Category: Lord of the Rings

 The Evening Star

Ngil cennin eriel vi                    I saw a star rise high in the 
Menel aduial                               Evening sky,
Glingant sui mîr                         It hung like a jewel, 
Síliel mae.                                    Softly shining.

Ngil cenning firiel vi                 I saw a star fade in the 
Menel aduial                               Evening sky,
Dûr, dûr i fuin                            The dark was too deep and so light died, 
Naenol mae.                                Softly pining.

An i ú nathant                            For what might have been, 
An i naun ului                            For what never was,
A chuil, anann cuiannen          For a life, long lived
A meleth, perónen                     For a love, half given. 

Text by Philippa Boyens
Sindarin Translation by David Salo

After the drinking, the celebrating and the singing, the company retire to their rooms for a night of sleep. However, not everyone is as exhausted and tired, some have troubled thoughts about others who are still fighting their own battles. There isn`t a drink or a song in the world that can ease their troubles, for they know what is to come.

The mind is a beautiful thing. It allows us to keep falling even when the bottom is surpassed. It can raise us higher than we have ever been, from the highest highs to the lowest lows. An emotional rollercoaster it can put us on. There is no telling what sordid schemes it can produce just as well as the most harmonious and benevolent results it can muster. To understand it in its entirety is to study it for a lifetime, and still, it could surprise us. 

Éowyn awaits the return of the company. She stands before the doors of the Golden Hall of Meduseld, just like she did when Gandalf and the Three Hunters first rode into Edoras. However, everything has changed since she was first introduced to the company.

Saruman has turned sour. All that he once was, has been taken over by the influence of Sauron. Even now, in his darkest hour, he rejects any kind of sympathy from Gandalf. He cannot even acknowledge it. The poison that has protruded his heart has left no place for any warm feelings. He cannot give or receive them anymore. He cannot even manipulate his former subjects through phony benevolence.

What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess. The Key of Orthanc. Or perhaps the Keys of Barad-dûr itself along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!

Saruman

Merry: “It`s good. Definitely from the Shire. Longbottom Leaf.” 

Pippin: “I feel like I`m back at The Green Dragon.” 

Merry: “Mmm. Green Dragon.”

Pippin: “A mug of ale in my hand. Putting my feet up on a settle after a hard day`s work.” 

Merry: “Only, you`ve never done a hard day`s work.”

Frodo and Sam on their way to Cirith Ungol, rest in a small cavernous space. Sam sleeps soundly while Frodo remains awake and alert. It isn`t the fear of the place that is keeping him up. It is the Ring around his neck.

The third and final part of the Lord of the Ring trilogy opens, as always, with a beautiful Howard Shore composition. The Fellowship of the Ring and the Two Towers both opened with a mellow musical introduction that swelled gradually to accompany the action scenes. In the Return of the King, however, the music never reaches such heights, for the scene is somewhat different.