Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

I love that this goal (I plan to walk to Mordor and back again) is such a large goal that it is a 1-2 or even 3 years long! Nothing in the past has provided me with such an exciting, reachable and long-term goal. Yay! lol

Ala...woo! many accents...may I call you Ala? Thank you for the welcome Always great to walk in such good and open-armed company.

I continue to traipse along and am delighted that eventually I'll get out of the Shire.

Anorial: I started this walk just over a year ago, and for the longest time felt that I would never catch up. It seemed to take me weeks and weeks to make it out of the Shire. My current goal is to reach Mt. Doom by Frodo's birthday this September. Of course, then we'll have to travel back to Bag End...

Feel free to call me Ala...I go by many different names. Not so many as Aragorn or even Gandalf, but I'll answer to Ala, Alatáriël, Alcmenelwen, Hildigard, or even "über geek".
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We have passed through the Dead Marshes and traversed the barren Nomans-land. I fear the Dark Lord may sense our presence, as the winged terror has overtaken us several times over the past few days. We are now come to the Morannon, the gate into the Black Land, and possibly the end of our journey. It is impossible to enter Mordor here, unless it be as prisoners. Sméagol says there is another way over the mountains further south, and the Ringbearer has agreed to follow him once again. I dislike and mistrust this wretched creature--even though we would not have made it through the Marshes without him--and I will not abandon Frodo and Sam to his care. We will journey south with him, but I will be on my guard.

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"Is it not guarded?" Frodo repeated.

"Yes, yes, perhaps. No safe places in this country," said Gollum sulkily. "No safe places. But master must try it or go home. No other way." They could not get him to say more. The name of the perilous place and the high pass he could not tell, or would not.

Its name was Cirith Ungol, a name of dreadful rumour. Aragorn could perhaps have told them that name and its significance; Gandalf would have warned them. But they were alone, and Aragorn was far away, and Gandalf stood amid the ruin of Isengard and strove with Saruman, delayed by treason. Yet even as he spoke his last words to Saruman, and the palantír crashed in fire upon the steps of Orthanc, his thought was ever upon Frodo and Samwise, over the long leagues his mind sought for them in hope and pity.

Maybe Frodo felt it, not knowing it, as he had upon Amon Hen, even though he believed that Gandalf was gone, gone for ever into the shadow in Moria far away. He sat upon the ground for a long while, silent, his head bowed, striving to recall all that Gandalf had said to him. But for this choice he could recall no counsel. Indeed Gandalf's guidance had been taken from them too soon, too soon, while the Dark Land was still very far away. How they should enter it at the last Gandalf had not said. Perhaps he could not say. Into the stronghold of the Enemy in the North, into Dol Guldur, he had once ventured. But into Mordor, to the Mountain of Fire and to Barad-dûr, since the Dark Lord rose in power again, had he ever journeyed there? Frodo did not think so. And here he was a little halfling from the Shire, a simple hobbit of the quiet countryside, expected to find a way where the great ones could not go, or dared not go. It was an evil fate. But he had taken it on himself in his own sitting-room in the far-off spring of another year, so remote now that it was like a chapter in a story of the world's youth, when the Trees of Silver and Gold were still in bloom. This was an evil choice. Which way should he choose? And if both led to terror and death, what good lay in choice?

...Frodo stood up..."I wish we had a thousand oliphaunts with Gandalf on a white one at their head," he said. "Then we'd break a way into this evil land, perhaps. But we've not; just our own tired legs, that's all. Well, Sméagol, the third turn may turn the best. I will come with you."

[Lyta_Underhill]

Congratulations on that 1000th mile, Estelyn!! Maybe Lyta can have Haldir meet you with a boat??

I asked Haldir about the boats, and, well, he told me I wasn't supposed to know about them yet! (but he winked at me, too, so that could be a good sign!)

Anyway, I've been crawling to Lothlorien, with barely enough time to make a frantically fast walk on some days, no walk at all on others. I gather a mile or so in my workday, but not much more. I think I've doubled my walking speed, just so I can get there sometime this century! At last, I have achieved the summit of Cerin Amroth! I lay down under the great central mallorn tree in my mind and gazed up through the painted leaves up to the gleaming flet and thought about nothing...

Physio-man has forbidden me to walk beyond when my hip starts to fail which is just after 30 minutes. Most times I feel like someone has been punching me in the hip and butt areas which I totally could live with if I knew it meant I was getting better.

Ouch! That sounds a lot like my lower back and hip area after a couple of accidents and a long period of suffering! I have to wear what I call a 'squeezer' to support my back most of the time when walking. If only my husband, aka, the Witch King were in as good shape, I'd have a walking companion, but he's not quite up to my half-running pace, alas! (At least that means he won't catch THIS hobbit anytime soon!)

Feel free to call me Ala...I go by many different names. Not so many as Aragorn or even Gandalf, but I'll answer to Ala, Alatáriël, Alcmenelwen, Hildigard, or even "über geek".

And don't forget, the Queen of the Geeks!

Cheers!
Lyta Wingfoot, more than ready for a Gondorian foot massage with hobbit pillows!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Hi, fellow Walkers! I'm away from home, vacationing and still walking, of course! Most of it is definitely hobbit-style, barefoot on the beach. Just imagine Frodo on the white shores of Valinor, then you get the idea! I'll be back in the humdrum of daily life soon enough...

[Lyta_Underhill]

At last I have made it and now look upon the great city of the Galadhrim... Caras Galadhon! (In fact, I've been running around the Caras Galadhon 'running track' for over a mile...and boy am I tired!) I think I'll rest in the green, gold and silver land for a little bit, as I've about ruined myself to get here! By the way, Estelyn, did Haldir find you with that boat yet? I know I can't go anywhere for awhile unless it is flat on my back in a boat! And I didn't think to ask you or Alatariel whether you had looked into the mirror of Galadriel whilst there! I'm not sure if I will or not; perhaps I'll just have a stretch in the trees...

The day was a perfect one for reaching this goal as well; gloomy but tinged with a golden light that made all things more beautiful than I'll probably remember them later! But, alas, I am weary and the evening is full of things to do, so I bid you farewell for now!

Cheers!
Lyta (whose wings fell off her feet)

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

If only my husband, aka, the Witch King were in as good shape, I'd have a walking companion, but he's not quite up to my half-running pace, alas! (At least that means he won't catch THIS hobbit anytime soon!)

Lyta: It's a shame we don't live closer together, then we'd both have a walking partner. I log most of my miles during the day, walking down in the Mines of Moria (aka the basement/file storage bays). I've convinced a friend to walk with me several afternoons a week, but she's definitely NOT a LotR fan, and won't let me carry Sting.

Lyta Wingfoot, more than ready for a Gondorian foot massage with hobbit pillows!

I know those boys have been waiting for you....

At last I have made it and now look upon the great city of the Galadhrim... Caras Galadhon! .... And I didn't think to ask you or Alatariel whether you had looked into the mirror of Galadriel whilst there!

I did not look into the Mirror, as the Galadhrim had scheduled that LotR marathon for our Company when we arrived in December, and I was much too busy watching the films and relaxing in the hot tub.

Lyta (whose wings fell off her feet)

Don't worry...your feet (and your back) will feel SOOOOOO much better when Boromir, Merry & Pippin get finished with you. But be sure to have Haldir get you that boat (and plenty of Elvish sunscreen)--it's muchmuchmuchmuch better than walking!
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Gollum has led us south of the Morannon towards this 'secret pass' he says he knows. Perhaps it is just the contrast from the desolation at the Gates, but this country seems almost an oasis. There are trees and all manner of plants that are coming into blossom, and the green smell is like a balm to the spirit. I would that we could travel this fair land under the sun, but it is too dangerous. This country is under the dominion of the Enemy, and we must remain on our guard.

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So they passed into the northern marches of that land that Men once called Ithilien, a fair country of climbing woods and swift-falling streams...The long journey from Rivendell had brought them far south of their own land, but not until now in this more sheltered region had the hobbits felt the change of clime. Here Spring was already busy about them: fronds pierced moss and mould, larches were green-fingered, small flowers were opening in the turf, birds were singing. Ithilien, the garden of Gondor now desolate kept still a dishevelled dryad loveliness.

...As they walked, brushing their way through bush and herb, sweet odours rose about them. Gollum goughed and retched; but the hobbits breathed deep, and suddenly Sam laughed, for heart's ease not for jest...Then they sought for a resting-place, and a hiding-place; for this land, fair-seeming still, was nonetheless now territory of the Enemy.

[Anorial]

Ala, I plan on walking to Mordor and back again too. "There and back again, Anorial's Journey". Your friend won't let you carry Sting!!

Lyta, yep hip and back injuries really make you appreciate when they work right! Too bad one isn't born with that knowledge and you have to learn it the hard way! I find it very funny what all the various walkers call their husbands. One of my favorites is Husband-who-is-not-Strider...makes me smile every time. Enjoy your stay in Caras Galadhon....I hear it's very beautiful there...good scenery too!

Enjoy the VAC Estelyn! Tell us all about it when you return. Hobbit-style, barefoot on the beach is one of the best ways to do it....well, it may very well BE the best, I'm just leaving room for improvement .

Well, I've made it out of the Shire. Kind of bittersweet now that the day has come. Definitely feel like I've entered the wider world.
Cheers, Anorial

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

We "encountered" a company of Gondorian Rangers in the woods of Ithilien a few days ago. Sam had cooked a bit of rabbit stew for Frodo, and the smoke from the fire attacted their attention. Their captain turned out to be none other than Faramir, Boromir's younger brother.

As the Hobbits spoke with the Captain, Sam inadvertently mentioned the "you-know-what", and I feared that we three would be unable to escape from so many men. But instead of trying to seize the Ring as his brother did, Faramir sheltered us for the night and sent us on our way with our packs full of food.

Sam and I had hoped that Gollum had departed for good, but we were not that fortunate. Frodo still follows him, although Faramir warned the Ringbearer against going to the Morgul Vale and the Pass of Cirith Ungol. I needed no such warning, and I will remain watchful.

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"But fear no more! I would not take this thing, if it lay by the highway...I do not wish for such triumphs, Frodo son of Drogo...I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend..."

"Now look here, sir!" [Sam] turned, facing up to Faramir with all the courage that he could muster. "Don't you go taking advantage of my master because his servant's no better than a fool. You've spoken very handsome all along...but handsome is as handsome does we say. Now's a chance to show your quality."

"So it seems," said Faramir..."And here in the wild I have you: two halflings, and a host of men at my call, and the Ring of Rings...A chance for Faramir, Captain of Gondor, to show his quality!...We are truth-speakers, we men of Gondor. We boast seldom, and then perform, or die in the attempt. Not if I found it on the highway would I take it I said...be comforted, Samwise. If you seem to have stumbled, think that it was fated to be so...It shall turn to his good, if it is in my power."

...Sam hesitated for a moment, then bowing very low: "Good night, Captain, my lord," he said. "You took the chance, sir."

"Did I so?" said Faramir.

"Yes sir, and showed your quality: the very highest."

Faramir smiled. "A pert servant, Master Samwise. But nay: the praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards..."