The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - **RotK

mark12_30 · 01-03-2004, 05:22 PM

On the Searchlight theme, this is from the Mount Doom chapter of RotK:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>...the cruel pinnacles and iron crown of the topmost tower of Barad-Dur. One moment only it stared out, but as from some great window immeasurably high there stabbed northward a flame of red, the flicker of a piercing Eye; and then the shadows were furled again and the terrible vision was removed. The Eye was not turned to them: it was gazing north to where the Captains of the West stood at bay. and thither all its malice was now bent, as the Power moved to strike its deadly blow; but Frodo at that dreadful glimpse fell as one stricken mortally. His hand sought the chain around his neck.<P>Sam knelt by him. Faint, almost inaudibly, he heard Frodo whispering: "Help me, Sam! Help me, Sam! Hold my hand! I can't stop it." Sam took his master's hands and laid them together, palm to palm, and kissed them; and then he held them gently between his own. The thought came suddenly to him, "He's spotted us! It's all up, or it soon will be. Now, Sam Gamgee, this is the end of ends."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>At this point Sam again carries Frodo (for the second time.)<P>A couple of things to note: rather than the glaring red eye in the movie, this describes the top of the twoer constantly swathed in shadow til this moment, and then (and only then) does the red light pierce. I always pictured a dull red glimmer from the topmost turret, not a glaring eye strung out at the top. However, Frodo is certainly "stricken" by a glaring red light from the tower at this point, and it knocks him down and renders him quite powerless, and sets him clawing for the Ring.

01-03-2004, 05:22 PM	#130
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	On the Searchlight theme, this is from the Mount Doom chapter of RotK:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>...the cruel pinnacles and iron crown of the topmost tower of Barad-Dur. One moment only it stared out, but as from some great window immeasurably high there stabbed northward a flame of red, the flicker of a piercing Eye; and then the shadows were furled again and the terrible vision was removed. The Eye was not turned to them: it was gazing north to where the Captains of the West stood at bay. and thither all its malice was now bent, as the Power moved to strike its deadly blow; but Frodo at that dreadful glimpse fell as one stricken mortally. His hand sought the chain around his neck.<P>Sam knelt by him. Faint, almost inaudibly, he heard Frodo whispering: "Help me, Sam! Help me, Sam! Hold my hand! I can't stop it." Sam took his master's hands and laid them together, palm to palm, and kissed them; and then he held them gently between his own. The thought came suddenly to him, "He's spotted us! It's all up, or it soon will be. Now, Sam Gamgee, this is the end of ends."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>At this point Sam again carries Frodo (for the second time.)<P>A couple of things to note: rather than the glaring red eye in the movie, this describes the top of the twoer constantly swathed in shadow til this moment, and then (and only then) does the red light pierce. I always pictured a dull red glimmer from the topmost turret, not a glaring eye strung out at the top. However, Frodo is certainly "stricken" by a glaring red light from the tower at this point, and it knocks him down and renders him quite powerless, and sets him clawing for the Ring. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.