On the fourth day out from Bree, while in the Midgewater Marshes, Frodo lay uncomfortable and unable to close his eyes. Far away in the eastern sky flashes of lightning leaping from the hill-tops kept Strider standing silent and watchful. It was coming from Weathertop, Amon Sûl. Join us as we continue our journey through chapter 11 of the Lord of the Rings, A Knife In The Dark.

A Knife In The Dark

It was not on Weathertop that Ring Wraiths finally caught up to the company, but in a small dell at the foot of the hill below the old watchtower of Amon Sûl. It was on Weathertop, it is told, that Elendil stood watching for the coming of Gil-Galad in the days of the Last Alliance. Yet it was in that little dell – on the side away from the hill – that Frodo would see the coming of the shadows, and feel the sting of a knife in the dark!

Hope Of The Tables Of Elrond’s House

Strider does not mislead the hobbits with false hopes; he is quick to chastise unprofitable words. Twice he rebukes them: when Frodo laments that his tightening belt may soon render him a wraith, and when Pippin cries out from the very thought of going to Mordor. Yet, hope is on his lips. The hope found in Imladris:

[T]ighten your belts, and think with hope of the tables of Elrond’s house!

– The Lord of the Rings, A Knife In The Dark, p.190

Full Confidence

This is not the same kind of hope that Frodo expressed in a flippant comment about hoping he does not lose so much of his hobbity mid-section as to resemble a wraith. The hope of Strider is a biblical hope: that if they persevere in the face of persecution there is comfort awaiting them. Much as what Paul wrote to the first century christians in Rome:

Romans 8:24-25 NASB

For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

If we make it to Elrond’s house, Strider is saying, you can be confident that his tables will be full and that comfort is there. Persevere. Don’t look back. Persevere.

What stood out to you in A KNIFE IN THE DARK? Let us know in the comments below.

Music: The Fall of Gil-galad from the album Beyond the Western Seas by The Lonely Mountain Band

On The Secret Fire Podcast we travel chapter-by-chapter and book-by-book through J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth viewing it through Christian lenses. We invite you to join us each week as we continue the adventure on the Arkenstone server in Lord Of The Rings Online.

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Theme song: Hobbit’s Dance from the album Memories Of Middle Earth, by Brobdingnagian Bards

As our hobbits sleep in Bree under the watch of Strider at the Prancing Pony, something wicked this way comes. At the same time Fatty Bolger senses trouble coming to to Frodo’s house at Crickhollow. The Black Riders have mounted a two-front attack in their search for the Ring of power and leave the Fellowship without means of transportation. Can Barliman Butterbur find them at least one pony? Join us as we look at chapter eleven of The Lord Of The Rings, A Knife In The Dark.

A KNIFE IN THE DARK

It has been one hundred years since the Horn-call of Buckland has sounded; not since the Fell Winter brought in the white wolves over a frozen Brandywine river. But now the long silent horns rend the night along with shouts of “Awake! Fear! Fire! Foes! Awake!” while Fredegar Bolger narrowly escapes three Black Riders who splinter the doors of Frodo’s house as the cold hour before dawn was passing. At the same time Frodo was awoke from dreams of galloping hoofs, and noise, and wind. Strider roused the rest to get an early morning start on their journey only to find that all the ponies and horses at the Inn were driven off in the night!

THE GODLY CARE FOR THEIR ANIMALS

Frodo was crushed by the news that the ponies were gone. He could not see how they could possibly make it to Rivendell on foot while being pursued by the Black Riders. He wondered if Mr. Butterbur could help in any way:

‘Can’t we get a couple of ponies in the village, or even one just for the baggage? I don’t suppose we could hire them, but we might be able to buy them,’ he added, doubtfully, wondering if he could afford it.

The Lord Of The Rings, A Knife In The Dark, p. 177

The Innkeeper, feeling somewhat responsible for his guests’ misfortunes – and perhaps in  an attempt to assuage a lingering guilt for having failed to deliver the letter from Gandalf -, spent twelve of his own silver pennies on a “poor old half-starved” pony owned by the unsavory Bill Ferny.

GRACE AND FAITH

This Bill Ferny did not have a reputation of compassion or kindness. In fact, it’s reasonable to assume that the description of his house could be applied to his “care” of his beasts: dark and ill-kept. One can learn much about a person by observing the way they care for their animals. As the writer in the book of Proverbs put it:

The godly care for their animals,

but the wicked are always cruel

Proverbs 12:10 NLT

This pony was redeemed out of bondage to a wicked man with more money than anyone would find reasonable. And it had an immediate, marked effect on the creature. For as the Fellowship was making their way out of the village, Strider, Frodo, Merry, and Pippin lead the way, while pulling up the rear came Sam and the pony:

which was laden with as much of their baggage as they had the heart to give it; but already it looked less dejected, as if it approved of the change in its fortunes.

The Lord Of The Rings, A Knife In The Dark, p. 180

This pony is an important character in the story, and it gives us the opportunity to discuss the biblical themes of Grace and Faithfulness. We invite you to listen to this episode of The Secret Fire Podcast as we explore this much deeper.

What stood out to you in this section of A KNIFE IN THE DARK? Let us know in the comments below.

On The Secret Fire Podcast we travel chapter-by-chapter and book-by-book through J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth viewing it through Christian lenses. We invite you to join us each week as we continue the adventure on the Arkenstone server in Lord Of The Rings Online.

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After Frodo’s unsettling disappearance in the common room of the Prancing Pony the very perturbed crowd immediately cleared out. Frodo just wants to get to the relative safety of his room and leave Bree as soon as possible. But first he has an appointment with the enigmatic and undesirable wanderer known as Strider. Join us as we examine chapter ten of The Lord Of The Rings.

All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter

Frodo, Sam, and Pippin made their way to their private parlor. As they were stoking the dwindling fire to a more comfortable flame they were startled to find Strider sitting quietly by the door. This Ranger has a proposition for Frodo and he requires reward for it. Mr. “Underhill” suspects that Strider means to rob him. After all he looks every bit a rogue! It isn’t until he reads the long-overdue letter from Gandalf – which Barliman Butterbur had forgotten to deliver – that he sees Strider in a different light. The letter includes a poem of Bilbo Baggins that speaks of a king:

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king.

– J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord Of The Rings, Strider, p. 169

No Splendid Form For Us To See

“Do these lines refer to you,” asked Frodo. “Why didn’t you tell us who you were?” Strider, aka Aragorn son of Arathorn, tells Frodo that he had hoped Frodo and his companions would come to trust him through his own words and actions.

I hoped you would take to me for my own sake. A hunted man sometimes wearies of distrust and longs for friendship. But there, I believe my looks are against me.

– Ibid., p. 170

This is reminiscent of the Messiah and the description of Him in Isaiah as translated in the Common English Bible:

He possessed no splendid form for us to see,

no desirable appearance.

– Isaiah 53:2b CEB

Seem Fairer And Feel Fouler

The scriptures have much to say about deceptive appearances, and yet we are prone to judge a book by its cover still. Aragorn has been shunned by the people of Bree. Yes, they want news of the outside world – the kind that only a wandering ranger can provide – but they will not befriend him. They will extend no compassion toward him. They will not welcome him. And they surely would not want him as their king!

Yet Frodo hoped all along that Strider was a friend to he and the other hobbits. He knew that if Strider was truly an enemy he would, “well, seem fairer and feel fouler, if you understand.”

What stood out to you in chapter ten, STRIDER? Let us know in the comments below.

On The Secret Fire Podcast we travel chapter-by-chapter and book-by-book through J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth viewing it through Christian lenses. We invite you to join us each week as we continue the adventure on the Arkenstone server in Lord Of The Rings Online.

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With the help of Tom Bombadil Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin have made it to Bree – the chief village of Bree-land. At the recommendation of Tom the hobbits head for the inn of the Prancing Pony. What adventures await them inside? Join us for a discussion of chapter nine of The Lord Of The Rings.

At The Sign Of The Prancing Pony

The inn at Bree had been built long ago when traffic on the road had been far greater. This “city on a hill” (in fact, the word Bree means “hill” in Brythonic – a Celtic language) was a melting pot of peoples and cultures even to this day*. For Sam, seeing the large, three story building reminded him that he had expected to encounter giants as tall as trees as well as other terrible creatures on this adventure. But that he was not ready for that now.

‘We surely aren’t going to stay here for the night, are we, sir?’ he exclaimed. ‘If there are hobbit-folk in these parts, why don’t we look for some that would be willing to take us in? It would be more homelike.’

The Lord Of The Rings, At The Sign Of The Prancing Pony, p. 152

Frodo reminds him that it was Tom Bombadil who recommended the inn. And that is good enough for Frodo. He trusts the Master. For more on that refer back to the previous four episodes of the Secret Fire Podcast.

*T.A. 3018

Death And Life Are In The Power Of The Tongue

After being refreshed by a private supper Frodo, Sam, and Pippin accepted the invitation of their host, Barliman Butterbur, to join the company of travelers in the big common-room of the inn for a “bit of news, or any story or song you may have in mind.” Pippin, who was feeling right at home was the first to steer toward danger. He was receiving a good deal of audience laughter as he was sharing an amusing story of the Mayor of Michel Delving, and then, encouraged by the response, began to recount Bilbo’s infamous party trick: namely vanishing without a trace! This would certainly bring to attention the name of Baggins as well as the Ring. Both disastrous in this situation.

Proverbs 10:19 NASB

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,

But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 18:21 NASB

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

The Tongue Is A Fire

We are reminded of the words of James 3:1-12 wherein he points out that the tongue, though a small member of the body, is a fire that can metaphorically set a great forest ablaze. Pippin is on the verge of bringing ruin upon our hobbits and their quest because he is letting his tongue get away from him.

Oh, how we as followers of Christ Jesus need to be reminded of this. To repeat the proverb: The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

James 3:9-10 NASB

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

Music:

* Prancing Pony, from the album Don’t Go Drinking With Hobbits, by Marc Gunn

* Merry Old Inn, from the album The Starlit Jewel, by Broceliande

What stood out to you in AT THE SIGN OF THE PRANCING PONY? Let us know in the comments below.

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Frodo Baggins has been taken by a Barrow-Wight. He awakens to find himself imprisoned in a barrow with Sam, Merry, and Pippin lying next to him. Then he remembered the rhyme Tom Bombadil had taught them. And what power is in that song! Join us as we conclude our discussion of chapter eight of The Lord Of The Rings, Fog On The Barrow-Downs.

His Songs Are Stronger Songs

Frodo was neither very fat nor very timid. And though both Bilbo and Gandalf thought him the best hobbit in the Shire, he and his companions were in a danger that he could not get them out of. Though his courage was strong and his resolve hardened him to fight, the memory of the song Tom Bombadil taught him was his best weapon. After singing those words a deep silence fell. Then he heard a familiar voice:

Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow, Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow. None has ever caught him yet, for Tom, he is the master: His songs are stronger songs, and his feet are faster.

The Lord of the Rings, Fog on the Barrow-Downs, p. 142

Escape From The Barrow-Downs

Suddenly light – real light – streamed in and Tom came bounding into the barrow with a song that drove the Barrow-Wights away. Tom’s songs are indeed stronger songs! Frodo is a picture of King David in that he, upon finding himself in terrible danger, remembered the words (song) of Tom Bombadil just as David remembered the words of God:

Psalm 119:110-112 NASB

The wicked have laid a snare for me,

Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.

I have inherited Your testimonies forever,

For they are the joy of my heart.

I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes

Forever, even to the end.

And as David wrote that he treasured God’s words in his heart (Psa 119:11), Frodo kept Tom’s song in his. This is a theme throughout the Middle-earth Legendarium: songs and proverbs memorized and recited in times of present need:

Middle-earth had its own proverbs, parables, sayings, and riddles of the wise. They took the form of poems and songs. Frodo’s counselors often recited their verses of ancient lore as they sought guidance for the present adventure.

Kurt Bruner; Jim Ware, Finding God in The Lord of the Rings, p. 24

What stood out to you in FOG ON THE BARROW-DOWNS? Let us know in the comments below.

On The Secret Fire Podcast we travel chapter-by-chapter and book-by-book through J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth viewing it through Christian lenses. We invite you to join us each week as we continue the adventure on the Arkenstone server in Lord Of The Rings Online.

Please join our Fellowship on our Facebook and Twitter pages for even more fun from Tolkien’s Legendarium.

You may listen to the podcast by using the audio player at the top of this post, or use the links below for other convenient ways to subscribe and listen.

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Theme song: Hobbit’s Dance from the album Memories Of Middle Earth, by Brobdingnagian Bards

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Frodo Baggins and company have spent their final night of refreshing in the house of Tom Bombadil. It is time to travel North to Bree. To do that they must skirt the western lower slopes of the dreaded Barrow-Downs. Rumor of the Barrow-wights were tales best left forgotten in the Shire. Join us for a discussion of chapter eight of The Lord Of The Rings.

My Fair Lady, Clad All In Silver Green!

It was such a lovely morning that it prevented hobbit hearts from plummeting into despair that they were leaving the refreshing that came in the house of Tom Bombadil. Tom came out of the house dancing and waving as they packed the ponies for their next adventure. As they were setting out along the path that rounded the back of the house Frodo stopped short:

‘Goldberry!’ he cried. ‘My fair lady, clad all in silver green! We have never said farewell to her, nor seen her since the evening!’

The Lord Of The Rings, Fog On The Barrow-Downs, p. 135

So powerful is Tom’s discipling of Frodo that the hobbit is now speaking in the same rhythmic meter! We have discussed on previous episodes the idea of being “covered in the dust” of one’s rabbi, or teacher. It seems that Frodo is covered in the songs of Tom Bombadil. That is, he has begun to sound like the Master.

Fog On The Barrow-Downs

Frodo could not leave without saying farewell to Goldberry. Of all the partings he has thus far experienced this was especially painful. Just then Goldberry – River-woman’s daughter – appears:

‘Speed now, fair guests!’ she said. ‘And hold to your purpose! North with the wind in the left eye and a blessing on your footsteps! Make haste while the Sun shines!’

Ibid., p. 136

From there the company sets out, into strange country with hills crowned with green mounds. Stones pointing upward like jagged teeth protruding out of green gums were seen on some. In the distance a lone, solitary stone monolith rose high like some ominous marker or, perhaps, a warning. The hobbits have found themselves in the very place they were told to avoid: the Barrow-Downs!

Join us as we discuss chapter eight of The Lord Of The Rings in this episode of the Secret Fire Podcast.

What stood out to you in Fog On The Barrow-Downs? Let us know in the comments below.

On The Secret Fire Podcast we travel chapter-by-chapter and book-by-book through J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth viewing it through Christian lenses. We invite you to join us each week as we continue the adventure on the Arkenstone server in Lord Of The Rings Online.

Please join our Fellowship on our Facebook and Twitter pages for even more fun from Tolkien’s Legendarium.

You may listen to the podcast by using the audio player at the top of this post, or use the links below for other convenient ways to subscribe and listen.

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Theme song: Hobbit’s Dance from the album Memories Of Middle Earth, by Brobdingnagian Bards

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Of the many enigmatic characters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium perhaps none pique the curiosity of readers more than Tom Bombadil. “Who is he” is the question posed by Frodo. “What is he” is the question us Middle-earthlings wished was answered. In this episode of the Secret Fire Podcast we search for clues as we finish chapter seven of The Lord Of The Rings.

Who Is Tom Bombadil?

In The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien number 153, the Professor addressed the concerns of one Peter Hastings, manager of the Newman Bookshop in Oxford. Mr. Hastings was concerned that Tolkien may have overstepped his Catholic beliefs by seemingly equating Tom Bombadil with the “I Am” who spoke to Moses from the burning bush. Tokien’s reply squelches any possibility of Bombail’s divinity:

You have […] paid me the compliment of taking me seriously; though I cannot avoid wondering whether it is not ‘too seriously’, or in the wrong directions.

As for Tom Bombadil, I really do think you are being too serious, besides missing the point. (Again the words used are by Goldberry and Tom not me as a commentator) […] Frodo has asked not ‘what is Tom Bombadil’ but ‘Who is he’. We and he no doubt often laxly confuse the questions. Goldberry gives what I think is the correct answer. We need not go into the sublimities of ‘I am that [I] am’ –which is quite different from he is. She adds as a concession a statement of part of the ‘what’. He is master in a peculiar way: he has no fear, and no desire of possession or domination at all. He merely knows and understands about such things as concern him in his natural little realm. He hardly even judges, and as far as can be seen makes no effort to reform or remove even the Willow.

He Is Tom Bombadil

He is not Eru Iluvatar. Tolkien explicitly stated in letter 181 that the idea of God’s Incarnation was too large to fit in his work. But this fact does not end the possibilities, or discussion. We have other options to consider. Here is a brief outline of possible answers:

Tom as an Ainu (plural: Ainur – Holy Ones; Great Ones, Valar and Maiar.)

* Valar – the fourteen greatest Ainu

* Tom would have to be one of them

* No record of Ainur coming to live within Middle-earth (Midgard: dwelling of men)

* Rogue Maia (unknown number)

* Possibly Tom had been a Maia that was sent to “test” the newly-created world.

Tom as a Nature Sprite

* Possibly the embodiment of Arda itself, a “Father Nature”

* Non-divine nature.

* Could have been created as a side-effect of the Music of the Ainur. See following:

Tom as the Spirit of the Music of the Ainur

* Its essence.

* Would explain his unique power and its limitations:

* Timelessness

* Disposition

* Affinity for song

* Power of song

Beings like him

* Ungoliant

* The Complete Guide To Middle-earth, Robert Foster, p. 515

* The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien, pp. 73-76, 80-81, 121

* The Eldar knew not whence she came; but some have said that in ages long before she descended from the darkness that lies about Arda – p. 73

Note: There are mysterious creatures – such as the dark nameless things whose existence Sauron know not, since they are “older than him”, which Gandalf talks about (we’ll get to that – eventually).

What do you think Tom Bombadil is? Let us know in the comments below.

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Just when it looked as if Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry would have their adventure through the Old Forest abruptly ended by Old Man Willow, a eucatastrophe happened! Let us join our hobbits as they are promised safety and refreshing at The House Of Tom Bombadil. It’s all in chapter seven of The Lord Of The Rings.

In The House Of Tom Bombadil

As the hobbits stepped out of the forest and onto a wide sweep of grass – which under their feet was smooth and shorn – they saw it: the house of Tom Bambadil. Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry crossed the threshold of the home and found themselves in a long, low room lit with lamps hanging from beams in the roof, and a dark wood table with tall candles burning brightly on its polished surface. Sitting in a chair across the room, looking every bit like an elf-queen, was Goldberry, daughter of the River.

Let Us Shut Out The Night

Goldberry took Frodo by the hand and encouraged the hobbits to laugh and be merry. Then she closed the door behind them and offered more words of comfort:

‘Let us shut out the night!’ she said. ‘For you are still afraid, perhaps, of mist and tree-shadows and deep water, and untame things. Fear nothing! For tonight you are under the roof of Tom Bombadil.’

The Lord Of The Rings, In The House Of Tom Bombadil, p. 123

To be under the roof of Tom Bombadil means that one is well-cared for; all needs are met; and that times of refreshing and encouragement have come to the weary and heavy-laden.

Tom Will Refresh You

The care that Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry receive while in the house of Tom Bombadil is reminiscent of this statement of Jesus:

Matthew 11:28-30 NASB

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

The parallels between this passage and what we read in chapter seven of The Lord Of The Rings are striking indeed. J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout Christian; therefore, he may have had this scripture in mind while writing. Tom says, “Come unto me, all you hobbits who are weary and heavy-laden, and Tom will give you rest (refreshing). Take my yoke upon you – that is, be yoked to and learn from Tom, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find refreshment in the house of Tom Bombadil.”

Join us as we discuss all this and much more on this episode of The Secret Fire Podcast.

What stood out to you in IN THE HOUSE OF TOM BOMBADIL? Let us know in the comments below.

On The Secret Fire Podcast we travel chapter-by-chapter and book-by-book through J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth viewing it through Christian lenses. We invite you to join us each week as we continue the adventure on the Arkenstone server in Lord Of The Rings Online. We meet at the Three Farthing Stone in the Shire.

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Theme song: Hobbit’s Dance from the album

The Hobbits enter the Old Forest thinking it a better route for eluding the danger of the Black Riders. What they find is that the trees are directing and deflecting them to the Withywindle valley: the center of evil in the forest, and home to Old Man Willow. Join us as we continue the adventure in chapter six of The Lord Of The Rings.

The Old Forest

The morning after arriving at Crickhollow the hobbits were up by 4:30 and leaving soon after six o’clock. Making their way through fields in the still, quiet morning they came to a shed housing six ponies that were to take them on the journey through the Old Forest. The Old Forest! What trouble lay ahead, Pippin wondered. Merry lost no time in painting a disturbing picture by way of campfire (or should we say, bonfire?) stories. If Meriadoc embellished for effect, the reality of the situation was perhaps even more disturbing.

A Hobbit’s Way Is Not In Himself

The plan was to head Northeast in as true a line as the trail would permit. Instead, the trees of the Old Forest forced the hobbits in almost the opposite direction, and to the very place they most wanted to avoid: the Withywindle valley. According to Merry:

‘We don’t want to go that way! The Withywindle valley is said to be the queerest part of the whole wood –the centre from which all the queerness comes, as it were.’

The Lord Of The Rings, The Old Forest, pg. 113

The place they most desperately tried to navigate away from is exactly where they ended up. Their desire was peace and safe travel; the reality was a meeting with Old Man Willow! This is reminiscent of the prophet who said, it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23).

Calling On The Name Of Tom Bombadil

Pippin’s entire body was trapped inside Old Man Willow; Merry was half in and half out after both fell to a sleeping spell. Sam, out of sheer desperation and aggravation, was threatening to gnaw the terrible tree with his teeth, or to scorch it with fire. What else could be done?

But Frodo, without any clear idea of why he did so, or what he hoped for, ran along the path crying help! help! help!

Ibid., pg. 118

Eucatastrophe!

And, as if right on cue, Tom Bombadil – one of the most enigmatic characters in all of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium – answers the call. This is an example of what the Professor coined a ‘eucatastrophe’: the sudden happy turn in a story which pierces you with a joy that brings tears (letter 89). One can’t help but to see David and Yahweh in this. Time and again David called out in moments of great need, and God answered. This is exemplified by an unknown author:

Psalm 116:1-9 NASB

I love the Lord, because He hears

My voice and my supplications.

Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

The cords of death encompassed me

And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;

I found distress and sorrow.

Then I called upon the name of the Lord:

“O Lord, I beseech You, save my life!”

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;

Yes, our God is compassionate.

The Lord preserves the simple;

I was brought low, and He saved me.

Return to your rest, O my soul,

For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

For You have rescued my soul from death,

My eyes from tears,

My feet from stumbling.

I shall walk before the Lord

In the land of the living.

What stood out to you in the THE OLD FOREST? Let us know in the comments below.

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In A Conspiracy Unmasked Frodo, Sam, and Pippin finally make their way over the Brandywine river and to Frodo’s new home at Crickhollow. Merry and Fredegar Bolger have worked hard to make everything as comfortable as possible. Did they succeed? Let’s explore chapter 5 of The Lord Of The Rings on this episode of The Secret Fire Podcast.

Crossing The Baranduin

Over the Brandywine river lies Buckland, a “sort of colony from the Shire” settled long ago (T.A. 2340) by one Gorhendad Oldbuck. These “half foreigners” were the most peculiar of all hobbits according to the decent and sensible folk Samwise Gamgee was brought up around. After all, they were fond of boats. And some of them could swim! Crossing the river was possibly the most unnerving part of this adventure thus far for Sam:

He had a strange feeling as the slow gurgling stream slipped by: his old life lay behind in the mists, dark adventure lay in front. He scratched his head, and for a moment had a passing wish that Mr. Frodo could have gone on living quietly at Bag End.

The Lord of the Rings, A Conspiracy Unmasked, p. 99

For Hobbits of the Shire, the Brandywine was traditionally the demarcation between the known and unknown. The name is a pun. In Sindarin it is called the Baranduin, or golden-brown river. The Hobbits named it Bralda-hîm, or heady ale – which is Brandywine in English. The river flows out of Lake Evendim in northern Eriador and has two crossings in the Shire: Brandywine Bridge and Bucklebury Ferry.

A Conspiracy Unmasked

Meriadoc Brandybuck and Fatty Bolger had a short time before the arrival of this company of three, and they wanted to make Frodo’s new home at Crickhollow as comfortable as possible. They had even arranged the furniture to resemble Bag End. For the road-weary travelers Merry had prepared three bathtubs with piping hot water, soap, and towels. Dinner (the second that night!) was being prepared. Great care was shown on behalf of their friends; and Frodo was both grateful and remorseful:

It was a pleasant, comfortable, welcoming place; and he found himself wishing that he was really coming here to settle down in quiet retirement. It seemed unfair to have put his friends to all this trouble; and he wondered again how he was going to break the news to them that he must leave them so soon, indeed at once.

Ibid., p. 100

Fellowship Is Unity

What Frodo doesn’t know is that his friends are completely aware of his intentions. They had been for quite some time. Nor did Frodo know that they had plans of their own: they were going to go with him wherever this adventure would lead. This was the unmasking of the conspiracy. These Hobbits from various towns of the Shire (and even Buckland!) who have differing cultural mores are of one mind and spirit. They love each other and care for one another by placing the other’s needs first. This is exactly what the apostle Paul encouraged the Philippian church to do and be:

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus

Philippians 2:1-5 NASB

What a wonderful lesson Christians can learn from this fellowship of Hobbits in A Conspiracy Unmasked.

Song: Bath Song from the album The Starlit Jewel by Brocelïande.

On The Secret Fire Podcast we travel chapter-by-chapter and book-by-book through J.R.R.