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Morning all! It is a fine spring day out there - yesterday's snow is gone already. I read Mount Doom and The Field of Cormallen last night, and was such an emotional wreck I could not get to sleep for a long time. I love the sheer joy in Sam's "Is everything sad going to come untrue?" when he sees that Gandalf is indeed alive. The Return of the King seems to have the best writing in it, like it took Tolkien this long to really get warmed up.

But Sam lay back, and stared with open mouth, and for a moment, between bewilderment and great joy, he could not answer. At last he gasped: "Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead myself. Is everything sad going to come untrue? What’s happened to the world?"
"A great Shadow has departed," said Gandalf, and then he laughed and the sound was like music, or like water in a parched land; and as he listened the thought came to Sam that he had not heard laughter, the pure sound of merriment, for days upon days without count. It fell upon his ears like the echo of all the joys he had ever known. But he himself burst into tears. Then, as a sweet rain will pass down a wind of spring and the sun will shine out the clearer, his tears ceased, and his laughter welled up, and laughing he sprang from his bed.

And all the host laughed and wept, and in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver and gold, and all men were hushed. And he sang to them, now in the Elven-tongue, now in the speech of the West, until their hearts, wounded with sweet words, overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness.

I love that part, ecurbh! I always say that by the time I finish the part where Rosie puts Elanor on Sam's lap...I feel like I've gone through the journey with them and I'm emotionally exhausted!

I am personally at the part where they are searching for the hidden door into Moria. My sixth read-through since the movie came out.

Thanks for that; yu've got my eyes stinging for the second time today, and it's only 6:35 a.m.!

On the way into work I was listening to the excellent BBC version of LOTR, specifically to Eowyn's stand and Theoden's end (geez, here I go again; is anyone looking?). That never fails to get me. Ach! Sniff!

Dan

Good Moring, ecurbh!

"A great Shadow has departed," said Gandalf, and then he laughed and the sound was like music

Thanks for posting that. It reminds me of that place in Isengard when the hobbits (I don't have TTT with me this morning and I can't remember whether it's Merry or Pippin) are describing the "new and improved" Gandalf to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Gandalf is described as "laughing more." There are other references to the "underlying joy" of Gandalf throughout TT and ROTK. When I get home I'll see if I can't find the quotes for you.

[sigh] Good morning ecurbh! wonderful part of the book!

I had a restless night and slept until 7:45 - unheard of. I think I saw my ponies whispering secretly about finding a better home. They like their breakfast promptly at 6:30.

Well, their dinner is going to be a bit late too... I am going to see the 4:20 show today with my Dad... I am going to be so nervous watching it with him, it will be fun...

I am still sipping first coffees now. Hullo all! - Good morning!

I loved your post.

Speaking of being an emotional wreck ...
Have you been to the Elephant Sanctuary site?

http://www.tappedintoelephants.com/

There is a live elephant cam and the seven stories of their elephants play on real player.Great.

... and the most beautiful thread on Barbara ... Quite long. Very moving.

http://www.elephants.com/barbara_inmemory.htm#ourbarbara

If you are and animal lover this is a terrific site.
http://www.elephants.com/

this is the home site.

Sorry I don't know how to make them live links.