Aragorn is only described as having a look of joy twice: here, and the fields of Cormallen.
This seems to be an expression of relief after so many days and nights of physical strain, on top of mental and spiritual effort, having someone like Glorfindel at last to assist him.
Strider has been putting on a brave face for the sake of the hobbits up until now. He has carried the responsibility of protecting the hobbits and also of keeping the Ring from the Enemy.
He takes a risk by running out into the open and leaves the hobbits to follow him on their own.
Strider will comment on the weight of the responsibility of leadership of the quest after Gandalf’s fall in Moria. This is more than leadership under normal conditions.
The strain on Aragorn will show later in other places, such as the pursuit across Rohan, or the use of the palantir, but this may be the most strained we see him.
The look of joy is more than just the relief of stress, however, but an actual infusion of energy.
The relationship between Aragorn and Glorfindel is definitely a friendship, or even somewhat familial, with Aragorn having grown up in Rivendell, so this is a reunion of a close bond.
We will see a similar kind of reunion when Aragorn is reunited with Halbarad in Rohan.
This is the first time that we have seen Strider so effusive, and possibly the most we ever will.
Another time that the word “joy” is used is when Éomer recognizes the standard on the ships.
Aragorn will feel and even express joy in other places, but he will never be this demonstrative.
Comment on the image of Elves in Tolkien:
The lingering image of somber Elves in Tolkien’s works may be a relic of The Silmarillion, which is operates like a history text highlighting important events and concepts of the legendarium.
In human histories, a similar phenomenon occurs, but we accept that humans can be silly, too.
Sam’s insight about the duality of elves as both old and young, and both gay and sad, points to the fact that the elves would be equally serious and silly, Glorfindel among them.
The Silmarillion is a very selective narrative, highlighting only the most heroic and tragic events. However, it doesn’t give a reader a sense of the daily life and behaviors of the Elves.
It’s only in The Hobbit that we get a glimpse of “normal life” for Elves, and some of their activities and their joy in being part of the world may be seen as silly by the Dwarves.
Glorfindel tells a tale:
The word “joy” is used again quickly to describe Frodo’s expression when learning about Gandalf. He is interested in Gandalf’s safety, proximity, and his sending help to them.
It’s important that Glorfindel says he is not the only one who can ride openly against the Nine, though they are few, but it’s not clear who the others could be.
Glorfindel is probably the greatest of those as he was the one sent on the East Road, which is the most likely route of the hobbits and the Black Riders.
The others would be unlikely to encounter any of them in the Wilderness, but may include other named elves like Erestor, the sons of Elrond, or even Elrond himself.
There are many Calaquendi, especially Noldor, still dwelling in Rivendell, including Gildor’s folk.
There is an element of gross understatement in Glorfindel’s description of driving the three Ringwraiths from the bridge and pursuing them, as well as the other two he encountered later.
Strider’s instinct that the bridge would be held against them was correct, as this was logical for the Ringwraiths to do, and it took Glorfindel’s riding to clear that obstacle for them.
It’s not that he is able to stand up to the Ringwraiths, they will not stand up to him, and flee.
On Gandalf’s identity vs. the Nazgûl:
The Ringwraiths take strength when they are together, and when they faced Gandalf it was all Nine of them against Gandalf alone. They will later pursue Glorfindel and Frodo with all Nine.
Gandalf’s power as a Maia spirit is tempered by his incarnation in the form of the Wizard.
His power is veiled and restricted by this kind of embodiment, which is different from Melian’s embodiment, as she still had full access to her power and knowledge as a Maia.
Gandalf is subject to the weaknesses and hardships of the body and is afraid of death. Much of this will change upon his return as Gandalf the White, which may be of a different kind.
Also, one of the dangers of the One Ring is that it could get past the limitations of the Wizards and engage their full power to wield it. Overcoming barriers is the purpose of the One Ring.
The Ringwraiths may not understand who and what the Istari are, and it’s not clear that Sauron is fully aware of their nature, either. Saruman is able to daunt the Nazgûl with his voice.
Its important that we as readers, especially as re-readers, know more about the world than any of the characters do at any point in the story.
Elf-lords have shown that their greatness can rival those of the Maia at times and in certain ways. This is shown in examples like Finrod’s and Lúthien’s battles with Sauron.
Does Glorfindel know Frodo’s mission yet? It seems likely that Elrond would confide in Glorfindel, but we don’t know that he has thus far.
That Glorfindel doesn’t name the Ring isn’t necessarily speaking in code for the benefit of Strider but may reveal that he doesn’t know the full story yet.
It’s not clear that Elrond even knows that Frodo is bearing the Ring to Rivendell at this time, though he’s aware of the Ring. Gandalf has not informed any of the Elf-lords of this yet.
Gildor definitely did not know and was only clear that it was of great importance. He is not being cagey, only relating a general sense of Frodo’s burden, which Elrond could infer to be the Ring.
The presence and pursuit of the Ringwraiths, especially all nine, would seem to imply that this has to do with the Ring, but it is an accepted fact among the Wise that the Ring is lost forever.
Sauron has sent out servants to pursue other Rings of Power before, and therefore the One Ring is not the only option. Elrond knows that Gandalf has Narya, for instance.
Gandalf has certainly shared his suspicions about the Ring, and about Bilbo and Frodo having it.
Glorfindel’s journey and counsel:
Glorfindel would have left Rivendell several days after the attack on Weathertop, but before they reached the Bridge, and almost a week after Gandalf’s battle on Weathertop.
He drove away the Ringwraiths from the Bridge only two days before the hobbits arrive.
Gandalf had turned aside from the Road to lead the Ringwraiths away from the hobbits, and weaken their attack, but also prevented his meeting up with Glorfindel on the Road.
Given the numbers involved, the Witch-king was part of one of those two groups of Ringwraiths chased away by Glorfindel. Given his status and tactics, he was most likely at the Bridge.
The Witch-king had faced Glorfindel before at the end of the wars of Angmar and Arnor.
In spite of his victories over the Ringwraiths, his message to them is one of concern and urgency. He is worried that they could be surrounded by all nine of them at or near the Ford.
Note: So far, Tolkien has not mentioned the Witch-king among the Nazgûl so far, and it’s not clear that he would be identifiable unless in the wraith world.
Glorfindel does not show awe at the Ringwraiths and does not dignify the Witch-king’s title.
Note: Much of what we know about the individual Ringwraiths comes from later in the book and in Unfinished Tales, for instance that the Black Rider at the ferry was Khamûl, the Easterling.
Frodo is assailed by the dark:
Sam’s response is in contrast to his usual feelings about Elves, and his anger seems to be directed at Glorfindel for his insistence on going on without rest.
He had loved Bilbo’s stories, and it’s possible that he has heard of Glorfindel and the Balrog.
In spite of the potential to be starstruck by Glorfindel and Elves in general, Sam’s concern for Frodo overrides it and he is willing to stand up for that. He is like the Gaffer in this way.
Glorfindel is not offended or dismissive towards Sam but is gravely concerned about Frodo.
Frodo’s symptoms are like what we have seen before, but more intense and starting to overcome him. It’s unclear that Frodo would have made it through the night without Glorfindel.
The fact that the shadow is beginning to cut him off from the physical world around him shows that this might be the beginning of the end for the wound overcoming Frodo.
Therefore, it seems a eucatastrophe that Glorfindel finds them when he does and helps Frodo.
Glorfindel explains that there is still power in the hilt that remained of the Morgul-knife, to the point that he is affected by it, and he worries that Strider would be affected by handling it.
Note: There is an echo of the hobbit walking song about “mist and shadow” with Frodo here.
Note: There is a parallel between the way Sauron poured his power into the Ring to control others and the way that the Witch-king has imbued his will and power to overpower the wills of its victims into the Morgul-blade. This was not intended to fall into the hands of enemies.
Glorfindel implies that there are more things that he can see in the hilt than even Aragorn could.
Using writing of spells on objects is a constant among magical artifacts, including the One Ring, and like the Ring, they are not always visible to those without the ability to perceive them.
Glorfindel shows respect for Sam’s concerns like Strider had earlier but gives him advice for haste to get him to healing, rather than letting him convalesce, which won’t help.
Note: In the initial concepts of the Rings of Power, they were given away by Sauron specifically to turn people into wraiths, and then repeat that process. Gandalf’s reference to the lesser rings may be a memory of that original idea, though less explicit. It’s possible that the Barrow-wights are previous victims of a process of making people into wraiths, though by different means. Gandalf’s explanation of the idea of fading is not just theoretical but based on precedent.
Morgul-wounds are a known risk, and Glorfindel has probably seen wounds like this before.
