"As time went on, people began to notice that Frodo also showed signs of 'good preservation': outwardly he retained the appearance of a robust and energetic hobbit just out of his tweens" (p. 52, The Fellowship of the Ring). Indeed, it had been nearly 17 years since the Party at Bag End and Frodo was approaching 50 yet did not look a day older. There was one change in Frodo: he was feeling restless. He thought often how Bilbo left for his adventure at 50 years old. Somehow the Shire felt was claustrophobic.
Continued strange rumors swirled around the Shire. Sam Gamgee found himself at The Green Dragon pub arguing with Ted Sandyman about the truth in these stories. Sam was a believer while Ted was not. They debated giants, or possible walking trees, dragons, and Elves. Elves had always captivated Sam and he was sad to hear they were leaving Middle-earth and hoped one day to see some. The conversation turned again to Bilbo and Frodo and Ted declared them both "cracked" and this silenced Sam into thoughtful reflection.
Frodo had not seen Gandalf for nearly 9 years; he had visited briefly for several years after the Party but never revealed much and soon stopped coming altogether. To Frodo's great surprise and delight the Wizard came unexpectedly. Frodo thought him to look more careworn since they last met; Gandalf noticed Frodo had not aged a day. They spoke deep into the night and Gandalf stayed the next morning. "Gandalf was thinking of a spring, nearly eighty years before, when Bilbo had run out of Bag End without a handkerchief. His hair was perhaps whiter than it had been then, and his face more lined with care and wisdom; but his eyes were as bright as ever, and he smoked and blow smoke-rings with the same vigour and delight" (p. 55, The Fellowship of the Ring). Frodo interrupted Gandalf's reflection asking him to finish what he began to say the night previous but decided the dark was not the time to talk about such things.
It was about the magic Ring Bilbo had left Frodo and the wizard was implying it was far more dangerous than anyone had any idea about. "'In Eregion long ago many Elven-rings were made, magic rings as you call them, and they were of course, of various kinds: some more potent some less. The lesser rings were only essays in the craft before it was full-grown, and to the Elven-smiths they were but trifles--yet still to my mind dangerous for mortals. But the Great Rings, the Rings of Power, they were perilous" (p. 56, The Fellowship of the Ring). Gandalf explained that mortals who possessed and used a Ring of Power did not die, nor did they gain more life, rather they fade until invisible and devoured by dark power. This explained Bilbo's feelings as he spoke with Gandalf nearly 17 years earlier.
Frodo asked how long Gandalf had known about the Ring and the danger. Gandalf explained he still did not know for sure (there was one more test) but his mind was made up. But he thought out loud about when he first suspected something about the Ring. "'Let me see--it was in the year that the White Council drove the dark power from Mirkwood, just before the Battle of Five Armies, that Bilbo found his ring. A shadow fell on my heart then, though I did not know yet what I feared. I wondered often how Gollum came by a Great Ring, as plainly it was--that at least was clear from the first. Then I heard Bilbo's strange story of how he had "won" it, and I could not believe it. When I at last got the truth out of him, I saw at once that he had been trying to put his claim to the ring beyond doubt. Much like Gollum with his "birthday present". The lies were too much alike for my comfort. Clearly the ring had an unwholesome power that set to work on its keeper at once. That was the first real warning I had that all was not well. I told Bilbo often that such rings were better left unused; but he resented it, and soon got angry. There was little else I could do. I could not take it from him without doing greater harm; and I had no right to do so anyway. I could only watch and wait. I might perhaps have consulted Saruman the White, but something always held me back" (p. 57, The Fellowship of the Ring). A good thing that Gandalf never consulted Saruman (whom Frodo had never heard of). The White Wizard's treachery was not yet known.
Gandalf told Frodo that Saruman was the head of his order and Ring-lore was his province. Indeed, all that Saruman shared with the White Council led them to believe the One Ring was destroyed so Gandalf uneasily assumed his fears were misguided. Until the night of the party after Bilbo disappeared. "'He said and did things then that filled me with a fear that no words of Saruman could allay" (p. 57, The Fellowship of the Ring). Frodo was worried about any permanent damage done to Bilbo. Gandalf was not 100% certain but felt Bilbo would be alright: "'But there is only one Power in this world that knows all about the Rings and their effects; and as far as I know there is no Power in the world that knows all about hobbits. Among the Wise I am the only one that goes for hobbit-lore: an obscure branch of knowledge, but full of surprises. Soft as butter they can be, and yet sometimes as tough as old tree roots" (p. 58, The Fellowship of the Ring). Gandalf was encouraged that Bilbo had given up the Ring by his own will. Gandalf's true worry was for Frodo whom he encouraged Bilbo to pass the Ring on to as well as the Shire if the Dark Power should find out about the Ring.
But first Gandalf had to be certain and asked Frodo to hand over the Ring and Frodo went to do so. "He unfastened it and handed it slowly to the wizard. It suddenly felt very heavy, as if either it or Frodo himself was in some way reluctant for Gandalf to touch it" (p. 58, The Fellowship of the Ring). Indeed, the Ring was already starting to possess Frodo. Gandalf took the Ring and tossed it into the fire. He then fetched it out and gave it to Frodo who saw fine lines, as if some kind of writing was appearing on the Ring. This confirmed Gandalf's guess. It was two lines from ancient Elven-lore here told in full:
'Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to bind them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Mordor where Shadows lie" (p. 59-60, The Fellowship of the Ring).
Gandalf declared Frodo's magic ring as the One Ring; the Ruling Ring that Sauron greatly desired. Frodo was very afraid and wondered how it ever came to be in his possession. Gandalf began to explain beginning with Sauron rising to power again in Mirkwood to his present fortress of Mordor. Frodo lamented that he wished this had not happened in his lifetime. Gandalf agreed: "'So do I...and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us'" (p. 60, The Fellowship of the Ring). And there is my favorite quote of all of Tolkien's writings on Middle-earth. I (and you) am only given a certain allotment of time; and we don't know how much that will be. I had no control over where I was born (American verses Africa for example); I had no control of when I was born (the Middle ages versus the information age); I had no control over the circumstances in which I live (Global Recession verses Global War). But these are the times I have been given to live in (as determined by God my faith decrees) now I must decide how to live each day. Will I proactively engage in social justice and the Truth of the Gospel, spend hours on end in a fantasy world I love to blog about, invest my life and love the people around me, etc. I would be a much better man if I hung Gandalf's quote upon the mirror I look into every morning and spend 60 seconds pondering it before I went about my day.
Gandalf felt, however, that the edge was still on the side of good for Sauron still lacked possession of the One Ring. He explained to Frodo that the three Elven-rings were still hidden, the seven Dwarven rings were either in Sauron's possession or destroyed by dragons, while the nine of men were under his dominion. The men to whom they were given were now Ringwraiths, servants obedient to Sauron's will. But it had been sometime since the Nine walked abroad. If Sauron recovered the Ring he would have the power to control Middle-earth, even the three Elven-rings, for much of Sauron's power was poured into the One Ring. "'And this is the dreadful chance, Frodo. He believed that the One had perished; that the Elves destroyed it, as should have been done. But he knows now that it has not perished, that it has been found. So he is seeking it, seeking it, and all his thought is bent on it. It is his great hope and our great fear'" (p. 61, The Fellowship of the Ring). I think this is why the Ring seems to have a far quicker impact on Frodo than Bilbo who used it much more. Now that Sauron knows it exists he has bent his will on it creating a greater effect on whoever was possessing the Ring. That's my theory anyway.
Frodo was in disbelief; how could the Ring not have been destroyed? Gandalf recalled, in brief, the deeds of Elendil and Gil-Galad in the last great alliance of Elves and Men. How Isildur cut the Ring from Sauron's finger and took it for himself, the disaster at Gladden Fields and the washing of the Ring down the Anduin. For many years Sauron's shadow remained hidden until he took shape in Mirkwood. In the river the Ring was lost from history and passed into legend (I love the way this is worded in the prologue of Peter Jackson's movie). But Gandalf learned enough to fill in the gaps.
Indeed, a being named Smeagol found the Ring. Gandalf believed Smeagol was some distant relation of Hobbits, the father's of the father's of the Stoors. Smeagol was fishing with a friend named Deagol who was accidentally thrown from his boat and happened to find the Ring at the bottom of the water. Smeagol watched the whole incident and was instantly captivated by the Ring when he saw it imploring Deagol to give it to him for his birthday. Deagol refused saying he had already given Smeagol his present and it was his find. Smeagol proceeded to kill Deagol, hide the body, and put the Ring one. In this way he discovered he was invisible and would use it to learn hurtful secrets about his friends and family. So much so that when he was visible he was shunned from his community since no one liked him anymore. Hating people and hating the sun (Smeagol had always had an interest in what laid underneath the ground) he made his way into the Misty Mountains and there became Gollum.
Frodo was aghast; could Gandalf mean the same Gollum that Bilbo had encountered on his journey? How could he be related to Hobbits? Gandalf was certain for he knew more of Hobbit beginnings then Hobbits themselves, plus the way the two understood each other so well during their riddles in the dark contest was another clue. Plus Gollum proved very tough, as hobbits can be, possessing the Ring for so long and never fading. Gandalf surmised there was yet a corner of Gollum's mind that was free of the Ring and hated it. This was incomprehensible to Frodo that Gollum would hate his precious. Gandalf explained that Gollum both hated and loved the Ring and himself as well. But in the end it wasn't Gollum who possessed the Ring. "'A Ring of Power looks after itself, Frodo. It may slip off treacherously, but its keeper never abandons it. At most he plays with the idea of handing it on to some one else's care--an that only at an early stage, when it first begins to grip. But as far as I know Bilbo alone in history has ever gone beyond playing, and really done it. He needed all my help, too'" (p. 64, The Fellowship of the Ring).
At the thought that it was the Ring that decided to leave Gollum and not vice versa Frodo wondered at the chances of Bilbo stumbling upon it. Indeed, the Ring had left Isildur once before. And now it ended up with Bilbo was the most unlikely person imaginable to find the Ring. Gandalf had only one conclusion: "'Behind that there was something else at work, beyond any design of the Ring-maker. I can put it no plainer than saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker. In which case you were meant to have it. And that may be an encouraging thought'" (p. 65, The Fellowship of the Ring). Though Frodo did not find it very encouraging I find myself encouraged. What a wise and faith filled statement by Gandalf. I don't know why he says this, had he had communication with Manwë or perhaps Eru? Or maybe just faith in them. But he saw other power at work in this situation besides evil. Application to my life: I live a Christian faith that says God is sovereign. I don't always know why evil things happen in my life, or in the lives of those I care about, or in the lives of those I have never met. But my faith drives me to believe that God is working, ultimately, for His glory and the good of those that believe in Him. Indeed, this is the most overt statement in Tolkien's Middle-earth about divine providence and the way it is worded is beautiful.
Frodo, as you can imagine, was still trying to grasp the situation. Basically he is in possession of the most evil being in the world's most prized possession who is coming to find it and won't be nice to the person keeping it from him. Frodo demanded to know how Gandalf came to be so sure of all this information or if the Wizard was guessing still. Of the Ring-lore, Elendil and Isildur, all was known to the Wise. As for the bit with Gollum Gandalf had pieced together after seeing Gollum himself! And this was truly amazing to Frodo. Gandalf retold how he long endured time with Gollum piecing together bits of the story through the creature's many lies. But he eventually gained the whole story up until the game of Riddles with Bilbo; after that Gollum said little clearly. Eventually, Gandalf figured out, about a year or two after encountering Bilbo Gollum left the Misty Mountains to gain back his stolen Ring; Bilbo had revealed his identity to Gollum and by then the hobbit was well-known for his travel and adventures with Thorin and company.
It seemed Gollum made his way to Dale and Esgorath and most likely learned there where Bilbo's homeland was. But before he could make his way to the Shire he was drawn away from his mission. At least that's what the Wood Elves of Thranduil discovered while tracking Gollum for Gandalf. (I have to wonder if Legolas was in that tracking party!) Gollum was making his way through Mirkwood but turned Southwards after leaving the Wood Elves realm. "'And then I made a great mistake. Yes, Frodo, and not the first; though I fear it may prove the worst. I let the matter be'" (p. 67, The Fellowship of the Ring). I love that Gandalf can freely admit his mistake. At that point Saruman's counsel still said the Ring was destroyed and Gandalf only had vague misgiving's about Bilbo's magic ring and so he did not pursue the matter.
But after Bilbo gave the Ring to Frodo Gandalf decided he must once again search for Gollum. "'And my search would have been in vain, but for the help that I had from a friend: Aragorn, the greatest traveller and huntsman of this age of the world'" (p. 67, The Fellowship of the Ring). Long they searched together until Gandalf left to pursue other matters (perhaps make his way to Minis Tirith to read the Ring-lore himself) but Aragorn did not give up the search. "'My friend returned out of great perils bringing the miserable creature with him'" (p. 68, The Fellowship of the Ring). And here Gandalf's mistake was exposed. For Gollum, being drawn to Mordor as all wicked things are, was captured by Sauron and tortured revealing to the Dark Lord what he knew. Even as Gandalf and Frodo spoke Sauron was searching for the Shire.
This alarmed Frodo very much and he wondered aloud that it was a pity that Bilbo did not kill Gollum when he had the chance. That pity, of course, was what stayed Bilbo's hand. Gandalf was sure this was why the Ring did not do more harm to Bilbo. He took ownership of it in the spirit of pity and mercy. Even still, Frodo was certain that Gollum deserved to die. "'Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very Wise cannot see all ends. I have not much hope that Gollum can be cured before he dies, but there is a chance of it. And he is bound up with the fate of the Ring. My heart tells me that he has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before the end; and when that comes, the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many--yours not least'" (p. 69, The Fellowship of the Ring). Again, such wise words by Gandalf. Many that live deserve death and some that die deserve life, true still, just as the fact that I cannot give people what they deserve. I am not the judge and trust me--you don't want me to be.
Frodo was beginning to see his dangerous situation. "'Why did you let me keep it? Why didn't you make me throw it away, or, or destroy it?'" (p. 69, The Fellowship of the Ring). Gandalf knew he couldn't make or let Frodo do anything for it would do the hobbit more harm than good. Throwing it was no good for the Ring's sole purpose was to return to Sauron and Sauron's sole goal at the moment was finding it. As for destroying it, that could only happen at one place in Middle-earth: the Cracks of Doom in Orodruin, the Fire-mountain. Gandalf admitted that he was deeply troubled that Frodo was in such danger but assured him that while away for the past 9 years he had always set a guard upon the Shire.
Again Frodo wondered why he had been chosen though he wished the Ring was destroyed. "'You may be sure that it was not for any merit that others do not possess: not for power or wisdom, at any rate. But you have been chosen, and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have'" (p. 70, The Fellowship of the Ring). I have found myself asking the same questions as Frodo--why did God choose me? It certainly was not because of any good deeds or righteousness or purity of my own accord--my merits. And yet I have been chose and must seek for obedience to Christ with such strength, and heart, and wits I may possess. So I amen to Frodo's words: "'But I have so little of any of these things!'" (p. 70, The Fellowship of the Ring).
In a last ditch effort Frodo tried to give the Ring to Gandalf; surely he possessed the wisdom and power to destroy it. This set Gandalf springing to his feet with a stearn NO! He asked Frodo to never tempt him again saying he would only become like Sauron should he take the Ring; even out a desire to do good, and pity (see Olorin) was gate to Gandalf's heart, pity for weakness and Frodo fit that bill. No, the decision to act was Frodo's alone. All the wizard could do was offer to walk with him on the journey: "'I will help you bear this burden, as long as it is yours to bear'" (p. 71, The Fellowship of the Ring). I'm picking out some of the most memorable quotes in this early chapter of Fellowship of the Ring; if you've seen the movie you may recognize some of these lines--but the context of the conversation has been moved out of Bag End and along Frodo's quest.
At long last Frodo grasped his situation. He, at least for the immediate future, must be the Ring-bearer and he must leave Bag End as well as the Shire. Part of him, despite the danger, was really quite excited to follow in Bilbo's footsteps. At any rate he resolved he must go. "'My dear Frodo!' exclaimed Gandalf. 'Hobbits really are amazing creatures, as I have said before. You can learn all there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you at a pinch'" (p. 72, The Fellowship of the Ring). Gandalf counselled Frodo to leave soon and to go by the name Underhill while on the road. He also told Frodo he did not need to travel alone should he have a companion of the utmost trust. That's when something caught the wizard's attention. Quick as lightening he jumped to the open window and pulled a surprised Sam Gamgee through. Angrily he interrogated Sam asking what he had heard.
Sam, quite terrified, spilled everything: "'I heard a deal that I didn't rightly understand, about an enemy, and rings, and Mr. Bilbo, sir, and dragons, and a fiery mountain, and--and Elve, sir'" (p. 73, The Fellowship of the Ring). Gandalf laughed and decided not to turn Sam into anything unnatural. Indeed the wizard felt Sam would be of better use as a traveling companion for Frodo which pleased the hobbit greatly: "'Me, sir!' cried Sam, springing up like a dog invited for a walk. 'Me go and see Elves and all! Hooray!' he shouted, and then burst into tears" (p. 73, The Fellowship of the Ring).
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3018, April 12-13
Today's reading comes from: The Fellowship of the Ring, pages 52-73
No comments:
Post a Comment