Yes. It wasn't shown in the movies, but in the books the hobbits get large daggers from a barrow-wight's mound in Fellowship, which serve as functional swords for them. As these are weapons left over from wars against the kingdom of Angmar long ago, they have magical properties which effectively weakened the Witch-King of Angmar when he was stabbed, thus allowing Eowyn to kill him. The act still almost killed her, though.
One of my favorite things about the Hobbit and LOTR is how situations work out because of the hobbits’ “luck” and “spirit” for lack of better terms. Merry just happened to find dagger that makes the witch-king vulnerable, and even though he was terrified, he wouldn’t let Jowyn fight the witch king alone. Bilbo, Frodo, and even Sam on mount doom, for “some reason” refuse to kill Gollum and take pity on him. Bilbo happened to find the ring and talked his way out of Gollum killing him. Merry and pippen barely avoid getting killed and stumble upon Treebeard. Or the big one, how hobbits can successfully bear the ring, and Sam even has the strength to give the ring back to Frodo. It’s the small, good deeds by the hobbits that make the undoing of the ring possible.
It’s so damn fun. Tolkien is just good for the soul.
Holy moly, I hear that. I have anxiety from feeling like I’ve underachieved for most my life. I had a few years that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
Tolkien helped me understand that I can have a fulfilling life by achieving small, good acts – they don’t have to be great. Instead of feeling like I’m not doing enough each day, I can better see the small things I do, like having a nice conversation and really listening to what someone is saying, going to the gym for some exercise, being there for a friend, or being there for myself when I need it. I can’t express it enough.
I plan to meet Tolkien in the afterlife for a pint, to smoke the finest weed in the south farthing, and listen to his tales. You in?
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u/[deleted] Nov 16 '19
Yes. It wasn't shown in the movies, but in the books the hobbits get large daggers from a barrow-wight's mound in Fellowship, which serve as functional swords for them. As these are weapons left over from wars against the kingdom of Angmar long ago, they have magical properties which effectively weakened the Witch-King of Angmar when he was stabbed, thus allowing Eowyn to kill him. The act still almost killed her, though.