“And the house of Elrond was a refuge for the weary and the oppressed, and a treasury of good counsel and wise lore.” -J.R.R. Tolkien

Here below are the notes* Samwise Gamgee took along the journey.  Based on The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien and The Atlas of Middle Earth by Karen Fonstad).

THE JOURNAL OF SAMWISE GAMGEE

Oct. 20 – Day 28 (14th from Weathertop): 18 miles

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Photo by AdinaVoicu, Pixabay

“When we woke after a short rest, I saw a beautiful sight across the branches above me.  A dragonfly near, but not caught in,  a spider web, and both were jeweled by morning dew.  It caught my breath and, for a minute, made me forget our worries.  We left early but we’re hobbling along, we’re that sore.”

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

 

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Photo by 5443882, Pixabay

“We’re entering the valley now and the road is running downhill.  That makes it easier to go.  There is grass taller than even Strider on both sides of the Road, and trees as far as the eye can see.”

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

 

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Photo by 12019, Pixabay

“I’m writing this in a place of safety now. I couldn’t write more and so much happened.  I’ll get to it.   We were going downhill when the road ahead suddenly plunged straight down through strange arched red stone.  Glorfindel whispered that we must be ready to run.  This is a perfect place for an ambush,’ he said.  He was right.

He suddenly yelled, ‘RUN!’

We ran.”

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

 

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Photo by Skeeze, Pixabay

“I know the sun shone still but it seemed the world got dark and everything silent except for the screeching of those cursed Nazgûl!  We ran across a grassy flat at the bottom of the hill and several Dark Riders burst from the trees after us.  I felt exactly like the mouse being chased by the owl and with about as much hope of surviving.  The terrible sound they made  — like an ax being pushed too hard against a grinding stone — nearly made me lose my footing.”

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

 

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Photo by 775832, Pixabay

“The Nazgûl attacked at the Ford.  Glorfindel put Mr. Frodo atop Asfaloth and bade him cross ahead while he faced the Ringwraiths.  They did not approach Glorfindel and Mr. Frodo was carried to safety.  A company of Elves sent from Rivendell met him, but not before Mr. Frodo turned and taunted the Ringwraiths and told them to return to Mordor! I don’t know why he did that or how he had the strength nor courage as sick as he was.  Something about the aid of the elf and horse or perhaps the nearness of Rivendell must have bolstered him.  Those Riders laughed at him and a chilling sound it was.  And three moved toward him.  As soon as their horses reached the river, that’s when Glorfindel moved and showed his power.  Then the River exploded and the Wringwraiths attacked, but the river fought back!  It carried all nine away.  To drown I hope.  The Elves took Mr. Frodo ahead, and the rest of us made our way on foot.

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

 

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Photo by Andy Bay, Pixabay

“This is a hard thing to forget, and I don’t think I will, nor ever want to.  When we came to the cliff overlooking Rivendell, my heart about flew out from my chest.  It was that beautiful.  I begged Mr. Bilbo for stories of this place all my life, but I never expected it to be better than what I dreamed.”

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

 

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Photo by Schreibweise, Pixabay

“It was too dark to see much by the time we arrived in the evening.  The Elves are singing and it is as beautiful a sound as I ever heard.  They said Mr. Frodo reached Rivendell a few hours before us and is now in the care of Elrond himself.  We were given food, drink and a place to wash, and now a chamber with fine beds.  My body longs for that bed, but I had to get this last bit down.  We made it.  Against all hope, we made it.  Now I have hope enough for the journey home.**”

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

 

BACK TO EARTH AUTHOR NOTES

Feature Photo by AdinaVoicu, 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

** You may remember, Sam was keen to return home.  He thought the hobbits had done their part in the story and the adventure was over.  Yet we know it has just begun.   I am sure we shall be hearing more from Samwise the Brave (and Hopeful) soon again.

It’s my personal goal to use several different kinds of self-propelled forward motion to do every walk on this journey walking/moving on Earth and tracking the miles on Middle Earth.  (See, Éowyn).

If you would like to follow and track your miles too, please feel free to use the graphics for any non-commercial use.  If you do, I’d really appreciate a mention or link back to these pages.

May your journey ahead be green and golden, and may you always have a warm and welcoming kitchen with a cozy fire, good food, and the cheers and hugs of dear friends saying, “We missed you so!” waiting for you when you return.

Created with love,
♥. Dassa Fleam of Buckland