Love those Riders of Rohan... and that Ranger...

[fajrdrako]

I went to see The Return of the King again today. Loved it as much as ever, maybe more. Saw a few new things - nothing terribly relevant, but each new detail adds flavour to the rest.

Before leaving home, I went carefully through my morning routine, and everything was fine. I even fit in a little Esperanto, and wrote something on my Esperanto LJ; and made a few pieces of origami. Of course it helped that it was a Saturday, and I didn't have to pack everything in to the time between six and starting work at nine. Going for a walk was problematic - there was freezing rain overnight, and the sidewalks weren't easy to walk on. I went to Bank Street and back. I won't get anywhere fast at that right, but the Hobbits were slowed down by the Misty Mountains, right?

maboroshimaki, Marcelle and I went to the Chapters in Kanata. I found the Sheamus Heaney translation of Beowulf and bought it. Also found and bought the beautiful DK Books edition of B.K.S. Iyengar's Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health, which I've been coveting for a long time. Expensive, but more than worth it.

Dinner was at the Baton Rouge - there's a branch now in Kanata. I went to the one in Toronto with the Dunnett crowd in October; that was for brunch, and it was quiet, and easy for conversation. The one here was noisy and crammed full of people. I couldn't even shout across the table to talk to Vicky, and had occasional trouble hearing blackbyrde. The food was great - though Maboroshi said her "Louisiana Cajun pasta" dish was tasteless, my grilled chicken was tender and perfect and the vegetables with it were perfect. I skipped the sauce - got it separate, didn't like it, didn't use it. Sampled and loved the crispy fried chicken that lmondegreen was eating. Got a multiple dose of parsley from just about everyone, who thought I was taking it home to the budgies. Instead I ate it myself. They threatened to tell on me to the feather brigade, but I promised to feed them baby bok choy in recompense. I like parsley too. I also like bok choy, but I can share.

I wanted a snack during the movie but didn't want to be tempted by popcorn, which is off my diet. I couldn't get green beans at Loeb so I got carrots instead, cooked them lightly, and put on melted butter (or ghee, actually) and salt. It was delicious. Much more filling than popcorn; I couldn't even finish the bag of carrots I'd brought.

Am I talking too much about food?

During The Return of the King I sniffled at the usual spots, but teared up in a few more places - like the scene at the Green Dragon, when the Hobbits feel so estranged from the life they used to know. And when Eowyn told Eomer that Merry had every right to fight for those he loved. This time, when she and Merry first saw the forces of Morder attacking the Gates of Minas Tirith right before the Battle of Pelennor Fields, I got all sentimental at that thought that the look of alarm on Merry's face was because he was thinking: "Pippin is in there."

Comments

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

'This time, when she and Merry first saw the forces of Morder attacking the Gates of Minas Tirith right before the Battle of Pelennor Fields, I got all sentimental at that thought that the look of alarm on Merry's face was because he was thinking: "Pippin is in there."'

That scene, where Merry and Eowyn both yell in unison with the men, always got to me, because it shows such bravery. This would've been Eowyn's first time at war, and I can only imagine what a sight that must've felt like to her, much as she has always wanted to fight. The full reality of war falling upon her and then the passion and the courage rising up to counteract the fear.

Love it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

There are so many reasons this is a terrific scene. Theoden is wonderful too - the fallen king who now has a chance to redeem himself, who is putting everything he has into it. Who knows that a lot of his soldiers will be like Eowyn, totally untried in war, though he doesn't know Eowyn herself is there. (Or Merry.)

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

And it was your comment on Entmoot that made me realise why she ducks her head at that particular moment, when Theoden rides past - for which I say "hannon le!" *g*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

If I knew how to say "you're welcome" in Elvish, I would!