The Lord of the Rings Explained – Gildor Inglorion

The Black Rider

Frodo, Sam, and Pippin decided to travel through the woods so as to avoid the Black Riders.  As night fell, the hobbits started singing, but Frodo soon heard hoofbeats, and they slipped into the shadows beneath some oak trees.  With the ringwraith crawling nearer and nearer, Frodo once again felt compelled to put the Ring on.

Before he could do so, however, the sound of elves singing scared the Nazgûl off.  An eager Samwise tried to go and say hello, but the others stopped him, and they listened to a few verses of the elves’ song.  The song spoke of Elbereth—the Lady of the Stars—and Frodo realized these were High Elves.

Gildor of the House of Finrod

The elves’ leader recognized Frodo and introduced himself as Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod.  Their conversation was interrupted when Pippin asked the elves about the Black Riders.  After some deliberation, Gildor’s company decided, given the Nazgûl situation, that the hobbits should travel with them for a short time.

When the company made camp near the village of Woodhall, the elves served bread, fruit, and drink that they said were poor fare among their own people.  To the hobbits, however, the food was “richer than the tended fruits of gardens.”  Even once Sam and Pippin had fallen asleep, Frodo stayed awake and talked with Gildor.

Hints and Warnings

Gildor had already figured out that Frodo was leaving the Shire and that Sauron was pursuing him.  Knowing that Gandalf had told Frodo nothing of the Nazgûl, Gildor decided it wasn’t his place to say anything.  But he did give Frodo some prophetic advice:

‘I cannot imagine what information could be more terrifying than your hints and warnings,’ exclaimed Frodo. ‘I knew that danger lay ahead, of course; but I did not expect to meet it in our own Shire.  Can’t a hobbit walk from the Water to the River in peace?’

‘But it is not your own Shire,” said Gildor. “Others dwelt here before hobbits were; and others will dwell here again when hobbits are no more.  The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence it out.’

The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅰ, Chapter Ⅲ)

This would of course prove true in Book Ⅵ: The End of the Third Age.  We’ll look at that part of the story in not too long.

Yes and No

Frodo asked Gildor if he should wait for Gandalf:

Gildor was silent for a moment. ‘I do not like this news,’ he said at last. ‘That Gandalf should be late, does not bode well.  But it is said: Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.  The choice is yours: to go or wait.’

‘And it is also said,’ answered Frodo: ‘Go not to the elves for council, for they will say both no and yes.’

‘Is it indeed?’ laughed Gildor. ‘Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.’

The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅰ, Chapter Ⅲ)

Gildor’s Advice

Gildor nonetheless gave Frodo this piece of advice:

‘But if you demand advice, I will for friendship’s sake give it.  I think you should go at once, without delay, and if Gandalf does not come before you set out, then I also advise this: do not go alone.  Take such friends as are trusty and willing.’

Gildor Inglorion, The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅰ, Chapter Ⅲ)

Frodo then asked Gildor about the Black Riders, to which Gildor responded only that the hobbits should flee from them.

‘But my heart forebodes that, ere all is ended, you, Frodo son of Drogo, will know more of these fell things than Gildor Inglorion.  May Elbereth protect you!’

Gildor Inglorion, The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅰ, Chapter Ⅲ)

Gildor vowed that he and his company would spread word of Frodo’s peril to their allies.  This he did, and both Aragorn and the mysterious Tom Bombadil learned of Frodo’s quest as a result.  Years later, Frodo and Sam would meet Gildor again on Frodo’s journey to the Grey Havens.