Black Riders and High Elves

Frodo, Sam, and Pippin awoke after their first night under the stars. They were a bit sore and groggy but the fair autumn weather lifted their spirits. They journeyed through the morning along the Road and when stopping for lunch Frodo recited Bilbo's traveling song. He remembered the older hobbit's words from long ago: "'It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door...You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to'" (p. 83, The Fellowship of the Ring). Frodo was about to realize just how dangerous adventures can be. After eating and resting Sam heard the sound of a horse approaching. Frodo felt a sudden urge to clear the Road and hide. Sam and Pippen hid in a hollow while Frodo, even though he suggested hiding, hesitated and was forced to lay down in some taller grass.

He saw a large black horse with a rider clad all in black approach near where they had just been. "When it reached the tree and was level with Frodo the horse stopped. The riding figure sat quite still with its head bowed, as if listening. From inside the hood came a noise as of someone sniffing to catch an elusive scent; the head turned from side to side of the road" (p. 84, The Fellowship of the Ring). Frodo felt an urge to put on the Ring; surely that would keep him safe from the rider. Suddenly the horseman moved on and Frodo watched him proceed farther down the Road; it seemed to him the rider turned off into a wooded area before disappearing. 

Frodo explained all that he saw to Sam and Pippin indicating he felt like the rider was searching for him. They all puzzled at what this could mean when Sam remembered the night before when they left Bag End. He had ran the spare key to his Gaffer just before they departed and the old hobbit told Sam about a strange Black Rider who was looking for Frodo. This was the conversation that Frodo had overheard that night. Frodo wished Sam had remembered it sooner and decided they should not use the Road openly from that point on. He had wished they had waited for Gandalf but that may have proved even more perilous.

The companions went along the rest of the day without any trouble. As dusk settled in and they had their supper and began singing walking-songs, derived by Bilbo of course. An excerpt: "'Upon the hearth the fire is red, Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary our are feet, Still round the corner we may meet A sudden tree or standing stone That none have seen but we alone'" (p. 86, The Fellowship of the Ring). Not nearly as much singing in The Lord of the Rings as The Hobbit; but it's a nice touch. I do wish some more songs had made the films! As the song ended they heard a horse; everyone went dead quiet. It was unmistakable and drawing closer. Once again the hobbits hid. Frodo felt an even stronger desire to put on the Ring as he watched the shape of the rider in the darkness. "The shadow bent to the ground, and then began to crawl towards him" (p. 88, The Fellowship of the Ring). Creepy!

But at that moment other voices were heard; fair voices singing in the night. The shadow got up quickly mounted its horse and sped away. The voices drew closer and it became clear (to Sam's great excitement) Elves were approaching. They were singing in the ancient tongue of which Frodo had learned, thanks to Bilbo. This is what he heard: "'Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear! O Queen beyond the Western Seas! O Light to us that wander here Amid the world of woven trees! Gilthoniel! O Elbereth! Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath! Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee In a far land beyond the Sea. O stars that in the Sunless Year With shining hand by her were sown, in windy fields now bright and clear We see your silver blossom brown! O Elbereth! Gilthoniel! We still remember, we who dwell In this far land beneath the trees, Thy starlight on the Western Seas'" (p. 88-89, The Fellowship of the Ring). Frodo named them High Elves and they were indeed. Being immortal they had lived Ages in Middle-earth and their walking-song harkened back to a time before the Sun praising the works of Varda one of the Valier.

Isn't it simply amazing to see the layers of detail Tolkien wove into his story? When I first read The Lord of the Rings, which was my introduction to Tolkien's writings, I felt as if there was a deep deep history to Middle-earth where I was only scratching the surface. Making my why through several writings in chronological order my original suspicions have been confirmed. I cannot praise the depth of his sub-creation enough.

The hobbits watched them pass when one of the Elves turned and said "'Hail, Frodo!'" (p. 89, The Fellowship of the Ring). This was a fortunate meeting and yet Frodo was puzzled that they knew him and seemingly about his journey. The Elf identified himself: "'I am Gildor,' answered their leader, the Elf who had first hailed him. 'Gildor Inglorian of the House of Finrod. We are Exiles, and most of our kindred have long ago departed and we too are now only tarrying here a while, ere we return over the Great Sea. But some of our kinsfolk dwell still in peace in Rivendell'" (p. 89, The Fellowship of the Ring). If you followed the link on Finrod it will take you to the first place he is mentioned in this blog but if you search his name he's in multiple posts--a very important Elf in the Ancient Days.

Pippin mentioned the encounter with a Black Rider and this changed the mood of the Elves. They decided to travel with the hobbits for the night. Pippin was relieved, Sam speechless, and Frodo thankful saying: "'Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo, a star shines on the hour of our meeting'" (p. 90, The Fellowship of the Ring). The Elves were delighted to hear their ancient tongue and from a Hobbit of all sources. They journeyed some miles before settling in a bough and there began to feast. "Sam could never describe in words, nor picture clearly to himself, what he felt or thought that night, though it remained in his memory as one of the chief events of his life. The nearest he ever got as to say: 'Well, sir, if I could grow apples like that, I would call myself a gardener. But it was the singing that went to my heart, if you know what I mean'" (p. 92, The Fellowship of the Ring). Sam's childlike wonder and presence is beautiful. It will be a boon of hope for Frodo throughout his journey. I think sometimes we can mistake childlikeness as a weak or unnecessary thing when nothing could be further from the truth. I often find myself wishing to be less childish and more childlike.

Pippin and Sam were fast asleep (Sam curled up by Frodo's feet refusing to leave his master) while Gildor and Frodo spoke. Frodo asked about Bilbo and Gildor confirmed he had seen the hobbit twice since he had left the Shire 17 years earlier. Gildor then turned his attention to Frodo's journey. Frodo thought only Gandalf and Sam were aware of it but it seems the news, in part not all, was spread to those who stood opposed to Sauron. "'I do not know for what reason the Enemy is pursuing you,' answered Gildor; 'but I percieve that he is--strange indeed though that seems to me. And I warn you that peril is now both before you and behind you, and upon either side'" (p. 92, The Fellowship of the Ring). Frodo was dismayed thinking the Shire would be safe. "'But it is not your own Shire,' said Gildor. 'Others dwelt here before hobbits were; and others will dwell here again when hobbits are no more. The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot forever fence it out'" (p. 93, The Fellowship of the Ring). This text just caught me, you can see the wisdom in it from someone who has the experience of long life and has learned well. Reminds me of reading through Proverbs which inspires me to live a wise life. 

Frodo asked Gildor what his advice for the journey was since Gandalf had not come. Gildor sat long in thought. He agreed with Frodo's plan to make for Rivendell but was ill-pleased to learn that Gandalf was late in meeting up with Frodo. "That Gandalf is late, does not bode well. But is said: Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger. The choice is yours: to go or to wait.' 'And it is also said,' answered Frodo: 'Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes'" (p. 93, The Fellowship of the Ring). This made Gildor laugh. Reluctantly Gildor advised that Frodo should leave at once and if Gandalf did not show he should not go alone. A trusted companion should go forth with him. "'The Elves have their own labours and their own sorrows, and they are little concerned with the ways of hobbits, or of any other creatures upon earth. Our paths cross theirs seldom, by chance or by purpose. In this meeting there may be more than chance; but the purpose is not clear to me, and I fear to say too much'" (p. 94, The Fellowship of the Ring). Yes Gildor; providence at work. 

Gildor ended their discussion with some final words of encouragement: to flee the Black Riders. The protection of Elbereth. And naming Frodo Elf-friend just as Bilbo had been named long ago.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3018, September 25th
Today's reading comes from: The Fellowship of the Ring, pages 81-94