desires this
ring, this least of rings. Also we crave
the advice of Elrond.’” pp. 316-317
23. Chance Not
Chance: [Elrond] “‘That is the purpose for which you are called
hither. Called, I say, though I have not
called you to me, strangers from distant lands.
You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as
it may seem. Yet in 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.” p. 318
24. The Making of the
Rings of Power: “[Elrond] ‘. . . so
that all may understand what is the peril, the tale of the Ring shall be told
from the beginning even to this present.
And I will begin that tale, though others shall end it.’ - - - They all
listened while Elrond in his clear voice spoke of Sauron and the Rings of Power,
and their forging in the Second Age of the world long ago. A part of his tale was known to some there,
but the full tale to none, and many eyes were turned to Elrond in fear and
wonder as he told of the Elven-smiths of Eregion and their friendship with
Moria, and their eagerness for knowledge, by which Sauron ensnared them. For in that time he was not yet evil to
behold, and they received his aid and grew mighty in craft, whereas he learned
all their secrets, and betrayed them. And forged secretly in the Mountain of
Fire the One Ring to be their master.
But Celebrimbor was aware of him, and hid the Three which he had made;
and there was war, and the land was laid
waste, and the gate of Moria was shut.”
p. 318
25. The “Last
Alliance of Elves and Men”: “Then
Elendil the Tall and his mighty sons, Isildur and Anarion, became great lords;
and the North-realm they made in Arnor, and the South-realm in Gondor about the
mouths of Anduin. But Sauron of Mordor
assailed them, and they made the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, and the hosts
of Gilgalad and Elendil were mustered in Arnor.” P 319
26. On Elrond and His
Memory of the Great Victory:
“Thereupon Elrond paused a while and sighed. ‘I remember well the splendor of their
banners,’ he said. ‘It recalled to me
the glory of the Elder Days and the hosts of Beleriand, so many great princes
and captains were assembled. And yet no
so many, not so fair, as when Thangorodrim was broken, and the Elves deemed
that evil was ended for ever, and it was not so.’ - - - ‘You remember?’ said
Frodo speaking his thought aloud in his astonishment. ‘But I thought,’ he stammered as Elrond
turned towards him, ‘I thought that the fall of Gil-gald was a long age ago.’ -
- - ‘So it was indeed,’ answered Elreond gravely. ‘But my memory reaches back even to the Elder
Days. Earendil was my sire, who was born
in Gondolin before its fall; and my mother was Elwing, daughter of Dior, son of
Luthien of Doriath. I have seen three
ages in the West of the world, and many defeats, and many fruitless victories.
- - - ‘I was the herald of Gil-galad and marched with him host. I was at the Battle of Dagorlad before the
Black Gate of Mordor, where we had the mastery: for the Spear of Gil-galad and
the Sword of Elendil, Aiglos and Narsil, none could withstand. I beheld the last combat of the slopes of
Orodruin, where Gil-galad died, and Elendil fell, and Narsil, broke beneath
him; but Sauron himself was overthrown, and Isldur cut the Ring from his hand with
the hilt-shard of his father’s sword, and took it for his own.’” p. 319
27. Isildur Keeps the
Ring: [Elrond] “‘It should have been
cast then into Orodruin’s fire nigh at hand where it was made. But few marked what Isildur did. He alone stood by his father in the last
mortal contest; and by Gil-galad only Cirdan stood, and I. But Isildur would not listen to our counsel.’” p. 320
28. The Effects of
the Last Alliance: [Elrond]
“‘Fruitless did I call the victor of the Last Alliance? Not wholly so, yet it did not achieve its
end. Sauron was diminished, but not
destroyed. His Ring was lost but not
unmade. The Dark Tower was broken, but
its foundations were not removed; for they were made with the power of the
Ring, and while it remains they will endure.’”
p. 320
29. Cities and Towers
of Gondor: [Elrond] “‘In the South
the realm of Gondor long endured; and for a while its splendour (sp) grew, - -
- Their chief city was Osgiliath, Citadel of the Stars, through the midst of
which the River flowed. And Minas Ithil
they built, Tower of the Rising Moon, eastward upon a shoulder of the Mountain
of Shadow; and westward at the feet of the White Mountains Minas Anor the made,
Tower of the Setting Sun.’” p. 321
30. The Dream of the Princes of Gondor: “‘In that dream I thought the eastern sky
grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light
lingered, and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying: Seek for the Sword that was broken: - In
Imladris it dwells: - There shall be counsels taken – Stronger than Morgul-spells.
– There shall be shown a token – That doom is near at hand, - For Isildur’s
Bane shall waken, - And the Halfing forth shall stand.’” p. 323
31. Bilbo’s Poem for
Strider: “‘All that is gold does not glitter, - Not all those who wander are lost;
- The old that is strong does not wither, - Deep roots are not reached by the
frost. - - - From the ashes a fire shall be woken, - A light from the shadows
shall spring; - Renewed shall be blade that was broken; - The crownless again
shall be king. p. 325
32. Aragorn Proclaims
His Birthright [He Is Not Hesitant to Be King.]: “‘I am but the heir of Isildur, not Isildur
himself. I have had a hard life and a
long; and the leagues that lie between here and Gondor are a small part in the
count of my journeys. I have crossed
many mountains and many rivers, and trodden many plains, even into the far
countries of Rhun and Hard where the stars are strange.’ - - - ‘But my home,
such as I have, is in the North. For
here the heirs of Valandil have ever dwelt in long line unbroken from father
unto son for many generations. Our days
have darkened, and we have dwindled; but ever the Sword has passed to a new
keeper.” pp. 325-326
33. Roll of the
Rangers: “‘And this I will say to
you, Boromir, ere I end. Lonely men are
we, Rangers of the wild, hunters—but hunters ever of the servants of the Enemy;
for they are found in many places, not in Mordor only. - - - ‘If Gondor,
Boromir, has been a stalwart tower, we have played another part. Many evil things there are that your strong
walls and bright swords do not stay. You
know little of the lands beyond your bounds.
Peace and freedom, do you say?
The North would have known them little but for us. Fear would have destroyed them. But when dark things come from the houseless
hills, or creep from sunless woods, they fly from us. What roads would any dare to tread, what
safety would there be in quiet lands, or in the homes of simple men at night,
if the Dunedain were asleep, or were all gone into the grave?’” p. 326
34. Gandalf Spies on
the Necromancer: [Gandalf] “‘Some here will remember that many years ago I
myself dared to pass the doors of the Necromancer in Dol Guldur, and secretly explored his ways, and found
thus that our fears were true: he was none other than Sauron, our Enemy of old,
at length taking shape and power again.’”
p. 328
35. Sauron’s Feign: [Gandalf] “. . . ‘Saruman dissuaded us from
open deeds against him [Sauron], and for long we watched him only. Yet at last, as his shadow grew, Saruman
yielded, and the Council put forth its strength and drove the evil out of
Mirkwood—and that was in the very year of the finding of this Ring: a strange
chance, if chance it was.’ - - - ‘But we were too late, as Elrond foresaw. Sauron also had watched us, and had long
prepared against our stroke, governing Mordor from afar through Minas Morgul,
where his Nine servants dwelt, until all was ready. The he gave way before us, but only feigned
to flee, and soon after came to the Dark Tower and openly declared himself.’” pp. 328-329
36. Gandalf Hesitates
– Fear of Treason: “‘There I was at
fault,’ he [Gandalf] said. ‘I was lulled
by the words of Saruman the Wise; but I should have sought of the truth sooner,
and our peril would now be less.’ - - - ‘We were all at fault,’ said Elrond,
‘and but for your vigilance the Darkness, maybe, would already be upon us. But say on.’ - - - ‘But I spoke yet of my
dread to none, knowing the peril of an untimely whisper, if it went
astray. In all the long wars with the
Dark Tower treason has ever been our greatest foe.’ - - - ‘That was seventeen
years ago. Soon I became aware that
spies of many sorts, even beasts and birds, were gathered round the Shire and
fear grew. I called for the help of the
Dunedain, and their watch was doubled; and I opened my heart to Aragorn, the
heir of Isildur.’” p. 330
37. How the Ring Can
Be Know: [Gandalf] “‘The Ring itself
might tell if it were the One. The
memory of words at the Council came back to me: words of Saruman, half-heeded
at the time. I heard them now clearly in
my heart. “The Nine, the Seven, and the
Three,” he said, “had each their proper gem.
Not so the One. It was round and
unadorned, as it were one of the lesser rings; but its maker set marks upon it
that the skilled, maybe, could still see and read.”” p. 330
38. The Secret Hidden
in the Library of Minas Anor: “. . .
‘there lies in Minas Tirith still, unread, I guess, by any save Saruman and
myself since the kings failed, a scroll that Isildur made himself. For Isildur did not march straight from the
war to Mordor, as some have told the tale . . . that time also he made this
scroll,’ said Gandalf; ‘and that is not remembered in Gondor, it would
seem. For this scroll concerns the Ring,
and thus wrote Isildur therein: The Great
Ring shall go now to be an heirloom of the North Kingdom; but records of it
shall be left in Gondor, where also dwell the heirs of Elendil, lest a time
come when the memory of these great matters shall grow dim . . . It was hot
when I first took it, not as a glede, and my hand was scorched, so that I doubt
if ever again I shall be free of the pain of it. Yet even as I write it is
cooled, and it seemeth to shrink, though it loseth neither its beauty nor its
shape. Already the writing upon it,
which at first was as clear as red flame, fadeth and is now only barely to be
read. It is fashioned in the
Elven-script of Eregion, for they have no letters in Mondor (sp) for such
subtle work; but the language is unknown to me.
I deem it to be a tongue of the Black Land, since it is foul and
uncouth. What evil it saith I do not
know; but I trace here a copy of it, least it fade beyond recall. The Ring misseth, maybe, the heat of Sauron’s
hand, which was black and yet burned like fire, and so Gil-glad was destroyed; and
maybe were the gold made hot again, the writing would be refreshed. But for my part I will risk no hurt to this
thing: of all the works of Sauron the only fair. It is precious to me, though I buy it with
great pain.” pp. 332
39. Sauron’s Power in
the Ring: [Gandalf] “‘. . . this
thing is indeed what the Wise have declared: the treasure of the Enemy, fraught
with all his malice; and in it lies a great part of his strength of old. Out of the Black Years come the words that
the Smiths of Eregion heard, and knew that they had been betrayed: One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find
them, One Ring to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them.’” pp. 333-334
40. Foreshadowing the
Fate of Gollum: “‘Well, well, he
[Gollum] is gone,’ said Gandalf. ‘We
have no time to seek for him again. He
must do what he will. But he may play a
part yet that neither he nor Sauron has foreseen.’” p. 336
41. Meet Radagast the
Brown: “‘. . . and not far from Bree
I came upon a traveler sitting on a bank beside the road with his grazing horse
beside him. It was Radagast the Brown,
who at one time dwelt at Rhosgobel, near the borders of Mirkwood. He is one of my order, but I had not seen him
for many a year.’“
42. On Saruman and
Radagast: [Gandalf] “‘For Saruman the White is the greatest of my
order. Radagast is, of course, a worthy
wizard, a master of shapes and changes of hue; and he has much lore of herbs
and beasts, and birds are especially his friends. But Saruman has long studied the arts of the
Enemy himself, and thus we have often been able to forestall him. It was by the devices of Saruman that we
drove him from Dol Guldur. It might be
that he had found some weapons that would drive back the Nine.’” p. 337
43. Saruman’s Trap: “‘Radagast the Brown!’ laughed Saruman, and he
no longer concealed his scorn. ‘Radagast
the Bird-tamer! Radagast the
Simple! Radagast the Fool! Yet he had just the wit to play the part that
I set him. For you have come, and that
was all the purpose of my message. And
here you will stay, Gandalf the Grey, and rest for journeys. For I am Saruman, the Wise, Saruman
Ring-maker, Saruman of Many Colors!” p.339
44. A New Time Is
Coming (Socialism): [Saruman] “‘The
Elder Days are gone. The Middle Days are
passing. The Younger Days are
beginning. The time of the Elves is
over, but our time is at Hand: the world of Men, which we must rule. But we must have power, power to order all
things as we will, for that good which only the Wise can see.’” pp. 341-342
45. Saved by Radagast:
“‘It would have been useless in any case to try and win over the honest
Radagast to treachery. He sought me in
good faith, and so persuaded me. - - - That was the undoing of Saruman’s
plot. For Radagast knew no reason why he
should not do as I asked; and he rode away towards Mirkwood where he had many
friends of old. And the Eagles of the
Mountains went far and wide, and they saw many things: the gathering of wolves
and the mustering of Orcs; and the Nine Riders going hither and thither in the
lands; and they heard news of the escape of Gollum, And they sent a messenger to bring these
tiding to me. - - - ‘So it was that when summer waned, there came a night of
moon, and Gwaihir the Windlord, swiftest of the Great Eagles, came unlooked-for
to Orthanc; and he found me standing on the pinnacle, Then I spoke to him and he bore me away,
before Saruman was aware. I was far from
Isengard, ere the wolves and orcs issued from the gate to pursue me.’” p. 343
46. Bombadil Was
First – So Says Elrond: [Elrond] “‘.
. . I had forgotten Bombadil, if indeed
this is still the same that walked the woods and hills long ago, and even then
he was older than the old. That was not
them his name. Iarwain Ben-adar we
called him, oldest and fatherless. But
many another name he has since been given by the other folk: Forn by the Dwarves, Orald by the Northern
Men, and other names beside. He is a
strange creature, but maybe I should have summoned him to our Council.’” p. 348
47. Tom’s Power: “‘Could we not still send messages to him
[Tom] and obtain his help?’ asked Erestor.
‘It seems that he has a power even over the Ring.’ - - - ‘No, I should
not put it so,’ said Gandalf. ‘Say
rather that the Ring has no power over him.
He is his own master. But he
cannot alter the Ring itself, nor break its power over others. And now he is withdrawn into a little land,
within bounds that he has set, though none can see them, waiting perhaps for a
change of days, and he will not step beyond them.’” p. 348
48. Power of the
Elves: “‘I know little of Iarwain
save the name,’ said Galdor; ‘but Glorfindel, I think, is right. Power to defy our Enemy is not in him, unless
such power is in the earth itself. And
yet we see Sauron can torture and destroy the very hills. What power still remains lies with us, here
in Imladris, or with Cirdan at the Havens, or in Lorien. But have they the strength, have we here the
strength to withstand the Enemy, the coming of Sauron at the last, when all
else is overthrown?’ - - - ‘I have not the strength,’ said Elrond; ‘neither
have they.’” pp. 348-349
49. Duty to Destroy
the Ring: “‘Not safe for ever [in
the sea],’ said Gandalf. ‘There are many
things in the deep waters; and seas and lands may change. And it is not our part here to take thought
ony for a season, or for a few lives of Men, or for a passing age of the
world. We should seek a final end of
this menace, even if we do not hope to make one.’” p. 349
50. The Danger of the
Ring – Nothing Evil at First:
[Boromir] “’Let the Ring be your weapon, if it has such power as you
say, take it and go forth to victory!’ - - - ‘Alas, no,’ said Elrond. ‘We cannot use the Ruling Ring. It belongs to Sauron and was made by him
alone, and is altogether evil. Its
strength, Boromir, is too great for anyone to wield at will, save only those
who have already a great power of their own.
But for them it holds an even deadlier peril. The very desire of it corrupts the heart. Consider Saruman. If any of the Wise should with this Ring
overthrow the Lord of Mordor, using his own arts, he would then set himself on
Sauron’s throne, and yet another Dark Lord would appear. And that is another reason why the Ring
should be destroyed: as long as it is in the world it will be a danger even to
the Wise. For nothing is evil in the
beginning. Even Sauron was not so. I fear to take the Ring to hide it. I will not take the ring to wield it.’ - - -
‘Nor I,’ said Gandalf.” pp. 350-351
51. The Fate of
Durin’s Ring: “‘Balin will find no
ring in Moria,’ said Gandalf. ‘Thror
gave it to Thrain his son, but not Thrain to Thorin. It was taken with torment from Thrain in the
dungeons of Dol Guldur. I came too
late.’” p. 351
52. The Three Elvin
Rings: “‘The Three were not made by
Sauron, nor did he ever touch them. But
of them it is not permitted to speak. So
much only in this hour of doubt I may now say.
They are not idle. But they were
not made as weapons of war or conquest: that is not their power. Those who made them did not desire strength
or domination or hoarded wealth, but understanding, making, and healing, to
preserve all things unstained’ . . .
‘But what then would happen, if the Ruling Ring were destroyed, as you
counsel?’ asked Gloin. - - - ‘We know not for certain,’ answered Elrond
sadly. ‘Some hope that the Three Rings,
which Sauron has never touched, would then become free, and their rulers might
heal the hurts of the world that he has wrought. But maybe when the One has gone, the Three
will fail, and many fair things will fade and be forgotten. That is my belief. - - - Yet all the Elves
are willing to endure this chance,’ said Glorfindel, ‘if by it the power of
Sauron may be broken, and the fear of his dominion be taken away for
ever.’” p. 352
53. Saron’s Flaw: [Gandalf] “‘. . . let folly be our cloak, a
veil before the eyes of the Enemy! For
he is very wise, and weighs all things to a nicety in the scales of his
malice. But the only measure that he
knows is desire, desire for power; and so he judges all hearts. Into his heart the thought will not enter
that any will refuse it, that having the Ring we may seek to destroy it. If we seek this, we shall put him out of
reckoning.’” pp. 352-353
54. Bilbo the Hero –
Again! Small Hands: [Elrond] “‘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.’ - - - ‘Very well, very well, Master Elrond!” said
Bilbo suddenly. ‘Say no more! It is plain enough what you are pointing at. Bilbo the silly hobbit started this affair,
and Bilbo had better finish it, or himself.
I was very comfortable here, and getting on with my book. If you want to know, I am just writing an
ending for it. I had thought of putting:
and he lived happily ever afterwards to
the end of his days. It is a good ending,
and none the worse for having been used before.
Now I shall have to alter that: it does not look like coming true; and
anyway there will evidently have to be several more chapters, if I live to
write them. It is a frightful nuisance.
When ought I to start? - - - Boromir looked in surprise at Bilbo, but
the laughter died on his lips when he saw that all the others regarded the old
hobbit with grave respect. Only Gloin
smiled, but his smile came from old memories.
‘Of course, my dear Bilbo,’ said Gandalf. ‘If you had really started this affair, you
might be expected to finish it. But you
know well enough now that starting is
too great a claim for any, and that only a small part is played in great deeds
by any hero.’” p. 353
55. Frodo’s Choice
and the Limits of Knowledge: “‘. . .
At last with an effort he [Frodo] spoke, and wondered to hear his own words, as
if some other will was using his small voice. - - - ‘I will take the Ring,’ he
said, ‘though I do not know the way.’ - - - ‘Elrond raised his eyes and looked
at him, and Frodo felt his heart pierced by the sudden keenness of the glance.
‘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? Or, if they
are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck? - - -
‘But it is a heavy burden. So heavy that
none could lay it on another. I do not
lay it on you. But if you take it
freely, I will say that your choice is right; and thought all the mighty
elf-friend of old, Hador, and Hurin, and Thrin, and Beren himself were
assembled together, your seat should be among them.’” pp. 354-355
56. Sam Also
Volunteers: “‘But you won’t send him
off alone surely, Master?’ cried Sam, unable to contain himself any longer, and
jumping up from the corner where he had been quietly sitting on the floor. - -
- ‘No indeed!’ said Elrond, turning towards him with a smile. ‘You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from
hi, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not.’” p. 355
57. Merry and
Pippen’s Determination: “‘I don’t
wonder,’ said Merry, ‘and I wish you could.
But we are envying Sam, not you.
If you have to go, then it will be a punishment for any of us to be left
behind. Even in Rivendell. We have come
a long way with you and been through some stiff times. We want to go on.’” p. 356
58. The Calling of
the Nine Walkers: “‘The Company of
the Ring shall be Nine; and the Nine Walkers shall be set against the Nine
Riders that hare evil. With you and your
faithful servant, Gandalf will go; for this shall be his great ask, and maybe
the end of his labors.’ - - - ‘For the rest, they shall represent the other
Free Peoples of the World: Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Legolas shall be for the Elves; and Gimli son
of Gloin for the Dwarves. They are
willing to go at least to the passes of the Mountains, and maybe beyond. For men you shall have Aragorn son of
Arathorn, for the Ring of Isildur concerns him closely.’ - - - . . . ‘Boromir will also be in the Company. He is a valiant man.’ - - - ‘There remain two
more to be found,’ said Elrond. ‘These I
will consider. Of my household I may
find some that it seems good to me to send.’ - - - ‘But that will leave no
place for us!’ cried Pippen in dismay.
‘We don’t want to be left behind.
We want to go with Frodo.’ - - - ‘That is because you do not understand
and cannot imagine what lies ahead,’ said Elrond. - - - ‘Neither does Frodo,’
said Gandalf, unexpectedly supporting Pippin.
‘Nor do any of us see clearly. It
is true that if these hobbits understood the danger, they would not dare to
go. But they would still wish to go, or
wish that they dared, and be shamed and unhappy. I think Elrond, that in this matter it would
be well to trust rather to their friendship than to great wisdom. Even if you choose for us an elf-lord, such
as Glorfindel, he could not storm the Dark Tower, nor open the road to the Fire
by the power that is in him.’ - - - ‘You speak gravely,’ said Elrond, ‘but I am
in doubt. The Shire, I forebode, is not
free now from peril; and these two I had thought to send back there as
messengers, to do what they could, according to the fashion of their country,
to warn the people of their danger. In
any case, I judge that the younger of these two, Pergrin Took, should remain. My heart is against his going.’ - - - ‘Then,
Master Elrond, you will have to lock me in prison, or send me home tied in a
sack,’ said Pippin. ‘For otherwise I
shall follow the Company.’ - - - ‘Let it be so then. You shall go,’ said Elrond, and he
sighed. ‘Now the tale of Nine is
filled. In seven days the Company must
depart.’” pp. 361-362
59. Bilbo’s Gifts to
Frodo: Sting and the Mail Coat: “‘He
[Bilbo] took from the box a small sword in an old shabby leathern
scabbard. Then he drew it, and its
polished and well-tended blade glittered suddenly, cold and bright. ‘This is Sting,’ he said, and thrust it with
little effort deep into a wooden beam.
‘Take it, if you like. I shan’t
want it again, I expect.’ - -- Frodo accepted it gratefully. - - - ‘Also there
is this!’ said Bilbo, bringing out a parcel which seemed to be rather heavy for
its size. He unwound several folds of
old cloth, and held up a small shirt of mail.
It was close-woven of many rings, as supple almost as linen, cold as
ice, and harder than steel. It shone
like moonlit silver, and was studded with white gems. With it was a belt of pearl and crystal. - -
-‘It’s a pretty thing, isn’t it?’ said Bilbo, moving it in the light. ‘And useful.
It is my dwarf-mail that Thorin gave me,’ . . . - - - I cannot thank you
as I should, Bilbo, for this, and for all you past kindnesses,’ said Frodo.”
pp. 363-364
60. Virtue of the Elves: “‘There is a wholesome air about Hollin. Much evil must befall a country before it
wholly forgets the Elves, if once they dwelt there.’ - - - ‘That is true,’ said Legolas. ‘But the Elves of this land were of a race
strange to us of the sylvan folk, and the trees and the grass do not now
remember them. Only I hear the stones
lament them: deep they delved us, fair
they wrought us, high they builded us; but they are gone. They are gone. They sought the Havens long ago.’” p. 371
61. Gandalf Wants to
Go through Moria: [Gandalf] “‘ . . . there is another way, and not by the
pass of Caradhras: the dark and secret way that we have spoken of.’
[Aragorn] ‘But let us not speak of it
again! Not yet. Say nothing to the
others, I beg, not until it is plain that there is no other way’ . . . He
[Frodo] was relieved. He could not guess
what was the other dark and secret way, but the very mention of it had seemed
to fill Aragorn with dismay, and Frodo was glad that it had been
abandoned.’” p. 375
62. Evils Older than
Saron: “‘There are many evil and
unfriendly things in the world that have little love for those that go on two
legs, and yet are not in league with Sauron, but have purposed of their
own. Some have been in the world longer than he.’” p. 378
63. Elves over Snow: “Legolas watched them for a while with a
smile upon his lips, and then he turned to the others. ‘The strongest must seek a way, say you? But I say: let a ploughman plough, but choose
an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over
snow—an Elf.’ With that he sprang forth
nimbly, and then Frodo noticed as if for the first time, though he had long
know it, that the Elf had no boots, but wore only light shoes, as he always
did, and his feet made little imprint in the snow. - - - ‘Farwell!’ he said to Gandalf. ‘I go to find the Sun!’ Then swift as a
runner over firm sand he shot away, and quickly overtaking the toiling men,
with a wave of his had he passed them, and sped into the distance, and vanished
round the rocky turn.” pp. 381-382
64. Gandalf on Moria: “‘There is a way that we may attempt,’ said
Gandalf. ‘I thought from the beginning,
when first I considered this journey, that we should try it. But it is not a pleasant way, and I have not
spoken of it to the Company before.
Aragorn was against it, until the pass over the mountains had at least
been tried.’” pp. 385-386
65. Gandalf Beware: [Gandalf]
“ ‘ . . . who will follow me, if I lead you there [Moria] ?’” - - - ‘I
will,’ said Gimli eagerly. - - - ‘I will,’ said Aragorn heavily. ‘You followed my lead almost to disaster in
the snow, and have said no word of blame.
I will follow your lead now—if that’s last warning does not move
you. It is not the Ring, nor of us
others that I am thinking now, but of you, Gandalf. And I say to you: if you pass the doors of Moria,
beware!’” p. 388
66. Inscription on the Doors: “‘The words are in the elven-tongue of the
West of Middle-earth in the Elder Days,’ answered Gandalf. ‘But they do not say anything of importance
to us. They say only: The
Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak,
friend, and enter. And underneath
small and faint is written: I, Narvi,
made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew
these signs. - - - ‘What does it mean by speak, friend, and enter?’ asked Merry. - - - ‘That is plain
enough,’ said Gimli. ‘If you are a
friend, speak the password,. And the doors will open, and you can enter.’”
67. The Answer to the
Riddle – Thanks to Merry: “With a
suddenness that startled them all the wizard sprang to his feet. He was laughing! ‘I have it!’ he cried. ‘Of course, of course! Absurdly simple, like most riddles when you see
the answer.’ - - - Picking up his staff he stood before the rock and said in a
clear voice: ‘Mellon!’ . . . ‘I was wrong after all,’ said Gandalf,
‘and Gimli too. Merry, of all people,
was on the right track. The opening word
was inscribed on the archway all the time!
The translation should have been:
Say “Friend” and enter.’” p. 401-402
68. Sam Frees Frodo: “Out from the water a long sinuous tentacle
had crawled; it was pale-green and luminous and wet. Its fingered end had hold of Frodo’s foot,
and was dragging him into the water. Sam
on his knees was now slashing at it with a knife. - - - The arm let go of
Frodo, and Sam pulled him away, crying out for help.” p. 402
69. Aragorn on
Gandalf: “‘Do not be afraid!’ said
Aragorn . . . ‘ Do not be afraid! I have been with him on many a journey, if
never on one so dark; and there are tales of Rivendell of greater deeds of his
than any that I have seen. He will not
go astray—if there is any path to find.
He has led us in here against our fears, but he will lead us out again,
at whatever cost to himself. He is surer
of finding the way home in a blind night then the cats of Queen
Beruthiel.’” p. 405
70. Gollum’s Foot
Falls: “Yet Frodo began to hear, or
to imagine that he heard, something else: like the faint fall of soft bare
feet. It was never loud enough, or near
enough, for him to feel certain that he heard it; but once it had started it
never stopped, while the Company was moving.
But it was not an echo, for when they halted it pattered on for a little
all by itself, and then grew still.” p.
407
71. Let the Guide Go
First: “‘One of you might have
fallen in and still be wondering when you were going to strike the bottom,’
said Aragorn to Merry. ‘Let the Guide go
first while you have one.’” p. 408
72. Gandalf Let Them
Sleep: “The last thing that Pippin
saw, as sleep took him, was a dark glimpse of the old wizard huddled on the
floor, shielding a glowing chip in his gnarled hands between his knees. The flicker for a moment showed his sharp
nose, and the puff of smoke. - - - It
was Gandalf who roused them all from sleep.
He had sat and watched all alone for about six hours, and had let the
others rest.” p. 409
73. On Mithril and
Bilbo’s Mail-shirt: “’Then what do
the dwarves want to come back for?’ asked Sam. - - - For mithril.’ Answered Gandalf.
‘The wealth of Moria was not in gold and jewels, the toys of the
Dwarves; nor in iron, their servant.
Such things they found here, it is true, especially iron; but they did
not need to delve for them: all things
that they desired they could obtain in traffic.
For here alone in the world was found Moria –silver or true-silver as
some have called it: mithril is the
Elvish name. - - - The lodes lead away
north towards Caradhras, and down to darkness.
The Dwarves tell no tale; but even as mithril was the foundation of
their wealth, so also it was their destruction: they delved too greedily and
too deep, and disturbed that from which they fled, Durin’s Bane. Of what they brought to light the Orcs have
gathered nearly all, and given it in tribute to Sauron, who covets it. - - - Mithril!
All folk desire it. It could be
beaten like copper, and polished like glass; and the Dwarves could make of it a
metal, light and yet harder than tempered steel. Its beauty was like to that of common silver,
but the beauty of mithril did not
tarnish or grow dim. The Elves dearly
loved it, and among many uses they made of it ithildin, starmoon, which you saw upon the doors. Bilbo had a corslet of mithril-rings that
Thorin gave him. I wonder what has
become of it? Gathering dust still in
Michel Delving Museum, I suppose.’ - - - ‘What?’ cried Gimli, startled out of
his silence. ‘A corslet of
Moria-silver? That was a kingly gift!’ -
- - ‘Yes,’ said Gandalf. ‘I never told
him, but its worth was greater than the value of the whole Shire and everything
in it.’ - - - Frodo said nothing, but he put his hand under his tunic and touched
the rings of his mail-shirt. He felt
staggered to think that he had been walking about with the price of the Shire
under his jacket. Had Bilbo known? He felt no doubt that Bilbo knew quite
well. It was indeed a kingly gift.” p. 414
74. The Grave of
Balin – Bilbo’s Friend: “The Company
of the Ring stood silent beside the tomb of Balin. Frodo thought of Bilbo and his long
friendship with the dwarf, and of Balin’s visit to the Shire long ago. In the dusty chamber in the mountains it
seemed a thousand years ago and on the other side of the world.” p. 417
75. They Are Coming –
We Can Not Get Out: “‘They are
coming!’ cried Legolas. - - - ‘We cannot get out,’ said Gimli. - - - ‘Trapped!’
cried Gandalf. ‘Why did I delay? Heree we are, caught, just as they were
before. But I was not here then.‘” p. 420
76. Frodo Attacks a
Troll: “Suddenly, and to his own
surprise, Frodo felt a hot wrath blaze up in his heart. ‘The Shire!’
he cried, and springing beside Boromir, he stooped, and stabbed with
Sting at the hideous foot. There was a
bellow, and the foot jerked back, nearly wrenching Sting from Frodo’s arm. Black drops dripped form the blade and smoked
on the floor. Boromir hurled himself
against the door and slammed it again. - - -‘One for the Shire!’ cried
Aragorn. ‘The hobbit’s bite is
deep! You have a good blade, Frodo son
of Drogo!’” pp. 421-422
77. Sam Has Killed an
Orc: “When thirteen had fallen the
rest fled shirking, leaving the defenders unharmed, except for Sam who had a
scratch along the scalp. A quick duck
had saved him; and he had felled his orc: a sturdy thrust with his
Barrow-blade. A fire was shouldering in
his brown eyes that would have made Ted Sandyman step backwards, if he had seen
it.” p. 422
78. The Coming of the
Balrog: He [Legolas] drew, but his
hand fell, and the arrow slipped to the ground.
He gave a cry of dismay and fear.
Two great trolls appeared; they bore great slabs of stone, and flung
them down to serve as gangways over the fire.
But it was not the trolls that had filled the Elf with terror. The ranks of the orcs had opened, and they
crowded away, as if they themselves were afraid. Soething was coming up behind them. What it was could not be seen: it was like a
great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet
greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it and to go before it. - - -
It came to the edge of the fire and the light faded as if a cloud had bent over
it. Then with a rush it leaped across
the fissure. The flames roared up to
greet, and wreathed about it; and a black smoke swirled in the air. Its
streaming mane kindled, and blazed behind it.
In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tougue of fire; in its
lert it held a whip of many thongs. - - -‘Ai, ai!’ wailed Legolas. ‘A Balrog!
A Balrog is come!’ - - - Gimli stared with wide eyes. ‘Durin’s Bane!’ he cried, and letting his axe
fall he covered his face. - - - ‘A balrog.’ muttered Gamdalf. ‘Now I understand.’ He faltered and leaned heavily on his
staff. ‘What an evil fortune! And I am already weary.’ - - - The dark
figure streaming with fire raced towards them.
The orcs yelled and poured over the stone gangways. The Boromir raised his horn and blew. Loud the challenge rang and bellowed, like
the shout of many throats under the cavernous roof. For a moment the orcs quailed and the fiery
shadow halted. Then the echoes died a
suddenly as a flame blown out by a dark wind, and the enemy advanced again. - -
- ‘Over the bridge!’ cried Gandalf, recalling his strength. ‘Fly!
This is a foe beyond any of you.
I must hold the narrow way.
Fly!’ Aragorn and Boromir did not
heed the command, but still held their ground, side by side, behind Gandalf at
the far end of the bridge. The others
halted just within the doorway at the hall’s end, and turned, unable to leave
their leader to face the enemy alone. - - - The Balrog reached the bridge. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span,
leaning on the staff in his left hand, but in his other hand Glamdring gleamed,
cold and white. His enemy halted again,
facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings. It raised the whip and the thongs whined and
cracked. Fire came from its nostrils. But Gandalf stood firm. - - - ‘You cannot
pass,’ he said. The orcs stood still,
and a dead silence fell. ‘I am a servant
of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of
Udun. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass.’ - - - The Balrog made no
answer. The fire in it seemed to die,
but the darkness grew. It stepped
forward slowly on the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to 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: gray and bent,
like a wizened tree before the onset of a storm. - - - From out of the shadow a
red sword leaped flaming. - - - Glmdring glittered white in answer. - - - There
was a ringing clash and a stab of white fire.
The Balrog fell back and its sword flew up in molten fragments. The wizard swayed on the bridge, stepped back
a pace, and then again stood still. - - - ‘You cannot pass!’ he said. - - -
With a bound the Balrog leaped full upon the bridge. Its whip whirled and hissed. - - - ‘He cannot
stand alone!’ cried Aragorn suddenly and ran back along the bridge. ‘Elendil!’ he shouted. ‘I am with you, Gandalf!’ - - - Gondor!’
cried Boromir and leaped after him. - - - AT that moment Gandalf lifted his
staff, and crying aloud he smote the bridge before him. The staff broke asunder and fell from his
hand. A blinding sheet of white flame
sprang up. The bridge cracked. Right at the Balrogs’ feet it broke, and the
stone upon which it stood crashed into the gulf, while the rest remained,
poised, quivering like a tongue of rick thrust out into emptiness. - - - Wit a
terrible cry the Balrog fell forward, and its shadow plunge down and
vanished. But even as it fell it swung
it ship, and the thongs lashed and curled about the wizard’s knees, dragging
him to the brink. He staggered, and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid
into the abyss. ‘Fly, you fools!’ he
cried, and was gone.” pp. 428-430
79. The Trees of
Lothlorien: “‘There lie the woods of
Lothlorien!’ said Legolas. ‘That is the
fairest of all the dwellings of my people.
There are no trees like the trees of that land. For in the autumn their leaves fall not, but
turn to gold. Not till the spring comes and
the new green opens do they fall, and then the boughs are laden with yellow
flowers; and the floor of the wood is golden, and golden is the roof, and its
pillars are of silver, for the bark of the trees is smooth and grey.’” p. 434
80. “Dangers” of Lothlorien: “‘Say not unscathed,
but if you say unchanged, then
maybe you will speak the truth,’ said Aragorn.
‘But lore wanes in Godor, Boromir, if in the city of those who once were
wise they now speak evil of Lothlorien.
Believe what you will, there is no other way for us—unless you would go
back to Moria-gate, or scale the pathless mountains, or swim the Great River
all alone.’ - - - ‘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. Follow me!’”
p. 439
81. Frodo’s “Skin”
Discovered: “‘I am all right,’ said
Frodo, reluctant to have his garments touched.
‘All I needed was some food and a little rest.’ - - - ‘No!’ said
Aragorn. ‘We must have a look and see
what the hammer and the anvil have done to you.
I still marvel that you are alive at all.’ Gently he stripped off Frodo’s old jacket and
worn tunic, and gave a grasp of wonder.
Then he laughed. The silver
corslet shimmered before his eyes like the light upon a rippling sea. Carefully he took it off and held it up, and
the gems on it glittered like stars, and the sound of the shaken rings was like
the tinkle of rain in a pool. - - - ‘Look, my friends!’ he called. ‘Here’s a pretty hobbit-skin to wrap an
elven-princeling in! If it were known
that hobbits had such hides, all the hunters of Middle-earth would be riding to
the Shire.’ - - - ‘And all the arrows of all the hunters in the world would be
in vain,’ said Gimli, gazing at the mail in wonder. ‘It is a mithril-coat. Mithril!
I have never seen or heard tell of one so fair. Is this the coat that Gandalf spoke of? The he undervalued it. But it was well given!’ - - - ‘I have often
wondered what you and ilbo were doing so close in his little room,’ said
Merry. ‘Bless the old hobbit! I love him more than ever. I hope we get a chance of telling him about
it!’” p. 437
82. Folly of
Mistrust: “‘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.’” p. 451
82. Elves and the
Sea: “‘Happy folk are Hobbits to
dwell near the shores of the sea!’ said Haldir. ‘It is long indeed since any of
my folk have looked on it, yet still we remember it in song.’” p. 452
84. Frodo’s First
View of Lothlorien: “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 it 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 colour but
those he knew, gold and white and blue and green, but they were fresh and
poignant, as if he had at that moment first perceived them and made for them
names new and wonderful. In winter here
no heart could mourn for summer or for spring.
No blemish or sickness or deformity could be seen in anything that grew
upon the earth. On the land of Lorien
there was no stain. - - - He turned and
saw that Sam was now standing beside him, looking round with a puzzled
expression, and rubbing his eyes as if he was not sure that he was awake. ‘It’s sunlight and bright day, right enough,’
he said. ‘I thought that Elves were all
for moon and stars: but this is more elvish than anything I ever heard tell
of. I feel as if I was inside a song, if you take my meaning.’
- - - . . . ‘You feel the power of the Lady of the Galadrim,’ he [Haldir]
said. ‘Would it please you to climb with
me up Cerin Amroth?’ - - - They followed him as he stepped lightly up the
grass-clad slopes. Though he walked and
breathed, and about him living leaves and flowers were stirred by the same cool
wind as fanned his face, Frodo felt that he was in a timeless land that did not
fade or change or fall into forgetfulness.
When he had gone and passed again into the outer world, still Frodo the
wanderer from the Shire would walk there, upon the grass among elanor and niphredil in fair Lothlorien.”
pp. 454-455
85. Feeling a Tree: “As Frodo prepared to follow him [Haldir], he
laid his hand upon the tree beside the ladder: never before had he been so
suddenly and so keenly aware of the feel and texture of a tree’s skin and of
the life within it. He felt a delight in
wood, and the touch of it, neither as forester nor as carpenter; it was the
delight of the living tree itself.” p.
455
86. Lothorien’s
Effect on Aragorn: “At the hill’s
foot Frodo found Aragorn, standing still and silent as a tree; but in his hand
was a small golden bloom of elenor,
and a light was in his eyes. He was
wrapped in some fair memory: and as Frodo looked at him he knew that he beheld
things as they once had been in this same place. For the grim years were removed from the face
of Aragorn, and he seemed clothed in white, a young lord tall and fair; and he
spoke words in the Elvish tongue to one whom Frodo could not see. Arwen
vanimelda, namarie! he said, and then he drew a breath, and returning out
of his thought he looked at Frodo and smiled. - - - ‘Here is the heart of
Elvendom on earth,’ he said, ‘and here my heart dwells ever, unless there be a
light beyond the dark roads that we still must tread, you and I. Come with me!’ And taking Frodo’s hand in
his, he left the hill of Cerin Amroth and came there never again as living
man.” p. 456
87. Celeborn and
Galadriel: “On Two chairs beneath
the bole of the tree and canopied by a living bough there sat, side by side,
Celeborn and Galadriel. They stood up to
greet their guests, after the manner of Elves, even those who were accounted
mighty kings. Very tall they were, and
the Lady no less tall than the Lord; and they were grave and beautiful. They were clad wholly in white; and the hair
of the Lady was of deep gold, and the hair of the Lord Celeborn was of silver
long and bright. But no sign of age was upon them, unless it were in the depths
of their eyes; for these were keen as lances in the starlight, and yet
profound, the wells of deep memory.” p.
459
88. Celeborn’s Welcome to Gimli: “‘Welcome Gimli son of Gloin! It is long indeed since we saw one of Durin’s
folk in Caras Galado. But today we have
broken our long law. May it be a sign
that though the world is now dark better days are at hand, and that friendship
shall be renewed between our peoples.’
Gimli bowed low.” p. 459
89. Legolas Names the
Balrog: “‘It was a Balrog of
Morgoth,’ said Legolas; ‘of all elf-banes the most deadly, save the One who
sits in the Dark Tower.’” p. 461
90. Galadriel on
Gandalf and Gimli: “‘Needless were
none of the deeds of Gandalf in life.
Those that followed him knew not his mind and cannot report his full
purpose. But however it may be with the
guide, the followers are blameless. Con
not repent of your [Celeborn’s] welcome to the Dwarf. If our folk had been exiled long and far from
Lothlorien, who of the Baladrim, even Celeborn the Wise, would pass nigh and
would not wish to look upon their ancient home, though it had become an abode
of dragons?’ - - - ‘Dark is the water of Kheled-zaram, and cold are the springs
of Kibil-nala, and fair were the many-pillared halls of Khazad-dum in Elder
days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone.’ She looked upon Gimili, who 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. - - - He rose clumsily and bowed in dwarf-fashion, saying: ‘yet more
fair is the living land of Lorien, and the Lady Galadriel is above all the
jewels that lie beneath the earth!’ p.
461
91. Aragorn to
Boromir on the Lady Galadriel and No Evil in Lorien: “‘Speak no evil of the Lady Galadriel!’ said
Aragorn sternly. ‘You know not what you
say. There is in her and in this land no
evil, unless a man bring it hither himself.
Then let him beware! But tonight
I shall sleep without fear for the first time since I left Rivendell.’” p. 464
92. Legolas and Gimil
in Lorien: “Legolas was away much
among the Galadrim, and after the first night he did not sleep with the other
companions, though he returned to eat and talk with them. Often he took Gimli with him when he went
abroad in the land, and the others wondered at this change.” pp. 464-465
93. As My Old Gaffer
Used to Say: [Sam] “‘It’s the job
that’s never started as takes longest to finish, as my old gaffer used to
say.’” p. 467
94. The Power of the
Mirror: “‘Many things I can command
the Mirror to reveal,’ she answered, ‘and to some I can show what they desire
to see. But the Mirror will also show
things unbidden, and those are often stranger and more profitable than things
which we wish to behold.’‘’ p. 469
95. Merry Is the One: [Sam] “‘There’s some devilry at work in the
Shire,’ he said. ‘Elrond knew what he
was about when he wanted to send Mr. Merry back.’” p. 469
96. How Fate Works: “. . . ‘Remember that 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. The
Mirror is dangerous as a guide of deeds.’”
p. 470
97. Galadriel, Advice
– Like Wood Badge: “‘Do you now wish
to look, Frodo?’ said the Lady Galadriel.
‘You did not wish to see Elf-magic and were content.’ - - - ‘Do you
advise me to look?’ asked Frodo. - - - ‘No,’ she said. ‘I do not counsel you one way or the
other. I am not a counsellor. You may learn something, and whether what you
see be fair or evil, that may be profitable, and yet it may not. Seeing is both good and perilous. Yet I think, Frodo, that you have courage and
wisdom enough for the venture. Or I would not have brought you here. Do as you will!’” p. 470
98. The Eye: “But suddenly the Mirror went altogether
dark, as dark as if a hole had opened in the world of sight, and Frodo looked
into emptiness. In the black abyss there
appeared a single Eye that slowly grew, until it filled nearly all the
Mirror. So terrible was it that Frodo
stood rooted, unable to cry out or to withdraw his gaze. The Eye was rimmed with fire, but was itself
glazed, yellow as a cat’s, watchful and intent, and the black slit of its pupil
opened on a pit, a window into nothing. - - - Then the Eye began to rove,
searching this way and that; and Frodo knew with certainty and horror that
among the many things that it sought he himself was one. But he also knew that it could not see
him—not yet, not unless he willed it.
The Ring that hung upon its chain about his neck grew heavy, heavier
than a great stone, and his head was dragged downwards. The Mirror seemed to be growing hot and curls
of steam were rising from the water. He
was slipping forward. - - - ‘Do not touch the water!’ said the Lady Galadriel
softly. The vision faded, and Frodo
found that he was looking at the cool stars twinkling in the silver basin. He stepped back shaking all over and looked
at the Lady.” pp. 471-472
99. Galadriel Reveals
Her Ring and Its Power: “‘I know
what it was that you last saw,’ she said; ‘for that is also in my mind. Do not be afraid! But do not think that only by singing amid
the trees, nor even by the slender arrows of elven-bows, is this land of Lothlorien
maintained and defended against its Enemy.
I say to you Frodo, that even as I speak to you, I perceive the Dark
Lord and know his mind, or all of his mind that concerns the Elves. And he gropes ever to see me and my
thought. But still the door is closed!’
- - - She lifted up her white arms, and spread out her hands towards the East
in a gesture of rejection and denial.
Earendil, the Evening Star, most beloved of Elves, shone clear above. So
bright was it that the figure of the Elven-lady cast a dim shadow on the
ground. Its rays glanced upon a ring
about her finger; it glittered like polished gold overlaid with silver light,
and a white stone in it twinkled as if the Even-star had come down to rest upon
her hand. Frodo gazed at the ring with awe;
for suddenly it seemed to him that he understood. - - - ‘Yes,’ she said,
divining his thought, ‘it is not permitted to speak of it, and Elrond could not
do so. But it cannot be hidden from the
Ring-bearer, and one who has seen the Eye.
Verily it is in the land of Lorien upon the finger of Galadriel that one
of the Three remains. This is Neya, the
Ring of Adamant, and I am its keeper. - - - ‘He suspect but does not know—not
yet.’” p. 472
100. The Fate of the
Elves: “‘Do you [Frodo] not see now
wherefore your coming is to us as the footstep of Doom? For if you fail, then we are laid bare to the
Enemy. Yet if you succeed, then our
power is diminished, and Lothlorien will fade, and the tides of Time will sweep
it away, We must depart into the West, or
dwindle to a rustic folk of dell and cave, slowly to forget and to be
forgotten’” p. 472
101. Freedom the
Terminal Value: “Frodo bent his
head. ‘And what do you wish?’ he said at
last. - - - ‘That what should be shall be,’ she answered. ‘The love of the Elves for their land and
their works is deeper than the deeps of the Sea, and their regret is undying
and cannot ever wholly be assuaged. Yet
they will cast all away rather than submit to Sauron: for they know him
now. For the fate of Lothlorien you are
not answerable, but only for the doing of your own task. Yet I could wish, were it of any avail, that
the One Ring had never been wrought, or had remained for ever lost.’” p. 473
102. Galadriel
Declines the Ring: “‘You are wise
and fearless and fair, Lady Galadriel,’ said Frodo. ‘I will give you the One Ring, if you ask
for it. It is too great a matter for
me.’ - - - Galadriel laughed with a sudden clear laugh. ‘Wise the Lady Galadriel may be,’ she said,
‘yet here she has met her match in courtesy.
Gently are you revenged for my testing of your heart at our first
meeting. You begin to see with a keen
eye. I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired to ask what you
offer. For may long years I have
pondered what I might do, should the Great Ring come into my hands, and behold!
It was brought within my grasp. The evil
that was devised long ago works on in many ways, whether Sauron himself stands
or falls. Would not that have been a
noble deed to set to the credit of his Ring, if I had taken it by force or fear
from my guest? - - - And now at last it comes.
You will give me the Ring freely!
In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and
terrible as the Morning and the Night!
Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the
earth. All shall love me and despair!’ -
- - 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. -
- - ‘I pass the test,’ she said. ‘I will
diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.’” pp. 475-476
103. On the Power of
the Ring: [Frodo] “‘I am permitted
to wear the One Ring: why cannot I see
all the others and know the thoughts of those that wear them?’ - - - ‘You have
not tried,’ she [Galadriel] said. ‘Only
thrice have you set the Ring upon your finger since you knew what you
possessed. Do not try! It would destroy you. Did not Gandalf tell you that the rings give
power according to the measure of each possessor? Before you could use that power you would
need to become far stronger, and to train your will to the domination of others. Yet even so as Ring-bearer and as one that
had borne it on finger and seen that which is hidden, your sight is grown
keener. You have perceived my thought
more clearly than many that are accounted wise.
You saw the Eye of him that holds the Seven and the Nine. And did you not see and recognize the ring
upon my finger? Did you see my ring?’
she asked turning again to Sam. - - - “no, Lady,’ he answered.’” p. 474
104. Merry, Again: [Celeborn] “‘There are some among you who can
handle boats: Legolas, whose folk know the swift Forest River; and Boromir of
Gondor; and Aragorn the traveler.’ - - - ‘And one Hobbit!’ cried Merry. ‘Not all of us look on boats as wild
horses. My people live by the banks of
the Brandywine.’” p. 476
105. Fate: “‘Good night, my friends!’ said
Galadriel. ‘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. Good night!’” pp.
476-477
106. Gifts from the Elves: “In the morning, as they were beginning to
pack their slender goods, Elves that could speak their tongue came to them and
brought them many gifts of food and clothing for the journey. The food was mostly in the form of very thin
cakes, made of a meal that was baked a light brown on the outside, and inside
was the color of cream. Gimil took up
one of the cakes and looked at it with a doubtful eye. - - - ‘Cram’ he said under his breath, as he
broke off a crisp corner and nibbled at it.
His expression guickly changed, and he ate all the rest of the cake with
relish. - - - No more, no more!’ cried the Elves laughing. ‘You have eaten enough already for a long
day’s march.’ - - - ‘I thought it was only a kind of cram, such as the Dale-men make for journeys in the wild,’ said the
Dwarf. - - - ‘So it is,’ they answered.
‘But we call it lembas or
waybread, and it is more strengthening than any food made by Men, and it is
more pleasant the cram, by all
accounts.’ - - - ‘Indeed it is,’ said
Gimli. - - - . . . ‘Eat a little at a time, and only at need . For these things are given to serve you when
all else fails. The cakes will keep sweat
for many many days, if they are unbroken and left in their leaf wrappings, as
we have brought them. One will keep a
traveler on his feet for a day of long labor, even if he be one of the tall Men
of Minas Tirith.’ - - - The Elves next unwrapped and gave to each of the
Company the clothes they had brought.
For each they had provided a hood and cloak, made according to his size,
of the light but warm silken stuff that the Galadrim wove. It was hard to say of what color they were: grey
with the hue of twilight under the trees they seemed to be; and yet if they
were moved. Or set in another light, they were green as shadowed leaves, or
brown as fallow fields by night, dusk0silver as water under the stars. Each cloak was fastened about the neck with a
brooch like green leaf veined with silver. - - - ‘Are these magic cloaks?’
asked Pippin, looking at them with wonder. - - - ‘I do not know what you mean
by that,’ answered the leader of the Elves. ‘They are fair garments, and the
web is good, for it was made in this land.
They are elvish robes certainly if that is what you mean. Leaf and branch, water and stone: they have
the hue and beauty of all these things under the twilight of Lorien that we
love; for we put the thought of all that we love into all that we make. Yet they are garments, not armour, and they
will not turn shaft or blade. But they
should serve you well: they are light to wear, and warm enough or cool enough
at need. And you will find them a great
aid in keeping out of the sight of unfriendly eyes, whether you walk among the
stones or the trees. You are indeed high in favor of the Lady! For she herself and her maidens wove this
stuff; and never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own
people.’” pp. 478-479
107. Legolas and
Gimli: “The Company was arranged in
this way: Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam were
in one boat; Boromir, Merry, and Pippin in another; and in the third were
Legolas and Gimli, who had now become fast friends.” p. 481
108. How Men Come to
See the Elves: “Already she
[Galadriel] seemed to him [Frodo] as by men of later days Elves still at times
are seen: present and yet remote, a living vision of that which has already
been left far behind by the flowing streams of Time.” p. 483
109. The Value of
“Old Wives Tales”: “‘Then I need say
no more,’ said Celeborn. ‘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.’” p. 484
110. The Gifts of
Celeborn and Galadriel: “‘But before
you go, I have brought in my ship gifts which the Lord and Lady of the Galadrim
now offer you in memory of Lothlorien.’
Then she called them each in turn.
[To Aragorn] ‘Here is the gift of Celeborn and Galadriel to
the leader of your Company,’ she said to Aragorn, and she gave him a sheath
that had been made to fit his sword. It
was overlaid with a tracery of flowers and leaves wrought in silver and gold,
and on it were set in elven-runes formed of many gems the name Anduril and the linage of the sword. - -
- ‘The blade that is drawn from this sheath shall not be stained of broken even
in defeat,’ she said. ‘But is there
aught else that you desire of me at our parting? For darkness will flow between us, and it may
be that we shall not meet again, unless it be far hence upon a road that has no
returning.’ - - - And 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
home. In this hour take the name that we
foretold for you, Elessar, the Elfstone of the house of Elendil!’
[To Borromir, Merry, Pippin and Legolas] The lady bowed her
head, and she turned then to Boromir, and to him she gave a belt of gold; and
to Merry and Pippin she gave small silver belts, each with a clasp wrought like
a golden flower. To Legolas she gave a
bow such as the Galadrim used, Longer and stouter than the bows of Mirkwood,
and strung with a string of elf-hair.
With it went a quiver of arrows.
[To Sam] ‘For you little gardener and lover of trees,’ she
said to Sam, ‘I have only a small gift.’
She put into his hand a little box of plain gray wood, unadorned save
for a single silver rune upon the lid.
‘Here is set G for Galadriel,’ she said; ‘but also it may stand for
garden in your tongue. In this box there
is earth from my orchard, and such blessing as Galadriel has still to bestow is
upon it. It will not keep you on your
road, nor defend you against any peril; but if you deep it and see your home
again at last, then perhaps it may reward you.
Though you should find all barren and laid waste, there will be few
gardens in Middle-earth that will bloom like your garden, if you sprinkle this
earth there. Then you may remember
Galadriel, and catch a glimpse far off of Lorien, that you have seen only in
our winter. For our spring and our summer
are gone by and they will never be seen on earth again save in memory.’
[To Gimli] ‘And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?’
said Galadriel, turning to Gimli. - - - ‘None, Lady,’ answered Gimli. ‘It is enough for me to have seen the Lady of
the Galadrim, and to have heard her gentle words.’ - - - ‘Here all ye Elves!’
she cried to those about her. ‘Let none say
again the Dwarves are grasping and ungracious!
Yet surely, Gimli son of Gloin, you desire something that I could
give? Name it, I bid you! You shall not be the only guest without a
gift.’ - - - ‘There is nothing, unless it might be—unless it is permitted to
ask, nay, to name a single strand of your hair, which surpasses the gold of the
earth as the stars surpass the gems of the mine. I do not ask for such a gift. But you commanded me to name my desire.’ - -
- The Elves stirred and murmured with astonishment, and Celeborn gazed at the
Dwarf in wonder, but the Lady smiled.
‘It is said that the skill of the Dwarves is in their hands rather than
in their tongues,’ she said; ‘yet that is not true of Gimli. For none have ever made to me a request so
bold and yet so courteous. And how shall
I refuse, since I commanded him to speak?
But tell me, what would you do with such a gift?’ - - - ‘Treasure it,
Lady,’ he answered, ‘in memory of your words to me at our first meeting. And if ever I return to the smithies of my
home, it shall be set in imperishable crystal to be an heirloom of my house,
and a pledge of good will between the Mountain and the Wood until the end of
days.’ - - - Then the Lady unbraided one of her long tresses, and cut off three
golden hairs, and laid them in Gimli’s hand.
‘These words shall go with the gift,’ she said. ‘I do not foretell, for all foretelling is
now vain: on the one hand lies darkness, and on the other only hope. But if hope should not fail, then I say to
you, Gimli son of Gloin, that your hands shall flow with gold, and yet over you
gold shall have no dominion.’
[For Frodo] ‘And you, Ring-bearer,’ she said, turning to
Frodo. ‘I come to you last who are not
last in my thoughts. For you I have
prepared this.’ She held up a small
crystal phial: it glittered as she moved it, and rays of white light sprang
from her hand. ‘In this phial,’ she
said, ‘is caught the light of Earendil’s star, set amid the waters of my
fountain. It will shine still brighter
when night is about you. May it be a
light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out. Remember Galadriel and her Mirror!’ - - -
Frodo took the phial, and for a moment as it shone between them, he saw her
again standing like a queen, great and beautiful, but no longer terrible. He bowed, but found no words to say.” pp. 485-488
111. Seeming to Stand
Still as the World Slips Away: “On
the green bank near to the very point of the Tongue the Lady Galadriel stood
alone and silent. As they passed her
they turned and their eyes watched her slowly floating away from them. For so it seemed to them: Lorien was slipping
backward, like a bright ship masted with enchanted trees, sailing on to
forgotten shores, while they sat helpless upon the margin of the grey and
leafless world.” p. 487
112. Gimli’s Tears
and Legolas Counsel: “Gimly wept
openly. - - - ‘I have looked the last upon that which was fairest,’ he said to
Legolas his companion. ‘Henceforward I
will call nothing fair, unless it be her gift.’
He put his hand to his breast. - - - Tell me, Legolas, why did I come on
this Quest? Little did I know where the
chief peril lay! 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 know the
danger of light and joy. Now I have
taken my worst wound in this parting, even if I were to go this night to the
Dark Lord. Alas for Gimli son of Gloin!’
- - -‘Nay!’ said Legolas . . . ‘But I count you blessed, Gimli son of Gloin:
for your loss you suffer of your own free will, and you might have chosen
otherwise. But you have not forsaken
your companions, and the least reward that you shall have is that the memory of
Lothlorien shall remain ever clear and unstained in your heart, and shall
neither fade nor grow stale.’” p. 490
113. Aragorn Knows of
Gollum: “ ‘Gollum,’ answered
Frodo. ‘Or at least, so I guess.’ - - -
‘Ah!’ said Aragorn. ‘So you know about
our little foot-pad, do you? He padded
after us all through Moria and right down the Nimrodel. Since we took to boats, he has been lying on
a log and paddling with hands and feet.”
p. 497
114. Legolas Shoots
the Ring Wrath’s “Beast”: “Frodo
looked up at the Elf standing tall above him, as he gazed into the night,
seeking a mark to shoot at. His head was
dark, crowned with sharp white stars that glittered in the black pools of the
sky behind. But now rising and sailing
up from the South the great clouds advanced, sending out dark outriders into
the starry fields. A sudden dread fell
on the Company. - - - ‘Ebereth
Gilthoniel!’ sighed Legolas as he looked up. Even as he did so, a dark shape, like a cloud
and yet not a cloud, for it moved far more swiftly, came out of the blackness
in the South, and sped towards the Company, blotting out all light as it
approached. Soon it appeared as a great
winged creature, blacker than the pits in the night. Fierce voices rose up to greet it from across
the water. Frodo felt a sudden chill
running through him and clutching at his heart; there was a deadly cold, like
the memory of an old wound, in his shoulder.
He crouched down, as if to hide. - - - Suddenly the great bow of Lorien
sang. Shrill went the arrow from the
elven-string. Frodo looked up. Almost above him the winged shape
swerved. There was a harsh croaking
scream, as it fell out of the air, vanishing down into the gloom of the eastern
shore. The sky was clean again. There was a tumult of many voices far away,
cursing and wailing in the darkness, and then silence. Neither shaft nor cry came again from the
east that night.” p. 501
115. How Elves
Experience Time: [Legolas] “‘Nay,
time does not tarry ever,’ he said; but change and growth is not in all things
and place alike. For the Elves the world
moves, and it moves both very swift and very slow. Swift, because they themselves change little,
and all else fleets by: it is a grief to them.
Slow, because they do not count the running years, not for
themselves. The passing seasons are but
ripples ever repeated in the long long stream.”
p. 503
116. Arogorn Passes
the Gates of the Kings: “Upon great
pedestals founded in the deep waters stood two great kings of stone: still with
blurred eyes and crannied brows they frowned upon the North. The left hand of each was raised palm
outwards in gesture of warning; in each right hand there was an axe; upon each
head there was a crumbling helm and crown.
Great power and majesty they still wore, the silent wardens of the
long-vanished kingdom. - - - ‘Fear not!’ said a strange voice behind him. Frodo turned and saw Strider, and yet not
Strider. For the weatherworn Ranger was no longer there. In the stern sat Aragorn son of Arathorn,
proud and erect, guiding the boat with skillful strokes; his hood was cast back, and his dark hair was blowing
in the wind, a light was in his eyes: a king returning from exile to his own
land.” pp. 508-509
117. Rowan-trees: “For some while he [Frodo] climbed, not
caring which way he went, until he came to a grassy place. Rowan-trees grew about it, and in the midst
was a wide flat stone.” p. 513
118. Gandalf Battles
Saron in the Mind of Frodo: “. . .
suddenly he [Frodo] felt the Eye. There
was an eye in the Dark Tower that did not sleep. He knew that it had become aware of his gaze. A fierce eager will was there. It leaped towards him; almost like a finger
he felt it, searching for him. Very soon
it would nail him down, know just exactly where he was. Amon Lhaw it touched. It glanced upon Tol Brandir—he threw himself
from the seat, crouching, covering his head with his grey hood. - - - He heard
himself crying out: Never, never! Or was it: Verily I come, I come to you? He
could not tell. Then as a flash from some other point of power there came to
his mind another thought: Take it off! Take it off! Fool, take it
off! Take off the Ring! - - - The
two powers strove in him. For a moment,
perfectly balanced between their piercing points, he writher, tormented. Suddenly he was aware of himself again. Frodo, neither the Voice nor the Eye: free to choose, and with one remaining
instant in which to do so. He took the
Ring off his finger. He was kneeling in
clear sunlight before the high seat. A
black shadow seemed to pass like an arm above him; it missed Amon Hen and
groped out west, and faded. Then all the
sky was clean and blue and birds sang in every tree.” p. 519
119. Frodo Does His
Duty: “Frodo rose to his feet. A great weariness was on him, but his will
was firm and his heart lighter. He spoke
aloud to himself. ‘I will do now what I
must,’ he said. ‘This at least is plain:
the evil of the Ring is already at work even in the Company, and the Ring must
leave them before it does more harm. I
will go alone. Some I cannot trust, and
those I can trust are too dear to me:
poor old Sam, and Merry and Pippin.
Strider, too: his heart yearns for Minas Tirith, and he will be needed
there, now Boromir has fallen into evil.
I will go alone. At once.’” pp. 519-520
120. Elrond More
Powerful than Gondor:
[Aragorn] “‘We may remain there
for a while and make a brave stand; but the Lord Denethor and all his men
cannot hope to do what even Elrond said was beyond his power: either to keep
the Burden secret, or to hold off the full might of the Enemy when he come to
take it.’” pp. 520-521
121. Wisdom of Sam: “‘If he screws himself up to go, he’ll want
to go alone. Mark my words! We’re going to have trouble when he comes
back. For he’ll screw himself up all
right, a sure as his name’s Baggins,’ - - - ‘I believe you speak more wisely
than any of us, Sam,’ said Aragorn.” p. 522
122. Sam Figures It
Out and Goes with Frodo: “‘Whoa, Sam
Gamgee!’ he said aloud. ‘Your legs are
too short, so use your head! Let me see
now! Boromir isn’t lying, that’s not his
way; but he hasn’t told us everything.
Something scared Mr. Frodo badly, He screwed himself up to the point,
sudden. He made up his mind at last—to
go. Were to? Off East.
Not without Sam? Yes, without
even his Sam . . . Coming, Mr. Frodo!
Coming!’ called Sam, and flung himself from the bank, clutching at the
departing boat. He missed it by a yard.
With a cry and a splash he fell face downward into deep swift water. Gurgling he went under, and the River closed
over his curly head. - - - An exclamation of dismay came from the empty
boat. A paddle swirled and the boat put
about. Frodo was just in time to grasp
Sam by the hair as he came up, bubbling and struggling. Fear was staring in his round brown eyes. - -
- ‘Up you come, Sam my lad!’ said Frodo.
‘Now take my hand!’ - - - ‘Save me, Mr. Frodo!’ gasped Sam. ‘I’m drownded. I can’t see your hand.’ - - - ‘Here it
is. Don’t pinch, lad! I won’t let you go
. . . - - - ‘Of all the confounded nuisances you are the worst, Sam!’ he said.
- - -‘Oh, Mr. Frodo, that’s hard!’ said Sam shivering. ‘That’s hard, trying to go without me and
all. If I hadn’t a guessed right, where
would you be now?’ - - - ‘Safely on my way.’ - - - ‘Safely!’ said Sam. ‘All
alone and without me to help you? I
couldn’t have a borne it, it’s have been the death of me.’ - - - ‘It would be
the death of you to come with me, Sam,’ said Frodo, ‘and I could not have borne
that.’ - - - ‘Not as certain as being left behind,’ said Sam. - - - But I am
going to Mordor.’ - - - ‘I know that well enough, Mr. Frodo. Of course you are. And I’m coming with you.’” pp. 524-525
123. Frodo’s
Gratitude, Sam’s Hope That All Will Meet Again: “‘So all my plan is spoilt!’ said Frodo. ‘It is no good trying to escape you. But I’m glad, Sam. I cannot tell you how glad. Come along!
It is plain that we were meant to go together. We will go, and may the others find a safe
road! Strider will look after them. I
don’t suppose we shall see them again.’ - - - ‘Yet we may, Mr. Frodo. We may,’ said Sam.” p. 526
