Was just trying to pretend that I wouldn't miss the Reading Room while abroad. o well.

I am most fascinated by the 'word-hoard' paragraph, and by Lúthien Rising's' comment. Probably because I'm just decided to volunteer for an adult literacy scheme though it's years since I taught. Just hope I can still motivate, that seems hardest these days when someone has managed perfectly well without all their lives.

But surely that was the first part of Galadriel's task? In a war-torn landscape, to preserve what should be, for long enough to present  possibilities? To show that some things are worth handing on? She of all Elves must have known that the Age of Men was approaching. Often, isn't it enough to know that what you dream of is ... at least possible?

And if the realm has been relatively sealed, like China, from "barbarians" hitherto, she recognised that now was the time to open her realm to those capable of appreciating their own potential. Look how Gimli was inspired by Lothlorien? And Legolas and Aragorn and Sam? She knew about the fear of aspiration to a better place as well. And she was the obvious head of the White Council, and yet refrained. I've always believed that that was part of the exercise of letting go; and example as well as self-discipline on her part, and the isolation was self-imposed and necessary. Just as Frodo seeks to be alone to steel himself to proceed as he should. Popular decisions can be made in good company, but if you can't manage without at need, you don't really have any decisions worth making. Perhaps gift-giving is on one level propriation for that necessity?

I'm thinking now of Cirdan's gift of Narya to Gandalf. Enough! Tolkien wrote in different, harder times.