Alcuin
09-30-2015, 03:17 AM
I’ve been thinking about old Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod.
The House of Finwë was in flux in Tolkien’s mind for many years. Gildor seems to have begun textually as a member of the royal house, then fallen out somewhere in the writing, but the phrase “Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod” is so fetching it cannot be scrapped.
So Gildor seems to have become a retainer, a close advisor to Finrod, maybe (probably, given the Noldor’s seeming penchant for nepotism, a reflection of feudal societies everywhere) even his kinsman.
When Finrod left Túna in the Rebellion of the Noldor, Gildor went with him. When Finrod brought back news of his discovery of wandering companies of the Second People (Men), Gildor was one of the first to hear. When Finrod returned alive from the Dagor Bragollach due to the steadfast courage and loyalty of Barahir son of Bregor, Gildor might have been the first to notice that Finrod’s ring was missing – the ring he gave to Barahir. And when Beren son of Barahir arrived in Nargothrond bearing the ring Finrod gave his father, seeking aid in his quest to wrest a Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown as the bride-price Thingol demanded for the hand of Lúthien, Gildor was there.
Gildor was an ancient Elf as men would call it: in all likelihood, he remembered the Two Trees of Valinor, and days without worry in Eldamar. His friend and master, Finrod, had been dead for nearly 7000 years, and yet he remains “Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod”.
Consider for a moment his encounter with Frodo in the Woody End from Gildor’s perspective. Assume for the time being that he was indeed Finrod Felagund’s close friend and advisor.
We know from Tolkien’s notes that Gildor and his companions were returning from a pilgrimage to the Tower Hills, where they looked into the palant*r of Elendil which gazed only upon the Forgotten West, Avallónë upon Tol Eressëa, and like pilgrims in the real world, they sang as they returned to their homes. They are only tarrying a while before they, too, forsake Middle-earth forever for Tol Eressëa.
In the midst of their singing and meditation – a religious experience for an Elf, a Noldo of noble bearing – for some reason, Gildor turns and greets Frodo, who is still hiding from Khamûl the Nazgûl who is lurking nearby.
When Frodo and Pippin ask him and his companions about the Black Riders, Gildor realizes that, in his pilgrimage, an act of worship, he is once again caught up in the great affairs of Middle-earth. And the person he must advise is Frodo.
Gildor must have spoken to Finrod when Finrod took counsel on whether to leave Valinor. He was, I think, one of Finrod’s advisors when Finrod laid aside the kingship of Nargothrond and with a few companions left to help Beren. Did either of those decisions end well?
Little wonder Gildor is reluctant to counsel Frodo, who is close with information he cannot share, not even for Gildor’s aid. “Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.” That was wisdom earned with pain.
“Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.” How many years or centuries since Gildor really laughed? Elf-friend is not a title given lightly: the Elf-king of Mirkwood bestowed it upon Bilbo only after Bilbo proved his courage, resourcefulness, and grace. Gildor bestowed it upon Frodo at once; soon Goldberry noticed it at once.
What is going through Gildor’s mind? How does he see this encounter? Gandalf explained the danger of the One Ring to Frodo, but this is the first time the reader realizes that Frodo is in real danger. What does Gildor do, and does Frodo’s encounter with him really kick off the tale?
The House of Finwë was in flux in Tolkien’s mind for many years. Gildor seems to have begun textually as a member of the royal house, then fallen out somewhere in the writing, but the phrase “Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod” is so fetching it cannot be scrapped.
So Gildor seems to have become a retainer, a close advisor to Finrod, maybe (probably, given the Noldor’s seeming penchant for nepotism, a reflection of feudal societies everywhere) even his kinsman.
When Finrod left Túna in the Rebellion of the Noldor, Gildor went with him. When Finrod brought back news of his discovery of wandering companies of the Second People (Men), Gildor was one of the first to hear. When Finrod returned alive from the Dagor Bragollach due to the steadfast courage and loyalty of Barahir son of Bregor, Gildor might have been the first to notice that Finrod’s ring was missing – the ring he gave to Barahir. And when Beren son of Barahir arrived in Nargothrond bearing the ring Finrod gave his father, seeking aid in his quest to wrest a Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown as the bride-price Thingol demanded for the hand of Lúthien, Gildor was there.
Gildor was an ancient Elf as men would call it: in all likelihood, he remembered the Two Trees of Valinor, and days without worry in Eldamar. His friend and master, Finrod, had been dead for nearly 7000 years, and yet he remains “Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod”.
Consider for a moment his encounter with Frodo in the Woody End from Gildor’s perspective. Assume for the time being that he was indeed Finrod Felagund’s close friend and advisor.
We know from Tolkien’s notes that Gildor and his companions were returning from a pilgrimage to the Tower Hills, where they looked into the palant*r of Elendil which gazed only upon the Forgotten West, Avallónë upon Tol Eressëa, and like pilgrims in the real world, they sang as they returned to their homes. They are only tarrying a while before they, too, forsake Middle-earth forever for Tol Eressëa.
In the midst of their singing and meditation – a religious experience for an Elf, a Noldo of noble bearing – for some reason, Gildor turns and greets Frodo, who is still hiding from Khamûl the Nazgûl who is lurking nearby.
When Frodo and Pippin ask him and his companions about the Black Riders, Gildor realizes that, in his pilgrimage, an act of worship, he is once again caught up in the great affairs of Middle-earth. And the person he must advise is Frodo.
Gildor must have spoken to Finrod when Finrod took counsel on whether to leave Valinor. He was, I think, one of Finrod’s advisors when Finrod laid aside the kingship of Nargothrond and with a few companions left to help Beren. Did either of those decisions end well?
Little wonder Gildor is reluctant to counsel Frodo, who is close with information he cannot share, not even for Gildor’s aid. “Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.” That was wisdom earned with pain.
“Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.” How many years or centuries since Gildor really laughed? Elf-friend is not a title given lightly: the Elf-king of Mirkwood bestowed it upon Bilbo only after Bilbo proved his courage, resourcefulness, and grace. Gildor bestowed it upon Frodo at once; soon Goldberry noticed it at once.
What is going through Gildor’s mind? How does he see this encounter? Gandalf explained the danger of the One Ring to Frodo, but this is the first time the reader realizes that Frodo is in real danger. What does Gildor do, and does Frodo’s encounter with him really kick off the tale?