LotR -- Book 1 - Chapter 12 - Flight to the Ford

[Encaitare]

Guinevere-- Yes, you're probably right, although I find it a little odd that he would "miss" the Witch-King... but then again, I have a habit of trying to make something out of nothing.

[davem]

Its interesting how Tolkien makes use of folkore - the Beryl in medieval times was considered to have magical powers - to bring health, good luck & long life, & being green, the colour associated with both Elves & nature its a perfect choice.

Also, the Athelas verse is similar to verses found in Anglo saxon & medieval times. A healing herb would not just be used as we use medicine today, there would be a prayer or invocation said over it as it was cut & as it was used.

There's an Anglo-saxon verse - the Nine Herbs charm, which contains the lines:

This herb is called Stune; it grew on a stone,
it withstands poison, it resists pain.
It is called harsh, it fights against poison,
drives out the hostile one, casts out poison.
This is the herb that fought with the worm;
this power against poison, this power against infection,
this power against the foe who fares through the land.

trans: Rodrigues 'Anglo-Saxon Verse Charms, Maxims, & Heroic Legends.

Its interesting to see how Tolkien was using ancient beliefs subtly, & adapting them for his mythology.