Tolkien Goes Meta

While rereading "Council of Elrond" on my flight this morning to double check my accuracy, I find a line that I had previously glossed over.

At the Council,  Frodo tells everyone of his time with the Ring. All the way from Bilbo's disappearance to the Council. When he is finished,  Bilbo encourages him and insists that they sit down and get all the story written down if Bilbo is to write anything up for his book.

"There are whole chapters of stuff before you ever got here! " Bilbo exclaims.

Later in the chapter,  Bilbo is the first to volunteer his services as the Ring bearer to Mordor. Gandalf applauds his bravery but asks him to stay in Rivendell and to "get ready to write a sequel, when they [the fellowship] come back. "

I enjoy these lines because from a lore standpoint, what we know as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit comes from the "Red Book of Westmarch" which is the name of the book that Bilbo is always working on. This book is passed down by Sam's family until Tolkien discovers it somewhere and translated it from its original "Westron" into English.

Cool, huh?

Book 2 Chapter 2: The Council of Elrond Part 1

"Council of Elrond" is one of, if not the, longest chapters in The Lord of the Rings and is chock full of information. Besides setting up the entire rest of the story plotwise, it also delves into several characters, revealing interesting information and history.

This Part 1 will focus on the attendees of the Council and Part 2 will be a deep dive into some pieces of lore glossed over in the chapter, but interesting none the less.

In this chapter, Elrond gathers the mightiest folk in Rivendell to determine what should be done with the Ring. Contrary to what I've heard from many friends speaking casually, Elrond did not "summon" the attendees or otherwise ask that they be there. Everyone just so happened to be in Rivendell at the same time. Whether this is mere coincidence or a higher power subtlety moving pieces is unknown.

Boromir

Boromir, the Captain and mightiest warrior of Gondor, is the lone representative (aside from Aragorn) of Men at the Council. Boromir is, like Aragorn, of royal Numenorean blood and therefore is more powerful, and longer lived than other men and a natural leader. However, unlike Aragorn, his blood has been more diluted over the years and is not as strong or long-lived as Aragorn or the other Dunedain. Boromir is attending the Council because he and his brother Faramir each received a vision of a great weapon that will save Gondor and he sets out to Rivendell to find it.The film version of Return of the King shows a variation of this explanation. Boromir clearly believes this weapon to be the Ring but is shot down by everyone as being too dangerous. Just what is this great weapon that Boromir was sent to find? (Hint: probably Aragorn. Like, clearly, it has to be Aragorn)

Gloin and Gimli

Gloin and his son Gimli, who we met last chapter at the feast are here to tell Elrond of odd circumstances that have happened at the Lonely Mountain. Gloin says that dark messengers came to them, offering the return of one of the Seven in exchange for information about the location of Bilbo Baggins. This is especially cruel since the Ring being offered is likely the one that was ripped from Thrain (father of Thorin Oakenshield) in the dungeons of Dol Guldor in the events preceeding the Hobbit. Gloin and Gimli also came to seek word of their cousin Balin who had attempted to recolonize Moria but had not been heard from for some time.

Legolas

Legolas and his retinue had also come to share dire news. During the long 12 year absence where Gandalf had left Frodo with the Ring and before Frodo had left the Shire, Gandalf and Aragorn had been busy bees. Gandalf knew that Gollum was the link that could tie the Ring to Bilbo and so must be caught at all costs. He and Aragorn spent years tracking through the Wild Lands for Gollum and Aragorn eventually captured him, but only after he had been tortured by Sauron for information.

Aragorn brought Gollum to King Thranduil of Mirkwood (Legolas' father) for safe-keeping. Legolas is now here to share the terrible news that Gollum escaped from their prison!

Why did the Elves simply kill Gollum and be done with it? Well, of course, it's because Gandalf urged them not to because he still hoped to find a cure for the Ring's ravaging. Remember in Moria when Gandalf admonishes Frodo for saying that it was a "pity" that Bilbo didn't kill Gollum? He leaves us with this fantastic quote: "Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends."

Gandalf

Touching on the end of Legolas' section, Gandalf clearly comes out in this chapter at the voice and embodiment of  the power of redemption. He truly believes that Gollum can be redeemed. Evil is NOT irreversible and even the most wicked can repent. Gandalf is one of the very few characters in Lord of the Rings where Tolkien's strong religious faith can be easily seen. Time and time again (Gollum, Grima Wormtongue, Saruman, Sauron himself) Gandalf offers his adversaries a peaceful end to renounce their wickedness.

But how did Gandalf even get to Rivendell? Last we heard, he was late to meeting Frodo in the Shire.

Gandalf set out to discuss the terrible news of the One Ring with Saruman, the wisest and most powerful of the Istari (Wizard) order. Saruman was specifically a scholar of Ring-lore; how to make them, how to imbue power into them, and what they could do. His original task in Middle-Earth was the find weakness in Sauron and help exploit them. To this end, he studied Sauron and the Ring relentlessly, becoming engrossed in his work. To this end, his fervent work consumed him.

Gandalf shared news that the Ring had been found and that they must take action to keep ahead of Sauron. Saruman, however, revealed that he wanted the Ring for his own. He fancied himself a Ring-maker of his own right (he even showed off a Ring that he had made) and was saddened but not surprised when Gandalf did not share his enthusiasm for getting the Ring. Saruman felt that he, alone, could control the Ring and bend it as his own instrument. Gandalf, of course, felt this was silly and he was imprisoned by Saruman (although probably without the silly wizard duel in the movie). Gandalf is then saved by the Eagles and is returned to Rivendell.

Conclusion

Arguments break out between the parties as they determine what to do with the Ring. the Dwarves aren't keen on Legolas' folk (seeing as how Gloin was imprisoned by Legolas' father during the events of The Hobbit) doing much of anything with the Ring and no one, including Gandalf and Elrond, have much of a plan. Eventually, they decide that it must be completely destroyed by dropping into Mt. Doom but then talks devolve into arguments again over who should take it.

Finally, Frodo surprises everyone (including himself!) when he volunteers to take the Ring to Mt. Doom. Samwise similarly is steadfast that he will go with Mr. Frodo. Unlike the film, however, the Council of Elrond ends at this point and the actual composition of the Fellowship is determined later.

In the next post, I plan on diving into Saruman and the Eagles pretty extensively so get ready! I'll also discuss anything I think of in the meantime as well as anything you suggest in the Comments!

Book 2 Chapter 1: Many Meetings

My brief pause in writing came at a perfect moment in the story. Frodo has just collapsed on the banks of the Bruinen and witnessed the Nazgul being swept away. After this moment, he is rescued by the folk of Rivendell and Elrond begins healing him. It's quite some time, many days, later that he finally wakes up so pretend that my gap in posts is due to staying in character. :)

A Note on Terminology

This is the first chapter of Book Two! It is important to point out that Tolkien did NOT write a trilogy. He wrote one narrative with six constituent books. For example, Books 1 and 2 are typically split into the subheading of "Fellowship of the Ring". Therefore, it is most accurate to read Tolkien in one large volume where it is easier to physically feel the sense of progression throughout the story. The breaking of the Fellowship is not the end of its own novel, it's a dramatic point (one of many) on the slopes of the storyline.

It's a minor distinction but I feel an important one.

Now, onto the chapter itself!

"Many Meetings" along with the following "Council of Elrond" are two of the most lore-dense, plot filled chapters in all of Lord of the Rings and can be a challenge to slog through after several chapters of Cat-and-Mouse through the Lone Lands and the Trollshaws. However, these chapters really allow Tolkien to shine in what he does best, tell a story and make it seem like we're only scratching the surface of his world.

The chapter opens with Frodo waking up to Gandalf (who he hasn't seen in a long, long time) who promptly explains why he was delayed. He also comments on Frodo's EXCEPTIONAL strength. He bore the wound from the Morgul blade for a full 17 days without succombing to the darkness. Gandalf insinuates that most anyone else would have faltered long before which is a great foreshadowing of Frodo's ability to weather the Ring's increasingly powerful effects without being too controlled by it.

The Fair Valley of Rivendell by Ted Nasmith

Lords of the Eldar

Frodo finds himself in Rivendell, home to Elrond, among others, which is famed as being a haven of the "elf-wise, Lords of the Eldar from beyond the farthest sea". These powerful lords of the Elves are beings who once lived in Valinor (the Undying Lands) in the First Age and then came back to Middle Earth. Tolkien writes that these beings "live in both worlds and have great power against the seen and unseen."

Do you remember in the last chapter, Frodo describing a bright light across the river before he blacks out? He is falling under the sway of the Shadow, much like he does when he puts on the Ring and passes into the Unseen World. In this Unseen World, he catches a bright light that shines across the water and then the chapter ends without much further explanation. This light was Glorfindel who, as we've previously discussed, is certainly a capable threat against the Seen and Unseen.

But just who are the other "Lord of the Eldar from beyond the farthest sea"?

Glorfindel told Aragorn in the previous chapter that “few, even in Rivendell, ride openly against the Nine; but such as there were, Elrond sent out north, west, and south.” So clearly, Glorfindel is one of these Elves and rode West to find them. But who were the other two?

I have two theories on this:

1. Elladan and Elrohir - Elrond's two sons are logical choices since they are very well-esteemed among Elves (Legolas praises them heavily throughout the tale) and are old friends of Aragorn's. However, it is unlikely that Glorfindel would describe the two as capable of riding openly against the Nine, especially since they have not been to Valinor and would not have the same might as someone who has seen Aman.
2. Two of Elrond's Advisors - Elrond has numerous advisors in Rivendell and Tolkien would not have introduced all of them to us. Think of it this way; if you were telling the story of World War II in the South Pacific, you wouldn't necessarily name Winston Churchill even if was undoubtedly important and played an important role. I think it is very feasible that some of Elrond's advisors were born in Aman and then came over to Middle-Earth. This would place them mighty among the Elves and give them power to ride openly against the Nine.

Your thoughts?

Glorfindel, Elrond, and Earnur go to war.

Powers of the Eldar

But glowing in the Unseen World is not the only power these Lords of the Eldar command. Despite not being born in Valinor, Elrond himself possesses a magic unlike anything else we've seen, or will see. Gandalf reveals that Elrond commanded the flood of the Bruinen and the river is under his control. Gandalf also shares that only Elrond had the power needed to bring Frodo back from the grievous wound he received.

I think this is a very important section and one that really fleshes out some key themes for Tolkien. Elrond is not a divine being. In fact, he is half-Elven; a cross between his Elven mother and Human father. Despite this, Elrond has powers that Gandalf, an immortal being created, not born, cannot match.

Similarly, in the First Age, Feanor created the Silmarils: three brilliant jewels that contained the beauty and light of the world before evil corrupted it. These jewels were perfect, unable to be destroyed, even by the Valar, and not even the mightiest craftsmen of the Valar could match Feanor's skill at crafting.

Also as I discussed in the Glorfindel post, there are examples of Elves fighting Balrogs and Dragons one on one. Balrogs are generally regarded as being the same type of being as Gandalf, mid level immortals who defected to Morgoth.

Time after time, we have the Children of Iluvatar, those that are not truly immortal standing up to the great powers of the world, and besting them in unexpected ways! Tolkien is lauding the capacity of Men and Elves to succeed. In them lies tremendous greatness that can exceed even the brilliance of the Gods, but it is not for everyone and it is not without sacrifice of one's own.

What do you think Tolkien is saying here? Do you find this important or intentional?

The Fellowship Begins to Form

Outside of a discussion on Tolkien's intent, a few plot points happen in this chapter and are important to note. I'm going to throw out a bullet point list with brief comments on a few areas because this post is already long.

• Sam hardly left Frodo's side during the days he was at Rivendell. Remember that these two WERE NOT EVEN FRIENDS before this trip began. Merry and Pippen were not always present and they had been Frodo's best friends. Does this say more about Sam or Merry/Pippen? I think it says more about Sam's character.
• Frodo meets Gloin who came to Rivendell with his son Gimli. Gloin, you'll remember, is one of the 12 Dwarves that went with Bilbo to the Lonely Mountain. They talk briefly but neither really knows why everyone has been summoned. Gloin shrugs it off and says that "Master Elrond" will sort it out. When has a Dwarf been this respectful of an Elf? Is the line out of character or does Elrond command such respect among other races?
• Bilbo is alive and well! He is living in Rivendell with the Elves who treat him with the highest level of respect. At feasts, Elrond treats Bilbo as an old friend, sharing food and wine personally. Bilbo and Aragorn have also been acquainted for years and Aragorn often helps him write and sing new songs and tunes. This helps explain why Aragorn was unsurprised when Frodo said Bilbo had translated some of the Ballad of Beren and Luthien before the party had reached Weathertop.
• Aragorn himself is accorded a great deal of respect. He grew up in Rivendell and is referred to as The Dunadan. Dunadan means "Man of the West", but with "The" as a prefix, it implies that he is the most important one. 

Frodo has found himself with some pretty dang important people doing things at a higher level than he can really understand right now. Glorfindel alone has lived longer than just about everyone introduced to the story so far (excepting a few notable ones) combined and Aragorn's mysterious shroud is being slowly revealed, piece by piece, often leaving more questions than answers in the wake.

Next up is the Council of Elrond. The longest chapter in the history of literature (that was hyperbole) and also the most dense (also hyperbole). Disregarding the hyperbole, there is a lot to dissect and I'll likely grab two blog posts to do it.

Gimli, Galadriel, and the Importance of Her Gift

Two quick housekeeping notes:

1) Yes, I've been terrible at posting recently. I'll get better. Have quite the backlog of notes I can power through.

2) This is not in sequential order. I found it surfing along some of my Tolkien discussion forums and thought it was important enough to share.

Enjoy!

Source

Ask any questions in the comments and I'll try to answer them!

Also, a quick note. The scene where Feanor asks Galadriel for her hair is NOT in the Silmarillion, but instead part of the Unfinished Tales series. Just a quick point on sourcing.