In the Chamber of Mazarbul, where the Company of the Ring discovered the tomb of Balin son of Fundin, the stakes are about to become the highest that the Fellowship has yet experienced. The fierceness and the love of hobbits is striking as we make our way to the Bridge of Khazad-dum.

The Fierceness of Hobbits on the Way to the Bridge of Khazad-dum

In this episode of the Secret Fire Podcast we see Frodo and Samwise in a much clearer light in the dim, dusty Chamber of Mazarbul – the old chamber of records of Khazad-dum. As a great, flat, toeless foot forced its way through the western door of the chamber, Boromir hewed at the great Cave Troll only to have his sword deflected. Then, something Tookish awoke in Frodo:

Suddenly, and to his own surprise, Frodo felt a hot wrath blaze up in his heart. ‘The Shire!’ he cried, and springing beside Boromir, he stooped, and stabbed with Sting at the hideous foot.

The Lord of the Rings: One Volume p. 324

Sam, too, in the great rush of orcs, displayed a fierceness previously unknown to anyone – let alone himself:

A quick duck had saved him; and he had felled his orc: a sturdy thrust with his Barrow-blade. A fire was smouldering in his brown eyes that would have made Ted Sandyman step backwards, if he had seen it.

ibid.

And The Love of Hobbits

Frodo was felled by the orc chieftain’s spear a moment before Aragorn and Anduril dispatched the terrible creature. This was their opportunity to escape out the east door of the chamber in Khazad-dum. Aragorn picked up Frodo where he lay and made for the stair. Once out of the chamber they discovered that Frodo survived a spear-thrust that would have “skewered a wild boar!”

And then this simple, yet deeply touching statement:

Frodo breathed heavily and leaned against Sam, who put his arms about him.

ibid.

We discuss this and much more in this episode as we make our way to the Bridge of Khazad-dum. Join us for the adventure!

Brobdingnagian Bards in Moria

In order to get us in the mood for Khazad-dum we listen to “Moria” by Brobdingnagian Bards from their album, Memories of Middle Earth. We continue to be grateful that the Bards have allowed us to share their wonderful music with the Fellowship of the Secret Fire Podcast.

The Brobdingnagian Bards as heard on the Secret Fire Podcast.

Update Video

A couple week ago we produced a quick video to let the Fellowship know what has been happening with your hosts. We include that here for those who have not seen it. Or perhaps you’d rather watch it on the Secret Fire Podcast YouTube channel.

Additional Resources:

• The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, by Robert Foster
• Christianity in Lord of the Rings, by Peter Kreeft
• The Fellowship of the Ring Audiobook read by Rob Inglis
• The Lord of the Rings 1981 Radio Dramatization by BBC

What stood out to you in The Bridge Of Khazad-dum Pt. 1? Let us know in the comments below.

On The Secret Fire Podcast we travel chapter-by-chapter and book-by-book through J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth viewing it through Christian lenses. We invite you to join us each week as we continue the adventure on the Arkenstone server in Lord Of The Rings Online.

Please join our Fellowship on our Facebook and Twitter pages for even more fun from Tolkien’s Legendarium.

Support the Secret Fire Podcast and the GCTNetwork on our Patreon page.

You may listen to the podcast by using the audio player at the top of this post, or use the links below for other convenient ways to subscribe and listen.

ITUNES | GOOGLE PLAY MUSIC | STITCHER RADIO | TUNEIN RADIO | RSS FEED

Theme song: Hobbit’s Dance from the album Memories Of Middle Earth, by Brobdingnagian Bards

Affiliate links are used on this site.

The post The Bridge Of Khazad-dum Pt. 1, The Lord Of The Rings | SFP036 appeared first on GCTN.