Today is my Eleventy-First Birthday!

All the one hundred and forty-four guests expected a pleasant feast; though they rather dreaded the after-dinner speech of their host.... He was liable to drag in bits of what he called poetry; and sometimes, after a glass or two, would allude to the absurd adventures of his mysterious journey....

After the feast... came the Speech. Most of the company were, however, now in a tolerant mood, at that delightful stage which they called 'filling up the corners'....

My dear People, began Bilbo.... Bilbo left his place and went and stood on a chair under the illuminated tree. The light of the lanterns fell on his beaming face.... They could all see him standing, waving one hand in the air, the other was in his trouser-pocket.

My dear Bagginses and Boffins, he began again; and my dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubbs, and Chubbs, and Burrowses, and Hornblowers, and Bolgers, Bracegirdles, Goodbodies, Brockhouses and Proudfoots. 'ProudFEET!' shouted an elderly hobbit from the back of the pavilion....

Proudfoots, repeated Bilbo. Also my good Sackville-Bagginses that I welcome back at last to Bag End. Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday: I am eleventy-one today! 'Hurray! Hurray! Many Happy Returns!' they shouted.... This was the sort of stuff they liked: short and obvious.

I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am. Deafening cheers.... Cries of Yes (and No). Noises of trumpets and horns.... Indeed, in one corner some of the young Tooks and Brandybucks, supposing Uncle Bilbo to have finished (since he had plainly said all that was necessary), now... began a merry dance-tune. Master Everard Took and Miss Melilot Brandybuck got on a table and with bells in their hands began to dance the Springle-ring: a pretty dance, but rather vigorous.

But Bilbo had not finished. Seizing a horn from a youngster near by, he blew three loud hoots.... I shall not keep you long, he cried. Cheers from all the assembly. I have called you all together for a Purpose..... There was almost silence....

Indeed, for Three Purposes! First of all, to tell you that I am immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits. Tremendous outburst of approval.

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.... There was some scattered clapping, but most of them were trying to work it out and see if it came to a compliment.

Secondly, to celebrate my birthday. Cheers again. I should say: OUR birthday. For it is, of course, also the birthday of my heir and nephew, Frodo. He comes of age and into his inheritance today. Some perfunctory clapping by the elders.... Together we score one hundred and forty-four. Your numbers were chosen to fit this remarkable total: One Gross, if I may use the expression. No cheers.... Many of his guests, and especially the Sackville-Bagginses, were insulted, feeling sure they had only been asked to fill up the required number....

It is also, if I may be allowed to refer to ancient history, the anniversary of my arrival by barrel at Esgaroth on the Long Lake; though the fact that it was my birthday slipped my memory on that occasion. I was only fifty-one then, and birthdays did not seem so important. The banquet was very splendid, however, though I had a bad cold at the time, I remember, and could only say 'thag you very buch'. I now repeat it more correctly: Thank you very much for coming to my little party. Obstinate silence.... Why couldn't he stop talking and let them drink his health? But Bilbo... paused for a moment.

Thirdly and finally, he said, I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. He spoke this last word so loudly and suddenly that everyone sat up who still could. I regret to announce that — though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you — this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!

The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 1, Ch 1, A Long-expected Party

h/t http://www.henneth-annun.net/resources/events_view.cfm?evid=1279

The Salvation of the World

Today is a day I look forward to for two reasons, (don't you, too?)  First, today is The Feast of the Annunciation - the day when the Angel Gabriel came to a young girl named Mary and asked her to be the Mother of Our Lord, thus setting in motion the final steps to the salvation of the world.

The second reason is another celebration... a fictional one, I will admit, but a celebration non the less.  For today in Lord of the Rings history is the day that Sauron's Ring was destroyed, thus bringing about the salvation of Middle Earth.

As a devout Catholic and an avid Lord of the Rings fan, I am always overjoyed at how well these two loves go together.  Tolkien was a devout Catholic and this is very evident in his works.  But I'm sure you know that already, so I'll just cut to the quick and share with you some beautiful Catholic analogies (note, I said analogies, not allegories) and 'co-incidences' that I and my fellow Tolkien-fanatic friends have uncovered.

The Beginning of a New Year
This morning my dear friend, whom I shall call 'Flora Gamgee' gave me a call, first to wish me a Happy Annunciation, and secondly to bid me a Happy Destruction of the Ring Day.  During the course of our conversation, she told me that she just found out that in the traditional Catholic calendar, the liturgical year began today - March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation.  Appropriate, since the Annunciation is when God's plan for our salvation was set in to play.
Now, Tolkien would have known about this fact and so I find it of great and exciting interest that he picked March 25th as the day the Ring would be destroyed.  From that day forth "in Gondor the New Year will always now begin upon the twenty-fifth of March when Sauron fell." - Return of the King

The Seven Sacraments
Back in January, I spent the night at another Tolkien-friends house and spent at least an hour and forty-five minutes discussing the Lord of the Rings.  (Oh, heaven!)  We could have talked longer... but decided that as it was about two in the morning we probably get at least some sleep - given the fact that we had to get up early the next... er, that morning.
"Well, I expect that I shall go on sleeping, whether I drop off or no.  And the less said the sooner I'll drop off, if you get my meaning." - Samwise Gamgee
The prevalent theme of our discussion was the analogies contained in the Lord of the Rings.  We are firm believers that there are no direct allegories, because Tolkien said so himself that he detested allegories.  However, I do believe and contend that there are many analogies - how could there not be, with such a devoted Catholic as the author? 
One of the allegories we discussed were the presence of the Seven Sacraments.  To tell the truth, we only found six, but we are sure the seventh is hiding in there somewhere.

Baptism
"Frodo heard the splash of water.  It foamed about his feet.  He felt the quick heave and surge as the horse left the river... He was across the Ford. ... 'By Elbereth and Luthien the Fair', said Frodo with a last effort, lifting up his sword, ' you shall have neither the Ring nor me!' ... the black horses were filled with madness, and leaping forward in terror they bore their riders into the rushing flood.  Their piercing cries were drowned in the roaring of the river as it carried them away." - The Fellowship of the Ring
  
For those who are not familiar with the Catholic Sacrament of Baptism, the candidate renounces Satan and all his evil works, is immersed in or has the water poured over his head and the black stains of Original Sin are washed away, in much the same way that Frodo rides through the river, tells the servants of Sauron to go away and the Black Riders being swept away by the flood.  (There are other actions involved - such as the anointing with oil and lighting the baptismal candle, but as they do not directly pertain to the analogy I am trying to demonstrate, I did not mention them.)


Confession 
"Aragorn knelt beside him.  Boromir opened his eyes and strove to speak.  At last slow words came. 'I tried to take the Ring from Frodo,' he said.  'I am sorry.  I have paid.'" - The Two Towers
 
This analogy is not quite as obvious in the books, but has a beautiful representation in the movies, particularly when Aragorn makes an almost Sign of the Cross-like gesture and blesses Boromir. (I am sure the filmmakers were quite unaware of any similarities.  But that makes it all the cooler!)  Boromir is dying after having tried to take the Ring from Frodo, and then defending Merry and Pippin from the orcs.  Aragorn finds him, and Boromir confesses to him what he has done.  As Aragorn consoles him, telling him that he is forgiven, Boromir dies.

Holy Communion
"Often in their hearts they thanked the Lady of Lórien for the gift of lembas, for they could eat of it and find new strength even as they ran." - The Two Towers
"The lembas had a virtue without which they would long ago have lain down to die.... it fed the will, and it gave strength to endure, and to master sinew and limb beyond the measure of mortal kind." - The Return of the King

As much has already been written on the similarities of the lembas bread and the Eucharist - it being the more obvious of the analogies -  I will not add my own interpretation here.  I will only say... wow.  Is that last quote amazing or what?

Confirmation
"'We have drunk the cup of parting," she said, 'and the shadows fall between us.  But before you go, I have brought in my ship gifts which the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim now offer you in memory of Lothlorien.'" - The Fellowship of the Ring

This is another of the more hidden ones, but it is no less beautiful for it being hidden.  While Galadriel is not like a Bishop, or the Holy Spirit, she most certainly was inspired to give her gifts to the Fellowship.  Nine gifts, gifts that would strengthen and help each bearer in one way or another in their struggle against the evil of Sauron.

Matrimony
"And Aragorn the King Elessar wedded Arwen Undomiel in the City of the Kings upon the day of Midsummer, and the tale of their long waiting and labours was come to fulfillment."
And so it was settled.  Sam Gamgee married Rose Cotton in the Spring of 1420 (which was also famous for its weddings), and they came and lived at Bag End." - The Return of the King


I don't think I need to explain this one very much, do I? ;)  As we all know, Aragorn and Arwen, Faramir and Eowyn and Sam and Rosie were all married and all had long and beautiful lives together.

Holy Orders
Now I must confess that this is the Sacrament we are stumped on.  We are quite sure there is an analogy somewhere, but have not quite found it yet.  Any help?
Perhaps though... we are looking at this the wrong way... Read the later section titled "A Priest and a Deacon" and then give me your thoughts on the matter.

Anointing of the Sick
"So at last Faramir and Eowyn and Meriadoc were laid in beds in the Houses of Healing; and there they were tended well.
'The hands of the king are the hands of a healer.'" - The Return of the King

The Houses of Healing were a place in the city of Minas Tirith where those who were ill or dying were brought to be healed.  Many could be cured by ordinary means, but some required the special touch of the King.  It reminds me of how we often fall ill, but sometimes we need this sacrament, the healing of the King, to help us through our illness.  The beauty of it is that the Anointing of the Sick (formerly called 'The Last Rites') provides spiritual healing as well - just as Faramir and Eowyn were also healed of spiritual ailments in the Houses. 

A Priest and A Deacon
I cannot take credit for discovering either of the following analogies, having been informed myself by my friend Flora Gamgee and the other friend I mentioned who does not have a name.  Hmmm... I need to tell her to fix that.
While at the sleepover with my nameless friend, she mentioned that in ways Frodo was like a priest and Sam like a deacon.  Frodo had his specific task he was given, just as the priest has his.  Sam, as with the deacon, could not do Frodo's task for him - but he could help him to accomplish it.  Also, in case you never noticed, Frodo does not get married, just as a priest cannot, while Sam does.  (It is permissible for a deacon to be married, though technically they have to get married before they become a deacon.  Which is why these are analogies, not allegories.)

Finally, something that Flora pointed out to me that I found quite fascinating.  Before Frodo and Sam start their journey up Mount Doom (which has been likened to Christ's journey up Calvary) they eat the last bit of their food, they have their Last Supper.  As Frodo journey's up the mountain, bowed down with the weight of his burden, he stumbles and falls until at last he can go no further.  Then Sam helps by picking up Frodo and carrying him until he has the strength to go on.  (Simon of Cyrene, anyone?)

At that point the similarities stop, as Frodo gives in to the Ring's power.  But that is only natural.  Frodo was human - er, hobbit - and was able to give into temptation.  As I said before, that's why these are analogies and not allegories.  While some might discredit the imperfect fit of what I have just outlined, to me the fact that these incidents are not perfect fits, are not allegorical makes them that much more beautiful and fascinating.

So one these two special days - one Catholic, the other fictional - I hope I have given you something to ponder and marvel at the beauty of God's creation.  Thank you for bearing with me in my very long post.  =)

Nai haryuvalyë melwa rë!

(May you have a lovely day)

~ Silmarien

Oh dear...

I am just set on ruining LOTR, aren't I? *shakes head* Well, Earwen inspired me, so blame her! ;)

But you'll be laughing way to hard to blame anyone, so never mind.

Ahem!

An all new Christmas concert staring....

Gollum!

Soyousay!

The Witch King of Angmar!

Saruman!

and a special surprise guest star!

In a disco Christmas dance!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Classic style....

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

If You Don't Want the Lord of the Rings to be Ruined Forever, Don't Read Past This Point.

When Tolkien created the Ringwraiths, I don't think he expected that one day there would be Ringwraith fangirls. But there are! I mean honestly, wraiths are so awesome!

I suppose that it is all my friend Lanta's fault... after all, she's the one who started it by falling in love with and marrying the Witch King of Angmar. Then again... I had created this awesome, adorable and sarcastic Ringwraith named Soyousay before then. So we get equal blame. ;)

Well our love of Ringwraiths has reached new proportions. I am quite positive that Tolkien turned over in his grave last night during a certain conversation I had with Lanta. We had gotten the idea to name all the wraiths before, but last night we actually did it.

Now, we decided that the wraiths have two names, their evily cool elvish-y names and their code names. How are these code names determined? By their most common phrase that they say! (Like Soyousay quite regularly responds with "So YOU say!")

Oh, you also need to know that The Witch King is actually two people, Cor (Lanta's husband) and Cor's evil twin brother. So there are actually ten Ringwraiths because Sauron told them to share the ring. (That's a really long story. I'll tell it some other time.)

Anyhow, so between Lanta and myself, and myself and my sisters, all ten Nazgul now have code names! They are pretty indicative of their personalities. It's hilarious

Shutup = Cor's evil brother
Whatnow = Cor
Soyousay = my wraith and BF
Sowhat = Soyousay's younger brother
Yeahright = Sowhat and Soyousay's uncle
Whatever = random wraith at this point
Whocares = ditto
Ofcoursenot = ditto
Offine = ditto
Tim = the spoiled ten yr. old brat

Yes, you read that right, Tim (actually, he would say "It's 'im!" but everyone always thought he was saying "Tim".)

Anyhow, after Sauron gave out the first 8 rings, he was looking around for the last king to give the ring to. He went all over the place, but no one would take it! No one! Finally Sauron stumbled across this little kingdom, ruled by this bratty ten year old king. Why Sauron didn't give the ring to the regent, I have no idea, but he was fed up with searching and gave it to Tim, who took it gladly.

Note: The reason you don't see any short Ringwraith's in the movies is because the rest all forced Tim to wear these stilts, since a short wraith is hardly terrifying.


And there you have it. I intend to write a story about how they all became wraiths at some point. It shall be quite fun! The Tolkien purists will all kill me.

But who cares?

5 Quick Takes Saturday - Vol 22

~ 1 ~
I love country music. And country music artists. While some of them can get a bit off track - as do the majority of entertainers - for the most part country singers have their heads on straight. Carrie Underwood for example. We had on the radio last night and at the time Carrie had called in to be on the show and listeners were calling in and asking questions. One caller asked, "What do you see yourself doing in 5-10 years?"
It was so refreshing to hear Carrie respond that she was just going to wait and see what God had planned for her, because if you plan out your future you might miss something that you should be doing. So great to hear from a rising country star!

~ 2 ~

Here is the poem that I wrote yesterday for PePoWriMo. It's a terzanelle, a cross between a villanelle and a terza rima. It's fun to write!

Why must you go away my love?
It is more than my heart can bear.
Why must you go away my love?

Aren't we our lives supposed to share?
Don't go and leave me all alone,
It is is more than my heart can bear.

What will I do when you aren't home?
The thought of it makes me afraid,
Don't go and leave me all alone.

Don't make us wish that you had stayed,
What if something happens to us?
The thought of it makes me afraid.

You know sometimes it's hard to trust
That everything will be alright.
What if something happens to us?

I will wait for you this long night.
Why must you go away my love?
As from my eyes the tears I fight.
Why must you go away my love?


~ 3 ~

I just realized that I haven't shared my tragic Itallian love poem with you! Shame on me!

Lament for Ravioli
I made my ravioli, so
Plump and so smooth. In the pot I
Set it to cook, my lovely dough.
Could I’ve known I must say good-bye?

For the phone rang and I forgot
All about my simmering pot.
My ravioli’d burst, ‘twas gone.
I shall as well ‘fore very long.


You see, this form of poetry is called a rispetto, and is an Italian form. I wanted to write something depressing, but the more I thought of it, I just couldn't! I mean, Italian's just aren't depressing people! So I decided I must write a love poem, which would be fitting. But about what exactly? While I was thinking, I randomly mentioned how the thought of ravioli was just filling my mind during Mass that morning... and a depressing Italian love poem resulted.

~ 4 ~

While this next quick take may seem more like something you'd read on Random Profound Thoughts, I assure you I am totally serious about this.

So I have realized that I never enlightened my dear readers on the new term for cute guys! (That you don't want to date).

It all stemmed from a discussion I had with some friends of mine. My one friend (Friend A) drew a super amazing picture of Ben Barnes. Now Friend B and I saw it and were "Oh my gosh, he is so CUTE!!!!" However, Friend C didn't seem to like that, rolling her eyes and saying we sounded just like the girls at the highschool she has to take some classes at.

Now, we tried to tell her that you can in fact say that a random guy or actor is cute in an objective manner, without meaning you have a crush or are all fangirly or whatever. Cute is just an alternative adjective. If you say "cute" instead of "handsome" or "good looking", then you say "cute" instead of "handsome" or "good looking!" (and to be honest, saying "cute" is way more fun then saying "good looking") Well, Friend C wasn't having any of it.

So I mentioned this to Lanta the other night, and her remedy was that we just needed to come up with another word. At first she picked "gory"(cute=hunk, hunk= hunky dory, dory sounds like gory). Then, after Lanta, my sisters Yaviel and Kathleen and I had a bubble/Shakespearian conversation, I had the brilliant idea that cute guys are - bubbles!

And there you have it. Cute guys are bubbles.

~ 5 ~

One last long - er, quick, take. My sisters and I came up with some 'song albums' by LotR characters....


Title: Evenstar
Label: Rivendell Records
Release Date: May 1st, 2951 of the Third Age
Producer: Aragorn son of Arathorn
Genre: Vocal
Track Listing:
Im Arwen
Come and Claim Him
Crownless Shall Be King
Longsleeves
Mine to Give
A Mortal Life
Ode to Eowyn (Aragorn is Mine)
What Did You See?
My Choice
One Last Time
If I Leave Him Now
Gerich Meleth Nin
My Child
Bonus Track: I Can’t Wait ‘Till He’s King
Critic Review: This latest Arwen release is a joy to the elvish ear… a glistening waterfall of sound, cascading melodies and flowing rhythm. Both her instrumentals (like Longsleeves) and vocals (The amazing Ode to Eowyn, for example) are pinnacles of her genre. Alas, this glistening gem is marred by one fatal flaw… her rather jarring break from her typical style into a rocking “I Can’t Wait ‘Till He’s King.” We suspect it is a parody of another popular song. ~ Noteriel


Title: Sons of Stewards
Label: Whitetree
Release Date:
Producer: Denethor
Genre: Country Western
Track Listing:
A Dream
Losing a Brother
Dad
Give it To Me
Not with 10,000 Men
Burn
Then it is Forfeit
I See Your Mind
If I Should Return
Gondorian Soldier
Courtesy of the White Tree, Yahoo
Just a Ring
Wraiths Fly By
Critic Review: The Sons of Stewards make a smashing break into the world of Country Music with their title release album. Lead singers Boromir and Faramir wow the crowds with their uptempo and heartfelt songs. Singing both solos and duets, these brothers belt out stirring song after stirring song. From Boromir’s Toby-Kieth-like ‘Courtesy of the White Tree, Yahoo!’ to Faramir’s ‘Wraiths Fly By’ to their duet ‘Gondorian Soldier’, the Sons of Stewards will have you coming back for more! - Musicorn




Title: Away
Label: Bigfeet
Release Date: November 3rd, 1419 in S.R. of the Third Age
Producer: Bilbo Baggins
Genre: Rock
Track Listing:
Sweet Home Hobbiton
Fool of a Took
Ash on my Tomatoes
Shortcut to Mushrooms
Worth Fighting For
Long Walk
Little People, Big Deeds
Stinker ‘n’ Slinker
Spiders, Orcs and Wraiths (Oh My!)
Talking Trees
Elevnsies
It’s the Ring
Closer to Danger, Further from Harm
I’m Hungry
Bonus Track: Potato Rap
Critic Review: The Hobbit’s have done it again. Their latest album Away is another thumping good time in the Shire, filled with toe-tapping music from start to finish. One album you won’t want to miss. - Stac Cato

Halloween Pictures!

For Halloween this year we didn't go trick-or-treating (colds and we don't need the candy, alas). No, instead Kathleen, Yaviel, my mom and my sister whom I STILL haven't come up with a nickname for did something much more fun... went to go see a play of "The Hobbit!" It was soooo cool, and very well done!

In honor of the occasion, Yavi, Kathleen and I dressed up. :)

I am the hobbit, Yaviel is the elf and Kathleen is a woman from LakeTown. (I couldn't convince her to be a dwarf...) Yaviel being taller than me came in handy for once, as it made me look more like a hobbit when I stood next to her.

Since I was being a hobbit, of course I had to curl my hair! I took too long to do the first half (or else started too late) and so I was frantically finishing the second half ten minutes before we had to leave. It turned out very curly...

And so that, my dear people, is how I celebrated Halloween this year.

Ps. In case you were wondering, I dressed as Servant of God Rose Hawthorne for All Saints Day, but I don't have pictures. :P

September 29th

Today I am leaving Avallone for Alqualonde where I shall be staying for a year to advance in my studies and learn more of the history of Middle Earth. I shall miss my family, but they have promised to visit often. And I am sure my dear friends will not allow me to be lonely too often!

This last week has been quite a lovely one, and I shall remember it for a while. Before I leave for Alqualonde, I shall finish it off with a picnic. Today is the day that Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond and Galdriel left Middle Earth for Valinor. We shall be meeting with Elrond and Galadriel (how exciting!) for a little feast in celebration.

It is a bit of a bittersweet day, happy for me, because that is when I met them all, a bit sad for them, because they left many good friends behind. I have planned a song for our event, which I think fits well for all of us as we continue on.

Namarie!

September 28th

My friends and I all came up with captions for the paintings I mentioned a few entries ago. I picked my favorites from among my friend's suggestions, and then wrote down some of my own. Enjoy!



Mine: Sam: You can keep standing there forever, the door is NEVER going to move.

Anonymous: Frodo: They closed the shoe store. Sam: So much for new shoes.



Mine: These gates are off limit's to enemies of Sauron? I'm terribly sorry, I didn't know. If I see one I shall inform you immediately.

Remmirath: *shakes head* I can't believe Sauron sent his Orcs in first, Trolls are SUCH a better idea!!


Mine: Pippin: Oh say can you seee.....
Merry: Er, well, I think I can.

Anonymous: Pippin: "How many time do I have to say it. If you can't even see the back of my head then you really do need glasses."


Mine: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf watch with thinly veiled frustration as Merry attempts to do the YMCA, again.

Anonymous: Aragorn with a fake smile clenched on his face: 'I wish Legolas would take off his elf pajamas!'


Mine: Gandalf experiences mixed emotions as he realizes that it's not a Balrog following them, it's the cab driver he "neglected" to tip in Hollin.

Remmirath: Gandalf: Would you look at that!! Fireworks are just as pretty in Moria as they are in the Shire
Pippin: I think Gandalf's finally lost it!! That is definitely a Balrog!!


Mine: A wedding, I love weddings! Drinks all around!

Yaviel: I just found the perfect match for Frodo!

September 26th

Today Frodo, Sam, Legolas, Gimli and I went out on a lovely sail on my little ship. We crossed the Bay of Eldamar to Alqualonde on Valinor. I know my mother worries sometimes that I don't have many friends of my own age amoung the elves, but I just love hearing about the War of the Ring! The adventures they all had! They are all so brave. And thankfully they all have good memories and can tell me all about it. Sometimes it is as if I am really there.

Anyhow, we had a lovely time walking around Alqualonde and then climbing the hills outside the city. As usual, my friends made me sing a song for them. I don't mind, I enjoy singing. Today I sang a song called "Going Home", it makes me think of the War of the Ring.

September 25th

Today I was searching through the documents in the library when I came across two beautiful prayers. The manuscript was old and faded, but and though I could not see who they were written by, I could see that a person named Tolkien translated them into elvish. It's is very odd... here they are below.

Átaremma

Átaremma i ëa han ëa · Our father who art in heaven, na airë esselyana aire esselya · hallowed be thy name, aranielya na tuluva · thy kingdom come, na carë indómelya cemendë tambë Erumandë : thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven ámen anta síra ilaurëa massamma · Give us this day our daily bread, ar ámen apsenë úcaremmar sív' emmë apsenet tien i úcarer emmen. and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Álamë tulya úsahtienna mal ámë etelehta ulcullo : And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

násië - Amen.

Aia María

Aia María quanta Eruanno
Hail Mary full of grace,
i Héru as elyë
the Lord is with thee.
aistana elyë imíca nísi
Blessed art thou among women
ar aistana i yávë mónalyo Yésus
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
Airë María Eruo ontaril
Holy Mary mother of God,
á hyamë rámen úcarindor
pray for us sinners
sí ar lúmessë ya firuvammë
now and in the hour of our death.
násië
Amen.

September 24th

As part of my studies, I am reading about the history of the elves in the Encyclopedia of Arda. Today my studies are on the Teleri, to whom I belong. I have copied down part of the selection in my journal, as a handwriting exercise. I will have perfect handwriting that Gandalf can't critique!

A name for the Teleri, the third of the three clans of the Elves that made the Great Journey from Cuiviénen. This clan of the Elves was 'third' in that it was the last of the three to set out on the Journey. This tardiness was no doubt in part due to the size of the clan: it had a far greater populace than either the Vanyar or the Noldor, and it took two lords, the brothers Elwë and Olwë, to organise its people.

As well as being slower on the road than the other clans, groups of the Teleri fell away from the main Journey more than once. This happened most famously in the area later known as the Vales of Anduin, where an Elf named Lenwë led away a great part of the clan to found the people known as the Nandor.

The people of the Third Clan travelled so slowly that by the time they had crossed Beleriand and reached its western coasts, the Vanyar and the Noldor had already gone ahead across the Great Sea. While his people waited in Middle-earth, Elwë became lost, and many of his people set about searching for him. Others became pupils of the Maia Ossë, and decided to settle on the coasts of Beleriand. So, when Ulmo returned across the Great Sea years later to transport the Teleri to Aman, many of them remained behind. Most important of these were the followers of Elwë, the people who would become known as the Sindar.

Meanwhile the remainder of the Third Clan - a far smaller group than had originally set out from Cuiviénen - remained for a long time on the Isle of Eressëa in the Bay of Eldamar. They were taught ship-building by Ossë, and led by Olwë they sailed across the Bay to reach the shores of Aman at last.

September 23rd

Today I was looking through the paintings that Frodo and Legolas have done of their adventure during the War of the Ring. Who knew that two so skilled with a blade could also be so skilled with a brush! We were laughing over some of them and decided to come up with captions. I am copying the paintings here, so that anyone who reads my journal sometime in the future can come up captions of their own!

(In other words, leave your captions in the comment box! I'll post the best/favorite at the end of the week.)

All photos from http://www.moraya.net/lotr/main.php

Aur Onned Meren Bilbo and Frodo!

The celebration was wonderful! We had a wonderfully huge birthday cake and many delicious dishes to go with it. Quite naturally, Bilbo recited his speech, which I have copied down here in my book.



My dear people,
My dear Bagginses and Boffins, and my dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubbs, and Chubbs, and Burowses, and Hornblowers, and Blogers, Bracegirdles, Goodbodies, Brockhouses and Proudfoots! Also my good Sackville-Bagginses that I welcome back at last to Bag End. Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday: I am eleventy-one today! I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am.
I shall not keep you for long. I have called you all together for a Purpose. Indeed, for Three Purposes! First of all, to tell you that I am immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits. I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve!
Secondly, to celebrate my birthday. I should say: OUR birthday. For it is, of course, also the birthday of my heir and nephew, Frodo! He comes of age and into his inheritence today. Together we score one hundred and fourty-four. Your numbers were chosen to fit this remarkable total: One Gross, if I may use the expression.
It is also, if I may be allowed to refer to ancient history, the anniversary of my arrival by barrel at Esgaroth on the Long Lake; though the fact that it was my birthday slipped my memory on that occasion. I was only fifty-one then, and birthdays did not seem so important. The banquet was very splendid, however, though I had a bad cold at the time, I remember, and could only say "thag you very buch". I now repeat it more correctly" Thank you very much for coming to my little party".
Thirdly and finally, I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. I regret to announce that - though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you - this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!

And would you know it, Bilbo actually disappeared! He showed up later on, but he wouldn't breathe a word as to how he did it. Gandalf doesn't look a bit concerned by the whole matter, so I suspect he was in on it. Ah well, I shall get it out of one or the both of them someday.

September 22nd

My father recently gave me this journal to write down my thoughts and record what my friends tell me of the War of the Ring. I believe I shall start by introducing myself.

Silmarien eneth nin. My name is Silmarien. I am an elven princess. My mother's kin are the Teleri, of those who never left the Undying Lands. My father however, is one of the Sindar, returned to Tol Eressea from living in The Greenwood. I have never seen Middle Earth, but I have heard much about it and the War of the Ring from both my father, as well as my friends who were there and took part in it. I am quite lucky to have such honored friends!

There is Gandalf, the Wizard


Frodo, the Ringbearer


Samwise Gamgee, also a Ringbearer

Legolas Greenleaf
Gimli the Dwarf


and dear old "Uncle" Bilbo, as he is referred to by all of us.


In fact, it is Bilbo's birthday today, and Frodo's as well. I must leave now for the little celebration that we are holding for them. Now doubt Bilbo will recite his speech for us. He'd disappear too, if he could.

Frodo also has another reason to celebrate today, today is the day that Sam sailed from Middle-Earth several years ago to come to Valinor. I think Sam misses his wife Rosie sometimes, but he is happy here, as are we all.

I am glad those portraits I painted of my friends turned out - those Manwe knows how hard it was to get certain people to sit still long enough!

But here I go rambling, and this only my first entry! I really must stop now, if I'm to make it to the celebration in time. Be assured, I shall fill you in on all the details later!

Namarie!

LOTR Blog Week Banners

I made a few banners for the week, and thought i would share them with you. Enjoy!

Announcing the First Ever Lord of the Rings Blog Week!

Attention all Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits! Starting on September 22nd, we shall be hosting the first ever Lord of the Rings Blog Week!

Last year, Vicki , Lizzy/Hannah, and myself came up with the idea (due to being very into Pirates of the Caribbean at the time) to have a Pirate blog week to commemorate the five year anniversary of Pirates of the Caribbean coming to theaters. This year we did the same thing, and while planning, decided it would be fun to do a Lord of the Rings Blog week to commemorate Frodo and Bilbo's birthday. (The 22nd).

So we would like to invite anyone who is a fan of The Lord of the Rings to join in!!! What it involves:

A) You give your blog a new look, which means changing the background, the colors, and title if you wish.

B) Every day do at least one post on something Tolkien-ish, such as last year we did caption contests, video clips of the movie, stories that we wrote, ect.

C) Last but not least, give your self a Lord of the Rings name! You may choose a character from the movies, or simply create your own LotR name.

If you are going to be participating, please leave a comment, with your name, to let me know and i'll put your name and a link on my sidebar when the time comes!

The Lord of the Rings Could Have Been Much Shorter...

Tags! Lots of Tags!

Yay! A whole bunch of tags from Vicki Wicki

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What are you doing right now? Typing =)

What book are you reading right now? Dressing with Dignity

What do you do in your spare time? Go on the internet, read

How often do you get tagged? Oh, pretty regularly i suppose

~VS~
Lord of the Rings vs. Twilight? Lord of the Rings all the way!

Winter vs. Summer? Well, it depends, both i guess.

Fall vs. Spring? Spring

Fall vs. Winter? Fall

Spring vs. Summer Spring!

Cats vs. Dogs? Er, cats

Fairies vs. Elves? Elves!

Humans vs. Elves? Elves!

Humans vs. Fairies? Humans!

*************************************
LOTR tag

Do you like Lord of the Rings? Of course i like the Lord of the Rings!

Is it your favorite movie? One of them anyways!

What's your favorite out of the trilogy? The Fellowship of the Ring

Do you believe it has an allegory? No i do not, because an allegory is intentional by the author, and Tolkien specifically said in the Forward to the Lord of the Rings that he did not write the Lord of the Rings with any allegory.

~Favorite~

Female? Hmmm, Eowyn because you see her more and get more into her character. (I'm talking books here, btw)

Horse? Shadowfax!

Location? The Shire! Hobbits!

Hobbit? Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took!

Elf? Ooh... Arwen!

Human? Faramir, i like Faramir

Dress/Gown? Ack? How can they ask a girl what her favorite dress is? All of Eowyn's and all of Arwen's except for her purple dream dress and the one where she confronts Elrond about her vision of her son.

Battle? The battle where Sauron gets destroyed. (And brilliant me can't remember the name of it at the moment. =P I'm sure i will later though.)

Quote? ONE favorite quote? That's just not fair!!!! Okay, i'm doing two one from the book and one from the movie:

Movie:
Sam: In the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. A new day will come and when it does it'll shine out all the clearer!

Book: "They cannot conquer forever!"

Scene? At Aragorn's coronation, when everyone bows to the four hobbits!

Piece of Jewelry? That's a weird question... Arwen's necklace i suppose.

~VS~

Aragorn VS Legolas? Aragorn!

Frodo VS Sam? Both!

Merry VS Pippin? Pippin

Legolas VS Gimli? Legolas in the books. In the movies, i don't like either one of them.

Arwen VS Galadriel? A toughie, Galadriel i guess

Arwen VS Eowyn? Eowyn

Eowyn VS Eomer? Eowyn

Eomer VS Theoden? Eomer

Arwen VS Aragorn? Arwen

Arwen VS Legolas? Arwen

Legolas VS Haldir? Legolas, in the books anyways.

Boromir VS Faramir? Faramir!

Smeagol VS Gollum? Smeagol.

~Final~

Book or Movie? The books of course!

**********************************

NARNIA VS. MIDDLE-EARTH!

Gimli vs. Trumpkin? Gimli... in the books

Gandalf vs. Proffessor Cornelius? Gandalf!!!

The White Witch vs. Saruman? Saruman

Gandalf vs. Aslan? Aslan, naturally

Aragorn vs. Aslan? I'm sorry, but how can you even compare Aslan and Aragorn? Aslan!

Narnia vs. Middle-earth? Middle Earth!!!!

Prince Caspian vs. Frodo? Frodo, he's way better

Susan vs. Arwen? Arwen

Edmund vs. Merry? Meriadoc Brandybuck!

Lucy vs. Pippin? Pippin of course!

Peter vs. Haldir? HWell, i'll have to break with my allegiance to LotR briefly and say Peter because you really don't get to know Haldir well enough for me to chose him over my "hubby"

The Dancing Lawn vs. Lothlorien? Lothlorien of course!

Centaurs vs. Elves? Elves!!!!

Peter's sword vs. Anduril? Anduril, Peter's sword doesn't have anywhere near the history or coolness of Aragorn

Susan's magic bow and arrows vs. Legolas's bow of the Galadhrim? Legolas' bow

Wargs vs. Werewolves? Wargs, they are more original than werewolves

Orcs vs. Hags? Orcs - same reason as above

The White Witche's castle vs. the Tower of Barad-dur? The Tower of Barad-dur

Gryphons vs. Eagles? Eagles

Uruk-hai or Telemarines? Telmarines i suppose, but only because they aren't as ugly

Catapults or Oliphaunts? Oliphaunts i guess

Cair Paravel or Rivendell? Rivendell all the way!! :D


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Okay so i now tag whoever wants to do these!

5 Quick Takes Saturday - Vol 9

~1~

Yay! I actually have time to do it this week! Amazing. Now to think of 5 quick things...

~ 2 ~

Some graphic art things from me for the fan movie "The Hunt For Gollum". The Hunt for Gollum is a fan made movie (like i already said), about 40 minutes long and can be found and watched online. I will say that i was very impressed with the quality of it, the actors, the music, the action was all very well done and very Lord of the Rings-ish. I highly recomend it!

This last one is a wallpaper, so you can click on it to see it full size. (Er, at least i think you can...)

~ 3 ~

The very first theatrical trailer for The Shadow of the Bear is out!!!! I just watched it, and it's very cool! All of you must watch it! Here is the link!

~ 4 ~

A new and very lovely bracelet from "Handmaid for the Lord Jewelry"!

This beautiful devotional bracelet is a gorgeous blend of amethyst beads: auroray borealis crystals, fiber optics (cat's eye), and cathedral cut crystals. We've completed the bracelet with a beautiful, pewter, heart toggle clasp.
7.5" long, gift boxed.

We have added the dotted cross and Miraculous Medal as examples for customizing. You choose 2 of your own!

Handmaid for the Lord also has two new saints chaplets as well, so you might want to check those out too!

~ 5 ~

Because i'm desperate for #5, and because this was just too weird.... a Simarillion Madlibs.

The nail file of Fëanor

Fëanor fainted a terrible nail file. His -5/8 second cousin twice removed leapt straightway to his side and fainted the selfsame nail file together, and red as blood shone their drawn drill in the glare of the torches. They fainted a nail file which none shall preen, and none should glare, by the name even of Ilúvatar, calling the Everlasting Dark upon them if they kept it not; and Taylor Swift they named in witness, and Barak Obama, and the hallowed mountain of sushi, vowing to pursue with vengeance and hatred to the ends of the World accountant, cashier, waiter or dentist as yet unborn, or any creature, flowered or grotesque, good or evil, that time should bring forth unto the end of days, whoso should clean or swim or keep a armadillo from their possession.