📖👀 Farewell to Lorien

[m4r35n357]

Geography lesson. There is a huge list of place names in Aman in the two songs by Galadriel at the end. I recognize most of them from The Silmarillion, apart from Valimar (see Sil, index for explanation).

 

[m4r35n357]

Tirion is consistent with both QS and the Annals of Aman.

Calacirya is an update from both (Kalakiryan).

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

The giving of significant gifts in this chapter recalls both classical and Norse (or northern) mythology. Curiously Hammond and Scull don't say anything about the use of the shortened Lorien for this chapter title. This three chapter interlude maintains the pattern of movement and action followed by a period of rest, refreshment and hospitality which is a feature of The Fellowship of the Ring. Hospitality is itself a form of gift giving.

Boromir is keen to get back to Minas Tirith and Gondor: understandable but does he have dreams of grandeur of taking the Ring triumphantly with him? However, it must be said he is putting his own wishes above that of the mission of the Fellowship. Is there some bitterness when Boromir says he is not the group leader? Does he possibly see Aragorn as a threat to his own ambition to rule Gondor? Celeborn challenges the group over the question of on which side of the River Anduin should they proceed: east to Mordor or west to Gondor. Aragorn (and Frodo) seem undecided and Celeborn describes the terrain ending with the strong implication that the end point for the boats at the Falls of Rauros will enforce a decision. The majority of the Fellowship seem to prefer the west bank. Boromir seems to make a Freudian slip when he says it would be "folly to throw way" but stops himself adding "the Ring"!

The Elves provide the Company with Elvish food, clothes and even rope (which Sam much appreciates) and boats for the river. Haldir returns from the "northern fences" to be their guide; Celeborn and Galadriel see them off from their own special swan shaped boat. Aragorn is given a sword sheaf and a green elfstone that had belonged to their daughter, Celebrian, a box of special soil for Sam the gardener and a bow and quiver of arrows for Legolas, a phial that contains the light of Earendil for the Ring Bearer, three strands of her hair (said to ensnare the light of the two trees of Valinor) to Gimli from Galadriel, a golden belt for Boromir and silver belts for Merry and Pippin.

There's a sad down beat feel to this chapter much of which is used to set up incidents later in the story. Galadriel is pining for the west and there is uncertainty about the future of the Company, especially with Boromir wanting to go his own way and possibly already contemplating taking the Ring for himself. Celeborn comes across as an Elf with his feet very much on the ground, giving the Company lots of practical advice. Galadriel's final farewell to the Fellowship is similar to the farewell given by Goldberry to the four hobbits.

 

[Muskrat]

Vignette: Legolas and Gimli’s talk as Lorien recedes into the mists of time. For old men like me, this is heartbreaking. Whatever happens, this beauty is lost forever. Same for the Ents. The battles and destruction of the Ring are great, but, for me, the heart of the book may be here.

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

Legolas and Gimli became life long friends in Lothlorien. Tolkien does not say exactly why in the chapter but maybe it was the effect of Galadriel on Gimli. At one point we might have had a Victor Hugo like diversion into the intricacies of rope making, comparing techniques in Lorien and the Shire, but the moment passed and it was sadly not to be. Sam's blushing reaction to his gift may mean he was also smitten by Galadriel, but it could be, as a true son of the soil, he fully appreciated the value of magical earth from Lorien.