Chatterbox: Blab About Books

Lord of the Rings
...
submitted by Esthelle (Es-thel-ay, age 14, The New World
(February 7, 2016 - 12:07 pm)

Hey, Esthelle, I finished Chapter 2 of the Elementi Chronicles! Please come and read it! I'm starting on Chapter 3 in my notebook.

submitted by Scylla
(March 4, 2016 - 10:25 am)

Yes, Scylla! I haven't been able to get on Cricket for a few days--  I'm going to check that right now!

submitted by Esthelle (Es-thel-ay, age Anonymous, Rivendell (I wish) ;)
(March 4, 2016 - 4:19 pm)

@Estelle

In my personal opinion, I rather like the Orlando Bloom Legolas!  However, that comes from a girl who watched Pirates of the Carribean an awful lot more than she probably should have when she was little, so I'm kinda attached to Will/Orlando/Legolas.  As mentioned before, I am reading LoTR rather slowly, so I'm right before they (finally!) get to Rivendell.

I do like Aragorn quite a bit, usually when they have some forgotten royalty charrie they are either super confused and terrified, or all smug like 'I'm royalty haha!"  I really like how Aragorn is fully aware of his lineage, and has been for a long time, but isn't all trying to be a tyrant over Men or anything.  

By the way, did you guys know that they have a theme song of sorts for Arwen and Aragorn?  It's in the soundtrack of the Fellowship during The Council of Elrond.  It's in Sindarin, the common elvish language that Tolkien wrote, and the title literaly translates into 'I Desire!' Eeeeee!  That's so cute! (And I know that I sound like a crazy teenage girl when I type that!)

Also, did you know that Elrond is related to Tinuviel?  I kid you not, she was his great-grandmother!   She married Beren, who was Man, and they ad a son named Dior.  Dior married somebody, I'm not sure exactly who she was, but their daughter Elwing was half Elf, half Man.  She lived with the Elves, and she married Earendil(There's supposed to be two dots over the a but I can't make my computer do that), and they had two sons, Elrond and Elros.  Then Elrond married Celebrian and had Elrohir, Elladan, and Arwen.  Then Arwen married Aragorn(FINALLY) and they had lots of kids, but only their oldest son, Eldarion, is ever named. 

submitted by balletandbow, age 12, Moon
(March 7, 2016 - 7:56 pm)

Hi, everyone! I haven't been able to get on CB for some time, so I'm sorry that I let this page run down :(

Balletandbow, on Elrond's lineage-- yes, isn't it wonderful!!!!!! :D   And Elros, Elrond's brother who chose to be mortal, was the first king of Numenor, and Aragorn is directly descended from him. That makes Aragorn and Arwen distant cousins!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D  (Both of their names begin with Ar-, which is 'royal'. What a nice thing to have in common! 'Arwen' means 'royal maiden', in Sindarin, I think. I don't see why it would be in Quenya, that seems to be rather out of use in Middle Earth during the War of the Ring)

 

 

 

submitted by Esthelle (Es-thel-ay, age Anonymous, Rivendell (I wish) ;)
(March 15, 2016 - 8:14 pm)

Greetings, Fellow Fans! 
I sincerely regret that I have allowed this thread to run down. This is because I have restricted my Recreational Internet Usage to Saturdays only.   

I shall try to work on this thread on Saturdays as much as possible. Please don't let it die!!!!! :D

While I'm here and thinking of it-- would anyone be interested in a Tolkienian SI????
I think an SI is when you post all your comments on that thread as a character from a chosen theme, and everyone has to guess who you are. :)

 

Maybe we could all talk about the new 'Hobbit' films, and share our opinions.

My opinion is generally that it is a great, beautiful saga-- if you enjoy comic relief.

The movies are some of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen. I'm rather upset with the director-- the only reason I'm not haunting his house with cries of revenge is because I heard about how difficult the whole thing was.

Here's a parody I wrote about the Desolation of Smaug film. It pretty much sums up my outlook on the entire film trilogy. It takes up at the scene when Smaug is crawling about hunting the dwarves, before they melt the giant golden statue on him:

 

(All the dwarf-company minus Kili, Fili, Oin and Bofur (who are in Laketown) are in Erebor running away from Smaug)
Thorin: Oh no! The dragon's right above us! Keep quiet!
(Smaug passes over)
Thorin: Okay! On we go!
Bilbo: (Looking up doubtfully) Are you POSITIVE he didn't know we were here?
Thorin: Why shouldn't I be! He's just a dumb animated lizard!
Bilbo: Yeah, sure, but he DID know that you were here before you were even in the mountain-he said he could SMELL you or something...
Thorin: (Dismissively) I'm sure that was a different Smaug.
Bilbo: I guess! Because the Smaug I talked to earlier came across as a crafty,cruel,highly intelligent and ancient sort of bloke-and the one that keeps on missing us is more of the dim-witted,animal-instinct,easily manipulated kind.
Thorin: Yup,that was a different Smaug. Come,on! We have to get to the Forges!
(Company) The FORGES?????????
Thorin: You got a problem with that?
Balin: I don't think they know where the Forges are,exactly. As they've never been here. 
(Note: They might have read maps made of their ancestral Home,like good dwarves,but I'm simply going by the material given in the movie) 
Thorin: Well,you'd better know now! Hop it!
(Company scatters frantically)
Bilbo: (to Nori) Ummm...did Thorin say WHY we're looking for these enigmatic Forges?
Nori: (dully) Nope,didn't catch that.
Bilbo: Nothing makes any sense! I WANT TO GO HOME!!! (opens mouth to wail)
Nori: (hurriedly) I think I have a copy of the script around here somewhere... (fumbles in pockets and withdraws leaflet) 
Hold on! (mutters) 'Barrels out of Bond,'It Is Our Fight',a Gandalf scene...Here we go! 
(clears throat) Ahem. Looks like we dash to the Forges,which takes us several movie-minutes and several drawn-out action scenes,put tons of dramatic effort into lighting the Forges,and then a giant golden CGI dwarf pops up,Smaug stares at it dimwittedly,and then it promptly melts and drenches him and we're all like "Yay! Bye bye dragon!"
Bilbo: *Looks blank*
Nori: (scans page,stares at it,then folds it up again and tucks it away grimly) And then Smaug bursts out,to the astonishment of all,despite the fact that we are dwarves and should be able to conclude that,as he spends most of his time under a thick layer of gold and has a practically impenetrable hide,a melting golden dwarf will not have much negative affect on him.
Bilbo: *looks dubious*
Nori: Here, read it yourself! (Retrieves leaflet and hands it over)
Bilbo (takes gingerly and reads page) And then, rather than incinerate us,as we are all standing in plain view and perfect range, he decides that it would be better revenge to go and get shot in Laketown?
Nori: Yup.
Bilbo: But-but-but then what's the point of this scene? What are we doing here? (Is on verge of tears)
Nori: (frantically) Woah! Calm down! It's okay! The Dragon will die!
Bard: (showing up out of nowhere) Yep! And IIIIIII'M the one who does it! (Looks smug)
Nori: Where'd YOU come from???????
Bard: I just wanted to remind you that while you're wasting your time in this scene sequence, I, on the other hand,am the beloved celebrity of Laketown and the Audience! I mean,you're trying to kill SMAUG with CGI GOLD????? Didn't you guys JUST TALK about how a Black Arrow is the only way to kill the Dragon??? Should't you have maybe asked around and found at least ONE before you sailed off down the river in your puny boats and stupid hats! And with the fanfare!
Bilbo: (lip quivers)
Nori: (exasperatedly)  BARD! The poor hobbit has already had enough-I mean,when he heard he isn't the Main Character anymore-
Bilbo: (Bursts into tears and sobs hysterically)
Nori: (in panic) SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! BILBO! Do you want the CGI dragon to find us????
Bard: Yeah,the Director would go NUTS...
Nori: (extremely annoyed) Look, if you're so worried about the Director, GET BACK IN YOUR SCENE!!!!!
Bard:  (Smugly) The Director would NEVER go nuts on ME! I'm the darling of Laketown and Audience and co., remember!
Nori: (brandishes weapon) You are REALLY stepping on some nasty nerves, Buster...
Bard: (strings bow and sets arrow to string) Woah there! Remember,I am ALSO an awesome shot-just like every other character in the film! 
Nori: (to Bilbo) What do I do to get rid of him,again?
Bilbo: *sniffs*
Nori: (desperately) Bilbo,come on!
Bilbo: Do whatever Balin did to get him to sneak us into Laketown when he knew nothing about us or our plans, and we were obviously hiding a great deal and were also a lot of grubby dwarves.
Nori: What,offer him money?
Bard: Money???? Did you say MONEY!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Bilbo: (mutters) He obviously doesn't care much for Laketown-hope no one ever makes him King or anything...
Nori: (takes coin purse from somewhere in his pockets, jingles it) Yes,Bard! Money! You want the money?
Bard: (panting) Yes! Yes! Yes! Money! Money! Yes!
Nori: You WANT the MONEY? Go GET the MONEY! (pitches it in opposite direction of where they hope the Forges are)
Bard: MMMMMMMMMMOOOOOOONNNNNNNEEEEEEEYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(drops bow and dives after it)
Nori: Whew! (wipes forehead)
Bilbo: Now what?
Nori: Well,Bard was right about one thing-Jackson is going to blow a few dozen circuits if we don't find the Forges innnnnnnnn...
(checks digital watch)  THREE MINUTES AGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bilbo: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! 
submitted by Esthelle (Es-thel-ay, age Anonymous, Rivendell (I wish) ;)
(April 2, 2016 - 1:54 pm)

Lol!

submitted by Cho C.
(April 4, 2016 - 11:38 am)

And please "TOP" this, Admins! :)

submitted by Esthelle (Es-thel-ay, age Anonymous, Rivendell (I wish) ;)
(April 2, 2016 - 1:55 pm)

If you could live anywhere in Middle Earth, where would you go?

As my location-entry says, I'd make a beeline for Rivendell.

Why? Because Rivendell is, as the books often state, a house perfect for doing all kinds of things.

It is a beautiful place, full of trees and lovely buildings, and the river. And Elves, and the stars, and all manner of things.

It is a safe place. "Evil things did not come into that valley". And they don't. Elrond wields the ring Vilya, mightiest of the Three. Also, Rivendell is rather close to the Grey Havens, which, besides being a good escape-port for pardoned Elves, would also be one of the last safe-havens to flock to should Sauron take over, being about as far as you can get from Mordor. Which makes Rivendell a secure place to be during the War of the Ring.

Rivendell is also fascinating and informative-- can you imagine the stores and libraries of poetry and history and legend and lore and learning? And the music! You could learn any trade you liked there, and learn it to perfection.

Also, it would never be boring. Rivendell is peaceful, but it is also a war-headquarters, a stronghold. The Dunedain of the North report there, and the sons of Elrond are usually off killing orcs, and Elves are very good at gathering information, so you'd probably have a fast-flowing news-scource about the goings-on in Middle-Earth, and it would always be exciting.

Also, Rivendell is not only an Elvish settlement, it seems- Elrond is Half-Elven, and mighty among both Elves and Men. So you'd think that there would be some Men and Half-Elves about the place, even if they were only dropping in to report or seeking counsel. I could never live in Lothlorien-- it's too Elvish. Elves are not Men, obviously-- and they see things very differently. Men do not belong in Lorien. Places like Lorien and Mirkwood, and other spots containing great Elvish magic, greatly resemble the land of Faerie in stories and legends-- strange, beautiful, and perilous. Lorien sounds like a fascinating place to visit, but not a good site for setting up a comfortable home. In Rivendell, they remember the Past. In Lorien, the Past is the Present. The Past is very much alive. That's enrapturing and rather breath-taking, but I, being human, don't think I'd cope with all that very well. Rivendell, with the Past safely in the Past but remembered and studies and enjoyed, sounds about right for me.

If I couldn't live in Rivendell, I'd settle for Bree. Yes, Bree. It turns out that the people there have a very ancient lineage, and though they are coarser than the people of Gondor, they are still a proud and remarkable people. Also, things aren't to dull in Bree, either-- Dwarves come through there, and the Dunedain (Rangers), and there are many Hobbits. (Who doesn't want to live near Hobbits?) 

I considered Minas Tirith, but I don't think I'd like living so close to Mordor, and being strong and noble all the time, and always having to watch for the return of Sauron, knowing that when he does come back, he will most likely hit Gondor first.   Rohan doesn't sound at all bad, either.

Your thoughts? 

submitted by Esthelle (Es-thel-ay, age Anonymous, Rivendell (I wish) ;)
(April 9, 2016 - 10:28 pm)

Ooo ...

I think like to live in either Hobbiton, or Lothlorien ...

Why Hobbiton? Seriously, you shouldn't have to ask! It's such a nice, cozy place, where you can eat food and sit in peace ... reading ... BUT there aren't many learned scholars there. ;)

Lothlorien because of all the learned scholars, and elves, and reading, and the buildings, and, and ELVES! I'm probably to obsessed with elves that I'm becoming an elf. ;) But think about it, wouldn't it be fun to be an elf? 

But I do get where you're going at with the Rivendell debate ... I probably wouldn't be too comfortable there ...

Can I just bring a bunch of elves to Hobbiton? It would make things so much easier ... Mirkwood would just be too uncomfortable, and besides, I don't do well with bugs ... especially not giant ones ...

Bree would probably be the best, as it has almost all of the different people, and I'd still be able to get my fair share of excitement there! Now, that I think of it, I'd probably get discontent pretty fast in Hobbiton. 

So, let's go to Bree and Rivendell together, shall we? 

submitted by Cho C.
(April 11, 2016 - 11:03 am)

Yessssssssssss Cho! We could visit each other! :D
And maybe we could make a summer-trip to Lothlorien sometime. If I were to go there, I'd probably be frozen to the spot with wonder and fright. Although the films are never able to portray the fact, Elves and their Art (what we'd call 'magic' and Tolkien would NOT), are not anything like what we'd ever imagine. If I were to meet an Elf, I think I'd be to full-of-awe to say anything. The company is not quite comfortable in Lorien, and this discomfort is even more potent in Mirkwood, in the Hobbit, with it's fairy-story peril-- enchanted streams, mysterious beasts, lamp-lit gatherings that vanish when approached and cast the stumbling trespasser into a sleep like death. If anyone has not read Tolkien's 'On Fairy-stories' they should. It explains Tolkien's Elves better than I ever could. Again, most definitely NOT pretty humans with pointy ears and a charming, musical language. ;)

I love Elves and Hobbits best of all Middle-Earths races, and Rivendell is near both,being comparatively close to the Shire and containing a vast settlement of Elves. I don't think Elves stop near Bree often, but it seems that they pass through the Shire on their way to the Havens. So I suppose that both places would be quite satisfactory ;)

 

Anyone else? 

 

 

submitted by Esthelle (Es-thel-ay, age Anonymous, Rivendell (I wish) ;)
(April 16, 2016 - 10:59 am)

Well ... since Merenwe basically quit while you were away ... It's just us and S.E who are the Tolkenite fans here. I'm gonna go get Merenwe to come back here soon. WE NEED HER!!!!! :p

submitted by Cho Chang
(April 17, 2016 - 6:56 am)

Yes, we do need Merenwe!!!!!!! Where is she???? I haven't seen her anywhere for about a month!!!!!! :( :( :( :( 

submitted by Esthelle (Es-thel-ay, age Anonymous, Rivendell (I wish) ;)
(April 23, 2016 - 10:44 am)

I talked to her the other day, and she said she would post, and Cron said she was on, but she hasn't posted. :{

submitted by Cho C.
(April 23, 2016 - 7:10 pm)

Erm, hello. Sorry for posting on a dead thread, but

I've had trouble reading LOTR and the Hobbit. Tolkien sometimes forgets he has a story to tell and gets wrapped up in his wonderful world.

Any tips on how to read it? It's just sometimes so hard. 

submitted by Icy, age 11, The Forest
(April 29, 2016 - 4:11 pm)

Hello, Icy! Don't worry, this thread's not dead-- at least, I hope it's not :(

Hmmmmmmmm... there was a time when I had a lot of trouble reading Tolkien, too. I suppose the best advice I have is to do what I did-- put the Lord of the Rings in a safe place somewhere and wait a year or two, until you are sure you will enjoy them.

I agree that Tolkien gives us a lot of detail, but that's actually one of the best and most vital parts of his books. A lot of people have trouble with it, though.

You could read through the books speed-style, skipping the descriptions and dialogue. You would miss the heart of the book, but then at least you'd have a basic understanding of the plot, and could come back to Middle-Earth in a few years already knowing the face of the storyline, which might make the dialogue easier. 

But whatever you do, don't decide that you don't like Tolkien's books--believe it or not, I actually did that when I was little, before I could appreciate them, and left them on the shelf for far too long.

So in the end, I'd advise you to do whatever you think will preserve the opportunity of a lifetime that you will experience when you find yourself prepared for the unforgettable journey awaiting you in Middle-Earth! :D

 

"Farewell, wherever you fare, til your eyries receive you at the journey's end!" "May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks!"  - The Hobbit 

submitted by Esthelle (Es-thel-ay, age Anonymous, Rivendell (I wish) ;)
(April 29, 2016 - 5:34 pm)