Gil-galad was an Elven-king.
Of him the harpers sadly sing;
the last whose realm was fair and free
between the Mountains and the Sea.

His sword was long, his lance was keen.
His shining helm afar was seen;
the countless stars of heaven’s field
were mirrored in his silver shield.

But long ago he rode away,
and where he dwelleth none can say;
for into darkness fell his star
in Mordor where the shadows are.

-J.R.R. Tolkien

THE JOURNAL OF SAMWISE GAMGEE

Oct. 6 – Day 14 (7th from Bree): 12 miles

Two weeks from the Shire, and a week from Bree, the hobbits climb Weathertop.  For a time it is peaceful.  Sam recites The Fall of Gil-Galad.  They discover runes scratched into the stone and Strider tells them these were probably made by Gandalf.   Then, deep in the night, disaster strikes.

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.).

(229)

 

Photos by iZer0, Pixabay and by Picmonkey. Graphic art by Niki Flow

“It looks like this path to Weathertop was designed to conceal travelers from eyes and that’s a very good thing. We become easier to see the higher we go. Those Riders are never far away. Merry said the path had a barrow-wight-ish feel to it, but Strider told us that the path used to serve the Fort of Amon Sûl.

“‘It is told,’ Strider said, ‘that Elendil stood there watching for the coming of Gil-galad out of the West in the days of the Last Alliance.’

“Then Merry wanted to know who Gil-galad was, and it reminded me of a song Mr. Bilbo taught me when I was a lad when I was always pestering him for tales about the elves. To everyone’s surprise, including mine, I recited it!

Gil-galad was an Elven-King.
Of him the harpers sadly sing:
the last whose realm was fair and free
beneath the mountains and the sea.

His sword was long, his lance was keen,
his shining helm afar was seen;
the countless stars of Heaven’s field
were mirrored in his silver shield.

But long ago he rode away
and where he dwelleth none can say;
and into darkness fell his star
in Mordor where the shadows are.

“Strider said it was a song in the ancient tongue and that Bilbo must have translated it. He seemed surprised he had. I was surprised I remembered that much of it. It’s been so long.”

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

(239)

Photo by Olleaugust, Pixabay

“We can’t remain hidden now. It’s midday near the south end of the path and it’s exposed. Still no Gandalf.”

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

(240)

Photo by DarkWorkX

“It’s a long climb and a tiring one but we are at last on top of Weathertop. It’s something to see, make no mistake. It’s a crumbling circle of ancient stonework covered with long grass. Mr. Frodo found some scratches in the stone, some writing. Strider said it means Gandalf was here on Weathertop on October the third. That means…maybe those lights we saw came from him and he might have been in danger.

“When Merry asked Strider how far it was to Rivendell, Strider said no one has measured it beyond the Forsaken Inn and that’s but a day’s journey from Bree.

“‘Maybe a fortnight,’ he said.

“Mr. Frodo said a lot can happen in a fortnight. A lot already has in the past fortnight, that’s a fact! Leaving on the quiet, finding Merry and Fatty, Farmer Maggot, the Ferry, the Elves, those barrow-wights, Crickhollow, Tom Bombadil bless him and his lovely wife, Old Man Willow, the Marshes, the neekerbreekers, the lights and all the time being harrowed by those riders!

“(Later) I had to go and mention the Riders. We spied them on the road below. Strider says they can smell the blood of living creatures and see shadows only the noon sun can destroy.

“‘And,’ he said, ‘the Ring draws them.'”

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

(241)

Photos by DarkWorkX and Scheusal242, Pixabay

“We’ve returned to dell into the lowest and most sheltered part. We’ll camp here.

(Later)
“Nazgûl!”

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

BACK TO EARTH AUTHOR NOTES

Feature Photo by Kordi Vahi, 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