"Three is Company" (III)

Still in the Shire, the hobbits are beginning to be aware that it may not be the safe place they thought it was. In this chapter, we already get glimpses of the wider world, but Tolkien does so timidly, as it should be, not hurrying the action, but allowing it to tiptoe into the narrative. On this occasion, darkness has taken the shape of the sniffing Black Rider, of whose identity the hobbits know absolutely nothing, even though instinct tells them to stay away from him. The Ring begins to show its power; Frodo has been carrying it for a little time and has not even worn it once, but the temptation to slip it on as the Rider approaches is already strong.


Light, on the other hand, saves the day with the appearance of the Elves, whose mere presence is enough to make the Black Rider hide away. The Elves bring not only light, but also song, food, merriment and, most importantly, hope. Yes, despite the hints that Gildor gives about the dangers behin, before, and at each side, the light that accompanies the Elves brightens the night and the heart of hobbits and readers alike.  'Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo may very well be the most beautiful greeting I know; I love the sound, I love the meaning: "a star shines on the hour of our meeting". Light, always the light, and the comfort that provides feeling that there is some higher power watching over us, as Gildor tells Frodo: "The Elves have their own labours and their own sorrows, and they are little concerned with the ways of hobbits, or of any other creatures upon earth. Our paths cross their seldom, by chance or purpose. In this meeting there may be more than chance; but the purpose is not clear to me, and I fear to say too much.'

Another great statement that proves to be truer the older one gets: 'Courage is found in unlikely places'. The hobbits are sleeping now, the Elves will be watching over; in the morning they will have left, but they'll also have left their light behind, and Sam will never find words to express what that meeting meant for him.