This weekend Hall of Fire is returning to The Two Towers, focusing on the events of “The King of the Golden Hall” as Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas follow Gandalf to the seat of Rohan’s kings to treat with Théoden.
Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing?
Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing? (more…)
Barliman’s Chat Last weekend, the Hall of Fire crew examined the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen. Belatedly, for those who couldn’t attend, here’s a log. (more…)
Last weekend, the Hall of Fire crew delved into the Two Towers chapter the White Rider. Belatedly, for those who couldn’t attend, here’s a log. (more…)
It resides mostly in Appendix A of Lord of the Rings, yet the story it tells reveals key parts of Aragorn’s character in The Lord of the Rings.
It is, of course, The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen — the Hall of Fire topic for later today.
‘For a moment Aragorn gazed in silence, but fearing that she would pass away and never be seen again, he called to her crying, Tinúviel, Tinúviel! even as Beren had done in the Elder Days long ago.
Then the maiden turned to him and smiled, and she said: “Who are you? And why do you call the by that name?” (more…)
Posted in Barliman News, Barlimans, Hall of Fire
Bilbo set against Smaug by Ringer Skaan.
How?
Well, we also saw Smaug’s head buried in that selfsame pile. So the size of the coins gives us a basis for comparison. (more…)
Posted in Green Books, Hobbit Book, Hobbit Movie, The Hobbit, TolkienLast weekend, the Hall of Fire crew discussed the story of Earendil and Elwing, and their momentous voyage that obtained the help of the Valar against Morgoth. Belatedly, for those who couldn’t attend, here’s a log. (more…)
Tomorrow, Hall of Fire returns to discussing The Two Towers. We’ll rejoin Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli as they continue to search for their lost comrades.
“The Dark Lord has Nine. But we have One, mightier than they: the White Rider. He has passed through the fire and the abyss, and they shall fear him.” The White Rider.
The Two Towers: Book III, Chapter V — The White Rider
As Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli follow the trail of Merry and Pippin through Fangorn Forest, they chance upon a mysterious old man robed in white. Or, perhaps, the mysterious old man chances upon them.
His appearance and enigmatic words lead the trio to conclude they are facing the White Council turncoat, Saruman the White. Luckily for them, it’s an old friend bearing some crucial news.
Join us tomorrow, Saturday May 4 at 6pm EDT (New York time) in Hall of Fire as we discuss the Two Towers chapter The White Rider.
Time zone conversions
Not sure what time the chat will be where you are? Check this little conversion table out for some help. Alternatively, check our Event Announcer for the correct time over on Time and Date.
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3.00pm PDT (Los Angeles)
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How long do your topic chats go for?
Our chats usually last an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation! However, our main room, #theonering.net is open 24 hours a day. We don’t always talk Tolkien there, but if you have a burning question, you’ll usually find one or two of “the regulars” up for a chat!
Where — connection details
Chat happens on #thehalloffire on irc.theonering.net — the TORn IRC server. You can connect instantly via our embedded Mibbit client that works inside your web browser.
Alternatively, you can install a dedicated chat program such as mIRC on your computer and just plug in the following connection details.
Server: irc.theonering.net
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Channel: #thehalloffire
Last weekend, the Hall of Fire crew delved into the Two Towers chapter Treebeard. Belatedly, for those who couldn’t attend, here’s a log. It’s a bit choppy to start but bear with it — my fault for still being half asleep when we kicked off.
Also, TORn regular Puma linked this excellent Youtube video of JRR Tolkien reading from the chapter when the Ents come from Entmoot to march on Isengard. (more…)
Posted in Barlimans, Green Books, Hall of Fire, J.R.R. Tolkien, Languages, Lord of the Rings, LotR Books, The Two Towers, Tolkien This weekend, Hall of Fire will be examining one of the most uplifting stories of Middle-earth, yet which also always seems to stand a little behind Tolkien’s “great tales”.
Yet Eärendil saw now no hope left in the lands of Middle-earth, and he turned again in despair and came not home, but sought back once more to Valinor with Elwing at his side. He stood now most often at the prow of Vingilot, and the Silmaril was bound upon his brow; and ever its light grew greater as they drew into the West. The Silmarillion, Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath. (more…)
Posted in Barliman News, Barlimans, Hall of Fire, Silmarillion
The quest for Middle-earth canon. In some ways it always feels a bit of a Sisyphean endeavour.
You know the story of the mythological Greek king, Sisyphus, right?
For those who don’t recall, Sisyphus was just too crafty for his own good. So the Greek gods, never tolerant of being made to look foolish, designed for him the most frustrating of punishments: Sisyphus was compelled to roll a huge boulder up a steep hill. Just before he could reach the top, it would roll back down, forcing him to begin all over again. (more…)
Posted in Christopher Tolkien, Green Books, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings, LotR Books, Other Tolkien books, Silmarillion, Tolkien
Several strongholds of elves and men are besieged while Frodo and Sam are trudging laboriously through Mordor to Mount Doom. In particular, Lothlórien repels three such assaults before Galadriel and Celeborn finally lead a counter-offensive against Dol Guldur.
“…the assaults were driven back; and when the Shadow passed, Celeborn came forth and led the host of Lórien over Anduin in many boats. They took Dol Guldur, and Galadriel threw down its walls and laid bare its pits, and the forest was cleansed.” Appendix B, Lord of the Rings.
That last sentence has often puzzled; people wonder exactly how Galadriel might have accomplished such a task. More, why is she doing now what ought to have been accomplished when the White Council drove Sauron from Dol Guldur years before? (more…)
Posted in Christopher Tolkien, Fellowship of the Ring, Green Books, Hobbit Book, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings, LotR Books, Other Tolkien books, Return of the King, Silmarillion, The Two Towers, Tolkien This weekend, Hall of Fire shifts back to our chapter-by-chapter discussion of Lord of the Rings as we as we arrive at one of the most enchanting chapters of The Two Towers.
‘Yes,’ said Pippin; ‘I’m afraid this is only a passing gleam, and it will all go grey again. What a pity! This shaggy old forest looked so different in the sunlight. I almost felt I liked the place.’
‘Almost felt you liked the Forest! That’s good! That’s uncommonly kind of you,’ said a strange voice. ‘Turn round and let me have a look at your faces. I almost feel that I dislike you both, but do not let us be hasty. Turn round!’ (more…)
Posted in Barliman News, Barlimans, Hall of Fire
