Calling all creative fans of Middle-earth! Our good friends at Oscha Slings, purveyors of items of great beauty, are holding a contest!
This is your chance to create a unique Lord of the Rings or Hobbit themed design to be woven into a scarf, shawl, baby sling or throw. Whatever realm of Middle-earth inspires you, now is your chance! The only limitation is that it must be book inspired rather than movie inspired. You have a month to create your design; then submit it via the google form below, by midnight BST on 26th July 2020.
To view the existing range and get inspiration visit Oscha Slings. Oscha are looking for a new pattern that they haven’t done before, and something that is clearly iconic of Middle-earth. They welcome entries that have a strong illustrative style, beautiful line work, and creativity! You’ll find more guidance about what makes a good design in the Terms and Conditions at the google form.
Be sure to read the guidelines and Terms and Conditions carefully on the form before submitting your entry! Click here to enter.
The folks at Oscha say they can’t wait to see what you come up with; and we look forward to seeing it, too! Get those pencils out and get doodling!
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Each month we will feature a small selection of the poems submitted, but we hope you will read all of the poems that we have received here in our Great Hall of Poets.
So come and join us by the hearth and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
The lonely shepherd
by David McGlinchey
I watch the sunrise. I have watched it from the First Age. And you, you were there at my side and would always sing at it’s rising. But the days dawning is silent now.
You are gone.
I would wander out amongst the growing woods and trees. Coaxing them, Befriending them, Teaching them to talk.
We were as one.
You, my love, would show them the beauty of the fruit and the flower. Sharing your gift with your sisters in bringing colour and joy to this new world. Bringing an order to the hills and vales.
Divided now by brown earth and stone.
Fimbrethil. We were the guardians. Charged with protecting the forests and trees. Faithfully we have tended to their needs Though none, there seemed, stood by us. Driven away you were with the rising of the Darkness.
I am alone
Still. Your name alone brings me comfort. We are fated to meet ere the setting of the last sun. I know this will be I will wait. Until that day though.
I am alone.
~~ * ~~
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Thanks to Ringer GJC15344 we have a look at what if Lego had gotten around to making a Minas Tirith set. Over a short period of time we got several very cool Middle-earth themed sets from Lego. Unfortunately we never got Minas Tirith. However, I know after seeing these maybe, just maybe, if we can get enough emails sent to them we could get this. This set looks like it would be incredible. I for sure would love to own it.
If you’re ready for another race, welcome to “Racing to Rivendell” where we are following Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Arwen/Glorfindel, and Asfaloth (the horse who carried Frodo) as they race to outrun the Black Riders from Weathertop to Rivendell.
(If you weren’t able to join us last week, you can still earn your Shire Sprint bib and certificate. Just check out the post from May 1 for instructions.)
This virtual 5k race (3.1 miles) can be run or walked at home or any location you choose (please follow your town’s current rules). You can run, jog, walk, use a treadmill, climb your stairs, or us an elliptical – whatever is most convenient and safe for you. 30 minutes of exercise can also count as 1 mile. Run your own race, at your own pace, and time it yourself – our 5k’s are on the honor system.
Before you start each race, download a RACE BIB here or from TORn’s “The World and Works of J.R.R. Tolkien” Facebook page. Write your name, nickname, or race time in the white box, then you can stop by our Facebook page and post a photo wearing your bib, or post in the comments below.
Once you have completed each race, let us know! Download your finisher certificate and share another photo.
HERE ARE THE FINISHER CERTIFICATES:
Click on this link if you want to download a .pdf. Or the .jpg is below. They are also available for download on our “World and Works of J.R.R. Tolkien” Facebook group.
If you complete all four races, an additional special certificate can be yours! If you’re so inclined, reading the section in “The Fellowship of the Ring” that corresponds to this race might add a bit of color to your journey. Above all else, have fun. On your mark, get set, go!
There will be a total of four 5k races in all. Check back on Friday for a new race.
Bibs and certificates designed by TORN staff member Mithril, aka Nancy Steinman.
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Each month we will feature a small selection of the poems submitted, but we hope you will read all of the poems that we have received here in our Great Hall of Poets.
So come and join us by the hearth and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Helm the Hammerhand
by D. McGlinchey
Over Suthburg’s walls the snow fell thick, covering a land of despair. Whilst throughout the barren and cheerless halls, Cold death had filled the air. For the pride of his people had Helm smote King Freca, High Lord of the Dunlending race. In challenging his right to the Rohirrim lands and insulting his fair daughters grace.
Soon Edoras had fallen to Freca’s son Wulf, with Dunlending’s and Corsair’s conspiring. At the Great Golden Hall, Prince Haleth had died, in honour with courage inspiring. Whilst down by the Isen his fathers fate turned. Defeated, retreated to Suthburg’s high walls, Whilst the rest of the Riddermark burned.
Desperate, surrounded with no help to call, Helm defended his folks last great keep. With fire in his eyes and steel in his fists, His enemies lives he would reap! For such was the fear in the enemies camp Of the Suthburg’s ‘Dark Wraith of the Snow’. The ‘Hammerhand’ some said of the Rohirrim King Who killed all he faced with one blow!
The terrible long winter would not let them go, famine and disease soon descending. Yet still Helm strode out like a fearsome Snow Troll, With fury and vengeance unending! Bitter the wind and the ice and the gales, And the fuel of his rage spurred him on. But one man cannot bitter East winds long withstand. Soon the fire in his heart it was gone.
Frozen in death but still ready to fight, the legend of Helm it has grown. And from out of the Hornburg his spirit will rise, Whenever the Great War Horn is blown. To the Mound of the Kings was Helms body returned, With reverence to sleep the long sleep. Forever remembered and beloved of his folk. Whom he’d helped to survive at ‘Helms’ Deep.
~~ * ~~
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
To help keep everyone’s spirits up during these difficult days, our good friends at Scottish textile company Oscha Slings, who craft gorgeous baby slings and woven accessories, are offering a GIVEAWAY! Their amazing, exclusively licensed products feature unique designs which are inspired by Middle-earth; we’ve shown you their products before, both online and at conventions, but if you haven’t checked out their website yet, you have a treat in store! Click here to take a look…
The giveaway is open worldwide, and is running from our Facebook page. So hurry on over to TORn’s facebook where you can find out how to take part. The competition closes on Tuesday 14th April at 4pm BST, 11am ET. Good Luck!
