Tolkien's Abandoned Lord of the Rings Epilogue

[@sophdog1678]

The Lord of the Rings was the first time I felt nostalgia for a time and a place that never was.

[@robhart6042]

The books set - or the moo-vee ??

[@sophdog1678]

@@robhart6042 The books first, then the movies captured it well too.

[@Metalwork1000]

I know what upu mean I love the books so much I talked my wife into letting me use the one ring for our wedding bands

[@Case2_0]

Good idea. I might discuss this with my girlfriend… IF I HAD ONE

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Guess you may also love the anime Mushi-shi and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. ARIA too.

[@VladimirLenine1917]

That mentioning of Sam hearing the sound of the sea at the end is so beautiful

[@Enerdhil]

Yeah... Hopefully, he wasn't severely seasick for the whole trip.😅

[@Annielee825]

It is so bittersweet. Knowing that he'd have to choose between leaving his family - or forever-abandoning his friend. At the same time always an unspoken promise of a future and new adventure to come, yet acknowledging that the quiet yearning for the waves might never fully allow him to live in the now. I both love and hate it.

[@joelallen819]

Ulmo thanking Sam, providing him comfort, and perhaps, beckoning him towards his final journey...

[@GameAnGrog]

Something about the "Well, I'm back." line always felt so strangely humble and final. It also always felt like a wonderful reference to "There and Back Again: A Hobbits Tale". Coming back, and bringing an end to another hobbits tale.

[@JDgq3yj]

Sean Astin delivered it very nicely in the film.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Gotta love the "Bookends" and "Call-Back" tropes.

[@loganv0410]

As a soldier returned from war I find the simplest family time and connections to be the richest healing of the scars of war. Much, I feel, as Prof Tolkien must have found.

[@Chris-cf2kp]

Tolkien served in WW1 trenches and saw combat, I'm certain he felt the same.

[@retriever19golden55]

What Tolkien went through in WWI was horrific...much as what you went through, I expect. Thank you to both of you, for what it's worth.

[@gmansard641]

I am a veteran also, early 60's, and am re-reading Tolkien for the first time in many years. I see so much influence of the Great War, much more than I saw when I first read it 45 years ago.

[@seanjoseph8637]

I believe Tolkien, who was an officer in WW1, identified with Frodo, and Sam was one of his sergeants. Just my opinion.

[@gmansard641]

@@seanjoseph8637 More than just your opinion, it's a certainty. Tolkien greatly admired the courage and tenacity of the common English soldier, and included these qualities when he created Sam. Have a look at the book Tolkien and the Great War by John Garth.

[@valentinkambushev4968]

Sam deserves everything he got at the end. He went through terrible hardships and challenges, fought beasts and monsters, and went to one of the most dangerous places in the world. He deserves nothing but a loving family and a warm home.

[@oneoflokis]

🙂👍

[@oneoflokis]

He ends up Mayor of Hobbiton too! 🙂👍

[@paulsarnik8506]

And taters! Prescious! 🤓😎✌🏻🇬🇧

[@alexcrockett5665]

@@oneoflokis a well earned title by all means.

[@Cookingwithfire99]

Sam gets as many f’ing breakfasts Sam wants for the rest of time.

[@TheGeneralGrievous19]

"Well, I'm back". An ending that hits you in the feels & makes you reflect. And an wnding to one of the greatest stories ever told. Thank You Professor Tolkien! 🙌🏻

[@martinxvidxb]

There and back again. :)

[@monsieurbennett]

I’m a grown man and this I made me cry like a lass. Such is the power of Tolkien’s writings and this supremely well crafted saga that I feel these are real people I have a deep emotional bond with.

[@oldoneeye7516]

so I am not alone it seems

[@Invictus357]

Aye, such Enchantment is hard to find.

[@monsieurbennett]

@@oldoneeye7516 not alone!

[@jolyonfolkett2677]

My eyes too are afflicted with the mist of emotions

[@occamraiser]

The same thing happened to me. Originally as a teenager I read the books with enthusiasm. But years later as an adult and parent I read them with a whole new perspective. I was moved to tears by the Ride of the Rohirrim. Honourable men riding to their certain deaths because it was the right thing to do.... If only more people in the world valued honour and integrity more and celebrity a little less.

[@gmansard641]

Since I first read Tolkien at 16 (45 years ago) I have traveled a lot. Study abroad, the Navy, overseas jobs for years at a time, and I always return to "well I'm back" after every trip.

[@Invictus357]

Even at 63, the wonderment of these stories still fills me with a child’s curiosity, and enchantment. You have done well my young Hobbit! Keep it up, and one day you may even surpass the Greatest of Wizards……Gandalf.

[@higginswalsan]

There are so many small details in this epilogue that are great: Frodo Lad liking the parts with Sam the most (fulfilling his namesake’s prediction of readers in the future wishing to hear of Sam’s exploits as well as his master’s), Elanor inheriting Sam’s longing to see the elves, and Pippin being referenced as a prince as the men of Minas Tirith did

[@scooterdtx]

I love both versions of the epilogue. Tolkien shows so much love and warmth in Sam's family. Also appreciate the glimpses of Elanor as a child and teenager that round out her mentions as an adult in the appendix. Lovely and moving. Thank you for the narration!💛

[@viperjoeone4933]

I cannot put my finger on it why it is that everytime I read or hear about the hobbits in Lord of the Rings I get teary-eyed. Something in them is so deep-routed to the reality of being alive and loving nature that it always touches my heart very deeply. This is one of the most important of the many reasons why I so deeply love this story.

[@myriadmediamusings]

All of Tolkien’s epilogues to his universe are very bittersweet now that I think about it, between this abandoned epilogue, the state of the world in The New Shadow, and the Dagor Daggorath.

[@istari0]

Don't forget that there would eventually be the Second Music of the Ainur when Arda would be remade as it should have been before Melkor got his hands on it.

[@Rellana1]

@@istari0 I wanted to see the world remade as Melkor and later Sauron corrupted it to the point where it'd have to be remade as you could see things gradually falling apart.

[@Terezar]

I think that's because life itself is bittersweet. All meetings must part, all friends must pass, and all happy moments must end eventually. We get many great joys in life, with the foreknowledge that at some point, inevitably, it all ends and goes away forever

[@redomega24]

@@Terezar Very well said. I just lost my dog who I rescued almost 18 years ago now and bittersweet seems an appropriate term because I gave him the best life I could and although I knew his life was coming to an end I wasn't ready to accept it and his passing will vividly stay with me for the rest of my life.

[@BrianEthridge-wg6ko]

That was well put. Bittersweet It's right on the money. Nice comment

[@caseyhamm4292]

we never get to see it but sam basically inherits all that bilbo had. his house, his good fortune, his mythical status. but sam also gets something none of the other ring bearers ever had: a family

[@SupremeLadyofDarkness28]

hearing Elanor wonder about her namesake and Sam and Rosie's conversation in the end was so lovely.

[@SamuIise]

Beautifully told and (as lots of comments have also said) the epilogue is very bittersweet but really heartwarming to hear still with Sam and his children

[@katie7308]

I live in Evesham, UK. Where Tolkien’s mother was from and where his brother had a horticultural garden and is buried in the graveyard next to the river. Nearby is his aunts farm called Bag End. Looming over Evesham is Breedon Hill, which for all the world matches the description of Weathertop. 10 miles away is The Bell in Morton in Marsh otherwise known as the Prancing Pony. I’m from Oxford, LOTR was seeped in our bones. The Bird and Baby (Eagle & Child) pub was unchanged until it recently closed (how did that happen). Tolkien lore was just, well ‘normal’ when I was growing up. Peter Jackson films…brilliant. Sad that Amazon have mangled it all beyond recognition but I guess so long as the books are in print it really doesn’t matter. But seriously how did they turn Galadriel from the Queen of the Elves into the Gnome Queen.

[@istari0]

In his earlier writings the Noldor were called Gnomes.

[@bobo577]

@@istari0Indeed. Gnome had more to do with knowledge if I recall rather than a dwarf with a cap on its head in a garden.

[@Wooster23]

The eagle and child pub closed??

[@katie7308]

@@Wooster23 it did ☹️

[@katie7308]

@@istari0 I think the version of Galadriel in the Rings of Power is more like the Queen of the Gnomes than the Elves

[@WasabiSniffer]

there's something very special about an epilogue for sam. while the other members of the fellowship went on, establishing realms and kingdoms, ruling with a just and kind heart, sam lived out his days in the calm and peaceful beauty among those he loved in a place he loved. after seeing so much horror and enduring so much evil, this was as much a happy ending as any war-weary soul could hope for: a quiet place to settle into and call home and sigh, setting down the burdens of his journey.

[@Enerdhil]

I don't think Sam had an easy life when he got back. I believe that he had a very hard, busy life, only retiring when he was around 96 years old. First of all, he had to repair the damage done by the Scouring by taking his gardening skills throughout all the land. Of course he planted the seed of a mallorn tree, but he also used some of the "dust" Galadriel gave him to replenish all that was green and blooming, to give the Shire a landscape makeover, so to say. Also, I am sure that being the Mayor of Hobbiton for so many decades was not easy for Sam. He had to deal with a lot of stressful problems and angry Hobbits, many of whom were probably business owners.

[@tsuchan]

This is the most novel Tolkien video I have watched for many a season. Thank you.

[@franceenwebb9003]

Thank you so much. This episode is well-written. It also touches on the feelings of so many heroes who come home from war. Conflict teaches them what is truly precious-family, friends, goodness.

[@Amaya-ct7777]

I can imagine that Sam is very happy with his wife and his family and children

[@KC-py5vq]

He was "fuckin" happy alright

[@paulaunger3061]

This is beautiful. I wish JRRT had written it up as a collection of short stories. Then it would have been just a set of stories connected with the total myth instead of a sequel or epilogue.

[@seanthorntonmd3908]

Thanks for including the image at the end showing the view from Bag End SSE-ward to Hobbiton and Bywater. Looks very accurate. I've never seen that image before. Love it!

[@mikevincent8728]

What has the world come to when a dude making videos on the internet can bring a tear to my eye in 26 seconds! Great video, as always :'D

[@nhmooytis7058]

When the last elves finally left Lorien did someone say Elvish has left the building?

[@tessierashpoolmg7776]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jerryhorton5708]

Dad joke but a darn good one!

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@jerryhorton5708 ty

[@itskarl7575]

That was probably Sean Connery.

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@itskarl7575 excellent point! Didn’t he play the secret agent elf?

[@MorgothsBalrog]

Can't stand when people tell me that they don't like Lord of the Rings because it's a happily ever after story. It just goes to show that either they hadn't read the book or didn't pay attention. The whole book, you believe that if Frodo survives, he will be happy to return and retire to the Shire. But then, when Frodo announces that he plans to travel to Valinor due to his traumatic experiences, it's a punch in the gut.

[@necron99.aka-sammyboy92]

There was a pseudo curenin Lorien to for his Stab wound that was making him miserable in middle earth

[@gmansard641]

Frodo said it best. He did save the Shire (and much of the world) but not for himself.

[@occamraiser]

No one wins in the lord of the Rings, the victory is that the good guys lose less than they would have. But I can't think of a single nation, group, race or type of tree that actually is better off after the war than a decade before it. 'Which Happily Ever After' are they talking about?

[@c.antoniojohnson7114]

In middle earth,the heroes are forever changed......the ending is bittersweet.

[@ishmaelforester9825]

It's a happy ending. But what does that mean? Everything turns out for the best. That can't be happy or sad because it would be unreal. Happy really means mixed blessings; polarity; a triumph despite conflict, terror, uncertainty etc

[@matthewarant377]

As amazing as this is and as much as it brings me to tears. I think the current end of LOTR is absolutely brilliant. Tolkien managed to capture all of these feelings and all of the contentment of this epilogue in the words "Well, I'm back." 😭

[@Enerdhil]

11 kids later.... Samwise: Stop,Cirdan!!!! Wait for me!!!!!!🤪

[@GRWelsh7]

That alternate epilogue was AWESOME! Thanks for the wonderful video!

[@KingJamesDisciple]

All of Matt's vids are amazing but this one was extra special. Thank You!

[@ketanhein]

I would love it if they published this epilogue as a short story along with tales about Merry and Pippin as well as the rest of the characters in more depth than what we got in the appendicies.

[@Enerdhil]

Well, then you'd be reading mostly fanfic.

[@scottsammons7747]

Better yet would be a BBC series. Preferably with live actors, otherwise we may be subjected to an AI illustrated story.

[@tkinsey3]

Sam hearing the sea 💙 Also, small note - great job on the voices/accents for Sam and his family! You are a great reader.

[@Enerdhil]

I think Sam's statement, "Well, I'm back" tells us that he is back to stay and will never again leave Rosie or Elanor. He also leaves behind his old life to do so. That is a happy ending.😁👍

[@TrekBeatTK]

Except that he eventually does leave.

[@Enerdhil]

@@TrekBeatTK Yes he does leave, but at that time he wasn't thinking about leaving his family.

[@federicaesu8580]

The final words of The Lord of the Rings are perfect and any addition would sound redundant, this conversation between Sam and Elanor and between Sam and Rosie is so sweet , though. The final hint to the sea washing on the shore gives a bittersweet tone which is wonderful

[@martar.2085]

I had no idea about that epilogue. Wow. Lovely. ❤

[@RYwoodview]

The ending of the books at Sam's return to Rosie was the perfect literary ending. But of course every additional bit of story is precious. The epilogue material probably belongs in an appendix. Yet it also confers the better end of the overall drama. After all, the whole point of opposing the darkness was to enable the continuation of ordinary life and joys in Middle Earth. I hope we all remember that.

[@bieuxyongson]

This was wonderful. Faithful wonderful Sam. I loved reading the epilogues. Tiny glimpses. ❤

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I gotta say, the father-son tandem of J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher was very lovingly close. Too bad the grandchildren didn't got the memo and sold out to Amazon.

[@Enerdhil]

Yes. Simon sucks!

[@simonster-9094]

@@Enerdhil Yes, keep trashing on people, see where that gets you in life.

[@Enerdhil]

@@simonster-9094 I said "Simon" not Simonster.😂🤣😆

[@RoquenoLiraIluvatarva]

This is one of my favourite videos you've ever done, it's so beautiful. I'm not sure if it was intentional, but it sounded like Elanor had an Elvish accent, particularly the distinctive tapped R sounds. Very appropriate! As much as I love the humble and simple ending we got, I think this epilogue reminds us what the Fellowship were fighting for this whole time, and helps me feel in a more personal way that all the sacrifice was worth it.

[@exiledscouser919]

Thank you for that moving episode as regards Sam and his family.

[@pastordc3702]

I have jusrt reread the trilogy and stumbled over this video today. Thank you, for creating it. It fills an emotional hole after being with the Lord of the Rings again for over 3 months. Well done, Sir!

[@baystated]

"night-folded" I love Tolkien's vocabularies.

[@davidstockhoff8801]

It's almost a kenning, except those are always nouns.

[@Transilvanian90]

I love this! Very beautiful epilogue, and wholesome. I wish this had been included, either at the end or just somewhere in the Appendices.

[@sarahwright2680]

Lovely. Thank you so much @NerdoftheRings. And i like your ascent with Sam. Very Irish. Very sweet and calm just like 'the chief hero'.

[@bdonaghu]

I have reread LOTR many times, and every time it is such a struggle to get through that final chapter... I never want it to end.

[@stephaniecowans3646]

This particular video was such a soothing balm to my soul, given all the hideous things going on. I feel much better, mentally, for watching it. Keep up the great work, Matt!

[@Enerdhil]

I hope God will help you through this difficult time in your life.🙏✝️

[@stephaniecowans3646]

@@Enerdhil What I was referring to is more of the political crapola surrounding the news lately. Just didn't want to get political in such a non-political channel.

[@Enerdhil]

@@stephaniecowans3646 I know what you mean.😅

[@marcelmariano3311]

Great video! Beautiful insights into the lore! Tolkien's work reaches such width and depth that one can forget the beauty of the stories crafted for each character. This insight into Sam's family life after the events of LOTR is a beautiful reminder that his work is also amazing when you look at the detail. Thank you for sharing it!

[@thomasrichardson7543]

Honestly when you build an entire world with in-depth history, lore, and a cast of characters as varied as these, I can see how coming up with an ending would be excruciating. Seriously, how can you write any sort of epilogue? The way Tolkien ended it was probably the only option and leaving it open to let others follow was best.

[@Enerdhil]

You mean let others follow their own headcanon, right?

[@JAB6322]

Sometimes I wonder if Sam's children wept for their father when it was time for him to go to the Undying Lands. And then Sam still remembers what Gandalf once said to him, Merry and Pippin when Frodo left where "not all tears are an evil" to comfort his children. 🥺

[@Enerdhil]

I think Sam's children were in their 40s, 50s and 60s, so they probably handled his leaving better than they would have if he had left when they were all kids.

[@HighRiderSonoma]

Epic story telling sir!!! I am a subscriber but I only occasionally watch your videos. Especially after the Amazon Prime fiasco. I just wanted to say…wow!!! I was immediately taken back in the Middle Earth. Keep up the great work sir!!

[@Etlelele]

Just realized they used this epilogue as the frame story for the video game Aragorn's Quest.

[@ghostlyfieldclub2930]

I'm glad to not be the only one who remembers!

[@GrosvnerMcaffrey]

That's a name I've not heard in a long time

[@TimmsMJ]

I named my daughter 'Elanor'....as Sam and Rosie did. Elanor, the golden flower that blooms in Lothlorien...First born of the new age. She's proud to have that name.

[@briangarrow448]

My granddaughter also has that name. Our family tradition is to watch LoTR every Christmas Day. We have 3 generations of Tolkien fans in our family.

[@fr.andygutierrez5356]

Absolutely beautiful… thank you for bringing this to our attention!

[@burninlightpresents]

Well this one made me cry! Thank you for all your hard work, I don't have time to read the histories books, but you pick out the important parts.

[@labaker1012]

I'm 71 and I read The Hobbit and The Lord of the rings when I was in high school back in the late sixties. When Peter Jackson made the movies I know someone had finally done the stories real Justice.

[@rigistroni]

I really enjoy your more outside the fourth wall type content, delving more into Tolkien's writing process or abandoned projects of his. As much as I love Middle Earth lore, a good chunk of it is stuff I already know so I find that these videos bring much needed variety to the channel and are much more likely to teach me something I didn't know. If I may offer a suggestion, I think delving into some of the things that inspired Tolkien and drawing connections between those stories and the books would be really interesting. I.e. the parallels between Beowulf and the smaug centric chapters of The Hobbit. Keep up the good work, love the channel.

[@erikbender1967]

Yeah, I really like that ending, more so than the book just ending after Sam returned from the Gray Havens. I surely do miss Christopher Tolkien finding his dad's early writings and publishing them.

[@tomromain8783]

This is truly beautiful! I wonder, this could be a very nostalgic and emotional way to start the Hunt for Gollum film - a simple bedtime story, maybe have Merry and Pippin round too... they would be the perfect age now! And imagine if Aragorn was there as well, on his royal visit, and it's the relentless bombardment of questions from the kids that triggers him to tell the tale!

[@kanealoha]

I didn’t know either of these epilogues. Amazing

[@jornspirit]

...this was so, so, so sweet to watch... I did read the epilogue many years ago, but there were details, I couldn't remember... it really touched my heart, and the tales were accompanied by very beautiful illustrations - THANK YOU, ROBERT 💖

[@Badvibesdude]

I read the last couple of pages of the Grey Havens to my wife last night. I'm on my second reading of the trilogy and first read after having read the Silmarillion. I started choking up a few times, but totally lost it before the final sentence. The "he was expected" line and his daughter being placed on his lap...so beautiful and so sad given his relationship with Frodo and the trauma they both experienced. He's such a great character.

[@TheYellowshuttle]

The narration & artwork were beautiful, warm and comforting! ❤️

[@istari0]

Lovely. It's been so long since I looked into "Sauron Defeated" that I had forgotten all about this.

[@mramorni]

Still, the Road goes ever on and on ❤

[@NerdoftheRings]

Check out my interview & tour at the Tales of the Shire studio (dropping tomorrow!) as we chat about the brand new game ahead of the new trailer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJuZY3Z6h86gbqc

[@danielschreiber4710]

I can honestly say that I've never been moved to tears by a KZbin video before. Thank you so much for this!

[@paulmcleod8370]

There’s only one word for this episode and that word is WOW !

[@lipingrahman6648]

I always liked to think that Elenor, in her old age, gave a copy of the red book of west-march to the kings of Gondor. Who in turn gave a copy of it to the last elves leaving middle earth. From whom the Anglo-Saxon sailors learned of those days.

[@12classics39]

When Pippin and Merry left the Shire for good two years after Sam sailed West, Pippin took a copy of the Red Book with him to give to Aragorn in Gondor, at the King’s request. I wouldn’t be surprised if Elanor created this copy herself. My headcanon is that Legolas created his own copy in Sindarin and brought it with him when he sailed West with Gimli, where it was translated into Quenya so the population of Valinor would know of the Fellowship’s story.

[@Enerdhil]

My guess is that when Legolas was transcribing The Hobbit portion of the book, he said: "Hey, wait a second! I'm not in this story, but I must have been in the Woodland Realm when the Dwarves were there!" 🧐

[@ImagineMySurprise510]

Last year I wrote an Epilogue patterned somewhat on the second Epilogue written by Tolkien, but I included a visit by Merry and Pippin to give the reader characters with whom they are already familiar and comfortable with to round out the Epilogue, who answered some of the questions that were posed because they had been witnesses to some of the events. Then the discussion goes into Sam maybe going into the West, how Merry and Pippin felt about not seeing Frodo again and their lives eventually coming to an end, what they had achieved in 14 years and what might come, their plans to meet the King, and other matters. This is in a finished form, with a draft about actually meeting the King and Arwen and other things happening in Middle-earth. I've never put this, and other writings such as the expansion and completion of the Battle For The Fords Of The Isen and expanding the Battle Of Helm's Deep [drawing from Tolkien's other writings where I could], on any website because I know many people hate 'fan fiction' and I expect my writings would not be well received, though I've tried my best to emulate Tolkien's 'voice'. But at least I have them for myself. Call them a labour of love, if you will.

[@RoseBaggins]

Oh, that sounds lovely!! Funny thing, that, I have seen Fanfiction that, um, shall we say, took more liberties than that? Like Frodo coming back from the Undying Lands to marry Pearl Took, after getting her pregnant before he left? You know, things like that. 😅 I am working on my own fanfic as well, but am putting it out on Wattpad to, shall we say, raise the level of fanfic out there.

[@Enerdhil]

Now you piqued my interest. I am always interested to read what serious lovers of Tolkien think happened in the Legendarium and beyond.😁👍

[@Enerdhil]

​@@RoseBaggins That's still better than gay Frodo and Sam.😅😅

[@markusrobinson3858]

Seriously cool that you present these extra tidbits of Middle-earth lore to us. The only suggestion that I'd really appreciate would be if you would reference WHERE in the additional Tolkien writings you find this stuff. I have most of the other books (Unfinished Tales etc.) and would really like to read those sections myself. PLEASE!!!

[@petereldergill2942]

Tolkien should have expanded on the last journey Sam takes with Elinor when he leaves the Shire for good. I tear up every time I read it in the appendices

[@Enerdhil]

Yes. Sam leaves her in the same year Rosie died. It's brutal to lose two parents in a single calendar year. It actually happened to me.😞😢

[@erwindennijs6639]

Awesome, was looking forward to this!

[@EdwinMomo-u2f]

i just wanna say thank you very much "Nerd of the Rings" for the beautiful and nostalgic videos. I feel like crying now, just wanna say also that I follow your Rings of Power episode review since it's kinda hard for me watching it.

[@D.Rivera-bh6xc]

Storytelling above any other level by Tolkien. Beautiful 💗

[@Eowyn3Pride]

Well done! Great fan art! "I'm glad you're with me Sam...here at the end of all things!"😢❤🧝‍♂️🧝‍♀️🧙‍♂️🥔🥓🍻

[@hurly_bird]

This guy's accents are SO GOOD it's unreal. Haven't heard a North American pull off a west country accent before!

[@danielsilva-duarte571]

Oh boy. One of the best videos I have ever listen to. Thank you!

[@afolsom685]

Ah Matt...this is wonderful! Of all your great videos, this has to be one of my favorites. Thanks so much.

[@phild8095]

I have been on a quest that took me far from home, rescued children, faced evil, been unjustly jailed, and now as an old man live a quiet life with a wonderful woman spending time writing, gardening, tinkering and walking a dog around a safe town. It was all worth it.

[@thomashauguel6811]

Sam's life may be full and blessed, but the sea calls, and in time Ulmo's voice will grow stronger within him.

[@reencollett6835]

Glad to see mention of the Silmarillion, one of my favourite reads when one wants to ‘get away’

[@remiren9832]

I love this so much. 😭😭😭😭 Sam is such a role model for the best priorities, just appreciating life and connections to other living things ❤

[@minikiller77]

Can I just say. I love how “and Debbie” ends all your vids 🤣

[@procrastinator9]

Thank you for this video. I did not know about this epilog. And how I wish to hear about the meeting with the King and Queen on March 25th. And about the Gamgee children as adults -- especially Elanor. And about Meriadoc bringing to the Shire the pony from Rohan. And details about the King of Rohan and the King of Gondor cleansing the West. And about Gimli's projects to repair Minas Tirith and to build the Glittering Caves. And....

[@kevinmoore4845]

You Mr. Nerd of the Rings, are a poet, as was Tolkien. Personally, I would have loved to hear Rosie beg Samwise to never leave Middle Earth while she lived. Such a statement would have heralded back to Beren and to Aragon's plight. Thanks again.

[@cbrettb]

One of your best videos. Thank you

[@hbme1390]

Beautiful artwork to accompany narration

[@joeybox0rox649]

Thank you, Matt. This was very heartwarming.

[@phild8095]

This is a great tribute to all who have fought, come home, occasionally struggle with the horrors they endured but find peace and love.

[@Libroer]

Another great one. Thanks for the constant supply of fresh looks at middle earth!

[@johnyoung2705]

The Entwives do live on. A gentleman on Quora told the story of a visit Tolkien paid his father to examine a grand, hand-drawn map the father had made of Middle-earth. Late in the visit, and perhaps as a token of appreciation to the father for his devotion to the stories, Tolkien added a note at a river entering the Sea of Rhun - to paraphrase, 'Here may be found the Entwives'. He documented the wonderful visit with photos of the map and note. I wrote a long entry on Quora detailing all this, but suffice to say - we have reason to rejoice!

[@BuntingClipClop]

What an incredible story!

[@DOSBoxMom]

We do get a little of this (very much summarized) at the end of the "Tale of Years" in the Appendices in the back of Return of the King.

[@fgdj2000]

6:05 amazing piece of art. I love Tolkien art. It shows how he was both specific, but at the same time left so much up for reader's imagination.

[@HowardG117]

I wish kids my age were into lotr

[@qwertyTRiG]

The idea that they get a spell of good weather every spring, and every spring people say that it's surprising and unseasonal, is a classic touch of Tolkien's humour.

[@Enerdhil]

Great point!😁👍

[@queenaranel6060]

What a great story. Although it's been 23 years since it first came out it's still the best story ever. I can't tell you how many times I've watched the movies and each time I see or here something new.. Love this story...

[@markroberts6322]

Thank you for posting this. Sam is and has always been my favorite LoTR character. If I could only have one friend in the world, it would be someone like Samwise Gamgee. Yes, Tolkien's writings are about good vs evil and triumphs over defeats. But most importantly, they're about true friendships.

[@v.e.7236]

First read the Hobbit in '63 and the LOTR a year or so later. Really quite amazing how this tale has taken on a life of its own over the past decade. The films, while not spot on to canon, are a true homage to Tolkein's Middle Earth. I re-read the series just a month or so ago and enjoyed every page -- again. I didn't want the story to end.

[@lukasskywalberg4253]

This is just amazing! Thank you.

[@occamraiser]

The monstrous injustice in the Lord of The Rings films was the fact that they dropped the entire punchline of the story - The Scouring of the Shire. Where the Hobbits return home, seasoned adventurers and warriors and put right the horrors of war that have been visited upon their countrymen by a malicious enemy. The 'children' from the 'Unexpected Party' are now grown up to be world renown heroes and masters of their own destiny.

[@michaelwilliams949]

Gotta say, I have so much respect for the amount of writing he did. I can only imagine the feast he’d deliver if he had a laptop (I know he wasn’t happy with technology I’m just dreaming). Also may I pose a theory about the Entwives that only came to me while watching this. As tragic as it sounds what are the odds that they were drowned during the sinking of Beleriand 🤔 just a thought

[@Enerdhil]

I think, based on what Matt said about Tolkien's thinking about the Entwives later on, they are at least alive somewhere.

[@twistedtachyon5877]

The last known sighting of entwives was in what became the dead marshes. They definitely outlasted Beleriand.

[@raymondzellar5523]

Man I love the more plain story telling in the shire. This has the same feeling that the beginning of the fellowship. This vibe, Tom bombadil and treebeard are my favorite