“The prime motive was the desire of a tale-teller to try his hand at a really long story that would hold the attention of readers, amuse them, delight them, and at times maybe excite them or deeply move them.” —from the foreword to the 2nd Edition of The Lord of the Rings (1966)

“You forget to whom you speak,” said Aragorn sternly…. “Did I not openly proclaim my title before the doors of Edoras? What do you fear that I should say to him? Nay, Gimli,” he said…. [He] looked like one who has laboured in sleepless pain for many nights. “Nay, my friends, I am the lawful master of the Stone, and I had both the right and the strength to use it, or so I judged. The right cannot be doubted. The strength was enough — barely.”…

“Well thief! I smell you and I feel your air. I hear your breath. Come along! Help yourself again, there is plenty and to spare!” —Smaug to Bilbo Baggins

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Artwork by Jeff Stoner, 2021