June 14, 2003

Re: Mr. Underhill, Lilly, and Andrew
Fluidshaggy

Mr. Underhill, I would have to concur my favorite addition was definitely the arrival of the elves at Helm's Deep. I almost jumped out of my seat and cheered as they came marching through the gate. I'd have to say my least favorite addition is the pseudo-death scene of Aragorn(that one was a bit much).

SPOILER

Lilly, it has been a while(almost three months) since the last time I read the book. But, as I recall, Frodo was out of the lair when stung by Shelob. As I remember it, Sam uses sting to hack through the webs blocking the exit and just when they've made it out to apparent safety Shelob attacks from behind and stings Frodo on the ledge and Sam attacks with Sting. That's just how I recall it and I don't have the book hear to verify. If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me.

Andrew, Aragorn stops Theoden from killing Wormtongue because he is compassionate. Nothing could be gained by killing him. As I understand it Saruman's army was already on the march by the time Aragorn reached Edoras and it's probably safe to say that Wormtongue had already informed Saruman of all the weaknesses in the Rohan defense since he had been working for him for sometime at this point. You don't avenge the dead by killing the vulture that picks at their bones(which is what he was), you go after the leader that caused the death in this case Saruman. Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.