Posted on 03/14/2002 5:07:26 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
This is a continuation of the infamous thread New Zealander Builds Hobbit Hole originally posted on January 26, 2001 by John Farson, who at the time undoubtedly thought he had found a rather obscure article that would elicit a few replies and die out. Without knowing it, he became the founder of the Hobbit Hole. For reasons incomprehensible to some, the thread grew to over 4100 replies. It became the place for hobbits and friends of hobbits to chit chat and share LoTR news and views, hang out, and talk amongst ourselves in the comfort of familiar surroundings.
In keeping with the new posting guidelines, the thread idea is continuing here, as will the Green Dragon Inn, our more structured spin-off thread, as soon as we figure out how to move all the good discussion that has been had there. As for the Hobbit Hole, we will just start fresh, bringing only a few mathoms such as the picture above with us to make it feel like home, and perhaps a walk down memory lane:
Our discussion has been light:
It very well may be that a thread named "New Zealander builds Hobbit hole" will end up being the longest Tolkien thread of them all, with some of the best heartfelt content... Sorry John, but I would have rather it had been one with a more distinguished title!… post 252 - HairOfTheDog
However, I can still celebrate, with quiet dignity, the fact that what started as a laugh about some wacko in New Zealand has mutated and grown into a multifaceted discussion of the art, literature, and philosophy that is Tolkien. And now that I've managed to write the most pompous sentence of my entire life, I agree, Rosie… post 506 - JenB
Hah! I was number 1000!! (Elvish victory dance... wait, no; that would be too flitty) … post 1001 - BibChr
Real men don't have to be afraid of being flitty! Go for it. – post 1011 – HairOfTheDog
Seventeen years to research one mystical object seems a bit excessive… post 1007 - JenB
Okay...who's the wise guy who didn't renew Gandalf's research grant?… post 1024 – Overtaxed
To the very philosophical:
…Judas Iscariot obviously was a good man, or he wouldn't have been chosen to be one of the Apostles. He loved Jesus, like all of the Apostles, but he betrayed him. Yet without his betrayal, the Passion and Crucifixion would never have occurred, and mankind would not have been redeemed. So without his self-destruction infinite good would not have been accomplished. I certainly do not mean this to be irreverant but it seems to me that this describes the character of Gollum, in the scenes so movingly portrayed above… Lucius Cornelius Sulla
To fun but heartfelt debates about the integrity and worth of some of the characters…
…Anyone else notice how Boromir treats the hobbits? He's very fond of them but he seems to think of them as children - ruffling Frodo's hair, calls them all 'little ones'. He likes them, but I don't think he really respects them… post 1536 - JenB
Yes... Tolkien told us not to trust Boromir right off the bat when he began to laugh at Bilbo, until he realized that the Council obviously held this hobbit in high esteem. What a pompous dolt… post 1538 - HairOfTheDog
…I think almost every fault of his can be traced directly back to his blindness to anything spiritual or unseen. He considers the halflings as children, because that is what they look like. He considers the only hope of the ring to be in taking it and using it for a victory in the physical realm. He cannot see what the hobbits are truly made of, he cannot see the unseen hope of what the destruction of the ring might mean--the destruction of Sauron himself, and he cannot see the unseen danger that lies in the use of the ring itself… I just feel sorry for Boromir--he is like a blind but honorable man, trying to take the right path on the road but missing the right path entirely because he simply cannot see it… post 1548 - Penny1
Boromir isn't a jerk, he's a jock… post 2401 – Overtaxed
-----------------------------------------
Oh, I think by the time Frodo reaches the Cracks, he's not even himself anymore! I think he's not only on the brink of a dangerous place physically, he's on the brink of losing himself completely during the exchange with Gollum. But for some reason, the take-over isn't complete till he actually has to throw the Ring in. The person speaking to Gollum is not Frodo, but the "Wheel of Fire" that Sam sees. After the Ring is destroyed, Frodo not only comes back to himself, but comes back with the unbearable (to him) knowledge of what it's like to be completely without compassion. I think that's why it's so important to him to be compassionate in the Shire… post 2506 - 2Jedismom
…Regarding Frodo's compassion... it's a little too much at the end. Even Merry tells him that he's going to have to quit being so darn nice. But you're right. He's learned a lesson about evil that very few ever learn since it wasn't an external lesson but an internal one. (Those kinds of lessons have the greatest impact) Not only did he totally succumb to it, but he was rather ruthless to my little Smeagol… post 2516 - carton253
Well that Frodo was a big mean bully! (to Smeagol)… post 2519 – Overtaxed
So as you can see, everything JRR Tolkien (and Peter Jackson) is welcome here in our New Row, our soon-to-be familiar New Hobbit Hole…; philosophy, opinion, good talk and frequent silliness.
Well, I skipped The Hobbit and have re-read The Fellowship of the Ring, I'll read The Two Towers again this summer. I'll pay attention here, but The Silmarillion will have to wait, 'cause I'm not going up into the attic and search for it in 90 degree weather...
I knew I had seen variations of this blade design before. Below is a Cossack design, but made for one-handed use(from horseback)...it's a simpler design; the blade does not have swell in width toward the end, and lacks a blood groove. 
I was looking for a good example of a heavy Tulwar or Falcion, which the Elvish swords strongly resemble. The only thing I could come up with was this primitive example:
This should in no way be construed to be an apology for my Elf-bashing...I just know a good blade/weapon when I see it...
Don't even get me started on their girly-armor...
"No apology taken!"
Wasn't the armor of the elves in the First Age, made by the dwarves?
Gee Kevin, surely your not saying you have to be girly to appreciate girly things. Are you?
Yes, quite a bit of it was...One of the Elven Kings hired dwarves from the Blue Mountains to mount some or all of the Silmarils. The dwarves killed him when they were finished, as they were so enamored with their work...The Elf probably tried to short change 'em...NEVER trust an Elf...
Somebody want to fill in the names please?
Nope, I'm not. I don't think g'nad meant the "girly armor" comment in an appreciative way. So I just pointed out that it was probably the dwarves that made the armor for the elves.
Personally I believe the dwarves did it as a practical joke.
Elf: I'm here to pick up my armor.
Dwarf: Here you are. *snicker* Try it on to see if it fits.
Elf puts armor on. Dwarf suppresses laughter.
E: There, what do you think?
D: You look great! *snicker* When you take the field you will put your enemy to flight by the fierceness of your countenance. *chuckle*
E: Are you sure?
D: Oh, I'm sure. Your enemy will have not seen anything quite like it before. *snicker snicker*
E: Thank you good master Dwarf. Please make 10,000 more suits. I will send someone by in a few weeks to pick them up.
D: Certainly. *giggle*
Elf departs.
Dwarf is joined by his companions.
Group of dwarves: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
Or something like that. ;^)
The elven king that hired dwarves to make armor and weapons for his people was Thingol. I don't know who may have wanted the Silmarils put on some armor because in my reading Morgoth still has them in an iron crown.
You're right about Thingol. Thanks for jarring my memory... that thick dwarvish skull, yuh know?...
From The Encyclopedia of Arda:
Thingol's doom came upon him when Beren brought him a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown as the bride-price of his daughter Lúthien. He summoned Dwarves from the Blue Mountains to set the jewel in the necklace Nauglamír, and the Dwarves became so enamoured of their work that they slew Thingol in his own treasury.
So it was Thingol what tried to stiff the Dwarves...Bad Thingol...
Well, darn, that's what I get for not paying attention. Was just going to post a long synopsis of the Silmaril and the Nauglamir, but g'nad beat me to it.
Thingol had to hire the Dwarves to make armor for the Sindar, but the Noldor, being the great smiths they were, always made their own.
Remind me not to even go over to the religious wars even when I'm pinged there...(I haven't posted there since last Friday and it's amazing how liberating that is!)
BTW, I'm sure my ancestors would never laugh at an elf (snort!)
Be strong Corin! Do not turn to the dark side!
You're safe back in our comfy little hobbit hole. Here sit down in this easy chair. Warm your feet by the fire. I'll get you a pint and some of OT's wings.
There, isn't that better?
My sentiments exactly...sneak...
You know there's no correct answer for that question. Let's just say they shouldn't try to fly Southwest.
Hullo, friends, checking in between works. Today I did something useful! I am happy about that. I'm still exhausted - is it the weekend yet? At least on Saturday I only have to work six hours.... drat, my sister wants the card. See you later!
Can't be dwarf's fault...dwarves good!!!
I've acquired the secret transcript of the event in question that shows beyond a shadow of a doubt the Elven treachery...
Dwarves: "You Like?
Thingol: "Yes, very much. Here you go..."jingle jingle
Dwarves: "Hey! We say 1000 gold pieces, you gave us 600!"
Thingol: "Ahh, get lost! That's all I'm payin yuh..."
Dwarves: "Oh Yeah?"
SPLAT!!!
See...the dwarves were just keepin' Thingol honest...That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.