Characters:
Gandalf
Thorin Oakenshield
Text:
‘Yet things might have gone far otherwise and far worse. When you think of the
Great Battle of the Pelennor, do not forget the Battles in Dale and the valour
of Durin’s Folk. Think of what might have been. Dragon-fire and savage swords
in Eriador, night in Rivendell. There might be no Queen in Gondor. We might now
hope to return from the victory here only to ruin and ash. But that has been
averted – because I met Thorin Oakenshield one evening on the edge of string in
Bree. A chance-meeting, as we say in Middle-earth.’
Questions:
1. Gandalf and Chance: Does chance follow Gandalf around, or does Gandalf
follow chance?
2. Is it chance? What other forces might be at work? Who might be doing what?
("There are other forces at work besides the will of evil")
3. UUT’s: Does chance in Middle-earth have a special meaning? Calling all
UUT’s on Chance in Middle-earth! (UUT = "Utterly Unsupported Theories")
Please feel free to contribute any thoughts or questions of your own, that
makes it lively.
Links:
Gandalf chance meeting with Thorin (Google
Search)
* * * * * * * * * * *
Mightier than Estë is Nienna, sister of Fëanturi; she dwells alone. She is acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that Arda suffered in the marring of Melkor. So great was her sorrow, as the Music unfolded that her song turned to lamentation long before its end, and the sound of mourning was woven into the themes of the World before it began. But she does not weep for herself; and those who hearken to her learn pity, and endurance in hope. . . . All those who wait in Mandos cry to her, for she brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom.
Valaquenta
