Tolkien Tuesday: Re-Reading "The Lord of the Rings: Many Meetings"
The first chapter in the second book of "The Lord of the Rings" gives both characters and readers a bit of a chance to relax and soak up the peace of Rivendell.
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Welcome to Tolkien Tuesdays, where I talk about various things that I love about the lore and writings of Tolkien, whether in a chapter reading or a character study or an essay. I hope you enjoy reading these ruminations as much as I enjoy writing them and, if you have a moment, I’d love it if you’d subscribe to this newsletter. It’s free, but there are paid options, as well, if you’re of a mind to support a struggling writer. Either way, thank you for joining me!
Having endured the flight to the Ford of Bruinen, Frodo and his friends at last have the chance to find some solace and comfort in the Last Homely House, in Rivendell. Along with the Shire and Lothlórien, this is one of those places in Middle-earth that I would actually like to live. Everything about it, from the presence of the Elves to the knowledge it contains, speaks to me as a reader, and one can hardly blame Bilbo for setting up shop there as he settles comfortably into retirement.
What is especially striking is the change that Frodo’s wound has wrought upon both his body and his spirit. Thanks to the timely intervention of Elrond, they were able to find the small piece of the dagger that was making its way to his heart.As we will find out in subsequent chapters, the encounter has marked him in ways that will never fully heal. At the same time, as Gandalf observes as he looks at him, “there was a faint change, just a hint as it were of transparency, about him, and especially about the left hand that lay outside upon the coverlet. [...] ‘He is not half through yet, and to what he will come in the end not even Elrond can foretell. Not to evil, I think. He may become like a glass filled with a clear light for eyes to see that can.’”
This passage is noteworthy for two reasons. For one, it is one the few times when we get an insight into Gandalf’s interior thoughts. If you’ve ever read The Lord of the Rings, you know that there aren’t that many moments when we get sustained attention to the inner workings of a character’s mind. Moreover, Gandalf’s remarks make it clear that something has fundamentally changed about Frodo. One might even call it a transfiguration. He has passed over to the other side, to the in-between world of the Ringwraiths and other such creatures, and though he has survived, there’s clearly still a part of him that remains there. It’s no wonder that, in the days to come, Frodo will find himself increasingly out of place in the mortal world.
Of course, it is the meetings of the title that pack the most emotional punch, none more so than Sam. Note, for example, the way his entrance is described: “He ran to Frodo and took his left hand, awkwardly and shyly. He stroked it gently and then he blushed and turned hastily away.” What I love about this moment is just how tender it is. The bond between Frodo and Sam is still in its developing stages at this point, but it’s already clear how much Mr. Gamgee feels for his master and how afraid he was for him. It’s also remarkable how deftly Tolkien is able to convey physical intimacy between men, each party being willing to embrace their vulnerability. It’s no wonder that so many queer readers–including myself–have found their bond to be one of the most effecting in the entire book.
It’s also very heartwarming to see the reunion between Frodo and Bilbo. It was clear from the moment the latter departed the Shire that his absence affected the young hobbit dearly, and for all he knew he might never see him again. Indeed, almost half the chapter goes by before they two finally come face-to-face. When they finally do, it’s hard not to get a little misty. There’s something quite charming about the way that they settle into their old behaviors, and I chuckled a little bit when Bilbo started pestering Frodo about all of the doings of the Shire.
Not all is positive, however, and I’m sure I’m not the only reader who is more than a little dismayed when the Ring, as it is wont to do, comes between these two once again. No matter how many times I read it, I am always unsettled by the moment when Frodo’s perception of Bilbo distorts and he sees instead a vague image of what Bilbo might have become had he kept possession of the Ring. Though it lacks the horror-movie bluntness of Jackson’s interpretation of the scene, it’s all the sadder for that. Even a relationship as deep and as true as that between these two hobbits can be impacted by the Ring’s malevolent influence, though mercifully it’s very brief, and it’s not long before the two of them are back to normal.
This chapter is also remarkable for the insight it provides into the doings of the dwarves. Frodo’s conversation with Glóin is fascinating in part because it marks the meeting of two different generations of adventurers. It soon becomes clear, though, that the dwarves are struggling with the same darkness afflicting so many others in Middle-earth. Not only do they face the threat of Mordor–rendered explicit by the arrival of one of the Ringwraiths–but they also have to reckon with the fact that there are some elements of their craft that can never be regained. As Glóin says to Frodo, in metal-work we cannot rival our fathers, many of whose secrets are lost [...] We cannot again make mail or blade to match those that were made before the dragon came.” here we are reminded yet again that this age of Middle-earth is one of decline and that, even if the Ring is destroyed, some things are beyond recall.
But, for the moment at least, Frodo and his companions can take comfort in the environs of Rivendell. As in other Elven bastions, time seems to function differently there, which is just as well, since Frodo will need all of the time he can get to both recover from his wound and prepare for his next moves. Immersed in a world filled with beautiful beings–to say nothing of Bilbo, Sam, and the others–we can linger with him. Though these Elves might be a bit loftier than they appeared in The Hobbit, they are still beings of joy and light, and for that reason alone are a pleasure to encounter.