LOTR Read-Along: The Two Towers: The Road to Isengard

So by this point in the films, The Two Towers ended after the victory of Helm's Deep and The Return of the King starts with this chapter. It just amazes me how fast this story has gone! What I do enjoy about The Two Towers is that it focuses on relationships and the importance of having that companion, comrade, brothers-in-arms, in your life. Whether in war or peace. 

After the defeat of the host of Isengard, Gandalf, Theoden, Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli and several other riders, travel to Isengard, the fortress of Saruman. In the past, Isengard was used as an institution for education and study, and Saruman himself was considered the wisest and most benevolent of all wizards. However, his deep research into the powers of Sauron corrupted his mind, turning him away from all that was good. Saruman then took his home that was surrounded by glorious, towering trees and destroyed all the nature around him. 

Now, Isengard has been razed to the ground by Treebeard and the Ents. And along with Treebeard came two familiar faces. Both Merry and Pippin are reaping the spoils of Saruman's fortress and greet Gandalf and his Company rather drunk and high on pipeweed. Much to Gimli's annoyance, but a relief to Gandalf and the other knowing that the Hobbits are safe. Saruman himself is nowhere to be found.

While traveling the road to Isengard, Legolas and Gimli talked about their homes and their histories. Having to travel through Fangorn Forest frightened Gimli, but was nothing unusual to Legolas. However, Legolas doesn't like caves or the underground for that matter. Gimli has designs to explore the glittering caverns of Helm's Deep and if he agrees to go through Fangorn Forest, Legolas must go with him. As you would expect, Legolas agrees.

I think getting to read about Merry and Pippin drunk was worth all the struggle and heartbreak they had to go through! What I really enjoyed about this chapter was the growing companionship of Legolas and Gimli. Gimli loves his people and his culture of the mines. Legolas loves his people and his culture of the forests. Both so different and yet their loyalty and pride in who they are mirror one another in every way. It's a shame that Legolas and Gimli didn't have their own spin-off series chronicling their post-war of the Ring adventures. 

Heidi's Questions: 

• Which would be first on your adventure-with-a-friend itinerary: the glittering caverns of Helm's Deep or the Forest of Fangorn? :)

- The Forest of Fangorn! Everything about that forest just fascinates me!