The Nicks discuss the journey down the great river, the speed at which our Fellowship is cutting across the landscape, and the dangers it holds on either bank. Also discussing the desire to do more recordings with less interference from real life.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
THEY GOT STUFF
THEY’S ON A RIVER
THEY GOTS BOATS
The Story in this Chapter:
Links
"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
The Nicks dive into this chapter of gift giving by asking which of the Fellowship's gifts would you steal, or what gift would you ask of Lady Galadriel? We discuss the differences between the movie gifts and the book. And, in spite of not making an actual plan, we prepare ourselves for a long trek downriver.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
Other comments or observations:
The story is picking up again. Gird your loins!
Links
The Nicks get down to business by talking about the elephant in the room, this elephant being the new baby boy in Nicholas' family! Also, we meet the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim - Celeborn, and Galadriel. Later, Galadriel shows two of our fellowship her magic mirror.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
OUR FELLOWSHIP HAS ENTERED THE ENCHANTED FOREST
ELVES FROM WITHIN HAVE CLEARED THE ORC SCUM WITHOUT!
OUR FELLOWSHIP HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THE SECRETS OF THE GOLDEN WOOD
WHAT WILL THEY FIND WITHIN THE CITY OF GREEN TOWERS?
WILL THE LORD AND LADY BE GRACIOUS?
HAS ANYONE PAID MIND TO BILL THE PONY?
WILL THE COMPANY’S HEARTS FALTER UNDER THE LADY’S GAZE?
The story in this chapter
Links
"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
The Nicks talk about stepping out of time in special and awe-inspiring places, as well as being too close to the special things near you. Our Fellowship makes a dash for the woods, in spite of the potential of danger within. Aragorn is forced to take the lead after Gandalf's fall, and now they take the last known road in the plan created in Rivendell.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
BESIEGED BY ORCS!
AN ANCIENT FOE OF FIRE AND FLAME!
THE FELLOWSHIP FLEES TO THE EASTERN GATE
GANDALF MAKES A STAND AND SACRIFICES HIMSELF FOR THE FELLOWSHIP
ARAGORN NOW LEADS…
THE DRUMS OF THE ENEMY FADE AWAY
WHAT WILL BECOME OF OUR FELLOWSHIP?
WHAT AWAITS THEM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ONCE GLORIOUS KHAZAD-DUM?
The Story in this Chapter:
Links
Battle Beast - I Want the World... and Everything In It
"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
This is a quick update from Nicholas Jon about the various things that have been happening in our world which prevents us from having a solid upload schedule. Have a quick listen. Video version originally posted on our Facebook page.
Links
The Nicks answer your questions about what Dwarf women look like, why it's hard to get into the books, why the names are so similar, the eye of Sauron, and more!
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Questions from listeners:
What DO Dwarf women look like? -- CHAPTER 13 The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion
Friends who like Lord of the Rings... help! I'm almost done reading The Fellowship of the Ring and am having trouble. When does something happen that draws the reader to the character? When does the singing stop? When does something of importance happen? I fully expected to like the books. Am I reading it wrong? Do I have too high of expectations? Why do so many people like it??
Why are all the names so similar?
Did the eye of Sauron ever have a physical body? And how did the eye come to exist
Why doesn't Samwise pay off Sauron with all the diamonds he got from Chester Copperpot's buried treasure?
Links
The Nicks convene at the Green Dragon very late at night to discuss the chapter The Bridge of Khazad Dum - wherein Gandalf stands toe to toe, brother vs. brother with the Balrog "Durin's Bane."
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
OUR FELLOWSHIP STRIDES BOLDLY THROUGH DARK AND DANGEROUS CAVERNS.
WITH FEW STOPS. LESS FOOD. AND EVEN LESS LIGHT.
OUR HEROES STRUGGLE TO FIND THE PATH THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS
FEW THINGS KEEP THEM MOVING.
HOPING FOR LIGHT AGAIN
LONGING FOR WIND AGAIN
RUNNING FROM THE DARK
AND THE FEAR OF ENEMIES!
AND NOW THE TOMB OF BALIN HAS BEEN FOUND!
WILL OUR HEROES ESCAPE THIS DARK TOMB?
HAS OUR GUIDE SUCCESSFULLY BROUGHT US TO THE END?
OR HAS TRAGEDY FINALLY FALLEN ON OUR FELLOWSHIP?
The story in this chapter
It was very late when we got started, and we didn't flesh out our notes.
Sir Ian McKellen - How To Act: https://youtu.be/nyoWmkhRyp8
The Tragic use of the music from this scene... to sell a Superhero movie: https://youtu.be/wArmHSPIvlQ
The music from the Bridge of Khazad-dum - by Howard Shore: https://youtu.be/xDn-hc28aEw?t=5m56s
Links
"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
The Nicks take a walk in the dark as the Fellowship continues their journey. A danger in the dark is due to appear at any moment! What are those footsteps? Why can Frodo see in the dark? Why does Nick Andrew hate caves (and his brother)? All this and more in this episode of our read-along of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
THIS JUST IN!
THE RING IS ON THE MOVE.
EAST TOWARD THE MISTY MOUNTAINS, THEN SOUTH…
BIRDS SWOOP IN… THE EYES OF THE ENEMY ARE EVERYWHERE!
THE PASS OF CARADHRAS. THE REDHORN GATE.
THE FELLOWSHIP ATTEMPTS TO CLIMB OVER THE CRUEL MOUNTAIN.
SNOW PILED ON. … ... WINDS... WHIPPED.
THE HOBBITS? …. FREEZING
AFTER BATTLING THE MOUNTAIN FOR LONGER THAN THEY CAN BEAR OUR COMPANY RESIGNS HEADING BACK DOWN THE MOUNTAIN
HOW WILL OUR COMPANY HANDLE DEFEAT
AND IS THERE ANOTHER WAY?
The story in this chapter
Tap-tom, tom-tap, tap-tap, tom.
Links
"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
The Nicks talk about getting used to crazy amounts of noise, or the lack thereof. The forming of the Fellowship of The Ring, as in the title of this volume of the novel. The preparations of the Fellowship, and the courage of the hobbits as they set forth. The lands between Rivendell and The Gap of Rohan, the mountains under which the ancient civilization of the Dwarves: Khazad-Dûm was crafted. Being beaten down by the misfortune of weather, and why you should read the next chapter in the dark! All this and more of Tolkien's world in this episode of Green Dragon Live!
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
THIS JUST IN!
THE COUNCIL WAS DECISIVE!
THE RING MUST BE DESTROYED!
THE HALFLING STILL CARRIES THE RING
SAMWISE GAMGEE STILL GOING ALONG!
WHAT BRAVE SOULS WILL ACCOMPANY?
WHO WILL REPRESENT THE FREE PEOPLE?
WHERE ARE THE RIDERS NOW? DID THEY SURVIVE?
WHEN WILL THIS STORY CONTINUE, AND WHAT DID THEY NAME THE PONY?
The story in this chapter:
Links
"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
The Nicks fall into a meme-hole, discuss the doings of Gandalf and Saruman, and finally get down to brass tacks to decide what is to be the fate of this Council... and The Ring.
THIS JUST IN!
A COUNCIL HAS GATHERED….TO COUNCIL....
ELVES, DWARVES, MEN, AND HALFLINGS TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF!
DELIBERATIONS ENSUE AND STORIES ARE TOLD -- INCLUDING BILBO’S!
ISILDUR’S BANE REVEALED!
WHY ARE WE HERE?
CAN ONE SIMPLY WALK INTO MORDOR, AND WHAT IS GANDALF’S STORY?
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
Other fandom trolling memes:
The story in this chapter
New Characters:
Links
"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
The Nicks take a close look at the goings on of Middle-earth, the Council is called at a time when all the free folks happen to be represented, the tale of The Ring is told and the larger picture is starting to become clear to those present that now is the time of action, there is a chance NOW to strike against the enemy.
THIS JUST IN!
A WOUNDED HOBBIT HEALED.
WRAITH WORLD AVOIDED.
THE TIME FOR FEASTS IS OVER. THE TIME FOR TALK IS NIGH!
ELROND THE ELF LORD HOSTS A GREAT COUNCIL.
SECRETS ARE TOLD -- DECISIONS… MADE.
WHO ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE? WHAT DECISIONS WILL THEY COME TO?
AND WHAT OF THE RULING RING?
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
Links
"Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
The Nicks wake from their slumber to find themselves in Rivendell where they must try and remember their family, meet new friends, and see old friends in a new light.
THIS JUST IN!
THE ENEMY HAS GONE TO WAR!
OPENLY DECLARING HIMSELF,
THE DECEIVER SENDS HIS 9 WRAITHS AFTER OUR HEROES.
FRODO IS WOUNDED AND ON THE BRINK.
A MYSTERIOUS ELF LORD COMES TO HIS AID.
AFTER LENGTHY PURSUIT ACROSS MILES OF COUNTRY THE SERVANTS OF THE ENEMY DRAW CLOSER THAN COMFORT ALLOWS.
NEARING RIVENDELL GLORFINDEL, THE ELF LORD, CALLS ON ANCIENT POWERS COMBAT THE ENEMY IN PURSUIT.
WILL HIS PLAN PLAY OUT?
WILL FRODO, OUR HERO, SURVIVE THE DAY?
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
Many Meetings
Thoughts
Links
The Nicks take a break from the chapters as an interlude between Books 1 and 2. Some reflection on the story so far, and questions from our listeners!
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Links
The Nicks, joined by Jake, Jenni, and Eowyn get together at the Green Dragon Brew Pub in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. If your name is the Green Dragon, we're interested in testing your fare, the food, and the drink. This short episode is cut from our whole meal together and barely passes as a review.
The food was good, heavy and rich with cheese in the case of the flatbreads, but very enjoyable nonetheless. The potato wedges were delicious, with a crispy perfection. The Dragon Eggs were very good - Hard boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and deep fried - even the Nicks (who don't usually like hard boiled eggs found them delectable).The drinks were tasty, but nothing that would make the hair on your toes curl up with excitement.
The venue is standard bar restaurant, adequate but not any resemblance of a place that takes its name from Lord of The Rings. In fact, we don't know if the name is any reference to Tolkien's works. We would, however, like to go back and try some of the other pub food, the burgers for example.
Links
The Nicks, joined by Jake, Jenni, and Eowyn get together at the Green Dragon Brew Pub in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. If your name is the Green Dragon, we're interested in testing your fare, the food, and the drink. This short episode is cut from our whole meal together and barely passes as a review.
The food was good, heavy and rich with cheese in the case of the flatbreads, but very enjoyable nonetheless. The potato wedges were delicious, with a crispy perfection. The Dragon Eggs were very good - Hard boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and deep fried - even the Nicks (who don't usually like hard boiled eggs found them delectable).The drinks were tasty, but nothing that would make the hair on your toes curl up with excitement.
The venue is standard bar restaurant, adequate but not any resemblance of a place that takes its name from Lord of The Rings. In fact, we don't know if the name is any reference to Tolkien's works. We would, however, like to go back and try some of the other pub food, the burgers for example.
Links
The Nicks discuss embarrassing stories of when we were fools and couldn't remember what we did, Frodo's predicament, Glorfindel's shiny nature, slipping into the wraith world, a cavalry of waves, the geography, and history of this leg of the journey, and ending the first book on a cliffhanger.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
What Happened Last Time?:
The company came together in the nick of time as Strider’s usefulness came through on the first night of their acquaintance. During the night at the Prancing Pony, Black Riders stole into the rooms set aside for the Hobbits, and brutally murdered their pillows, and in the words of Tommy Boy, “Woah, that was close.” After some trouble leaving town, Strider is able to get the company lost and out of sight of the Riders while making their way to Weathertop. Seven days, one funky lightning show, and a million bug bites later and they make it to Weathertop just in time for the Black Riders to ambush them and stab Frodo with a blade from Mordor. This is bad news.
Where Are We in the Narrative?:
Our Heroes have left home and hearth behind - beyond the Shire, beyond Bree - besides Bilbo, no other Hobbit in living memory has gone so far afield as these brave, foolhardy, unnatural hobbits. Joining in with a Ranger from the North - Strider, they inch closer to Rivendell while being chased by Black Riders of Mordor. Dark times have found the company, and they will likely need help to arrive safely at Rivendell, but help in the wild is very unlikely to be found.
Notes for this episode:
FRODO:
GEOGRAPHY:
STRIDER:
THE CHASE:
THE END OF THE FIRST BOOK:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:
New Characters:
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
Links
The Nicks debate nerdy names for Nicholas' yet-to-be-born son. And the escape from Bree, march through Midgewater Marshes, and the back roads to Weathertop, and the attack on the company.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
What Happened Last Time?:
Our Hobbits find themselves in the company of “Strider”, one of the rangers from the North. He knows more than he lets on initially and when tension is high none other than Butterbur comes bursting in finally delivering a letter for Frodo from GANDALF that he meant to deliver months ago. Gandalf lobbies for Striders inclusion in the company, calling him by his true name “Aragorn” and the Hobbits agree to trust him. Merry finally returns from his walk after being fetched by Nobb and tells us that the Black Riders are in Bree! Strider helps them set decoys in their proper room and our hobbits drift off as night settles in and danger is closing!
Where Are We in the Narrative?:
Frodo and his companions have come all the way to Bree without the help of anyone, except Farmer Maggot and Tom Bombadil - now out of the Shire and in entirely new lands for any living Shire Hobbit save Bilbo the companions have taken on a new guide - Strider. With a little faith and a letter from Gandalf, and the almost certainty that they have no other choice their new companion plans to get them lost as soon as possible on road toward Weathertop and then toward Rivendell.
The Story in this Chapter:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:
New Characters:
Info/History from Other Titles/Sources:
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
Links
The Nicks discuss whether Nicholas is in love with Aragorn and whether Frodo can trust Strider, the long-expected physical description of our main character, the danger outside, and a letter that is only 3 months late.
From the A Way With Words podcast episode entitled Pig Latin - 29 January 2017 -- "Why do so many people begin their sentences with the word So? In linguistics, this is called sentence-initial so. The word So at the start a sentence can serve a variety of functions."
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
What Happened Last Time?:
Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry take their leave of Tom Bombadil at the road outside of Bree, after a short walk they arrive at the gate at night and are greeted none-too-kindly by Harry the gatekeeper who is astonished that 4 Shire-hobbits have arrived after dark. Finding the Prancing Pony, and having a pleasant dinner Merry stays behind and/or goes for a walk in the town while Frodo, Sam, and Pippin visit the common room. They are greeted warmly by the locals, and find their stories welcome, though bordering on too much info. Frodo - trying to divert attention away from too many questions - accidentally makes their position much worse and raises more questions about themselves than ever.
Where Are We in the Narrative?:
Frodo and co. have finally made it to Bree after setting out from the Shire (small delays in the Old Forest and the Barrow Downs aside.) Gandalf is still MIA and word is spreading that he is unaccounted for. A mysterious Ranger knows perhaps more than we’d like of Frodo Baggins of the Shire, and Rivendell seems a lofty distance away………………*OMINOUS*
The Story in this Chapter: (We didn't keep to our notes in the same way as other episodes)
Other comments or observations:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:
New Characters:
Info/History from Other Titles/Sources:
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
Links
The Nicks discuss going to the bar alone; being a stranger in a new land; Bree, the Bree-folk, and their sayings; the types people that travel through Bree and the Prancing Pony, and more!
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode:
What Happened Last Time?
The hobbits get a restful night's sleep and leave the HOTB early in the morning making way through the Barrow Downs and up back to the main road to continue on to the village of Bree. BUT ITS NOT THAT EASY. After an unplanned inside-of-the-eyelids study leaning up against a standing stone session Frodo wakes up, it's dark out and FOG IS EVERYWHERE!!! He tried to find the hobbits, gets caught by a wight, wakes up in a barrow, spots the others looking rightly terrible and, losing all hope, calls for Tom to come help using that little song. Tom saves the day by gets them out of their predicament and walks them back up to the main road.
Where Are We in the Narrative?
Our heroes are finally arriving at what we can likely call our first major checkpoint of the adventure, Bree. After shortcuts through forests and fields, disastrous dealing with menacing trees, and barrow wights, and the luck of finding a friend in Farmer Maggot and Tom Bombadil to aid them on their road: Leaving the Shire has not been as easy as they, nor Gandalf would have predicted, and going back into civilization is both a relief and a threat. Many eyes and ears prying, who knows who is friend, and who is foe?
The Story in this Chapter:
Other comments or observations:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
We are back in line with the films! Sort of. The feel of Bree is remarkably different, especially TPP.
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:
New Characters:
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
Links:
The Nicks discuss the consequences of sleeping, mid-day naps, getting lost in the fog, being ambushed by wights, running naked in the sun, singing about "old Fatty Lumpkin", and the history of Angmar and the small Kingdoms of former Arnor.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Map of the Small Kingdoms of former Arnor
Notes for this episode
What Happened Last Time?:
The Hobbits have found possibly the strangest thing in Middle-earth in the form of Tom Bombadil. “Master”, “eldest”, “he is as you see him” are just some of the terms used to describe the who and what of good ol’ Tom. Through song and tale he weaves his knowledge and divulges the hearts and goings on of the trees and other fantastic beasts in the Old Forest, and he even knows a thing or two about the Ring, though it curiously doesn’t seem to affect him very much, if at all. Now the Hobbits, are laid to rest before venturing forth from the house of Tom Bombadil back toward the road, and then toward Rivendell.
The Story in this Chapter:
Other comments or observations:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
We get a small shot of the fog-laden Barrow-downs as one of the Nazgul looks over it atop his horse.
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:
New Characters:
Info/History from Other Titles/Sources:
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
Links
In this episode the Nicks discuss what it's like to be the house guest of the biggest enigma in literary history - as Nick likes to say. Nicholas asks about potentially bad habits of being a house guest, and together they try to uncover some clues about Tom Bombadil and his wife Goldberry - the River Woman's Daughter.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
Last Time - In the Lord of The Rings:
Frodo, Pippin, Merry, and Sam have reached a safe haven…. Or have they?! After a dizzying experience in the Old Forest and a harrowing brush with death at the roots of Old Man Willow our hobbits are invited to the home of a strange man who seems to have saved them from danger with mere song. Who is this “Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo”, and was it mere chance that he happened on them just in the nick of time?
The Story in this Chapter:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
“Gnawing, biting, breaking, hacking, burning.” is a line given by Treebeard in the films when he describes creatures that come into the woods. This line here is spoken by Tom when he is telling the Hobbits about the ways of trees.
New Characters:
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
The Barrows!
Links
The Nicks discuss walking in the woods and being scared in real life. The Hobbits come in close contact with the menace of the trees, Old Man Willow, and a stranger called Tom Bombadil.
What Happened Last Time?:
Frodo, Pippin, Merry, Sam, and Fatty Bolger have finally met up in Frodo’s new house at Crickhollow. After a bath, and some supper, the friends talk about what has happened on their journey through the Shire. Frodo, though reluctant, is finally put on the point of telling his friends that he is leaving the Shire altogether, but, as it turns out, he doesn’t have to because they already know a good deal of the story themselves. With Sam gathering information the friends have helped Frodo by conspiring to help him on his journey toward Rivendell. With final preparations in order, a quick night’s sleep is all that separates these Hobbits from their adventure into the Old Forest and beyond.
Where Are We in the Narrative?:
Frodo has finally made it to his home at Crickhollow in his attempt to disguise his departure from the Shire, his mission to take the Ring to Rivendell is about to start. His friends have conspired to help him, which is very welcome to Frodo especially as Gandalf is still conspicuously missing! Though none of them fully understand the dangerous road they are embarking on... they at least have each other.
The Story in this Chapter:
Other comments or observations:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
All of this forest is missing from the movie, the only parts that survive in the extended cuts are lines given to Treebeard and a tree that attacks Merry and Pippin in the same way Old Man Willow does.
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:
New Characters:
Info/History from Other Titles/Sources:
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
Possibly the strangest creature in all of Middle-earth has just invited the hobbits to his home - what effect will he have on the hobbits, the journey, the Ring?
Links - If you enjoyed this episode please consider rating and reviewing us on iTunes. Your support helps us grow the show and make more of it. Thank you for being here, use the links below to find more about us and get in touch!
In this episode, The Nicks rip apart Buzzfeed's attempt at knowing things about LoTR, discuss Chapter 9 - A Conspiracy Unmasked, and decide if they would rather be in Frodo's shoes or Fatty's.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
What Happened Last Time?
Frodo, Pippin, and Sam took a shortcut through the forest and across the field from Woodhall toward the ferry. Though it was harder than the road and took them off course, it seems to have been a good idea because they missed the black riders the whole day, and the end up on Farmer Maggot’s farm. While there Farmer Maggot feeds them and offers to take them by cart to the ferry, where they happen to meet their friend - Merry.
Where Are We in the Narrative?:
Frodo, Sam, and Pippin are on the border of the Shire, in Buckland, where Crickhollow resides. Danger has come upon them sooner than anyone, including Gandalf, could have imagined. Frodo must leave for Rivendell immediately, in spite of Gandalf’s continued absence. But, Frodo is miserable because he doesn’t know how to tell his friends that he is leaving.
The Story in this Chapter:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:
New Characters (but not really):
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
The Journey out of the Shire begins with the next chapter as Frodo and company enter into the potentially dangerous Old Forest on the borders of Buckland.
Links
The Nicks discuss Chapter Four of Fellowship - Getting caught in the bogs and thickets, Black Riders, Bamfurlong, Farmer Maggot's dogs, whether Frodo's story mirrors Bilbo's, narrow misses, social status, and traveling in the fog without lanterns.
Nicholas Jon sounds like he's hiding from the black riders in a tin can, and tries a looser editing style. Nick Andrew lives in the loudest place possible and tries to imagine Sam's fangirling over the Elves with a real-world example... from his own experience? We'll never know.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Last time in The Lord of The Rings
Frodo inherited the Ring from Bilbo and learned that it is the One Ring and must be destroyed. He sells his house and takes his friends on an adventure through the Shire only to be dogged by a black rider. Some elves take them in for the night and give them the advice to not wait for Gandalf.
Where are we in the narrative?
Frodo, Sam, and Pippin are still in the Shire making their way to Buckleberry Ferry and then on to Crickhollow, Frodo’s new house. The Elves showed concern for Frodo especially when they heard that the travelers have seen a black rider and Gandalf hasn’t come as promised. Unwillingly the Elves give the advice to move ahead with their plan and not to wait for Gandalf.
Notes for this episode
The Story in this Chapter:
Other comments or observations:
Notable Difference(s) from Films: All of this is missing from the movie
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart: The actual distance traveled is probably 20 miles maximum including 5+ by cart.
New Characters: Farmer Maggot and his family/household
Info/History from Other Titles/Sources: Letter 206 - Funny incident where Tolkien went to a Hobbit Dinner and spoke, and on the menu was “Maggot Soup” which was, of course, mushroom soup named for Farmer Maggot.
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter: Next chapter Frodo and all finally make it to Crickhollow - but Frodo needs to leave right away. He will have to tell his friends that he is going, but he doesn’t know how to break it to them.
Links
The Nick's go live on Facebook and answer questions collected from our listeners.
The questions and answers in today's episode may contain spoilers and are not limited to the chapters already covered in the read along.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Links