We continue with Tolkien and his wonderful legends. Philologist, poet, linguist, and Oxford professor, who spoke some twenty languages, even inventing others… and based on them he creates, or rather, sub-creates, his mythical universe.

Let’s take a brief look at “The Lord of the Rings,”  to encourage you to delve deeper and  enjoy  the beauty of its breathtaking universe and the stories it unfolds. And its  personal applicability,  as he said, based on the reader’s freedom. Without allegory. 

Here I’ll share something I’ve glimpsed, although Tolkien wanted each reader to peek into his world, full of beauty and meaning, and see what it conveyed to them according to their own experience, tastes, or needs at that moment. I’ll tell you more in “Galadriel’s Mirror.” I’ll jot down a few ideas and leave you to your imagination … a gift we’ve been given, which helps us better understand the created world and unfold possible worlds with the “wand” of a creative artist. 

“ Even the smallest person can change the course of the future .”

It is the power of each person’s freedom, however small and “insignificant” it may seem, to  do something transcendent  in their life and to influence others. And this is thanks to the talents, decisions, and actions—sometimes heroic—worthy of being remembered, recounted to future generations in the form of stories or “songs,” becoming part of the heritage of bygone traditions, of that valuable dedication worth treasuring.

This quote I’m referring to, in the book, takes place during a conversation between Frodo, a small hobbit, and Gandalf in Bag End. In the film, it’s moved to Lothlórien, and Lady Galadriel tells Frodo about it… The Lady is an Elf, one of the greatest of the Eldar in Middle-earth, who guards one of the three Elven Rings. “Galadriel” in Sindar means “Maiden Crowned with a Garland of Bright Radiance,” referring to her hair. She is the Lady of Lothlórien, along with her husband Celeborn. The forest of lush beauty where time seems to stand still…

And he will tell it to Frodo Baggins: an almost insignificant hobbit, with a generous and brave heart, who must carry the Ring of Power.

Frodo has  a mission in  Middle-earth: to save the Shire and the other free peoples, to end the shadows and evil of Sauron, by taking the One Ring to the fires of Mount Doom, where it was forged, to destroy it. This is the only possible solution, for the Ring seeks to dominate wills, sow darkness, and fill hearts with despair. And he must find its master, the Dark Lord. Destroying it is a near-impossible and arduous task for anyone, given the magnitude and “weight” of evil, even more so for such a small and defenseless creature. But he will have good friends, and other forces, sometimes hidden or unknown, that protect him in this endeavor.

At the beginning of his journey, Frodo wondered:  Why have I  been chosen?  And his good friend Gandalf, a wise counselor who warms hearts, answered him: For no particular reason, but  you have been chosen, and you will need all the  courage , strength, and intelligence  you can muster for this mission.

However, it is his small,  seemingly insignificant actions , repeated over time, in the right direction, overcoming all kinds of dangers, doubts, and terrifying darkness, and with the help of his loyal friends,  that ultimately bring down a great evil. Perhaps his greatest strength is remaining undetected by the Dark Lord, for in his greed and lust for power, he cannot even imagine such a possibility: destroying the Ring of Power.   

Later in The Lord of the Rings, there is an encounter with Faramir, a captain from Ithilien, a border region with Mordor, in which they meet and share details of his mission. Although he doesn’t fully grasp its scope, he helps him and sets him on his path…

I’m copying the farewell:

“Goodbye!” said Frodo, bowing deeply. “
Think what you will, but I am a friend to all the enemies of the One Enemy. We would go with you, if we Hobbits could help Men who seem so strong and brave, and  if the mission that brings me here would  permit it.”

“Let the light shine on your swords!”

He is very aware of his mission, even if it costs him his life, and he says goodbye mentioning the beauty of  the light … and with it, hope.

To better understand Frodo’s mission, here is an excerpt from one of Tolkien’s Letters, compiled and edited by his son Christopher: letter 246 of the epistolary.

” Frodo set out on his quest out of love : to save from disaster, at his own expense if he could, the world as he knew it; and also with complete humility, acknowledging that he was entirely unfit for the task. His true commitment was simply to do what he could, to try to find a way, and to go as far along it as his mind and body allowed. This he did.”

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. H. Carpenter. Minotauro Publishing.

That is  his specific mission: to carry the Ring and  destroy it.  With the help of Sam, and the Fellowship of the Ring, who are gradually drifting apart. But even at that distance, their deeds will be important in preserving Frondo and their mission.

Each of us has a  mission on  this planet that we must discover and carry out with our abilities and talents… With effort and perseverance, with a trained will, despite the difficulties and problems along the way, which sometimes seem to grow larger; but they should never discourage  or lead to despair.  Never!,  the Professor tells us.

We must  dream and aim high  to mobilize our energy, to break free from the easy and comfortable life that sometimes holds us back… that doesn’t allow us to truly live. Like what happens to Bilbo in the adventure of “The Hobbit.” Thanks to Gandalf and the Dwarves, he is encouraged to embark on an adventure. We need friends to help us take a step… That’s why we must use our  heads to  envision our goal, and our hearts  to gather passion and energy, to make it concrete, and to tackle it in the best way possible. With optimism and hope. 

And  why such a “small ” being  ?

Because, continuing with Tolkien’s work, an idea that Gandalf points out indicates  a path to follow to reach a happy ending, and can  comfort us  in the face of so much pain and misery, so much superficiality and existential emptiness. Even in the face of our own failings and limitations…  

At a certain point in the History of the Elder Days, the  White Council is convened.  Among those present are some Istari, or “Wizards”—that is, wise ones—such as Saruman and Gandalf, and some Elves of great arcane wisdom, like Elrond and Lady Galadriel. They sense a Shadow beginning to emerge and take shape in Dol Guldur, in Mirkwood, and something must be done to combat it.

Speaking of which, Galadriel asks Gandalf about that mission:

– “Why the Medium?”

And Gandalf replies:

“I don’t know… Saruman believes that only great power can contain evil. But what I  ’ve discovered is that it’s the small, everyday actions of ordinary  people that keep the darkness at bay—small acts of kindness and love.” 

The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien, Minotauro edition.

This answer might surprise us, but it’s worth considering carefully. Many things are within our control. What legacy do we want to leave for those who come after us?

If you want to delve deeper into the world of Tolkien, I recommend two books by Professor E. Segura, from whom you can learn so much, with gratitude:  “The Wizard of Words ,” more for younger readers, and another more profound one:  “History, Legend, Myth.”

To be continued…