The Reunion of Friends

Think about those closest to you. Friend's who stick closer than a brother (or sister). People that when you see them you immediately pick up right where you left off. It doesn't matter whether you saw them last week, last year, or longer. These are some of the best moments in life. It was a joy to read about such a reunion of friends. The members of the Fellowship of the Ring had been through so much that love and respect was eternally written on their hearts for one another. So to see Merry and Pippin reunited with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli creates a warm heart.

Around noon Gandalf led Theoden's company through the now destroyed gate of Isengard. They noticed all around them the walls were cracked and crumbled with piles of debris all around. Inside the ring of Isengard they noticed bubbling and steaming water everywhere as if the Sea had flooded over the walls. Theoden and Men of Rohan were in awe not comprehending how such destruction could come to that place. As they looked around they saw two small figures on a pile of debris, clad in grey just as Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas were, one smoking and the other sleeping. They were young to the Rohirrim's eyes and only half the height of an average man. One moved quickly to bow low and greet them.

"'Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!' he said. 'We are the door wardens. Meriadoc, son of Saradoc is my name; and my companion, who, alas! is overcome with weariness'--here he gave the other a dig with his foot--'is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the house of Took. Far in the North is our home. The Lord Saruman is within; but at the moment he is closeted with one Wormtongue, or doubtless he would be here to welcome such honourable guests'" (p. 162, The Two Towers). This set Gandalf (and me) to laughing and Merry told the Wizard that Treebeard had set them to watch for and greet warmly the Lord of Rohan. Of course, some felt left out of the welcome.

"'And what about your companions? What about Legolas and me?' cried Gimli, unable to contain himself longer. 'You rascals, you woolly-footed and wool-pated truants! A fine hunt you have led us! Two hundred leagues, through fen and forest, battlle and death, to rescue you! And here we find you feasting and idling--and smoking! Smoking! Where did you come by the weed, you villains? Hammer and tongs! I am so torn between rage and joy, that if I do not burst it will be a marvel!'" (p. 162, The Two Towers). Legolas laughingly agreed inquiring about the wine they had as well. (Remember Legolas' dad enjoyed a good wine too!) Pippin piped up explaining they were simply enjoying the spoils of a well earned victory. "'Well-earned?' said Gimli. 'I cannot believe that!' The Riders laughed. 'It cannot be doubted that we witness the meeting of dear friends,' said Theoden" (p. 163, The Two Towers).

Theoden guessed correctly that these were the lost friends whom the hunters sought and he guessed also that they were, in the tongue of the Rohirrim, Holbytlan. Merry and Pippin explained they were Hobbits but it was plain that Theoden had heard something of their kind. This greatly intrigued the hobbits. "'My people came out of the North long ago,' said Theoden. 'But I will not deceive you: we know no tales about hobbits. All that is said among us is that far away, over many hills and rivers, live the halfling folk that dwell in holes in sand-dunes. But there are no legends of their deeds, for it is said that they do little, and avoid the sight of men, being able to vanish in a twinkling...'" (p. 163, The Two Towers). Merry began to tell Theoden about the ways of Hobbits including their arts in pipe-weed. At this point Gandalf had to intervene.

"'You do not know your danger, Theoden,' interrupted Gandalf. 'These hobbits will sit on the edge of ruin and discuss the pleasures of the table, or the small doings of their fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, and remoter cousins to the ninth degree, if you encourage them with undue patience'" (p. 163, The Two Towers). Once again Gandalf makes me smile. He was in need of haste and had Merry and Pippin tell him where Treebeard was. They explained the Ents had been watching Isengard. Legolas' was able to tell who was Ent verses what was a tree. Gandalf invited Theoden to ride on with him to meet Treebeard, whom was called Fangorn, the oldest living being on Middle-earth. It would be a chance for another legend in the fairy-tales of the Rohirrim to spring to life for the King who had already meet Isildur's heir and the halfling folk. Theoden agreed and hoped that Merry could continue his conversation with him at Meduseld in Edoras. "The hobbits bowed low. 'So that is the King of Rohan!' said Pippin in an undertone. 'A fine old fellow. Very polite'" (p. 164, The Two Towers).

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 5th
Today's reading comes from: The Two Towers, pages 161-164