"The Ring Goes South" (II)

November finishes today and the hobbits remain in Rivendell. The narrative does not go into detail about how their daily life unfolds in the time they spend there, but we know that this stay is acting as a balm in their wearied bodies and spirits, providing them with a strength that they will certainly need for the hard road ahead. Thus, over a month ago we left them talking and thinking about the past and the dangers that lay in their journey, but any anxiety that they might have had did not last long: "such was the virtue of the land of Rivendell that soon all fear and anxiety was lifted from their minds. The future, good or ill, was not forgotten, but ceased to have any power over the present. Health and hope grew strong in them, and they were content with each good day as it came, taking pleasure in every meal, and in every word and song."

The hobbits are resting, but I have kept really busy, travelling to academic meetings in Brussels and Valencia, and in a couple of days I will be travelling to France. But I have in common with them the fact that these meetings have not just been academic ones, but also an opportunity to spend time with dear friends scattered all over the world. A visit to Rouge-Cloître Abbey was quite a "Rivendelly" experience. 

An Ent?

   
No matter what a great time one is having when travelling, home is always on the horizon as the place to return. Rivendell has given Frodo the experience to meet Bilbo and Gandalf again and heal from his deadly wound, but he had only planned to take the Ring there and leave its fate in the hands of those he felt were "greater" than him. Even if he willingly offered to take the Ring and is free to back off from his offer, he must certainly miss his home, and long for his return or to spend more time in The Last Homely House East of the Sea". 

I can just imagine the magic of the changing colours of autumn in a place like Rivendell. Who would want to leave it just when winter starts? Who would not want to either stay here or go back home? Who can blame Frodo for feeling that he wished all this had not happened in his time?

Chapter 2. "The Council of Elrond" & Chapter 3 "The Ring Goes South" (I)

We have an intense day ahead of us; the Council of Elrond is meeting.

So many things we have known, so many new characters; such a scary view of the world to come has taken shape during the Council. Among such high-born people, the small hobbit, Frodo Baggins, offers himself to take the Ring to Mordor, putting himself in the hands of whoever wants to show him the Road. Sam is going to accompany him, and Merry and Pippin, ignorant of the real danger ahead, are envious of him. Nothing is decided yet, but Gandalf may also accompany them, if indeed they are finally taking the Ring. In the meantime, the prospect of resting in Rivendell is much welcome.

While the hobbits rest and get ready for their journey South, I will not be reading much, since there is only a couple of paragraphs separating this part of the narrative from the paragraph that informs us that the hobbits spend nearly two months in Rivendell. Since Rivendell is a place of learning, I will take the opportunity to dig into as many postponed books and essays as possible. But tomorrow, Brussels awaits: the 7th Biennial Conference of the European Association for the Study of Culture, Literature and the Environment. Looking forward to more learning and many, many, many meetings!

Book II. Chapter 1. "Many Meetings"

Many meetings, indeed! Frodo is safe and wakes up to hear a voice that informs him that he is in the house of Elrond and that is is the morning of October 24th. And that voice is none other than Gandalf's! Frodo feels even more so how much they needed Gandalf, now that he is close at hand. The old wizard informs him of many things: he was held captive, the wound almost killed Frodo (he was fading, close to becoming a wraith himself), the Dark Lord has many servants, and Glorfilndel is an Elf-lord of a house of princes. They are now safe in Rivendell, where a power lies to withstand that of Mordor, at least for a while, and Rivendell is the perfect place to rest, to gain strength of body and soul.

The joy of seeing again his friends safe and sounds overwhelming, but nothing can compare to what Frodo feels when he sees Bilbo at the great feast!

But there are also new meetings: Glóin, Elrond, and Arwen; and the Elves really look out of this world. After the darkness of the last episodes, the calm light, the music and the warmth at Rivendell heals us like a balm. We are going to rest here a while. But tomorrow we have a long day: The Council of Elrond is meeting.

"Flight to the Ford" (XI)

Noro lim, noro lim, Asfaloth! Don't you just love the sound of these words?

I still remember the first time I read this part from The Lord of the Rings, staying up in bed until 4 in the morning, moving to the next chapter - and the next book - just to see whether Frodo had survived, and then go to sleep after so much excitement. The Black Riders appear out of nowhere and it is thanks to Glorfindel and Asfaloth that Frodo can make it. The Black Riders attempt to control his will and, for a while, Frodo is unable to move, but Glorfindel's instructions to his horse - Noro lim, noro lim, Asfaloth - and Asfaloth's extraordinary speed and resilience save the day. I still remember visualising a weak, wounded hobbit confronting the Black Riders, ordering them to go back to Mordor "and follow me no more", and the final touch of the waters taking Riders and horses - poor horses - away.

I personally believe that the changes made in the film reduced the power of this scene. I understand that the character of Arwen needed to be further developed so that his relationship with Aragorn could  work better on screen, which would have been more difficult had she remained the "lady in waiting" of the books. However, the poignancy of a small, terrified hobbit on the brink of death, challenging the Riders despite his physical and emotional pain is completely lost when it is Arwen who rides the horse taking Frodo in his arms. 

"Go back to the Kand of Mordor and follow me no more!"

This last effort has proven too much for Frodo. After seeing Riders and horses carried away by the water, he can only faint. For the next four days, he will be sleeping, recovering at Rivendell, in the Last Homely House East of the Sea.

"Flight to the Ford" (X)

I am glad there is not much to read today because I am exhausted. And so are the hobbits, altough I have a lovely bed waiting for me, which the hobbits must really envy. They have barely slept five hours and, although revitalised by Glorfindel's drink, hobbits are no Elves and they find it difficult to keep up with his pace. So would I, mind you; so would any mortal, in fact. Frodo's pain has redoubled and he seems to be drifting into darkness; according to the narrator, he "almost welcomed the coming of night, for then the world seemed less pale and empty". To be in a world of colour and not being able to enjoy it... that's the devilish work of the Enemy of whom, by the way, there is no sign. This is most suspicious; they must be waiting somewhere to make their attack more effective. But Glorfindel must certainly be aware of that. And Asfaloth is a great, fast horse. He will soon play a decisive role.

"Flight to the Ford" (IX)

The weather has finally changed and has managed to lift the hobbits' spirits; even Frodo seems to be able to ride happily again, although the shadows of his mind keep on playing tricks. However, today we are able to ride without many worries, even allowed to rest by the stone trolls who looked so menacing until an old bird's nest is discovered behind one's ears. Sam's abilities as a poet are revealed and the menacing sound of hooves approaching the hobbits ended up being those of the horse ridden by... Glorfindel!!! Of course! Bells and Black Riders do not go well together. If you remember, Glorfindel had left Rivendell in search of Frodo nine days ago  (and no, he has no news from Gandalf) and he has finally found the walkers. He is, however, less merciful than Strider. At this time, they have not yet set up camp for the night and will be walking until dawn. The hobbits keep on marching as if in a dream. Only Strider seems to be able to match an Elf's resilience.

"Flight to the Ford" (VIII)

The clouds are still thick, but at least the rain has abated, so the hobbits won't have to put up with the humidity in their bones. The streaks of blue sky appearing behind the clouds are not enough to make up for their cheerlessness of their situation, even less so when Strider, after exploring their surroundings, realises that they have moved too far to the north and that they'll have to turn back southwards again. The going gets tough once more, and Frodo's wound becomes the main issue of conversation. Walking is particularly exhausting, and his arm remains lifeless, icy cold. Strider admits that he cannot do much for Frodo in the wilderness, that being the reason why he is so eager to reach Rivendell. If the wound is to be cured, it is in Elrond's hands that hope lies. As always, this is Strider's message to Sam: "Do not give up hope".

They lit a small fire for the night, the wind is chilly and the tree-tops seem to whisper and moan. Frodo cannot find rest; whenever he tries to sleep, the shadows of his pursuers haunt him. We must arrive soon at Rivendell if Frodo is to survive.