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20 YEARS OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (18 DEC 2002)

middle earth isn’t saved because no one faltered or came close to despairing or who sank to their knees in weary defeat. it’s not saved by pride or conviction or even strength. it’s saved because enough people do what they have to do even if they have to do it in the darkness. in the dust. with the ashes of hopelessness and bitterness in their mouths. because enough people took another step. Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, Aragorn, Theoden, Boromir, Faramir, Merry, Pippin. And many don’t. For every hero there is someone who gives into the “reasonableness” of despair—Saruman, Denethor, Grima, even Gollum—but enough. Enough people said “it doesn’t matter if we lose, I will keep fighting” and then they do.

And that GETS me. It is the most hopeful thing about the lord of the rings to me. There is so much that sums up its spirit, so many beautiful quotes and moments, but to me it’s never been the most famous of the quotes about hope and love that hit me hardest but a line from the films. Before the battle for Minas Tirith, one of the soldiers says “we cannot defeat the armies of Mordor” and Theoden answers “no. but we will meet them in battle nonetheless.”

middle earth isn’t saved because no one faltered or came close to despairing or who sank to their knees in weary defeat. it’s not saved by pride or conviction or even strength. it’s saved because enough people do what they have to do even if they have to do it in the darkness. in the dust. with the ashes of hopelessness and bitterness in their mouths. because enough people took another step. Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, Aragorn, Theoden, Boromir, Faramir, Merry, Pippin. And many don’t. For every hero there is someone who gives into the “reasonableness” of despair—Saruman, Denethor, Grima, even Gollum—but enough. Enough people said “it doesn’t matter if we lose, I will keep fighting” and then they do.

And that GETS me. It is the most hopeful thing about the lord of the rings to me. There is so much that sums up its spirit, so many beautiful quotes and moments, but to me it’s never been the most famous of the quotes about hope and love that hit me hardest but a line from the films. Before the battle for Minas Tirith, one of the soldiers says “we cannot defeat the armies of Mordor” and Theoden answers “no. but we will meet them in battle nonetheless.”

Close as Strangers 

A Bellarke fic for @t100fic-for-blm​ donation celebration. 

Moodboard by the amazing @broashwhat​

Summary:

“Please don’t go.” His desperate plea shattered her heart. “I don’t- I didn’t have anywhere else to go. Don’t leave me.” Clarke sunk back down next to him, cradling his cold face between her hands. This time he didn’t flinch away.

-

Bellamy and Clarke have been best friends since kindergarten, inseparable ever since she’d punched the kid who’d made fun of his freckles even though she knew she’d get in trouble for it. Until the first day of middle school, that is, when Bellamy humiliated Clarke in front of their entire class and acted as if they were never friends. It’s their senior year of high school and they’re as competitive as ever, their rivalry and animosity infamous at Ark High. But when Bellamy shows up at her door in the middle of the night, face tear-stained and left eye swollen shut, Clarke learns that there may have been more to the end of their friendship than she’d thought.