Hold the Light Wisdom from Myth, Legend & Fairy-tale 8.Friends & Helpers

Friends & Helpers: The Fellowship of the Ring

“You enter the forest
at the darkest point,
where there is no path.
Joseph Campbell, The Hero's Journey: 

Though in many ways we must all set off on the Quest alone, like the knights of Holy Grail – and though to some extent we must nurse our hurts  - in self - isolation maybe - the stories tell that we will find friends, companions and helpers along our way. Foes too, villians & tricksters  – as our hero’s discover, those posing as friends like the boy who robbed Santiago in the Alchemist. But here we will focus upon true friendship and upon helpers who appear – as if by magic to share our journey - wherever it might lead.

When Frodo first set out from the Shire he did so with only his faithful Sam beside him. Though he had resolved to go alone - his friend insisted.
 
And later, not so very far along the road, Merry & Pippin join him. They had known all along he intended to go and had determined follow.

---

“You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin – to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours – closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo.

   Later at Rivendell when Frodo bravely offers to take the Ring to Mordor, others eagerly step forward to join him, men, dwarves and even elves. (Gandalf too - for few tales exist without a wise, magical guide of some sort - but that’s a story for another day.)

 Frodo of course will always carry the greater burden - as we will if we become ill or care for a sick loved one alone. We can feel terribly isolated.
 At such times the comfort and companionship of others - even at a remote distance - is life -saving.

 Countries around the world have closed their borders, billions are in lockdown in their homes - we are more cut off and separate than ever before and yet paradoxically we are closer than ever.

---

In the UK over 400 thousand people voluntered to help injust one day & in Italy & Spain, people have gone out onto their balconies to join in mass applause for those on the front line as it were, for those who are putting themselves at risk in order to help others and for all those everywhere – seen & unseen - offering support and lifting each other’s spirits -  in the midst of grave danger.

 So it is for Frodo too - and whilst the way ahead is perilous indeed, his faithful companions are by his side throughout – even when times get really hard and weaker souls have fallen by the wayside, his friends are with him to the bitter end.

Even when Frodo can’t take another step, when he can hardly breathe & the thought of the beloved Shire is but a dim memory he can hardly recall.
Even then Sam is still there – gently coaxing him along, reminding him of what’s true and real & taking him to some safe place in the future, when the Ring is destroyed and peace is restored to the whole of Middle Earth.

---

“Sam: I wonder if we'll ever be put into songs or tales.
 I wonder if people will ever say, 'Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring.' And they'll say 'Yes, that's one of my favourite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn't he, Dad?' 'Yes, my boy, the most famousest of hobbits. And that's saying a lot.'
 
And Frodo rallying to support his friend and to show his great love, adds -
 
Frodo: You've left out one of the chief characters - Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam. Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam.
 
Sam: Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn't make fun; I was being serious.
 
Frodo: So was I.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers

Much Love
Anne Maria
x x x
Hold the Light/blog published daily during the Crisis @
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