Fellowship Pg.262-265

[Tig]

There is a song reaching from page 262 to 265 in "The Fellowship of the Ring," and I don't quite understand it. Can anyone explain the song to me? I know it sounds lame, but I have a hard time moving forward in a book knowing I skipped over something because I didn't get it. I just want to know what the song is telling the reader, I mean, there is a story to it, right? Any and all help is appreciated! Also, why isn't there a thread for just the songs? At least, none that I saw... but the songs are all really great!

[jammi567]

Could you state the title of the chapter. That would help us find it easier, as different editions have different page numbers.

[Spock]

It's probably the one in chapter "Many Meetings" as it's the only one that runs three pages.....in my paperback edition.

[jammi567]

If it is that one, then it's describing the events at the end of the First Age, and the Silmarillion. It's basically saying that Earendil was a good marinar, built himself a ship, and went of to Valinor (the place where the Valar, the Gods of ME, live). But he gets lost, then his wife, Elwing, as a dove, comes to him, carring a Silmaril (one of three jewels everybody was fighting over). He manages to get there with help from the Silmaril light, he meets some of the elves who remained there, they dress him up in elvish clothes, and such like. He explains the situation of Elves and Men. The Valar build him a nice ship, give him the Silmaril, and then tell him that after the Great Battle, he has to sail in the sky for eturnity, because he's a savior.

Hope that clears it up for you. If you want more infomation, read the Silmarillion. From the beginning.

[Leviathan]

It is about Earendil and Elwing, his journey to Valinor and such. You can read the story in the Silmarillion chapter 24 The Voyage of Earendil

[Spock]

Yeah, but the synopsis is better. You can't tell someone 'read the Sil'. Heck that might drive them right off :D It almost did me and I'm a HUGE Tolkein fan. :)

[Leviathan]

I know, I don't get it. The Silmarillion is my favorite book period. Everybody thinks it's so intimidating, must be all the names. After I read it I went back and read the Hobbit and LotR over again and it all made so much more since.

[jammi567]

Yeah, but the synopsis is better. You can't tell someone 'read the Sil'. Heck that might drive them right off :D It almost did me and I'm a HUGE Tolkein fan. :)
Yeah, i only mentioned it because the detailwould make sense.

[Tig]

That was the song! Thank you for the help, everyone. I understood some of it, but now it makes sense. I started reading the Sil' but I decided I wanted to read the Hobbit and the Trilogy first, so I'll read it after... but it's not too intimidating or anything, I find it interesting. It's the story behind the story!

[jammi567]

Yeah. And people seem to find it hard because of the many manes, but the hobbit + lotr have much more then the sil.