As if through a thin veil

Well, these are very strange times we are living in. But I am going to do something otherwise strange and write about something other than COVID-19.

I am re-reading Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring after many years, having decided that it was time to read the trilogy again this year, and I am finding it strangely heartening in these circumstances. There are much worse things that could be read about facing hard and dangerous things for a greater good and about enduring personal discomfort and self-sacrifice. 

I find the mounting dread in the first book when the Ringwraiths are in pursuit really quite frightening, and I can hardly bear to read on, and yet at the same time along the dark journey there are scattered compelling moments of such beauty and safety and joy that fill me with such an immense longing. I just want to be in them. And then I remind myself that everything that draws me about those glowing moments in the book are previews of heaven, and of who Jesus is.

There is the night of feasting in the woods with the high elves who they meet early in the journey, then there is the time of comfort and joy in Tom Bombadil’s house, and then, when the situation is perilous and they know the black riders are close on their trail, along comes Glorfindel, a character I had completely forgotten. I just love the description, and find it so stirring, so I have decided to write it out: 

‘That does not sound like a Black Rider’s horse!’ said Frodo, listening intently. The other hobbits agreed hopefully that it did not, but they all remained full of suspicion. They had been in fear of pursuit for so long that any sound from behind seemed ominous and unfriendly. But Strider was now leaning forward, stooped to the ground, with a hand to his ear, and a look of joy on his face.

The light faded, and the leaves on the bushes rustled softly. Clearer and nearer now the bells jingled, and clippety-clip came the quick trotting feet. Suddenly into view below came a white horse, gleaming in the shadows, running swiftly. In the dusk its headstall flickered and flashed, as if it were studded with gems like living stars. The rider’s cloak streamed behind him, and his hood was thrown back; his golden hair flowed shimmering in the wind of his speed. To Frodo it appeared that a white light was shining through the form and raiment of the rider, as if through a thin veil.

Strider sprang from hiding and dashed down towards the Road, leaping with a cry through the heather; but even before he had moved or called, the rider had reined in his horse and halted, looking up towards the thicket where they stood. When he saw Strider, he dismounted and ran to meet him calling out: Ai na vedui Dúnadan! Mae govannen! His speech and clear ringing voice left no doubt in their hearts: the rider was of the Elven-folk. No others that dwelt in the wide world had voices so fair to hear. 

Then later, after Glorfindel's horse has carried Frodo safely into Rivendell and Glorfindel has contended with the black riders by the ford, Gandalf explains something of who Glorfindel is to Frodo:

The Elves may fear the Dark Lord, and they may fly before him, but never again will they listen to him or serve him. And here in Rivendell there live still some of his chief foes: the Elven-wise, lords of the Eldar from beyond the furthest seas. They do not fear the Ringwraiths, for those who have dwelt in the Blessed Realm live at once in both worlds, and against both the Seen and the Unseen they have great power.’

‘I thought that I saw a white figure that shone and did not grow dim like the others. Was that Glorfindel then?’

‘Yes, you saw him for a moment as he is upon the other side: one of the mighty of the Firstborn. He is an Elf-lord of a house of princes. Indeed there is a power in Rivendell to withstand the might of Mordor, for a while: and elsewhere other powers still dwell. There is power, too, of another kind in the Shire ...

Isn’t that picture of Glorfindel just grand and so attractive though? The splendour and goodness and power over evil and safety and rescue of it all ...