I’ve recently rediscovered my love for Middle Earth and all things Tolkien. I’ve made it a habit to watch the Lord Of The Rings films once a year and to read the book at least once every other year. I’ve been watching the films lately, as well as all the Appendices and have enjoyed going back in time with Peter Jackson and his crew. I think there are some things in the book and in the films that have impacted me significantly over the years so I’ve decided to add a feature to the blog where I share with you some things I’ve enjoyed from various stories in Middle Earth.
Today’s moment comes from the film version of The Two Towers. Toward the end Sam yanks Frodo out of the clutches of the Nazgul just before Frodo is attacked. Frodo, having been seduced by the ring more and more, attacks Sam. When Frodo realizes what he’s done he drops his weapon and tells Sam, “I can’t do this anymore…” Sam’s reply is amazing.
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 had 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 is some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
Apt words for times like these…
