ADKO

farbindex

6 min read

Here’s a summary of the provided text with the requested annotations:

This text is an excerpt from a larger work, possibly a novel or a collection of tales, translated by Liam Tesshim. The preface discusses the skepticism surrounding Professor Tolkien’s discovery of “The Red Book of Westmarch,” comparing it to the controversy of James Macpherson and Ossian, and suggesting that Tolkien’s academic background in philology and his “imagined” world of hobbits, elves, and dwarves led many to dismiss his work as fiction. The preface asserts that The Red Book and other historical documents from Westmarch do exist, and that new discoveries confirm its historical reality. It also mentions other settlements in the Northwest of Middle Earth besides Westmarch, such as Bree, Buckland, Bywater, and Tuckborough, and highlights the importance of new findings for understanding the Third Age, Fourth Age, and Fifth Age of Middle Earth. The text introduces “The Farbanks Folios” as a source of oral histories and Elvish lays, likely composed in the Fifth Age.

The main narrative begins in Farbanks, where a hobbit named Tomilo Fairbairn is working in his garden. He is visited by Primrose Burdoc, who expresses concern about the late hour. Shortly after, Bob Blackfoot, the acting mayor, arrives with Radagast the Brown, a wizard. Radagast explains that he needs someone to deliver a message to Moria, and requests Tomilo to undertake the task, offering a pony for the journey. Tomilo, though hesitant and worried about the dangers, eventually agrees.

The journey begins the next morning, with Tomilo riding a pony named Drabdrab and accompanied by Radagast on his horse Pelling. They encounter Frain, Bral, Kral, and Min, a group of travelling dwarves, who share news about Khazad-dum and the Blue Mountains. Tomilo reveals his message is from Cirdan for King Mithi. Radagast expresses his own urgent mission to Gondor and Edoras, mentioning King Elemmir (son of Telemorn, son of Baragorn, son of Aragorn) and the Numenoreans. He also discusses the Woses (or Pukel-men) and the historical significance of a saddle made in Hollin in the Second Age, inscribed with Quenya and Sindarin script, possibly by Galabor for a child named Arethule.

The journey continues, with Tomilo and Radagast crossing the Baranduin (at what is now called the Sarn Ford bridge) and travelling through the desolate lands of Cardolan. Radagast expresses his anxieties about his role and his ability to handle the situation, fearing he has already spoken too much. He also reassures Tomilo that the Thain in the Shire will be informed, as the Hobbits are not to be left out of important reckonings again, thanks to Cirdan’s remembrance of Frodo Baggins.

They reach Tharbad and prepare to part ways, with Radagast heading south and Tomilo towards the Misty Mountains. Radagast gives Tomilo specific directions to Moria, including crossing the Glanduin (also known as Swanfleet) and following the Sirannon (Gate Stream). Tomilo continues his journey, facing rain, fog, and his own anxieties about the importance of the message and the potential dangers, including trolls and goblins. He reaches Durin’s Bridge and then the Gates of Moria.

At the gates, Tomilo is met by Kavan, the Second Marshal of the West Gate, and other dwarves. Galka, a younger dwarf, reveals he has seen an elf on the Glanduin bridge, contradicting his earlier statement. Tomilo is eventually led to Captain Gnan, the Gatekeeper, who attempts to take the letter, but Tomilo insists on delivering it personally to King Mithi.

The narrative ends with Tomilo having successfully reached the gates of Moria and being led to Captain Gnan, with the impending delivery of the sealed message from Cirdan to King Mithi.

List of Subjects, Names, References, Locations, Companies, etc.:

Graph View