All this carnivore stuff
This conversation kind of got my attention as I took up deer hunting in my old age. Before deer season, at night I sometimes dream with dread of actually being the deer, looking for safety, but once in the woods I am the happy predator... The family feast, later, which includes wine and vodka along with the venison, is joy.
But this has got me thinking about all that sword fighting in LOTR (and medieval times). Think of what it must feel like hacking away at someone (and being hacked at). You'd think the blood, gore and pain might be horrific.
Still, I admire the swords, they are simple, elegant and lethal. I think Tolkien must have considered them to be companions for their owners as well as works of art as they mostly seem to have been given names.
Not for the faint of heart. I think the weapons, the swords in particular, are very much a work of art and an heirloom to the bearer. I normally would not rave about movies that had a lot of that gore-type stuff in it for the sake of gore, but I am drawn to the artistic nature of the battles in LOTR, and the choreography of the battle as it plays out. The battles are fought with tremendous style by our heroes, and in Legolas, also grace.
Was it good. Yes. Was it fantastic? No. But I tell you, if it had been a while since my last hot meal, it would have very likely tasted fabulous! It was just a little plain. Sam himself describes it perfectly:
". . .nothing's wrong. Though it ain't quite what I call right: no stock, no onions, no taters."
We had the stew with french bread and butter. That's it.
Ecurb...how long had it been between the time Frodo left the Fellowship and when he met up with Faramir?