Posted: November 18, 2020

Aragorn Decides

It is a fraught time for Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas as so many unexpected and unwanted things seem to be happening at once. They come to realize that the Fellowship has at last been broken. Boromir lies dead at their feet. They do not know where Frodo and Sam are. Added to all this, before he dies, Boromir informs Aragorn that Merry and Pippin have been taken by the orcs.

It is to Aragorn that the decision falls and he understandably feels besieged. Add to that a feeling on his part that he has failed the Fellowship for all these unfortunate events have happened under his watch.

I would think that the grim task of giving Boromir the proper funeral honors would be viewed by Aragorn as somewhat of a respite from having to decide on a course of action. The task due Boromir is something that must be done immediately and it is a task with none of the risks and concerns attendant to other considerations such as what to do next.

Having no time nor means to bury Boromir under earth or stone, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas decide on an expeditious and elegant solution: a river funeral using one of the elf boats. Later on in Book 4 the magical nature of Boromir’s funeral will be revealed as the elf boat somehow survives the Falls of Rauros to journey down the Anduin, be seen by Faramir, and journey on into the sea.

I suppose now would be a fit time for my assessment of Boromir. On the face of it I’d refer to him as an arrogant prick. I think the arrogant ‘part’ is dead-on but I’m less sure of the ‘prick’ part. In the midst of his conceited stubbornness there is something good about Boromir. This is the school bully who will chide you for being weaker than he is but he won’t condone you getting beaten up for not being one of the jocks. He is full of himself and mean but he will draw the line at acts of villainy. I view him as an unpleasant ally.

That said, I am very happy that Boromir, in his arrogance, took it upon himself to journey to Rivendell. If Faramir had made the journey it would most likely be Boromir that Frodo would encounter in Ithilien in book 4. Boromir would grab the Ring and "The Lord of the Rings" would be an entirely different story.

Having finished with Boromir’s funeral - with beautiful, yet out-of-place songs to the winds (oh, Gimli, why didn’t you belt out a stanza or too, you sang well enough in Moria) - we are confronted with the decisions of Aragorn.

Here we get an appreciation of just how unsure the quest is, how one decision could very easily be the one that dooms the entire enterprise. We can see this in the level of anguish that afflicts Aragorn in deciding what the three remaining members of the Fellowship are to do next.

By this time they have surmised that Frodo and Sam are indeed going through with the journey to Mordor and that the pair have taken the path through the Emyn Muil. Aragorn is mulling two choices: Go after Sam and Frodo or rescue Merry and Pippin.

Aragorn chooses to go after the orcs and rescue Merry and Pippin and that decision says something very complimentary about the future King Elassar. It might have occurred to Aragorn, in fact, I’m almost sure of it, that Merry and Pippin are in danger of being tortured while Sam and Frodo are not. Granted that Frodo and Sam’s journey is the main journey, Aragorn nonetheless lets compassion prevail, and, in so doing, shows us how a good man would choose.

The Run of the Three Kindreds

I have always considered the marathon run of the three kindreds to be an epic within an epic for the level of hardihood and endurance displayed by Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas. They ran west through the Emyn Muil down to the fields of Rohan. Reading between the lines of this part of the story I would like to note that the legendary toughness of the dwarves was definitely not on display. Gimli doesn’t say anything overt but he was whining about how hard the run is and he wanted a bit of a break.

My admiration of the three is also tempered by how the orcs have essentially bested them in this run. The orcs have taken fewer rest stops and the three have never been able to catch up with them.

Regarding the orc run and the experiences of Merry and Pippin with the orcs, we get a rare chance to see some details of orc society. It is revealed that they have an enervating drink that is something akin to miruvor, the draught that Gandalf was passing around in the Redhorn Pass to invigorate the Nine Walkers, it is ghastly tasting but it works. They also have a healing paste of some kind, equally disgusting but efficacious.

The Rohirrim

At this point in the story we encounter the Rohirrim in the form of a warband led by Eomer. These are Tolkien’s Vikings without longboats, although they do have a Viking hall in the form of Meduseld.

A lesser author would probably have difficulty in making the Rohirrim distinct from the Men of Westernesse. Both races are tall, noble and proud. A lesser author would probably resort to distinguishing them through their garb and speech. It is a testament to Tolkien’s ability as a storyteller that the Horse Lords and the Men of Gondor are very distinct peoples to me and not because of anything physical. The men of Gondor and Numenor come across as having the weight of their vast history on their shoulders - the legacy of their half-elven ancestry. They are noble but grim. The Rohirrim, no less proud, have a freer air even in their most trying moments. No visitors from Numenore are the Horse Lords but proud denizens of Middle Earth.

Fangorn Forest

With the orcs slain but the hobbits nowhere in sight, Aragorn changes to Strider and we see a ranger at his craft trying to unravel a mystery by reading the ground.

I really enjoyed this part because of the looming dread of Fangorn and the possibility of the three needing to go inside that forest. I liked the part where Gimli was on watch and Saruman suddenly appeared.

Fangorn Forest. We’ve seen the Old Forest on the borders of the Shire and we’ve walked the enchanted pathways of the mallorn forest of Lothlorien but Fangorn rivals them for sheer fantasy goodness. Old, old, old, a reminder of the primeval forests of our own world that none of us have ever seen or ever will see. Fangorn forest is a gem of fantasy.

And so is Fangorn himself. Treebeard’s meeting with Merry and Pippin is a virtual introduction to ents. I’ll never forget Treebeard’s house with the trees lined up and glowing, just a magic place. And what I wouldn’t give to have a cup of that ent draught. I’ll have to buy a new wardrobe but so what.

I would have been happy with that one encounter with Treebeard but Tolkien gives us more: the Entmoot. This part of the tale really takes us into ent society, revealing their relationship to trees, including the fearsome Huorns, as well as the sad tale of the loss of the entwives. The whole thing is very druidic and utterly enjoyable.

Gandalf the White

Even more enjoyable is the return of Gandalf. Maybe that is not an accurate way to put it. Gandalf the Grey did die. He didn’t die from that fall in Moria; he died on a mountain peak in an epic battle which saw him perish after he killed the fearsome balrog. The one that returns is Gandalf the White.

Just like everybody else who has read "The Lord of the Rings" I was curious about the true nature of Gandalf, and Radagast, and the other wizards. Was Gandaf even human? I read somewhere that he is a Maiar, a spirit lesser than the gods but greater than the Eldar. The balrogs too were originally maiars. Therefore the fight between Gandalf and the balrog was a fight between peers if not equals. During that fight Gandalf referred to himself as a servant of the Fire of Anor and the balrog as the Flame of Udun. Anor and Udun are place names for the ancient Westernesse north kingdom and a place in Mordor (or was it Thangorodrim?) respectively. Ultimately, I’m baffled by the statements.

I did say in my write up on "The Fellowship of the Ring" that I would comment on the magic system when I wrote about "The Two Towers". Tolkien doesn’t reveal much about it, and I’m not complaining about that - the mystery just adds power to the work. What I do notice is that Gandalf the Grey had fire-based magic that was barely enough for him to survive an encounter with the Ringwraiths. But Gandalf the White has light-based magic that the Wringwaiths cannot withstand.

Going back to the return of Gandalf, among all the information about what happened after Gandalf fell on Moria and the wonderful world building from that part of the book, the part that I like best was when Gimli thought that Galadriel had no message to him. And then Gandalf reveals that Galadriel, in fact, did not forget him and he was capering happily like they had already won the war. I loved that.

Theoden King

What follows next in "The Two Towers" is the unshackling of Theoden. In this part of the tale one of the things that stays with me is the description of Meduseld, the firepit in the middle, the lofty dimensions, tapestries of the history of Rohan including one of Eorl the Young. I was also very appreciative of Tolkien’s description of the fields of the Riddermark as viewed from the heights of Meduseld. It was described as rain had just passed by and the description of the plains and the sky was just breathtaking.

With Theoden freed from the influence of Saruman and Grima, what follows is an intent to give battle to Isengard that does not come to fruition. Saruman has already unleashed an overwhelming force and we come to one of two major battles covered by "The Lord of the Rings": The Battle of Helm’s Deep.

Gandalf’s seeming abandonment of the host at this point is viewed by some among the Rohirrim in a negative light but it is actually a sign of Gandalf’s wisdom. Wisdom is acknowledging how things are instead of deceiving oneself based on emotion. I think at this point Gandalf came to the conclusion that the Rohirrim were overmatched. That a battle between Saruman and Theoden would see the former triumphant. So Gandalf left, not to run away but to attempt to do something to change the fate of the coming battle. If Gandalf had not brought the forces of Erkenbrand and Treebeard, Helm’s Deep would have been a battle bravely fought and lost by the Rohirrim, and, looking at future events, no one would have come to Gondor’s aid at a desperate moment. The wisdom of Gandalf saves the day.

Battle of Helm's Deep

As for the Battle of Helm’s Deep itself, for a very long time it was my favorite LOTR battle. Although subsequent rereadings have really given me a new appreciation for the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. There is something delicious about reading about a hopeless battle. It is like as Galadriel described, fighting the long defeat.

There are several memorable scenes. The old archer who accidentally shoots the arrow that starts the battle. Gimli loving the mountain location and Legolas hating it. The weird numbers game between Legolas and Gimli. Aragorn and Anduril in action giving me the impression the sword was somehow glowing. Gimli saving Eomer. Aragorn complaining that the night of battle seemed to last forever.

Ultimately the battle is lost and nothing is left but for Theoden to decide to meet his end on his terms. Gandalf’s arrival was a little bit on the nose, but that’s a minor quibble. A number of things occur during the aftermath but what I enjoyed the most is the reaction of men to the existence of ents. Theoden and his company looking with awe at the Shepherds of the Trees as they disappear into the Huorn Forest is only rivaled by the entertaining scene were Legolas wanted to go into the forest and Gimli was just about ready to jump off the horse so as not to go with him.

The Fate of Isengard

What follows is the journey to Isengard and one of the most enjoyable scenes ever: When Gandalf, Theoden, and company encounter Merry and Pippin lounging in front of the shattered gates of Isengard. During my rereadings, every time I get to the part where the hobbits have their conversation with Gimli I reread it several times - it is just so enjoyable. The peaceful and satisfying meal and smoke with what remains of the Fellowship rounds things out nicely. It is a welcome break for the Walkers after all their adventures.

After this, we have the events centered on the wizards, the confrontation between Gandalf and Saruman. This can also be regarded as Saruman getting kicked out of the Order.

It is a good time to get a closer look at Saruman. Not only from this book but also from "The Fellowship of the Ring". When Saruman deceitfully invited Gandalf to consult with him Gandalf notices that, one, Saruman was wearing a ring, and, two, he referred to himself as Saruman of Many Colours rather than Saruman the White. Recalling a detail from the second chapter of "The Fellowship of the Ring", "Shadows of the Past", Gandalf mentioned to Frodo that one of Saruman’s fields of study was the making of magical rings. Tolkien also describes Saruman’s transformation of Isengard into that ghastly industrial complex as a homage to Mordor (Actually you have to read how Tolkien compares Isengard and Mordor; it is just brilliant prose). All these details point not only to Saruman’s betrayal of the Council and all it stands for but also his ambition.

So the former white wizard is kicked out of the Order and Gandalf gets a palantir out of it in the bargain.

Before we leave Isengard, just one final note. The ents are extremely strong, able to batter down the protective ring wall of Isengard but all their strength only results in some minor abrasions to the tower itself - a testament to the craft of the men of Numenor during the height of their power in Middle Earth. All throughout "The Lord of the Rings" in fact there is a message along the lines of a previous generation being superior to the current ones in terms of building and creating. And this is not only confined to men. Gloin, Gimli’s father, confided to Frodo that the dwarves are no longer able to make armor and weapons to equal those of previous dwarven smiths.

By the end of book 3 the war has begun and the signal for this seems to be the Nazgul being allowed to fly past Anduin. When this happens Gandalf and company go batshit crazy. Plans to take it somewhat easy on the road back to Edoras fly out the window. Gandalf is so alarmed he bypasses Edoras altogether and rushes to Gondor with Pippin in tow.

And so ends book 3.

Emyn Muil

I have always regarded the journey of Frodo and Sam as an allegory for the toughest moments in a person’s life. The toughest moments in our lives.

Book 4 starts with Sam and Frodo navigating the Emyn Muil. The first two times I read this account I was under the impression that this was simply barren and rocky terrain. With the third reading I began to realize what the Emyn Muil was: An area with cliffs rising hundreds of feet. And deep ravines. It was an area that was constantly defeating Frodo and Sam’s intent to go south. They had no choice but to go in the wrong direction until the terrain afforded them an opportunity to do a course correction.

Just like life.

You want to go someplace with your life but circumstances simply won’t allow it. So you compromise and bide your time. Or you just plain give up because things are so difficult.

Things are difficult but Frodo and Sam don’t give up. They have a miserable time of it and they don’t give up. Sam manages to get some help in the form of the elven rope given to him at Lothlorien and the two hobbits come to the end of the Emyn Muil.

The rope being returned to Sam instead of being lost signals the entry of Gollum in the tale, this time no longer sneaking in the sidelines but front and center. Looking back at the entire adventure there is no denying that Gollum’s contribution to the ultimate success of the quest is undeniable; even if we don’t take into account his oh-so-important intervention in Mount Doom. Yet through it all Gollum remains an unsavory and untrustworthy, and - let’s be honest - disgusting companion.

Allegorically speaking, Gollum are the people in our lives who rub us the wrong way, are a burden to be with, people we wish we didn’t have to deal with, so on and so forth. If there is a lesson to pick up (or not) it is that even the negative people around us could be there for our ultimate benefit. Maybe they make us better in some way. My attitude is ditch them if I could but if I can’t then I’ll pick up and read "The Lord of the Rings" and tell myself they’re gollums - hateful, but ultimately I’m going to need them for the win. Or maybe, I'm the gollum that they're going to need for the win. Let's be fair, maybe I'm the asshole and I just don't know it. I hope not.

Dead Marshes

It’s one bad thing after another for Sam and Frodo as the Emyn Muil is succeeded by the Dead Marshes. I find this place more fascinating than the Emyn Muil what with the will-o-the-wisps and the dead faces staring out of the water.

The Morannon

When the trio finally get out of the Marshes and arrive near the gates of Mordor they realize that the quest is over. Mordor is impregnable.

It. Is. Over.

Just like life. How many times have you had "it is over" moments for one thing or the other?

Once again Frodo refuses to act normally by refusing to give up. He’s actually ready to march through the gate. Even after all the hardships the hero who took on the quest is still here.

It is Gollum, or rather Smeagol, who saves the day by suggesting the Ithilien detour.

Ithilien

You have to read Tolkien’s description of Ithilien, the paragraphs that include the phrase “dryad loveliness”, it is just magical. For Sam and Frodo Ithilien is a respite from the hardship. Looking at it allegorically, it is a moment in a person’s life when, in the middle of a tough time, something happens and we are given some breathing room. A figurative break in the clouds. Sam and Frodo get to sit down and have some rabbit stew. Sam also gets a sought for encounter with the Mumak. Sam is delighted by it all and I’m delighted to read about him being delighted.

During the next part of the story Faramir is given an opportunity to help the quest or doom it. Once again, I’m very thankful that it is Faramir and not Boromir. He has both wisdom and balls. Faramir knows his father is going to tear into him for deciding what he is deciding but he does so anyway. This is his part of the victory.

The most memorable scenes here are that simple yet simply magnificent water curtain in Henneth Annun and the description of the moonrise over Gondor, ‘worth a few chills’ says Faramir. Indeed.

Minas Morgul

The journey from Ithilien to the Morghul Vale happens at sunset. What I like most is the sight of the statue of the old king with the riven head lying on the ground garlanded by flowers.

Once the trio arrives in front of Minas Morghul the Ringbearer is overpowered. Without Sam by his side Frodo would have just walked to the gates of the witch city.

Cirith Ungol

What follows next is the climb to Shelob’s Lair itself.

Here my heart is just struck by a poignant scene. For one brief moment we see Smeagol uncorrupted - just a tired old man who cares for Frodo, and maybe even Sam. Just one moment then it’s gone. But I’ll remember it forever.

Shelob’s lair. In a journey of dark, dark, moments, here comes the darkest.

Allegorically, this is the most terrible moment of our lives. Whatever that is. It might be so terrible that it forever scars us. So terrible that we walk away but ‘survive’ seems to be a generous word.

And it is the same with Sam and Frodo.

So many things happen but it all culminates with Sam broken beside a seemingly dead Frodo. If we read that part again we see Sam losing everything. We see him reacting in anger and drowning in grief. We read about him contemplating suicide. We see him so full of terror, and anger and courage. This is Sam Gamgee’s finest moment in "The Lord of the Rings". A few scenes back he commented that Faramir showed his quality, the very finest. Here, Sam shows his, and it is top level. Judge a person by what he does when he’s down and bleeding. Sam makes all the right decisions here against immense personal pain. This moment is why I like Sam the best even more than Frodo. Here is Sam’s moment to save the quest and he does.

If the book ended here it would end in such utter darkness but it does not.

We, and Sam, are given the good news that Frodo is alive!

Allegorically, I’m reading this as endure, endure, the darkest moments will break. Wait for it and the darkest moments will break. Endure.

The Two Towers contain book 3 and 4 of "The Lord of the Rings". Book 3 starts by following Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas as they track the orcs who have captured Pippin and Merry. Book 4 follows Frodo and Sam as they start their journey to Mount Doom; this book covers their trail starting from Emyn Muil until Cirith Ungol.

Book 3

In the aftermath of the shattering of the Fellowship, Argorn, Legolas, and Gimli give Boromir a river burial. The three then set out to pursue the orcs who have captured Merry and Pippin. Along the way they encounter the Rohirrim who report that they have waylaid the orcs but have seen no sign of the hobbits.

Merry and Pippin have a dismal time with the orcs but successfully escape their captors during the battle with the Rohirrim. The pair go into Fangorn Forest and encounter Treebeard and the ents.

Still looking for their companions, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli also enter Fangorn. They soon encounter Gandalf the White who convinces them to go with him to Edoras.

Pippin and Merry go with Treebeard to the Entmoot where the ents decide to wage war on Saruman. Along the way to Isengard the ents gather the Huorns.

In Edoras Gandalf and his company encounter Theoden under the thrall of Saruman and Grima Wormtongue. Gandalf promptly frees the King who decides to march against Isengard. On the way to Isengard the party encounter the remnants of the Rohirrim's forward army in full retreat. The host decides to make a stand at Helm's Deep.

The Battle of Helm's Deep ensues and nearly ends in defeat for Theoden's host were it not for the timely intervention of Gandalf. With the battle over, Theoden marches into Isengard with a small force of men. The stronghold of Saruman, apart from the Tower of Orthanc, is now a ruin after the assault of the ents. Here what remains of the Fellowship is reunited.

Gandalf confronts Saruman and Saruman is ejected from the Order.

War starts in earnest as the Nazgul cross the Anduin. Gandalf and Pippin rush to Gondor. Theoden returns to Meduseld to muster his forces. Aragorn is reunited with the Rangers and the sons of Elrond and decides on taking the Paths of the Dead.

Book 4

Frodo and Sam navigate the tall cliffs and rocky crags of the Emyn Muil. They are joined by Gollum who leads them down from the Emyn Muil to the Dead Marches and to the very gates of Mordor.

Gollum informs the pair of a side entrance to Mordor and they set off. There is a stay in Ithilien which leads to the capture of the hobbits by Faramir.

Faramir decides to let the hobbits go and they make their way to the Morghul Vale and up the pass to Cirith Ungol. Here they are attacked by Shelob. The book ends with Sam facing a number of choices.