My Sword Weeps:
Notes
by Agape4Rivendell
Notes
Distances:
(from the books)
From Bree to Weathertop – 5 days with Hobbits (should be faster alone)
‘They had not gone far on the fifth day when they left the last
straggling pools and reed-beds of the marshes behind them. The land
before them began steadily to rise again. Away in the distance eastward
they could now see a line of hills. The highest of them was at the
right of the line and a little separated from the others. It had a
conical top, slightly flattened at the summit.’
'That is Weathertop,' said Strider. 'The Old Road, which we have left
far away on our right, runs to the south of it and passes not far from
its foot.' --FotR, "A Knife in the Dark"
From Weathertop to Rivendell – 12 days for Aragorn on foot (good
weather, etc.)
‘”How far is Rivendell?' asked Merry, gazing round wearily. The world
looked wild and wide from Weathertop.
'I don't know if the Road has ever been measured in miles beyond the
Forsaken Inn, a day's journey east of Bree,' answered Strider. 'Some
say it is so far, and some say otherwise. It is a strange road, and
folk are glad to reach their journey's end, whether the time is long or
short. But I know how long it would take me on my own two feet, with
fair weather and no ill fortune: twelve days from here to the Ford of
Bruinen, where the Road crosses the Loudwater that runs out of
Rivendell." --FotR, "A Knife in the Dark"
Distances: (my conjectures)
5mph=15 miles per day 75 miles/15 = 5 days 75 miles to Nardol 15
miles=5 leagues
3mph=10 miles per day 7 ½ days to Nardol in the cart
3 nights from Bree to Weathertop for Aragorn on foot
9 days from Weathertop to Rivendell for Aragorn on foot
1 night out of Rivendell – stayed in cave
1 fortnight – Aragorn says he bathed in Holin before arriving at
Isengard
3 days in Isengard
About 120 miles from Isengard to Edoras – horses traveling through snow
at about 3 mph - 10 miles per day = 4 days travel – probably more like
5 with the snow drifts
League
1. A unit of distance equal to 3.0 statute miles (4.8 kilometers).
2. Any of various other units of about the same length.
Fur·long
1. A unit for measuring distance, equal to 1/8 mile (201 meters).
TRANSLATIONS:
Noro lim – Ride on!
Eala! Hláfdige Alas! Lady….
Wes ðu hal. Be well (be at peace)
mín leofe fréond – my dear friend
Aivotärähdys - concussion
Daymeal – meal at sunset (from LOTR)
Nuncheon – lunch (from LOTR)
AUTHOR’S NOTES:
Chapter 1 –
1) Aragorn is not ‘all-knowing’ – he is still learning. As is Gandalf.
Chapter 2
1) Men might possibly ‘fade’ – especially those with Elven blood
as Faramir is said to have (his ancestry as a grandson of Dol Amroth).
2) Faramir’s long bout of unconsciousness – I attribute it to possible
‘fading,’ to the hideous grief and horror that he is living with, and
to a ‘spell’ of the enemy.
3) Théoden’s leaving. He knows that, even though Amandil has
been found
out, someone in the Mark sabotaged that wagon way back in one of the
first chapters of My Sword Sings. To leave Edoras unprotected, so to
speak, for too long a time, is too dangerous. And, sadly enough, there
is nothing he can do for Faramir at this time.
4) I have absolutely fallen in love with the Rohirrim... due to
Eomund's awesome behavior in 'Sings' - now Théodred is quickly
growing
up.
Chapter 3
1) His brothers (the Twins) call him Estel, but somewhere in ROTK
Aragorn states that, even though he is High King Elessar, he may still
be called Aragorn. I thought he must like the name and so use it here.
Regarding the Twins and their relationship with Aragorn - From FOTR -
Elrond took the place of his father and came to love him as a son of
his own.
Chapter 5
1) I have the Elves and Aragorn riding with saddles; Aragorns’s a
man who served with the Horse Lords and in the cavalry of Ecthelion. I
thought he’d be used to a saddle. The horse he receives from
Éomer in
TTT has saddle and reins. Glorfindel rode with a big, flashy saddle; so
I am letting the Twins have saddles too.
2) I found it also interesting that Elrohir was able to share and
Elladan was not. Grief's manifestations are so different, person to
person. I'm hoping some of this will help Ell with his own grief. And
Aragorn, though he has seen death, has not experienced it in the
familial sense. Seems to me, with his running all over the Angle, etc.,
that he and Gilraen did not see each other much. I wonder if she
'blocked' him to protect his heart? LOTR – The Appendixes – is where
you will find the tale of what happened to their mother, Celebrian,
wife of Lord Elrond.
Chapter 6
1) I found it fascinating in ROTK that Saruman falls under Sauron's
spell almost immediately after he uses the Palantir. In 2989, his
treachery was still unknown, but I believe it was there, hiding in the
caves and tunnels of Angrenost. Neither Gandalf nor Elrond knew of his
treachery until the incident with Gandalf being imprisoned.
Chapter 7
1) Dreams played such a large part in Tolkien's many tales... It
seemed logical and plausible, during this terrible time, that many
involved would be assailed so... however, is it the White Wizard or
Sauron?
Chapter 8
1) As for Aragorn - seems wise to keep his identity hidden. A
little nuzgul went running through my mind about whether or not the
wizard had ever met him or if Gandalf or Elrond had said anything about
him at the White Council... but I don't think so. I remember somewhere
that it is said that Gandalf and Elrond kept his little tidbit quiet.
Chapter 9
1) The Great Library of Minas Tirith held a plethora of manuscripts
both old and new, from Númenor all the way to modern-day Minas
Tirith,
of men and elves and others. Denethor was incredibly well-read, as was
his son, Faramir. I do not think the tales read by a descendant of 'The
Faithful' would be left to gather dust.
2) That Elrond should be called 'healer' would stem, I think, from
the life that he led - battle-hardened, battle-weary, and battle-ready.
And one of the most important parts of being battle-ready, no matter
what, would be knowing the healing arts. After the thousands of years
that he lived, he would be well-versed, I think, and well-known for his
skills - all of them.
3) I like Imrahil - I liked him before, when he saved Faramir in ROTK -
and now that I'm writing about him - I like him even more. I really
don't hold with the tales that say he and Denethor had bad blood
between them... I think the Prince of Dol Amroth respected the
Steward... as well as respecting himself...
4) The severing of friendship between men and Elves was profound. I
think each side 'lost' a part of themselves...To think that legends,
such as a healer from the North, still run strong though - as with
Galadriel - though her legend seems to be more of her part (or not) in
the Elven massacre - could that be what Gondor remembers? And not that
she kept and governed Lórien well? Since the
Númenóreans were
Elf-friends, they might very well have learned of her part in the
treachery and feared her... Though Aragorn seems to say otherwise.
('Course - he's prejudiced - the Elleth is his future bride's
grandmother!)
5) Curunír is still considered ‘good’ by Elrond and Mithrandir.
However, I thought it wouldn’t be too far out of the realm of
imagination, to have Aragorn feel a certain ‘unease’ around the Wizard.
And would Curunír have used his powers against the Ranger –
hoping that
none would be the wiser for it?
6) Saruman - I'm still in a quandary as to why on earth Gandalf trusted
him... Saruman sure pulled the wool over his eyes... OR Gandalf
suspected and was waiting for the Maia to hang himself....
Chapter 10
1) As for the brothers - how does one protect oneself from a loved one?
Knowing that Aragorn would never, ever attack Elladan or Elrohir makes
no difference when he is wielding a torch at one of them. Elrohir had
to do something to save Elladan YET not harm Aragorn.
2) I love how Tolkien gave us tiny hints of the power of the Maiar. I
am particularly fond of the 'locking spell' that Gandalf used in Moria.
3) The burial places in Rath Dínen, I believe were for the rich
and the
kings, stewards, and lords of Gondor. It is said that the place
consisted of mansions and domed buildings. The poor and lowly of
Gondor, I believe, were buried elsewhere.
Chapter 11
1) I loved the fact that the lies of Saruman and Sauron were so
potent. They reflected Morgoth's - the ultimate liar. The snide little
whispers in the ear - unbeknownst to the listener - hideous distortions
made to seem real. So many listened. Not only Théoden in LOTR,
but also
many Elves and Men in the Silmarillion. In fact, when the Edain finally
discover the Aftercomers (Men), Morgoth has already filled them with
lies.
Chapter 12
1) I don’t think that Aragorn was strong enough, as of yet, to fight
the powers of Saruman. Even Gandalf couldn’t as the Grey.
Chapter 13
1) I think one of the hardest things about living in Middle-earth was
the giving up of the innocence of the children. Reminds me of
battle-torn countries where pictures of little ones, 10-13 years old,
wield machines gun. Faramir, Boromir, Théodred, Targon, even
Angbor –
all with lives that were not ‘normal.’
Chapter 15
1) Did I say how much I like Imrahil!!!
2) Wolves – Indis is able, for a time to fend off the wolf. I have read
of tales where, when a love one is threatened, that a mother has picked
up a car and held it up to free her son, or of a mother stepping
between a bear and her daughter and saving the child. I believe
adrenalin is a very powerful piece of the body’s defense works and
would allow Indis to have the strength for a moment, to fend off the
wolf until she found the dirk.
3) Beregond is not the same character as that in LOTR – he is much
older; might be an uncle or some such.
Chapter 17
1) Angbor, in LOTR, is the lord of Lamedon; Beregond calls him
Fearless. He aided Aragorn wit the Grey Host of the Dead. After Aragorn
went further south to stop the Haradric Fleet, he took his force to
Minas Tirith to help in its defense. I could NOT sully his name. He
will definitely be in the sequel.
Chapter 18
1) Éomund - here's the quote from the Appendix that I base his
characterization on. 'In 2989 Théodwyn married Éomund of
Eastfold, the
chief Marshal of the Mark. Her son Éomer was born in 2991, and
her
daughter Éowyn in 2995. At that time Sauron had arisen again,
and the
shadow of Mordor reached out to Rohan. Orcs began to raid in the
eastern regions and slay or steal horses. Others also came down from
the Misty Mountains, many being great uruks in the service of Saruman,
though it was long before that was suspected. Éomund's chief
charge lay
in the east marches; and he was a great lover of horses and hater of
Orcs. If news came of a raid he would often ride against them in hot
anger, unwarily and with few men. Thus it came about that he was slain
in 3002; for he pursued a small band to the borders of the Emyn Muil,
and was there surprised by a strong force that lay in wait in the
rocks.' I love him to pieces - never had before I started writing this
- but he definitely got himself killed!!! Drat... good man to have
around when in need.
2) Someone told me horses never laid down. If they did, it was because
they were sick, dying, or were having a foal. Then, I met Jane Abbott
in NZ - she told me horses definitely laid down - hence, I used that in
the tale. Others agreed and we kind of came up with the three hour
rule. LOL
Chapter 19
1) Drowning in icy water – the body’s first response is to gasp. The
snow-covered water would be dark. Finding up and down would be near to
impossible. As hypothermia progresses, the body ceases shivering (its
one defense).
Chapter 20
1) Aragorn left the inn in Bree in such a hurry that he never gave
thought to the repercussions of him meeting Rohirrim and Gondorians.
His main focus was on Faramir and healing the boy. His grief at the
news of Denethor's death, his self-recriminations for the way they
parted, and a host of other things, all conspired to make him forget
everything else and go off, 'willy-nilly' as Bilbo would say, without
really thinking things through. I'm sure Elrond wondered about this
when his son spoke to him in Imladris before he left for the mission.
2) Some would say that Théodred was way too young to take on a
mission
such as this – but war made boys men quickly. Rohan was never ‘safe’
nor was Gondor. Oaths, for both countries, seemed to be incredibly
binding, i.e., the Oath of Cirion and Eorl. ‘"And Cirion said: this
oath will last for the remembrance of the glory of the land of the star
and of the faith of Elendil the faithful. They shall keep it, those who
sit on the thrones in the West, and the One who dwells above all
thrones forever." Unfinished Tales
Chapter 21
1) One of the hardest things I found in the customs of Gondor was the
fact that, once married, then widowed, folks rarely ever married again.
Difficult for all concerned.
2) It would be easy to become an itinerant healer. I think that,
if you were a healer and did not work in the Houses in Minas Tirith,
you ended up doing some illegal stuff to earn a living, or else you
just left town, so to speak.
Chapter 23
1) During Wormtongue’s reign, Théoden actually ordered that none
be
allowed in Rohan without his permission. I do not think the order was
backed by the ‘pain of death’ punishment until Grima despoiled the
King’s mind. I took this a little further, since Denethor did the same
thing at about the same time, and made Theoden’s decree happen earlier.
Chapter 241) I don’t think it
would have been against Elladan and Elrohir’s nature to use subterfuge
and trickery to free themselves from bondage. Long had they fought
against evil. Aragorn’s inherent nobility and naiveté, I think,
found
it difficult. In the end, something had to be done and Aragorn, though
even physically impacted by the decision, went along with it. I don’t
think this was to the detriment of the Elves’ character.
2) Ragnhild was taking some wild chances, but she had lived for quite
some time and could, as a leech, read people. I believe she felt the
old man in the town hall was so full of himself that he would be too
happy to give out as much information as possible, if only to show
himself somehow grand and important.
Chapter 26
1) I found the argument between Éomund and Indis to be
incredibly sad
and disturbing. How much of it was the effect of Sauron on the land and
the peoples of Middle-earth, I cannot say. But I believe that Indis is
getting near the end of her rope, that she is beginning to believe that
Faramir is dying, and that she cannot allow that to happen, no matter
the consequences for others. Perhaps not valid, but a mother’s love
(and her’s is very close to that) knows no bounds.
2) I went to Shadow.Poetry.com and looked for something that sounded
Elvish – up popped a cinquain…now doesn’t that sound like fun!
According to ShadowPoetry “Cinquain is a short, usually unrhymed poem
consisting of twenty-two syllables distributed as 2, 4, 6, 8, 2, in
five lines. Another form, sometimes used by school teachers to teach
grammar, is as follows: Line 1: Noun Line 2: Description of Noun Line
3: Action Line 4: Feeling or Effect Line 5: Synonym of the initial
noun. The teachers' one does not have a # of syllables, but I stayed
close to the orignal one.
Chapter 28
1) Aragorn is in the same boat as Indis, so to speak. (see chapter
26 note) His love for Denethor and guilt at much of their relationship
is pushing him onwards. His focus is solely now on making amends by
healing Faramir, again, to the bitter end.
2) Orcs were known to be in the White Mountains. It seemed only
plausible to me that they would be scurrying for food. Unfortunately,
they found human food.
Chapter 29
1) I asked a friend who is a surgeon about the use of a man’s
intestines to bind him, and she agreed that it is a very good
possibility that Orcs could use it in such a manner.
Chapter 32
1) Though some of Indis’ company had not received severe wounds, the
cold and loss of blood would definitely account for the lassitude that
Éomund found himself assailed by and the lack of consciousness
of Indis
and Théodred.
Chapter 33
1) I cannot see Aragorn taking the throne at this time. Too much death,
misery and intrigue in the Halls of Gondor. It would have been even
worse timing than during the War of the Rings.
Chapter 35
1) Erendis is the name of a Queen of Numenor. Poor Erendis has mixed
feelings about the name she was given. I never did get a chance to go
into this further. Drat – sometimes tales take you so far and then
leave you!
Chapter 36
1) I cannot believe that there were not wounded and retired
soldiers living in all parts of Gondor. And fiercely patriotic ones at
that.
2) The people of Dol Amroth and the area around Edhellond might
possibly have had Elven blood in them also, not just the Swan Prince’s
family. I think they would be proud of it.
Chapter 42
1) There is nothing in LOTR that I have found that states when and
whom knew of Aragorn’s betrothal to Arwen. I just liked the fact that
he now chose to share the knowledge with his brother.
Chapter 45
1) My father’s cousin, who crossed from Ohio into Nebraska in a
covered wagon at the end of the 19th century, met a man and wed him
three dates later. In the times that Middle-earth were part of, it
seems not implausible for love to kindle and be struck quickly so as
not to lose it. IMHO. So Ragnhild and Borondir’s fire is lit.
Chapter 46
1) Finding Thorongil again has put Aragorn in a very sticky
position. Also, Indis, as Ecthelion’s counselor, knew Thorongil well.
She probably also knew that Ecthelion might seriously have considered
making Thorongil his Captain-general, or even Steward after him. Again,
the Kin-strife was the most hideous thing that had ever happened to the
Men of Númenor once they lost their island home. I believe they
would
do anything to prevent it from every happening again. Which is why, in
LOTR, Aragorn waits before entering the city, waits until he is
semi-assured of acceptance by the people.
Epilogue
1) Some were disheartened when reading this and thought that My
Sword Weeps ended too quickly. However, the whole premise of the
journey of both parties, Indis’ and Aragorn’s, was to rescue Faramir.
Once the lad awoke, this part of the tale was finished.
2) THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL….The
War of the Ring still occurs and who knows what Faramir, as Steward of
Gondor, will do.
