Tony Meade
Active Member
SESSION 235
Great bushes of holly:
Great bushes of holly:
- While the Company intends to spend a whole day and a half resting in Hollin, they are also hoping to receive the benefits that come from being in a land once dwelt in by Elves.
- The shelter and seclusion provided by the holly trees literalizes of those benefits in Hollin.
- Since the Elves of Eregion planted holly trees in important places, as it was their emblem, there is a possibility that this is one of those, even though it’s also possible that holly grew naturally.
- Note: The story of Sauron’s war with Eregion and the death of Celebrimbor was not yet conceived when this passage was written, so Gandalf’s emphasis is on peace as its main quality. The evil that Gandalf is referring to may be the long-term residence of malevolent beings or force in an area, such as the Desolation of Smaug, where not only his smoke and smell poisons the land physically, but also a metaphysical destruction caused by their presence. This will be mirrored in the destruction of the Shire that the hobbits must cure after the Scouring.
- The overall effect of their camping in Hollin is merriment, and their need for both food and rest, while important, is secondary to Gandalf’s desire to refresh their spirits after hard traveling.
- This is connected to the merriment that was seen among the Elves of Rivendell, and their desire to sing for rest instead of just sleeping, though they expect the chance for extra sleep as well.
- While the rest of the Company is releasing tension and anxiety, Aragorn won’t allow himself to.
- Note: There is no reason to believe that Boromir did not participate in this merriment, too, based on Pippin’s words later in Gondor, and he seems to have been beloved by his people, as well as respected. Culturally speaking, Boromir probably has more in common with Arthurian knights a like Lancelot than with Dark Age heroic figures like Beowulf, though not entirely.
- Gimli’s speech before had opened up the doors for allowing in song and storytelling as part of their merrymaking, and when Aragorn returns to look at them, it seems to be all eight involved.
- Note: The bantering between Merry and Pippin with Legolas and Gimli later at the gates of Isengard shows that this is not a new thing between them, and probably started about this time.
- Aragorn is probably looking south towards the gate of Moria and west to the Swanfleet River.
- The obvious reason for looking south is that this is their direction of travel, but for looking towards the west is less clear. The fact that he is both looking and listening is important.
- It’s possible that the silence in the west is more ominous than from the mountains in the east.
- As it’s daylight, Aragorn is using caution by standing in the shadow of a tree to conceal himself.
- There is no indication that Aragorn is thinking about anything outside of their current situation.
- Aragorn doesn’t ask the rest of the Company to be quieter because he understands what Gandalf’s intentions are in encouraging this merriment, so he leaves the dell instead.
- This is an element of self-sacrifice in Aragorn, as he takes it on himself to be alert for the rest.
- Being used to traveling alone, this would also be part of his normal way when in the wilderness.
- The tension between Aragorn’s intention to Minas Tirith and as Strider the Ranger shows here.
- Note: Later, this will become more important after Gandalf’s fall and his taking on leadership of the Company, which makes him responsible for the Quest of the Ring, not just going to Gondor.