A hundredth re-read of the LotR

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

But I often think it could have something to do with the 'difference' of Elves, maybe even with my old favourite topic, sanwe. It's quite possible the Elves helped him have that 'dreamless' sleep.

Very interesting though, as if I was writing about someone laying down to sleep in the company of Elves, I'd be more likely to write of someone having quite wild dreams

Yes, and that's exactly what this speaks about - the complete rest, as it was said early. And I am quite convinced that it was because of the Elves that he had this dreamless sleep.

[Boromir88]

Is it only a literary question (they shouldn't have too great a help with their journey for the storyline's sake) or are the elves so disenchanted with the ME that they just don't bother to help more?

Well there are certainly active elves in Middle-earth. I think Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, Thranduil, Haldir, and the many others who defended their lands/fought against Sauron would beg to differ. Elrond and Galadriel are certainly two of the most important people, to Frodo and his quest, in the story. But, we can get to them when their time comes, this I would guess is asking about Gildor.

Is it a literary question? Probably, but I don't think it's one that says "We can't have Gildor help Frodo, nothing to see here, moving on." This short encounter, with Gildor, brings out several things...

This is Sam's first time meeting Elves, and no surprise he's giddy and speechless.

I find it interesting Gildor's refusal to tell Frodo anything more about the Black Riders other than "Stay away from them!" This is the reader's (and Frodo's) first encounter with the Black Riders. I believe this is the first chapter they are mentioned (I forget whether they're mentioned in passing in The Shadow of the Past, but I don't think there's any connection made between the Nine Rings given to Men and these "Black Riders.")

Thus the Black Riders are still an enigma to Frodo, and also perhaps that's how Tolkien wanted the readers to think of them. There are dark, creepy, sniffing guys on horses running around asking about Frodo. Pippin even raises the question of how many? Was this just one creepy guy seen twice, or two different creepy guys? Frodo is lost, confused, he doesn't have Gandalf around, he doesn't know who is after him, how many, or why. And Tolkien might be placing the reader in Frodo's shoes to capture his audience. Having Gildor spill the beans about the Black Riders at this point would ruin it. They are far more unsettlings as unnamed, creepy, dark, sniffing guys who ride large evil black horses.

Also, I believe as someone else mentioned this is the first time Frodo finds "unexpected" help along his journey. Consider these comments from another author; Ursula LeGuin:

"the peculiar rhythm of the book, its continual alternation of distress and relief, threat and reassurance, tension and relaxation: the rocking-horse gait (which is precisely what makes the huge book readable to a child of nine or ten) ...."

Frodo has just had two suspensful, somewhat threatening encounters (his interesting urge to put on the Ring when the Black Riders are close), an then the mood relaxes. Frodo is with the Elves, he has a dreamless sleep, he is refreshed. This rythm continues throughout the story, the Barrow-wight - Tom Bombadil, Moria - Lothlorien, and so on...

Although I will add with LeGuin, in that you don't have to be nine or ten to love the rythm of the story, as a close to an "over the hill" adult, the tension-relaxation, stress-relief flow of the story makes it very exciting.

[Peregrin Took]

Hey everybody, I'm glad to be joining this discussion! This is MatthewM, by the way. This is my new username.

To the book!

Three is Company is without a doubt one of my favorite chapters in the whole story. Three of the main hobbits, Frodo, Pippin, and Sam leaving their comfortable homes and beginning on their long journey through the Shire, and then beyond. I can picture the story extraordinarily well during this chapter, and simply put, it touches my soul.

This passage in particular always pulls at me:

"Well, now we're off at last!" said Frodo. They shouldered their packs and took up their sticks, and walked round the corner to the west side of Bag End. "Good-bye!" said Frodo, looking at the dark blank windows. He waved his hand, and then turned and (following Bilbo, if he had known it) hurried after Peregrin down the garden-path. They jumped over the low place in the hedge at the bottom and took to the fields, passing into the darkness like a rustle in the grasses.

Amazing.

I was definitely freightened when the Black Rider appears for the first time! That is another power of Tolkien's...to actually scare you. There aren't many writers that can do that. The second time he appears is equally as scary...you can relate especially if you've been in a sort of situation like that before (minus the Rider in Black)!

The meeting with the Elves is truly magical. I find it interesting, like has been noted, that the Elves treat the hobbits almost as fools. Their tune does change though when they are told of the Riders and the danger the hobbits are in. So, although the Elves seem to misunderstand hobbits (like Men), after they were informed of their crisis they did treat them with respect. I noticed the same thing as Ibrîniðilpathânezel - there are so many memorable quotes in Gildor and Frodo's speech together.

To end, this chapter will always be close to my heart and I am glad to have discovered this thread at this time!