Balrogs. The great elfbanes. Among the most feared creatures of Middle-earth. Which is why it’s fitting that discussions of their wings (or lack thereof) should be the bane of usenet groups, irc chats and online forums everywhere — sending some rushing for their sourcebooks and others frantically scuttle for cover.
“The Balrog made no answer. The fire in it seemed to die, but the darkness grew. It stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall…” Fellowship of the Ring, Book II, Ch V, The Bridge of Khazad-dum.
This weekend in Hall of Fire, TheOneRing.net’s intrepid staff are set to delve — possibly too deeply — into this fraught question: do Balrogs have wings? (And do they fly?)
Continue reading “Hall of Fire chats this weekend — Balrog wings!”
Thorin and company set off. Destination: The Lonely Mountain. Literally shoved out the door by the wizard Gandalf, Bilbo somewhat reluctantly joins them, unaware how doing so will radically change his future — and that of Middle-Earth.
Seeking shelter one rainy night, they blunder into the camp of three trolls. Even worse, the trolls are hungry! Gandalf saves the day in the nick of time, and the Company discover the trolls’ hoard holds some interesting items.
Join us tomorrow Join us tomorrow on Saturday April 2 at 6pm EDT in #thehalloffire on our IRC server (irc.theonering.net) where we’ll delve into the second chapter of the Hobbit “Roast Mutton” and exploring the terms of Bilbo’s “burglary” contract, how does Bilbo fares when faced with the first real danger of the quest, the nature of trolls and the items the Company find in the trolls’ hoard.
Continue reading “Hall of Fire chats The Hobbit “Roast Mutton” tomorrow!”
We have a director. We have a script. We have a cast. And filming has finally begun!
With all legal issues and director shenanigans finally resolved, TORN’s Hall of fire will hold a series of fortnightly (that’s once every two weeks) Hobbit Rumours Round-up chats over coming weekends that will give Hobbit fans the opportunity to dissect and speculate upon all the latest news from the productions.
These fortnightly chats — starting this Saturday March 25 — will alternate every other week with our chapter-by-chapter discussion of The Hobbit. Yes, that’s tonight! Read more for all the details.
Continue reading “Hall of Fire Hobbit Rumours Round-up Tonight!”
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”
It’s one of literature’s most famous opening lines. The hobbit Bilbo Baggins is smoking a pipe and minding his own business when Gandalf the wizard arrives, offering adventure.
Bilbo, comfortable in his Bag End home, isn’t keen on anything remotely adventurous. But fate has other ideas. The very next day Bilbo — and without so much as a pocket handkerchief — is off on a great adventure in the company of Gandalf, and 13 dwarves keen to avenge their forefathers against the dragon, Smaug.
Join us tomorrow on Saturday March 19 at 6pm EDT in #thehalloffire on our IRC server (irc.theonering.net) where we’ll delve into the first chapter of The Hobbit, “An Unexpected Party”, and discuss the nature of Hobbits and their customs, Bilbo’s near-disastrous tea party and our initial impression of the Dwarves and Gandalf.
Continue reading “Hall of Fire chats The Hobbit tomorrow!”
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”
It’s one of literature’s most famous opening lines. The hobbit Bilbo Baggins is smoking a pipe and minding his own business when Gandalf the wizard arrives, offering adventure.
Bilbo, comfortable in his Bag End home, isn’t keen on anything remotely adventurous. But fate has other ideas. The very next day Bilbo — and without so much as a pocket handkerchief — is off on a great adventure in the company of Gandalf, and 13 dwarves keen to avenge their forefathers against the dragon, Smaug.
With Peter Jackson and his crew about to begin filming, TheOneRing.net is delighted to announce a series of book-based Hobbit chats over coming weekends that will analyse Tolkien’s text chapter-by-chapter.
Continue reading “Hall of Fire chats return with The Hobbit!”
