Middle-earth Journeys

I think that I would head for Ithilien either before it was ravaged by Sauron or after and during the restoration under Farimir. I have always been rather sweet on Faramir.

This is a tough one. I might lurk in Gondor after the Returm of the King and hope to catch his eye before the Rivendell party arrive .

No, seriously, I think it would be Rivendell for me. It seems so safe and cosy, full of music and laughter. I could find a nice cosy corner to chat all day with marbretherese and we could join an Elven choir !

I guess it depends on whether I bring the family or not. If I bring the family, we'd probably go to the Shire. The kids would probably love to run around in the hobbit holes!

If I were to go by myself, I'd probably pick Rivendell, but before everyone took off and went to Valinor. It would be great to have some meaningful conversations with the elves about their culture and history, and learn more about their crafts. And I'm already in the neighborhood!

Minas Tirith definitely~ such a magnificent, lordly city, not to mention the view from the top level!

All of these are great choices and have a lot to recommend them. But Lothlorien is the place for me. It's not necessarily that I have always longed to live in a tree! But I think that Lothlorien represents the strongest sense of haven in the books: when the Fellowship needed peace, safety, and healing the most, they found it in Lothlorien. I think we all long for that sometimes, don't we?

Tied for second: Faramir's and Eowyn's garden in Ithilien and Lake Evendim during the height of the Northern Kingdom.

I'm not sure if this is the best place to put this, but here goes anyway! I received a newsletter from Notre Dame University this week that described a series of lectures there this fall that focused on Tolkien's Catholicism. Tolkien scholars Ralph Wood, Joseph Pearce, Mary Keys and Greg Wright were the featured scholars. Here's an interesting quote about Wood's lecture:

Tolkien depicts our modern culture in a unique way by using the image of the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings. For example, the Ring has the quality of deathlessness which has the effect of making the Ring-bearers live longer, but not necessarily of living, or dying, well. The quality of the Ring stands in stark contrast to the Catholic ideal of a good and holy death, such as that made by Boromir.

I'm not a big fan of Boromir! But I think it's interesting to contrast the living death of the Nazgul or Gollum with Boromir's death. I suppose it was better for Boromir to die than to get the Ring. I've always wondered if, had Boromir lived, his desire for the Ring would have been extinguished after Amon Hen.

Sorry--this really get's us off the topic of 'Tolkien the Man', doesn't it? Maybe Garth could speculate about how many soldiers Tolkien saw die like Boromir. Would he say that any of them were 'good deaths'?

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that we are overdue for a Tolkien Society Amon Hen newsletter?

I've run into problems getting mine delivered since last year...
I think two more have come out since then but I've received none and my mmebership was up for renewal in Jan. I renewed days ago but have received no confirmation... I realize the Society is staffed by volunteers, but it would be nice to get some acknowlegement that my membership went thru!

OK...wouldn't you know it...just got mine in today's mail. Will look to see what goodies reside therein.

Hello - my "Guide to Middle earth" calendar page today features Aragorn II (yea!) and mentions his many names. I understand Elfstone, Estel, Strider (not Trotter, thank goodness), Telcontar - but does anyone know the derivation of "Elessar"?

Enjoying this site almost every day -
Starmast

Starmast, Elessar Is Quenya. It does mean Elfstone. In Quenyan, el = Elf and sarn = small stone.

Du-uh - thanks, Riv Res! I always admired those who have learned the languages.

Starmast

You may recall that I posted the following a few weeks ago in this thread:

Hee! EL, I have come SO CLOSE to buying my own "Aragorn engagement ring" on many, many occasions. In fact, in response to one of the many times my husband has informed me that I am a true "over the moon" Tolkien fanatic, I told him, "Not yet. You'll know I'm really gone when I'm sporting my very own Ring of Barahir on my left hand. Until then, I'm still saner than you are during the NFL season!"

(Hmmm . . . must go look at pretty Barahir ring on website again . . . we wants it, Precious, yes, Yes!)

Well . . . today is not only Valentine's Day, it is also my 13th wedding anniversary. Guess what I received as my gift? You guessed it! I am now the proud owner of my very own "Aragorn engagement ring!"

As Mr. L put it, "Since you didn't buy it for yourself, you can enjoy it entirely guilt-free and still retain your claim that you are not completely Tolkien-crazed. I figure, it's the perfect gift."

Did I marry a great guy, or what?

Well done, Mr. L!

Yes...Mr. L well done...