Pt. II of the Sauron during the 2nd Age series.
Sauron: Second Age (Pt. II)
Possession is 9/10ths of the Law.
I was struck by a passage recently in my annual re-read. When Frodo, Sam, and Pippin have their first encounter with a Black Rider, the text refers to the Ring as belonging to Frodo. A sudden unreasoning fear of discovery laid hold of Frodo, and he thought of his Ring. [I, 3, 'Three is Company']... Continue Reading →
Andy Serkis’ Reading of “The Lord of the Rings”
Well, in my listening to Serkis' reading of LotR, Frodo has been stabbed and we're mere paragraphs away from meeting Tom, Bert, and William again. This is far enough to allow me to pass some judgement on the overall performance, I think.Short version: I like it very much. I can confidently recommend it.Longer version: Serkis... Continue Reading →
What the Ell?
I was re-reading Tolkien's translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight when I came to the description of the chlorophyllic ka-nig-it's weapon of choice. Coming in at the 10th stanza: 10 And yet he had not a helm, nor a hauberk either, not a pisane, not a plate that was proper to arms; not... Continue Reading →
The Indifferent Gods
Was the Ainur's "abandonment" of Middle-earth foretold in their music?
Elros
Who was Elros and why did he matter? What's he got to do with Elrond or with Aragorn?
The Start of the Second Age
When and how did the Second Age of Middle-earth begin? What's a Morgoth? And what does Randy have to do with anything?
Tolkien Recommended Reading
A listing of Tolkien's works and where they all fit together, with some guidance on reading-order.
On Food and Cheer and Song
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." So too if script-writers would not change perfectly-written lines of dialogue for no good reason at all!
Varda: Fanlókë
Or how to name your dragon.
The Mathom-house 