#post-quest

the idea that they both had to go through these unspeakable horrors, far far away from anything they’d ever known. and then despite finally reaching the comfort of home, they’re still so frightened. frodo is sick and horribly traumatised. sam has to care for him, internally processing the fact that he won’t recover if he stays in middle earth for much longer, whilst also dealing with his own trauma, which will remain with him forever.

They’re going on an adventure

Bonus fluff…

Finalmente, el Elegido, junto al Gran Hechicero han vencido en la campaña final contra el Gran Mal que vino del mar. El Terrible Ejército ha sido derrotado y los reinos de la Nueva Tierra liberados de la gran amenaza que estuvo a punto de destruirlos a todos. Ahora que el polvo comienza a asentarse y los fuegos de las batallas se han extinguido, el Elegido está listo para recibir la corona usurpada del Enemigo, para así cumplir con los últimos versos de la profecía, que vaticina la era dorada para los 12 reinos bajo el mando y protección del rey legendario.

Deberían ser tiempos de celebración, pero para Manuel, el Gran Hechicero, el triunfo es agridulce. Herido gravemente por la Espada de Sangre, apenas logró sobrevivir al campo de batalla para anunciar la victoria junto a Francisco, el héroe elegido. Con su magia dilapida apenas expulsando la ponzoña oscura de su cuerpo, y su compañero a lunas de tomar esposa y un nuevo propósito, comprende que, quizás, haya una razón para que el Gran Hechicero no sea mencionado en el último trecho de la historia. ¿Qué más queda por hacer cuando su destino juntos ha llegado a su fin?

I’ve mentioned before that I love the scene in Return of the King where Gandalf calls himself a “fool,” acknowledging that he and Pippin are a lot alike.....and that I also love how Gandalf and Pippin have the same basic character arc in ROTK-- Pippin struggling with his guilt over failing to save Boromir, Gandalf struggling with his guilt over failing to save Frodo.

This has been building up to my ULTIMATE Gandalf vs Pippin hot take:

 In a way, Gandalf is to the White Council what Pippin is to the Fellowship.

 Gandalf is reckless and “foolish” in a way that most of the other members of the White Council--Saruman, Galadriel, Elrond--are not. The hobbits think Gandalf is very wise, but a lot of the more powerful people in Middle Earth disagree.

Saruman literally calls him: “Gandalf the White-- Gandalf the fool!”

Denethor says: “You think yourself wise, Mithrandir, but for all your subtlety you have not wisdom.”

Theoden listens to Gandalf’s advice, but ultimately doesn’t trust his wisdom enough to take it.

And one thing I like in the Hobbit films is just how many “wise leaders who should know better” are dismissive of Gandalf-- King Bard, King Thranduil, King Thorin, and King Dain all roll their eyes at him.

And the White Council (with the exception of Galadriel) are the same--skeptical and dismissive of him.

And tbh it kinda makes sense that these people look down on Gandalf?

Because Gandalf DOES have a silly, mischievous, “foolish” side that the other major power players in Middle Earth don’t have. His occasional silliness makes him easy to look down on.

Saruman is in Orthanc coldly preparing for war, using his magic to create an army....

Meanwhile Gandalf is in the Shire at Bilbo’s birthday party, dancing with hobbits, and using his magic to blow smoke rings shaped like boats and set off little fireworks shaped like butterflies.

Gandalf is goofy and human in a way that the “wiser” people of Middle Earth aren’t. This allows those “wiser” people to easily mock him-- Saruman snidely commenting that “the love of the halfling’s leaf has clearly slowed your mind.”

I also think it’s interesting that Saruman tries to convince Gandalf to join Sauron by saying “it would be wise.”  So many people look down on Gandalf’s wisdom/intelligence-- Saruman himself spent the previous scenes berating Gandalf for being an idiot--  so Saruman tries to present his offer as a chance for Gandalf to finally prove that he IS wise after all.  

But Gandalf’s response is obviously just.“Fuck that, I don’t care if you think I’m wise.”

And Gandalf’s “foolishness” ultimately turns out to be the real wisdom, in the end?

 In the books Gandalf says something like “we should trust now in friendship rather than wisdom,” and I think that’s his philosophy throughout the entire series. His friendship with Frodo is ultimately what saves Middle Earth.

Updates on Saturdays!

Chapters: 1/8 Fandom: The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings - All Media Types, The Lord of the Rings (Movies) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Frodo Baggins/Sam Gamgee Characters: Frodo Baggins, Sam Gamgee, Bilbo Baggins Additional Tags: Language Barrier, Light Angst, Post-Quest Summary: