📖👀 Chapter 12: Flight to the Ford

[Rivendell_librarian]

The climax of book one (of six) and it ends with Frodo's brave defiance of the Black Riders. We learn a bit more of the complicated movements of the various groups of Black Riders, Glorfindel, Gandalf as well as an early fellowship of the ring (the four hobbits, Strider and Glorfindel).

We see instances in this chapter of Frodo's growing courage in adversity. He initially refuses to ride Glorfindel's swift horse, and so leave his friends in danger. Glorfindel has to point out the Black Riders seek him and the Ring, not the other hobbits. When the enemy fall on them and Glorfindel urges Frodo to ride on, Frodo draws his sword instead. Glorfindel issues orders to his horse, Asfaloth, who immediately springs forward and outspeeds the Black Riders' horses (Asfaloth is Elvish for Shergar I think, or more likely Airborne who was a grey who won the Derby).

Having crossed the ford, Frodo defies the Black Riders: "By Elbereth and Luthien the Fair, you shall have neither the Ring nor me". Is it a coincidence that this chapter's title has two words beginning with F, one of which shares many letters with the name Frodo? A fitting finale to this fine chapter: final chapter of book the first.

Mind you the Black Riders are defeated with a little help from Elrond!

P.S. I'm not an expert on horses but to my untrained eye that's a well put together horse.

 

[Radaghast]

Another scene botched by Botchmaster Peter Jackson.

 

[Deimos]

Another scene botched by Botchmaster Peter Jackson.

"Botchmaster"......perfect epithet.

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

Glorfindel has to point out the Black Riders seek him and the Ring, not the other hobbits

I am very straightforward with my words! It is true, his friends would not be in danger if he were not with them. And Frodo can accept this matter-of-fact-ness because he is a strong Hobbit unlike the one you have seen on TV, as they say.

Asfaloth is Elvish for Shergar I think, or more likely Airborne who was a grey who won the Derby

The Elvish name Asfaloth translates to "sun-lit foam."

 

[Deimos]

The Elvish name Asfaloth translates to "sun-lit foam."

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

Another scene botched by Botchmaster Peter Jackson.

I've got something I want to express about this, but I'll put it in the PJ section.

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Something that would appeal especially to Samwise Gamgee who seems to be a real ale connoisseur.

 

[grendel]

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And now that this is public knowledge, if some brewery somewhere does NOT brew a lager and call it Asfaloth, well I just give up.

 

[Deimos]

Something that would appeal especially to Samwise Gamgee who seems to be a real ale connoisseur.

No doubt the Golden Perch would offer it. 😉

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

No doubt the Golden Perch would offer it. 😉

I've always wondered why Pippin wasn't more of a cider hobbit.

 

[Deimos]

I've always wondered why Pippin wasn't more of a cider hobbit.

Why?
(Just curious... I can't see why he would prefer cider over ale/beer)

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

Well I could say because apples have pips in them but actually pippin (which can also mean the seed of a fruit) is a name used for types of apple e.g Cox's Orange Pippin

which can be used to make cider

 

[Olorgando]

Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animation-plus film version (which I just re-watched) does an immensely better job for this chapter than PJ's H'Wood troll driven trash.

 

[Radaghast]

Agreed. I'd rather see a weirdly animated sequence that features Frodo in the "driver's seat" than a pretty (but boring) chase scene in which Frodo can barely even keep his head up.

 

[Deimos]

Well I could say because apples have pips in them but actually pippin (which can also mean the seed of a fruit) is a name used for types of apple e.g Cox's Orange Pippin

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which can be used to make cider
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Your reasoning is too modern.. but still could relate .... 😄 😉

Pippin Family History ...Pippin Name Meaning

English (southwestern): variant of Peppin . In some cases possibly also German: from an Old Prussian personal name Pippin. This surname is very rare in Germany.

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Peppin Family History... Peppin Name Meaning
English (Somerset): variant of Pepin . Americanized form of French Pépin (see Pepin ) in part a cognate of 1 above.

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Pepin Family History
Pepin Name Meaning

French (Pépin) and English: from the ancient Germanic personal name Pipin of uncertain probably onomatopoeic origin. The name was borne by several Frankish kings most notably Pepin le Bref father of Charlemagne and remained popular throughout the early Middle Ages. Compare Peppin and Pippen . English: from the unrecorded Anglo-Norman French and Middle English personal names Pipin Pepin Pipun pet forms of Philip . Compare Pipe . English: perhaps also nickname from Anglo-Norman French pepin(e) Middle English pipin ‘seed pip’ possibly for someone small in stature.

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[Olorgando]

German Wikipedia:

Pippin (so spelled) the middle was the father of Charles Martel, Pippin the younger was one of the latter's sons and the father of Charlemagne. Who named his third son, who became king of Italy, Pippin ...

 

[Deimos]

German Wikipedia:

Pippin (so spelled) the middle was the father of Charles Martel, Pippin the younger was one of the latter's sons and the father of Charlemagne. Who named his third son, who became king of Italy, Pippin ...

I had a gerbil that I named Pippin, and my very well-read brother (much like yourself) said , "Oh, named for the son of Charlemagne."
And I replied, "Ummm, no... actually I named it for the Hobbit." 🙄😄

 

[Muskrat]

Vignettes: crossing the Last Bridge, night up on the high ridge. Much is said in a few words.