The Fourth Set of Stories
THE THIRD AGE OF THE SUN
(lasting 3,021 years, after
"the world was changed" to a globe and "the Undying Lands were
removed forever" from the reach of the living)
(Some
conjecture that this began on December 24, 6123 BCE in our reckoning)
Chapter Twelve: Early History of the Ring
THE STORIES:
Unfinished
Tales in its Third Age, Part Three: I.
The Disaster of the Gladden Fields
(re Third Age year 2 and much later)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS: Note there
is a CORRECTION to the above Unfinished
Tales, re the Dunedain: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter
IV, 299 1st and its Note 8.
Just note in the above the note at
the end about why hobbits are short, and a fascinating mention of what their
lives used to be like.
On the elves' use of their rings: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p157 2nd.
Chapter Thirteen: Early
Stories of Gondor and Rohan
FOR REFERENCE AS YOU READ
THIS: The
Lord of the Rings, Return of the King: Appendix
A, I, ii, The Realms in Exile (mostly a list of Numenorean rulers as the 3rd
Age began, into 4th Age year 82)
THE STORY:
The Lord of the Rings, Return of
the King:
Appendix A, I,
iii,
Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur
+ iv, Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion (you might want to read after the Hobbit the last
couple pages or so which include Third Age years past 2984 when Denethor II
became steward; I noted that below)
Appendix A, II: The
House of Eorl (though it actually goes from Third Age 2485 through Fourth Age
63) (you might want to wait and read its last part, Third Line, around the time
you read The Two Towers; I noted that below)
Chapter Fourteen: Bilbo's Adventure
FOR REFERENCE AS YOU READ
THIS:
Be aware of the maps at the end of Unfinished
Tales.
Just refresh your memory with The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part One,
VI: The Tale of Years of the Second Age just p169 the discussion of when Gollum
got the ring.
THE STORY: The Hobbit
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
On appearance and wardrobe of
hobbits inc boots that got left out of the published book: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p35 3rd paragraph through
b.
On hobbit houses: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the
Shadow: Chapter IV, p.92 3rd paragraph through 93 7th
paragraph and p.101 5th-6th paragraphs, plus re Brandy
Hall/ancestral hall Brandybucks p.99 bottom through p.100 1st
paragraph.
Re snow in the Shire: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow, Chapter XXIV, p. 423 1st
paragraph.
Much more on hobbits!: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p158 1st-2nd;
and the whole of Letter 214 (pp289ff) is wonderful! including on birthdays and
weddings. Also, note that hobbits are careful with money! (The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p247). Also note that Dr. Tolkien
considered himself a hobbit: The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien, pp288b through 289t explain how/why.
Check out about another people we barely see in other writings in Unfinished Tales Part 4, I. The Drúedain
(from the 1st Age through Numenorean days and into the time of Return of the King; you might want to
read it later but I prefer it here).
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
Two: X. Of Dwarves and Men: Just check out re more about the Drúedain pp
309-310 and hobbit history pp310-311.
A hobbit song re trolls: The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the
Shadow: Chapter VIII, p. 142 bottom through 143.
Just a note that Tolkien said he
used runes "in order to" make his compilation from Bilbo's memoirs
clearer; Bilbo actually used a different alphabet. Tolkien also used Icelandic
to "translate" the dwarf names. (The
Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p17 2nd paragraph; p21 last full.)
APOCRYPHAL
STORIES YOU MAY LIKE OR NOT:
A map of Bree: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow:
Chapter XX, p. 335.
Re another inn: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the
Shadow: Chapter IX, p.170 middle.
Re the use of holly trees by the
elves: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return
of the Shadow, Chapter XXV, p. 448
1st paragraph's top.
Senator Bilbo story by Andy Duncan
in Year's Best Fantasy 2
OTHER MEDIA YOU MIGHT WANT
TO ENJOY AT THIS POINT:
The tape of J.R.R. Tolkien reading from The Hobbit (Tape One Side One)
Songs from my chronological
playlist, all I have from after the 2nd Age to the end of The Hobbit:
√ The Prophecy Howard Shore Lord of
the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 1 of 18
√ Concerning Hobbits Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings Trilogy 3 of 10
√ The Bath Song The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 10 of 20
√ A Drinking Song The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 6
of 20
√ The Shire KeyeS Sounds From
Middle Earth 2 of 9
√ all of Howard Shore The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
√ A Walking Song (I) The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 3 of 20
√ A Walking Song (II) The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 19 of 20
√ The Old Troll Glass Hammer The
Middle Earth Album 2 of 13
√ all of Howard Shore The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
√ Howard Shore The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies The Last Goodbye
√ Howard Shore The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies The Return Journey
Chapter Fifteen: The Fellowship and the War
of the Ring
FOR REFERENCE AS YOU READ
THIS: Note
that later chapters give even more about calendars, languages, etc.; if you're
really puzzled you could check them out earlier.
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 9: Sauron Defeated: Part One's appendix: Drawings of Orthanc and
Dunharrow.
THE STORY:
The
Fellowship of the Ring (re Third Age April 3018 through February 3019)
Tolkien Reader (or wherever else you
find it): "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil"
The
Two Towers (re Third Age February through March 3019)
The Return of the King except for its appendices (re Third Age March
through August 3019)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
Re the meaning of the title The Two Towers: The Letters of J.R.R.
Tolkien, p173 4th.
NOTE the following CORRECTIONS to
the published Lord of the Rings books:
Fellowship of the Ring: re dwarf doors SEE The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard:
Chapter IX, footnote 6 p187m; re
hobbits in Lothlorien SEE The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XII,
243b; re what Frodo and Sam saw when they
were with Galadriel in Lothlorien SEE The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XIII,
266b.
The Two Towers: Aragorn's speaking of the hobbits SEE The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XX, 404 note 15; re chronology SEE The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard:
Chapter XX, 407m; re burials in Rohan SEE The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part One: Chapter
III, 40m the last paragraph before Notes.
both Fellowship and Towers had errors about Shadowfax chronology; SEE The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XXV, 439 2nd.
Return of the King: orc names SEE The History of Middle Earth Vol.
8: The War of the Ring: Part Two:
Chapter VIII, 226 Note 48; description
of the great hall in Minas Tirith: SEE The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter
III, 288m.
If you didn't already read it: The Lord of the Rings, Return of the King: Appendix A, I, iv, Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion
just the last couple pages or so which include Third Age years past 2984 when
Denethor II became steward
The Lord of the Rings, Return of the King: Appendix A, II: The House of
Eorl (it goes through Fourth Age 63) its last part, Third Line IF you didn't
already read it
+ III: Durin's Folk
(though it actually goes from First Age through Fourth Age 120)
Unfinished
Tales:
Second Age (though has much to do with Third Age):
its appendices (re Second Age from year 700 through Third Age year 1149):
A Silvan
Elves
+ B Sindarin
Princes (this and Silvan Elves, above, includes re Legolas' people including
his grandfather and father)
+ C Boundaries
of Lorien (includes an interesting ent "story")
+ D Port
of Lond Daer
+ E Names
of Celeborn and Galadriel
Part 3: Third Age:
IV. The Hunt for the Ring (very interesting
about the Ringwraiths' abilities or lack thereof p343, the evil
Sackville-Bagginses p347, and populating the Barrow-downs p348)
+ V.
The Battles of the Fords of Isen
+ Part 4:
+ III.
The Palantiri (I enjoyed a furniture description p409; the explanation of
Thorongil in note 12; and the possibility Aragorn looked "into the lost
West" note 16)
Re Gandalf's "death": The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, pp201b-203m.
Re entwives! The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p179 2nd.
Re Treebeard's greeting to Galadriel
and Celeborn: The Letters of J.R.R.
Tolkien, p308 2nd.
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
Three, XV. Teachings of Pengolod: Lembas
Re Faramir: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, pp 323b through 324m.
Re the hobbits going into the West: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p328 2nd.
And look who else went! The Letters of
J.R.R. Tolkien, p354 m-b.
HAPPY OR OTHERWISE
INTERESTING FUTURE STUFF NOT COVERED ABOVE: Actually within the above Return of the King: in its chapter IX of
Book Five The Last Debate: Legolas foresees of Aragorn's descendants
"Never shall that line fail, though the years may lengthen beyond
count," p 152.
Also within the above Return of the King: in its chapter VI of
Book Six Many Partings: Galadriel sees that she and Celeborn and the ents, or
at least Treebeard, may meet again, in old Tasarinan, after "the lands
that lie under the wave are lifted up again."
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
Silmarillion:
re the Third Age (from my p304): Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
(its last Chapter).
More on the Ring's power: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter XII, 401 4th-5th.
Re Sam's and other hobbit names: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Two: Chapter
III, 122b-123m. Also note Tolkien wanted to give interesting names to Sam's
garden's flowers (The Letters of J.R.R.
Tolkien, p106, also interesting on his idea of making up fables to explain
flower names).
Old Man Willow's origins: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The
Return of the Shadow: Chapter VI, pp. 120 bottom-121 top.
More on Tom Bombadil: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the
Shadow: Chapter VI, p. 121 middle through p. 123 middle, then see p.120 2nd
paragraph and the related note, then the same book Chapter VII, p. 128 bottom
through 129 top.
More on Bree: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow:
Chapter VIII, p.132.
If you're interested, just skim The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The
Peoples of Middle Earth: Part Two, XIII. Last Writings: Glorfindel.
Also The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the
Shadow: Chapter XII, p. 214 bottom-215 top re Glorfindel.
Re Bombadil and also barrow wights:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter VII, 152 4th b including notes.
Alternates about the Council of
Elrond: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter VI, 110m-b re Elrond; 128m-129t re Aragorn;
also Chapter VII, 153m-154 5th.
More poetry re Aragorn: The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter IV, 77, 78, 80. (NOTE TO SELF: Would be lovely to
memorize.)
Re Saruman: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard:
Chapter VII, 149 8th-150t.
If you're interested, an
alternate/early Orthanc: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: frontispiece
and p. 3 2nd.
Re Moria including alternate
history: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter VII, 141b-142t; also Chapter IX,
183m-186 and footnote, includes re Balrog; also Chapter X, 191m "21st
hall of Northend."
Re picture of Moria's entrance: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter IX, 181t-m including footnote 9; 182.
Re water near Moria: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XII 219 2nd-220 2nd.
Re elves in Hollin aka Eregion: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter VIII, 167m.
The 1st alternate
Lothlorien: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XII, 222 4th-223 1st;
and about the style of the homes in Lothlorien: 228m; more about Lothlorien 241
m's quotation and 243 #46's quotation. More about Lothlorien in same book's
Chapter XIII, 245 quotation; 246 quotation; 251t.
Re elves' rings: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter VII, 155 5th-156m including notes.
Re Galadriel's voice: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XIII, 262 #7. Re her power against evil: 252 2nd's
m.
Galadriel's song: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XIV the poetry on 284-285.
Re time in Lothlorien: The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XIV, 283b-284t; and its Chapter XVII 354 last through
355t, 358 2nd-3rd, 363, 366 from its note 22 through 369.
Re Sam's gift from Galadriel: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XIV, 274 picture and its explanation. Re other
gifts: same chapter, 2nd from bottom, 278m.
Re Lothlorien boats: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Two: Chapter V, 166 Note #11; 148 3rd.
What some could see from the hill by
the mighty river: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XVIII, 372m-373t.
About woods in Middle Earth: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XX, 402m-403t.
An interesting variation on seeing
an eagle high in the sky in Two Towers: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XX, 396m-397t.
An interesting variation on the
dropping of the elven brooch in Two
Towers: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XX, 397m-398t.
Alternate ents: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XX, 411 3rd from bottom, 413b's quotation, 416
including note #4 on 419, 421's song. Also The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part One: Chapter
III, 29b-31m. Plus if you wish more: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part One: Chapter
IV, 47 last full paragraph, index re, 50 last; 59-60 Note 15; 55b-56t; 49 1st.
On hobbit history and tobacco: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part One: Chapter III, 36-39m.
Re Orthanc: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part One: Chapter III, 31b-35.
An alternate map if you wish for Return of the King: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Three: Chapter XIV.
An early description of Rohan's
Edoras: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XXVI, 441-442 quotation, 444.
Early alternate re Gondor, Rohan and
their languages: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Two: Chapter V, 154b through 162b.
Of Merry: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Three: Chapter II, 240b-241t.
If you wish, very different re
Dunharrow and a bit more re men of old: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter
II, 230-251.
More re Dunharrow, Paths of the
Dead: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The
War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter V, 312-316.
Re Eowyn's loving Aragorn before
Tolkien knew of Arwen, if you can bear it: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XXV,
437; also Chapter XXVI, 447 2nd and 448m.
If you wish, Gollum's original song:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Two: Chapter II, 110b-111t.
Frodo's path through Dead Marshes:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Two: Chapter II, map 117, 118t Note 12.
Re oliphaunts: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Two: Chapter III, 127's 2nd m-b. Note oliphaunts were of a
"prehistoric size" (The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien, p77).
An early alternate of Minas Tirith:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter II, 261.
About friendship with boy in Minas
Tirith: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The
War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter III, 283 4th through 286.
About the throne of Gondor: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XX, note 13 404.
Re history of Minas Ithil aka Minas
Morghul if you're interested: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter VII,
144-146 1st.
Minas Morghul map: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Two: Chapter VII, 181.
Note how Mordor ruined a once-great
city: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XVI 333 3rd, 336b-337t.
An alternate telling of Helm's Deep:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part One: Chapter II.
An old alternate re Palantir: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part One: Chapter VI, 75b-77 1st.
Re Boromir's horn: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Two: Chapter V, 146 next to last paragraph.
Different on the Paths of the Dead:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter IV, poem on 300; also Chapter XII,
397-399m; 410-413m; 416 m-b.
Layout of Shelob's Lair, The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the
Ring: Part Two: Chapter VIII, 201.
About the great horn of the last
battle in Lord of the Rings: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XVI, 344 6th, note 43 on 349.
If you wish, an alternate seeing of
Aragorn's arrival in ships: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter
XI, 388.
A very different alternate history
of Theoden and Eowyn in battle: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter
IX.
If you wish, an alternate after
Theoden was buried: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter XI, 385m; 389m.
An alternate on the Mouth of Sauron
and fear: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter XIII, 430-431.
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 9: Sauron Defeated: Part One, The End of
the Third Age (up to Fourth Age year 14, through X) (a lot of this is just
recommended to be skimmed but I've noted the especially interesting bits, and
note that some chapters are indeed very interesting)
I. Frodo and Sam
in Mordor, just skimming quickly except re
Aragorn and the Paths of the Dead pp15-16
II. Tower of
Kirith Ungol, just skipping the early versions and skimming the rest quickly
except re the orcs' tower including the drawing p18-20
III. Land of
Shadow, just skipping the early versions and skimming the rest quickly except
re Sam's song p27; Frodo's plans from Elrond pp32-33
IV. Mt Doom, just
the drawing p42
V. Field of
Kormallen, just skimming quickly except re pp48-50 re the Fellowship after the
victory, plus the mention of Tom Bombadil and Frodo p53
VI. Steward and
King, just the stories in it
VII. Many
Partings, just skimming quickly except the
first few pages of stories pp61-64 including p63 re ent wives in the east maybe
[another idea for a Tolkien-esque new series!] and a description of Minas
Tirith "government" buildings p67
VIII. Homeward
Bound, just skimming quickly except re Bombadil p77
IX. Scouring of
the Shire
X. Grey Havens
IF you want summaries, see:
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, pp143-161 (of all the stories in
general).
Very interesting about the ending of
the trilogy: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XIV, 286 after the line through
just before the notes on 287.
INTERESTING MANUSCRIPT
NOTES: The
Lord of the Rings, Return of the King: Appendix
D. Calendars
ART If you have it available to
you, check out Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien.
You may like the maps in The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XV, though note places changed since they were made.
APOCRYPHAL STORIES YOU MAY
LIKE OR NOT:
An interesting version re the rings
of power: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow: Chapter XV, p. 260 1st
paragraph.
Very different but interesting re
Treebeard: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow: Chapter XXII, p. 382 middle through p.
384 and Chapter XXIII, p. 410 5th paragraph.
OTHER MEDIA YOU MIGHT WANT
TO ENJOY AT THIS POINT:
Just a note that the Lord of the Rings is a
"trilogy" only because of original publication requirements; it's
meant to be one story. (The Letters of
J.R.R. Tolkien, p221)
The tape of J.R.R. Tolkien reading from The Lord of the Rings (Tape One
Side Two; Tapes Two and Three)
Songs from my chronological
playlist, all I have from after the 2nd Age to the end of Lord of the Rings:
√ Concerning Hobbits Howard Shore Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the
Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2
of 18
√ A Surprise Party James Prior & Kevin Pearce The
One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 1 of 13
√ tracks 3 through 6, from The Shadow of
the Past to At the Sign of the Prancing Pony, from Howard Shore Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of
the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
√ Three's Company James Prior & Kevin Pearce The
One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 2 of 13
√ The Prancing Pony James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 3
of 13
√ The Riddle Of Strider (I) The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 14 of 20
√ Journey in the Dark James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 5
of 13
√ A Knife In the Dark Howard Shore Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion
Picture Soundtrack) 7 of 18
√ Athelas The
Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At
Dawn In Rivendell 18 of 20
√ Flight to the Ford Howard Shore Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion
Picture Soundtrack) 8 of 18
√ Flight to the Ford James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 4
of 13
√ Many Meetings Howard Shore Lord of
the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 9 of 18
√ Boromir's Riddle The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 9
of 20
√ The Council of Elrond (Theme for
Aragorn and Arwen) [feat. "Aniron"] Howard
Shore Lord of the Rings: The
Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 10 of 18
√ Verse Of The Rings The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 1 of 20
√ Warning Of Winter The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 4 of 20
√ The Riddle Of Strider (II) Christopher Lee, The Danish
Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 1 of 22
√ Verse Of The Rings (II) Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 2 of 22
√ tracks 11 through 14, from The Ring
Goes South, to Lothlorien (feat. "Lament for Gandalf"), from Howard
Shore Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of
the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
√ Lothlorien James Prior & Kevin Pearce The
One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 6 of 13
√ The Mirror of Galadriel James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 7 of 13
√ Galadriel's Mirror David Arkenstone Music Inspired By Middle Earth 6 of 13
√ Farewell to Lorien (Bonus Track) Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Bonus
Track Version] 20 of 20
√ tracks 15 through 18, The Great River
to May It Be, Howard Shore & Enya Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of
the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
√ tracks 1 through 3, Foundations of
Stone through The Riders of Rohan, from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture
Soundtrack) [Bonus Track Version]
√ Ho! Tom Bombadil The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 13 of 20
√ Ho! Tom Bombadil (II) The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, The Danish
National Chamber Choir, M. Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 13 of 22
√ Tom Bombadil's Song (III) Peter Hall, Morten Ryelund, Katja Nielsen,
Oyvind Ougaard, Gert Soerensen Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 11 of 22
√ Tom Bombadil's Song (IV) Peter Hall, Morten Ryelund, Katja Nielsen,
Oyvind Ougaard Selected Songs and Poems
from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 14
of 22
√ Wight's Chant Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish
National Chamber Choir Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 12 of 22
√ tracks 4 through 10, The Passage of the
Marshesto Treebeard, from Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Bonus Track
Version]
√ Treebeard James Prior & Kevin Pearce The
One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 8 of 13
√ The Long List Of The Ents (I) The Tolkien Ensemble &
Christopher Lee At Dawn In
Rivendell 7 of 20
√ Bregalad's Song The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected Songs and Poems from The
Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 3
of 22
√ The Leave Taking Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Bonus
Track Version] 11 of 20
√ Farewell Song Of Merry And Pippin The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 17 of 20
√ Helm's Deep Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Bonus
Track Version] 12 of 20
√ Oliphaunt The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected Songs and Poems from The Lord of the
Rings: Leaving Rivendell 6 of 22
√ Faramir's Refuge James Prior & Kevin Pearce The
One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 10 of 13
√ tracks 13 through 19, The Forbidden
Pool to Gollum's Song , from
Howard Shore, Emiliana Torrini The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Bonus
Track Version]
√ tracks 1 through 6, Roots and
Beginnings to The Chalice Passed, from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete
Recordings 1 of 53
√ The Ents' Marching Song Christopher Lee, The Danish National
Chamber Choir/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 7 of 22
√ The Green Dragon (feat. Billy Boyd
& Dominic Monaghan) Howard
Shore The Lord of the Rings:
The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 7 of 53
√ The Long List of the Ents (II) Christopher Lee, Morten Ryelund,
Peter Hall, Katja Nielsen Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 19 of 22
√ Gollum's Villainy Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 8 of 53
√ Gollum the Sneak James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The
Rings 9 of 13
√ Éowyn's Dream Howard Shore The Lord of
the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 9 of 53
√ Song Of Gondor The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 2
of 20
√ Song Of Lebennin The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 11 of 20
√ tracks 10 through 17, from The Palantír
to The Stairs of Cirith Ungol, from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete
Recordings
√ Cirith Ungol Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 9 of 19
√ Allegiance to Denethor Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 18 of 53
√ The Sacrifice of Faramir (feat. Billy
Boyd Performing "The Edge of Night") Howard
Shore The Lord of the Rings: The
Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 19
of 53
√ The Steward of Gondor Howard Shore & Billy Boyd The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the
King (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 5
of 19
√ tracks 20 through 25, from The Parting
of Sam and Frodo to Master Meriadoc, Swordthain, from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the
King - The Complete Recordings
√ Malbeth The Seer's Words The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 5 of 20
√ Galadriel's Messages Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 8 of 22
√ The Paths of the Dead Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 26 of 53
√ The Siege of Gondor
Howard Shore The Lord of the
Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 27 of 53
√ Shelob's Lair Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 28 of 53
√ Shelob's Lair James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The
Rings 11 of 13
√ tracks 29 through 37, from Merry's
Simple Courage to "A Far Green Country," from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The
Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 29
of 53
√ The Palantir David Arkenstone Music
Inspired By Middle Earth 8 of 13
√ Éomer's Song The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 8 of 20
√ Call to Arms of the Rohirrim Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish National Chamber Choir Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 21 of 22
√ Shieldmaiden of Rohan Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete
Recordings 38 of 53
√ The Passing of Théoden Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete
Recordings 39 of 53
√ Théoden’s Battle Cry Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish National Chamber Choir Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 15 of 22
√ At Théoden’s Death Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish National Chamber Choir Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 16 of 22
√ Burial Song of Théoden The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, The
Danish National Chamber Choir, M. Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 18 of 22
√ Snowmane's Epitaph Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish National Chamber Choir Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 17 of 22
√ tracks 40 through 47, from The Houses
of Healing (feat. Liv Tyler) to The Crack of Doom, from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of
the King - The Complete Recordings
√ Mount Doom James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The
Rings 12 of 13
√ The Eagles (feat. Renée Fleming) Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 48 of 53
√ The Fellowship Reunited (feat. Sir
James Galway, Viggo Mortensen & Renée Fleming) Howard Shore The Lord
of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 49 of 53
√ The Eagle's Song Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish National
Chamber Choir Selected Songs and
Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 22 of 22
Note that Tolkien was open to a
"serious" movie adaptation but completely understandably very unhappy
with the attempts made in his lifetime that showed the creators hadn't even
properly read the books (The Letters of
J.R.R. Tolkien, pp 257, 266-267).
Chapter Sixteen: More About Wizards
THE STORY:
Unfinished
Tales, Part 4: II: The Istari
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
Two, XIII. Last Writings: The Five Wizards, pp384-485
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
Re Radagast: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard:
Chapter VI, 131m-132 plus its notes; 134b-135t; also Chapter VII, 149 7th;
Chapter VIII, 164 1st's b.
More about wizards in general: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XXIII, 422 2nd-3rd.
INTERESTING MANUSCRIPT
NOTES: I
especially liked how Tolkien mentions in Unfinished
Tales, p401 note 3, he's only really done the history of northwestern
Middle Earth – how fun it would be if a Tolkien-level writer wrote about other
directions!
Chapter Seventeen: What Happened During and
After The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
THE STORY:
The Lord of the Rings, Return of
the King: Appendix B, The Tale of Years (especially re Lorien and other
places during the War of the Ring, and about Middle Earth after it, pp375-378).
"Bilbo's Last Song"
wherever you find it (available as a small book illus. by Pauline Baynes, or in
The Road Goes Ever On sheet music book; also it's actually sung on YouTube!)
(re Third Age August-September 3021)
Unfinished
Tales: Third Age: III. The Quest of Erebor (it could also be argued to read
this sooner after The Hobbit, but it has interesting stuff from after the Lord
of the Rings, including that Gandalf plans to talk with the people in Valar
"that is forgotten" about it all).
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
One, IX: The Making of Appendix A:
iii. House of
Eorl, just quickly skimmed
iv. Durin's Folk,
just skimming quickly up to where a dwarf Ring story begins p280 to the end
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 9: Sauron Defeated: Part One, The End of
the Third Age: XI. Epilogue
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
There is a CORRECTION for Quest of
Erebor in Unfinished Tales: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter VII, Note 19 pp357-358.
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
One, VII. The Heirs of Elendil, mostly just re Aragorn's son p202 #34;
Faramir's home p220 under The Stewards of Gondor; Angelimar pp220-222 under The
Line of Dol Amroth
Just note the interesting
description of Bilbo's dishes and cutlery in the above Unfinished Tales: Third Age: III. The Quest of Erebor.
FASCINATING FACTS ESPECIALLY
RE LANGUAGES:
to be chosen among per your
interests
The Lord of the Rings, Return of the King:
Appendix E
Pronunciation + Writing
+ F Languages +
Translation
The History of Middle Earth
Vol. 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth
Part
One, II, The Appendix on Languages (next time I myself would skip most of this, only skimming the
parts on Gollum's ancestry [a note on the bottom of my page 38, for part 23 of
The Languages at the End of the Third Age] and on various hobbit names [pp
46-52, parts 43-51 in the same Languages at the End of the Third Age])
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XXIII,
424 1st; and its generous appendix on Runes.
(Also if you're really into this,
you could look back at the elven language information from the 1st age in this
reading plan; you may also like to refer to The
Fellowship of the Ring's prologue: Note on the Shire Records)
FASCINATING FACTS ESPECIALLY
RE GENEALOGICAL RECORDS:
to be chosen among per your
interests
Silmarillion:
in the Third Age section:
the genealogical
charts (up through September 3021)
The Lord of the Rings, Return
of the King: Appendix C Family Trees, Hobbits
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part One, VIII: The Tale of Years of
the Third Age, mostly just re Aragorn's reign, pp243-245; note at the end of
that re his son's reign and his descendants and the prophesied length of time.
OTHER MEDIA YOU MIGHT WANT
TO ENJOY AT THIS POINT:
Songs from my chronological
playlist, all I have from the very end of and after Lord of the Rings:
√ Straightway to the West James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 13 of 13
√ The Journey to the Grey Havens (feat.
Sir James Galway) Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of
the King - The Complete Recordings 50
of 53
√ Into the West (Vocals Version)
[Featuring Helen Hobson] Howard Shore
& Helen Hobson The Lord of the
Rings Trilogy 9 of 9
√ Elanor (feat. Sir James Galway) Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete
Recordings 51 of 53
√ Days of the Ring (feat. Annie Lennox
Performing "Into the West") Howard
Shore The Lord of the Rings: The
Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 52
of 53
√ Bilbo's Song Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 53 of 53
√ Legolas' Song of the Sea The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr,
Morten Ryelund Selected Songs and
Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 4 of 22
Chapter Eighteen: More About Aragorn
THE STORY:
The Lord of the Rings, Return of
the King, Appendix A, I, v, The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen (though it
actually goes from Third Age year 2929 through Fourth Age year 121)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
Note that Peoples of Middle Earth says that Arwen was like the beautiful
Luthien returned to Middle Earth.
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
One, IX: The Making of Appendix A:
I. Realms in
Exile, just skimming quickly except note
2 re Meriadoc after the Lord of the Rings, and note 6 re Elrond's great love
for Aragorn
II. Aragorn and
Arwen
OTHER MEDIA YOU MIGHT WANT
TO ENJOY AT THIS POINT:
The "fan fiction" film
"Born of Hope" about Aragorn's parents (doesn't stick to Tolkien's
characterization etc); and its soundtrack.
