Simply Afraid - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Elianna · 04-22-2004, 05:38 PM

It is not my good sense that rebels, I'm afaid, simply afraid.

Of what? That demands making an egregiously embarassing admition: I haven't finished reading RotK.

*gasp*

I'm afraid of finishing it, knowing I'll be bawling like I am at the end of the movie, lamenting for the elves leaving.

I know it's not my good sense that rebels because I really want to read about Saruman's and Wormtongue's deathes, I really want to read about the mallorn tree in the Party Field, I really want to read my favorite poem in LotR "Still round the corner there may wait A new road or hidden gate....", about so many other things I've heard about at the end of RotK.

But I'm terrified that I'll weep and cry out and gnash my teeth, and destroy the book by the time I'm done with it...

Any words of encouragement?

mark12_30 · 04-22-2004, 06:50 PM

I doubt you'll destroy the book. But you'll probably cry. Many of us did, and still do.

**The Saucepan Man** · 04-22-2004, 07:10 PM

Finish the book. Then read it again!

Or, better still, read the Silmarillion. And then the Unfinished Tales. And then ... etc

Knight of Gondor · 04-22-2004, 08:33 PM

If you haven't finished it, then how do you know about all those elements you just mentioned??

I didn't cry at RotK (I teared up, but didn't cry). I didn't cry at the books. (The Passion of the Christ made me cry, but that's another story) But every time I read the book, the end of RotK, I put down the book and seriously, I walk away with a heavy heart. What else is there to say? It's just sad! But if you read the appendices about Aragorn's death...it's like MAN, what a creep Tolkien was to tell us how it all ends! It's kind of like Bilbo. We all want to have his ending. "And they lived happily ever after to the end of their days."

Stilll, you really have to finish it.

You may not remain on this board unless you do, we shall all retrieve our officially licensed Sting reproductions and drive you away.

Don't read the story of Aragorn and Arwen in the appendix, though, if you fear knowing the end. It's just not fair.

Lord of Angmar · 04-22-2004, 08:41 PM

I too walked away from the book with a heavy heart, but it was well worth it to read the ending and then go on to the Appendices. After having 'teared up' at the "Grey Havens" chapter, I found myself completely drained after reading "...the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen" (but in a good way). I agree with Saucey that the logical next step in the great tragedy that is Middle-earth's history is to read the Silmarillion.

Knight, I wonder what Tolkien would think of one of his loyal fans calling him a creep.

Etharius · 04-23-2004, 02:58 AM

Draw your sword woman! And charge into battle!!!

04-22-2004, 05:38 PM	#1
Elianna Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ad finem itineris Posts: 384	Simply Afraid It is not my good sense that rebels, I'm afaid, simply afraid. Of what? That demands making an egregiously embarassing admition: I haven't finished reading RotK. gasp I'm afraid of finishing it, knowing I'll be bawling like I am at the end of the movie, lamenting for the elves leaving. I know it's not my good sense that rebels because I really want to read about Saruman's and Wormtongue's deathes, I really want to read about the mallorn tree in the Party Field, I really want to read my favorite poem in LotR "Still round the corner there may wait A new road or hidden gate....", about so many other things I've heard about at the end of RotK. But I'm terrified that I'll weep and cry out and gnash my teeth, and destroy the book by the time I'm done with it... Any words of encouragement? __________________ Enyale cuilenya, ú-enyale mandenya.

04-22-2004, 06:50 PM	#2
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	I doubt you'll destroy the book. But you'll probably cry. Many of us did, and still do. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

04-22-2004, 07:10 PM	#3
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Antidote to PLD (post-LotR depression) Finish the book. Then read it again! Or, better still, read the Silmarillion. And then the Unfinished Tales. And then ... etc __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

04-22-2004, 08:33 PM	#4
Knight of Gondor Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 744	If you haven't finished it, then how do you know about all those elements you just mentioned?? I didn't cry at RotK (I teared up, but didn't cry). I didn't cry at the books. (The Passion of the Christ made me cry, but that's another story) But every time I read the book, the end of RotK, I put down the book and seriously, I walk away with a heavy heart. What else is there to say? It's just sad! But if you read the appendices about Aragorn's death...it's like MAN, what a creep Tolkien was to tell us how it all ends! It's kind of like Bilbo. We all want to have his ending. "And they lived happily ever after to the end of their days." Stilll, you really have to finish it. You may not remain on this board unless you do, we shall all retrieve our officially licensed Sting reproductions and drive you away. Don't read the story of Aragorn and Arwen in the appendix, though, if you fear knowing the end. It's just not fair. __________________ Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16

04-22-2004, 08:41 PM	#5
Lord of Angmar Tyrannus Incorporalis Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: the North Posts: 833	I too walked away from the book with a heavy heart, but it was well worth it to read the ending and then go on to the Appendices. After having 'teared up' at the "Grey Havens" chapter, I found myself completely drained after reading "...the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen" (but in a good way). I agree with Saucey that the logical next step in the great tragedy that is Middle-earth's history is to read the Silmarillion. Knight, I wonder what Tolkien would think of one of his loyal fans calling him a creep. __________________ ...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.

04-23-2004, 02:58 AM	#6
Etharius Animated Skeleton Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: U.K. Posts: 34	Draw your sword woman! And charge into battle!!! __________________ < Wisdom, Strength, Honor >