Middle-earth Journeys

Did we ever find that earlier effort "Calendar of the Ages" that was apparently inherited from another source and then "archived" here in such a way that no one can locate it? I'd be really curious to see what had already been attempted.

Whew! I'm going to take a look at these timelines with my copy of The Silmarillion in hand and see if it makes sense to try to render it according to a calendar. My gut reaction is that I don't think The Sil proceeds in precisely calendar order, and that some of these well-beloved tales probably overlap more than a little bit.

It might be more useful for folks who are trying to get a feeling for the book itself to break down the individual chapters into sensible "bites" that we can each take on over the course of a month or so, so that the stories themselves remain intact.

I guess what I'm suggesting is that we try to produce a "Cliff Notes" version of The Silmarillion rather than a calendar -- something that would provide a chapter-by-chapter or segment-by-segment orientation to the work for those who find it more than a bit intimidating by summarizing the highlights of the various tales, drawing parallels and relationships with the more familiar Hobbit and LOTR as well as source material (such as the Nordic myths, etc.), and bringing in interesting facts from The Professor's life and work that he consciously or unconsciously wove into his mythos.

Your thoughts?

You've highlighted the worries I've had since looking at the timelines - events do overlap and the stories will be all over the place. Having spent more time with it it seems a no go.

I think somehow slicing the book into bite sized chunks is the better way - the chapters themselves are too big and we'll end up glossing over very interesting stuff just because there is too much to cover.

Lord knows how we do that though. If we're not following a calendar we still need:

a sense of moving forward through the book together
the chance to discuss it as we go
a collated guide somewhere (like the calendars) that has a permament home and which can be used as an ongoing reference

I think we need to look at the Calendar of the Ages first, too. There was a lot of effort put into it that I wouldn't want to see duplicated. I don't know that it covers every event in the Sil, but maybe there is another way that the events could be 'sifted' for our work.

LOTR isn't in chronological order, either, because of the interlacing plot, as Shippey calls it. But chronological order still seemed to work for our calendar. My guess, though, is that JRRT didn't have as precise a calendar for the events of the Sil.

I've never seen any of the Calendar of the Ages stuff .

I will see what I can resurrect on CoA. It may give is a start at deciding on how to proceed.

Here is the initial CoA Calendar schedule as we began to work on it at WRoR. You can see that we were going to work on the Third Age. I do not believe we ever started anything on the Second Age dates. I think I can probably scare up a post or two of mine on the Third Age if that helps.


I have done an initial set up for posting the enormous Third Age Calendar. I have assigned dates (this is frankly too large an undertaking to spend all the time it would take to pick and choose and divvy up the rest. There are three people that I know of who said that they are scarce for time and wanted limited postings on this calendar...Avara...Meli...Eowyn. I have created an Optional list of dates that these three people can choose from. You can let me know which you choose from the optional list...or edit them in yourselves if you have access.

The rest of us have a VAST assortment of posts and dates that you can read here.

2 - - - - Isildur plants a seedling of the White Tree in Minas Anor. He
delivers the South-kingdom to Meneldil. Disaster of the
Gladden Fields; Isildur and his three elder sons are slain. 1-7-05: Riv

3 - - - - Ohtar brings the shards of Narsil to Imladris 1-14-05: Morwen

10 - - - - Valandil becomes King of Arnor. 1-21-05: Merry

109 - - - - Elrond weds Celebrian, daughter of Celeborn. 1-28-05: Yavanna

130 - - - - Birth of Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Elrond. 2-4-05: Elen

241 - - - - Birth of Arwen Undomiel. 2-11-05: librislove

420 - - - - King Ostoher rebuilds Minas Anor. 2-18-05: Optional

490 - - - - First invasion of Easterlings. 2-25-05: Riv

500 - - - - Romendacil I defeats the Easterlings. 3-4-05: Morwen

541 - - - - Romendacil slain in battle. 3-11-05: Merry

830 - - - - Falastur begins the line of the Ship-kings of Gondor 3-18-05: Yavanna
.
861 - - - - Death of Earendur, and division of Arnor. 3-25-05: Elen

933 - - - - King Earnil I takes Umbar, which becomes a fortress of Gondor. 4-1-05: librislove

936 - - - - Earnil lost at sea. 4-8-05: Optional

1015 - - - - King Ciryandil slain in the siege of Umbar. 4-15-05: Riv

1050 - - - - Hyarmendacil conquers the Harad. Gondor reaches the height
of its power. About this time a shadow falls on Greenwood, and men begin to call it Mirkwood. The Periannath are first mentioned in records, with the coming of the Harfoots to Eriador. 4-22-05: Morwen

c1100 - - - - The Wise (the Istari and the chief Eldar) discover that an evil power has made a stronghold at Dol Guldur. It is thought to be one of the Nazgul. 4-29-05: Riv

1149 - - - - Reign of Atanatar Alcarin begins. 4-29-05: Merry

c1150 - - - - The Fallohides enter Eriador. The Stoors come over the
Redhorn Pass and move to the Angle, or to Dunland. 5-6-05: Yavanna

c1300 - - - - Evil things begin to multiply again. Orcs increase in the Misty Mountains and attack the Dwarves. The Nazgul reappear. The chief of these comes north to Angmar. The Periannath migrate westward; many settle at Bree. 5-13-05: Elen

1356 - - - - King Argeleb I slain in battle with Rhudaur. About this- time
the Stoors leave the Angle, and some return to Wilderland. 5-20-05: librislove

1409 - - - - The Witch-king of Angmar invades Arnor. King Arvaleg I slain.
Fornost and Tyrn Gorthad are defended. The Tower of Amon Sui destroyed. 5-27-05: Optional

1432 - - - - King Valacar of Gondor dies, and the civil war of the Kin-strife
begins. 6-3-05: Riv

1437 - - - - Burning of Osgiliath and loss of the palantir. Eldacar flees to
Rhovanion; his son Ornendil is murdered. 6-10-05: Morwen

1447 - - - - Eldacar returns and drives out the usurper Castamir. Battle of
the Crossings of Erui. Siege of Pelargir. 6-17-05: Merry

1448 - - - - Rebels escape and seize Umbar. 6-24-05: Yavanna

1540 - - - - King Aldamir slain in war with the Harad and Corsairs of Umbar. 1551 Hyarmendacil II defeats the Men of Harad. 7-1-05: Elen

1601 - - - - Many Periannath migrate from Bree~ and are granted land
beyond Baranduin by Argeleb II. 7-8-05: librislove

1630 - - - - They are joined by Stoors coming up from Dunland 7-15-05: Optional

1634 - - - - The Corsairs ravage Pelargir and slay King Minardi!. 7-22-05: Riv

1636 - - - - The Great Plague devastates Gondor. Death of King Telemnar and his children. The White Tree dies in Minas Anor. The plague spreads north and west, and many parts of Eriador become desolate. Beyond the Baranduin the Periannath survive, but suffer great loss. 7-29-05: Morwen

1640 - - - - King Tarondor removes the King's House to Minas Anor, and plants a seedling of the White Tree. Osgiliath begins to fall into ruin. Mordor is left unguarded. 8-5-05: Merry

1810 - - - - King Telumehtar Umbardacil retakes Umbar and drives out the Corsairs. 8-12-05: Yavanna

1851 - - - - The attacks of the Wainriders upon Gondor begin. 8-19-05: Elen

1856 - - - - Gondor loses its eastern territories, and Narmacil II falls in battle. 1899 King Calimehtar defeats the Wainriders on Dagorlad. 8-26-05: librislove

1900 - - - - Calimehtar builds the White Tower in Minas Anor. 9-2-05: Optional

1940 - - - - Gondor and Arnor renew communications and form an alliance.
Arvedui weds Firiel daughter of Ondoher of Gondor. 9-9-05: Riv

1944 - - - - Ondoher falls in battle. Earnil defeats the enemy in South I thilien. He then wins the Battle of the Camp, and drives Wainriders into the Dead Marshes. Arvedui claims the crown of Gondor. 9-16-05: Morwen

1945 - - - - Earnil II receives the crown. 9-23-05: Merry

1974 - - - - End of the North-kingdom. The Witch-king overruns Arthedain and takes Fornost. 9-30-05: Yavanna

1975 - - - - Arvedui drowned in the Bay of Foroche!. The palantiri of Annuminas and Amon Sul are lost. Earnur brings a fleet to Lindon. The Witch-king defeated at the Battle of Fornost, and pursued to the Ettenmoors. He vanishes from the North. 10-7-05: Elen

1976 - - - - Aranarth takes the title of Chieftain of the Dunedain. The heirlooms of Arnor are given into the keeping of Elrond. 10-14-05:librislove

1977 - - - - Frumgar leads the Eotheod into the North. 10-21-05: Optional

1979 - - - - Bucca of the Marish becomes first Thain of the Shire. 10-28-05: Riv

1980 - - - - The Witch-king comes to Mordor and there gathers the Nazgtil.
A Balrog appears in Moria, and slays Durin VI. 11-4-05: Morwen

1981 - - - - Nain I slain. The Dwarves flee from Moria. Many of the Silvan
Elves of Lorien flee south. Amroth and Nimrodel are lost. 11-11-05: Merry

1999 - - - - Thorin I comes to Erebor and founds a dwarf-kingdom 'under the
Mountain'. 11-18-05: Yavanna

2000 - - - - The Nazgul issue from Mordor and besiege Minas Ithil. 11-25-05: Elen

2002 - - - - Fall of Minas Ithil, afterwards known as Minas Morgul. The
palantir is captured. 12-2-05: librislove

2043 - - - - Earnur becomes King of Gondor. He is challenged by the
Witch-king. 12-9-05: Optional

2050 - - - - The challenge is renewed. Earnur rides to Minas Morgul and is
lost. Mardil becomes the first Ruling Steward. 12-16-05: Riv

2060 - - - - The power of Dol Guldur grows. The Wise fear that it may be
Sauron taking shape again. 12-23-05: Morwen

2063 - - - - Gandalf goes to Dol Guldur. Sauron retreats and hides in the
East. The Watchful Peace begins. The Nazgul remain quiet in
Minas Morgul. 12-30-05: Merry

2210 - - - - Thorin I leaves Erebor, and goes north to the Grey Mountains,
where most of the remnants of Durin's Folk are now gathering. 1-6-06: Yavanna

2340 - - - - Isumbras I becomes thirteenth Thain, and first of the Took line.
The Oldbucks occupy the Buckland. 1-13-06: Elen

2460 - - - - The Watchful Peace ends. Sauron returns with increased
strength to Dol Guldur. 1-20-06: librislove

2461 - - - - The White Council is formed. About this time Deagol the Stoor
finds the One Ring, and is murdered by Smeagol. 1-27-06: Optional

2470 - - - - About this time Smeagol-Gollum hides in the Misty Mountains. 2-3-06: Riv

2475 - - - - Attack on Gondor renewed. Osgiliath finally ruined, and its
stone-bridge broken. 2-10-06: Morwen

c2480 - - - - Orcs begin to make secret strongholds in the Misty Mountains
so as to bar all the passes into Eriador. Sauron begins to people
Moria with his creatures. 2-17-06: Merry

2509 - - - - Celebrian, journeying to Lorien, is waylaid in the Redhorn Pass,
and receives a poisoned wound. 2-24-06: Yavanna

2510 - - - - Celebrian departs over Sea. Ores and Easterlings overrun
Calenardhon. Eorl the Young wins the victory of the Field of
Celebrant. The Rohirrim settle in Calenardhon. 3-3-06: Elen

2545 - - - - Eorl falls in battle in the Wold. 3-10-06: librislove

2569 - - - - Brego son of Eorl completes the Golden Hall. 3-17-06: Optional

2570 - - - - Baldor son of Brego enters the Forbidden Door and is lost. About
this time Dragons reappear in the far North and begin to afflict the Dwarves. 3-24-06: Riv

2589 - - - - Dain I slain by a Dragon. 3-31-06: Morwen

2590 - - - - Thror returns to Erebor. Gror his brother goes to the Iron Hills. 4-7-06: Merry

c2670 - - - - Tobold plants 'pipe-weed' in the Southfarthing. 4-14-06: Yavanna

2683 - - - - Isengrim II becomes tenth Thain and begins the excavation of
Great Smials. 4-21-06: Elen

2698 - - - - Ecthelion I rebuilds the White Tower in Minas Tirith. 4-28-06: librislove

2740 - - - - Orcs renew their invasions of Eriador. 5-5-06: Optional

2747 - - - - Bandobras Took defeats an Orc-band in the Northfarthing. 5-12-06: Riv

2758 - - - - Rohan attacked from west and east and overrun. Gondor
attacked by fleets of the Corsairs. Helm of Rohan takes refuge in Helm's Deep. Wulf seizes Edoras. 5-19-06: Morwen

2758-9 - - - - The Long Winter follows. Great suffering and loss of life in Eriador and Rohan. Gandalf comes to the aid of the Shire-folk. 5-26-06: Merry

2759 - - - - Death of Helm. Frealaf drives out Wulf, and begins second line
of Kings of the Mark. Saruman takes up his abode in Isengard. 6-2-06: Yavanna

2770 - - - - Smaug the Dragon descends on Erebor. Dale destroyed. Thror
escapes with Thnl.in II and Thorin II. 6-9-06: Elen

2790 - - - - Thror slain by an Orc in Moria. The Dwarves gather for a war
of vengeance. Birth of Gerontius, later known as the Old Took. 6-16-06: librislove

2793 - - - - The War of the Dwarves and Orcs begins. 6-23-06: Optional

2799 - - - - Battle of Nanduhirion before the East-gate of Moria. Dain
Ironfoot returns to the Iron Hills. Thriin II and his son Thorin wander westwards. They settle in the South of Ered Luin beyond
the Shire (2802). 6-30-06: Riv
.
2800-64 - - - - Orcs from the North trouble Rohan. King Walda slain by them (2861). 7-7-06: Morwen


2841 - - - - Thrain II sets out to revisit Erebor, but is pursued by the
servants of Sauron. 7-14-06: Merry

2845 - - - - Thrain the Dwarf is imprisoned in Dol Guldur; the last of the
Seven Rings is taken from him. 7-21-06: Yavanna

2850 - - - - Gandalf again enters Dol Guldur, and discovers that its master is indeed Sauron, who is gathering all the Rings and seeking for news of the One, and of Isildur's Heir. He finds Thrain and receives the key of Erebor. Thrain dies in Dol Guldur. 7-28-06: Elen

2851 - - - - The White Council meets. Gandalf urges an attack on Dol Guldur. Saruman overrules him.l Saruman begins to search near the Gladden Fields. 8-4-06: librislove

2852 - - - - Belecthor II of Gondor dies. The White Tree dies, and no
seedling can be found. The Dead Tree is left standing. 8-11-06: Optional
'
2885 - - - - Stirred up by emissaries of Sauron the Haradrim cross the Poros
and attack Gondor. The sons of Folcwine of Rohan are slain
in the service of Gondor. 8-18-06: Riv

2890 - - - - Bilbo born in the Shire. 8-25-06: Morwen

2901 - - - - Most of the remaining inhabitants of Ithilien desert it owing to
the attacks of U ruks of Mordor. The secret refuge of Henneth
Annun is built. 9-1-06: Merry

1 It afterwards became clear that Saruman had then begun to desire to possess the One Ring himself, and he hoped that it might reveal itself, seeking its master, if Sauron were let be for a time.

2907 - - - - Birth of Gilraen mother of Aragorn II. 9-8-06: Yavanna

2911 - - - - The Fell Winter. The Baranduin and other rivers are frozep.
White Wolves invade Eriador from the North. 9-15-06: Elen

2912 - - - - Great floods devastate Enedwaith and Minhiriath. Tharbad is
ruined and deserted. 9-22-06: librislove

2920 - - - - Death of the Old Took. 9-29-06: Optional

2929 - - - - Arathorn son of Arador of the Dunedain weds Gilraen. 10-6-06: Riv

2930 - - - - Arador slain by Trolls. Birth of Denethor II son of Ecthelion II
in Minas Tirith. 10-13-06: Morwen

2931 - - - - Aragorn son of Arathorn II born on March 1st. 10-20-06: Merry

2933 - - - - Arathorn II slain. Gilraen takes Aragorn to Imladris. Elrond receives him as foster-son and gives him the name Estel (Hope); his ancestry is concealed. 10-27-06: Yavanna

2939 - - - - Saruman discovers that Sauron's servants are searching the Anduin near Gladden Fields, and that Sauron therefore has learned of Isildur's end. He is alarmed, but says nothing to the Council. 11-3-06: Elen

2941 - - - - Thorin Oakenshield and Gandalf visit Bilbo in the Shire. Bilbo meets Smeagol-Gollum and finds the Ring. The White Council meets; Saruman agrees to an attack on Dol Guldur, since he now wishes to prevent Sauron from searching the River. Sauron having made his plans abandons Dol Guldur. The Battle of the Five Armies in Dale. Death of Thorin II. Bard of Esgaroth slays Smaug. Dain of the Iron Hills becomes King under the Mountain (Dain II). 11-10-06: librislove

2942 - - - - Bilbo returns to the Shire with the Ring. Sauron returns in
secret to Mordor. 11-17-06: Optional

2944 - - - - Bard rebuilds Dale and becomes King. Gollum leaves the
Mountains and begins his search for the 'thief' of the Ring. 11-24-06: Riv

2948 - - - - Theoden son of Thengel, King of Rohan, born. 12-1-06: Morwen

2949 - - - - Gandalf and Balin visit Bilbo in the Shire. 12-8-06: Merry

2950 - - - - Finduilas, daughter of Adrahil of Dol Amroth, born. 12-15-06: Yavanna

2951 - - - - Sauron declares himself openly and gathers power in Mordor. He begins the rebuilding of Barad-dur. Gollum turns towards Mordor. Sauron sends three of the Nazgill to reoccupy Dol Guldur. Elrond reveals to 'Estel' his true name and ancestry, and delivers to him the shards of Narsil. Arwen, newly returned from
Lorien, meets Aragorn in the woods of Imladris. Aragorn goes out into the Wild. 12-22-06: Elen

2953 - - - - Last meeting of the White Council. They debate the Rings. Saruman feigns that he has discovered that the One Ring has passed down Anduin to the Sea. Saruman withdraws to Isengard, which he takes as his own, and fortifies it. Being jealous and afraid of Gandalf he sets spies to watch all his movements; and notes his interest in the Shire. He soon begins to keep agents in Bree and the Southfarthing 12-29-06: librislove

2954 - - - - Mount Doom bursts into flame again. The last inhabitants of
Ithilien flee over Anduin. 1-5-07: Optional

2956 - - - - Aragorn meets Gandalf and their friendship begins. 1-12-07: Riv

2957-80 - - - - Aragorn undertakes his great journeys and errantries. As Thorongil he serves in disguise both Thengel of Rohan and Ecthelion II of Gondor. 1-19-07: Morwen

2968 - - - - Birth of Frodo. 1-26-07: Merry

2976 - - - - Denethor weds Finduilas of Dol Amroth. 2-2-07: Yavanna

2977 - - - - Bain son of Bard becomes King of Dale. 2-9-07: Elen


2978 - - - - Birth of Boromir son of Denethor II. 2-16-07: librislove

2980 - - - - Aragorn enters Lorien, and there meets again Arwen Undomiel.
Aragorn gives her the ring of Barahir, and they plight their troth upon the hill of Cerin Amroth. About this time Gollum reaches the confines of Mordor and
becomes acquainted with Shelob. Theoden becomes King of Rohan. 2-23-07: Optional

2983 - - - - Faramir son of Denethor born. Birth of Samwise. 3-1-07: Riv

2984 - - - - Death of Ecthelion II. Denethor II becomes Steward of Gondor. 3-8-07: Morwen

2988 - - - - Finduilas dies young. 3-15-07: Merry

2989 - - - - Balin leaves Erebor and enters Moria. 3-22-07: Yavanna

2991 - - - - Eomer Eomund's son born in Rohan. 3-29-07: Elen

2994 - - - - Balin perishes, and the dwarf-colony is destroyed. 4-5-07: librislove

2995 - - - - Eowyn sister of Eomer born. 4-12-07: Optional

3000 - - - - The shadow of Mordor lengthens. Saruman dares to use the palantir of Orthanc, but becomes ensnared by Sauron, who has the Ithil Stone. He becomes a traitor to the Council. His spies report that the Shire is being closely guarded by the Rangers. 4-19-07: Riv

3001 - - - - Bilbo's farewell feast. Gandalf suspects his ring to be the One Ring. The guard on the Shire is doubled. Gandalf seeks for news of Gollum and calls on the help of Aragorn. 4-26-07: Morwen

3002 - - - - Bilbo becomes a guest of Elrond, and settles in Rivendell. 5-3-07: Merry

3004 - - - - Gandalf visits Frodo in the Shire, and does so at intervals during the next four years. 5-10-07: Yavanna

3007 - - - - Brand son of Bain becomes King in Dale. Death of Gilraen. 5-17-07: Elen

3008 - - - - In the autumn Gandalf pays his last visit to Frodo. 5-24-07: librislove


3009 - - - - Gandalf and Aragorn renew their hunt for Gollum at intervals during the next eight years, searching in the vales of Anduin, Mirkwood, and Rhovanion to the confines of Mordor. At some time during these years Gollum himself ventured into Mordor, and was captured by Sauron. Elrond sends for Arwen, and she returns to Imladris; the Mountains and all lands eastward are becoming dangerous. 5-31-07: Optional

3017 - - - - Gollum is released from Mordor. He is taken by Aragorn in the Dead Marshes, and brought to Thranduil in Mirkwood. Gandalf visits Minas Tirith and reads the scroll of Isildur. 6-6-07: Riv

Those of you who are thorough will note that I have taken an extra post and on one particular date there will be two posts. Quite frankly I just missed that date and am too lazy to re-work this thing yet another time. My penance is therefore an extra post.

Let me know your thoughts. I will try to send this to all of you via email so that you have your own copy on file. This one will just be here for the record and emergencies.

(I think the Carrock would be the best illustration, probably)

THEY ARRIVE AT BEORN'S AND STAY UNTIL SPRING

By midwinter, Gandalf and Bilbo had come as far as the home of Beorn, where they would stay until spring, enjoying the Yule celebrations and feasts with the Men Beorn gathered around him in these days. He was well on his way to becoming a great Chief of Men by this time, and some few of his descendants would make an appearance many years later in the War of the Ring. Bilbo very likely learned many stories and much lore during his stay with Beorn, part of the knowledge that he later became so famous for back home in the Shire. The extended stay with Beorn was a needed respite from the hardships Bilbo had endured, and gave him strength for the final months of his journey home. By earliest spring, he found the "Tookish part" of himself growing tired of adventure, while the "Baggins daily grew stronger". It was time to return to Bag End.

Very nice, librislove! This entry ties right in with our Yule contest!


Looks to me like the Calendar of the Ages project really did not cover the events of The Silmarillion with the exception of "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age." That leaves the vast majority of the book completely untouched. Shall we find out who would be interested in tackling such a project? Then, if there is sufficient interest, we could begin discussing how we might divvy it up? I would be happy to start us off by tackling my favorite part -- The Ainulindale. Riv, that's my way of saying I volunteer for the project!

I've learned so much from working on the Hobbit Calendar that I am happy to volunteer for The Sil too - looking forward to it already, however we decide to tackle it!!

I have the final entry for the Hobbit Calendar btw and will get to work on it shortly - I know I'll be posting "out of turn", but if I wait until May I'll lose the continuity . . .

I had forgotten that the CoA was just the Third Age. It was just so HUGE that I thought we had covered more time! Count me in, too, of course, although I'm not quite sure what I'm getting myself into.

Nice entry, librislove! The 'there and back again' structures of Hobbit and LOTR really give us a chance to ponder the changes our heroes underwent. I suppose that's standard fare in hero's journey myths.

Thanks for the nice comments! I too will join the project. Who knows, I might come away liking the Sil better than I do now. . .

Lovely entry as always. librislove.

Now...let's talk about the project. Do we want to start with the Second Age listings from the Appendices (it may be more appropriate for a timeline to do that)...or do the Third first? Do we maybe want to approach this a different way?

I'm in too of course, though as Merry says '......I'm not quite sure what I'm getting myself into' .

I'm divided on how best to approach this - I'm very eager to do it as I think it will be fascinating and a great learning experience, but really haven't much of a clue whether it's best to start at the beginning or to start with those events that are closer to 'home'.

Nice entry, Librislove!

Well, the final entry for the Hobbit Calendar is ready - and I'd like to post it now, even though there is one entry from Elentivarda still to come, and this final one isn't due until the beginning of May. I need to feel I've completed my work on The Hobbit so I can turn my attention to the Unfinished Tales discussion ! Here goes:


NB Riv, please use this pic: 001hoblee.jpg

May 8: they leave [Rivendell] for Hobbiton, which they reach on June 22nd [Loëndë]

As Gandalf & Bilbo retrace their steps from Rivendell to Hobbiton, they come to the place where the dwarves buried the trolls’ gold. Bilbo doesn’t feel the need to take his share, but Gandalf insists: “You may find you have more need than you expect.” This suggests that something’s afoot, and so it proves, for when Bilbo reaches Hobbiton he finds that he is “presumed dead” and Bag End is in the process of being sold off. He manages to save the house but is forced to buy back a lot of his own furniture - and the legal wrangle, we are told, takes about a year. Moreover, Bilbo is considered “no longer quite respectable . . . he took to writing poetry and visiting the elves.” In other words he doesn’t care what others think - and even starts to write his memoirs!

Some years later, a visit from Gandalf & Balin ties up some loose ends. Bard has built a town in Dale; Laketown has been restored but the Master fell prey to “dragon sickness” and ran off with the gold. Bilbo comments that the prophecies in the old songs have come true, and Gandalf puts his adventures into perspective, hinting as he does so that some greater power has been at work:

“You don’t really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit? You are a very fine person, Mr Baggins, and I am very fond of you, but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world, after all!”

Tolkien’s ending to The Hobbit virtually brings Bilbo full circle. He arrives home on mid-year’s day, the anniversary of his departure from Rivendell, and is back in his homely context by the end of the tale. Not without a struggle, however: a lot has changed since he left and has to be put right; and Bilbo himself has changed.

So what have we, the readers, learnt by the end of the book? Amongst other things: that a “little fellow” can make a huge difference when he discovers his bravery and resourcefulness; patience and determination have their place alongside quick wits and snap decisions; fear of the unknown can be worse than the reality; and most ordinary folk long for peace whatever their background. As John Garth points out:

It would be misleading to suggest that The Hobbit is Tolkien’s wartime experience in disguise; yet it is easy to see how some of his memories must have invigorated this tale of an ennobling rite of passage past the fearful jaws of death. *

Similar themes appear in LOTR, again chiefly through the experiences of the hobbits. In the final lesson of The Hobbit Bilbo discovers that life goes on while the traveller is away, as do Frodo and his companions in The Scouring of the Shire. Bilbo’s final words “Thank Goodness!“ in response to Gandalf’s comment are echoed by Sam Gamgee’s “Well, I’m back”, each tale ending with the “little fellow” happy to be home where he belongs, but subtly changed forever by his experiences.


* Tolkien & the Great War, HarperCollins 2003

Marbretherese, that's a brilliant summation of the reader's journey through The Hobbit . It may be a children's tale, but what a children's tale!

I think the thing that's become most apparent doing this calendar is how Bilbo changes and grows. It's all the lessons of adulthood that children have to learn to take their place in the world without fear (even that life goes on...).