Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Inkling Explorations//The Return of the King


The subject for this month's Inkling Explorations is: A scene with a traveler arriving home in book or film.

I've chosen the ending paragraphs of The Return of the King where Merry, Pippin, and Sam return home after saying good-bye to Frodo.  I know it's really short but well, short can be good sometimes, right?

Check out Heidi's blog for more posts!

*****

"At last the three companions turned away, and never again looking back they rode slowly homewards; and they spoke no word to one another until they came back to the Shire, but each had great comfort in his friends on the long grey road.
    
At last they rode over the downs and took the East Road, and then Merry and Pippin rode on toe Buckland; and already they were singing again as they went.  But Sam turned to Bywater, and so came back up the Hill, as day was ending once more.  And he went on, and there was a yellow light, and fire within; and the evening meal was ready, and he was expected.  And Rose drew him in, and set him in his chair, and put little Elanor upon his lap.
    
He drew a deep breath.  'Well, I'm back,' he said."
 
~The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
 
 
Isn't that a beautiful piece of writing? 
 
*****
 
Have you read The Return of the King?
Which is your favorite book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy? 
(If you have a favorite, that is.  Personally I'm horrible at picking favorites.)
Oh!  And isn't the ending just soooo sad?
(Why does Frodo have to leave? Why, oh why, oh why?  *sob*)


12 comments:

  1. Ohhhhh!! Love that part.

    Yes I've read the book.
    NO I can't pick a favorite.
    Yes it is sad!

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    1. I know! It's so good, isn't it?

      My thoughts exactly!! ;)

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  2. That IS good writing! I haven't read any LOTR books, but I kind of read The Hobbit. I've watched the movies, though. They seem masterfully written/produced, but it's like constant stress until the very end!

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    1. Ohhh! I totally know what you mean! Yes, the movies are constant stress the whole way through. The books aren't like that, though. They're much more balanced in regards to suspenseful parts and peaceful/fun parts. You really should try them sometime! :)

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  3. MISS MARCH!!!! You win on best selection!! How can anyone top Tolkien? I ask you?!

    "And he went on, and there was a yellow light, and fire within; and the evening meal was ready, and he was expected. And Rose drew him in, and set him in his chair, and put little Elanor upon his lap."
    I love this part. He was expected, his meal was ready. And Rose was sure to put Elanor on his lap as both a comfort for Frodo's loss and a reminder of his journey now, with his family. :D

    Love it, Miss March!!

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    1. Haha. Well, thank you. ;)

      "He was expected, his meal was ready. And Rose was sure to put Elanor on his lap as both a comfort for Frodo's loss and a reminder of his journey now, with his family." "...a comfort for Frodo's loss"...ohhh! Don't make me CRY! :( Seriously, though, I love how you worded that. Little children really are one of the greatest comforts in this world. :)

      Thanks, Cordy!! :D

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  4. Yes, oh yes, this is such a good book. He's such a good author. It almost makes me weep to think how good he is at it. ;)

    I don't know what my favourite of the series is... they're all just one, really, to me. I guess Return of the King is my favourite, but I love them all dearly.
    Yes, the ending is terribly sad, but I wouldn't really have it any other way. It was beautifully bittersweet. Bitter enough to leave your heart aching a little, but sweet enough that it makes you smile through your tears and say, "That was a beautiful story. I want to start it all over again." :)

    ~Miss Meg

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    1. Ha! Yes. I think I could weep, too. (Probably out of frustration at the unfairness of someone being THAT good at it. Haha. ;))

      Oh, I agree. They really are like one book. I can't choose a favorite, either.

      Very true. Despite the sadness, that was the best way for the book to end. And you certainly are able to find a smile even through the tears. :)

      Thanks for your comment, Miss Meg! :D

      ~Miss March

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  5. Aw! Such a bittersweet scene -- great selection! I chose to write about when Bilbo returns to the Shire...the link is here if you would like to read it: http://creativexplorations.com/coming-home-inkling-explorations/

    Emma | www.creativexplorations.com

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    1. Thanks, Emma! And that's so cool that you picked a selection from Tolkien, too. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the link! :)

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  6. Thanks for making me sad, Miss March! :(

    (But actually, it's a lovely section. Great choice!!)

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    1. For a minute there I thought, "Wait! What did I do to make Natalie sad?" and then I realized what post you were commenting on. Haha. :) Sorry about that, dear. :(

      (Isn't it, though? I'm glad you approve of the choice! I had a rather hard time coming up with one this month. :))

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