Tolkien Calendar: The Great Years
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December 25, TA 3018
25 December 2005 22:06:34The Company of the Ring leaves Rivendell at dusk.
It is hard not to use Tolkien's own poignant words for this date. December 25, TA 3018, is a date full of hope and yet full of dread for the new Company...the Fellowship of the Ring. It is to be remembered that they had decided to travel only at night to avoid detection by the Enemy.
They were setting out on the quest to destroy the Ring. In all of the history of Middle-earth, there is perhaps no more meaningful date. Gone were the carefree days in the Shire. All in the Fellowship were aware of the overwhelming sense of purpose.
Quote:
Their farewells had been said in the great hall by the fire, and they were only waiting now for Gandalf, who had not yet come out of the house. A gleam of firelight came from the open doors, and the soft lights were glowing in many windows. Bilbo huddled in a cloak stood silent on the doorstep beside Frodo. Aragorn sat with his head bowed to his knees; only Elrond knew fully what this hour meant to him. The others could be seen as grey shapes in the darkness.
Sam was standing by the pony, sucking his teeth, and staring moodily into the gloom where the river roared stonily below; his desire for adventure was at its lowest ebb.
Sam was standing by the pony, sucking his teeth, and staring moodily into the gloom where the river roared stonily below; his desire for adventure was at its lowest ebb.
Images © "Fellowship Journey" by Alan Lee.