Book 2 Chapters 8 and 9: Farewell to Lorien and the Great River

I decided to combine these two posts because Lorien really marks a turning point and these two chapters, though having different events and themes, tie together very well.

Galadriel's Gifts

In "Farewell to Lorien", the most significant event is the ceremonial departure from the land where Galadriel bestows upon the Fellowship great boons and treasures to help them accomplish their remaining quest. I'm going through these gifts chronologically, with the exception of Aragorn who receives the greatest gift of all.

To everyone:

• Lembas: Elvish bread that is densely packed with nutrition and sustenance and can keep indefinitely. This is a special gift that the Elves had never previously given out to non-Elves.
• Cloaks of the Galadrim: Elvish cloaks that excel in keeping the wearer a consistent temperature (warms and cools them) as well as "magical" properties to seemingly shift colors to hide the wearer. Pippin asks the Elves if these are magical cloaks and the Elves seem puzzled, confused by what Pippen means by "magic"

"I do not know what you mean by that. They are fair garments...lead and branch, water and stone; they have the hue and beauty of all these things under the twilight of Lorien that we love; for we put the thought of all that we kive into all that we make...You are indeed in the favour of the Lady! For she and her maidens wove this stuff; and never before have we clad strangers ub he garb of our own people." 

For how ancient Lorien is, I'd say that's a hell of a gift

Boromir

• A belt of gold

Seemingly of little significance. I can guess that perhaps it is a reflection of Boromir's values in that a gilded belt would be "kingly" to wear and a proud leader of Gondor would be drawn to such an item? 

Merry and Pippin

• Small silver belts, each with a clasp looking like a golden flower

Like Boromir's gift, this one doesn't seem to have any specific significance (that I can see but I'm consciously keeping an eye out while reading for further references) however, even without more significance, Elven-made gear, as previously stated, is precious and worthy of respect.

Legolas

• A bow that the Galadrim use which is stronger than the bows Legolas had previously used from Mirkwood.

He later uses this to shoot down a Fell Beast as the Fellowship travels down the Great River so it has a certain "oomph" to it.

Legolas Draws the Bow of Galadriel by Michael Kaluta

Sam

• A small box of earth from Lorien blessed by Lady Galadriel

This bit of dirt promises that "though you should final all barren and laid waste, there will be few gardens in Middle-Earth that will bloom like your garden." We can revisit this gift at the end of the story when Sam DOES return to the Shire but this is clearly one of the first gifts that has strong significance to the character beyond prowess in battle or armor.

Gimli

•  Three strands of Galadriel's hair
• Galadriel does not have a gift prepared for Gimli and instead asks Gimli "what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves".
• Gimli asks no gift of the Elves stating that is enough to have seen the Lady Galadriel herself. I don't think this is him being modest or overly respectful as it is Gimli being humbled by everything he has seen in Lorien and being too proud/stubborn to ask even more of the Galadrim.
• Gimli does respond, and as an expert diplomat too:

"There is nothing, Lady Galadriel, nothing, unless it might be - unless it is permitted to ask, nay, to name a single strand of your hair, which surpasses the gold of the earth as the stars surpass the gems of the mine. I do not ask for such a gift. But you commanded me to name my desire."

This is extraordinarily significant. Not necessarily to the story itself but it deepens the world. Galadriel's hair is said to reflect the light of the Trees of Valinor and Feanor, the greatest of the Elven kings and the most advanced craftsmen the world had ever seen (he created the Silmarils) requested a strand of her hair three separate times and was rejected. Feanor later becomes enraged over the Silmarils and is essentially an "Elvish Original Sin" figure and this interaction hints that Galadriel has a gift of insight that is hers alone. By giving Gimli THREE strands, I think she is acknowledging the other request she had for her hair and is deeming Gimli, a fellow craftsmen, to be more pure of heart and worthy of the gift than the self-serving King Feanor. Cool stuff!

Frodo

• Phial with the light of Earendil's star that is caught in water from Galadriel's fountain
• "Earendil's star" is a misnomer because Earendil's "star" is actually a Silmaril. Earendil fastened a Silmaril to his brow and sailed his ship into the sky (this is Tolkien so that's not legend, that happened in the First Age). This light is therefore the light of the Silmarils which themselves captured the light of the Trees of Valinor, the source of illumination and wonder for the entire world before the Sun and Moon were created. This is the most pure and perfect light left in the world and glows all the brighter when darkness sets in.
• The most esoteric and "magical" of the gifts bestowed on the Fellowship, the phial is second in significance only to Aragorn's gift. 

Aragorn

• "Magical" sheath for Anduril
• The first gift for Aragorn is a sheath that is beautifully decorated with silver and gold leaves and flowers. Gemstones shaped like Elven runes name the sword Anduril and cite the lineage of the sword. In addition to the stunning beauty, the sheath is said to protect the blade from being stained or broken even in defeat.
• The Elfstone
• Galadriel asks Aragorn if she can present him with any other gift and he answers that all he desires, she cannot give him (clearly, Arwen), and Galadriel has a bit of a surprise for Aragorn.
• While she can't give Arwen herself to Aragorn, she does have a token of hers to give him: a great stone of clear green set in a silver brooch shaped like a great eagle with spread wings

"This stone I gave to Celebrian my daughter and she to hers [Arwen]; and now it comes to you as a token of hope. In this hour take the name that was foretold for you, Elessar, the Elfstone of the house of Elendil!"

A Farewell to Lorien by Ted Nasmith

The Transformation of Gimli

As mentioned previously, Gimli desires only a strand of Galadriel's golden hair as a treasure "in memory of your words to me at our first meeting. And if I ever return to the smithies of my home, it shall be set in imperishable crystal to be an heirloom of my house and a pledge of goodwill between Mountain and Wood until the end of days."

These are BIG WORDS coming from a dwarf when there has been nothing but animosity between the two peoples for centuries, even millenniums. Let's take a look at Gimli's time in Lorien and deconstruct this change in view.
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Arrival in the Forest

Gimli is treated poorly by the Elves at the border. Haldir says they have not had friendly deadlings with the Dwarves since the "Dark Days" and that only with Legolas and Aragorn guarding Gimli will he be allowed to pass and even then, he must be blind-folded. Gimli obviously takes a dim view of this arrangement and refuses to go along with the plan. Aragorn arranges for everyone to be blind-folded making it more fair. Gimli accepts this despite Legolas' grumblings. Not a promising start.

Arrival in Caras Galdon

The party arrives to meet the Lord and Lady of the city and are immediately questioned about Gandalf and his "demise". When they relay the tale of the Balrog being found, Celeborn is full of rage, placing it upon Gimli as the representative of the folk who woke the Balrog.

"But had I known the Dwarves had stirred up this evil in Moria again, I would have forbidden you to pass our northern borders. You and all who go with you."

Galadriel is quick to step in, chastising her husband, and defending the Dwarves.

"Do not repent of your welcome to the Dwarf. If our folk had been exiled long and far from Lothlorien, who of the Galadrim, even Celeborn the Wise, would pass nigh and not wish to look upon their ancient home, though it had become the abode of dragons?

 Dark is the water of the Kheled-zaram, and cold are the springs of Kibil-nala, and fair were the many pillared halls of Khazad-dum in Elder Days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone."

Galadriel, in two quick lines, explains the plight of the Dwarves in a way that clearly no other race had thought of before, and also references the glory and splendor of the lost kingdom IN THE NATIVE TONGUE OF THE DWARVES. Not even Gandalf used this language to describe Moria.

Gimli is stunned a bit at first and Tolkien writes, "that it seemed to him that he looked suddenly into the heart of an enemy and saw there love and understanding." Gimli follows this realization by claiming,

"Yet more fair is the living land of Lorien and the Lady Galadriel is above all the jewels that lie beneath the Earth."

In the span of a quick conversation, Gimli's heart and entire worldview of the Elves has changed. He knows that they can have compassion and understanding for the plight of the Dwarves and this change of heart and acceptance of friendship profoundly shapes the rest of the Ring-Quest and Gimli's entire life.

The Transformation of Aragorn

 Gimli isn't the only member of the Fellowship to experience a significant character change over the course of a few dozen pages. From the time entering Lorien to the campsite near Amon Hen above the falls of Rauros, Aragorn transforms from a mysterious but capable vagabond and traveler, to a decisive and kingly leader, inspiring in presence and sight.

I think three key factors are at play here

1. The loss of Gandalf
2. The blessing of Galadriel
3. Coming closer to the historic sites of Numenorean power

The Loss of the Gandalf

Undoubtedly, Gandalf's loss in Moria is a tremendous blow to the Fellowship. Their emotional, intellectual, and strategic leader suddenly disappears and Aragorn, whether he is ready or not, needs to assume the mantle of leadership.

Aragorn is already a very experienced traveler and warrior, fighting in campaigns across Middle-Earth for all manner of factions (Rohan, Gondor, the Rangers, Rivendell, etc) but this is his most important command yet due to his duties as a member of the Fellowship and as the last living heir of Isildur. With Gandalf in the Fellowship, he could focus on being the heir of Isildur and protecting Frodo without the weight of decision-making. While he would consult with Gandalf, it was clear that Gandalf's opinion held primacy most of the time and Aragorn was glad to have those opinions.

After leaving Moria, I think the party was a bit shell-shocked and Aragorn was reacting on instinct more than anything: get away from the mountain and towards Lothlorien where friends are waiting. Only through spending time in Lorien in safety can his thoughts truly settle and adapt to his new role.

The Blessing of Galadriel

I referenced Aragorn's gift above, where Galadriel literally bids him to do away with his previous monikers and titles and embrace his status as heir to the throne. Her gift, which is really Arwen's gift, signifies a unity between Men and Elves (which as I've written about previously, are very rare and incredibly important) and harkens back to a previous time when the Elves and the House of Elendil still had great might and grandeur.

"Then Aragorn took the stone and pinned the brooch upon his breast, and those who saw him wondered; for they had not marked before how tall and kingly he stood, and it seemed to them that many years of toil had fallen from his shoulders."

 Aragorn's own spirits are being lifted by the blessing of the most powerful Elf in the world (and grandmother to his own beloved) and this rejuvenation and renewed determination is clearly apparent to the rest of the company.

Nearing the Lands of Numenor

After the party leaves Lorien, they travel down the Great River towards Gondor and Mordor. After several days of travel (including an ambush by orcs which included Legolas shooting down a Fell Beast in the night...) they reach the mighty gates of the Argonath.

The Argonath is probably in my top 3 favorite locations in Middle-Earth. This is place in the river where the Numenoreans built titanic statues unweathered from the centuries of wear and tear. The twin colossuses are of Anarion and Isildur, the sons of Elendil and the Kings of Gondor and Arnor respectively.

When the Great River passes between the statues, the sheer might and power of the location cowers most of the Fellowship. Frodo can't bear to look up and even Boromir keeps his head bowed. Only Aragorn seems to revel in the power of this location.

"'Fear not!' said a strange voice behind him. Frodo turned and saw Strider, and yet not Strider, for the weather-worn Ranger was no longer there. In the stern sat Aragorn son of Arathorn, proud and erect, guiding the boat with skillful strokes, his hood was cast back, and his dark hair was blowing in the wind, a light was in his eyes: a king returning from exile to his own land.

'Fear not!' he said. 'Long have I desired to look upon the likenesses of Isildur and Anarion, my sires of old. Under their shadow Elessar, the Elfstone son of Arathorn of the House of Valandil, Isildur's son, heir of Elendir, has naught to dread!'"

That's a heck of a passage and really a marked contrast to the more cautious Strider seen earlier in the book.

The Argonath by Ted Nasmith

Conclusion

I think the transition from Moria to Lorien to the wilderness beyond is crucial in understanding several characters and their development. I also could have touched on Boromir whose mania deepens as the chapters progress or Merry who becomes more eager to contribute to the Fellowship or Sam who becomes more resolute the farther he gets from home.

I think I'd like to dedicate a whole post to Boromir and his descent into madness when he dies in the third book (first part of the Two Towers) and I'll break it down further.

Hope you enjoyed this marathon of a post, I really enjoyed reading about the transformations of Gimli and Aragorn and thinking what they mean in the larger context.

Book 1 Chapter 12: Flight to the Ford

Flight to the Ford is a cat and mouse game through the Trollshaws, a lawless and rugged land west of Rivendell. This 17 day adventure from the night of Frodo's stabbing to his healing at Rivendell is condensed into 5 minutes and a wonderful Deus ex Arwen to save the day.

Granted, a powerful elf on a white horse does appear out of nowhere and saves the day, but I think it makes a little more sense than freakin' Arwen.

Anyway, the chapter starts right after Frodo is stabbed. I think it's important to note just how many times Frodo is stabbed during his quest. Here on Weathertop, nearly skewered in Moria, and impaled by Shelob in Cirith Ungol. There is probably a joke about Sam in here too but I'll leave that alone.

In any case, the Riders stab Frodo and then are immediately chased off by Aragorn by which we can assume that they are aware who he is and fear/respect his power. Why would they flee from one man with the Ring so close? 

I think the answer is a mix of respect for Aragorn and that it simply is not their nature. In a previous chapter, Aragorn discusses that the Riders would not barge into the Prancing Pony because they were not at full strength (all 9), and they preferred to avoid direct fighting. Only 5 of the Riders were present at Weathertop so we can assume they fell back with the hope that the wound would overcome Frodo and he would become their servant (the fate Gandalf hints was in store for him during the next chapter).

Hands of the King

So Frodo isn't immediately rescued by a white pony and a Liv Tyler, but is instead kept alive by the hands of Aragorn.

In Return of the King, Faramir notes that the hands of the king are hands of a healer. This is in contrast with the view that great warriors make a king and is Tolkien's way of affirming what he believes is the most important characteristic in a ruler. Aragorn's hands of healing are physically manifested in literal healing powers instead of metaphoric power, but this situation is one of the earliest examples.

Aragorn keeps Frodo alive and they dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge their way through the woods, avoiding trails and taking the rough route through the land.

Merry 

We've discussed this before, but Merry really steps up his game in this chapter. While the quest revolves around Frodo and there is deference to his thoughts, Merry is really the dominant Hobbit voice in the party. After about 10 days in the wilderness, Frodo collapses on a climb and Merry is the one to stand up to Aragorn about needing to stop and rest. He is in tune with Frodo more than most and speaks to Aragorn as almost equals. 

Similarly, the next morning it is Aragorn and Merry who journey out and survey the land for a better route. The other Hobbits are not even considered and, although Tolkien doesn't write it, it's probably an obvious choice within the party. Merry has been a leader the entire time so far and it would be natural that he picks up the slack and assumes a leadership mantle.

A Song in the Trollshaws by Ted Nasmith

Sam the Bard

Sam is a Hobbit of many talents. When the party comes across the Trolls that nearly made a snack of Thorin's 12 dwarves and Bilbo in The Hobbit, Sam sings a song while they relax.

When he finishes, others applaud and ask where he heard it or who taught him the tune. Sam is sheepish and Frodo senses the truth.

"I am learning a lot about Sam Gamgee on this journey.  First he was a conspirator now he's a jester.  He'll end up by becoming a wizard - or a warrior! " 

Seems awfully prescient...

Even better is Sam's response.

" I hope not.  I don't want to be neither"

Sam doesn't dream of gathering power unto himself. He is far too selfless for that. His heart is set elsewhere and this pure heart and strength of character is what makes him a model guardian for Frodo on this quest.

Really like this exchange.

Conclusion

After the Trolls, the chapter begins wrapping up but does so with the introduction of one of the biggest bad-asses in Middle-Earth. I will talk more about Glorfindel and his badassery tomorrow morning in a post!