If we fail, we fall. If we succeed — then we will face the next task.” ― J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Of orcs elves and men: The Lord of the Rings. Why evil must be opposed in body, spirit and mind to prevent the fires of Mordor from spreading
“ All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Mithrandir
This is the next installment of my Sunday phantasy series. The story is inspired by Russia’s barbaric venture against Ukraine. There are many eerie parallels between the events in Tolkiens' work and the events that transpire in Europe in these trying times.
Let me take you on a trip to Middle Earth. Let’s escape the harsh reality for a few minutes. My story is meant to provide solace and hope. It should remind us that we must find the courage and moral vigor to carry on in the face of adversity.
“In all the long wars with the Dark Tower, treason has ever been our greatest foe.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
This is story in which oaths were once taken, and a word was given
Oaths were fulfilled for lord and land.
It is a story deceit when promises and contracts are broken.
Old foes become friends, and old alliances are renewed.
Some who were once thought to be friends became oath breakers that serve the dark tower.
The free men of Middle Earth have united. A giant has been awakened, and it was filled with terrible resolve
This is a story of unity, and in unity, there is always victory.
It is a story full of darkness. In the end, it shall be only a passing thing, as even darkness must pass.
The sun will shine, and it will shine out all the clearer.
“I wish you would not always speak so confidently without knowledge.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-Earth
This is a story when, against all odds, good will ultimately triumph over evil.
It is a story full of courage, tragedy, and bravery.
Hope is kindled. Rohan calls for aid, and Gondor shall answer.
War is won in the spirit world . It is also won by blood, iron, and steel.
Liberty shall never perish as long as free men defend it.
It is a story in which the free people of Middle Earth must close their ranks tightly.
We must unclip the claws of tyranny and give freedom wings.
This won’t be our end, but his.
“A sane being would have given up, but Samwise burned with a magnificent madness, a glowing obsession to surmount every obstacle, to find Frodo, destroy the Ring, and cleanse Middle Earth of its festering malignancy.” The Return Of The King.
This shall be the hour when we draw swords together.
This is a story of the forces of evil. But there are other forces in this world beside the ones of evil.
It is a story of a white wizard who has returned at the turn of the tide.
There is a great storm coming, but the tide has turned.
The wizard and his guidance will remain steadfast until his task is done.
He came with bad news, with wisdom and council.
In this story, thou art weighs in the balance.
Hold your ground! Hold your ground!
Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers,
I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.
A day may come when the courage of men fails,
when we forsake our friends
and break all bonds of fellowship,
but it is not this day.
An hour of wolves and shattered shields,
when the age of men comes crashing down,
but it is not this day!
This day, we fight!!
By all that you hold dear on this good Earth,
I bid you stand, Men of the West!!!
Our pity in this story may rule the fate of many.
The indomitable spirit of a small, rather impressive folk will save us all.
Their courage and noble spirit embiggened even the smallest man.
One nation is rising and uniting, a powerful force that has lit the fires of Amo Din.
It has kindled hope in the hearts of free men.
Another is disuniting, and it will fall back into the abyss that awaits them and their master.
These brave men, women, and children wanted ammunition, not a ride
You, my friends, bow to no one.
This indomitable spirit of resistance will be the savior of us all.
This ancient enemy will ultimately be cast down from a high place and break the mountain side smote in his ruin.
We shall have peace. Once Saruman pays for the burning of Mariupol.
Once the bodies of those that were mutilated when they already lay dead, hewn against the walls of Bakhmut are avenged.
There is no curse in Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of Men bad enough for such treachery. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
When the perpetrators behind the dark walls of the dark tower hang from a gibbet for the sports of their own crows. Then we shall have peace
This day won’t belong to one man, but to all.
The fourth age is dawning. The sun is rising,
This darkness must pass, the sun will shine all the clearer.
We will then share and rebuilt this world in the days of peace.
In the end, we should not be too eager to deal out death in judgment
For even the very wise cannot see all ends.
Something in my heart tells me that all still alive have their part to play yet, before this is over.
Then come the days of the kings!
May they be blessed.
“Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why.” Sam Gamgee
Scene two:
The King of Gondor at the shore. The Abrams M1 tanks are being loaded aboard their transport ships ready to depart for the great battle of our time.
Three weeks later.
The sun is rising.
Mithrandir: Await my coming on the first light of October. When the sun is rising, look to the East.
M1: So much death. What can one MBT do against such reckless hate?
Leopard 2: Drive forth with me, drive forth, and meet them!
M1: For death and glory.
Leo 2: For the free world, for your people.
M1: Yes, yes, fell deeds awaken!
M1: The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time.
M1: Now for wrath now for ruin and a red dawn!
A couple of fortnights later:
F16: Ukraine stands alone
Trained pilots and the logistics teams: Not alone.
Forth Eorlingas, to the King!
Arise, arise, riders of Théoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin and the world’s ending! Death! Death! Death! Forth Èorlingas! The return of the king
The dark lord won’t share his power.
Not everyone who dwells in Middle Earth is aware of the danger.
The Grima Tucker Wormtongues of Middle Earth come in many shapes and sizes. Theoden says their leechcraft had us almost crawl on all fours. The king of Rohan might be right.
The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Galadriel
Deep in the dark forest, the immovable old trees and their tree herder Noam reside.
These trees are consumed by fear and arrogance. Their mind was poisoned. These Noam worshipping Hurons wish to remain on the sideline and neutral.
This is not wise as it aids the oppressor, never the oppressed.
These old trees say that the Ents cannot hold back this storm. The Noam trees say we must weather such things as we have always always done.
There is resistance against his idea to remain neutral on the issue of opposing this evil.
Merry: How can that be your decision?!
No. Treebeard: This is not our war.
Merry: But you’re part of this world! Aren’t you? You must help! Please! You must do something.
No. Treebeard: You are young and brave, Master Merry. But your part in this tale is over. Go back to your home.
Pippin: Maybe Treebeard’s right. We don’t belong here, Merry. It’s too big for us. What can we do in the end? We’ve got the Shire. Maybe we should go home.
Merry: The fires of Isengard will spread. And the woods of Tuckborough and Buckland will burn. And all that was once green and good in this world will be gone. There won’t be a Shire, Pippin.
Frodo and Sam the bravest of all companions need all the time we can give them. The dark lord is having his eye fixed upon them.
Frodo : I can’t do this, Sam.
Sam : I know. It’s all wrong By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy?
How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened. But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.
Frodo : What are we holding on to, Sam?
Sam : That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
Slava Ukraini!
Russiae Imperium delendum est.
Dear reader,
Thanks for reading my article.
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“I will not say do not weep for not all tears are an evil.” Tolkien Return of the King
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any semblance to real life events is not intended. This piece of literature is a work of art.
The author is well aware of the realities of war. Of the pain and horror that it brings in its wake.
