Tolkien Calendar: The Great Years

A memorable day on a difficult journey. Strider and the Hobbits comes across an old cave that long ago had been inhabited by trolls. They discover the stone-trolls from Bilbo's first adventure and it warms their hearts to know that Gandalf, the Dwarves and Bilbo had past that way. There is song to celebrate...

Troll sat alone on his seat of stone,
And munched and mumbled a bare old bone;
For many a year he had gnawed it near,
For meat was hard to come by.
Done by! Gum by!
In a cave in the hills he dwelt alone,
And meat was hard to come by.

In the evening when the shadows were long, they came back to the Road and followed it as there was no other secluded path for them to take. Tolkien always sets the perfect scene for fear. Long shadows, cold wind, open road, and suddenly the "clippety-clippety-clip" of horses hoofs. But the rider is not Black, and turns out to be none other than Glorfindel of Rivendell, who seeks to aid the travelers. After conferring with Strider, and learning of the attack on Weathertop, it is evident to both Ranger and Elf that the situation is urgent and they must hurry to Rivendell with all speed. Even now their way may be blocked by the Enemy.

On this day too, Gandalf finally reaches Rivendell himself, but ever so close, Frodo and company must still find the way there.

Artwork: "Fellowship Journey" by Alan Lee