All were silent after Gandalf finished being troubled by the news of Saruman's betrayal. Elrond finally spoke again, intrigued most by, Frodo's tales. It seems the Elf-lord had greatly underestimated Hobbits. Indeed, Frodo's story recalled to Elrond's mind Tom Bombadil and he wondered if Tom (known to the Elves as Iarwain Ben-adar; oldest and fatherless) should have been invited to the council. Gandalf was sure that Tom wouldn't have come. Erestor, Elrond's chief counselor wondered, if perhaps, Tom may be able to destroy the Ring or if it could be hidden in his lands. Gandalf said this would not be possible for while the Ring had no power over Tom he could not alter it nor think it very important to watch.
Glorfindel noted that the Ring could not be returned to Bombadil's lands anyway without the Enemy noting it. Bombadil could not withstand an assault from Mordor. "'I think that in the end, if all else is conquered, Bombadil will fall, Last as he was First; and then Night will come'" (p. 279, The Fellowship of the Ring). Galdor, of the Grey Havens, noted the only power to withstand Sauron rested at the Havens, Imladris, and Lorien. "'I have not the strength,' said Elrond; 'neither have they'" (p. 279, The Fellowship of the Ring). Glorfindel called for one of two actions: destroy the Ring or send it over the Sea. Elrond reminded him and the counsel of what Gandalf said, they did not possess what was needed to destroy it and those over the Sea would not take the Ring. It was for the council to decide what was to be done. Glorfindel wondered if it could be cast into the Sea and truly lost.
"'Not safe forever,' said Gandalf. 'There are many things in the deep waters; and seas and lands may change. And it is not our part here to take thought only for a season, or for a few lives of Men, or for a passing age of the world. We should seek a final end of this menace, even if we do not hope to make one'" (p. 280, The Fellowship of the Ring). It seemed they could not hide the Ring or unmake it. Boromir, fidgeting with his great horn of Gondor, wondered if they might not use the Ring again Sauron. In his mind Sauron would most fear this and the Men of Gondor simply needed a weapon to match their valor. Elrond dismissed this idea knowing that whoever sought to wield the Ring would be enslaved to it; the best case scenario would be Sauron's defeat but a new Dark Lord arising.
Gloin decided to speak again suggesting the other Rings of Power to be used against Sauron. He revealed that Balin had left for Moria in search of Thror's Ring and with the Elven Three may make a formidable foe against Sauron. Alas, Gandalf explained that he had found Thrain and the Enemy had taken his Father's Ring. The Dwarven Seven were destroyed or in possession of Sauron. Gloin demanded of the Elves the whereabouts of the Three and why they were idle. Elrond responded: "'So much only in this hour of doubt I may now say. They are not idle. But they were not made as weapons of war or conquest: that is not their power. Those who made them did not desire strength or domination or hoarded wealth, but understanding, making, and healing to preserve all things unstained'" (p. 282, The Fellowship of the Ring). This made me think of where the Rings ended up, at least originally, with Elrond in Rivendell (understanding), Círdan the Shipwright (making), and Galadriel in Lorien (healing).
Gloin asked what would become of the Three if the One was destroyed. "'We know not for certain,' answered Elrond sadly. 'Some hope that the Three Rings, which Sauron has never touched, would then become free, and their rulers might heal the hurts of the world that he wrought. But maybe when the One has gone, the Three will fail, and many fair things will fade and be forgotten. That is my belief'" (p. 282, The Fellowship of the Ring). Glorfindel stated that all Elves would take that chance if it meant Sauron be destroyed. What a huge sacrifice. For the good of all the Elves would risk fading and being forgotten in Middle-earth; wow--that paints the Elvish actions in this story in a whole new light. Erestor noted they had circled back to the idea of destroying the Ring but had no answers as to how to do so.
Gandalf noted that what may appear as folly might not actually be. Sauron would never enter into his heart the thought that they would want to destroy the Ring; he could only see through his warped world view dominated by domination and destruction. Elrond added: "'The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength or wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere'" (p. 283, The Fellowship of the Ring). I like that quote. A good reminder that important things are not always achieved by the powerful, rich, and famous. That much good can come from living well in the mundane of life. With all the talk of small hands and weakness Bilbo felt that Elrond was pointing a finger at him. He volunteered to end the mess he started though he had just thought of the ending to his book: living happily ever after to the end of his days. Gandalf gently reminded the old hobbit that his part in the tale was completed. "'Finish your book, and leave the ending unaltered! There is still hope for it. But get ready to write a sequel, when they come back'" (p. 283, The Fellowship of the Ring).
That now was the main question before the council; who are they. Who would be the ones to carry forth the Ring into the very heart of Mordor? The place where Sauron would least expect and yet be full of danger upon danger. All were silent. The noon lunch bell rang and no one moved. Finally, Frodo stirred: "'I will take the Ring,' he said, 'though I do not know the way'" (p. 284, The Fellowship of the Ring). Elrond turned to Frodo. "'If I understand aright all that I have heard,' he said, 'I think that this task is appointed for you, Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will. This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it?...But this burden is heavy. So heavy that none could lay it on another. I do not lay it on you. But if you take it freely, I will say that your choice is right; and though all the mighty elf-friends of old, Hador, and Hurin, and Turin, and Beren himself were assembled together, your seat should be among them'" (p. 284, The Fellowship of the Ring).
What a wise and encouraging statement by Elrond. Elrond would know of Manwë and Eru and surely would believe in their design in all that had happened and trusted that. Even so he recognized the enormity of the task, with no guaranteed outcome, and praised Frodo for his very own step of faith as well. When searching for applicability in the story these words hit home. I want eyes like Elrond to see God's hand move in my life and the lives of those around me; I want Frodo's ability to put feet on faith (even furry feet!) and take action even though I do not know how things will turn out; and I want to encourage and praise those around me who see and walk by faith around me. Good reader, if that is you, your seat is among Hador, Hurin, Turin, and Beren; as well as Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Moses. I commend you.
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3018, October 25th
Today's reading comes from: The Fellowship of the Ring, pages 278-286
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