The horns of Rohan. It brings tears to my eyes.
I don't think Shadowfax is a Maia; I think he's just an exceptional horse. He's
descended from the horses of Orome, and the blood runs true in him after all
these generations, just as the blood of their great ancestors runs true in
Aragorn and in Faramir. He's far, far more intelligent than your average horse,
and he has perhaps been made even more so by his fellowship with Gandalf (a
little like Bill the pony, who learned wisdom in Rivendell).
Orome's horses may have been Maia spirits, so perhaps Shadowfax has a trace of
Maia ancestry (as does Aragorn, though his is humanoid).
Perhaps the mention of Rath Dinen is to reinforce that Shadowfax is not daunted
by the Undead. This is also perhaps an echo of the horses of the Dunedain, who
faced the terror of the Paths of the Dead for the love of their masters.
Helm's Deep is the answer to your riddling question :-) (Though I'll pass on
the cock crowing, as I can't remember it! It certainly doesn't seem to be
related to Peter's denial.)
"Dawn is ever the hope of Men."
"None knows what the new day shall bring him."
"Sudden and terrible... the sound of the great horn of Helm rang out."
"Suddenly upon a ridge appeared a rider, clad in white, shinign in the rising
sun. Over the low hills the horns were sounding."
Lovely
parallels.
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Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
