The End of the Third Age

Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor,
for the Realm of Sauron is ended for ever,
and the Dark Tower is thrown down.

Sing and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of Guard,
for your watch hath not been in vain,
and the Black Gate is broken,
and your King hath passed through,
and he is victorious.

Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West,
for your King shall come again,
and he shall dwell among you
all the days of your life.

And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed,
and he shall plant it in the high places,
and the City shall be blessed.

Sing all ye people!

-"The Steward and the King," Return of the King

I have finally finished the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is the finest fictional story I have ever read.

I think what I liked most was the dialogue. Whenever Middle-Earth characters speak, they have something of value to say, and it's always constructed in such a way as to give great weight of significance to the speech. I think that's our fascination with Tolkien. That life can be that important. That deeds and speech can have great significance, and not be vain. Yes, dark times come. But they come that they may give us something to struggle for.