Middle-earth Journeys

If my answer to the above question is correct, here's the next:

What are the symbols of his inheritance that Elrond gives to Aragorn, and which symbol of his kingship does he withhold?

Serinde, you were absolutely right with your answer.
Sorry I didn't get back soon...

On Aragorn's twentieth birthday, Elrond reveals to the young man his true name and heritage and gives to him the "heirlooms of his house" with the following words:

"Here is the ring of Barahir, the token of our kinship from afar; and here also are the shards of Narsil. With these you may yet do great deeds; for I foretell that the span of your life shall be greater than the measure of Men, unless evil befalls you or you fail at the test. But the test will be hard and long. The Sceptre of Annuminas I withhold, for you have yet to earn it."

The next day at sunset, Aragorn meets Arwen Evenstar for the first time and falls in love with her, though he is abashed to discover that she is of elven kind and many, many years older than he.

Can you image being a 20-year-old man, raised in seclusion and kept unaware of your true identity, and having the weight of this enormous inheritance and responsibility suddenly revealed to you and placed on your young, inexperienced shoulders? On top of that, the next day you meet the woman of your dreams, only to discover that she is more than 2800 years your senior and descended from a race considered superior to yours?

It's a wonder Aragorn didn't crack at age 20 and run off into the woods never to return!

Lindariel, of course you are correct.

Aragorn determined that day what his personal quest would be: to renew the kingdom of Arnor, united with Gondor, to sit in kingship with Arwen as his queen. I feel sorry for those who have only seen the movies. This is the Aragorn that we all admire.

Your turn, eh?

Serinde

Thanks, Serinde!

There's so much packed in that brief exchange between Elrond and Aragorn. I particularly like Elrond's acknowledgment of their kinship when he presents Aragorn with the Ring of Barahir. In those few brief words, "the token of our kinship from afar," Elrond acknowledges his connection to Aragorn in that Aragorn is a direct descendant of Elros his twin brother, and also their connection as descendants of Beren and Luthien. There is a great deal of meaning in that ring!

Here's a Level One question:

In the Extended version of PJ's Fellowship of the Ring, Galadriel gives Aragorn the Elessar and declares that he will either "rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin." Who actually says this in the Professor's book?

Lindariel wrote:Thanks, Serinde!

There's so much packed in that brief exchange between Elrond and Aragorn. I particularly like Elrond's acknowledgment of their kinship when he presents Aragorn with the Ring of Barahir. In those few brief words, "the token of our kinship from afar," Elrond acknowledges his connection to Aragorn in that Aragorn is a direct descendant of Elros his twin brother, and also their connection as descendants of Beren and Luthien. There is a great deal of meaning in that ring!

When you consider the line from the movie, where Elrond says bitterly to Gandalf, that the line is so bereft of dignity (wow! can't remember the exact quote) -- he is, in his mind, comparing his brother Elros (and the mighty figure of Elendil) to Aragorn.

Here's a Level One question:

In the Extended version of PJ's Fellowship of the Ring, Galadriel gives Aragorn the Elessar and declares that he will either "rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin." Who actually says this in the Professor's book?

Took me awhile to find this, but I realized I had just read itl It is in the same piece in the Appendices; Elrond is speaking to Aragorn in the days after his revelation of their kinship. Aragorn has fallen in love with Arwen, and is pondering a future without her.

By the way, I think you meant to say that Galadriel predicts that Aragorn will be given the name Elessar (which means Elf-stone, and which is bestowed upon him by the people of Gondor).

Assuming I am correct, I'll be asking the next question.

Levle 1

What does Elrond discover about Thorin's map that no one had noticed before?

You are correct, Serinde, and you ask an excellent question, which I will leave to others!

The moonletters?

Beren wrote:The moonletters?

Yes, Beren -- your turn

serinde

An easy question; level 1

What is the first animal mentioned in the Hobbit?

Beren wrote:An easy question; level 1

What is the first animal mentioned in the Hobbit?

elephants - I seem to remember us big folk sound like elephants as we bubble around.

No the elephants (elephaunts) are not the first animals Tolkien talks about (or better mentions)... by the way we are reading in 'the hobbit' and not in Lord of the Rings

Beren wrote:by the way we are reading in 'the hobbit' and not in Lord of the Rings

Why do you give me such a mean face.

The Hobbit pg 4 wrote:"when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noice like elephants which they can hear a mile off.

it is not the answer I am looking for, but i forgot about the elephants being mentioned in the hobbit ...