Timeline Event
Frodo glimpses the Eye from the slopes of Mount Doom
Event Type: General
Age: 3rd Age - Ring War
Date: March 25, 3019
Description:
An event in the prelude to the Destruction of the One Ring; see that entry for an overview:
So foot by foot, like small grey insects, they crept up the slope. They came to the path and found that it was broad, paved with ... beaten ash. Frodo clambered on to it, and then moved as if by some compulsion he turned slowly to face the East. Far off the shadows of Sauron hung; but torn by some gust of wind..., or else moved by some great disquiet within, the mantling clouds swirled, and for a moment drew aside; and then he saw, rising black..., the cruel pinnacles and iron crown of ... Barad-dûr. One moment only it stared out, but ... there stabbed northward a flame of red, the flicker of a piercing Eye; and then the shadows were furled again and the terrible vision was removed. The Eye was not turned to them: it was gazing north to where the Captains of the West stood at bay, and thither all its malice was now bent, as the Power moved to strike its deadly blow; but Frodo at that dreadful glimpse fell as one stricken mortally. His hand sought the chain about his neck.
Sam knelt by him. Faint, almost inaudibly, he heard Frodo whispering: 'Help me, Sam! ... Hold my hand! I can't stop it.' Sam took his master's hands and laid them together, palm to palm, and kissed them; and then he held them gently between his own. The thought came suddenly to him: 'He's spotted us! It's all up, or it soon will be. Now, Sam Gamgee, this is the end of ends.'
Again he lifted Frodo and drew his hands down to his own breast, letting his master's legs dangle. Then he bowed his head and struggled off along the climbing road.The Return of the King, LoTR Book 6, Ch 3, Mount Doom
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 14Aug06