Tolkien Calendar: The Great Years

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October 4-5, TA 3018


Categories: Tolkien Calendar

Strider and the Hobbits cross the Stream from the Hills and traverse the Weather Hills.

This is a very bleak part of the Hobbits' and Strider's journey to reach the safety of Rivendell. They have left the Marshes and are out in the open. There is fear both ahead and behind. Strider seems doubtful of what precisely lay ahead, and the fall weather has brought cold evenings and mornings. The Hobbits yearn for hearth and home, but manage to stay cheerful as is their nature.


It is just in these sorts of places that Tolkien will bring the haunting beauty of his poetry as an oasis in the gloom. Strider speaks of Gil-galad and Sam supplies the verse.
Quote:
Gil-galad was an Elven-king.
Of him the harpers sadly sing:
the last whose realm was fair and free
between the Mountains and the Sea.

His sword was long, his lance was keen,
his shining helm afar was seen;
the countless stars of heaven's field
were mirrored in his silver shield.

But long ago he rode away,
and where he dwelleth none can say;
for into darkness fell his star
in Mordor where the shadows are.

Artwork: "Fellowship Journey" by Alan Lee