The End of the Skywalker Saga

With the release of the full Skywalker Saga coming to Disney+ on Star Wars Day, we thought it’d be prudent to discuss content that began our passion for fantasy and sci-fi.

I was 4 years old when I first watched Star Wars and it blew my mind, as a young kid not everything stuck out, but I did remember the Ewoks, the Rancor, the Wampa, space fighting, and Luke’s green lightsaber, not so much the blue, not sure why. Regardless, from that point on Star Wars was apart of my life. With action figures, LEGOs, toy lightsabers, video games, coloring books, books, and movies, I had to experience it all. I was raised on the Original Trioloy and the Prequel Triology came before before I had a puritanical view of what Star Wars should be. As I got older, I consumed as much content as I could, and my love for this universe grew.

This love for Star Wars, and the movies that George Lucas created, unfortunately hasn’t extended to the complete story of the New Trilogy. Overall, there have been bits and pieces of the movies that I’ve enjoyed. For instance, it was nice to see Han, Luke, and Leia in action again, even if the characters’ actions no longer matched the ones we knew and loved. It was nice just to see some new Star Wars stories, it was awesome to see Rey and Finn working together, or Finn and Poe, Finn really was the glue keeping this Trilogy together. It was cool to see Finn finally growing a connection with the Force, but it was unfortunate we didn’t see this Trio interact more with each other. By the last movie we’re supposed to believe they’re all great friends but we never saw them work together. It was a tough sell for me, I wasn’t buying it. Either way, I’m excited to see what these movies set up. The future for Rey, Finn, and Poe is bright, whether we see it through books, comics, or television.

While I see the future being bright, it means the creators of the New Trilogy never did right by these new characters. It’s like they set out to kill off all the characters we knew and loved to make way for the future. Hindsight is 20/20, but they really should’ve just created a new separate trilogy for this trio. To be fair it’s hard to pass up a story that includes Luke, Han, and Leia coming back, but really besides Leia, they weren’t the characters we knew. Luke somehow decides to turn against the Jedi and Han leaves Leia. These are two big character shifts that I have problems with.

Usually, when you’re writing a story, you want your characters to be driving the plot. This makes the story organic and the characters maintain their motivations and personas. However, these huge character changes seem to be the cause of the plot driving them. Unfortunately, it happens from time to time, in order to make the story work writers can transition characters to act outside of their normal motivations. Just to give you an example, in The Lord of the Rings movies Aragorn hides from his lineage and the throne of Gondor. This is a complete 180° change from Aragorn in the books. He was trying to get back to Gondor to help the world of Men the whole time. Shifts like these happen because the writers feel like it helps the story, even if it’s against the characters we know and love.

Now, that being said, I disagree with these changes as they’re fundamentally against Luke and Han characters. Luke’s life mission was to bring back the Jedi, I don’t believe he would ever turn on a student and forsake the Jedi way. Even if a student showed signs of darkness. Luke fought and turned his father from the dark side. If he saw the good in Vader he could’ve helped his nephew. Han loved Leia so much, even in the books when their youngest son (Anakin) died, and their remaining son (Jacen) and daughter (Jaina) turned to the dark side, (the daughter eventually turned back) they still remained together. It just seemed unfortunate that the Star Wars writers would depict Han as a runner when things got tough instead of having him stick it out. While we’re on the subject of Han, why would Han and Leia name their son after Obi-Wan Kenobi? They had zero connection to him besides the fact that he trained Luke. Even then, Han only knew Obi-Wan for a short while and Leia never even met the guy. Why Ben? Maybe there’s some newer books written on it that I have no clue about, but it doesn’t make sense to me. In the Expanded Universe, Luke has a son named Ben, and that makes sense.

I’m also unhappy with the overall structure of the New Trilogy. To me they were all repurposed versions of the Original Trilogy. The Force Awakens’ plot was essentially A New Hope, in The Last Jedi the First Order (Empire) strikes back and basically runs the Resistance (Rebels) away from their base, and in Rise of Skywalker, Rey confronts Sidious as the Last Jedi remaining, just like Luke did. Even the dialogue between Sidious and Rey is pulled from the Original Trilogy. Sidious shows the hero the trap he sprang for their plans and tries to use the fear and anger of the hero’s friends dying to turn them. It’s all so unfortunate to me. They could’ve done so much with Rey, Finn, and Poe. On a good note, the movies brought some force powers and other aspects into the Star Wars cannon. Looking at you Ahsoka, Kanan, force heal, and yellow lightsabers. But, the movies still left a sour taste in my mouth, when Star Wars was bought by Disney they threw away the Expanded Universe, stating nothing that years of artist’s time, effort, and creation was cannon. And yet, they stole so much from the Expanded Universe, Han and Leia have a son turning to the dark side, Palpatine returning back as a clone, the Empire trying to return. These were all stories and plots previously written for the Expanded Universe, conveniently, Disney was able to use them for their own stories.

As exciting as it was to see Star Wars back on screen, I really felt they did a disservice to the characters. Luke turned away from the Jedi, Finn never really seemed to reach his full potential as a Jedi in training, Rey never really got to be in her own story, and Poe, well he’s a great pilot, but that’s about all we got out of him. The previous trilogies, to me, were filled with character growth and uniqueness. We missed that with this trilogy. This new trio deserved their own story instead of being forced into the end of Luke, Han, and Leia’s story.

Now, with the New Trilogy ending, Star Wars is breaking into uncharted waters with new conflicts, characters, and galactic leaders joining the fray. I’m excited for this new page, Episodes 6-9 closed off the Skywalker Saga, but Jedi will always remain in the galaxy and the Sith will always be waiting.

Thank you for your time, let us know what you think, did my Star Wars memory fade, have I missed remembered things, did the New Trilogy exceed your expectations, what happened in the movies that you liked/disliked? Let us know, and remember, there is no try.

– The Wandering One

May the 4th Be With You!

We’d be remiss if we didn’t send our readers a happy Star Wars Day post!

So sit back, sip on some blue milk, maybe even enjoy a few deathsticks if you’re feeling lucky, and pop in your favorite Star Wars movie.

I, for one, am planning on filtering through some oldies and some newsies throughout the week. Unfortunately I can’t pack in all these movies in one day, but it’s going to be a great week.

Here’s my schedule.

Monday

Rogue One
A New Hope

Tuesday

Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi

Wednesday

Solo
The Phantom Menace

Thursday

Attack of the Clones
Revenge of the Sith

So far that’s all I’ve got planned, I might throw in the final episode of The Mandalorian and a few episodes of The Clone Wars near the end of the week, but we’ll see.

Let us know what your Star Wars Day movie plans are!

Thank you for your time and remember, the force is with you, always.

– The Wandering One

On This Day in Middle-earth

May 1st

Crowning of King Elessar.

Elrond and Arwen set out from Rivendell.

On this day Aragorn, the Ranger from the North, was crowned King of Gondor. It was a day of merriment and joy as the Host of the West returned to Minas Tirith. Quite amazingly, before that, Faramir and Éowyn professed their love to each other and plans to marry. Needless to say, the month of May began on a high note.

When the Host entered the city and Aragorn was brought before the crowd, Faramir approached him and requested his rule of Steward be removed. Aragorn forbade this and declared his stewardship would continue and be past down to his heirs for as long as Aragorn’s line lasted.

Then Faramir stood up and spoke in a clear voice: “Men of Gondor, hear now the Steward of this Realm! Behold! one has come to claim the kingship again at last. Here is Aragorn son of Arathorn, chieftain of the Dúnedain of Arnor, Captain of the Host of the West, bearer of the Star of the North, wielder of the Sword Reforged, victorious in battle, whose hands bring healing, the Elfstone, Elessar of the line of Valandil, Isildur’s son, Elendil’s son of Númenor. Shall he be king and enter into the City and dwell there?”

And all the host and all the people cried yea with one voice.

Aragorn had one special request to be made, many had performed brave deeds that led to this moment. In honor of those deeds, Aragorn had Frodo, the Ring-bearer, take the crown to Gandalf who would then bestow it upon his head. Gandalf, being the chief driver in all that has happened, in Aragorn’s eyes, this was his victory.

In the days following, Aragorn sat upon his throne and past judgements. The Easterlings, who gave themselves up, were pardoned, he made peace with Harad, freed the slaves of Mordor, and gave Faramir Ithilien.

The lands of Middle-earth were finally being filled with peace and contentment.

Thank you for your time and remember, the crownless again shall be king.

– The Wandering One

Character of the Week

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Let’s go ahead an honor one of our most favorite Jedi with the Character of the Week title.

Obi-Wan Kenobi was Anakin’s Jedi Master, a General during the Clone Wars, the spark of the Rebellion, and one of the strongest Jedi throughout their illustrious history.

As a Padawan he defeated a Sith, Darth Maul, after which, he fought his way through ranks of Jedi Knight to Jedi Master and a seat on the Jedi Council. He’s lived through battles with Count Dooku, Assaj Ventress, General Grevious, Jango Fett, countless battle droids, and even Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One. Obi-Wan Kenobi is a true Jedi warrior and a constant follower of their ways.

While Obi-Wan Kenobi was always a follower of the Jedi path, it still wasn’t easy for him. He had his own battles, but in the end he always upheld the Jedi’s oath. Obi-Wan saw his Master, his love, his friends, and countless others die before his eyes, but he never allowed those tragedies to shake his faith. He remained selfless, powerful, and kind. Anakin could’ve learned more about being a Jedi if he had truly watched and learned as his master navigated love, friendship, the Jedi Council, and how he conducted his business. Obi-Wan constantly put his life on the line for others with no want for reward. Jedi do not perform acts of valor for reward or recognition, they do so for the sake of others.

As we get closer and closer to Star Wars day, we hope you join us as we celebrate a great Jedi this week.

Thank you for your time and remember, deep roots are not reached by the frost.

– The Wandering One

Re-Sorting The Trio

J.K. Rowling spent years developing her lead characters’ relationship. The trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione could very well go down as the greatest novelized trio in history, but, at Of Blades and Kings, we feel there’s a little bit of smudge with this trio.

Throughout Harry Potter, the theme, “it doesn’t matter what house you’re in, you can still do great things,” grows with the books. The Trio did great things, but they were all in Gryffindor, the antagonists were in Slytherin, and the house that stood up and helped Gryffindor the most? Ravenclaw. Where was Hufflepuff’s representation? Yes, Cedric Diggory was a perfect candidate to bring Hufflepuff’s into the spotlight, but he was murdered by Voldemort. Before him Hufflepuff’s had Justin Finch-Fletchley, Ernie McMillan, and Hannah Abbot. After him they introduced Zacharias Smith, but that didn’t help since he was pretty much a prat the whole time. Not exactly A-list characters. Even Professor Sprout doesn’t get time to shine outside of the Chamber of Secrets.

J.K. spent time to discuss how the House system at Hogwarts might be flawed, and yet she didn’t write anything that necessarily proved that point to be right. An example? None the Slytherins stay in book seven to help defend Hogwarts. J.K. made all the main characters in Gryffindor and Slytherin, Ravenclaw got boosts with Cho Chang and Luna Lovegood, and she barely gave Hufflepuff’s anything. She didn’t create an environment that showed the system was flawed, and that’s why we’re here, to fix it.

The best way to do this, is to re-sort the Trio, and here’s where we put them.

Harry Potter

Gryffindor

Sorry, you just can’t re-sort Harry Potter, would it be amazing if he went to Slytherin and was still a great guy? Yes, absolutely, but Harry Potter in Gryffindor is like a fish to water, it’s just meant to be.

Hermione Granger

Ravenclaw

An obvious change here, Hermione is easily the brightest which of her age. Her relationship with Flitwick throughout the books seems really strong to me, and it’s not like you can’t be brave and be in Ravenclaw. Just ask Luna Lovegood.

Ron Weasley

Hufflepuff

I don’t mean this in a bad way, but Ron’s a Hufflepuff, he easily has the biggest heart in the trio and he’s a great friend. Would being sorted into Hufflepuff mess up his street cred in the Weasley house? Sure, but he could go on to do great things in Hufflepuff without having to worry about measuring up to his brothers, or having his brothers around to constantly tease him. Who knows, he might’ve been that Head Boy, Quidditch Captain combo he saw in the Mirror of Erised.

With Harry, Ron, and Hermione being in separate houses it would change the story, but, I don’t think it would change much. It would increase the amount of time the Trio spends outside the common room, it would create more of a challenge for them to find a place to discuss all their plans, and ultimately we’d see more of Hogwarts. I believe all those things are positives, they would help flesh out the story and make the unity argument more impactful.

Clearly, we’re not making any crazy changes to The Trio here, but these new sortings open up so many possibilities for the story.

Let us know what you think, are there any other characters in Harry Potter that need to be re-sorted?

Perhaps Draco to Ravenclaw? He is an incredibly bright wizard, enough to be battling with Hermione for the top of the class. In the end, he didn’t have the hatred to be an evil wizard like Voldemort or his dad. Draco needs a do over in Ravenclaw.

Fred & George to Slytherin? They are incredibly cunning and ambitious. If those are truly a Slytherin’s defining features, they’d be a good fit. However, they don’t fit in with the evil nature of Slytherin.

Let me know what you think, and remember, not all those who wander are lost.

– The Wandering One

Character of the Week

William Thatcher (Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein)

He’s quick, he’s funny, he makes me lots of money, Liechtenstein! Liechtenstein!

Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein from Gelderland, otherwise known as William Thatcher is the protagonist in the movie, A Knight’s Tale. (Which was loosely based off of A Knight’s Take in Geoffrey Chaucer’s, The Canterbury Tales.)

William Thatcher was only a squire, but when his knight died during a tournament, he convinced his friends that he could impersonate the knight in order to win them money for food.

After he was successful in his first tournament William believed he could be a knight full time. He pleads with his friends to take their earnings and get new gear and armor for him. With a few gold coins these poor squires could change their stars.

Thus begins a knight’s tale, he fights his way from the ditches of the poor into knighthood. The movie is comical and exciting, and William is the perfect knight throughout. He’s chivalrous, brave, trustworthy, compassionate, and loyal to his friends and family. William never backed down from the challenges life threw at him, he rose above them with goodness and determination.

We hope you join us in celebrating William Thatcher, the poor squire with the heart of a great knight.

Thank you for your time and remember, a light from the shadows shall spring.

– The Wandering One

LOTR Storylines That Could Be in the Amazon TV Show

If you haven’t heard by now Amazon is set to create a TV show based off of The Lord of the Rings. Early on, there was plenty of speculation about whether or not this TV show would be new content or a remake. Somehow, some way, the TV show was said to be about a young Aragorn and his adventures. The show probably would’ve focused around his time fighting in Rohan and Gondor under different alias’. It’s not a terrible idea for a TV show, but we weren’t happy with this direction. Aragorn is Viggo Mortensen and Viggo is Aragorn. Before we start going off on a tangent, because we have strong feelings about this, they became a mute point. Eventually, the map of Middle-earth for the TV show was revealed by Amazon and, surprisingly, it included Númenor.

Now, because of this setting, it’s clear the TV show will take place in the Second Age far before Aragorn’s birth. It’s also clear that the show will take place around the time when Númenóreans were present since we can see the island of Númenor on the map. This isn’t a small tease, this is a pretty big reveal. The Númenóreans were the elite race of Man, even Sauron was worried about them. If you’re going to include their island, it’s a safe bet to assume that they’ll be big players in the show.

With all that being said, and with this map, we have some thoughts on what the TV show will be about. Starting out we wanted to lay out main events during the Second Age.

  • 1000 Sauron, alarmed by the growing power of the Númenóreans, chooses Mordor as a land to make into a stronghold. He begins the building of Barad-dûr.
  • 1075 Tar-Ancalimë becomes the first Ruling Queen of Númenor.
  • 1200 Sauron endeavours to seduce the Eldar. Gil-galad refuses to treat with him; but the smiths of Eregion are won over. The Númenóreans begin to make permanent havens.
  • c. 1500 The Elven-smiths instructed by Sauron reach the height of their skill. They begin the forging of the Rings of Power.
  • c. 1590 The Three Rings are completed in Eregion.
  • c. 1600 Sauron forges the One Ring in Orodruin. He completes the Barad-dûr. Celebrimbor perceives the designs of Sauron.
  • 1693 War of the Elves and Sauron begins. The Three Rings are hidden.
  • 1695 Sauron’s forces invade Eriador. Gil-galad sends Elrond to Eregion.
  • 1697 Eregion laid waste. Death of Celebrimbor. The gates of Moria are shut. Elrond retreats with remnant of the Noldor and founds the refuge of Imladris.
  • 1699 Sauron overruns Eriador.
  • 1700 Tar-Minastir sends a great navy from Númenor to Lindon. Sauron is defeated.
  • 1701 Sauron is driven out of Eriador. The Westlands have peace for a long while.
  • c. 1800 From about this time onward the Númenóreans begin to establish dominions on the coasts. Sauron extends his power eastwards. The shadow falls on Númenor.
  • 2251 Death of Tar-Atanamir. Tar-Ancalimon takes the sceptre. Rebellion and division of the Númenóreans begins. About this time the Nazgûl or Ringwraiths, slaves of the Nine Rings, first appear.
  • 2280 Umbar is made into a great fortress of Númenor.
  • 2350 Pelargir is built. It becomes the chief haven of the Faithful Númenóreans.
  • 2899 Ar-Adûnakhor takes the sceptre.
  • 3175 Repentance of Tar-Palantir. Civil war in Númenor.
  • 3255 Ar-Pharazôn the Golden seizes the sceptre.
  • 3261 Ar-Pharazôn sets sail and lands at Umbar.
  • 3262 Sauron is taken as prisoner to Númenor;
  • 3262-3310 Sauron seduces the King and corrupts the Númenóreans.
  • 3310 Ar-Pharazôn begins the building of the Great Armament.
  • 3319 Ar-Pharazôn assails Valinor. Downfall of Númenor. Elendil and his sons escape.
  • 3320 Foundations of the Realms in Exile: Arnor and Gondor. The Stones are divided (p. 598 ). Sauron returns to Mordor.
  • 3429 Sauron attacks Gondor, takes Minas Ithil and burns the White Tree. Isildur escapes down Anduin and goes to Elendil in the North. Anárion defends Minas Anor and Osgiliath.
  • 3430 The Last Alliance of Elves and Men is formed.
  • 3431 Gil-galad and Elendil march east to Imladris.
  • 3434 The host of the Alliance crosses the Misty Mountains. Battle of Dagorlad and defeat of Sauron. Siege of Barad-dûr begins.
  • 3440 Anárion slain.
  • 3441 Sauron overthrown by Elendil and Gil-galad, who perish. Isildur takes the One Ring. Sauron passes away and the Ringwraiths go into the shadows. The Second Age ends.

Now we can expect that this show, as most shows do, will follow a certain yearly structure. Meaning we can expext one season per year of events. If this is the case, then we can highlight two instances of events that take place over a relatively close timeline.

The first series of events would be the following.

  • c. 1600 Sauron forges the One Ring in Orodruin. He completes the Barad-dûr. Celebrimbor perceives the designs of Sauron.
  • 1693 War of the Elves and Sauron begins. The Three Rings are hidden.
  • 1695 Sauron’s forces invade Eriador. Gil-galad sends Elrond to Eregion.
  • 1697 Eregion laid waste. Death of Celebrimbor. The gates of Moria are shut. Elrond retreats with remnant of the Noldor and founds the refuge of Imladris.
  • 1699 Sauron overruns Eriador.
  • 1700 Tar-Minastir sends a great navy from Númenor to Lindon. Sauron is defeated.
  • 1701 Sauron is driven out of Eriador. The Westlands have peace for a long while.

This seems like a prime choice for creating a TV show based in the Second Age. Over the course of 8 years, 1693 to 1701, Sauron wages war against the Elves, but it’s not until 1700, when the Númenóreans join the fight, that Sauron is defeated. Let’s put this in perspective, the Númenóreans, with the help of the Noldor, defeat Sauron who is wielding the One Ring. As I said before, the Númenóreans are a big deal. Character-wise this storyline makes sense to me, we have familiar characters and chances for new ones to rise. 8 years seems like a long time, but hey some movies span a whole year and that’s only 2hrs. and 30 min. For Of Blades and Kings, this is our go to storyline for the TV show.

The second series of events would be the following.

  • 3262-3310 Sauron seduces the King and corrupts the Númenóreans.
  • 3310 Ar-Pharazôn begins the building of the Great Armament.
  • 3319 Ar-Pharazôn assails Valinor. Downfall of Númenor. Elendil and his sons escape.

Sauron knew how strong the Númenóreans were, but he also knew they could be corrupted, like most men. Since the year 2251 division amongst the Númenóreans festered, proving that these great men are not above temptation. Many Númenóreans believed they deserved the same gift of everlasting life that the Elves were given. They were prepared to turn against the Valar, fights broke out and civil war ensued. It wasn’t until Ar-Pharazôn, the proudest and most powerful of all the Kings, ascended to the throne that the shadow over Númenor darkened. He was the leader of the rebellion, and wanted the world to be his dominion. He openly challenged Sauron, caught him and took him as his prisoner. Sauron begins seducing the King until he is no longer prisoner but the King’s trusted advisor. Sauron convinces the King to turn the Númenóreans, except the Faithful, away from the Valar and declare war upon them.

This seems like a very Game of Thrones-esque storyline that the show might follow. As I understand it, Amazon is trying to create something comparable/better than HBO’s hit TV show. Tall order, but if they want a storyline with deception, lies, corrupt officials, civil war, and fights for the throne then this seems like a storyline Amazon would follow.

Either of the two storylines could work, our preference is the first one, but the second one would be a completely unique story with all new characters and a completely new setting that’s unfamiliar to fans of the movies. Because of that, this seems like a safe route to go if you don’t want let fans down. No one’s really going to argue that it doesn’t look the same as the movies because none of the characters are the same and neither is the location. If you look at their casting, all new faces, this seems like the story that they’re going to follow. Plus, there’s been no news of Hugo Weaving returning to reprise his role as Elrond, which if they went with the first storyline you’d have to get him back.

If you look further into the full timeline of the Second Age, there’s plenty you could pull from to make a show, but if we follow the map Amazon gave us, we can narrow down the timelines. The events that we pointed out are the biggest that include Númenor, which makes it highly plausible that the show will be based on either of these events.

Let us know your thoughts, are there TV show worthy events in the timeline that we missed, or did we pick out some of the best ones? What’d you want to see out of a Lord of the Rings TV show? Let us know!

As always thank you for your time and remember, renewed shall be blade that was broken.

– The Wandering One

Character of the Week

Eddard “Ned” Stark

The Head of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North.

Ned Stark was a great man and a great father. He believed in and kept the old traditions of honor and integrity when the world around him changed. To steal a quote from The Dark Knight, he was a decent man who lived in indecent times. Ned fought hard to change the times back to honor and truth, but unfortunately for him and his family that wasn’t the way the world worked.

Like many who’ve read the A Song of Ice and Fire books and watched the Game of Thrones show, it’s incredibly hard not to fall in love with Ned Stark. With everything he does to you want him to succeed and George R.R. Martin masterfully creates the perfect character to begin his trope.

Ned Stark was a leader who led by example, he believed that the man who passes a sentence should be the one who swings the sword. Therefore in Winterfell if someone was sentenced to death Ned was the one to perform the act. There is honor in being strong enough to stand by your word and allowing no one else to bear the blame.

Raise your glasses today to the Lord of Winterfell, Ned Stark, the man who fought with honor for truth and justice. For a man who never sought out the crown, he was the perfect leader to wear it.

We couldn’t have picked a character in Game of Thrones more worthy of a Character of the Week title than Ned Stark.

Thank you for your time and remember, even if winter is coming, deep roots are not reached by the frost.

– The Wandering One

Characters Who Don’t Get Enough Love

The Lord of the Rings: Éomer

Éomer! Come on, why does no one talk about this guy!

Éomer son of Émund, Third Marshal of Riddermark, leads his Rohirrim by example. He’s tough, fair, compassionate, and fierce. Throughout the books we see Éomer flourish in action, and grow into a King.

Out of all the characters in The Lord of the Rings, Éomer is one that I rarely hear people talk about. He’s Théoden’s right hand and man worthy of Aragorn’s recognition. In the books, Éomer was waiting for the moment when he and Aragorn would draw their swords together, but it wasn’t until Helm’s Deep that this moment actually happened. Aragorn and Éomer led the effort to clear off evil forces battering the gates of Helm’s Deep. Later on, they could be seen leaning on their swords together taking it all in, and catching their breath. This was the battle that made Éomer and Aragorn brothers in arms, and this friendship came full circle during the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

And so at length Éomer and Aragorn met in the midst of the battle, and they leaned on their swords and looked on one another and were glad.

“Thus we meet again, though all the hosts of Mordor lay between us,” said Aragorn. “Did I not say so at the Hornburg?”

That’s two moments where Aragorn and Éomer stop mid-battle to lean on their swords and take in the moment. The fact that these two warriors were able to even do that is a testament to their skill. Éomer’s role was larger in the books than it was the movies, and the friendship between him and Aragorn was also stronger. When the decision to attack the Black Gates was made, Éomer cited his friendship with Aragorn as a chief reason for following his future King.

“As for myself,” said Éomer, “I have little knowledge of these deep matters; but I need it not. This I know, and it is enough, that as my friend Aragorn succoured me and my people, so I will aid him when he calls. I will go.”

When Théoden passed, Éomer became the King of Rohan, he and Aragorn brought in the new age of Kings.

And last of all Aragorn greeted Éomer of Rohan, and they embraced, and Aragorn said: “Between us there can be no word of giving or taking, nor of reward; for we are brethren.”

To end my point, if this man is worthy enough to be Théoden’s successor and Aragorn’s brother, then he’s worthy of more recognition from the masses. Éomer is a true warrior and hero in The Lord of the Rings and he should be treated as such.

Thank you for your time, I hope you join us as we celebrate King Éomer. Remember, the crownless again shall be king.

– The Wandering One

Character of the Week

Janglur Swifteye

Many readers will not be familiar with this strong, quick-witted squirrel warrior from the Redwall novel Marlfox, but you should be.

A quick sketch of our Character of the Week: Janglur Swifteye

Janglur and his family travel from dwelling to dwelling in Mossflower when they first encountered Marlfoxes. Something about them didn’t sit right with Janglur, and sensing danger he took his family to Redwall to warn the peaceful creatures of this sinister presence in the woods. The Marlfoxes, and their army, spent time scoping out the Abbey. In their first move they kidnapped a mousbabe for ransom. Their goal was to take the riches inside the Abbey, by force, if necessary. Janglur tried to trick the Marlfoxes into parlaying for the babe but he actually devised an ambush. Unfortunately, the plan didn’t turn out so well as it led to an all out battle that was going the Marlfoxes way until Janglur swiftly killed a Marlfox with her own axe. This was a huge event because it was believed that Marlfoxes couldn’t be killed. At the sight of their dead kin the Marlfoxes called for retreat, but they weren’t giving up yet.

Without telling too much of the story, Janglur played an important role in the protection of Redwall from these vicious predators. When they tried to attack again, Janglur was there outsmarting them, and he even killed another Marlfox in the process. Fun fact, Janglur and another animal known as the “Teeth of the Deeps” are the only creatures who have killed more than one Marlfox. That’s quite an accomplishment when you consider how ferocious those beasts were.

Throughout this story multiple heroes rose to the occasion, as is the case in most Redwall novels, but Janglur was a true warrior of Redwall. No matter how grim the situation seemed he always kept a level head, he fought with honor, and everything he did was to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. That’s why, at Of Blades and Kings, we awarded Janglur Swifteye with the Character of the Week.

Thank you for your time and remember, no matter how bad things may seem, deep roots are not reached by the frost.

– The Wandering One