*sigh* Oh gosh. I shall be honest, but that must be the hardest question I've yet seen...
I fell in love with the shire, and the Hobbits first. They are so happy, and their way of life has a simplicity that I wish still existed.
Next it was the elves, their beautiful, flowing languages and slight graceful movements, their remarkable dwelling places... And the sorrow that was sort of weaved into their very existence.
I loved all the songs and poems and tales 'of old'. They brought a depth and reality to that world that could not otherwise have existed.
After that it was the race of Men. I truly admire the way Tolkien portrayed them, noble yet fragile, and brave. Aragorn is my favourite, he is so human, -and I suppose that is why I relate to him more than anyone else- but he seems so.. worthy.. worthy of the honoured position that he was destined to fill.
In a sense, (I shall conclude, becuse I could quite genuinely go on forever in my wistful way.) it is Tolkien himself who has become my captor. Middle Earth was his, and he decided to share it. I love his writing style, the depth of his characters, his vivid discriptions, and witty dialague.
But my favourite parts of his writing are the simplest; it is the simple truths that strike me, the lessons, the words of wisdom -it is those that have burned themselves into my memory.
I wish I could meet Professor Tolkien and, if I could speak through my sheer awe, I would thank him...
EDIT: (Sorry this is so long.) But I failed to realise that I am writing as if I were there. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] On that point I must concur with anyone else who has said so.
This tale becomes, or rather, has become very real, and indeed quite dear to me.
[ August 30, 2003: Message edited by: Arwen Eruantale ]
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