Timdalf
Active Member
The Council of Elrond. . .
General Review and Summary
General Review and Summary
OK, Hobbitious Elf-fans, we began this merely 30 page chapter at Exploring Session 125 on Dec. 10, 2019 - In other words, 66 sessions extending (and I DO mean extending!) over 19 months. . . or approx.. 570 days. . . Now, if you can remember what that covered please enter the Elvish Memory Hall of Perfect Recall.
SO, let me begin what I think all that deserves: a survey, review, wrap up of just what the C of E (not to be confused with the Church of England, also known for overly extended sessions!) accomplished.
If my dementia-ridden memory serves, the CofE breaks into three major parts, accomplishments, tasks: 1) Ascertaining that the Bilbo-Frodo Ring is indeed The One Ring, 2) Proving this to all present, and 3) Deciding what is to be done with it.
In other words, lying before His Half-Elfness Elrond is a parchment agenda consisting of the above, a copy to one Grey Wizard.
Sitting to one side is some secretarial Elf-Scribe well versed in Westron short hand. These would be minutes of this meeting would be consulted by chroniclers subsequently, including one Bilbo-Frodo team. With not a few helpful interjections by one Sam G.. “Oh, Mr. Frodo, sir, don’t be forgettin’ how you spoke up about Mr, Elrond rememberin’ rememberin’, sir, them way way back long ago Elder Days. . ..” and the like.
But let’s reconsider this process (and it should be clearly understood, this meeting is a process – not fixed and finalized program or schema. . .) as follows:
There us a quick run down of those attending as Elrond introduces Frodo to those assembled.
Reports are given on events in the world outside especially the South and East of the Mountains, among them was:
Gloin’s Narrative – the Messenger from Mordor seeking intelligence about hobbits, Bagginses and Ring “trifles”
Elrond’s Narrative – The full Tale of the Ring begins – The Forging, Sauron’s loss of it, Isildur’s claiming of it, his death and its loss (not without a few tangential digressions into the history of Arnor and Gondor)
[This tells the Council of the first, most ancient, part of the History of the Ring.]
Boromir’s Interjection in defense of Gondor despite its decline in the face of Mordorian onslaughts and his tale of the dream words about a Broken Sword and Isidur’s Bane.
Aragorn’s Answer of presenting the Shards of Narsil.
Frodo’s exclamation that Aragorn owns the Ring. Aragorn’s denial.
Elrond calls forth Frodo with the Ring, Isildur’s Bane.
Tension between Aragorn and Boromir.
Bilbo’s interjection of his poetic defense of Aragorn against doubters.
Tension between Aragorn and Boromir over Gondor.
Boromir defends Gondor and has doubts that the Bilbo-Frodo ring is The One Ring.
Bilbo’s Tale of the finding and the Riddles Game with Gollum. Summarized and not quoted verbatim.
[This begins the telling of the recent (Bilbo-Frodo portion) History of the Ring to the Council]
Frodo’s Narration – His dealings with their ring from his inheriting it to the Ford of Bruinen – not quoted, but summarized.
[This completes the telling of the recent History of the Ring.]
Galdor seeks proof that the B-F ring is the Great Ring.
Gandalf begins his Narrative – and turns to Bilbo for his time of finding and owning his ring. This is in response to another doubt by Boromir.
Gandalf notes the pursuit of Frodo by the Nine as one proof.. Saruman’s first diversion. Gandalf’s long delay connecting the dots. He tells of his researches into the account of Isildur in the archives of Minas Tirith.
[This tells of the middle section of the History of the Ring to the Council.]
Aragorn’s digression on his capture of Gollum.
Gandalf proofs the Ring in the hearth fire of Bag End and pronounces the Black Speech verse.
End of Part One - The Bilbo-Frodo ring is proven to be The One Ring
Boromir asks about Gollum.
Aragorn believes he is held by the Wood Elves.
Legolas disabuses him of that belief.
Gandalf resumes his Narrative to answer Galdor’s inquiry about Saruman.
Gandalf tells of meeting Radagast and his meeting with Saruman. Saruman’s fall becomes evident in his attempt to tempt Gandalf and conspire with him. Gandalf’s escape on Gwaihir.
Digression concerning the horses of the Rohirrim.
Gandalf rides to the Shire. Learns of Frodo’s departure. His arrival after Frodo in Bree. His news from Butterbur that the hobbit party met and went off with Aragorn.
Gandalf’s battle with Wraiths on Weathertop.
Gandalf poses the Question: What shall we do with The One Ring?
Elrond digresses (to give them all time to ponder the question?) on the Barrow Wights and Tom Bombadil.
Erestor proposes Bombadil as Ring Keeper. Gandalf and Glorfindel explain why that is not an effective alternative.
Elrond notes the assembled councilors cannot destroy the Ring themselves.
Glorfindel suggests sending it to Valinor.
Elrond notes they would not receive it.
Galdor notes that Sauron would anticipate that and ambush them.
Glorfindel suggests sending it into the deeps of the sea.
Gandalf notes that this is not a safe alternative.
Elrond declares they must not take half-measures, but put a final end to the Ring.
The Ring must go to Mordor where alone it can be destroyed.
Boromir objects. They should take up and use the Ring against Sauron.
Elrond refuses. It will corrupt any who take it up. Gandalf refuses.
Boromir despairs.
Gloin hopes Balin will find the Ring of Thror and their forces will combine.
Gandalf and Elrond disabuse him of that hope.
Elrond speculates on the effect of the Ring’s destruction on the 3 Elvish Rings.
Gandalf sermonizes on despair and folly. And how Sauron will not imagine they would destroy the Ring and not use it. The weak have as much hope as the strong to accomplish this, perhaps more while the strong are active elsewhere. [Thus the entire coming plot is revealed here.]
Bilbo volunteers to take the Ring.
Gandalf gently rejects this option. And indirectly proposes “messengers” be sent with the Ring.
Long pause. Frodo volunteers.
Elrond elicits a fully voluntary commitment from him.
Sam suddenly interjects that he will join Mr. Frodo. And Elrond approves.
Respectfully submitted by Fern Elffrond, secretary and niece to Lord Elrond
Copy in Moon Letters ONLY to all participants.
The Third task of the Council is accomplished. And along the way the Second.
Any corrections, additions, or comments?
I will note one thing: observe how clever and deft a story teller and narrator Tolkien is. The entire necessary factors have been skillfully interwoven together in a way that is neither tedious nor simple. Digressions and tensions kept one attentive and anticipatory.
As is apparent, this summary is only of what happens at the Council, without and comments, conclusions or insights achieved in the Sessions of Exploring the chapter.
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