Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[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..."

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I just got back from walking my 1,111th mile! That's a special number, though saying it the "normal" way doesn't sound particularly interesting. I'm trying to decide how the hobbits would say it - one-eleventy-one? Eleventy-eleven?? Or perhaps double elvensies???

[Nurumaiel]

I know I haven't posted for awhile, but we've still been walking, and Caras Galadon seems close yet far away at the same time. Strider (or Aragorn as he's often referred to now) doesn't seem as anxious to move quickly, and besides, we have Gandalf with us now. Gandalf has been so very generous and allowed us to walk only about three miles every day so my injured shoulder could heal. Nobody knows how it was injured, but it is the common opinion that it was all my fault for teaching the hobbits to play baseball. I don't remember being hit....

When I'm not playing such games with the hobbits I'm composing little songs and having Aragorn and Legolas give me advice on how to improve them. They both seem to know what they're talking about. It's been more difficult becoming friends with Boromir and Gimli though they seem likeable enough... It's just that Boromir is from Gondor which rouses up awe in me, and Gimli is just a Dwarf and I don't know how to talk to them. But I bestow friendly smiles on them whenever I can.

Now I must run, for Gandalf has suggested since I had the inspiration to actually come to this thread again I might as well update the walker's list on the first page... then we have to walk another mile or two before making camp.

Good to 'see' you all again!

[Anorial]

Hi Nurumaiel, nice to meet you! I'm at 110 miles right now.

Cheers,
Anorial

[Nurumaiel]

And pleased to meet you, Anorial. You really are cruising along! 110 miles, eh? Look out around Old Man Willow. When I was back there he nearly got Merry and Pippin.

(I have an odd feeling there are countless Merrys and Pippins running about right now. I see them here with me, but I know they're with Anorial too, and weren't they up at the Anduin giving foot massages? I guess so long as they don't meet each other and die of fright!!)

Obeying Gandalf's request I have updated the Walker's List, which can be found on the first page of the thread, second post. I do apologize if I miscalculated any mileages. Now I'm off for some late-night walking.

Happy walking!

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

it is the common opinion that it was all my fault for teaching the hobbits to play baseball. I don't remember being hit....

Nurumaiel: Welcome back!! Sorry to hear you've had shoulder problems--those hobbits can sure get carried away sometimes, can't they?

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We have almost reached the Cross-roads, and we will then have to turn East to Minas Morgul. Just before dawn today we made camp on a great hog-back of land covered with gorse bushes. The bushes were quite tall, and Gollum and the halflings were able to walk upright under them, although I had to crouch to keep from being impaled on the thorns.

Instead of the sun, a dark cloud rose from the Nameless Land to spread westwards. The sun could not pierce this shadow, and the day continued to grow darker and darker. Gollum disappeared soon after we stopped, and when he returns we must continue our journey. I try to appear confident and unafraid in front of the hobbits, but my heart quails at the thought of the Dead City. Many dreadful tales have been told in Rivendell of the horrors that dwell in Minas Morgul. When my fears begin to overwhelm me, the determination and strength of will of my small companions give me the courage to persevere in spite of my dread.

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"Haven't you had no sleep, Mr. Frodo?" he said. "What's the time? Seems to be getting late!"

"No it isn't," said Frodo. "But the day is getting darker instead of lighter: darker and darker. As far as I can tell, it isn't midday yet, and you've only slept for about three hours."

...At that moment a rolling and rumbling noise was heard again, louder now and deeper. The ground seemed to quiver under their feet. "I think we are in for trouble anyhow," said Frodo. "I'm afraid our journey is drawing to an end."

"Maybe," said Sam; "but where there's life there's hope, as my Gaffer used to say; and need of vittles, as he mostways used to add. You have a bite, Mr. Frodo, and then a bit of sleep."

...Frodo gave no sign of what was passing in his mind. He sighed, hoisted his pack, and prepared to go out into the ever-gathering darkness...Without the crack of a twig or the rustle of a leaf they passed and vanished.