Posted: November 18, 2023

The Red Book of Westmarch

"The Fellowship of the Ring" begins by informing us that the book, meaning "The Lord of the Rings", is based on a late copy of the Red Book of Westmarch. A copy that comes from the southern kingdom of Gondor with additions from the scribe of King Elassar. The point is that the story we are about to read has gone through many versions and the original book from the hand of both Bilbo and Frodo is lost. This would explain the presence of sudden samples of poetry and song throughout the story as well as the numerous addendums.

The tale itself, viewed against the backdrop of the history of Middle Earth is curiously yet brilliantly placed. The War of the Ring is by no means the most momentous event in Middle Earth’s history, Sauron is not the greatest villain, and the armies of Gondor and Rohan are far from the mightiest hosts ever to march in Middle Earth. Even the fearsome Balrog of Moria pales before the other terrors in other ages of history. Shelob is but a shadow of Ungoliant. And the Ring, the One Ring, is not the mightiest relic of power ever to be.

Tolkien gives us a significant story from Middle Earth happening at the end of the Third Age and the genius of it, is that in reading the “lesser” tale of the War of Ring it somehow highlights the mightier tales from ages past and gives those tales the grandeur they deserve by hinting about them instead of telling them straight out. We are standing on the tip of the iceberg and sensing the overwhelming mass beneath.

The Shire

"The Fellowship of the Ring" begins in a disappointingly cute manner. With the hobbits. Ugh! I came to fantasy wanting to see dragons, knights, wizards, armies, mayhem and what do I get? Small, harmless hobbits living peacefully in the Shire. And for the better part of Book 1, it is all we read about.

I’m not a fan of "The Hobbit", having read it in my teens and finding no motivation whatsoever to reread it again. That said, "The Hobbit" is "The Lord of the Rings" prequel, and, although not essential, certainly helpful to know. That is why I’m very happy to note that within the long preamble about hobbits in "The Fellowship of the Ring" we get a mini-summary of the events in "The Hobbit". Later on, at the end of "The Return of the King", we get a mini-Silmarillion which I also like.

So hobbits. I’m reading about them hoping to get through to the exciting adventure parts and something happens: I begin to start wishing that I lived in the Shire. The peace, the food, the society, and being surrounded by nature. I wish I was a denizen of the Shire. And suddenly I don’t mind this part at all. I enjoy reading about the birthday preparations. Gandalf is a welcome character to see among so many hobbits, I like reading about Bilbo’s wealth and his party preparations, and the slow burn introduction of the Ring of Power. We spend years in the Shire with Frodo before the alarms really go off.

I hope I’m not wrong but I seem to remember that Tolkien, in an interview, was asked if his book was allegorical and he said no. Even so, I’ve always enjoyed reading "The Lord of the Rings" allegorically. When I read it I see symbols everywhere.

To me the Shire at the beginning of the tale is us at our youth: innocent, peaceful, happy, and content. We are protected by the people around us just like the Shire is protected by the rangers, the wizards, and the Council of the Wise. But in the middle of our peace, change happens, we grow up and slowly come to know that life can get pretty rough. As the Ring of Power draws Frodo into his adventures so too does life eventually draw us to our own adventures. Out of the Shire and into the chaos of life.

I’ve read Fellowship several times now and one of the best parts is Frodo, Sam and Pippin’s journey from the Shire. They leave Bag End and pass through the garden going north through a break in the garden hedge. They go north a bit under the blue night and cut left headed due west, then they turn south and cross the Water. They go through Tookland and the land begins to climb to the hills. They turn left going east, they are headed for the wooded part of the Shire. Just before losing themselves under the trees, Frodo has a last glimpse of Hobbiton shining in the distance then they dive into the woods. This is still the Shire, still safe - the three Hobbits sleep amongst the trees with no one standing watch.

The first instances of the darkness of the world is felt with encounters with the Ringwraiths. But the world is not all darkness and fear as the Hobbits also encounter the elves. All these encounters are still within the bounds of the Shire woods. When I read this part I’m reminded of our teenage years, still with our parents and protected by them but having enough experiences of the larger world that show us how ugly it can get. There are Black Riders out there. We are also finding out how wonderful it all is. There are elves out there too.

I like the Farmer Maggot part mainly because of the food. Yes, I would like a taste of the mighty dish of mushrooms and bacon. Double helpings please.

I regard the journey to Buckleberry Ferry as nothing less than magical. Fog all around and the suspense as thick as the fog. Buckland is the most interesting part of the Shire. We are given a capsule history of the place. I love the concept of the giant hobbit hole that houses hundreds of members of the Brandybuck family as well as the concept of the High Hay.

It’s been quite the rugged trip from Bag End to Crickhollow, although this early trip will be nothing compared to the truly harrowing journeys later on. Tolkien creates the perfect “thank god I’m home” atmosphere with the arrival at Crickhollow starting with the hot bath and the wonderful bath song and then a second dinner - so nice to have a bit of cheer after the fog and the fear.

Crickhollow to Bree

The departure from Crickhollow marks an important waypoint. This is when Frodo and his friends finally leave the Shire. We are no longer teenagers, no longer in school. We are adults now, perhaps getting our first job or living on our own.

The first thing that happens to Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin is that they get victimized by the Old Forest. As ancient as Fangorn Forest itself, the Old Forest under the command of Old Man Willow threatens to make "The Fellowship of the Ring" a very short book where it not for Tom Bombadil.

To me the Old Forest epitomizes the unforgiving nature of life. Really terrible things like losing a job, becoming destitute, having your heart broken, dark, dark, things that can take us down. Tom Bombadil for me is an attitude. The attitude to overcome. The ability to somehow rise above it all. Of course that’s just me being allegorical. What Tom Bombadil seems to be is the spirit of nature itself, the Earth itself, so to speak.

Tom Bombadil not only saves the hobbits from the Old Forest but also from a barrow wight. And here, through the blades the hobbits receive from the barrow trove we first touch on the ancient history of Middle Earth beyond the Shire, for the blades are the works of ancient kingdoms of Westernesse. This is akin to being out in the world long enough to realize that it has been going on long before us and will go on long after us.

The journeys are getting more difficult for the hobbits. The road from Bag End to Crickhollow was easier than the road from Crickhollow to Bree. But here we are, at Bree at last! And look! It’s the Prancing Pony! The most famous tavern in all of "The Lord of the Rings". I can’t tell you how iconic this is to me and to many others as well, I suspect. Fantasy heaven for me is a tavern with good ale, a roast haunch, and all the fantasy races kicking back and having a nice night.

Our travelers get some good food and drink at Bree but they don’t exactly get a good night’s sleep. At this point the danger for them increases but so does the level of protection. The Black Riders are more threatening here but Strider comes into the picture.

Bree to Weathertop

Soon we have the third journey in "The Fellowship of the Ring" which is the one from Bree to Weathertop. Because they have Strider with them the hobbits don’t get entangled in any life threatening situations, not until the end anyway. In fact, the journey starts off rather pleasantly, with a walk through woods dotted by ruins of the ancient kingdoms of the Dunadan. The Midgewater Marshes are another matter, the worst terrain so far - yet only a mild precursor of the Dead Marshes.

Weathertop, ruined though it is, is a sight to see. Certainly the grandest fantasy site so far save the elf towers viewed from the western borders of the Shire.

I’ve always wondered why the Ringwraiths never pressed the attack in Weathertop. They could have killed everybody and gotten the Ring. I think the answer is hubris; just plain arrogance. They thought too little of their foes. Once they had the shard from the Morgul blade inside Frodo they thought it was game over. They just had to wait.

And now comes the hardest journey of all so far: Weathertop to Rivendell. Hard because of the rocky, undulating terrain and sheer cliffs and hard because Frodo is forced to make the trip in a sad state. This journey takes two or three weeks I think and Frodo gets sicker as the journey progresses.

When Glorfindel shows up Strider slowly becomes Aragorn before my eyes.

The culminating point of the journey is the crossing of the Bruinen and the unforgettable wizardry of Elrond and Gandalf. It’s worth noting here that "The Lord of the Rings" is stingy with magic, only a few demonstrations here and there and certainly no hint of a magic system. Well, almost no hint, but I’ll get to that in "The Two Towers".

Anyway, end of book one, Frodo arrives in Rivendell. Barely. He’s half dead.

Rivendell

Back when he was at the Shire, Frodo, at one point, felt really restless. He felt the need to travel and have an adventure. He got his wish. Let’s do a quick review: The journey through the Shire with encounters with the Black Riders, getting lost and victimized by the Old Forest, encountering Bombadil and Goldberry and staying at their house, running afoul of the barrow wights, having an eventful night at Bree, journeying to Weathertop and fighting the Ringwraiths, and the mad dash to Rivendell.

It is enough adventure for a lifetime by the end of Book 1 and Frodo is in agreement with this. He voices his desire to rest at Rivendell, and who can blame him? Not only has he had a ton of adventures but he’s delivered the Ring of Power to the heavy hitters in Rivendell. It is only right for him to think that they will take care of it. The Great, The Wise, they will handle it; this is no matter for a hobbit.

Let me say first that Sam is my favorite of all the characters in LOTR. But Frodo is unquestionably the hero and he proves himself the hero here, in Rivendell. Frodo has nearly died several times during the journey to Rivendell, he has gotten a taste of what the enemy is like and they are ruthless and powerful, what he hears during the secret council brings home to him how dangerous the situation is. Frodo just wants to recuperate in Rivendell and then go home to the Shire and live in peace and have no more adventures. That’s the plan. Until the council.

Frodo volunteering to take the Ring to Mount Doom is the single greatest heroic act in all of "The Lord of the Rings". This is forsaking what one wants for oneself to do what is right, what is necessary. This is the single mom working two jobs to support her children. The medical frontliner working multiple shifts with the risk of contracting the disease. The janitor doing his best day in and day out in a thankless job. In retrospect, Frodo’s decision is the turning point of the War of the Ring. This is the moment when Sauron gets his head handed to him. This.

The Council of Elrond together with the early chapter called "Shadows of the Past" is a worldbuilding tour-de-force. This is when it comes together for me in terms of what is happening against the backdrop of what has happened before and what will happen given the success or failure of the Ringbearer's quest.

I find it a kindness that Frodo and company get to stay for a few months in Rivendell and are not immediately thrown into the journey south.

The Nine Walkers

And now the Nine Walkers. Yes, welcome to the birthplace of Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, and every other fantasy role playing game that starts out with a band of adventurers. Yes!

I recall the sadness of leaving the Last Homely Home, the Nine Walkers looking back from the lip of the hill towards the warmth and comfort of Rivendell and walking away.

They head south in rough country and undertake a cold journey. The Misty Mountains to their left, they at last make it to Hollin after roughing it for two weeks. Carahdras and the other two mountains are breathtaking.

Next is the adventure of the Redhorn Pass, an ill-fated attempt to cross the mountain. During a really bad time in my life - I think it was at work - I found myself overwhelmed to the point of paralysis and I remembered the Nine in the Redhorn Pass. This is what it feels like, I said to myself, the snow beating down on you mercilessly and you can’t go on. Life beating down on you mercilessly. Remembering the Nine in the Redhorn Pass somehow allowed me to survive my own Redhorn pass, and just like them I was able to go back down and continue my journey.

Next is the encounter with the ghost wolves. Memorable to me because of two things. The worried hobbits, Sam in particular, were able to express reliance on the more formidable members of the company and that was nice to hear. The second memorable thing was Gandalf’s use of magic - always a treat to see Gandalf sling his spells.

The single best part of "The Fellowship of the Ring" is the journey in Moria and the single best action sequence happens within that journey in the Chamber of Mazarbul. And the single most mind blowing event also happens within that journey. To me, Moria is not only an LOTR highlight but also one of the highlights of my fantasy reading experience.

Starting with the secret door and the Watcher in the Water it just gets better and better. Once they breach the door we are there. We are walking in the darkness with the company. Allegorically, I relate this to times in our lives that are, well, dark. When we can’t see a future worth having, when we have to grope and hope and do our best to guess our way through the darkness.

And then comes the Chamber of Mazarbul. Gandalf reading from the book is pure genius, truly one of the best fantasy moments ever. The fight that follows is why I read fantasy. It is just page-turning perfect. Loved every second of that fight.

And now the company is dashing out, trying to escape.

When the company finally makes it out I’m in a daze as Tolkien describes this wonderful place, the Dimrill Dale and the magical lake. and I’m half hearing him because my mind is still recovering from the Moria adventure.

Lothlorien

The walk to Lothlorien is delightful to me because it allows me to recover a bit and it feels like the well deserved respite after a harrowing adventure.

We’ve been to so many wonderful places so far but none will be more magical than Lothlorien. Allegorically, Lothlorien, to me, stands in for the rare moments in life when everything just somehow feels perfect. It is the most fantastic place in Middle Earth. Almost like heaven on earth really. It certainly furnishes our band with some of their best gear and the enervating bread known as lembas. The journey to Mount Doom won’t be possible without lembas. Most wished for fantasy snack: lembas and butterbeer.

Anduin

The trip down Anduin is an adventure in itself characterized by the landscape changing from the banks of Lothlorien to the fields near Rohan to the Emyn Muil and Cair Andros. It is also characterized by the incredible endurance of the stalking Gollum. Say what you will but Gollum making the journey without a boat and in stealth mode is an epic feat.

Apart from the night attack the most memorable part of the journey would be the Argonath and those statues. Once again one of the most unforgettable fantasy sights, Isildur and Anarion in stone.

And now comes the betrayal of Boromir and the breaking up of the Fellowship. A number of things happen at this point including the kidnapping of Merry and Pippin. The most significant event is Frodo at the High Seat where he once again makes a choice that proves him to be a true hero. At the seat of Amon Hen Frodo is made aware of the overwhelming might of Mordor. Think about it, Frodo is sitting there knowing that he can’t win. It is no small thing that Frodo dares to fight anyway. This is huge. This makes me want to apologize for thinking the hobbits were cute softies when reading about them at the beginning of the book. Frodo, as I’ll go into in "The Return of the King", proves himself far tougher than the so-called Great. Amon Hen stands with his decision in the Council of Elrond as Frodo’s finest moments so far.

At the end of "The Fellowship of the Ring" Frodo and Sam start a seemingly hopeless quest, Merry and Pippin are captured by orcs, Boromir is dead. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas are about to go after the orcs with the intention of rescuing Merry and Pippin.

Book 1

Book 1 is the Shire book. It starts with a description of hobbits, their society and history. Book 1 also does the essential linking of "The Lord of the Rings" to Tolkien's previous work, "The Hobbit".

We get a description of the preparations for Bilbo's milestone 111th birthday celebration and the celebration itself. The whole affair culminates with Bilbo leaving the Shire and Frodo becoming the master of Bag End.

In time, Frodo is informed of the nature of the Ring his uncle gave him and begins preparations to leave the Shire. He does so with, at first, two companions: Sam and Pippin. They are later joined by Merry.

Leaving the Shire and its environs comprises a series of adventures. First there is the memorable night walk from Bag End to the Shire forest, punctuated by eerie near encounters with the Black Riders. Then we have the encounter with the elves. This is followed by the journey across the fields bringing the hobbits to their meeting with Farmer Maggot. Then we have the fog-shrouded night journey to Buckleberry Ferry and across the Brandywine. At this point, the hobbits get a brief respite with a meal, a bath, and a bit of sleep. Urgency compells them to depart the very next day.

The departure from Crickhollow marks the start of adventures outside of the Shire proper. Adventures of a more fantastic and dangerous kind. The first such adventure is the encounter with the Old Forest and its dark master, Old Man Willow. This is followed by the meeting with Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. After this, the hobbits fall prey to the barrow wights which threatens to be the end of the hobbits where it not for Frodo and the timely intervention of Tom Bombadil.

With Tom's guidance the hobbits set off on the East Road and the homely fires of The Prancing Pony. Here they encounter Strider and a night attack by the Black Riders. From Bree the hobbits add Strider to their party and they journey through a forest containing the storied ruins af a previous age. The journey becomes much harder as they go through the marshes approaching Weathertop.

Their stay at Weathertop involves the first full encounter with the Black Riders, an encounter that leaves Frodo wounded. What follows next is a bleak journey with a sick Frodo through rocky terrain. The party eventually finds the road to Rivendell and meet the elf lord Glorfindel. Frodo is pursued by the Black Riders during the last leg of the journey and barely makes it alive to Rivendell. So ends book 1.

Book 2

Book 2 involves the formation and adventures of the Fellowship of the Ring and ends with the breaking of the Fellowship.

It begins at Rivendell as Frodo and his companions recover from their previous adventures. We are shown the wonders of Rivendell and its inhabitants. Bilbo is shown to be one of the denizens of this elven sanctuary.

The Council of Elrond is convened and in this council the decision regarding the Ring is made and the Fellowship is formed.

The Fellowship begins its journey with the first significant adventure being the failure to cross the Redhorn Pass. This is followed by a night skirmish with phantasmal wolves. Perhaps the most significant adventure is the harrowing journey through Moria including the exciting battle at the Chamber of Mazarbul.

After the Mines, the company heads into Lothlorien and are given helpful gifts by the elves before their journey down the Anduin. The river journey marks the appearance of Gollum and the orc attacks on the company. These attacks increase in strength until the events at Parth Galen result in the breaking of the Fellowship and the end of book 2.