It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door…You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.
Sorry about a last minute entry but reading the entries again today has fueled my desire to place my view.
I’ve read others essays and been mesmerized by the connections and importance and agreed with them all!!
I do not profess to meet any great conclusions because the great difficulty is that I think all the events of the War of the Ring are paramount but here goes anyway……
I wish to talk about February 26th 3019 The Breaking of the Fellowship.
This date was significant because the death of Boromir signified the presecence of evil within the Fellowship, the Ring was influencing events. Prior to this danger had been faced and dealt with but always outwards, the Fellowship worked as the Council of Elrond hoped to protect the Ringbearer and the quest. Prior to this the Fellowship members faced a choice as Aragorn states
“ the day has come at last……..the day of choice which we have long delayed”
The hour spent awaiting Frodo’s decision must have been a terrible wait. Sam ultimately knew what course was needed but in his plain hobbit sense kept quiet and was wise. Aragorn must have faced inner demons of the decisions he had made since Gandalf’s demise
“Alas! An ill fate is on me this day”
The other company members were driven by the desire to see things through and support Frodo.
The real issue is that without this breaking of the Fellowship the other events which were essential in themselves ie Merry and Pippin meeting Tree beard and therefore entering Isengard and Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas coming Edoras to oust Saruman from Theoden would just never have happened within the timescale.
The other significance is that Frodo and Sam would never have needed to rely on Gollum as a guide had Aragorn been with them and we all know how vital Gollum proved in the end.
Therefore I propose that February 29th 3019 proved to be a catalyst for each individual member of the Fellowship to prove his worth and to each play their own part in the War of the Ring.
Good entry Hope--and you picked my second choice date!
Many live who deserve death; some die who deserve life--can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be so quick to deal out death in judgment. Even the wisest cannot see all ends.
There are so many possible responses to 'the most important date' among the Great Years. The day the Hobbits leave the Shire; the Council of Elrond; the battles in Moria & the Fall of Gandalf the Grey; the Battle for Helm's Deep; the Battle of the Pelennor Fields; the Passing of the Grey Company; the terrible Day of Samwise's choices.
There is, however, one pivotal day when the fate of all hangs in the balance. To quote Appendix B, on February 26th, of the year 3019 are these occurences:
Breaking of the Fellowship.
Death of Boromir; his horn is heard in Minas Tirith.
Meriadoc and Peregrin captured.
Frodo and Samwise enter the eastern Emyn Muil.
Aragorn sets out in pursuit of the Ords at evening.
Éomer hears of the descent of the Orc-band from the Emyn Muil.
The Breaking of the Fellowship. Gandalf has already been lost in Moria. Aragorn has been 'de facto' leader of the remaining eight. Since the sojourn in Lothlorién, the company has been slowly but steadily flowing south on the waters of the Anduin. However, arriving at the Parth Galen, the last respite stop above the Falls of Rauros, the moment of decision has arrived.
The path before them is no longer clear. Returning to Minas Tirith has always been Boromir's purpose; but, should the rest of the company go with him? Gandalf did not, apparently, discuss with either Frodo or Aragorn what his plans were after Lorien. From which way would the Ring-Bearer approach the land of Mordor? Would the company first travel to Minas Tirith, recoup their strength and gain much needed intelligence on the Black Riders? Aragorn is drawn to Minas Tirith; it is where his personal quest will lead him, and he had declared to Boromir, at the Council of Elrond, that he and his reforged sword will come to Minas Tirith.
The final decision must be Frodo's. He, as Ringbearer, alone, has the burden of the Quest. Frodo knows the way to Minas Tirith only serves to delay the inevitable. Even before Boromir falls under the spell of the Ring and tries to take the Ring, Frodo realizes that the only choice is to separate the Ring from the rest of the Company and try to approach Mordor from the North, crossing the land of the Emyn Muil. All are in danger from the Ring. From the seat on Amon Hen Frodo despairs over the wide-ranging reach of Sauron. Frodo suspects it is a futile, even suicidal route, and is reluctant to bring any of his companions with him. Frodo's moment of decision:
'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.'
Sam alone discerns Frodo's plans and manages to catch up with him before he leaves the Parth Galen.
Boromir has indeed 'fallen into evil'. His fall does show how weak men can be. But this day also shows the redemption of Boromir. He battles orcs to the death in trying to protect Merry and Pippin. Only Aragorn knows of Boromir's fall, and yet says to him, "You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace."
Aragorn is again faced with his decision, and he feels all his choices are wrong. He discerns that Frodo and Sam have crossed the Anduin on their way to Mordor. However, the immediate danger is to Merry and Pippin who have been captured by the Orcs. The Quest is no longer his. The path to Minas Tirith must be delayed. The 'Three Hunters' have their own quest now: to save the two young hobbits.
Thus are set in motion the events in Rohan. Only with their capture and the speed of the Orcs, do Merry and Pippin arrive in Fangorn Forest; there they meet Treebeard and start the chain of events that will lead to the downfall of Saruman. Only by their hasty chase across the Western Emyn Muil and the Wold of Rohan do the hunters arrive in time to meet up Eomer after his battle with the Orcs, to meet up with Gandalf the White, in time to save Theodon, and to take part in the battle for Helm's Deep.
This day of February 26th, in the Great Year of 3019 is so very important to every member of the Company. (As for Gandalf, it is not specifically stated, but he is presumably either finishing his recovery in Lorien or wandering in Fangorn Forest being seen by Treebeard.) Every decision or choice made is vital.
However, this day may be seen as important because of the incredible amount of 'what ifs' -- the alternative possibilities.
What if Boromir had been able to take the Ring from Frodo? Would Aragorn have fought him for the Ring, and having won, would Aragorn have then fallen under the Ring's spell and claim his right to It as Isildur's Heir? If Boromir had kept the Ring, and It didn't betray him to the Orcs, would he have brought It to Minas Tirith and created a power struggle between himself and his father? In counterfeit arrogance and confidence, would Boromir have challenged Sauron and lost, bringing the Ring directly to Its Master?
What if Merry and Pippin had not been captured by the Orcs? Would 'the avalanche' have failed to start; would Treebeard have remained in Fangorn Forest, never challenging Saruman in Isengard? Would a huge army of Orcs be at Theoden's rear when Gondor calls for help?
What if Eomer had not been informed of the band of Orcs in the Emyn Muil? Would Merry and Pippin been brought before Saruman and then to Sauron? Would Sauron have discovered that the Ring was wandering in the Wilderness in His own back yard, and intercepted It?
What if Aragorn had not chosen to try to rescue the two Hobbits from the Orcs, would he have ever come to Edoras to aid King Theoden at Helm's Deep? Would he have taken the Paths of the Dead, thus bringing a deadly army to the aid of Southern Gondor? Would he have travelled directly to Minas Tirith, challenging the Steward?
What if Frodo had not made his decision to go to Mordor? Would the Ring have travelled to Minas Tirith, with the resulting power struggle destroying the White City? Would the Company have waited in Minas Tirith for the War to begin, and, then, watch all of Gondor fall to Sauron? What if Frodo had not made his decision to go alone to Mordor? Which of the Companions would have travelled with him, and how far could they have gotten? It certainly required more stealth than warrior skills to get all the way to Mount Doom. Would Gollum have ever been accepted as a guide, or would Gollum have ever agreed to be a guide? Would Faramir allow such a mixed, potentially dangerous, group to pass through Ithilien unhindered?
What if (perhaps most vital) Sam had not been able to catch up with Frodo before he crossed the Anduin? How far could Frodo have gotten on his own? How would Sam find him again, following him into the West Emyn Muil?
The possibilities of this one day are endlessly fascinating.
Wonderful title, Serinde--it was just that--a day of choices that changed the history of Middle Earth....
Many live who deserve death; some die who deserve life--can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be so quick to deal out death in judgment. Even the wisest cannot see all ends.
This has been such a splendid contest, and now we all have a VERY difficult choice. Each essay presents wonderful cases for a variety of important dates in the War of the Ring. Regardless of the outcome of our vote, surely these essays underscore the brilliance of Professor Tolkien's mythology -- that there can be so many points in the tale that could be argued to be the "second most important day." I look forward to our discussions!
Lindariel
“Therefore I say: Eä! Let these things Be! And I will send forth into the Void the Flame Imperishable, and it shall be at the heart of the World, and the World shall Be.”
There are such cogent and persuasive arguments in favour of each date that it is very difficult to make a personal choice of just one date.
But after re-reading all of these fantastic submissions, I have whittled my own preference down to two: Sept 29 3018 - The encounter with Strider at the Prancing Pony, in which Frodo first comes to know what an incredibly difficult foe he is facing - and what an incredibly powerful ally he has found;
and Feb 26 3019 when the fellowship "fails" and the next phase of the journey to Mordor begins.
These are less overtly important and impressive than some others which are proposed in the competition. What I like about these dates is that one can miss the significance of them until much later in the telling of the story, and this seems so much to echo an important message of JRRT's works: that small people and small events, which you passed over at the time, can be so very significant when you review the whole catalogue and sequence of events.
Having said that, our essay writers are all so persuasive that I could have picked any date proposed with great confidence and ease.
....her song released the sudden spring, like rising lark and falling rain, and melting water bubbling
So many well thought-out contributions! What a wonderful competition it's been. And I've learned a lot from other contributors that will stay with me long after the competition has faded into memory. For example, thanks to Merry's essay, on Christmas Day I paused for a moment to hear, if I could, the distant winding of a horn and a small voice muttering about rope...
I can't either! All the entries are very good and there have been some stunningly presented points in all of them. I've really had my eyes opened reading them. So many times the Quest stood 'upon on the edge of a knife'.
I have changed my mind three times and had to print them all out to re-read. Now that is a testament to their quality!
I've enjoyed this so much, thanks one and all .
Now let the song begin! Let us sing together
Of sun, stars, moon and mist, rain and cloudy weather...
I don't know whether it's difficulty in making a decision or lack of interest, but I'm surprised that only 9 of our 57 members have voted in the contest so far. Remember, the voting ends on January 31!
Lindariel
“Therefore I say: Eä! Let these things Be! And I will send forth into the Void the Flame Imperishable, and it shall be at the heart of the World, and the World shall Be.”
Lindariel wrote:I don't know whether it's difficulty in making a decision or lack of interest, but I'm surprised that only 9 of our 57 members have voted in the contest so far. Remember, the voting ends on January 31!
I agre Lindariel! Some of us need to get to reading...and...here is our splashy reminder.
Our Middle-earth Journeys 2nd Annual Yule Season Contest
Please re-read these wonderful entries and give them some thought. The voting period will begin now and last until January 31, 2007 in order to give all of us time to ponder our decision.
Our first essay contest is over and we are delighted to announce that we have two winners. We have the overall winner who garnered the most votes. Congratulations to serinde for her marvelous essay!
When we first posted the 5 contest entrants, we neglected to do a word count and we did post that the essay should be only 1000 words in length. Serinde's winning entry is 1250 words, but we felt that since it was our mistake, we should allow the entry to proceed. In a sense of fairness, however, we would like to award an equal prize to the leading entry of the other four which were very close to or under the word count limit
Therefore, we are also pleased to announce our second winner who is Finarfin .
I hope all of you had as much fun with this contest as we did. I will be contacting both of winners and learning which Tolkien book they would like for their prizes.
Now...let's discuss these fine essays...but not for too long. I already have a plan for the next essay contest.
Congratulations to our two essay writers! and to all who entered the contest.
I think each of the arguments were good ones, and that's a testimony to the skill of the writers and the fine complexity of the story. The essays made me realize that in a new way.
Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West,
for your King shall come again,
and he shall dwell among you
all the days of your life.
Much to think about and talk about here. 
Sept 29 3018 - The encounter with Strider at the Prancing Pony, in which Frodo first comes to know what an incredibly difficult foe he is facing - and what an incredibly powerful ally he has found; 
I don't know if I can make my decission by the end of the week. 
I can't either! All the entries are very good and there have been some stunningly presented points in all of them. I've really had my eyes opened reading them. So many times the Quest stood 'upon on the edge of a knife'.
