Post by Admin on Jan 8, 2021 2:22:40 GMT
‘Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens,’ said Gimli.
‘Maybe,’ said Elrond, ‘but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.’
‘Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart,’ said Gimli.
‘Or break it,’ said Elrond.‘
- The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
The views on vows and promises vary. There are marriage vows, oaths of fealty, and simple everyday promises to clean our room, weed the garden, or visit the sick. Often, we mean to keep our promises, but unexpected circumstances interfere. Sometimes we listen to the counsel of others rather than our own conscience. At other times, we simply take what appears to be the easy way out like the Men of the Mountains whose king pledged to fight with Isildur against Sauron. When Isildur called upon them to fulfill their promise, they hid, and he cursed them. The Oathbreakers learned there could be serious and long-lasting consequences to breaking your word.
Faramir is an example of those who value honoring their word above glory or renown. He said he 'would not snare even an orc with a falsehood'. This does not make keeping a promise an easy thing. Sometimes we must have help or cooperation from others. Sam wanted to keep his promise not to leave Frodo, but Frodo made it a challenge for him to do so!
So the theme for March is "Promises". Tell us of promises kept or broken, of shattered trusts, and strengthened bonds. Aragorn's birthday is coming up. Maybe someone made a promise about that. Perhaps Legolas made a promise to his father that he is struggling to keep. Let your muse take you where it will!
We look forward to your stories and artwork. Please remember that either Aragorn or Legolas must be included in the stories, but need not be the main character. Artists are not bound by this rule.
Thanks to Khanna for submitting this suggestion.
‘Maybe,’ said Elrond, ‘but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.’
‘Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart,’ said Gimli.
‘Or break it,’ said Elrond.‘
- The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
The views on vows and promises vary. There are marriage vows, oaths of fealty, and simple everyday promises to clean our room, weed the garden, or visit the sick. Often, we mean to keep our promises, but unexpected circumstances interfere. Sometimes we listen to the counsel of others rather than our own conscience. At other times, we simply take what appears to be the easy way out like the Men of the Mountains whose king pledged to fight with Isildur against Sauron. When Isildur called upon them to fulfill their promise, they hid, and he cursed them. The Oathbreakers learned there could be serious and long-lasting consequences to breaking your word.
Faramir is an example of those who value honoring their word above glory or renown. He said he 'would not snare even an orc with a falsehood'. This does not make keeping a promise an easy thing. Sometimes we must have help or cooperation from others. Sam wanted to keep his promise not to leave Frodo, but Frodo made it a challenge for him to do so!
So the theme for March is "Promises". Tell us of promises kept or broken, of shattered trusts, and strengthened bonds. Aragorn's birthday is coming up. Maybe someone made a promise about that. Perhaps Legolas made a promise to his father that he is struggling to keep. Let your muse take you where it will!
We look forward to your stories and artwork. Please remember that either Aragorn or Legolas must be included in the stories, but need not be the main character. Artists are not bound by this rule.
Thanks to Khanna for submitting this suggestion.