LoTR Discussion Project: Bk II Chap. 3: The Ring Goes South

[Forkbeard]

This chapter is for me one of the most interesting of the book. It captures my attention in the same way that The Old Forest does in Book I, hints at so much more in the background that in the end is left untouched and unexplained. This is one of the characteristics that keeps me coming back to LoTR.

Chapter Summary

The chapter opens later the same day of the Council. The hobbits are gathered together in Bilbo's room discussing what to do next. Gandalf stops by the window and joins in the talk. Gandalf reveals that messengers have been sent out to discover any news of the Enemy's movements, particularly any news of the Nine Ringwraiths and that when the time does come to depart, he will go with Frodo.

The days slip by. The Council of Elrond was on Oct. 25. The days of December fly quickly by before the messengers begin to return. The lands seemed empty and all appears quiet. The only traces of the 9 that could be found were 8 dead horses and 1 torn black cloak.

Elrond then gives tought to forming the Fellowship. He has chosen the number of the company to be nine, for secrecy and to match the 9 Riders. Frodo and Sam were of course chosen at the Council. Gandalf was to go. The remainder were to represent the Free Peoples of Middle Earth: Gimli son of Gloin for the Dwarves, Legolas of the Silvan Elves for the Elves, Aragorn son of Arathorn for Men, and Boromir, Denethor's son of Gondor. There is some debate about the remaing two spots. Merry and Pippin both insist on going; Elrond thinks it best that they not go. Gandalf suggests that trusting to love and friendship would be best; that not even sending Glorfindel would help achieve the aim any better. No command is laid on the Company; none is compelled to go further than they wish or fortune allows. And so the tale of the Nine Walkers is complete and preparations for departure are made.

The Sword of Elendil is reforged, and on its blade are carved Aragorn's device, and many runes. Aragorn renamed the sword Anduril, Flame of the West. The hobbits talked and heard many stories such as the full tale of Berien and Luthien and the taking of the Great Jewel. Bilbo one morning takes Frodo aside and gives him Sting and his mithril coat of mail made by the Dwarves.

Finally, on the evening of 25 December, the Company is to depart. Boromir sounds his horn, Bill the Pony is packed, and Sam complains of having no rope. Elrond lays a charge only on Frodo: not to cast away the Ring nor deliver it to any servent of the Enemy, nor let any handle it or see save members of the Company and only that at great need. He reiterates that the others are free companions who may tarry, or return, or go home, or turn aside as chance allows. (There is an exchange of proverbs between Elrond and Gimli--not central to the story, but always attracts my attention.)

The Company leaves Rivendell and march by night for the next fourteen days without much incident. On Januray 8, the Company reaches Hollin, in the Second Age a part of Eregion, a land once lived in by the Elves. Frodo notes on more than one occasion the presence of a road. Here they plan to take an extra to rest. But Aragorn notes that everything is quiet. Later that day as the other rest, Aragorn and Sam stand watch. The observe a large flock of birds fly over Hollin, a large section of which breaks off and flies directly over them. Aragorn raises the alarm, the fire is put out, and the decision is made to move on that night, rather than rest for a day.

That night, Frodo, Gandalf, and Aragorn sense something pass overhead. Frodo shivers and sees the stars momentarily go blank. Gandalf senses it pass over.

At this point, Frodo hears part of a debate between Aragorn and Gandalf about their road, a debate apparently already well-hashed. Gandalf expresses concern that the Redhorn Gate, the pass over Caradhras in the Misty Mountains for which they are currently making, will be watched as well as concern about the weather. It is decided that as dangerous as it might be, it is the best road.

As they read the bottom of the mountain, it begins to snow. They gather wood and climb upwards, the wind and snow coming down harder. Eventually they are completely stopped on the mountain by the wind and snow and attempt to take what shelter they can under a jutting rock face. There were sounds of shrill voices in the wind, and howls of laughter; stones began to fall from the mountain side. They remain standing there for the night as the snow piles deeper. They start a fire, and need Gandalf's magic to do so. They burn all their wood in the cold. In the morning, Boromir and Aragorn burrow a path through the snow back down; Legolas is able to walk on top of the piled snow and walks down the mountain. Boromir and Aragorn return and carry the hobbits down to where the snow is lessened. They regroup and descend the mountain, noticing that the birds are once again flying and apparently searching. They stumble "wearily down the slope. Caradhras had defeated them."

Discussion Points

1) Why nine? What need to match the number of Ringwraiths?

2) Why does Bilbo want Frodo to keep his mail shirt a secret?

3) Who or What caused the snow storm?

4) Who or What was the shadow Frodo saw overhead?

5) Who sent the birds?

6) Why would Gloin, Gimli, Legolas, Boromir etc hang around for 2 months?

7) There are several points of foreshadowing in this chapter as well: how many can we list?

8) What does this chapter tell us about the key characters? Especially the less obvious ones such as Boromir or Gimli?

9) Why does Elrond counsel Boromir not to blow his horn again until he is on the borders of his own land?

10) While in Rivendell, Frodo is looking out his window at night and sees a red burning star on the horizon. What does this signify?

11) Why does Elrond specifically have misgivings about Pippin?

12) Tolkien takes care to mention specific things from the past in this chapter, but explains none of them: Beren and Luthien, Eregion, and Moria (though the reader will learn about Moria soon enough)--why doesn't he fill out this information at least somewhat?