Fog on the Barrow-Downs
posted by Elizalde
2004-06-25 01:31:59

Elizalde 2004-06-25 01:31:59
Taken from this chapter in LOTR:

"He bade them lie there, 'free to all finders, birds, beasts, Elves or Men, and all kindley creatures'; for so the spell of the mound should be broken and scattered and no Wight ever come back to it. He chose for himself from the pile a brooch set with blue stones, many-shaded like flax-flowers or the wings of blue butterflies. He looked long at it, as if stirred by some memory, shaking his head , and saying at last:

"Here is a pretty toy for Tom and his lady! Fair was she who long ago wore this on her shoulder. Goldberry shall wear it now, and we will not forget her!"

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Everytime I have read this, I wonder who this "she" is that Tom is referring to. Any ideas or facts behind some of Christopher Tolkiens work that specifically states who Tom is thinking of here?

Unknown2004-06-25 05:13:55
Presumably the previous owner of the brooch...
Aredhel 2004-06-25 06:49:06
I guess that means that in his time, Tom went among the Men of Arnor (or Cardolan). My bet is on this passage not having any particular special meaning though (would be a nice new barrow-downs quest though for MUME, if someone is feeling bored enough to write it up).
gwokk2004-06-25 07:23:34
Christopher Tolkien is J.R.R Tolkiens son
Mandor 2004-06-25 09:26:56
Yes, it seems as Tom remember the fair lady who previously wore the brooch, or atleast her people. Quite naturally, since they lived and buried their dead within or just outside of Tom's selfimposed confined area.

But I remember no clues given to specifically who lived there other than "men".
Aredhel 2004-06-25 18:05:50
I do believe it says somewhere that Dunadan lived there (Encyclopedia of Arda confirms it).
Elizalde 2004-06-26 01:07:32
I thought that whole part was odd and out of place unless it was actually referring to someone of another Age, and I figured it was mentioned somewhere! Too bad!
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