Legolas and Gimli making friend plans to show each other Fangorn and the caves of Helm’s Deep if they both make it out of this war alive. Let it be true!

(I actually don’t know if it is, first read)

Recommendation: listen to the album Yoshima Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips as you read the Helm’s Deep chapter. It rips.

I really love how quick Gimli is to support a friend to the end. Upon meeting Galadriel he had his guards up and was hasty towards her and then when accepted he became a dying supporter of her to anyone that besmirched her name.

Same with Legolas. The elves and the dwarves have been at odds and almost suddenly they have become such good friends.

So much so that he says, “Elves of any kind are strange folk. Yet you comfort me. Where you go, I will go.”

I see much of my own feelings on loyalty in Gimli.

I just took 4 pages of notes after reading the first history portion of this chapter. I am sure there is more to come. I now DO feel I have an understanding, but jeeeeeeeez so many names of people, names of countries, names of cities, names of swords, names of towers, changed names of towers…

Frankly, it’s too specific! Hahahahaha i know this is not a new thought, but I needed to share hahaha. Very much enjoying it now that I think I understand what is even being said, but the barrier for entry of understanding is vast.

“I have done this and that. I have written some more of my book. And, of course, I make up a few songs. They sing them occasionally: just to please me, I think; for, of course, they aren't really good enough for Rivendell. And I listen and I think.”

This is genuinely the life I have and the life I want. It’s good to have goals but also good to know you are also doing right.

“‘Always after a defeat and a respite, the Shadow takes another shape and grows again.' ‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. 'So do I, said Gandalf, 'and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. And already, Frodo, our time is beginning to look black.’”

First time reading LOtR and I am very aware of the time and place in the world I am reading this. What I am looking to get out of it is a sense of hope, triumph, and of course a good story.