Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Two

[sigridhr]

 Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Two (The Hobbit)
Chapter III: A Short Rest
Chapter IV: Over Hill and Under Hill

Rules

I very much doubt we'll require much in the way of formal rules, but just for the sake of formality and clarity:

• Discussion is welcome and encouraged, as is disagreement. Name-calling and personal attacks will be punished by a blind date with Gollum at the Mordor Fried Warg Emporium. I highly recommend the Mildewed Troll Innards (a deep, earthy dish, with plenty of flavour), and Boiled Nazgul Backside (light and airy, what it lacks in substance it makes up for in its sharp, stabbing taste that will stay with you long after you've left). 
  
• There is no spoiler policy in place. Although we're reading the Hobbit, please feel free to bring in things from other Tolkien works, any of the films, the History of Middle Earth, the Letters of JRR Tolkien, and, if you should like, other literary sources. 
• There is no such thing as too much geekery. Or taking the text too seriously.  
• If you have any concerns at any point, I'm the closest thing this gong show has to a mod, so feel free to get in touch. I can be reached either by PM through this site, or directly by email at sigridhr.lokidottir@gmail.com. 

Discussion on this post will officially run from Friday 18th January 2013 to Friday 25th January 2013. However, the post will remain open after that point, so you're more than welcome to continue discussions on. 

Comments

Re: I found it!

[sigridhr]

I didn't realise this until I looked it up, but the wars with Angmar (that caused the destruction of Amon Sûl) is what precipitated the Stoors to migrate in the first place. So, that's interesting.

But, yes, from the Appendices of LotR: After several battles between Angmar and various combinations of Elves (from Lothlórien, Imladris and Mithlond) and the Kings of Arnor, and his armies were finally decimated by a host lead by Círdan and cavalry from Gondor. Then, Glorfindel makes the prophecy that no man can kill the Witch King of Angmar (which Eowyn subverts by virtue of her vagina).

“Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.”

He's basically driven back, but the Witch-King himself is not dead (he fled to Mordor) nor buried, and Glorfindel makes it pretty clear that they're all aware of this. So, yes, it was made up for the film. :)

Re: I found it!

[anki_koda]

So, it's Glorfindel the one who seals the fate of the Witch King.

And, that explains a lot of things. I just find it funny how Thranduil is so much like Thingol. I mean, he didn't help and like to keep out of the trouble much like Thingol did until war was upon his door then he decided to go and help Celeborn during the Ring war. Well, more than help he decided to go out there and fight the orcs and all but yes...

Re: I found it!

[sigridhr]

Well, yes and no. You could (and I would) argue that it's a self-fulfilling prophecy in a way. Glorfindel set the dominoes up, the Witch-King himself and Eowyn pushed them over.

Thranduil's father Oropher was from Doriath, wasn't he? Isn't there something somewhere about how Thranduil's halls in Mirkwood were meant to echo Menegroth?