LotR -- Book 2 - Chapter 03 - The Ring goes South

[Inziladun]

This is one of my favorite chapters.

Even before Frodo leaves Rivendell, there's a seeming portent he notes (due to his near-wraith-turn?).

But low in the South one star shone red. Every night, as the Moon waned again, it shone brighter and brighter. Frodo could see it from his window, deep in the heavens, burning like a watchful eye that glared above the trees on the brink of the valley.

"in the South", the very direction he must go! Nice.

After the Fellowship sets out, one gets to watch the various personalities we've already come to know interact with the unknowns. The reader may have an idea what to expect from Gimli (though he has his surprises later), and maybe Legolas, but Boromir would be a blank slate.

Even after multiple readings, I like the sense imparted of the cold, cheerless journey between Rivendell and Moria, with the growing menace of avian spies.