Elrond the Priestly, Fatherly Figure: The Fellowship Sets Out

As I continue through the Lenten Lord of the Rings reading schedule, again so many themes pop up.  A few observations now, from the first three chapters of book 2 of Fellowship of the Ring — the chapters set in Rivendell, before the Fellowship departs.

As I’ve learned more about the ancient Christian faith, including the role of priests within both Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism (a particular reference point for J.R.R. Tolkien from his early life), I notice Elrond depicted as a priest and father-figure, the ideal that Tolkien was certainly familiar with–such as the priest who became his guardian after his mother died.

Just as such priests provide direction and counsel to the young people under their spiritual care, as to what spiritual activities each person should attempt, so Elrond provides the initial guidance and blessing to the Fellowship. Elrond considers who should and should not be a part of the Company, weighing various factors such as representing the many free peoples, as well as the abilities of each person, and their maturity (or lack thereof). He hears Frodo affirm his previous vow, to be the Ring-bearer. Similar to the role of a father-figure or priest, Elrond feels that the younger hobbits should assist in a way more suited to their abilities, to help strengthen the Shire in its peril; and Elrond’s heart is against including the youngest hobbit, Pippin, in the Fellowship. Gandalf advises differently — to consider their friendship rather than their might — and when Pippin insists on going, that unless Elrond locks him up in prison or sends him home tied in a sack, he will follow the Company, Elrond concedes the matter, though without a strong blessing: Let it be so then. You shall go, Elrond sighs. Iluvatar’s Providence overrules (Romans 8:28) in the end, and it is through the course of what later happens to Merry and Pippin that other great, unexpected benefits come — but in the meantime, Pippin especially later has his time for regret: ‘I wish I had taken Elrond’s advice,’ muttered Pippin to Sam. ‘I am no good after all. There is not enough of the breed of Bandobras the Bullroarer in me: these howls freeze my blood. I don’t ever remember feeling so wretched.’

Elrond continues to advise and pronounce blessing on the Company, including this charge and counsel just before they depart:

The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid: neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the Company and the Council, and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less easy will it be to withdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road.

Clearly, many in the Company do not know the strength of their own hearts, and will be tested as they journey south. Pippin soon realized the weakness of his own heart. Gimli later found the greatest testing of his heart, in his desire to remain in Lothlorien, with the Lady Galadriel. Sam must choose more than once, between another strong love — the pony Bill, and then his father and the Shire in trouble — and staying with Frodo. Of Boromir, the verse of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:12 is fitting: “Let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall.”

Frodo will treasure up the words of the wise — of Elrond, as well as Gandalf – at later critical moments of his quest, for the decision he must make. He remembers Elrond when he later meets up with Faramir: you may find friends upon your way when you least look for it.

Through their experiences on the road together, they will all meet challenges and temptations and difficulties. Yet Elrond, the priestly, fatherly figure back at Rivendell, gives them his blessing as they set out into the unknown:

Look not too far ahead! But go now with good hearts! Farewell, and may the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces!

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Hobbits in the Shire: Iluvatar’s Providence and Protection

The Lenten Lord of the Rings blog has some great thoughts and themes for consideration, from the first chapters of Fellowship of the Ring, the adventures of Frodo and his friends starting in the Shire, then the taking on of the quest, and then as they travel through the Shire.  In the quest motif, from its beginning through later events, it is indeed easy to see parallels to the experience of Lent (as a type of pilgrimage or journey), as well as more generally to our Christian lives as pilgrims in this world, on a journey passing through (this world is not our home) as our journey takes us through times of joy and gladness, and feasting, as well as difficulties.  The themes noted at the Lenten LOTR site (see posts The Real Choice for day 2 and A Slow Start for day 3 readings) include the value of conversations and different types of conversations, festive holiday times, good people versus dangerous, evil people, mercy, the quality of good friends such as Elfs, and even the theme of mushrooms as an embodiment of home.

Another theme that sticks out to me, is the work of Providence, and how the hand of Iluvatar is working to bring various characters onto the scene, and often in the nick of time to avert disaster.  If the evil Sauron were the only power, along with the natural course of events, Frodo with the Ring should have been caught by the Black Rider long before they reached Buckland.  It is as though something restrains the Black Rider each time.  The Black Rider shows up to visit Hamfast Gamgee, instead of coming next door where Frodo is.  The first time along the road, Frodo almost puts on the Ring, but just then the Rider backs away.  The next time, they are saved when a company of elves “just happens” to show up along the road at the same moment as a Black Rider.  Obviously it works as part of a story, the sub-creation.  If things occurred as they “naturally” ought to have — and as it often seems in real life, where we don’t always see the “happy coincidences” that occur in fiction — the story would have ended even before the quest had started.

Yet the same quality, of people arriving, and unexpected events, occurs in the many stories in our world’s history, and in some of the great events told in the Bible.  The story of David and his band of followers, pursued by King Saul and his army, has some similarities.  One time, Saul’s men are very close to capturing David, when a messenger intervenes, such that Saul and company must back off and go elsewhere.  Saul is kept from harming David time and time again.  Satan can only do as much harm to Job as God will allow; there is a restraint on the worker of evil.  Wars among nations have gone differently due to seemingly small, unexpected events, such as the betrayal plans of Benedict Arnold falling into the hands of the American side.  When Queen Esther asked for a one-day delay answer to King Ahasuerus, the next night and day of Providential events changed the outcome.

So in our daily lives, often God brings people to us, at the “right” moment — a “chance” meeting with an acquaintance, an encouraging word at the right time when the person is depressed, information from one person is shared (in a blog post, or other online post) that answers another person’s particular situation.  One person’s need for a job to be done is filled in the person with the right skills, there at the needed time. Unexpected hospitality comes, such as Frodo experiences from both the elves (and particularly Gildor) and Farmer Maggot, who are provided at the right time, companions for the situations at hand.  Through all of this we marvel at the providence of Iluvatar.

 

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