Andrew and Patrick admire how Galadriel sympathetically wins over Gimli, question why she tempts each of the members of the Company, analyze her own temptation for the Ring, and celebrate her humble renunciation of all she loves. They also dwell on how the hobbits and the Galathrim share similar loves for their lands. 

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Patrick and Andrew share a post from Grace Steele of Tending Roses about how she got through The Lord of the Rings, followed by thoughts on Faerie Tales from Jonathan Pageau of The Symbolic World on fairy tales.

Learn more about Grace Steele at Tending Roses www.gracesteele.net/blog/lord-of-the-rings

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Andrew considers this one of the hardest chapters to get into, especially for readers with little experience or love of the natural world. Still he urges readers, especially those who are obsessively mission-driven, to lend themselves to Tolkien’s pacing and experience the healing contemplative encounter with the preternatural beauty of ordinary things which is the special charism of the Elves. 

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Patrick and Andrew discuss Gandalf’s possibly foolish choices, Aragorn’s rational leadership, Frodo’s and Sam’s courage under fire, Gimli’s reverence for his fallen people, the Balrog as a match for Gandalf, and the Secret Fire.

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Tolkien ramps up the excitement in this chapter; Patrick appreciates how his story alternates the restful with the stressful. They discuss Gandalf’s leadership style - his temper, his care, his power, his defense to the decisions of the Company, especially of Frodo. Andrew loves the magic of the Gates, but Patrick is more taken with Frodo’s psychological struggle with despair and the need for all the hobbits to grow in spirit in order to achieve their Quest.

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Andrew and Patrick use the map to review the journey, and reflect on the special harmony between Elves and the natural world, even those who, like the Dwarves, delight in using it to make beautiful things. They then consider each of the Fellowship, noting a range of maturity in the hobbits, Aragorn’s readiness for the defining mission of his life, Boromir’s strengths as a heroic captain, and the traditional animosity that lies between Legolas and Gimli.

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Andrew gives the backstory of the Wizards, who are incarnate emissaries of the angelic governors of the world, sent to encourage and aid those who resist Sauron. They must resist their own temptation to coerce others to do the good; Gandalf’s extraordinary patience saves him where Saruman falls. Patrick is struck by Frodo’s Marian-like “Fiat” in accepting the mission to destroy the Ring, whose humility makes him more fit for the task than a Hero would be.

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Patrick wonders whether in this chapter, like the Shadow of the Past,Tolkien gives too much information, which can overwhelm his reader; Andrew goes through some of the details. They discuss the Providential character of the Council and of the wisdom that Elrond and Gandalf exhibit. Boromir, the great military leader in Gondor’s wars against Sauron and heir to its ruler, clashes with Aragorn, now revealed as the King who will replace him. 

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Andrew introduces Patrick to the “Tale of Years," a 6000 year chronology that Tolkien placed as an Appendix to his epic, and the idea that each Age is defined by a dominant conflict. They then turn to Elrond, who has made Rivendell into a place of rest and healing, feasting and contemplation, from which comes wisdom and authority.

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What makes the Black Riders so frightening? Andrew notes their demonic desire to enslave their victims to their will and their ability to arouse paralyzing fear in them. Patrick looks at the instruments Strider and Glorfindel use to combat them - light, heat, athelas, the Elvish cordial, litanies and words of invocation. Above all, Strider keeps up their hope and insists that Sam finally put aside his mistrust.

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