And so last time we left poor Frodo volunteered to get the Ring to Mordor. We got the rest of the Fellowship together and there was a lot of exposition. What’s happened this week in Middle Earth? It does indeed get trickier for the Hobbitses.

Chapter 15 - The Ring Goes South aka D&D starts here

Another case of the absolute urgency of the mission being slightly undercut by a still lengthy few days in Rivendell to prepare things. Despite that pacing again I did enjoy quite a few elements of the chapter. The way the young Hobbits alongside Frodo want to go on a big adventure they don’t really understand definitely brings to mind people volunteering for WW1 without a clue what is ahead. Bilbo thinking he can get a happy ending for everyone also sounds a little over optimistic. Especially as they all start to see the Red Star that is actually Mordor looking out at them which is a great startling image.

The tone of this chapter feels sombre – even if here Elrond forms the quest team; the mission and no one questions why they can’t use horses to travel hundreds of miles. The atmosphere gets bleak quickly and soon feels epic with these nine on the land where birds are hostile. Aragorn and Gandalf are afraid (which is unsettling for a reader) and then with Caradhas the feeling that Sauron can manipulate the weather. This group is not having it easy which I think works to underline the scale of the task ahead.

Chapter 16 - A Journey In The Dark aka Elvish Password Security

Loved the build up here to make us fear a place we have never heard of before. This is a desperate gamble because the last chapter showed they have no choice. There is a very good Warg attack scene where Gandalf gets to effectively do a last hurrah of powerful magic. There is a sense that this team is under attack now for the rest of their journey. Moria is chosen because they’ve run out of options now.

Here in the use of password riddles is the bane of many a future gamer and we even get a little cosmic horror in the form of the Watcher appearing out of the lake to seal them in. Moria scenes ooze with atmosphere, also we get the mention of future plot armour mithril. Finally, the reveal of Balin’s Tomb of Doom underline this is not a place you want to spend a long time.

Chapter 17 – Bridge of Khazad Dum aka What the Hell?

We tend to think getting rid of a character without notice is a modern invention but if you’re reading this it does come out of the blue. It’s well crafted too with Balin’s diary just with random sentences creating an unsettling atmosphere then a orc attack with drums that just say ‘Doom! Doom!’ all the time. There is fighting and flight and just prior to finding out what is here Gandalf announces he has met his match. The appearance then of the Balrog on this thin bridge and Gandalf’s final ‘You Shall Not Pass’ is a true fantasy moment hard to beat as does the reveal that Gandalf is going to be victim just s we think he has won. Even knowing what is to come this works very well.

Chapter 18 – Lothlorien aka and Breathe

Understandably this chapter feels a bit of a breather to allow the reader and cast to process what has just happened. The pace is slow with even time for some sight -seeing thrown in which reduces the tension we have had. There are some interesting perspectives on elf/dwarf relations getting soured and we become aware Gollum is around but overall not much else to focus on.

Chapter 19 – The Mirror of Galadriel aka The Last Temptation of Frodo

In my 1058-page copy of this book let it be announced that by p363 we finally get a woman in a main character role. Not one that will stay around but Galadriel always makes a big impact because like Gandalf and Elrond you can feel the weight of power, wisdom and age. But compared to modern reads the way this story has so little for women to do is very noticeable. Something modern fantasy has slowly learned to push against. I’m very glad it has done so.

It is an interesting chapter as the whole Fellowship feel Galadriel tests them offering them their biggest desires. We see differences between the elves being highlighted – something I wished got done more of with the other races. I like that Galadriel does not judge Gandalf for errors – clearly aware of his missions more than the others.

The mirror scene is another standout with lots of foreshadowing – a wizard in white, the Shire being scoured and a powerful sense of Frodo taking the Eye on directly. Galadriel also has a little more shade to her with her almost taking the Ring for herself ‘all shall love me and Despair’ is a beautiful line. This section is pure ethereal and is another highpoint. What a shame Galadriel doesn’t do much more throughout.

Chapter 20 – Farewell to Lorien aka Levelling Up

You do have to question the revelation that Gandalf never told anyone his plan to get into Mordor – contingency planning is important! This seems a little poorly planned for a word-saving mission. Some foreshadowing awaits with the mentions of Fangorn and Rohan and we notice Boromir is again protective of his own land. That may be important later

The gang get new weapons, cloaks and of course Lembas bread…it never fades that word. I did like the reconciliation hinted at between Gimli and Galadriel and to a smaller extent Legolas and Gimli. This section feels mythic. Breather is over and the Quest continues…

Chapter 21 – The Great River aka statues

Its all about atmosphere but some minor hints await with Gollum hunting them; orcs attack and the powerful sight of the Argonauth statues reminding us that Aragorn is a King in waiting. That’s about it so it feels fitting instead to end on…

Chapter 22 – The Breaking of the Fellowship aka It goes Pete Tong

It is a powerful chapter and intriguingly for fantasy often Volume 1 of a trilogy is a minor victory and here none of that happens. We get the group feeling lost and unfair pressure on Frodo to lead them. Orcs are attacking more and more. Boromir goes slightly mad and sadly it’s the first time he actually gets something to do for the whole section. I do though like Frodo standing up to what is effectively a Prince ‘You Misunderstand me’ is a lovely way to say No. Then Frodo splits from the group and we get a unique weird vision via Amon Hen (another lovely idea of ancient magical places lying around Middle Earth in ruins) highlighting the wider war zones going on everywhere. He only has one choice now and we are very happy Sam spies him but otherwise it feels very very hard for the troupe.