Riddles in the Downs

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Urwen

Okay, but the first mention of it could be in any of three books, and in any of the chapters within....

Meaning I'll have to read every single chapter carefully to find it.

As I told you before, it's mentioned in all 3 books, and it's major enough that you don't have to dig for it, it's something you would remember. Also, the death and the great beginning are very obvious specific events.

If you want the hints, read them carefully and use them wisely.


Even if you don't have a concrete idea of the object, you can guess at what some of the lines might mean, or what the relevant events are.

You were on the right track with the mithril coat in the sense that it has a similar literary (note: not functional!) role as the object in the story, and actually fits the riddle rather well. But the object is not related to the mithril coat in any way, so think of similar but unrelated stuff.

[Urwen]

Yeah, but as I told you, the first mention could be in any of the chapters, and I don't see how the hints could narrow it down more.

Unless it's a horn of some kind....?

[Urwen]

I found this

[The] Herald of Death

to find [One] Ring, to bring them [all]
[And] in the Darkness bind it

[One] Ring to rule them [all], [One] Ring'

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Urwen

I found this

[The] Herald of Death

to find [One] Ring, to bring them [all]
[And] in the Darkness bind it

[One] Ring to rule them [all], [One] Ring'

The formatting got messed up in this post, but whatever it was supposed to be, it's not the Ring. Go back to your other idea.

[Urwen]

I think I figured it out.

Born in the East, - Made in Gondor
I have seen many lands. - During the journey
Silver-clad, - it was tipped with silver
I announce great beginnings. - It was first blown at the beginning of the journey

Announcer of trouble, - It was blown for the second time at Parth Galen
Herald of death. - and third time just before his death
I did as was foretold - if it be blown at need anywhere within the bounds of Gondor, as the realm was of old, its voice will not pass unheeded."
But to bring only pain. - Its remains were found by Denethor and Faramir and naturally seeing them was painful

[Galadriel55]

Hurray!

The answer is correct, Boromir's horn. Your explanation is also correct, though I had something slightly different in mind for a couple of lines. Here are the quotes to compare to:

Putting it to his lips he blew a blast, and the echoes leapt from rock to rock, and all that heard that voice in Rivendell sprang to their feet.

Slow should you be to wind that horn again, Boromir, said Elrond. 'until you stand once more on the borders of your land, and dire need is on you.'

`Maybe,' said Boromir. 'But always I have let my horn cry at setting forth, and though thereafter we may walk in the shadows, I will not go forth as a thief in the night.'

"I announce great beginnings".

`You remember well, and as one who has in truth seen him,' said Faramir. `Then maybe you can see it in your mind's eye: a great horn of the wild ox of the East, bound with silver, and written with ancient characters.

"Born in the East", "silver-clad".

it is said that if it be blown at need anywhere within the bounds of Gondor, as the realm was of old, its voice will not pass unheeded.

Indeed the quote that you picked out for "I did as was foretold".

‘Peace!’ said Gandalf. ‘The news of that grief should have been told first to the father.’

‘It has been guessed already,’ said Ingold; ‘for there have been strange portents here of late.

---

"But you speak of his death. You have had news of that ere we came?’

‘I have received this,’ said Denethor, and laying down his rod he lifted from his lap the thing that he had been gazing at. In each hand he held up one half of a great horn cloven through the middle: a wild-ox horn bound with silver.

‘That is the horn that Boromir always wore!’ cried Pippin.

"Herald of death".


And indeed, as you described, the horn that Boromir carried with him across Middle-earth was blown when the orcs attacked him, and was not unheeded, but instead of bringing him timely help only brought pain and worry to his people in Gondor.


Your turn.

[Urwen]

Okay. While I think of new one, could you please give other examples of things that 'speak'?

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Urwen

Yeah, but as I told you, the first mention could be in any of the chapters, and I don't see how the hints could narrow it down more.

Unless it's a horn of some kind....?

Go on... What kind?