{"id":83557,"date":"2013-11-29T23:54:28","date_gmt":"2013-11-30T04:54:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/?p=83557"},"modified":"2013-11-29T23:57:22","modified_gmt":"2013-11-30T04:57:22","slug":"on-the-finding-of-thrors-map-and-the-key-to-the-lonely-mountain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/2013\/11\/29\/83557-on-the-finding-of-thrors-map-and-the-key-to-the-lonely-mountain\/","title":{"rendered":"On the Finding of Thror\u2019s Map and the Key to the Lonely Mountain"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Unexpected<\/a>In expanding on Professor Tolkien’s text in his film adaptation, director Peter Jackson allows us to follow Gandalf the Grey into areas that remain secret to us within the text of The Hobbit<\/em>. As we look forward seeing these events unfold before our eyes next month, this essay by Tedoras examines Gandalf’s journey into the dark fortress of Dol Guldur, what he found there, and the impact that this event had on the fate of Middle-earth.<\/p>\n

On the Finding of Thror\u2019s Map and the Key to the Lonely Mountain<\/h2>\n

By Tedoras<\/strong><\/p>\n

As most of you already know, one of the most anticipated events in Peter Jackson\u2019s The Desolation of Smaug is Gandalf\u2019s journey into Dol Guldur. In Tolkien’s novel, however, Gandalf’s return to the fortress takes place long before Thorin and Company\u2019s own journey – in the year 2850 of the Third Age. It was on this earlier venture that Gandalf discovered Thrain, father of Thorin, locked in the dungeons. A crazed, tormented Dwarf he had become; and from him, Gandalf received a key and a map. It is easy to consider this event as merely trivial in the grand scheme of things – to brush it off as simply \u201cmoving the story along\u201d \u2014 but this couldn’t be more wrong.<\/p>\n

As it turns out, Gandalf\u2019s finding of the map and key to the Lonely Mountain is one of the most important turns of fate in the entire Third Age. But beyond that, I am willing to argue that this event \u2014 small as it may seem \u2014 is trumped, in momentousness and primacy, only by very few others: the creation of the Silmarils, the War of Wrath (which can be seen as contingent upon the former), the forging of the One Ring, and maybe a handful of other special incidents in the storied history of Middle-earth. The special importance of Gandalf\u2019s finding the map and key remains, in my mind, the third greatest \u201ctriggering\u201d, or \u201cmobilizing\u201d, event after Feanor\u2019s crafting of the Silmarils and Sauron\u2019s forging of the One. Let\u2019s now take a closer look at this incident (and Gandalf himself), and see if it can live up to my aforementioned claims.<\/p>\n

We must turn now to \u201cThe Quest for Erebor\u201d, from the Unfinished Tales<\/em> – in which Frodo and others finally have the opportunity to question Gandalf while recovering in Minas Tirith – following the destruction of the Ring. The conversation turns to Bilbo\u2019s quest, and Gandalf\u2019s role in getting that hobbit out the door and onto the road. Gandalf first explains the trouble he had in convincing Thorin that secrecy was the only way back into the Lonely Mountain, and that Bilbo was a necessary part of any secret quest.<\/p>\n

\"Unexpected<\/a>Thorin – perhaps justly – was flummoxed at Gandalf\u2019s suggestion when he met Bilbo at last. Gandalf recalls how Thorin \u201cthought then that [Gandalf] had planned the whole affair simply so as to make a mock of him.\u201d However, just as Thorin was prepared to scorn Gandalf entirely, \u201cit was only the map and key that saved the situation\u201d (338). And Gandalf further recalls \u201ca dangerous journey…ninety-one years before,\u201d when he first held the portentous map and key, and \u201cit began now to look less like chance\u201d to him (338). Certainly, the importance of this discovery cannot be overstated – for \u201cas soon as Thorin saw them, he really made up his mind to follow [Gandalf\u2019s] plan, as far as a secret expedition went at any rate\u201d (338).<\/p>\n

Thus, we are to understand, from what Gandalf says, that the only reason Thorin pursued the quest secretly was due to the discovery of Thror\u2019s Map and the key to the Mountain. Of course, had Thorin decided not to take Gandalf\u2019s advice (motivated as he was by the return of these heirlooms), and instead risked a more open return to Erebor, the quest would almost surely have failed.<\/p>\n

At this point, however, while we can attribute the success of the journey to the finding of the key and map – Bilbo and the Ring had yet to enter the picture. And Gandalf, too, in his abounding wisdom, recognized this dilemma. Gandalf discloses that he just \u201cknew in [his] heart that Bilbo must go with [Thorin], or the whole quest would be a failure \u2014 or… the far more important events, by the way, would not come to pass<\/em> (339, emphasis added). Gandalf argues with Thorin over Bilbo: \u201ca foresight is on me,\u201d Gandalf proclaims, \u201cand I am warning you\u201d (339).<\/p>\n

Ultimately, as we know (and are thankful for), Thorin agrees to take Bilbo – permitting that Gandalf comes too. Thus, the second piece of our puzzle fits. Thorin first agrees to pursue the quest secretly, due to the discovery of the map and key. Second, he agrees to take Bilbo with him – 1) because Gandalf returned to speak with him (and convinced him of Bilbo\u2019s worth), when finally he decided to reveal the map and key; and 2) because of the stealthy nature of the quest. It is from Gandalf\u2019s hinting at the Dwarves\u2019 need of secrecy, and his simultaneous push to get them to take the hobbit, that the notion of Bilbo being a thief, burglar, or \u201cprofessional stealth\u201d (according to Balin) arises.<\/p>\n

Now, with the map and key in hand – Thorin and Company set off on their journey. Indeed, this journey led not only to the death of Smaug and the return of Thorin to Erebor, but also (albeit indirectly) to the finding of the Ring by Bilbo (and its passing to Frodo and ultimate destruction). All of this was contingent on Gandalf\u2019s receiving these two small treasures from Thrain. Gimli notes this intricate fate as well:<\/p>\n

\"Lonely<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you plan all this then, Gandalf? If not, then why did you lead Thorin Oakenshield to such an unlikely door? To find the Ring and bring it far away into the West for hiding, and then to choose the Ringbearer \u2014 and to restore the Mountain Kingdom as a mere deed by the way: was not that your design?\u201d (343)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Before Gandalf responds, it is interesting to note that he rises and \u201clook[s] out of the window, west, seawards\u201d (344). However, Gandalf\u2019s response remains one of not knowing. He remembers how he once said to Frodo (it was only a year ago), \u201cBilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker, and you therefore were meant to bear it\u201d (344). But Gandalf goes on: \u201cAnd I might have added: and I was meant to guide you both to those points\u201d (344).<\/p>\n

In this way, we can see all that Gandalf did in the history of Middle-earth, pertaining to
\nthe fate of the One Ring, as being somehow preordained. However, while I do believe that Gandalf\u2019s finding of the map and key did, in fact, set in motion all these later events – I
\ndo not believe that Gandalf himself designed the larger plan. Nor do I think he even knew how one event would (if at all) lead to another. This hinges on what Gandalf knew before reaching Middle-earth, when he was still Olorin in Valinor. Yet, I believe – as he says – that he \u201cused in [his] waking mind only such means as were allowed to [him].” That is – Gandalf just reasoned his way through the problems he faced (344).<\/p>\n

He knew Smaug was a threat. He knew something was not right in Dol Guldur. He knew the dragon could be used against them. He knew that open war would fail – and he knew Bilbo was the right hobbit to go on the journey. But how, exactly, did Gandalf know<\/em> to send Bilbo? For certainly, the finding of the map and key would be for not, in the larger scheme of things, had a different hobbit been sent in Bilbo\u2019s stead. Pippin is particularly interested in this question, and he asks Gandalf as much outright. Gandalf first replies that he would \u201cdare say [Bilbo] was \u2018chosen\u2019 and [he] was only chosen to choose him\u201d (345).<\/p>\n

Regardless, the criteria by which Gandalf ended up actually choosing Bilbo are quite relevant: he wanted \u201ca dash of the Took\u201d and \u201ca good foundation of the stolider sort, a Baggins perhaps.\u201d Beyond that, Bilbo was \u201cunattached\u201d (Gandalf believed purposefully so, such that he was \u201cfree to go when the chance came, or he had made up his courage”) and thus the ideal candidate (345-46).<\/p>\n

\"Dol<\/a> Later, Merry questions Gandalf again about the map and key. And this is what Gandalf had to say:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was nine years after Thrain had left his people that I found him, and he had then been in the pits of Dol Guldur for five years at least. I do not know how he endured so long, nor how he had kept these things hidden through all his torments. I think that the Dark Power had desired nothing from him except the Ring only, and when he had taken that he troubled no further, but just flung the broken prisoner into the pits to rave until he died. A small oversight; but it proved fatal. Small oversights often do.\u201d (351)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Perhaps it is now plain to see. Though Gandalf admits that he has still not told the Fellowship everything he knows – what he reveals is nonetheless great (and sufficient for this argument). The Enemy, in a spout of foolish oversight, left his prisoner unsearched in the dungeons of Dol Guldur. Gandalf then discovered Thrain and received the map and key from him. Gandalf, with these items in hand, returned to speak with Thorin Oakenshield and convinced him that a quest of stealth was the best way to defeat the dragon. However, he told Thorin that no quest would succeed without the presence of Bilbo Baggins (and Gandalf\u2019s own support was contingent on the Dwarves\u2019 taking the hobbit). Bilbo does depart with the Company and, because Gandalf pushes him out the door, he finds the Ring. The Company, with Bilbo in tow, is successful in both killing the dragon and reclaiming their homeland. <\/p>\n

Bilbo, afterward, returns home with the Ring. Soon after, Frodo joins him – at which point the passing to him of this greatest of burdens is inevitable. But, in the end, Frodo destroys the Ring \u2014 all due to the choices of many wise men, the courage of friends, the strength in the bonds of fellowship – and, perhaps, to chance. But certainly, it was due to Gandalf\u2019s finding of the map and key.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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