[mark12_30]

Originally Posted by Rumil

Nice discussion,

I've been wondering about the applicability of folklore here. Now British (and probably more generally European) folklore had the concept of the 'High Hunt', where, usually on a dark, warm, inexplicably windy, witchy, twitchy sort of summer's night, often Midsummer, the faerie / sidhe / elves held a great annual hunt.

... and the White Stag was seen by Bilbo et al on their trek.

I could see the elven aristocracy of Rivendell riding out on a midsummer's night, led by the brethren Elladan and Elrohir or Elrond himself perhaps. Maybe they hunt the White Stag, maybe they scour the lands of orcs and trolls. Some years they go North into the Ettenmoors, some years North-West into the Trollshaws or South West across the plains and into the Angle, sometimes South into Hollin, and occasionally they carry on through Hollin to Dunland. East they go not.

Those nights the men of Dunland retire to their forts and roundhouses, build up the fire and bar the door, knowing that uncanny folk beyond their understanding are abroad.

Maybe !

What do you think?

I think that I love Rumil's post even though, at first, I cound't think of anythingthat might support it. But then...

How about these?

Wild 'Hunt' # 1:

‘This is Glorfindel, who dwells in the house of Elrond,’ said Strider.
‘Hail, and well met at last!’ said the Elf-lord to Frodo. ‘I was sent from Rivendell to look for you. We feared that you were in danger upon the road.’
‘Then Gandalf has reached Rivendell?’ cried Frodo joyfully.
‘No. He had not when I departed; but that was nine days ago,’ answered Glorfindel. ‘Elrond received news that troubled him. Some of my kindred, journeying in your land beyond the Baranduin,* learned that things were amiss, and sent messages as swiftly as they could. They said that the Nine were abroad, and that you were astray bearing a great burden without guidance, for Gandalf had not returned. There are few even in Rivendell that can ride openly against the Nine; but such as there were, Elrond sent out north, west, and south. It was thought that you might turn far aside to avoid pursuit, and become lost in the Wilderness.
‘It was my lot to take the Road, and I came to the Bridge of Mitheithel, and left a token there, nigh on seven days ago. Three of the servants of Sauron were upon the Bridge, but they withdrew and I pursued them westward. I came also upon two others, but they turned away southward. …”

Wild 'HUNT' # 2:

(Bilbo said…’…) But if you ask me, Elrond will send out a fair number, when the reports come in. Have they started yet, Gandalf?’
‘Yes,’ said the wizard. ‘Some of the scouts have been sent out already. More will go tomorrow. Elrond is sending Elves, and they will get in touch with the Rangers, and maybe with Thranduil’s folk in Mirkwood. And Aragorn has gone with Elrond’s sons. We shall have to scour the lands all round for many long leagues before any move is made. So cheer up, Frodo! You will probably make quite a long stay here.’

…

The hobbits had been nearly two months in the House of Elrond, and November had gone by with the last shreds of autumn, and December was passing, when the scouts began to return. Some had gone north beyond the springs of the Hoarwell into the Ettenmoors; and others had gone west, and with the help of Aragorn and the Rangers had searched the lands far down the Greyflood, as far as Tharbad, where the old North Road crossed the river by a ruined town. Many had gone east and south; and some of these had crossed the Mountains and entered Mirkwood, while others had climbed the pass at the source of the Gladden River, and had come down into Wilderland and over the Gladden Fields and so at length had reached the old home of Radagast at Rhosgobel. Radagast was not there; and they had returned over the high pass that was called the Dimrill Stair. The sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir, were the last to return; they had made a great journey, passing down the Silverlode into a strange country, but of their errand they would not speak to any save to Elrond.