This may be one of my favorite chapters. I love peaceful Rivendell, and would love to spend some time resting there myself.
And I find the relationship between Bilbo and Aragorn so sweet. How Aragorn, with all the things requiring his attention and time, still willingly pauses to help Bilbo compose a song. And this is not the first time he's done so.
Did you notice that Frodo has now twice been found lying on his face with a broken sword under him? Gandalf says that's how he was found after the flood passed, and back when Frodo was stabbed on Weathertop, that's exactly how his friends found him then too, back on page 192. Hmm.
Favorite Lines:
Frodo lay down again. He felt too comfortable and peaceful to argue, and in any case he did not think he would get the better of an argument (p. 213).
"There are many powers in the world, for good or for evil. Some are greater than I am. Against some I have not yet been measured. But my time is coming" (p. 214).
Frodo was now safe in the Last Homely House east of the Sea. That house was, as Bilbo had long ago reported, 'a perfect house, whether you like food or sleep or story-telling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all'. Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness (p. 219).
Discussion Questions:
Bilbo says, "Don't adventures ever have an end?" (p. 226) Do you think they do, or do they just lead on to more adventures?
Of Rivendell, Tolkien writes, "Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness" (p. 219). Do you have anywhere in your life that feels like that?
As I've grown older, I would definitely say that home with my parents has become much like Rivendell. It's a place where my worries about work and living on my own are whisked away, at least for a time. I find a similar feeling while camping.
ReplyDeleteRM, very nice! I think the patch of NC where I grew up is a Rivendell of sorts for me too.
DeleteFor me, a place where I can feel cured of weariness and sadness is the Christian community of L'Abri. There's such a feeling of welcome and of acceptance there.
ReplyDeleteBirdie, that sounds awesome! The women's Bible study at my church is similar -- restful and healing.
DeleteI liked this chapter too. And I would definitely like to visit a place like the Hall of Fire. So peaceful and great for thinking.
ReplyDeleteFor the time being my Rivendell is more a moment than a place and it'd be the early hours while the toddlers are still sleeping and I have the house to myself and can read or write while drinking some tea without worrying about any of them spilling my drink or worse :)
My Rivendell is at night after they're all in bed, and I have an hour or so to write, read, or watch a little something. And drink some hot chocolate or tea. And NOT SPEAK A SINGLE WORD for minutes on end.
DeleteI love that first favorite line. XD
ReplyDeleteI don't think adventures ever have an end. Not even in Heaven. That will be like one big adventure, in my eyes. :-) <3
My Rivendell is probably in the afternoon-evening when I can listen to music and read, or write, or just lay back and imagine things. :-D
MEM, that's a great way to look at it! Adventures simply continue in different forms.
DeleteYour Rivendell sounds delightful!
My favorite part of this chapter was getting to see Gloin again! I did not remember that part. I loved hearing about what had been going on back in Erebor and Dale, and with the Beornings.
ReplyDelete