The gang’s all here! This adorable piece by DeviantArtist navy-lock features the nine members of the fellowship from The Lord of the Rings and the fourteen members of the company of adventurers from The Hobbit. Though, technically, Gandalf is in both of those, so he’s only in there once. (spotted by Middle-earth News contributor Myla)
The Leather Library put out a compelling piece comparing the relationship of Gandalf and Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings to that of the philosopher Aristotle and the ruler Alexander the Great. “Like Aristotle, Gandalf wants only what is good for the king and for those who are under his power […] Aragorn rules justly and those around him loved his person, like Alexander he did not command respect, rather he earned it through his words and courageous actions.” What do you think of the comparison? (spotted by Middle-earth News contributor Jim)
In addition to writing for Middle-earth News, reporter Britta also happens to run a great blog. One of her recent guests posts is by our friend Joseph Bradford, and it’s all about the power of words in Tolkien’s stories of Arda. In Words of Power, Bradford says, “Words in the world of Arda hold more weight than just the meaning behind the speech. Tolkien knew that words, even in our society, carried a certain power all their own.” Can you think of a passage from one of Tolkien’s stories that shows the power of words? (from Middle-earth News reporter Britta)
Jose Jacome snapped this shot of the Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador during an eruption. From Reddit to Lord of the Meme, people are calling out its striking resemblance to Mount Doom! (spotted by Middle-earth News reporter Lily)
Middle-earth News Director Arwen Kester got a chance to meet Nadine of Elves to Middle-earth at the L.A. premiere of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. It turns out that it was only one step on the journey of Nadine and Chris, a couple who first met because of their love of The Lord of the Rings and cosplay. They trekked all the way to New Zealand, getting fantastic pictures along the way, and were even featured on 100% Pure New Zealand’s website! (tweeted to @MiddleEarthNews by @ElfsMiddleEarth)
Jackson Vaughn has put together a list of the 5 Tolkien Villains That Are Too Big For The Big Screen, and let’s be honest; with baddies this big, maybe it’s better that The Silmarillion isn’t turned into a movie any time soon. I still remember the kid in the row in front of me at ROTK freaking out about Shelob–can you imagine the cries about Ungoliant? (spotted by Middle-earth News reporter Lily)
Okay, we admit to being über-nerds who noticed that some of the lines Legolas used in this sketch by SNL were stolen from his castmates in The Lord of the Rings movies. But we still get really excited anytime something Hobbit or LOTR related comes up in “average everyday life”! (spotted by Middle-earth News reporter Amanda)
