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!
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 Lord of Water
by D.McGlinchey
I move through the world via many paths. Each pathway leads to me and I cover this Middle Earth. Nowhere is beyond my reach. For if I am hinderedI may take to the sky to fall again anew, Where each raindrop may carry a message from me, Each teardrop you shed a tale from you. Through the scars of the land I move unassailed. In my depths I hold memories and great tales never told. For the memories and tales are as the Great River’s roar. Each crash is a cry out. Each trickle a whispered sigh. The thunder of Rauros echoes of a thousand battles, Whilst the screens of a waterfall have hidden the events that began them!
Not for me the grand halls and graces of Valinor, Nor the rugged beauty of the lands of Arda. It is Ulmonan holds my heart. The depths of my oceans and the calm of my seas offer seclusion enough. But beware my wrath and cherish my pity For I am ever present to protect. To guide. To avenge. For I offer both mercy and punishment to the Children of Illúvatar I will speak with Nàmo and Manwë if need, within the Máhanaxar And forestall the works of Melkor For I am of the Eight, The Aratar The Holy Ones of Arda And I remain.
~~ * ~~
The Dawn of the Fourth Age
By Mary E.
He who was the younger now must take charge. The one who his father loved the least has now become the first. What has happened to the world? That which was fair is now corrupt He who was less now is more. Those who loved peace now must fight. The land which was green is now a blight. The kingdom of elves is fading fast It is men that must take up the banner of good. The king will return The halfling will save. All that must be will be Much that is old must leave the earth. For a new age has come, Never seen under this sun. All things must come to an end But many others have just begun. That which was beautiful but deadly Has at last been destroyed. The power of evil no more can stand All peoples will join the final fight And bring down that which blocked the light. A star in heaven will join her lord And a new race of kings will be born. The last of the wise will pass over the sea, But leave in their wake the ones who have tales still meant to be told. What has happened to the world? Is the dark gone for good The light here to stay? Prophesies fulfilled and wars won and passed? The earth is beautiful, fair and bright, The King loves his people And all is right.
~~ * ~~
Elf of the wand
By: Theo van de Pol
And so it was told that both were Maiar,
but the light was in Olórin and the
darkness with Valaraukar.
One walked Middle Earth and Gandalf became his
common name,
the other dwelt deep in darkness and would become
Durin’s Bane.
Many years later Durin Doors would sway open again,
and the Grey Pilgrim led a brave fellowship into
the Balrogs den.
In the grim cold of the mine there are no lights or
stars,
there he would face his greatest test as outlined
by the wise Valar.
At the bridge of Khazad-Dum he stood firm but fell
in the abyss,
fighting the demon for days, leaving his friends
alone and amiss.
The darkness took him and he strayed out of thought
and time,
but was send back naked as it was still his task to
guide and shine.
He became Gandalf once again to help those who opposed Sauron to fight, this time not as the Grey, but purely as the White.
~~ * ~~
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.
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 Lord of Water
by D.McGlinchey
I move through the world via many paths .
Each pathway leads to me and I cover this Middle Earth.
Nowhere is beyond my reach.
For if I am hindered
I may take to the sky to fall again anew,
Where each raindrop may carry a message from me,
Each teardrop you shed a tale from you.
Through the scars of the land I move unassailed.
In my depths I hold memories and great tales never told.
For the memories and tales are as the Great River’s roar.
Each crash is a cry out.
Each trickle a whispered sigh.
The thunder of Rauros echoes of a thousand battles,
Whilst the screens of a waterfall have hidden the events that began them!
Not for me the grand halls and graces of Valinor, Nor the rugged beauty of the lands of Arda. It is Ulmonan holds my heart. The depths of my oceans and the calm of my seas offer seclusion enough. But beware my wrath and cherish my pity For I am ever present to protect. To guide. To avenge. For I offer both mercy and punishment to the Children of Illúvatar I will speak with Nàmo and Manwë if need, within the Máhanaxar And forestall the works of Melkor For I am of the Eight, The Aratar The Holy Ones of Arda And I remain.
~~ * ~~
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.
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.
Lady Forest
by: Tom Frye
Kissed by the sun, embraced by the morning, The Forest sheds her cloak of Night. She slips into a gown of mist, She wove herself, by Morning light.
In Amber rays, the Forest dances, In hidden glens within the hills. Barefoot, she glides through open meadows, Tip-toes her way past silver rills.
Her gown of mist trails behind her, Fluttering in the morning wind, Adorned with gems and sparkling jewels. The rising sun did surely send.
Dimmer now the light of day
Less bright the stars at night
Sparser grow the woods and plant’s
For the Elves have gone away.
Less beauty now to look upon
More haste to get things done.
No care to share for others around.
For the Ents now too have gone.
No words of power for moonlight door. No Blue, Grey, Brown or White No reasoned words to guide us on When Istari remove their light.
~~ * ~~
A Hobbits Poem
by: Sarah W.
Far o’er the Misty Mountains cold
Where Smaug sleeps upon a lair of gold
A burglar hides with the One Ring
Nothing to aid him, but trusty Sting
Soon the dragon wakes and leaves his den
Heads for Lake Town, anger aimed for men
Bard the bowman shoots, Smaug falls dead
But Thorin still yearns for a crown on his head
They wish for a share of wealth, men and elves alike Long they tarry, ere they strike Soon come goblins and orcs from caves below From below the mountains, their hearts hollow
Battle cries ring sharply in the air
Mere minutes pass, ere Dain and his dwarves are there
Burglar slips away from what he sees
Wishing to be home, by the fire, sipping tea
All ends, but not in fire, and victory crawls near With parting farewells, Bilbo heads back to his hole so dear The war is over the journey is done For now evil is gone, there is nothing to fear
~~ * ~~
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.
