AUTHOR'S NOTES -
CHAPTER 32: TREASURES AND TRIBUTES
She ran her fingers over the Red Book on its stand
History of Middle-earth, vol. 9, Sauron Defeated, The Epilogue (second version): “One evening in the March of 1436 Master Samwise Gamgee was in his study at Bag End... Propped up on a stand at his side was a large red book in manuscript.”
And so it proved. The glorious spell of weather continued after Elanor’s birthday; everyone was surprised, and no one should have been, since it had happened almost every year since the Travellers returned.
History of Middle-earth, vol. 9, Sauron Defeated, The Epilogue: “It was the second day of the bright cloudless spell that came every year to the Shire towards the end of March, and was every year welcomed and praised as something surprising for the season.”
(“Almost every year” because it was raining in Chapter 23, Lullabies when Frodo woke up.)
He looked meaningfully at Merry and Pippin. ‘Because if you don’t, the King will hear of it.’ For once it was not an idle threat.
History of Middle-earth, vol. 9, Sauron Defeated, The Epilogue: “‘...So no more of that, take your turn, and what’s due in your time, or I’ll tell the King.’
‘They had heard this threat before, but something in Sam’s voice made it sound more serious on this occasion.”
‘Behold!’ cried Aragorn. ‘The Star of the Dúnedain was never more deservedly given!’
Sam lifted the chain so he could see better. On it was hung a heavy gold star with six points, and superimposed over the centre was another, much smaller star. He rubbed his thumb over it and smiled at Merry and Pippin.
‘The Star of Eärendil,’ he said quietly.
The Return of the King, Appendix B: “1436 King Elessar rides north, and dwells for a time by Lake Evendim. He comes to the Brandywine Bridge, and there greets his friends. He gives the Star of the Dúnedain to Master Samwise, and Elanor is made a maid of honour to Queen Arwen.”
The design I have used is the star drawn by Tolkien in his emblem for Eärendil, (which I use as my message board Avatar).
The youngest children were in and out, but as the meal progressed they gradually disappeared and did not return; the entertainment was obviously to their liking.
In the first draft I wrote: “The youngest children were in and out, but as the meal progressed they gradually disappeared and did not return; the magician was obviously a good one.”
On rereading, once I'd finished laughing I hastily changed it. I thought you might enjoy the out take.
‘I am hoping, my dear, that you might like to be a maid of honour to me, and that your mother and father will bring you to the court in Minas Tirith when you are older.
The Return of the King, Appendix B: “1436 ...Elanor is made a maid of honour to Queen Arwen... 1442 Master Samwise and his wife and Elanor ride to Gondor and stay there for a year...”
I wish to gift the Westmarch to the Shire. Not yet, I think, for that would not suit my purpose. Let it be around the time Fastred comes of age; I will give you the keeping of the wardenship, but with the understanding that Fastred might be given the title when he is ready. What do you say?’
The Return of the King, Appendix B:
1451 Elanor the Fair marries Fastred of Greenholme on the Far Downs.
1452 The Westmarch from the Far Downs to the Tower Hills (Emyn Beraid), is added to the Shire by the gift of the King. Many hobbits remove to it.
1454 Elfstan Fairbairn, son of Fastred and Elanor is born.
1455 Master Samwise becomes Mayor for the fifth time. At his request the Thain makes Fastred Warden of the Westmarch...
Tolkien does not tell us when Fastred was born. In All That I Had he is born in 1420. He therefore marries Elanor before either of them is of age. Having made him an illegitimate son of Pippin, I liked the idea that King Elessar was helping Pippin avoid strife within his family. Pippin may have been a little slow to carry out the King’s wishes (father’s can sometimes be slow to perceive that their children have grown up and are ready for responsibility), it therefore falls to Sam to remind him that it is time to make Fastred warden...
As the sweet words opened old wounds, Sam was transported back to a time when pain and delight flowed together, and he openly wept. Pippin put his arm around him, and Sam turned into the solid strength of his friend. Pippin murmured words of comfort in his ear, not wanting to interrupt the flow of the song, as the clear voice of the minstrel rose in remembered silver and gold. ‘I’m sure he’s all right, Sam,’ he said.
The Return of the King, The Field of Cormallen: “And all the host wept, and in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver and gold, and all men were hushed. And he sang to them, now in the Elven-tongue, now in the speech of the West, until their hearts, wounded with sweet words, overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness.”