Friday, September 27, 2019

Would You Rather . . .? Tolkien Edition!

So, for those who are unaware, this is Tolkien Week, and Edge of the Precipice is hosting their annual Tolkien Blog Party! As usual, the party includes a fun blog tag, and this year's is a "Would You Rather?" game. I thought it sounded like fun, so I'm joining in here at Dreams and Dragons. Over at Light and Shadows, I'm posting about my favorite Tolkien poetry, so make sure you check that out too!

Would You Rather . . . ? Tolkien Edition!

1.  ...join Thorin's Company or the Fellowship?
Well, on one hand, I do love the adventure of The Hobbit, and I'm probably a bit less likely to die in Thorin's Company than in the Fellowship. Plus, my presence would bring the total to fifteen, which is an even better number than fourteen. On the other hand, I can very much get behind the Fellowship's mission, and I think I'd get along with the group a lot better, so we're going with the Fellowship (even if I would mess up the numbering).

2.  ...ride Shadowfax or an eagle?

Ok, here's the thing. Shadowfax is great, but he's just a horse. A super-fast horse, but still a horse. I'm pretty sure that if I tried, I could find somewhere in this world to ride horses. (Also, I've ridden horses before and was not terribly impressed.) Riding an eagle, on the other hand? Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, definitely not something I could do just anywhere, so I'm going with that one.

3.  ...travel through Moria or Mirkwood?

Mirkwood. Absolutely Mirkwood. Yes, I hate spiders, but you know what else is in Mirkwood? Elves. I like elves. So all I have to do is survive long enough to find the elves (or be found by them) and I'm good. Moria, on the other hand? Full of skeletons and darkness and orcs. Not somewhere I want to go questing if I can avoid it.

4.  ...learn to make elvish rope or mithril chainmail?

Both. Absolutely both. Rope-making sounds like a generally interesting and useful skill and possibly something that I can do while listening to things to keep my hands busy. Chainmail is less practical, but who doesn't secretly want mithril chainmail? And I've always been kind of curious about the process. Basically, I like doing things with my hands, and I want to try all the things, and you can't make me choose.

5.  ...try to outwit Smaug or Saruman?

Smaug. Definitely Smaug. My chances aren't great either way, but I can absolutely lay on the flattery with Smaug (and probably do so honestly), while I don't think that strategy would work for Saruman, even if I could pull it off. (Also, I'd rather punch Saruman in the face for being a traitor and a fool than talk to him, SO.)

6.  ...spend an hour with Grima Wormtongue or Denethor?

Let's weigh the options here. On one hand, we've got a slimy, snakish creep of a man who's literally in league with evil. On the other, we have a man who has serious issues but at least tried to stand against the shadow (and actually succeeded for a while). I think I will take the latter, thanks.

7.  ...attend Faramir's wedding or Samwise's wedding?

Why not both? But if I have to pick, Sam and Rosie's wedding. I love Faramir and Eowyn dearly; they're some of my favorite characters. But I have a suspicion that their wedding would be very formal and stuff, while Sam and Rosie's would be much more comfortable and less imposing.

8.  ...have to care for the One Ring or the Arkenstone for a day?

Arkenstone, thanks. I can handle a glowy gemstone. Evil artefact of significant power that has a tendency to mess with the minds (and hearts) of its keepers? Maybe, but I'd rather not risk it.

9.  ...have tea with Bilbo or Frodo? 

Both. But if I have to pick, Bilbo, ideally a couple years after his adventure. I generally feel like Bilbo and I would get along well, and I know he'd have good stories. (Even if I already know his whole adventure, I suspect that there are smaller stories that didn't make it into the main narrative.)

10.  ...fight alongside Boromir or Eomer?
So, both Boromir and Eomer are great. Amazing characters, even if one of them had a tragic end. In terms of personality alone, I'd probably pick Eomer . . .  but in terms of practicality? I can't ride a horse well, so I'm not a great choice for a Rider of Rohan. Fighting on foot, however, I can probably manage, especially if you stretch the definition of alongside to include archer or another variety of ranged fighter. Not that I'd be great at that either . . . but y'know. You do what you can.

How would you answer these questions? Please tell me in the comments or feel free to pick up the tag yourself! I can't wait to see your thoughts!
Thanks for reading!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)

8 comments:

  1. Enjoyed your answers and I liked what you said on #9 about Bilbo probably having lots more little stories too.

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  2. From your comment on my blog I thought your answers were going to be a LOT more different than mine! :-D

    Loved your reasoning behind all of your answers! :)

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    1. Yeah, I thought so too, but apparently not. (On the other hand, a lot of my answers are just common-sense choices, so . . .)

      Thanks!

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  3. I'm totally with you on the need to fight on foot vs. on horseback. I'd join you in the archer corps!

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  4. What a fun list! I'm with you pretty much all of your choices. I think I would especially like having tea with Bilbo. It sounds like a wonderful time! :)

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    1. Doesn't it? It's one of the only situations I can think of right now where you'd be guaranteed good food AND good conversation.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts! But remember: it pays to be polite to dragons.