Green Dragon Live

This is a quick update from Nicholas Jon about the various things that have been happening in our world which prevents us from having a solid upload schedule. Have a quick listen. Video version originally posted on our Facebook page.

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Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.

The Nicks answer your questions about what Dwarf women look like, why it's hard to get into the books, why the names are so similar, the eye of Sauron, and more!

Maps

Map of Middle-earth

LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!

Questions from listeners:

What DO Dwarf women look like? -- CHAPTER 13 The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion

Friends who like Lord of the Rings... help! I'm almost done reading The Fellowship of the Ring and am having trouble. When does something happen that draws the reader to the character? When does the singing stop? When does something of importance happen? I fully expected to like the books. Am I reading it wrong? Do I have too high of expectations? Why do so many people like it??

Why are all the names so similar?

Did the eye of Sauron ever have a physical body? And how did the eye come to exist

Why doesn't Samwise pay off Sauron with all the diamonds he got from Chester Copperpot's buried treasure?

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Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here. This episode was published on Harry's birthday! Happy Birthday, Harry, thanks for sharing your work with us!

The Nicks convene at the Green Dragon very late at night to discuss the chapter The Bridge of Khazad Dum - wherein Gandalf stands toe to toe, brother vs. brother with the Balrog "Durin's Bane."

Maps

Map of Middle-earth

LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!

Notes for this episode

OUR FELLOWSHIP STRIDES BOLDLY THROUGH DARK AND DANGEROUS CAVERNS.WITH FEW STOPS. LESS FOOD. AND EVEN LESS LIGHT.OUR HEROES STRUGGLE TO FIND THE PATH THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS

FEW THINGS KEEP THEM MOVING.HOPING FOR LIGHT AGAINLONGING FOR WIND AGAINRUNNING FROM THE DARKAND THE FEAR OF ENEMIES!

AND NOW THE TOMB OF BALIN HAS BEEN FOUND!WILL OUR HEROES ESCAPE THIS DARK TOMB?HAS OUR GUIDE SUCCESSFULLY BROUGHT US TO THE END?OR HAS TRAGEDY FINALLY FALLEN ON OUR FELLOWSHIP?

The story in this chapter

It was very late when we got started, and we didn't flesh out our notes.

• The Book of Mazarbul
• Trapped!
• Cave Troll
• Frodo is NOT a stuck pig
• Something behind the door - Immensely powerful
• Run to the bridge
• A Balrog!
• You cannot pass!
• Fly you fools!

Sir Ian McKellen - How To Act: https://youtu.be/nyoWmkhRyp8

The Tragic use of the music from this scene... to sell a Superhero movie: https://youtu.be/wArmHSPIvlQ

The music from the Bridge of Khazad-dum - by Howard Shore: https://youtu.be/xDn-hc28aEw?t=5m56s

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"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.

The Nicks take a walk in the dark as the Fellowship continues their journey. A danger in the dark is due to appear at any moment! What are those footsteps? Why can Frodo see in the dark? Why does Nick Andrew hate caves (and his brother)? All this and more in this episode of our read-along of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

Maps

Map of Middle-earth

LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!

Notes for this episode

THIS JUST IN!

THE RING IS ON THE MOVE.

EAST TOWARD THE MISTY MOUNTAINS, THEN SOUTH…

BIRDS SWOOP IN… THE EYES OF THE ENEMY ARE EVERYWHERE!

THE PASS OF CARADHRAS. THE REDHORN GATE.

THE FELLOWSHIP ATTEMPTS TO CLIMB OVER THE CRUEL MOUNTAIN.

SNOW PILED ON. … ... WINDS... WHIPPED.

THE HOBBITS? …. FREEZING

AFTER BATTLING THE MOUNTAIN FOR LONGER THAN THEY CAN BEAR OUR COMPANY RESIGNS HEADING BACK DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

HOW WILL OUR COMPANY HANDLE DEFEAT

AND IS THERE ANOTHER WAY?

The story in this chapter

• A rest, what to do?
  • Only options are to go on… somehow
  • Or go back to Rivendell
    • Pippin perks up, Merry and Sam look hopeful
    • Aragorn and Boromir make no sign
    • Frodo troubled.
      • We cannot return without shame, unless there is no other way and we are already defeated.
        • Sam sinks back into his gloom
  • The only other path is through Moria
    • The Gap of Rohan is watched by Saruman, who has turned against the free people and to go south through Gondor will take FAR too long.
• Moria - more dangerous than the Redhorn Gate?
  • Gandalf thought this might be the way through - Aragorn did not want to go this way at least until they tried the mountain pass.
    • We see Aragorn here being very leader-like and less follower. Giving way to Gandalf. Gandalf is their guide for the time being, not Aragorn.
      • Aragorn has definite opinions (we don't see this in the movies as much)
  • Gimli becomes interested - all others feel dread - even the hobbits who only know it from legend and vague fear.
  • We can cover our trail and disappear for a little bit.
• Why not go south past the Gap and over the mountains into Gondor? (Boromir)
  • Things have changed in the Gap
  • The longer road would take WAY too long, it is not safe, and it is watched.
  • Going through Moria would be like going up to the dark lord's tower itself "The name of Moria is Black."
• Gandalf has seen some stuff… he rebutted Boromir with
  • I alone of you have been to
    • The stronghold of Sauron
    • The dungeons of the dark lord
    • Dol Guldur
• There may be Dwarves in the mines - there might be a warm welcome somewhere inside
• Who will follow me if I lead you? (Gandalf)
• "How the wind howls!" -- it's not the wind!
  • Warg attack
  • They think it's done after Gandalf declares himself to them.
  • They come back!
  • First battle scene in our narrative.
  • Gandalf steals the show… HUGE show of force and power.
• The missing falls and the stairs that go up
• The curious case of the unexpected lake
  • Stepping in the water and the ripples in the deep
• Saying goodbye to Bill
  • Repacking for the southward, warming, road
• Moon letters and drawings - ithildin
  • Durin's marks
  • The tree of the High Elves
  • The star of the House of Feanor(PIN)
• Hacking the doors
• Fear of the water
• 'Friend' and 'Snakes?'
  • The door is a riddle
  • Sam is the only one who moves to save Frodo - and is forced to choose Frodo over Bill
  • Everyone quickly gets inside
• The way back is closed - let us hope the way forward is open.
• Follow the guiding light
  • Frodo eventually realizes that he can see better in the dark than everyone except Gandalf (even Gimli!) - he/narrator attributes it to stab wound in his shoulder
• Brief rests and pauses along the way
• Pitter patter - the faint echo of footfalls.
• "I have no memory of this place" and the guard room well
  • A rock that takes a long time hit the ground
    • Tom-tap, tap-tom.

    • Tap-tom, tom-tap, tap-tap, tom.

  • Time to head back uphill
• Long march. Suddenly the walls disappeared - and they are in a vast cavernous room
• Risk a little real light.
• Spending the night, at night.
• Gimli's song
  • Sam likes it
  • Gimli is gloomy
• The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels but in Mithril
  • Pretty amazing stuff
• In the morning there is light
• Through a doorway a tomb
  • Balin son of Fundin / Lord of Moria
  • He is dead. There are no dwarves to welcome them.
  • Gimli draws his hood over his face….
  • HERE ENDS THE CHAPTER

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"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.

The Nicks talk about getting used to crazy amounts of noise, or the lack thereof. The forming of the Fellowship of The Ring, as in the title of this volume of the novel. The preparations of the Fellowship, and the courage of the hobbits as they set forth. The lands between Rivendell and The Gap of Rohan, the mountains under which the ancient civilization of the Dwarves: Khazad-Dûm was crafted. Being beaten down by the misfortune of weather, and why you should read the next chapter in the dark! All this and more of Tolkien's world in this episode of Green Dragon Live!

Maps

Map of Middle-earth

LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!

Notes for this episode

THIS JUST IN!

THE COUNCIL WAS DECISIVE!THE RING MUST BE DESTROYED!

THE HALFLING STILL CARRIES THE RING

SAMWISE GAMGEE STILL GOING ALONG!

WHAT BRAVE SOULS WILL ACCOMPANY?

WHO WILL REPRESENT THE FREE PEOPLE?WHERE ARE THE RIDERS NOW? DID THEY SURVIVE?WHEN WILL THIS STORY CONTINUE, AND WHAT DID THEY NAME THE PONY? The story in this chapter:

• Hobbits meet by themselves
  • Merry and Pippin want to go
  • "Nothing's been decided yet" What were you all doing in there then?
• Scouts sent out to look for signs of the riders and other enemies
• Gandalf overheard a hobbit say that people of intelligence are needed -- tells Frodo that he is THINKING of coming along.
• 2 Months go by - Winter sets in. Council of Elrond October 25 - Fellowship leaves December 25
  • Scouts return 8 of 9 Nazgul accounted for - scattered and sent back to Mordor, no Gollum
  • Bilbo and Frodo meet one on one for the last time - Sting, Mithril coat
  • Fellowship officially formed
    • Gimli will represent Dwarves
    • Legolas Elves
    • Aragorn Men (Boromir coming too)
    • Gandalf shall be the intelligence
    • Frodo
    • Sam - packing his things
    • ...2 spots left. Elrond wants to send two from his house- Merry and Pippin interrupt. Elrond is okay with Merry, but not Pippin.
• Southward bound
• Hollin
  • Aragorn starts being a Ranger!!! He notices there are no bird sounds -- odd to him. So silent that the fellowship merely talking "vibrates the ground".
    • Gandalf says that you always listen to a ranger, especially when it's Aragorn!
  • Crebain
  • SPIES OF STAR WARS!
• The Redhorn Gate - Over Caradhras
  • The mountain defeats them.

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"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.

The Nicks fall into a meme-hole, discuss the doings of Gandalf and Saruman, and finally get down to brass tacks to decide what is to be the fate of this Council... and The Ring.

THIS JUST IN! A COUNCIL HAS GATHERED….TO COUNCIL....

ELVES, DWARVES, MEN, AND HALFLINGS TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF!

DELIBERATIONS ENSUE AND STORIES ARE TOLD -- INCLUDING BILBO'S!

ISILDUR'S BANE REVEALED!

WHY ARE WE HERE?

CAN ONE SIMPLY WALK INTO MORDOR, AND WHAT IS GANDALF'S STORY?

Maps

Map of Middle-earth

LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!

Notes for this episode

Use the Force Harry

Vader Brita

Saruman Trololo

Trolling Saruman Part 2

Trolling Saruman Part 3

Other fandom trolling memes:

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

The story in this chapter

• Gandalf's Tale:
  • Gandalf has the longest part to tell - but he has done the most to understand the enemy, the Ring, and to set in motion the tale we now read.
  • Saruman
    • The Rings and their jewels or lack thereof
  • Hunting for Gollum
  • Saruman knew of writing upon the Ring - but what is the source of his knowledge
    • Who else but Sauron held the Ring? Isildur
      • That means Minas Tirith might hold a clue
  • Abandoning the chase to go to Gondor!
    • Denethor not very welcoming
  • The scroll of Isildur describing the "fire writing" unknown language - but eleven letters
  • Gandalf HAS tested the Ring
  • Speaking the words of Mordor - of the Ring
  • Gollum did go to Mordor
    • He was forced to spill his guts about the Ring
    • The servants of the enemy have been to the Shire, and now know - perhaps the enemy already knows - that the Ring is in Rivendell
  • Gollum imprisoned with the Wood Elves
    • Definitely still full of mischief
  • Legolas speaks up in distress
    • Gollum has escaped
    • How so? Was it coordinated? Did he have help? Or was he just being opportunistic?
    • Gollum is cunning, escapes the skill of the elves to track
    • Heading to Dol Guldor
    • Gandalf - Gollum may have a part to play yet - Tolkien keeps insisting on this - it must mean something
  • What of Saruman?
    • Drawn to Orthanc by the message of Radagast (taken advantage of my Saruman) - Tells of Nazgul
    • The Nazgul keep asking for the Shire
    • Saruman summons Gandalf to give him "aide"
    • Radagast to send messages
    • Bree - stopped at the Prancing Pony (when was all of this?)
    • To Isengard - Orthanc - Built by Numenor - At the Gap of Rohan
    • Fear fell on him inside Isengard
    • Saruman the White or…. Many Colors
    • Saruman feels that Gandalf has been hiding information in the Shire
    • Saruman has contempt for Radagast … and Gandalf… and their colors
    • "Saruman the Wise" "Saruman ring maker" "Saruman of many colors"
    • White - can be broken - or - is perfect
      • Leaving the path of wisdom
    • A choice
      • The world of men which we must rule
      • We need power
      • "WE"
      • "There is no help in elves or dying Numenor"
      • Join with that power - there is hope that way - and rich reward
      • Join the evil way despising the many evil things biding their time to come to their true purpose.
      • Knowledge, Rule, Order
      • No change in designs - only in our means
    • The Ruling Ring - "If WE could command that, then the power would pass to US."
    • Gandalf a prisoner of Orthanc - on the pinnacle
    • A narrow stair of many thousand steps.
      • In Letter 210 - Tolkien tells us that Orthanc is 500 feet tall
      • In modern American building terms that is about 29 stories.
      • Not huge - but massive for the surrounding area
      • To take the stairs literally then - 500 feet divided by "many thousand" (5000?) works out to be approximately 1000 steps per hundred feet. - 100 steps per 10 feet or 10 steps per foot.
    • Pits and forges, wolves, and orcs - Saruman is building an army - to rival Sauron
      • How was this kept hidden from Gandalf when he got there? Or did it happen while he was there?
    • Frodo calls back to a dream! (REVISIT PIN)
      • It was late
    • Radagast was true and trustworthy
    • The Eagles - Gwaihir
  • Rohan
  • Tribute of horses - tribute of horses and many to Mordor
    • It's a lie
  • Evil at work
  • Shadowfax
    • Tireless, swift as the flowing wind, silver by day, shade by night, light footfall, unridden, untamed,
    • Gandalf reached the Shire when Frodo was in the Barrow Downs though they left the same day (Rohan, Hobbiton)
  • Gaffer - changes for the worst (Needs a pin?)
    • Changes already started?
    • Has Saruman already started to tear it apart looking for the Ring?
  • Crickhollow
    • Broken into - Hope left Gandalf
  • To Bree - Butterbur
    • Good news - renewed hope!
    • A night's rest.
  • The Nazgul's movements
    • 2 Nazgul in Bree
    • 4 in the Shire
    • 2 at Crickhollow
    • Captain in secret south of Bree
  • After the attack on Bree/Crickhollow
    • Some across country Eastward
    • The Captain and others along the Road
    • 2 days out from Bree - Gandalf beset in the Ring of Amon Sul - Weathertop
    • The Wraiths were already there.
    • Closed around at night - Light and Flame!
    • Gandalf fled to the North - then toward Rivendell
  • Gandalf nearly 14 days to Rivendell
    • Only 3 days before Frodo
  • End of tale
• THE PURPOSE! - What shall we do with the Ring
  • The old forest used to stretch from where it is to the other side of Isengard (Fangorn even?)
  • Can we obtain help from Tom Bombadil? Send the Ring to him for safe keeping?
    • The Ring has no power over him. He would forget it and throw it away
    • Also, even the enemy could be held off - his country would be besieged and ultimately overthrown
  • The Ring cannot be kept away by strength only 2 options
    • Send it over the Sea
      • They would not receive it - it belongs to Middle-earth
    • Destroy it
      • We have no craft that can unmake it.
    • OR cast it into the deeps - where it could not be recovered.
      • Only a delay tactic
  • Gandalf wants to make an end of Sauron - not delay
  • Sauron - would expect the Westward option (in or over the sea)
    • He would March up the coast to the Grey Havens
  • Westward road seems easiest - and therefore must be avoided
    • It will be watched
  • That leaves only the option to undo the Ring
    • The only hope - to take the Ring to Mordor - to the fire
    • Frodo felt a dead darkness in his heart
  • Boromir
    • Why hide and destroy?
    • What if it has come to us in our great moment of need?
    • Why not wield it?
    • Valor needs first strength, and then a weapon.
    • The Ring can be our weapon.
  • Elrond
    • We cannot use it
    • It was made by Sauron and is his alone
    • it cannot be wielded by any except those with great power of their own.
    • But for them, the desire of it corrupts their heart
      • Like Saruman - corrupted by the thought alone
    • It is evil and dangerous
    • Nothing is evil in the beginning - even Sauron.
  • Boromir
    • So be it Gondor will fight on
    • Perhaps the sword that was broken can help
      • "If the hand who wields it holds more than an heirloom but also the sinews of the kings of men"
    • May the day not be delayed
    • It would comfort us to know others fought also
  • Gloin
    • More power if the people's join together
    • What of the three rings of the elves?
    • They were made by the dark lord long ago
      • Do they remain?
      • Are they idle?
  • Elrond
    • We cannot speak of them
    • They are not idle, but they also are not weapons
    • But if Sauron regains the One all their strength would be turned to destruction
    • If the One is destroyed
      • Perhaps they will be freed, and be able to heal the hurts of the world
      • Or perhaps they will fail and many things will fade and be forgotten
  • Glorfindel
    • But all the Elves are willing to take this chance!
  • Back to the destruction of the Ring
    • What strength have we for the finding of the fire?
    • That is the path of Despair! Or Folly!
  • Gandalf
    • Despair
      • Is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt
    • Wisdom to recognize necessity when all other courses have been weighed
    • Folly
      • It may appear to those who cling to false hope.
      • Let folly be our cloak/veil before the eyes of the enemy
    • The only measure Sauron knows is Desire, "the desire for power and so he judges all hearts."
      • He does not think that anyone can refuse it, and therefore follow through with destroying it
      • If we seek to destroy it - we shall put him out of reckoning
        • AKA - he won't see it coming - it's not a possibility he thinks would ever happen
  • "This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong."
    • Small hands do them because they must
    • While the eyes of the great are elsewhere
    • (THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE PLAN!)
  • Bilbo - It's plain enough what you're pointing at
    • I started it, and I must finish it.
    • Boromir nearly laughs at Bilbo
    • Elrond - your part is ended
    • What do you mean by "they"
  • The messengers who are sent with the Ring
    • Bilbo - "Exactly, and who are they to be?"
    • That seems to be the only thing this Council needs to decide
    • Let's get some names together
  • No one spoke - looking downcast - in deep thought
    • Frodo - felt a dread or doom on him
      • And an overwhelming desire to rest in peace with Bilbo in Rivendell
      • "At last with an effort, he spoke and wondered to hear his words, as if some other will was using his small voice. 'I will take the Ring.'
        • [NJ - DEFINITION OF BRAVERY - the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty. -- speaking up in spite of deep desires because it is the thing that must be done, or the right thing to do.]
    • Elrond
      • I think that this task is appointed for you, and if you do not find a way no one will.
      • But it is a heavy burden
        • I do not lay it on you but if you take it freely I would say that your choice is right.
        • And though all the mighty elf-friends of old, Hador, Hurin, Turin, and Beren, you shall be seated among them.
    • SAM! [Again eavesdropping] -- But you won't send him off alone!
      • No indeed - You at least shall go with him.
      • A nice pickle we've landed ourselves in, Mr. Frodo.

New Characters:

• Denethor - Steward of Gondor
• Saruman the White/Many Colored - Istari, Leader of the White Council
• Gollum (makes an appearance)
• Theoden - King of Rohan
• Shadowfax? - Lord of Horses
• Radagast the Brown - Istari, part of the White Council

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"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.

The Nicks take a close look at the goings on of Middle-earth, the Council is called at a time when all the free folks happen to be represented, the tale of The Ring is told and the larger picture is starting to become clear to those present that now is the time of action, there is a chance NOW to strike against the enemy.

THIS JUST IN!

A WOUNDED HOBBIT HEALED.

WRAITH WORLD AVOIDED.

THE TIME FOR FEASTS IS OVER. THE TIME FOR TALK IS NIGH!

ELROND THE ELF LORD HOSTS A GREAT COUNCIL.

SECRETS ARE TOLD -- DECISIONS… MADE.

WHO ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE? WHAT DECISIONS WILL THEY COME TO?

AND WHAT OF THE RULING RING?

Maps

Map of Middle-earth

LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!

Notes for this episode

• Frodo feels great! He wants to explore.
• No time for that _BELL RINGS!_
• The gathering (Many Meetings part 2)
  • Boromir - A stranger unlooked for
• Gloin's report from Erebor and Dale
  • The messenger from "The Lord Sauron the Great".
• We are gathered here uncalled and unlooked for to decide what to do.
• Elrond's Tale (which skips millennia in the telling - see the Silmarillion)
  • The long memory of Elrond
    • Tells long tale of the forging of the Great Rings
    • Celebrimbor
    • The story of the Rise and Fall of Numenor
    • Elendil the Tall, his sons Isildur and Anarion
    • The rise of Gondor and Arnor
    • Gil-Galad
    • The Last Alliance against Sauron
    • Defeat of Sauron
    • Diminished, but not Destroyed
    • Isildur claims the Ring as a wergild (compensation) and an heirloom of his house.
    • The Rise of Gondor and Arnor
    • The Fall of Arnor and the diminishment of Gondor
• Confusion about the actual history of the Ring
• What is all this about trees? (white trees?)
• Boromir's Report
  • Begs leave from Lord Elrond to talk more of Minas Tirith and Gondor.
  • Numenorian blood not spent - Boromir takes offense
  • Smoke rises from Mount Doom
  • Mordor is allied with Harad
  • Ithilien overrun
  • East shore of Osgiliath has been abandoned to the Enemy
  • Gondor holds the line
  • Only Rohan will send aide these days
  • Dreams, he and his brother.
  • Travels 110 days to find Rivendell and seek Elrond's council.
• The lineage of Aragorn
  • Broken Sword? Dreams? Same Sword?
• "Bring out the Ring Frodo"
  • Love, loathing, fear, shame
• How do we know it is Isildur's Bane - Boromir
  • All that is gold does not glitter
• Aragorn and the Rangers and the North
  • Dunadain vs. Gondor as unsung heroes
• Bilbo's tale
  • The true version
• Frodo's tale - lots of interruptions
  • Bilbo wants to talk more about it later -- great story sans interruptions
• Frodo thinks the story is still incomplete -- wants to know more about Gandalf
  • Galdor the elf from Grey Havens also wants to know more
    • Wants to know about Saruman

Links

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"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.

The Nicks wake from their slumber to find themselves in Rivendell where they must try and remember their family, meet new friends, and see old friends in a new light.

THIS JUST IN!

THE ENEMY HAS GONE TO WAR!

OPENLY DECLARING HIMSELF, THE DECEIVER SENDS HIS 9 WRAITHS AFTER OUR HEROES. FRODO IS WOUNDED AND ON THE BRINK. A MYSTERIOUS ELF LORD COMES TO HIS AID.

AFTER LENGTHY PURSUIT ACROSS MILES OF COUNTRY THE SERVANTS OF THE ENEMY DRAW CLOSER THAN COMFORT ALLOWS.

NEARING RIVENDELL GLORFINDEL, THE ELF LORD, CALLS ON ANCIENT POWERS COMBAT THE ENEMY IN PURSUIT.

WILL HIS PLAN PLAY OUT?

WILL FRODO, OUR HERO, SURVIVE THE DAY?

Maps

Map of Middle-earth

LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!

Notes for this episode

Many Meetings

• Gandalf - what happened at the Ford - the true nature of Frodo's injury/ringwraiths - "Delayed?" - comments about Weathertop - lost time
• Sam and the Hobbits - Sam has stayed with him each of the 4 days… barely left his side.
• Pippin - "The Lord of the Ring" - Gandalf jumps on that. "Only one Lord of the Ring."
• The banquet - A banquet fit for the high lords of old.
• Elrond - ageless. Neither young nor old. At his one side sat Gandalf, at the other Glorfindel.
• Glorfindel - a hero!
• Gandalf again - he looks like a lord of old.
• Arwen - lady Arwen. Undomiel. Evenstar. Her birth and rise mark the close of the "Elven Chapter" in Middle-earth.
• Sam wanted to wait on Frodo during the banquet. - Frodo is seated upon many fine cushions to give him the same "height".
• Gloin - THE Gloin. Companion of Thorin Oakenshield. - He talks a lot. Very excited to find a courteous "listener" in Frodo. - They swap stories about their homelands.
• The Hall of Fire - a place of quiet and reflection… unless it's feast or banquet time. Then it's a place of songs and stories!
• Stranger in the corner -- Bilbo! - The Ring
• Strider-Aragorn-Dunadan
• The Twins /Elladan and Elrohir, Elrond's twin sons. Absent from the banquet
• Earendil - in the song -
• Good old hobbit-talk
• BEDTIME!

Thoughts

• "I wish you could have held out at Weathertop."
• • (NJ - if he had not revealed himself by way of the Ring, would they have been able to fight them off with fire without them making an attack on Frodo?)
• "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. The Morgul-lord and his Black Riders have come forth. War is preparing!"
  • (NJ - The powers of the world, their interaction with the people of the world has been greatly reduced in recent millennia. Yet we see these little hints that there is something larger happening in the story.)
• "I thought, well, that they (the Big People) were just big and rather stupid: kind and stupid like Butterbur; or stupid and wicked like Bill Ferny"
• • "You don't know much even about them if you think old Barliman is stupid,"
• "I have known strong warriors of the Big People who would quickly have been overcome by that splinter, which you bore for seventeen days."
• • (NJ - often we are reminded that there is more to the Hobbits than meets the eye)
• Ringwraiths
• • Real horses
  • Real cloaks - to give shape to their nothingness
  • (NJ - nothing in the Seen, something in the Unseen)
• Fragment of the blade
• • Frodo turning Wraith
  • With the ring on - like standing halfway between the worlds
• "Those who have dwelt in the Blessed Realm live at once in both worlds, and against both the Seen and the Unseen they have great power."
• • Blessed Realm
  • Seen and Unseen

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Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.

The Nicks take a break from the chapters as an interlude between Books 1 and 2. Some reflection on the story so far, and questions from our listeners!

Maps

Map of Middle-earth

LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!

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Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.

The Nicks, joined by Jake, Jenni, and Eowyn get together at the Green Dragon Brew Pub in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. If your name is the Green Dragon, we're interested in testing your fare, the food, and the drink. This short episode is cut from our whole meal together and barely passes as a review.

The food was good, heavy and rich with cheese in the case of the flatbreads, but very enjoyable nonetheless. The potato wedges were delicious, with a crispy perfection. The Dragon Eggs were very good - Hard boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and deep fried - even the Nicks (who don't usually like hard boiled eggs found them delectable).The drinks were tasty, but nothing that would make the hair on your toes curl up with excitement. The venue is standard bar restaurant, adequate but not any resemblance of a place that takes its name from Lord of The Rings. In fact, we don't know if the name is any reference to Tolkien's works. We would, however, like to go back and try some of the other pub food, the burgers for example.

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greendragonlive.com

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Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.