#joan sutherland

Just thinking a little about Rosie Cotton today.

I inadvertently came to develop her and like her more than intended in Flowers of Mordor.

Based on what little of her is mentioned in canon, she seemed rather assertive, brave, and an envelope-pusher. She all but gave Sam an ultimatum to quit dawdling and marry her, and when her mother tried to shush her because there were "ruffians about," she would not, and said "let them hear! Sam is coming home soon!" There's probably something in her of the out-of-the-ordinary and transgressive in her that drew Sam to her, just like he was drawn to Frodo.

So in FoM I made her entertaining and feisty, able to command a room with a story or a song, a fierce protector of her friends, and very much capable of throwing a drunk putting a drunk in their place at the Green Dragon.

And recently, I finished Dickensian, and heard the song "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls" as part of the finale, and it gave me Rosie and Sam vibes. I can see Rosie singing it in a bar for the assembly (but really she's singing it to and about Sam), and then later singing it to Sam in a more private setting, perhaps as a lullaby -- because he might also have sleep troubles after the quest, just not as badly as Frodo.

Here is one of the best-known versions of the song by Enya that sounds rather more like something the elves might have performed, whereas Rosie's version probably sounded like the second video from the finale of Dickensian - a little uncouth and unschooled, accompanied by a single piano, and with listeners singing along. (Forgive the poor quality of the Youtube clip).

BONUS:

Oh, heck, here's another lovely, operatic version of the song by Dame Joan Sutherland. I actually think this is my favorite. This performance is probably reminiscent of what would have been heard in Gondor.

Lyrics:

I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls With vassals and serfs at my side, And of all who assembled within those walls That I was the hope and the pride. I had riches all too great to count And a high ancestral name.

But I also dreamt which pleased me most That you loved me still the same, That you loved me You loved me still the same, That you loved me You loved me still the same.