Characters
Who bore Gondor’s pride in his veins, spake with doubt of the Northern Heir, yet fell before him ere the horn ceased?
Who is Boromir?
Where time, like silver leaves, doth fall slow and silent; what manner of place bends the hourglass so?
Lothlórien — time moves by memory.
Speak now the fell tongue writ on the One, forged in fire, unseen by light.
Black Speech — tongue of Mordor.
By whose voice, though not of Arda, were Ents stirred to waking at Yavanna’s grief?
Eru Ilúvatar — gave Ents life.
Whose tears, though hidden by beard, did mark the fall of Mithrandir with truer grief than words?
Gimli — silent sorrow at Moria.
Whose gift served one destined for kingship, though the reins lay light in his hand?
Who is Éomer?
What fortress, hight strong in stone, bears a name of brightness hidden ’neath shadow?
Aglarond — Helm’s Deep in Elvish.
What farewell, sung in sorrow, slips soft from Elven lips as shadow falls?
Namárië — Elvish for “farewell.”
What dream, shared ‘twixt brothers, led one forth to Rivendell’s call?
Prophecy — sent to Boromir and Faramir.
What food, though fair and light, did Sam deem better than cram, yet not quite proper for second breakfast?
Lembas — Elvish waybread.
She, golden-haired, with eyes like pale stars, did crave glory not granted in golden halls.
Who is Éowyn?
Name the river, wide as sorrow, that parts East from West, and past which the burdened two did wade.
Anduin — Great River of the West.
Whose name be twin-spoken — one meaning fang, the other, cunning — both true for the dark tower?
Orthanc — fang (Elvish), cunning (Rohirric).
Which battle’s dead yet glimmer in foul fen, caught between water and wraith?
Dagorlad — ghosts in Dead Marshes.
The broken self, two-named and war-torn — what name did Sam grant the softer shade?
Sméagol — Gollum’s “good” half.
400: He, of many names and one fate, did return not as he was, but as the white flame rekindled.
Gandalf — reborn as the White
Which hall, by roots entwined and ages steeped, did shelter the eldest of walking wood?
Wellinghall — Treebeard’s dwelling.
Name the word that, spoken plain, made stone submit, though none but friend could pass.
Mellon
The stone of sight, darkened by deceit, once sat in the halls of which lost capital?
Osgiliath — home of chief palantír.
Which light, caught in glass, bears the star of one who sailed the skies?
Phial of Galadriel — light of Eärendil.
Though unseen, whose craft Saruman doth mimic, crafting not life, but false dominion through stone and flame?
Aulë — Vala of craft, perverted.
Between Eye and Hand, which symbol doth wield the colder tyranny?
White Hand — order by craft, not fear.
This dream-bloomed name of golden woods hides in it the lore of sleep and flowers.
Lothlórien — “Dream-flower” in Sindarin.
The gardener’s name, humble in sound, hides a riddle of wisdom half-born.
Samwise — Old English “half-wise.”
Faramir’s reply, gentle yet grave, to news of his brother’s fall from grace?
“You are a friend of Boromir.”