Another LOTR Read-Along: The Black Gate Opens (ROTK 5, 10)

Look at that. Done with book five. Ready to start the last book. Wow. Only nine more chapters. Crazy, man.  I'm tempted to just post them all and be done with it, though I doubt I'll have time today for more than 2 or 3 again.  Takes a little while to copy them over and stuff.

Okay, so anyway, this chapter... blech. So depressing. Starts out so sad, with Merry not able to go, watching Pippin follow Aragorn and Gandalf to war, "a small but upright figure among the tall men of Minas Tirith" (p. 865). That image gets me every time -- tiny Pippin, small but stalwart. Oooof.

I love Bergil here, how proud he is of his dad. He says, "the Men of Minas Tirith will never be overcome. And now they have the Lord Elfstone, and Beregond of the Guard too" (p. 866). As if his dad and Aragorn, the two of them make all the difference. So sweet. Truly one of the greatest kids I've read in an adult book.

As the company marches on Mordor, "they walked like men in a hideous dream made true" (p. 868). What a contrast to back when we first got to Rohan, and Eomer thought dreams and legends were coming to life before his eyes. He was so happy then. Poor Eomer. Probably needs a hug, and I'm not there to hug him.

The whole chapter -- and book -- end with such a cheery note, only Pippin isn't able to appreciate what the Eagles coming means, so it's not actually cheery at all. Argh! Frustrating and awful book -- why am I reading this? Again?

Favorite Lines:

Tree and stone, blade and leaf were listening (p. 866).

And out of the gathering mirk the Nazgul came with their cold voices crying words of death; and then all hope was quenched (p. 873).

Discussion Question:

Do you think it would be harder to march off to certain destruction like Pippin, or to be left behind like Merry?

Another LOTR Read-Along: The Last Debate (ROTK 5, 9)

I'm always amused by Legolas and Gimli's exchange at the beginning of this chapter. Gimli says, "When Aragorn comes into his own," and Legolas replies with "If Aragorn comes into his own" (p. 854, emphasis added). It's like a little extra insight into their characters, Gimli confident and charging ahead, Legolas more cautious.

There's a theme in this later section of the trilogy of, to put it Hamlet-ishly, being hoisted with one's own petard. It comes up most pointedly now, when Aragorn refers to the Army of the Dead felling so many Mordor troops. He says, "[w]ith its own weapons was it worsted!" (p. 858). I don't have anything particularly to add to that, just thought I'd mention it. Sauron's own weapons get used against him several times, don't they? Most obviously, the ring, of course.

Favorite Lines:

"Pale swords were drawn; but I know not whether their blades would still bite, for the Dead needed no longer any weapon but fear" (p. 858).

"Follow what may, great deeds are not lessened in worth" (p. 859).

"We come now to the very brink, where hope and despair are akin. To waver is to fall" (p. 862).

Discussion Questions:

Gandalf returns to a theme he stated way back in chapter two of The Fellowship of the Ring, and which Galadriel reiterated: "Yet it is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule" (p. 861). Why do you think Tolkien emphasizes this repeatedly? Why might he have found that theme important?

Another LOTR Read-Along: The Houses of Healing (ROTK 5, 8)

This is my favorite chapter in The Return of the King. It vies for my favorite in the whole trilogy. I love it so much, I usually read it twice before I move on to the rest of the book! Completely wonderful.

It starts out with Pippin and Merry reunited at last, which brings me great joy. Then Gandalf comes to find Merry and takes him up to the Houses of Healing himself. Love it! I get so happy when mighty and important people trouble themselves about seemingly small and insignificant people. One of my favorite themes.

Random aside: I also love that Aragorn and Eomer and Imrahil are riding around together and keep having little discussions with each other. Makes me smile.

But anyway, as soon as Ioreth shows up, I start to chuckle. She talks and talks and talks and talks, and Aragorn and Gandalf both get rather sarcastic with her because they need her to just get to the point already, and I find it hilarious. That whole section is littered with me underlining things and writing "hee" or making smiley faces in the margins. Aragorn tells her to "run as quick as your tongue," and Gandalf threatens that "Shadowfax shall show her the meaning of haste" (p. 846). And yet, they're not exactly being mean -- they're truly in a big hurry to save Faramir, Eowyn, and Merry.

And then the herb-master arrives, and more chuckles ensue. He's even worse! He repeats this whole poem about athelas and the black breath and the king and doesn't get it at all, when it's all so perfectly obvious, man! He even says, "It is but a doggrel, I fear, garbled in the memory of old wives" (p. 847), which hearkens back to when we were in Lothlorien and Celeborn told Boromir that "oft it may chance that old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know" (p. 365). Listen to those old women, even if they prattle on! They know more than you think they do.

And in the midst of this sarcasmfest, Faramir awakes and is so completely wonderful, isn't he? He says, "who would lie idle when the king has returned?" (p. 848). Can we just hug him already?

But hug quickly, because up next is such an amazing passage, where Aragorn and Eomer discuss Eowyn. Aragorn describes her with some of the most perfect imagery, comparing her to a lily made of steel by the elves, or else frozen by sorrow. And Eomer tries really hard not to accuse Aragorn of breaking her heart, which shows some impressive diplomacy on his part. Then Gandalf steps in to explain that Eowyn, "born in the body of a maid, had a spirit and courage at least the match of yours" (p. 848), which Eomer seems to have been oblivious to all this time. Eomer, dear, I do love you a lot, but... you can be such a guy sometimes.

But then Aragorn gets even more wonderful when he agrees with Eomer and says, "Few other griefs amid the ill chances of this world have more bitterness and shame for a man's heart than to behold the love of a lady so fair and brave that cannot be returned" (p. 849). I could write a whole book based on that line alone! And then he goes on to explain to Eomer that she loves him more than Aragorn because "in me she loves only a shadow and a thought" (p. 849). Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Tolkien writes so exquisitely, doesn't he?

So then we get to Merry, and I love this chapter even more yet. Because he wakes up, asks for food like a good Hobbit, and then asks if Strider happens to know what became of his pack during the battle because he'd like to smoke his pipe. And my absolute favorite passage is here -- it has a huge smiley face, 3 hearts, and the words "hee hee!" written by it:

"Master Meriadoc," said Aragorn, "if you think that I have passed through the mountains and the realm of Gondor with fire and sword to bring herbs to a careless soldier who throws away his gear, you are mistaken. If your pack has not been found, then you must send for the herb-master of this House. And he will tell you that he did not know that the herb you desire had any virtues, but that it is called westmansweed by the vulgar, and galenas by the noble, and other names in other tongues more learned, and after adding a few half-forgotten rhymes that he does not understand, he will regretfully inform you that there is none in the House, and he will leave you to reflect on the history of tongues" (p. 851).

Oh my goodness, is that delicious or what? If Aragorn was like this through the whole book, he would be my favorite character, hands down. Snarky, yet sweet. Love it.

Favorite Lines:

The light of the torches shimmered in his white hair like sun in the spray of a fountain (p. 843).

"One thing also is short, time for speech" (p. 845).

Then taking two leaves, he laid them on his hands and breathed on them, and then he crushed them, and straightway a living freshness filled the room, as if the air itself awoke and tingled, sparkling with joy (p. 847).

"May the Shire live for ever unwithered!" (p. 852).

"It is best to love first what you are fitted to love" (p. 852).

Discussion Questions:

When Eomer learns that Eowyn still lives, "hope unlooked-for came so suddenly to Eomer's heart, and with it the bite of care and fear renewed" (p. 844). How are some ways hope, care/worry, and fear can be connected?

One of Aragorn's titles is Envinyatar, the Renewer (p. 845). What are some ways he's earned that title?

Another LOTR Read-Along: The Pyre of Denethor (ROTK 5, 7)

This is such a creepy and horrible chapter. I have a great fear of dying in a fire, so yeah... ugh. Not pleased at all by Denethor here. That whole image of him lying down in the middle of the fire, and the fact that anyone who ever looked at the palantir after that would see "only two aged hands withering in flame" (p. 836) -- that is one of the creepiest images I've ever encountered. Blech.

A big theme here is how The Enemy is working even in the midst of The Good Guys. Beregond has to slay a doorkeeper to keep Denethor and his guards from killing Faramir, Denethor has gone mad because of what Sauron has shown him in the palantir, etc. It reminds me of how we are never safe from our spiritual enemy -- Satan will enter our very minds and hearts and deceive us with lies and half truths. He'll get us to disagree with other believers in an effort to turn people away from faith... talk about creepy!

But at least the chapter ends fairly well. Faramir doesn't get burned up after all! Whew.

Also, I love the bit at the beginning where we learn that for the rest of his life, Pippin would get tears in his eyes if he heard horns in the distance because of the joy caused by the Rohirrim's arrival. Awww.

Favorite Lines:

So Pippin poured out his tale, reaching up and touching Gandalf's knee with trembling hands (p. 832).

Then Gandalf revealed the strength that lay hid in him, even as the light of his power was hidden under his grey mantle (p. 834).

"To me it would not seem that a Steward who faithfully surrenders his charge is diminished in love or in honour," said Gandalf (p. 836).

Discussion Questions:

Denethor accuses Gandalf of wanting to rule Gondor, "to stand behind every throne, north, south, or west" (p. 835). What does this tell us about Denethor himself?

Another LOTR Read-Along: The Battle of Pelennor Fields (ROTK 5, 6)

Quick Housekeeping Thing:  Since you participants are catching up at your liesure, and since my niece and I have finished reading LOTR together... I'm going to post these chapter posts a lot faster and finish off the book in short order, okay?  You can still take your time replying to them, but I've got a lot going on in the coming weeks and probably won't have time to post them M-W-F like I was for the last few months.  I might post 2 or 3 chapters a day for the next week, in other words.

On to the discussion :-)

Two big surprises in this chapter! So definitely read the book first before you read this post, okay? I don't want to spoil them.

(Yes, in the book, he doesn't get stabbed in the face.  But it's such a cool image!)

The battle! Lots of battle! And surprise #1: Dernhelm = Eowyn. Eowyn being "faithful beyond fear" (p. 822). She kills the fell beast, she smites the Black Captain -- three cheers for Eowyn! In the movies, it's kind of implied that the only reason she can take the Ringwraith down is because she's a woman. It's kind of dumb in the movie, to be honest, because in the book, she obviously has serious sword skills, if she can slice off the fell beast's head with one blow: "A swift stroke she dealt, skilled and deadly" (p. 823). It may be that her gender somehow thwarted the Nazgul's enchantment or whatever, since he said "No living man may hinder me" (p. 823), but her own skill played an equally important part, I'd say.

And three cheers for Merry too! Once "the slow-kindled courage of his race awoke" (p. 823), he jumps right into a fearsome fray and attacks a Ringwraith! Way to go, Merry! It's his stabbing the Witch-King with that Westernesse sword he got from the Barrow-wight waaaaaaaaaaaaay back at the beginning of FOTR that makes the Ringwraith killable. So the prophesy was right: no man killed the Witch-King of Angmar, but rather a hobbit and a woman working together.

Poor Eomer, though, losing his uncle and thinking he's lost his sister. Let's give three cheers for Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth! He's the one that figures out Eowyn's not dead. Good job, Prince Imrahil the fair!

Surprise #2, of course, is that it's Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and their pals aboard those ships, not more enemies. They're what turn the tide of battle. Love it.

Favorite Lines:

But the white fury of the Northman burned the hotter, and more skilled was their knighthood with long spears and bitter (p. 821).

"A grim morn, and a glad day, and a golden sunset!" (p. 824).

"A great rain came out of the Sea, and it seemed that all things wept for Theoden and Eowyn, quenching the fires in the City with grey tears (p. 827).

"...and the mirth of the Rohirrim was a torrent of laughter and a flashing of swords..." (p. 829).

Discussion Questions:

Did you suspect that Dernhelm was really Eowyn?  (The first time you read or watched ROTK, I mean.)

Another LOTR Read-Along: The Ride of the Rohirrim (ROTK 5, 5)

I'm very fond of Ghan-buri-Ghan and his Wild Men. They're kind of like the Ents -- something rather unique to Tolkien that I've never really run into in other legends and mythologies. Which, granted, I haven't read nearly enough of for even my own liking, but whatever. They're kind of the like earth personified, the same way the Ents are trees personified, and I dig them a lot.

They're also the third time we encounter "forgotten beings" that have special knowledge and abilities to help in time of need. First Tom Bombadil, then Treebeard, now Ghan-buri-Ghan. Tolkien does like his patterns, doesn't he.

And yeah, this is one of those thrilling chapters where I just cheer and cheer and clap my hands and bounce up and down as the Rohirrim go charging into battle. And they sing! "And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City" (p. 820). Such a cool image, these singing warriors slaying orcs with joy. Oh, I love those Rohirrim so much!

Favorite Lines:

"Need brooks no delay, yet late is better than never," said Eomer (p. 817).

"Forth now, and fear no darkness!" (p. 818). (I have a mug that says that.)

(From my Instagram)

Discussion Questions:

"There seemed to be some understanding between Dernhelm and Elfhelm, the Marshal who commanded the eored in which they were riding" (p. 812). So Elfhelm presumably knows that Merry wasn't supposed to come along, but turns a blind eye to his presence. Seems like this Elfhelm guy plays kinda fast and loose with obeying the king's orders about stuff, doesn't it? And by the end, Merry is riding with Dernhelm right up near Theoden, who takes no notice. Do you think by then, Theoden kind of knows Merry is along and is turning a blind eye to it?

"Smith of Wootton Major" and "Farmer Giles of Ham" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Awwwww, these two stories were so cute and fun!  I really wasn't entirely sure what to expect from these two short stories, but they definitely reminded me in some ways of Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas, just whimsical and funny and with some nice bits of wisdom gently bestowed here and there.

"Smith of Wootton Major" is all about baking cakes and giving secret gifts, and since I love both those activities, I probably liked it the best of the two.  "Farmer Giles of Ham" is about a reluctant, accidental hero who ends up outsmarting a tricksy dragon and becoming very important indeed.

This is totally going to be the next book I read out loud to my kids.  It's sweet and clean and will make them giggle.  It made ME giggle!  Especially those knights in "Farmer Giles" who didn't want to go dragon-hunting at all.

(From my Instagram)

Particularly Good Bits:

In the small hours of the night giants seem less unlikely. (from "Farmer Giles of Ham")

The knights were talking among themselves about the new fashion in hats. (from "Farmer Giles of Ham")

If This was a Movie, I Would Rate It:  G.  Suitable for all audiences; nothing objectionable here at all.

This is my 15th book read and reviewed for the Classics Club, my 6th for the Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018, and my 3rd for the Old School Kidlit Reading Challenge.