Gandalf and the Hobbits reach Bree and find that while things aren’t quite right, Butterbur seems much the same as he goes on to explain what’s gone wrong. Of course the companions can’t stay long. The hobbits are anxious to get home to a troubled Shire, but for one of them there will be no homecoming. To Frodo the Shire will never again be a place where he can find rest.[More]

Aragorn is only two years old when his father is slain by orcs. The
newmade heir of Isildur is taken by his mother Gilraen to dwell in the
house of Elrond in Rivendell. He is twenty years of age when one evening he meets Arwen Undomiel in the twilight woods, and falls in love. A meeting that will shape his life, and doom Arwen to a parting from her father and her kin beyond the end of the world.[More]

Throughout its history, the One Ring comes to different people of many races. It tempts them all, preying on their individual and racial weaknesses and ambitions. Some fall to its lure, some fear even to touch it, but two small Hobbits carry the Ring all the way to the heart of Mordor. An interesting question arises; were Hobbits more resistant to the One Ring, and if so why? [More]

The city of Minas Tirith holds its breath waiting for news of the war, while in the Houses of Healing Eowyn rises from her bed. The concerned Warden takes her to see the Steward of the City. Faramir is soon struck by her beauty, but he also perceives that here is one greatly troubled by grief and unrest. Eowyn for her part sees in Faramir both a gentle spirit and a great warrior and slowly hope is kindled in her heart.[More]

Finally, the first official trailer for The Return of the King arrived on September 27th. Most ringers seem to agree that it is simply the best trailer even shown in a theater, and it’s quite hard to disagree with them. First glimpse of Shelob, Minas Tirith under siege, the rohirrim massing before the charge on the Pelennor. Let’s make the wait for this Christmas a bit more bearable by having a closer look at the trailer in #thehalloffire this weekend.[More]

“Leaf by Niggle” was first published in the Dublin Review in January 1945, and is widely regarded as an allegory of Tolkien’s own creative process. Many would also claim that it is indeed an allegory of Tolkien’s life up to that point. [Despite Tolkien’s avowed dislike for ‘allegory’] Along with the essay “On Fairy-Stories” the story about Niggle can be found in the book “Tree and Leaf” which offers the underlying philosophy (Sub-Creation) of Tolkiens writings. [More]