18 - B1:C6 - The Old Forest - [LoTR Read Along]

The Nicks discuss walking in the woods and being scared in real life. The Hobbits come in close contact with the menace of the trees, Old Man Willow, and a stranger called Tom Bombadil.


What Happened Last Time?:

Frodo, Pippin, Merry, Sam, and Fatty Bolger have finally met up in Frodo’s new house at Crickhollow. After a bath, and some supper, the friends talk about what has happened on their journey through the Shire. Frodo, though reluctant, is finally put on the point of telling his friends that he is leaving the Shire altogether, but, as it turns out, he doesn’t have to because they already know a good deal of the story themselves. With Sam gathering information the friends have helped Frodo by conspiring to help him on his journey toward Rivendell. With final preparations in order, a quick night’s sleep is all that separates these Hobbits from their adventure into the Old Forest and beyond.

Where Are We in the Narrative?:

Frodo has finally made it to his home at Crickhollow in his attempt to disguise his departure from the Shire, his mission to take the Ring to Rivendell is about to start. His friends have conspired to help him, which is very welcome to Frodo especially as Gandalf is still conspicuously missing! Though none of them fully understand the dangerous road they are embarking on... they at least have each other.

The Story in this Chapter: 

• Waking up at 4:30 AM is hard to do

• • On the road by 6:00 AM
• Through the Hedge
• • When trees attack
• The menace of the trees
• • With ears to hear
• The Clearing - “Bonfire Glade”
• • Still empty of trees - a safe place?
  • The trees really can move, and the trail on the other side.
  • Can they erase trails or just move them around?
  • • Do created things count differently? Capital ‘P’ Places
• The bald hill
• • Speaking the plan out loud
• All roads lead to Withywindle
• • Down and to the right until you get to the river
  • The Barrow’s effect in the River, and on the forest?
• The Lullaby of Papa Willow
• • Words in the wind
  • Suspicious Sam
• The Revenge of Old Man Willow -or “Get off my roots!”
• • Sam saves the ponies
  • And Frodo
  • OTHER SOURCES: See #1
• Deep rooted laughter -or- Feeling the heat
• • “He’ll squeeze me in two”
• The voice of Tom Bombadil
• • Stops Frodo and Sam in their tracks “...they stopped short as if they had been struck stiff.”
  • Much more to come next time
• An invitation to supper, a lawn, and a brick-lined path.

Other comments or observations:

• A kid teaches us how to make a grass whistle
• LoTRO Tom Bombadil theme
  

Notable Difference(s) from Films:

All of this forest is missing from the movie, the only parts that survive in the extended cuts are lines given to Treebeard and a tree that attacks Merry and Pippin in the same way Old Man Willow does.

Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:

• The Old Forest
• The River Withywindle
• The House of Tom Bombadil

New Characters:

• Old Man Willow
• Tom Bombadil
• Goldberry

Info/History from Other Titles/Sources:

1. The Complete Tolkien Companion 3rd Edition - Entry: “Old Man Willow”
2. More next time from the Letters

What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:

Possibly the strangest creature in all of Middle-earth has just invited the hobbits to his home - what effect will he have on the hobbits, the journey, the Ring?

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