[Estelyn Telcontar]

This chapter begins with the activity that results from the ending of the last chapter. The Ringwraith's appearance causes Sam and Frodo to flee and hide, while also causing the terror typical of the Nazgûl. (This is important to remember in the light of later events in the chapter.)

We see Sam overwhelmed with weariness after his adventures, and Frodo taking over the leadership for awhile. He still has some strength, though he has no hope.

Is a wish a prayer? Sam wishes that he could ask Galadriel for water and light, and both are granted to them. This raises the question of the extent of her power, and that of the reach of Osanwë - could she 'hear' them, or see them in her Mirror, or was it only a coincidence? It seems to me that the parallels between Galadriel and the Catholic ideal of Mary are very obvious here, with the lembas being an additional link.

Again, we get a brief connection with the parallel events on the Pelennor Fields - the narrator mentions the date and the fact that Théoden is dying at that time. Then, for the first time in the book, the cry of a flying Nazgûl inspires no terror, following the death of the Witch King. How much did that loss weaken the forces of Mordor, at least those of the Ringwraiths?

We see Sam gaining hope through various incidents, but the most notable one is his moment of eucatastrophe upon seeing the star high above. So great is the impact of that experience that he sleeps with no thought of watchfulness - giving himself wholly into the hand of One greater than himself, perhaps?

More and more, Frodo turns away from arms and fighting, taking off his orcish armour and giving Sting to Sam. Are his words about not striking a blow again a statement of his will, a prophetic glimpse into the future, or a manifestation of his despair?

We encounter more Orcs through the eyes of our heroes, with their comparatively crude speech and their quarrels. What does the passage about the tracker and the soldier show us about them? The suspense increases when they are caught by the orc troops, though that does give us one of the book's humorous lines: "Where there's a whip, there's a will."

The chapter ends with another 'coincidental' rescue, and the final sentence is a real page-turner. Even when rereading to prepare for this thread, I just had to look at the beginning of the next to make sure everything was alright...

Though there is dreariness in this chapter, including the descriptions of Mordor, there is much suspense and there are glimpses of hope. What do you like best about this part of the story, and what don't you like about it?