“It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo, — the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were…But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers (Sam)

THE JOURNAL OF SAMWISE GAMGEE

Oct. 4 – Day 12 (5th from Bree): 17 miles

On the 12th day of the journey, Strider and the hobbits reach eastern edge of the Marshes. They can see Weather Hills ahead. The land starts to rise and is drier and very barren. They spot a few birds.  They make camp by a stream, among stunted alder trees under a waxing moon.

Here below are the notes* Samwise Gamgee took along the journey.  (Based on the meticulous milestone-marker notes on the Eowyn Challenge which are based on The Atlas of Middle Earth by Karen Fonstad which of course is based on all the wonderful works of J.R.R. Tolkien.).

(198)

Photo by 02019, Pixabay

“I saw the most beautiful vivid feathered bird, red and black. It was startling against the fog above the marshes.  My Old Gaffer told me he saw one once and it means a friendly torch in the darkness, and to hold onto the light when all around is dark.  A very good sign to me.  (Later)  At last, we’ve reached the eastern edge of the Marshes. We can see the Weather Hills ahead with the ruins. I don’t like the look of it, even from here. The land is blessedly drier — I thought my feet would rot in that marsh. We’re climbing out of it and the land rises a bit. It’s a whole lot nothing, but a few birds are about here and there. It’s good to hear their calls again.”

From: “The Journal of Samwise Gamgee, 23 Sept – 20 Oct, 3018.

(211)

Photo by Amber Avalona

“Tonight we camp by a proper stream and trees. Well, the trees are stunted alders but they sure beat the Marsh. The moon’s face is growing**, so it’s getting a bit easier to see where we’re going at night. But it will also be easier for what hunts us to see us too.”

From: “The Journal of Samwise Gamgee, 23 Sept – 20 Oct, 3018.

BACK TO EARTH AUTHOR NOTES

Feature Photo by Dan Fador, Pixabay

*This journal is a fanfiction creation by Niki Flow, based the beautiful works of J.R.R. Tolkien; on the meticulous milestone-marker notes in The Atlas of Middle Earth by Karen Fonstad and on the Eowyn Challenge website:

Bag End to Rivendell with Frodo and Company:  458 Miles

**Regarding Milestone 211, the waxing moon, I know for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, this photo shows a waning moon.  However, since Sir Peter Jackson created the marvelous films in the southern hemisphere, I thought the moon should be oriented that way too.   For an informative article explaining moon orientation, check out this EarthSky post:  “Do We All See the Moon the Same Moon Phase?”