📖👀 The Council of 🧝Elrond chapter discussion

[m4r35n357]

Remarkably little in this chapter, it would seem!

There is Elrond's "witnessing" of the Elvish hosts at the War of Wrath, but that is so vague!

He describes the hosts "mustered in Arnor" for the Last Alliance,

"It recalled to me the glory of the Elder Days, and the hosts of Beleriand, so many great princes and captains were assembled. And yet not so many, nor so fair, as when Thangorodrim was broken, and the Elves deemed that evil was ended for ever, and it was not so"

and compares them with the (mustered?) hosts of the West where, according to the Later Annals of Beleriand, Fionwe (Eonwe in the published Silmarillion)

"camped beside Sirion, and his tents were as snow upon the field. He summoned now all Elves, Men, Dwarves, beast and birds unto his standard, who did not elect to fight for Morgoth"

(note that this is a different, additional description of the summons to that which we have discussed previously, from the Quenta Silmarillion, "from Hithlum unto the East", which was dropped from the published Silmarillion).

So, the implication at least is that Elrond witnessed those hosts, even if he did not take part (but of course he would have had to disobey that summons)

The only other thing is Bombadil, called by the Elves

"oldest and fatherless"

so that explicitly makes him older than the Elves at least. Gandalf is clearly highly aware of Bombadil, understanding his motivations towards the ring, but conspicuously does not attempt to explain his origin. Since Bombadil appears in no known version of the Silmarillion, that is that IMO!

I found no other First Age references.

 

[m4r35n357]

Oops, forgot mention (by Elrond) of the "Mighty Elf-friends of old", Hador, Hurin, Turin & Beren

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

Well given that the One Ring was not made until the Second Age, there isn't going to be much about the First Age!

But this rich chapter in many ways holds the key (the ring) to the whole of TLOTR.

Ostensibly an account of the history of the Ring given by different witnesses including much reported speech and accounts, there is far more going on. The simmering rivalries are more than hinted at:

1. the south vs the north (Gondor vs Arnor i.e. the Rangers) -- who is doing the most in resisting Mordor?
(also between the Elves and the men of Gondor)
2. The longstanding conflict between Dwarves and Elves (Gloin's imprisonment by the Elves in Mirkwood
3. The sundering of the relationship between Gandalf and Saruman

There is a great sense of gathering doom even though the Ring has been found exemplified by the testimony about the dwarf Dain's conversation with a Black Rider.

I think that Boromir (as representing Gondor) was rather hard done by in this meeting. Look at the map and ask yourself who is taking the brunt in the fight against Mordor?

The poem dream ("seek for the Sword was broken...) was experienced first by Faramir (on multiple occasions) and then Boromir but Boromir, not Faramir, took the journey upon himself and thereby hangs a tale!

Saruman's lust for power for himself is revealed as well as his pride and disdain for Radagast among others. Gandalf describes how Gwaihir the Windlord rescued him from the top of Orthanc (great view but rather cold) and his part in the events with the Black Riders. This was another case of a significant dream: this time seen by Frodo.

Frodo's account of his journey is listened to attentively and questioned given this was all new information to most of those present. Bilbo had given a longer account of his part in the story before Frodo which Elrond had to curtail

Erestor, Galdor, Glorfindel, Boromir, Gandalf and Elrond consider the possible things to do with the Ring.

1. Give it to Tom Bombadil for safe keeping
2. Take it by sea to Valinor
3. Lose it in the sea
4. Use it to defeat Mordor
5. Destroy the Ring in Mt Doom

Elrond judges that the hard way of destroying the Ring is the best way forward. Elrond then throws out a huge hint about "small hands". Bilbo takes up the challenge but Gandalf advises that this task is now beyond his strength. The noon bell rings (lunchtime for hungry hobbits). Frodo felt an "overwhelming longing" to stay in Rivendell with Bilbo. Frodo has fallen in love with Rivendell and had expressed a desire to go exploring earlier in the morning. Yet wondering at his own words he speaks up and says the memorable words: "I will take the Ring though I do not know the way".

Elrond responds saying that he believes the task is appointed to Frodo. "This is the hour of the Shire folk when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great". Sam who has been quietly eavesdropping (again) is quick to say how he wishes to accompany Frodo and summarises the situation suitably succinctly: "a nice pickle we have landed ourselves in, Mr Frodo!"