How far could you go? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 07-22-2004, 12:36 PM

I have travelled alone around a fair chunk of the globe, admittedly relatively safe parts and there is no way I would have got further than Bree without major league motivation..I don't think I would have volunteered like Frodo but if you are in a situation you can't avoid you just have to get on with it or die.....and sometimes you surprise yourself

I mean I had a brief teaching career in a "sink" school with a lot of very troubled and difficult kids (until shortly before 50% would have been in special schools because of the level of learning, behavioural and emoptional problems) and basically I couldn't control them at all - absolutely bouncing off the walls. The one day I had them utterly in hand was when there was a bomb scare and I knew and they didn't and in order to protect their safety I had to keep them in control and ignorant of the truth... because if they panicked...it could have been life and death....and somehow despite the fact they could see a stream of police, fire, ambulance and army vehicles entering the school grounds I kept them contained until we could be evacuated safely....

So unless bound by oath, or duty, or the need to protect someone I loved or my own skin... I wouldn't go at all "A coward's soul is mine!"

Lady Snickerdoodle · 07-22-2004, 03:29 PM

Wow, Mithalwen, that's a really inspiring story... And not at all reflecting someone cowardly.

Morsul the Dark · 07-23-2004, 09:39 AM

well I'm the person who carries on especially if bad things happen I think I would end up losing the ring to the nazgul but I would keep walking to pretend I had it and then blame Merry and Pippin when Sauron takes over.

Mithalwen · 07-23-2004, 12:12 PM

Nah.... I know I will take easy ways out if possible but I do have a conscience....and while I can't describe how much grief these kids gave me other than to say I was still suffering stress related problems 2 years later...there is a basic human instinct to protect rather than abandon younger human beings even if said younger human beings are driving you to a breakdown...... more of a case of being trained to do the right thing rather than genuine courage or goodness... So mine's a seat in the hall of fire unless I am given a major guilt trip and would have to suffer Elrond's disapproving glances all the time ..... and I hate to say it but I think all that roughing it would turn me into a grouchy bunny...they would probably have fed me to the watcher in the water...

Mind you of all the perils they faced I think it is just as well the 2 attempts at cooking attempted in the wilderness were stamped out..... botulism due to eating 2 week old sausages would be a dismal end to the quest.. :P

Lady Snickerdoodle · 07-23-2004, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Mind you of all the perils they faced I think it is just as well the 2 attempts at cooking attempted in the wilderness were stamped out..... botulism due to eating 2 week old sausages would be a dismal end to the quest.. :P

LOL omg! I never thought of that!!!

The Perky Ent · 07-29-2004, 12:30 PM

If I was with the fellowship, I would have ditched fight after Boromir died. To put it simply, I don't like Lembas

Meela · 08-03-2004, 02:57 PM

I'd be fine throughout the journey of the Fellowship. Moria might scare me to death, but with friends like those, who needs to fear? I'd just play the damsel act and hide behind Boromir's shield. And when in the midst of battle, it's easy to be inspired to join in with gusto.
After that, Amon Hen would be a piece of cake. And I could give some great pep talks.

I could never continue with Frodo and Sam. It's not the fear, I'd just lose my patience. Same scenery, same company, same lembas. A few days of those two moping on a volcano and I would have collapsed. Although Gollum might make good company.
Plus, the spider thing... I'd be in hysterics.

I'd join Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. Helm's Deep wouldn't shake me too badly, I'd be in the spirit and fighting away. After that, it's just a question of getting through Pelennor - more room to get into a dodging position, or just to stand on the sidelines and wave your sword around occasionally. The Paths of the Dead would be almost enjoyable to me; I'm not afraid of death, ghosts, or the extremeness of the colour green.

If I was going to lose my nerve, it would be on Caradhras - heights and a fear of being buried under the snow and choking. The battles would be daunting, naturally, but once you're there it's easy to get in the mood. It's like going bungee jumping. You're terrified until you jump, then you get such a rush you want to do it all over again. Survive one battle, and you're attacking bushes for the thrill of it.

It's tempting to drop out after Amon Hen, but what do you do then? If you're stuck halfway through a journey, you might as well continue and see what's out there. I'd at least tag along until civilisation re-appeared. Once I reached Rohan, I'd have a clearer idea of the options facing me.
Thinking about it, I'd be more likely to back out at Moria. The thought of being trapped underground and attacked from all sides, even if it's not known when you first step in, is a tough challenge to face.

I could have handled the wilderness. If you're going with Aragorn et al, at least you end up with decent company and a horse. I would make it through Mordor through sheer endurance and some good pacing.

07-22-2004, 12:36 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I have travelled alone around a fair chunk of the globe, admittedly relatively safe parts and there is no way I would have got further than Bree without major league motivation..I don't think I would have volunteered like Frodo but if you are in a situation you can't avoid you just have to get on with it or die.....and sometimes you surprise yourself I mean I had a brief teaching career in a "sink" school with a lot of very troubled and difficult kids (until shortly before 50% would have been in special schools because of the level of learning, behavioural and emoptional problems) and basically I couldn't control them at all - absolutely bouncing off the walls. The one day I had them utterly in hand was when there was a bomb scare and I knew and they didn't and in order to protect their safety I had to keep them in control and ignorant of the truth... because if they panicked...it could have been life and death....and somehow despite the fact they could see a stream of police, fire, ambulance and army vehicles entering the school grounds I kept them contained until we could be evacuated safely.... So unless bound by oath, or duty, or the need to protect someone I loved or my own skin... I wouldn't go at all "A coward's soul is mine!" __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

07-22-2004, 03:29 PM	#2
Lady Snickerdoodle Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: in the cookie jar Posts: 256	Wow, Mithalwen, that's a really inspiring story... And not at all reflecting someone cowardly. __________________ "Let me handle this, I'm British." ~hitchhikers guide

07-23-2004, 09:39 AM	#3
Morsul the Dark Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,448	well I'm the person who carries on especially if bad things happen I think I would end up losing the ring to the nazgul but I would keep walking to pretend I had it and then blame Merry and Pippin when Sauron takes over. __________________ Morsul the Resurrected

07-23-2004, 12:12 PM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Nah.... I know I will take easy ways out if possible but I do have a conscience....and while I can't describe how much grief these kids gave me other than to say I was still suffering stress related problems 2 years later...there is a basic human instinct to protect rather than abandon younger human beings even if said younger human beings are driving you to a breakdown...... more of a case of being trained to do the right thing rather than genuine courage or goodness... So mine's a seat in the hall of fire unless I am given a major guilt trip and would have to suffer Elrond's disapproving glances all the time ..... and I hate to say it but I think all that roughing it would turn me into a grouchy bunny...they would probably have fed me to the watcher in the water... Mind you of all the perils they faced I think it is just as well the 2 attempts at cooking attempted in the wilderness were stamped out..... botulism due to eating 2 week old sausages would be a dismal end to the quest.. :P __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

07-29-2004, 12:30 PM	#6
The Perky Ent Maniacal Mage Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Setting sail for Umbar, with Firefoot at my side! Posts: 3,297	If I was with the fellowship, I would have ditched fight after Boromir died. To put it simply, I don't like Lembas __________________ 'But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.'

08-03-2004, 02:57 PM	#7
Meela Denethor's True Love Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mirkwood. With Thranduil... swoon Posts: 2,049	I'd be fine throughout the journey of the Fellowship. Moria might scare me to death, but with friends like those, who needs to fear? I'd just play the damsel act and hide behind Boromir's shield. And when in the midst of battle, it's easy to be inspired to join in with gusto. After that, Amon Hen would be a piece of cake. And I could give some great pep talks. I could never continue with Frodo and Sam. It's not the fear, I'd just lose my patience. Same scenery, same company, same lembas. A few days of those two moping on a volcano and I would have collapsed. Although Gollum might make good company. Plus, the spider thing... I'd be in hysterics. I'd join Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. Helm's Deep wouldn't shake me too badly, I'd be in the spirit and fighting away. After that, it's just a question of getting through Pelennor - more room to get into a dodging position, or just to stand on the sidelines and wave your sword around occasionally. The Paths of the Dead would be almost enjoyable to me; I'm not afraid of death, ghosts, or the extremeness of the colour green. If I was going to lose my nerve, it would be on Caradhras - heights and a fear of being buried under the snow and choking. The battles would be daunting, naturally, but once you're there it's easy to get in the mood. It's like going bungee jumping. You're terrified until you jump, then you get such a rush you want to do it all over again. Survive one battle, and you're attacking bushes for the thrill of it. It's tempting to drop out after Amon Hen, but what do you do then? If you're stuck halfway through a journey, you might as well continue and see what's out there. I'd at least tag along until civilisation re-appeared. Once I reached Rohan, I'd have a clearer idea of the options facing me. Thinking about it, I'd be more likely to back out at Moria. The thought of being trapped underground and attacked from all sides, even if it's not known when you first step in, is a tough challenge to face. I could have handled the wilderness. If you're going with Aragorn et al, at least you end up with decent company and a horse. I would make it through Mordor through sheer endurance and some good pacing. __________________ 'The Hobbit' 1st impressions: 1. Thorin is hot... Oh god, I fancy a dwarf. 2. Thranduil is hotter. 3. Is that... Figwit! 4. Does Elijah Wood never age? 2nd: It's all about Fili & Kili, really. 3rd: BARD! OMG, Bard.