“Good thing we all have to wear masks this year, because this book stinks of Hobbits!” Jargash, Tolkien Reading Day 2021

It’s Tolkien Reading Day again and obviously I just had to make an orc photo. I didn’t have enough time and energy to do a whole big post about this year, but you’re welcome to read a more detailed one from last year or learn more about Tolkien Reading Day and the official events for this year here.

The theme for TRD 2021 is Hope and Courage and we could all definitely use some of that in these pandemic times. As far as I’m concerned, the bravest character in the whole Lord of the Rings series is Samwise Gamgee, the small time gardener who ends up becoming a hero. All he wanted was to stay in the Shire and enjoy his simple Hobbit life, but when destiny intervened, he didn’t hesitate to step up and save the world. What’s more, he did it from the sidelines through unwavering loyalty and optimism and he never once lost hope. Although it was technically Frodo who carried the ring and its burdens, it was Sam who kept Frodo’s growing misery at bay and carried on for him even during the darkest times, ultimately carrying Frodo himself to the top of Mt. Doom. Without Sam, Frodo really wouldn’t have made it past the first second breakfast.

“One tiny Hobbit against all the evil the world could muster. A sane being would have given up, but Samwise burned with a magnificent madness, a glowing obsession to surmount every obstacle, to find Frodo, destroy the Ring, and cleanse Middle Earth of its festering malignancy. He knew he would try again. Fail, perhaps. And try once more. A thousand, thousand times if need be, but he would not give up the quest.”

J.R.R. Tolkien – The Return of the King

Knife hugs from your resident orc and go read some Tolkien stuff today. If you want to see more orc stuff, go check out my boyfriend’s craft shop here. Oh, and wear a mask!