The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Today begins a series that I have been looking forward to for quite a while. I've considered doing it several times but it's a serious time commitment. But now the time has come and I'm quite excited. At the end of December my sister and I had a spontaneous Lord of the Rings movie marathon. As we were watching I began to wonder what exactly all the differences were between the movies and books. It had been a while since I'd last read the books and I decided it was time to read them again. Which brings me to this "series". What I'm doing is reading each book and then watching the equivalent movie. Then I will write a separate post about the book and the movie. This allows me to write about the things that make them different and what I love about each version. Altogether there will be 6 posts. It will take a while (it took me almost a month to read Fellowship because of work and school) but I'm very excited for this series and hope you will enjoy it as well.

To begin, I must admit that I took notes while reading. I went chapter by chapter and outlined the major plot points. I also underlined quotes I really like. I must also admit that I have not enjoyed reading a book so much since I last read The Silmarillion, which was for Senior Seminar and which I also took notes on. Clearly, I have an issue. I would also like to point out that The Lord of the Rings is considered one, singular novel, albeit a very long novel. It's one continuous story, which for the sake of length was split into three parts.

On the left is the original copy of Fellowship that I read, published in 1965. In the middle is my "crap" copy that I write in. On the right is my fancy, illustrated copy. And underneath are my notes.

The story begins with Bilbo's birthday party, although it is worth noting that Bilbo and Frodo share a birthday so it's always a joint party. Frodo is also aware that Bilbo is getting ready to leave the Shire, and that he has the Ring. What is most important to note is that 17 years pass between Bilbo's disappearance and Gandalf's return to verify that the Ring is indeed the One Ring. While the actual War of the Ring takes place in the span of a year, that journey does not occur for 17 years after the story begins. And even then the battles take place within a month. Putting dates to everything really changes how you see things. A couple other changes worth mentioning: Gandalf is actually the one who tells the story of Sauron's defeat. And at the same time he tells Frodo of Gollum's origins, a discussion that happens in Moria in the movies. Also, the song Pippin sings in the movie Return of the King comes from Chapter III.

And now we come to one of my favorite chapters: Chapter V A Conspiracy Unmasked. In this chapter Frodo learns that his friends know everything about the Ring and about his intention to leave the Shire. In this chapter they are the true definition of friendship. They vow to stick by him and do whatever they can to aid him. Even Fatty Bolger, who stays behind to pretend Frodo has not left. I love this chapter because it shows the first hints of how strong the bond is between these hobbits. 

Shortly thereafter we come to a character that most people do not like. Tom Bombadil is an odd character, who calls himself the oldest being and who can wear the Ring with no effect. He saves the hobbits from Old Man Willow, who had been trying to swallow Merry and Pippin. This scene happens in The Two Towers movie in Fangorn Forest. Tom also later saves the hobbits from the Barrow-wights and makes sure they get safely through the Old Forest and on their way to Bree. Once at the Prancing Pony, Frodo and Strider actually speak before everything goes wrong. Strider also asks to join their company and the hobbits let him after reading a letter from Gandalf that reveals Strider's true identity. On their journey, Strider tells them a part of my favorite tale, the story of Beren and Luthien, the man who loved an Elf Maiden. Here's a part of it.

"But she chose mortality, and to die from the world, so that she might follow him; and it is sung that they met again beyond the Sundering Seas, and after a brief time walking alive once more in the green woods, together they passed, long ago, beyond the confines of this world. So it is that Luthien Tinuviel alone of the Elf-kindred has died indeed and left the world, and they have lost her whom they most loved."

Another change is that of Arwen. She is not the one who guides the hobbits to Rivendell. It is actually Glorfindel who does that. And while Arwen is mentioned during the chapters in Rivendell, she never actually speaks and there are only very small hints of a relationship between her and Aragorn. Her part in the books is significantly smaller but I almost like it better. She has a quiet strength that I really appreciate. Peter Jackson made her a fighter in the movies and there's nothing wrong with that; I love Liv Tyler as Arwen. But what I love about her in the books is that she portrays the wives left at home while the men are at war. She is the waiting wife, the anxious mother, the hopeful child. More women are Arwen in a time of war than Eowyn, and I think that makes book Arwen more poignant. 

The Council of Elrond is actually a lot more involved in the book. The chapter is 31 pages long and always seems longer when I'm reading it. Many more people talk and you learn a lot more about the world of Middle Earth and what is happening in it. Gloin, Elrond, Boromir, Aragorn, Bilbo, Frodo, Gandalf, and Legolas all have a tale to tell.  During this discussion Aragorn basically claims his birthright, and for the rest of the story he is referred to by his true name. While in Rivendell the sword of Elendil is also reforged and renamed Anduril. Then there is much discussion by the Council of what to do with the Ring: give it to Tom Bombadil, send it over the Sea, throw it into the Sea, use it. During the Council, we also learn that Gandalf went to Edoras after escaping from Isengard. We are given our first glimpse into the character of Rohan and its horses.

"Not this at least," said Boromir, "that they will buy their lives with horses. They love their horses next to their kin. And not without reason, for the horses of the Riddermark come from the fields of the North, far from the Shadow, and their race, as that of their masters, is descended from the free days of old."

"True indeed!" said Gandalf. "And there is one among them that might have been foaled in the morning of the world. The horses of the Nine cannot vie with him; tireless, swift as the flowing wind. Shadowfax they called him. By day his coat glistens like silver; and by night it is like a shade, and he passes unseen. Light is his footfall! Never before had any man mounted him, but I took him and I tamed him, and so speedily he bore me that I reached the Shire when Frodo was on the Barrow-downs, though I set out from Rohan only when he set out from Hobbiton."

There are a couple quotes I really like that I'm going to share. They have no real significance and don't deal with anything different from the movies but they are worth sharing all the same. The first is from Gimli about the journey of the fellowship.

"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens."

Next is a quote from Haldir of Lothlorien.

"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."

And last is a quote that gives us a glimpse into Aragorn's feelings.

"Here is the heart of Elvendom on earth," he said, "and here my heart dwells ever, unless there be a light beyond the dark roads that we still must tread, you and I. Come with me!" And taking Frodo's hand in his, he left the hill of Cerin Amroth and came there never again as living man. 

The fellowship stays in Lothlorien for a month. Frodo and Sam both look into the Mirror of Galadriel, and Frodo learns that she has one of the three Elven rings. The company dines with Celeborn and Galadriel before they leave, and she gives them gifts. I love Aragorn's response to her question about what more she can give him.

And Aragorn answered: "Lady, you know all my desire, and long held in keeping the only treasure that I seek. Yet it is not yours to give me, even if you would; and only through darkness shall I come to it."

Galadriel does give him a brooch that belonged to her daughter and her granddaughter, Arwen. But the most significant gift is the one given to Gimli. When asked what a Dwarf could want from the Elves, he asks only for a hair from Galadriel. The relationship between Dwarves and Elves is long and complicated, and for ages they have been at odds. The Dwarves are rather greedy and believe their craftsmanship is above all others and that whatever they make belongs to them. But Gimli is so in awe of Galadriel, her beauty, and her kindness. And he's so unlike a Dwarf and so much more open-minded than most of his kin that Galadriel gives him three hairs. And he vows to treasure them always. 

The fellowship finally leaves Lothlorien and travel down Anduin by boat. They realize Gollum has been following them and are wary of any tricks. As they pass through the Argonath, Frodo finally realizes who Aragorn truly is. 

"Fear not!" said a strange voice behind him. Frodo turned and saw Strider, and yet not Strider; for the weatherworn Ranger was no longer there. In the stern sat Aragorn son of Arathorn, proud and erect, guiding the boat with skilful strokes; his hood was cast back, and his dark hair was blowing in the wind, a light was in his eyes: a king returning from exile to his own land.

"Fear not!" he said. "Long have I desired to look upon the likenesses of Isildur and Anarion, my sires of old. Under their shadow Elessar, the Elfstone son of Arathorn of the House of Valandil Isildur's son, heir of Elendil, has nought to dread!"

And now we come to the end. Frodo chooses to go to Mordor on his own, although Sam insists on following him. The book ends with them crossing the river to the other side. There is nothing of what happens to the other members of the fellowship. The beginning of The Two Towers covers that.

The Fellowship of the Ring has never been my favorite. I'm not sure if that's because it sets everything up or from the lack of Rohan, which is my favorite. But reading the book and taking notes has given me a new appreciation of it at least. I cannot help but love it, as I love the way Tolkien writes. His books are so rich and wonderful, and that's why I wanted to do this series. I wanted to introduce people to all the things not in the movies, all the things that make the story so much better.

Link to post on Fellowship movie: http://moviemagic92.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-lord-of-rings-fellowship-of-ring.html