Barliman's Chat Gondor is under seige and cut off from its allies as the forces of Sauron swarm Minas Tirith. Can the city hold?

‘Nay,’ they said, ‘not if the Nameless One himself should come, not even he could enter here while we yet live.’ But some answered: ‘While we yet live? How long? He has a weapon that has brought low many strong places since the world began. Hunger. The roads are cut. Rohan will not come.’

The Return of the King – Book V, Chapter IV: The Siege of Gondor

Through the eyes of Pippin, we see the dissension between Gondor’s leaders, the distrust between Denethor and Gandalf, and the rift between Denethor and his son, Faramir. We witness the growing despair that sweeps the city as Sauron’s hordes cross the great river and lay seige to Minas Tirith.

Whether you want to discuss objects such as Grond and the Great Gate of Minas Tirith, Tolkien’s vivid descriptions of war, or the sharp mental disintegration of Denethor the Steward, this chapter provides fascinating discussion points.

Join us this Saturday at 5pm ET in the Hall of Fire for what’s sure to be a lively discussion!

Upcoming discussions:

March 8: What would you like to see included or omitted from Peter Jackson’s final Hobbit film? What needs to be cut, and what must stay? Why? Can the award-winning director round out his Middle-earth adventures with a critical, fan and box-office success?
March 15: ROTK Book 5 Chapter 5: The Ride of the Rohirrim

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