Can someone please explain who Amroth and Nimrodel were? I can’t recall hearing their story except from the books and they don’t explain much. Who are they?
I am about to start the two towers. I am so excited! But since I am ahead, I am going to start over in Spanish. Spanish was my major in college. I have kept my Spanish up and learned more since my college days. I am not able to buy it in Spanish but it is available on you tube. However, I will continue to read the rest of the Lord of the rings in English. And if I get brave, I have it in German also. We will see.
I made it through the tragic chapter The Bridge of Khazad-Dum. I feel like I'm flying through this read-through, but I'm trying to not be on social media as much AND I'm in RoP withdrawals, so I basically am just living in Middle-Earth right now. I thought it was interesting in Many Meetings how everyone was so in awe at what Frodo had gone through to just arrive in Rivendell, and as a reader who knows how this ends, I just kept feeling this sense of foreboding of "You thought this was bad ... just you wait ..." Usually it's the humor of Tolkien that surprises and delights me (it still is this read-through), but what's really getting me is the creepy factor this time around. Maybe it's because it's October and all things spooky season, but the horror elements are really standing out between the Nazgul and Gollum's patient stalking ... just SHIVERS.
I like reading about all of the differing paces that everyone is taking with their reading. I have slowed down considerably now that Merry and Pippin are in league with Treebeard. I have to admit that the part of the movie that dealt with the Ents was too slow for me. It moves along a bit faster in the book, relative to Ent time, I guess. It feels like another resting place for the story and some of the characters.
I'm so far behind everyone in this read through. Between my MIL passing, her funeral and now just getting over Covid, I've just made it through C.5 A Conspiracy Unmasked. However, I'm finding that this very slow reading pace is allowing me to savory so much more than I have in past readings. I didn't catch, or perhaps just missed, Frodo's sarcasm, Pippin's youthful nnativity and Sam's realism. I love the scene of Sam on the ferry as he is looking back at the shore and realizing how he is entering a new chapter in his life and saying farewell to his old one. ❤️
Praying that you have patience with yourself. You have navigated a lot. My thoughts are with you. Hopefully, the reading feels a like a peaceful refuge and not a stressful competition.
May we all find respite here despite the challenges of our times. Grateful to Breanne for offering us a cyber-Imaldris to enhance our appreciation of Tolkien’s legandarium.
Very cogent point about Bilbo inspiring & mentoring Frodo.
I’m up to Chapter 9 - The Great River. Some hard reading ahead. I know what’s coming & don’t like the conflict among the Fellowship.
Galadriel was so eloquent in hoping all can find Valimar … paradise can be relative and hope is aligned with the almighty. LOTR is imbued with Tolkien’s profound & genuine Catholic faith despite the non-denominational nature of the work.
My pace has slowed a lot over the past couple of weeks. I've been trying not to read when my head is elsewhere, so I can really get into the story.
I've just started reading Many Meetings so I'm at least on track with your posts.
I've found the wraiths to be much more terrifying in the books than in the films. Somehow the idea of them being shadows in the darkness is frightening to imagine.
I'm not sure what happens to the riders after the ford sweeps them off their horses. I like to imagine them walking back to Mordor, their cloaks drenched in river water, bickering over whose fault it was. The witch king has to go back to Sauron and explain that's he's lost the horses and not got the ring. But anyway...
I enjoyed your video about the Hobbit's ages. I read the prologue but it's too easy to imagine them all being the same age. The story definitely reads differently when you remember that each hobbit is at a different stage of maturity.
I also noticed that when Tolkien describes places that don't appear in the films, I'm inspired by places I've been or places near to home. I wonder how everyone's version of middle earth is influenced by their own experiences and surroundings.
I appreciate the positive and safe space here, but also on tiktok. I enjoy your videos and and the likes of knewbetta and Leanne keeping a positive outlook on Tolkien and ROP.
I've never had a good relationship with religion but will sometimes take my children to church and I appreciate having the time to reflect on things.
Looking forward to the second half of the first book.
Happy Monday everyone!! Firstly, thank you to Breanne for creating such a comfortable and cozy space for us all to come together and share our love for Tolkien’s words. It’s really a highlight I’ve been looking forward to every Monday when I take a break from work to read everyone’s thoughts & updates at where they are in the books. I’ll be sad once this reread is done.
In the meantime, I am still very much enjoying my reread and was able to finish Fellowship last night. I’ll be starting The Two Towers sometime this week, though I’m contemplating watching the first movie again before I do. It’s been so many years since I’ve reread the books, and I’ve watched the movies probably hundreds of times since then, so I’m finding it really interesting all the things my brain has taken for granted as being in the original text even though they’re not. Mostly dialogue and some of the moments between characters, for example the scenes with Galadriel & Lord Celeborn; and I’d forgotten Sam looks in the mirror/water too before Frodo; and Aragorn being the one who tells Frodo they know about Gollum following them vs Gandalf in the movie, and well after the mines. Though it does feel like a happy little hello every time the dialogue is a verbatim copy in the movies to what is written in the book. Anyone else planning a rewatch as they read?
I watched the films for the first time several months ago and I’m reading Fellowship now for the first time (currently on A Knife in the Dark). Despite how much I absolutely loved each film uniquely, the films pale in comparison to the actual words of Tolkien. Aragorn feels more mysterious in the novel. I seem to hold my breath when he speaks. Gandalf appears so wise. Merry and Pippin are much sillier and full of mischief. I can only imagine what it will be like from here on out.
Oh how exciting!! There is something uniquely awesome about knowing someone is experiencing these books, that I so love, for the first time. I hope we get to hear about what you think as you read!!
I am planning a re-watch. I considered watching each movie as I finished the book but have decided on a marathon viewing at the end (more time for snacks!). I jumped into Rings of Power (was very opposed initially; probably because it's not PJ)and I've found it has really helped me learn the lore behind our trilogy. I'm planning to read the Silmarillion once our re-read is finished.
Interesting for me this is the first read I realized Gollum was following since the mines. In times past I thought it was while in the trees in route to Lothlorien. So interesting I missed that before. I think it was 2-3 times Gandalf saying he felt Gollum had some part to still play.
I had another long road trip this weekend and Andy Serkis kept me entertained from the Gates of Moria to the edge of Fangorn Forrest.
I’d forgotten how long the section in Loth Lorien is and I have newfound admiration for how Peter Jackson captured the splendor of the Elves without getting bogged down.
I also thought on how different the story would have been if Faramir had journeyed to Rivendell rather than Boromir. It was Faramir who had most of the dreams.
I am at a snail pace- just at the beginning of The Ring Goes South. Unpacking sucks less than packing, but it takes time. Savouring Many Meetings was a treat and I do really appreciate how slowly I was able to take it. It’s rich in detail and weaves so many characters and narratives into one place. I always feel choked up when Frodo agrees to take the ring; bubbling up inside him the pull of a fate he can barely understand, and he softly says he doesn’t know the way. Between this and his dream of hearing seagulls and the sea I just have some periodic points in the book when I feel wrecked over Frodos journey. Tolkien taps into human stories and experiences that are just so difficult to put into words, and yet are knowable and known by most of us. And, as I peeked in a comment down there somewhere, Pippins irreverent presence and Gandalf being constantly moved to irritation by him brings some delight. All the hobbits are favourite characters for different reasons. Special spot for Pippin, much like Frodo has a special spot. Merry and Sam too. Sam threw an apple into a true villains face. “Waste of a good apple”. I know this is many chapters back but sometimes I just stop and think about it. I’ll need to think of my favourite Merry moment…
I’ve slowed down a bit in my reading. I’m still in the Council of Elrond. Hopefully I can make some progress this week! I just find that this chapter is very important and heavy. I’ve been highlighting large portions and referring to other texts to answer a laundry list of questions. Tolkien is so clever with how he weaves his massive world together in very subtle ways. I’m trying not to miss anything! But hopefully I can kick it up into another gear before next update!
I really took my time through the Council. There is so much rich lore to give understanding to the races. All their back stories are fun to read and try to understand.
We were dealing with sickness this last week so I slowed down, but I did make it to the end of Fellowship.
Imladris is such a remarkable setting. Those early chapters of Book II are such a respite from the end of Book I. It's a span of the book that slows down and gives such a depth to the story.
One thing that always stands out is the unspoken power of Vilya, which no doubt adds to the sense of refuge and peace the Hobbits and others feel when they're there.
This stands in such a contrast to the world around it, as we discover later in Lothlórien as well.
I'm always curious about how to create these kinds of spaces for others, how to create refuge and joy amid the sometimes harsh realities of our world. Thanks for making this such a space!
I honestly love this substack. I think it's a cozy and safe place to Talk about something i've come to love with my whole heart. Normally, i don't feel safe to Talk about these things around people even though i desperately want to, so yeah... I really like this substack.
I am in the middle of the chapter Lothlórien, which is one of my favorites of the book. I really appreciate the fact that in Middle Earth nature has a Will of sorts. For instance, Caradhras is actively trying to bar them from passing through It. I just find It really interesting. This time, reading the chapters of Moria has brought me this feeling of loss/ grief. To think that once those halls were beautiful, and there were elves and dwarves going in and out all of the time... And that now, at the age of the book, they're dark and empty, they're destroyed and filled with Evil beings. It's sad. And the death of Gandalf is also sad. We see Legolas lose his composure when he sees the Balrog, and then Gandalf fighting It and falling into the darkness. This time i also noticed that out of Moria the company stops for a while to cry the loss of Gandalf, some standing and some sitting.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the book, and these posts always make my Mondays a littke but better.
I discovered the conflict between Elves and Dwarves this reading. Someone tell me if I misunderstood.
There was peace between the two races. But when the dwarves dug too deep and unleashed evil in the mountains, it ended up driving both many elves and dwarves away after many had been fatally affected. With their realms being so close in proximity what would affect one could easily affect the other. The elves blamed the dwarves thus ending their friendship. It seemed the chapters of entering Moria through entering Lothlorien were explaining the reason for their disconnect. If this is so, I completely missed this before. I knew the about the result of the dwarves digging and unleashing evil. However, I don’t think I understood how it affected their relationship with the Elves. I did not connect to two.
“[The song of Nimrodel] is long and sad, for it tells how sorrow came upon Lothlorien, Lórien of the Blossom, when the Dwarves awakened evil in the mountains.”
“But the Dwarves did not make the evil,” said Gimli.
“I said not so; yet evil came,” answered Legolas sadly.
I can see the elves being angry faulting the ‘greed’ of the dwarves to dig too deep. Bringing harm on them and the beautiful realm the inhabited. However, I also see the dwarves caught unawares losing many of their folk and the beloved Durin. The dwarves lost their home and had to find new dwellings. It can be embittering to receive blame amid your own grief.
What you pointed out definitely contributed to the conflict between the Elves and the Dwarves but the two races had been conflicted for 1,000s of years before that due to events that are too long to describe in this comment section. If you ever get the chance to read The Silmarillion, it can give you more insight into everything that happened between Elves and Dwarves!
I had to read The Silmarillion a few times before it clicked for me! But yes, even ini the creation story of the Dwarves, Eru Ilúvatar mentions that they well be at odds with the Elves. And then there were several instances where the Elves were outright mean or cruel to Dwarves. The instance with Thingol and the Nauglamír comes to mind 😬
Brea, I do find this place to be a respite and am so grateful for it! I'm diving deep into the lore provided here on your posts, in the comments, and on TikTok.
I have made it to The Two Towers. Merry and Pippin and Treebeard have just fallen asleep in Treebeard's cave (?). I do usually get stalled in this book because we've left the Shire and Rivendell and it's pretty dark from here on out. I'm going to just proceed slowly.
Certain parts are harder for me to get through as well because they're so heavy thematically. I do find reading slowly means I catch more things to think about though!
I have been on a deconstructing journey for several years. Not sure where my faith will wind up but often when I read Christian things I feel a kind of “ick” but I don’t get that when reading your texts. I read some other thing you wrote about faith some time ago and I must say that when I see you mention your faith I only feel peace. And I have read a lot of things from different religious leaders in my days but what you write is different. It doesn’t make me feel guilt or shame which most texts do, just peace. And I find that reassuring. I often long for a place like Imladris. I love to escape to Middle earth to find peace and reading texts where you mention your faith really gives that kind of peace.
Thank you for that.
And I just love Pippin and how Gandalf seems to irritated with him at times. I just read the passage where they were going to enter Khazad dûm and I always find it so funny when Gandalf says that he will use Pippins head to try to open the doors so he doesn’t have to hear his dumb questions.
That whole chapter is really good. I really wish that they would have had an extended scene in the movies where the Fellowship fought against the wolves or ghost wolves or whatever they were.
I'm so glad you feel welcome here! I've grown very far away from the way I was taught to practice my faith in Jesus, so I know what it's like to deconstruct things and all the wrestling and questions that come with that.
And yes, Gandalf's lines to Pippin always crack me up 🤣
Can someone please explain who Amroth and Nimrodel were? I can’t recall hearing their story except from the books and they don’t explain much. Who are they?
I am about to start the two towers. I am so excited! But since I am ahead, I am going to start over in Spanish. Spanish was my major in college. I have kept my Spanish up and learned more since my college days. I am not able to buy it in Spanish but it is available on you tube. However, I will continue to read the rest of the Lord of the rings in English. And if I get brave, I have it in German also. We will see.
I have the audible books in French - helps me practice my second language & sleep. Doing this read through in English via Kindle app on my phone.
I made it through the tragic chapter The Bridge of Khazad-Dum. I feel like I'm flying through this read-through, but I'm trying to not be on social media as much AND I'm in RoP withdrawals, so I basically am just living in Middle-Earth right now. I thought it was interesting in Many Meetings how everyone was so in awe at what Frodo had gone through to just arrive in Rivendell, and as a reader who knows how this ends, I just kept feeling this sense of foreboding of "You thought this was bad ... just you wait ..." Usually it's the humor of Tolkien that surprises and delights me (it still is this read-through), but what's really getting me is the creepy factor this time around. Maybe it's because it's October and all things spooky season, but the horror elements are really standing out between the Nazgul and Gollum's patient stalking ... just SHIVERS.
I like reading about all of the differing paces that everyone is taking with their reading. I have slowed down considerably now that Merry and Pippin are in league with Treebeard. I have to admit that the part of the movie that dealt with the Ents was too slow for me. It moves along a bit faster in the book, relative to Ent time, I guess. It feels like another resting place for the story and some of the characters.
I'm so far behind everyone in this read through. Between my MIL passing, her funeral and now just getting over Covid, I've just made it through C.5 A Conspiracy Unmasked. However, I'm finding that this very slow reading pace is allowing me to savory so much more than I have in past readings. I didn't catch, or perhaps just missed, Frodo's sarcasm, Pippin's youthful nnativity and Sam's realism. I love the scene of Sam on the ferry as he is looking back at the shore and realizing how he is entering a new chapter in his life and saying farewell to his old one. ❤️
Praying that you have patience with yourself. You have navigated a lot. My thoughts are with you. Hopefully, the reading feels a like a peaceful refuge and not a stressful competition.
May we all find respite here despite the challenges of our times. Grateful to Breanne for offering us a cyber-Imaldris to enhance our appreciation of Tolkien’s legandarium.
Very cogent point about Bilbo inspiring & mentoring Frodo.
I’m up to Chapter 9 - The Great River. Some hard reading ahead. I know what’s coming & don’t like the conflict among the Fellowship.
Galadriel was so eloquent in hoping all can find Valimar … paradise can be relative and hope is aligned with the almighty. LOTR is imbued with Tolkien’s profound & genuine Catholic faith despite the non-denominational nature of the work.
My pace has slowed a lot over the past couple of weeks. I've been trying not to read when my head is elsewhere, so I can really get into the story.
I've just started reading Many Meetings so I'm at least on track with your posts.
I've found the wraiths to be much more terrifying in the books than in the films. Somehow the idea of them being shadows in the darkness is frightening to imagine.
I'm not sure what happens to the riders after the ford sweeps them off their horses. I like to imagine them walking back to Mordor, their cloaks drenched in river water, bickering over whose fault it was. The witch king has to go back to Sauron and explain that's he's lost the horses and not got the ring. But anyway...
I enjoyed your video about the Hobbit's ages. I read the prologue but it's too easy to imagine them all being the same age. The story definitely reads differently when you remember that each hobbit is at a different stage of maturity.
I also noticed that when Tolkien describes places that don't appear in the films, I'm inspired by places I've been or places near to home. I wonder how everyone's version of middle earth is influenced by their own experiences and surroundings.
I appreciate the positive and safe space here, but also on tiktok. I enjoy your videos and and the likes of knewbetta and Leanne keeping a positive outlook on Tolkien and ROP.
I've never had a good relationship with religion but will sometimes take my children to church and I appreciate having the time to reflect on things.
Looking forward to the second half of the first book.
The way the wraiths keep sniffing is really creepy to me this time!
Happy Monday everyone!! Firstly, thank you to Breanne for creating such a comfortable and cozy space for us all to come together and share our love for Tolkien’s words. It’s really a highlight I’ve been looking forward to every Monday when I take a break from work to read everyone’s thoughts & updates at where they are in the books. I’ll be sad once this reread is done.
In the meantime, I am still very much enjoying my reread and was able to finish Fellowship last night. I’ll be starting The Two Towers sometime this week, though I’m contemplating watching the first movie again before I do. It’s been so many years since I’ve reread the books, and I’ve watched the movies probably hundreds of times since then, so I’m finding it really interesting all the things my brain has taken for granted as being in the original text even though they’re not. Mostly dialogue and some of the moments between characters, for example the scenes with Galadriel & Lord Celeborn; and I’d forgotten Sam looks in the mirror/water too before Frodo; and Aragorn being the one who tells Frodo they know about Gollum following them vs Gandalf in the movie, and well after the mines. Though it does feel like a happy little hello every time the dialogue is a verbatim copy in the movies to what is written in the book. Anyone else planning a rewatch as they read?
I watched the films for the first time several months ago and I’m reading Fellowship now for the first time (currently on A Knife in the Dark). Despite how much I absolutely loved each film uniquely, the films pale in comparison to the actual words of Tolkien. Aragorn feels more mysterious in the novel. I seem to hold my breath when he speaks. Gandalf appears so wise. Merry and Pippin are much sillier and full of mischief. I can only imagine what it will be like from here on out.
Oh how exciting!! There is something uniquely awesome about knowing someone is experiencing these books, that I so love, for the first time. I hope we get to hear about what you think as you read!!
I am planning a re-watch. I considered watching each movie as I finished the book but have decided on a marathon viewing at the end (more time for snacks!). I jumped into Rings of Power (was very opposed initially; probably because it's not PJ)and I've found it has really helped me learn the lore behind our trilogy. I'm planning to read the Silmarillion once our re-read is finished.
A marathon rewatch is not a bad idea too. I’m torn, lol.
You can't go wrong either way!
Interesting for me this is the first read I realized Gollum was following since the mines. In times past I thought it was while in the trees in route to Lothlorien. So interesting I missed that before. I think it was 2-3 times Gandalf saying he felt Gollum had some part to still play.
I had another long road trip this weekend and Andy Serkis kept me entertained from the Gates of Moria to the edge of Fangorn Forrest.
I’d forgotten how long the section in Loth Lorien is and I have newfound admiration for how Peter Jackson captured the splendor of the Elves without getting bogged down.
I also thought on how different the story would have been if Faramir had journeyed to Rivendell rather than Boromir. It was Faramir who had most of the dreams.
I am at a snail pace- just at the beginning of The Ring Goes South. Unpacking sucks less than packing, but it takes time. Savouring Many Meetings was a treat and I do really appreciate how slowly I was able to take it. It’s rich in detail and weaves so many characters and narratives into one place. I always feel choked up when Frodo agrees to take the ring; bubbling up inside him the pull of a fate he can barely understand, and he softly says he doesn’t know the way. Between this and his dream of hearing seagulls and the sea I just have some periodic points in the book when I feel wrecked over Frodos journey. Tolkien taps into human stories and experiences that are just so difficult to put into words, and yet are knowable and known by most of us. And, as I peeked in a comment down there somewhere, Pippins irreverent presence and Gandalf being constantly moved to irritation by him brings some delight. All the hobbits are favourite characters for different reasons. Special spot for Pippin, much like Frodo has a special spot. Merry and Sam too. Sam threw an apple into a true villains face. “Waste of a good apple”. I know this is many chapters back but sometimes I just stop and think about it. I’ll need to think of my favourite Merry moment…
I’ve slowed down a bit in my reading. I’m still in the Council of Elrond. Hopefully I can make some progress this week! I just find that this chapter is very important and heavy. I’ve been highlighting large portions and referring to other texts to answer a laundry list of questions. Tolkien is so clever with how he weaves his massive world together in very subtle ways. I’m trying not to miss anything! But hopefully I can kick it up into another gear before next update!
I really took my time through the Council. There is so much rich lore to give understanding to the races. All their back stories are fun to read and try to understand.
We were dealing with sickness this last week so I slowed down, but I did make it to the end of Fellowship.
Imladris is such a remarkable setting. Those early chapters of Book II are such a respite from the end of Book I. It's a span of the book that slows down and gives such a depth to the story.
One thing that always stands out is the unspoken power of Vilya, which no doubt adds to the sense of refuge and peace the Hobbits and others feel when they're there.
This stands in such a contrast to the world around it, as we discover later in Lothlórien as well.
I'm always curious about how to create these kinds of spaces for others, how to create refuge and joy amid the sometimes harsh realities of our world. Thanks for making this such a space!
Agreed!
I honestly love this substack. I think it's a cozy and safe place to Talk about something i've come to love with my whole heart. Normally, i don't feel safe to Talk about these things around people even though i desperately want to, so yeah... I really like this substack.
I am in the middle of the chapter Lothlórien, which is one of my favorites of the book. I really appreciate the fact that in Middle Earth nature has a Will of sorts. For instance, Caradhras is actively trying to bar them from passing through It. I just find It really interesting. This time, reading the chapters of Moria has brought me this feeling of loss/ grief. To think that once those halls were beautiful, and there were elves and dwarves going in and out all of the time... And that now, at the age of the book, they're dark and empty, they're destroyed and filled with Evil beings. It's sad. And the death of Gandalf is also sad. We see Legolas lose his composure when he sees the Balrog, and then Gandalf fighting It and falling into the darkness. This time i also noticed that out of Moria the company stops for a while to cry the loss of Gandalf, some standing and some sitting.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the book, and these posts always make my Mondays a littke but better.
i agree I love this substack. I look forward to coming here on Mondays.
I am in Farewell to Lorien.
I discovered the conflict between Elves and Dwarves this reading. Someone tell me if I misunderstood.
There was peace between the two races. But when the dwarves dug too deep and unleashed evil in the mountains, it ended up driving both many elves and dwarves away after many had been fatally affected. With their realms being so close in proximity what would affect one could easily affect the other. The elves blamed the dwarves thus ending their friendship. It seemed the chapters of entering Moria through entering Lothlorien were explaining the reason for their disconnect. If this is so, I completely missed this before. I knew the about the result of the dwarves digging and unleashing evil. However, I don’t think I understood how it affected their relationship with the Elves. I did not connect to two.
“[The song of Nimrodel] is long and sad, for it tells how sorrow came upon Lothlorien, Lórien of the Blossom, when the Dwarves awakened evil in the mountains.”
“But the Dwarves did not make the evil,” said Gimli.
“I said not so; yet evil came,” answered Legolas sadly.
I can see the elves being angry faulting the ‘greed’ of the dwarves to dig too deep. Bringing harm on them and the beautiful realm the inhabited. However, I also see the dwarves caught unawares losing many of their folk and the beloved Durin. The dwarves lost their home and had to find new dwellings. It can be embittering to receive blame amid your own grief.
What you pointed out definitely contributed to the conflict between the Elves and the Dwarves but the two races had been conflicted for 1,000s of years before that due to events that are too long to describe in this comment section. If you ever get the chance to read The Silmarillion, it can give you more insight into everything that happened between Elves and Dwarves!
I have read it. LOL. I think I need to read it again. This time it may make more sense :) Thank you!!
I had to read The Silmarillion a few times before it clicked for me! But yes, even ini the creation story of the Dwarves, Eru Ilúvatar mentions that they well be at odds with the Elves. And then there were several instances where the Elves were outright mean or cruel to Dwarves. The instance with Thingol and the Nauglamír comes to mind 😬
Brea, I do find this place to be a respite and am so grateful for it! I'm diving deep into the lore provided here on your posts, in the comments, and on TikTok.
I have made it to The Two Towers. Merry and Pippin and Treebeard have just fallen asleep in Treebeard's cave (?). I do usually get stalled in this book because we've left the Shire and Rivendell and it's pretty dark from here on out. I'm going to just proceed slowly.
Cheers all!
Certain parts are harder for me to get through as well because they're so heavy thematically. I do find reading slowly means I catch more things to think about though!
I have been on a deconstructing journey for several years. Not sure where my faith will wind up but often when I read Christian things I feel a kind of “ick” but I don’t get that when reading your texts. I read some other thing you wrote about faith some time ago and I must say that when I see you mention your faith I only feel peace. And I have read a lot of things from different religious leaders in my days but what you write is different. It doesn’t make me feel guilt or shame which most texts do, just peace. And I find that reassuring. I often long for a place like Imladris. I love to escape to Middle earth to find peace and reading texts where you mention your faith really gives that kind of peace.
Thank you for that.
And I just love Pippin and how Gandalf seems to irritated with him at times. I just read the passage where they were going to enter Khazad dûm and I always find it so funny when Gandalf says that he will use Pippins head to try to open the doors so he doesn’t have to hear his dumb questions.
That whole chapter is really good. I really wish that they would have had an extended scene in the movies where the Fellowship fought against the wolves or ghost wolves or whatever they were.
I'm so glad you feel welcome here! I've grown very far away from the way I was taught to practice my faith in Jesus, so I know what it's like to deconstruct things and all the wrestling and questions that come with that.
And yes, Gandalf's lines to Pippin always crack me up 🤣