Christopher Tolkien tells us that the manuscripts for this story are “in great, though hardly exceptional, confusion” — so it seems this podcast is in good company. Join The Man of the West and The Nerd of the Rings as we begin to sort through the various versions of the story of The Hunt for the Ring as our four-part look at the chapter continues. The Nazgûl, it seems, have an unexpected weakness; Sauron decides speed is more important than secrecy, but it’s already late in the game; and Gollum successfully hides in Moria after a failed jailbreak-slash-murder attempt. We talk about shooting nerds in a barrel, speculate about Sauron’s pro-con list, and examine the couch cushions of the Anduin. Also, you got lucky, babe, when you found us.
Recommended Reading
Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth
Tolkien, J. R. R. (Christopher Tolkien, ed.) (William Morrow, paperback)
The Silmarillion
Tolkien, J. R. R. (Christopher Tolkien, ed.) (William Morrow, paperback)
The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of the Lord of the Rings
Tolkien, J. R. R. (William Morrow, paperback)
The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of the Lord of the Rings
Tolkien, J. R. R. (William Morrow, paperback)
The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of the Lord of the Rings
Tolkien, J. R. R. (William Morrow, paperback)
There IS a perfectly good rationale available to explain why the Nazgul are afraid of water. It’s in keeping with existing themes of the Legendarium. It’s even got support in other aspects of the LOTRO plot, and I am baffled that Tolkien doesn’t seem to think of it. Remember the role of Ulmo in the Silmarillion?
And thus it was by the power of Ulmo that even under the darkness of Melkor life coursed still through many secret lodes, and the Earth did not die; and to all who were lost in that darkness or wandered far from the light of the Valar the ear of Ulmo was ever open; nor has he ever forsaken Middle-earth, and whatsoever may since have befallen of ruin or of change he has not ceased to take thought for it, and will not until the end of days.
— Of the Beginning of Days
And Ulmo does intervene several times in the story, even while Eldar are under the ban the Valar. And it’s always near water, of course. It’s pretty clear that in Middle-earth the presence of water is also the presence of Ulmo. Have you ever considered what the source of Elrond’s power over the river Bruinen would be? The ring he possesses is the associated with the sky, not water. But he is a descendant of the house of Hador that Ulmo seems so fond of.
If the rivers and streams of Beleriand could be conduits of Ulmo’s power, why not the rest of the rivers and streams of Middle-earth? And why not down to the time of the story? The passage in the Silmarillion does say “until the end of days”. And that would make uncorrupted waters a very risky thing for “servants of Sauron” in general to touch.
Oops, I added an “O” where it doesn’t belong. Shows how much of my exposure to Tolkien’s work is through that game…