A Hobbit's Journal...

“What’s all this fuss about?” I asked my young nephew Bumbles as we drove our ox cart through the gate of Minas Tirith to find the city on high alert.

Up and down the streets, men and women of Gondor, elves of Rivendell and dwarfs of Eriador were racing to the battlements with bows and swords drawn and a look of grave concern on their faces.

Stopping someone who looked in charge (Mr. Isildur) we stated our business.

“We are hobbits from the Vale here to deliver honey to the Inn, but it seems our arrival is ill timed.“

“Indeed it is.” he replied. “If you are not here to fight, take refuge in the Inn, as Sauron and his forces are on there way to attack us at any moment.”

My response, that we would rather come another day and leave the city immediately, was deafened by a thunderous warning horn signaling the closing of the gates to the city.

“I think we are stuck here uncle” worried my young nephew.

Nodding, we turned our ox cart towards the livery near the Inn, and found the Inn filled with those making preparations for battle.

“Is there a safe place we can hide?” I asked and was directed upstairs to one of the rooms. “But mind you,” they said, “if we are breached, you must defend your self with pot or pan or what you have.”

Running back to the cart for my bow and grabbing an arm full of arrows on the way, we ran to an upstairs room at the Inn and locked the door, taking up a position at the window.

In the distance, drums beat harder as the enemy came closer and horns blew louder shaking the floor beneath and rattling the windows above. Then came a great deal of ear piercing screeching and noise in the direction of the gate. Crashing sounds and screams as legions of Orcs began charging the defenders of the city.

Sauron's army seemed contained there, as Orcs fell in heaps before the bows and swords of Minas Tirith’s skilled archers. At least until we heard a large crash at the opposite end of town, followed by a large plume of smoke and dust. When it cleared the wall had collapsed and goblins were streaming in, flanking the fighters still at the gate. I could not watch so many brave men, women, elves and dwarves fall before them without doing something to help.

Ordering my nephew to remain behind, lest my sister never forgive me for his loss, I ran downstairs with my bow notched with an arrow. Out in the open, I shot wildly, killing a great many tree branches me thinks, but wounding a goblin or orc long enough to be cut down by braver blades.

And when finally they had beaten back Sauron, it was over. Many said they were simply testing our defenses, others said worst was yet to come, but as we looked around the square, there was a sense of sadness for the losses and gladness for those saved, giving way to a camaraderie of purpose between those of many races, as an alliance was born, and a brave fighter Lady Tauriel was named to lead it.

It turns out my lack of stature had been an advantage, running undetected, and getting a shot away before the foul creatures could see where I was. So much so, I was pressed into service by Master Kavarek the dwarf, and the Lady Tauriel, to spy for the alliance.

Thus a most unexpected journey began (a fact I will keep from my nephew).

As we gathered up our broken jars of honey and pulled many arrows from our cart, we made our way back through the city streets of Minas Tirith waving at the brave heroes we saw fight that day, knowing that should this evil threaten the land, a brave band of protectors is amassing to confront it.

This song be for them, and a painting hung in the Green Dragon commemorating the battle.

HEROES AT THE GATE

The Battle For Minas Tirith

On this day of Saurons rath,

Tread his orcs upon our path,

heros all did stand their ground,

To free it of unearthly bound

Sing for the Heroes

That fought on that day

Sing for the Heroes

For they will say...

Arrows flew and swords did clash,

As Sauron’s fire burned hopes to ash,

Walls caved in and many fell

But in our hearts their names do dwell.

Sing for the Heroes

That fought on that day

Sing for the Heroes

For they will say...

Men and Dwarf, Hobbit and Elf

put their ‘all’ before their ‘self’

With war not over, but a battle won

An alliance born, to fight as one!

Sing for the Heroes

That fought on that day

Sing for the Heroes

For they will say...

Middle Earth shall not perish

if held dear all we cherish

and always fight and defend

until we see Sauron’s end

~ Beedle of the Vale, keeper of bees, orc stinger