“Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul, Ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.”  Dark Tongue of Mordor.  (“One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all. and in the darkness bind them.”)

The Fellowship of the Ring, by JRR Tolkien

Here below are the notes* Samwise Gamgee took along the journey.  (Based “Flight to the Ford,” The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien and The Atlas of Middle Earth by Karen Fonstad).

Nine Companions, One Ring

THE JOURNAL OF SAMWISE GAMGEE

Oct. 7 – Day 15 (1st from Weathertop): 19 miles

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Photo by Pezibear, Pixabay

“(Dawn) In the night, the Nazgûl attacked. I couldn’t find Mr. Frodo, then I heard him cry out as from far away — strange words they were! Then, when he appeared, he was bad hurt!  Strider fought those accursed things and chased them off.  When he returned, Strider bid Merry and Pip to heat water and bathe the wound, then he told me we had to leave, that we were being watched and that they would be back. I thought we were all goners!  Tomorrow and the next day – -maybe we will be.  Strider says the Nazgûl only wait for Frodo to become…something else and hand over the Ring to them.  Strider found some herb, Athelas he calls it, that the men of the West brought, a rare plant at that. I told him we know it as Kingsfoil.** It helped Mr. Frodo’s pain ease a little.   Bill the Pony will carry Mr. Frodo since he’s not fit to walk and the wound grows worse.”

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

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Photo by LuidmilaKot , Pixabay

“As soon as the day was light enough, we made our way down from the dell. The land here slopes to the south.  As we crossed the Great East Road, we heard the Riders calling to each other.  We ran into the thickets and travel concealed, but it’s slow going.  We’re all carrying part of the pony’s burden and having to break a path through for the pony and Mr. Frodo. He’s trying to hide it but I know the wound is hurting him bad.”

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

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Photo by Kislinka, Pixabay

“I’m worried sick about Mr. Frodo!  Strider says the knife that cursed him is a Morgul-blade, a terrible evil thing.  Strider said some words over it to find the magic.  He said not many know how to heal such a wound.  The elves must know!   We make for Rivendell as planned.  Tonight we make camp in these thickets, but I  don’t think we’ll be sleeping much.”

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

 

BACK TO EARTH AUTHOR NOTES

Feature Photo by Erik Stein, 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