Riddles in the Downs

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Of course one of the things I kept thinking about was Boromir and Faramir. But not really, what would the "five" be then...

Okay, with risk of giving hints to somebody, I am going to think aloud: I am really wondering whether this is not something like Galadriel and something (it's the West thing that makes me think about that), like Galadriel and Fëanor; or then Isildur and Aragorn, or something like that - it's the "test" part. But then again, it cannot be anything like Isildur and Aragorn, because the two were "closest, when both alive". That is troublesome, because otherwise I could well imagine the two being some two people separated in time - say, by five generations, perhaps? - yet they obviously knew each other.

This is all probably rather off, but maybe it will trigger some train of thought... or at least it made me think what it is not.

[Mithalwen]

Faramir and Boromir? Alike but different.. hmmm still think I am missing something ..

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Of course one of the things I kept thinking about was Boromir and Faramir.

Like usual, you are thinking about the right thing! I told you it was a lousy riddle!

This is what the clues were:

So alike we, - appearance
And yet think differently. - well, they do

Differently we fair, - use the Ring in Boromir's case, leave it in Faramir's
Yet a common goal share. - to save Gondor

Opposites we are, - personalities
Yet alike as star to star. - physically

Between us there stand five, - 5 years difference in age
Yet we were closest... when both alive. - 'close' as in good friends

One went East, another West, - Faramir to Ithilien and Boromir to Rivendell
Both were put through a similar test. - what to do with Frodo and the Ring



I'm definitely looking forward to your next riddle, Legate!

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Faramir and Boromir? Alike but different.. hmmm still think I am missing something ..

Sorry, we crossed! It is Boromir and Faramir.

Legate mentioned them first, but not as an answer, so now I don't know who to give it to...




I guess whichever of you writes something first, then... Sorry...

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Ah! Okay! Well I've been thinking about it and basically everything as you said seemed obvious, but honestly, the "five" basically scratched it for me... age difference, never occured to me... that really was a good one, G55!

Well, I think it's whichever way. Mith, do you want to post a new one? Because if you have something ready, you can post it, before I manage to think of something... interesting how we basically posted it at the same time, I'd say that was a stroke of fate - well, great minds think alike, perhaps?

[Mithalwen]

No it is fine I was second.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

No it is fine I was second.

But second by mere seconds

All right, I came up with something for now. It might not have so good poetic quality (I think I started becoming a bit rusty... I should post here more), but at least I hope the riddle will be entertaining.

Some have seen my twin at night,
treacherous as he be,
some said that he must be blind,
some said he could see.

I don't know him, never did;
he just bears my name,
as my twin, from Him he hid,
before he turned tame.

I have those who shelter sought
served for many years,
until treachery was brought
upon me from fears.

When He returned from His quest
I've been long in chain,
foes at my door, He can't rest
Ainu is my bane.

Happy riddling!

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Ah! Okay! Well I've been thinking about it and basically everything as you said seemed obvious, but honestly, the "five" basically scratched it for me... age difference, never occured to me... that really was a good one, G55!

Thank you! It's an even greater compliment coming from a master of riddles as you are.

I think I started becoming a bit rusty... I should post here more

No to the first, yes!!! to the second

I can't think of anything that really fits more than one stanza, and for the life of me I can't keep all of them constant throughout the riddle. Or match all three...

I'm leaning more in the direction of Frodo (He), Gollum (twin), and something Shire-related, even though none are namesakes. Here are some points I based this guess upon:

Some have seen my twin at night, - from Moria all the way to Eryn Muil Frodo saw his eyes
treacherous as he be, - o yess, my preciouss

as my twin, from Him he hid, - his as soon as Frodo turned to look at him
before he turned tame. - before he promised to help

When He returned from His quest - Frodo returned home
I've been long in chain, - under Sharkey's rule. Could be a reference to the Lockholes, or to the chain that blocked the way to the Green Dragon (IIRC)
foes at my door, - Ruffians
He can't rest - sadly he cannot, and in the end he leaves to the West
Ainu is my bane. - Saruman

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I must say, really good points... and on really really good track... but of course, the main question, who is "I", seems to be lost completely in haze

I suggest you try to think about it... it is a bit tricky, of course, it's supposed to be! But I am sure you can find out...

[Galadriel55]

I just had a brainwave that told me that the inn is really the Floating Log! It makes sense now!



Some have seen my twin at night, - Gollum, floating on a log
treacherous as he be, - good master, let's feed you to Her
some said that he must be blind,
some said he could see. - I don't really know about this one.

I don't know him, never did; - Gollum never travelled to the Shire
he just bears my name, - floating on a log
as my twin, from Him he hid, - from Frodo
before he turned tame. - before he promised

I have those who shelter sought
served for many years, - being a peaceful hobbit inn
until treachery was brought
upon me from fears. - Sharkey's men etc

When He returned from His quest - Frodo comes home to see the Shire scoured
I've been long in chain, - there was a barrier blocking the road to the inn
foes at my door, - Ruffians
He can't rest - leaves to the West
Ainu is my bane. - Saruman


I=The Floating Log
Twin=Gollum
He=Grodo


I didn't realize how close I was in my previous guess!

That was one great riddle, Legate!

[Nerwen]

That has to be right!

In fact, now that I've seen your answer, G55, I believe I can supply the missing bit:

Originally Posted by Legate

some said that he must be blind,
some said he could see.

Compare:

"It wasn't funny that way, Mr Frodo. It was queer. All wrong, if it wasn't a dream. And you had best hear it. It was like this: I saw a log with eyes!"

"The log's all right," said Frodo. "There are many in the River. But leave out the eyes!"

Nice work! Legate's riddles generally take weeks to solve!

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Indeed! Floating Log is the correct answer. Well done, G55! And as for the missing bit, Nerwen is right - that quote is what I've been referring to.

So once again, cheers - and now you can imagine how I felt when I saw your original guess, which was basically entirely correct, except for concluding the specific answer

Anyway, your turn, then, Galadriel55!

[Galadriel55]

Thanks, Legate, and kudos to Nerwen for that quote! Here it goes...

I carried one
With a load heavier that mine,
But not for long.

Soon enough, by stroke of fate,
He found himself a better mate.
Music, but not song.

To darkness we came,
But, what a shame! -
I durst not go along.

My master with my feet
I happened to greet:
Farewell! So long!

[Galadriel55]

My riddles don't bite.

[Mithalwen]

Is it Bill the Pony?

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Is it Bill the Pony?

It is! That was quick.

[Mithalwen]

I had thought it was Sam when I first looked but that didn't work. Then I remembered a notorious thread involving Bill Ferny being kicked in the Shire - which I postulated might be an euphemism

Don't quite get the music but not song....

Ad oh dear I have to think of summat now.

[Galadriel55]

Bill indeed kicked Bill , which is what the last stanza is referring to.

"Music but not song" - music is Asfaloth's bells, but there was no time for songs or other merriment after the Trollshaws.

[Urwen]

Well, I'm restarting this, since a month had passed.

Both of us are of white,
Loved ones rejected us,
Some may say it's bad,
But we say it's good.

For we moved on,
We fell in love with each other
We've proven that darkness could be escaped
We reached the light when the Eagles came.

[Galadriel55]

Beren and Luthien? Rejected by Thingol, proved Morgoth's unassailability to be wrong, ran out of Thangorodrim before being saved by the Eagles...

[Urwen]

Close, but no cigar. Think third age...

[Galadriel55]

Eowyn and Faramir?

Both of us are of white, - Faramir is from the White City, and he calls Eowyn "the White Lady of Rohan"
Loved ones rejected us, - Denethor preferred Boromir, and Theoden forbade Eowyn to come with him
Some may say it's bad,
But we say it's good.

For we moved on,
We fell in love with each other
We've proven that darkness could be escaped - together they were saved by Aragorn
We reached the light when the Eagles came. - Eowyn "woke up" when the Eagle came to announce victory

[Urwen]

Yup.

[Galadriel55]

Thanks!

All right, here's mine, but I don't have Legate's skill with poetry.

People pass me by
Most notice me not
Only the chosen ones know -
They were chosen by fate.

My secret in my name
But no one thinks of it
Until one without understanding
Saves the day.

When my power is revealed
I reveal another's also.

[Urwen]

Maybe that bread root Mim had?

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Urwen

Maybe that bread root Mim had?

Good guess, but no. You're somewhat on the right track, though.

[Mithalwen]

Is it Athelas? Sorry about missing my go earlier - it slipped my mind..

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Is it Athelas?

Yes it is!

[Mithalwen]

Yay! I will try and get something posted tonightthoughb it may not be so clever...

[Mithalwen]

OK well I did write more but I think it makes it too easy so see how you get on with just the first stanza:

Golden haired and golden hearted
Though I bore a different name
Strange my fate but less exalted
Was I than those who fared the same

[Galadriel55]

Out of all the golden-haired people that I thought of, only two kinda fit the lines: Eowyn and myself divided by 55.

Golden haired and golden hearted - well, they have golden hair, and I suppose, golden hearts...
Though I bore a different name - Dernhelm for Eowyn, or Nerwen for Galadriel
Strange my fate - they are a bit unusual
but less exalted
Was I than those who fared the same - Eowyn's only title was "the King's niece" when she went to war, unlike Theoden (King), Eomer (3rd Marshal), and the leaders of the eoreds. You can even say that she was a plain solider and not even a commander of the lowest rank. As for Galadriel - she was the youngest daughter of the youngest sons of Finwe when the Noldor left Valinor for ME.

[Mithalwen]

Good reasoning but I think you need to find more blondes.... Only smiling because it now seems to me so obvious that even one wrong guess seems a triumph... but your reasoning shows me I haven't done a duff riddle if that makes any sense.

[Urwen]

Idril? Almost everything fits.

[Mithalwen]

Yes it is Idril. Known as Celebrindal (silver foot) and (I have always felt) rather neglected compared to Luthien and Arwen. One of my favourite characters - as wise and resourceful as she was noble and lovely.

[Urwen]

So, it's my turn? Well, I have a riddle.

See how you'll deal with this:

I counselled one whose heart was great
though later I grew lonely.
Control or mastery I sought not
but understanding only.


Wise and patient was I named;
learned in my father's lore.
All about me passions flamed
yet ever I forbore

[Mithalwen]

Sounds rather like Faramir - learned and wise and patient, who didn't seek the ring.

[Urwen]

Nope. It's a minor character. And this character is not from Lotr.

[Mithalwen]

OK - thought it was too soon after the last time...and he wasn't lonely for long! somethingis nagging inthe back of my mind,,, I 'll get back to you if it emerges

[Galadriel55]

Sounds a bit like Gwindor from the Narn...

[Urwen]

No. Earlier than that...way earlier. The book is Sil