On this night one very long week after Weathertop, the Ringwraiths lie in wait for Strider, the hobbits, and Glorfindel at the Ford of Bruinen on the border of Rivendell. While Strider and Merry, Sam, and Pippin brandish flaming brands, and Glorfindel calls on his inherent power as an Elf Lord in both Middle Earth and Valinor, the Elvish horse Asfaloth carries Frodo across the river. The wraiths try to follow, but they are swept away by Elrond's protective waves, augmented by a spell from Gandalf which gives the water the aspect of running ghost horses. The Black Horses die, the Rider's lose the clothes that gave them shape, and they must crawl back to Sauron formless and unmounted.

The story of the Bruinen Ford demonstrates the protective power of Elrond in his sanctuary in Rivendell, and introduces us to the enigmatic question of just how much power certain Elf Lords are able to wield. But what stands out is the simple courage of Frodo, who, facing the wraiths, holds aloft Sting and defies them, crying...

"you shall have neither the Ring nor me."

It is an act of almost unbelievable bravery.


Calendar entry by librislove